Ten chapters plus one. Hope you'll like it.
Tell me if the flashbacks are too much, i thought i'd try it but it can go either way.
And thank you again for the reviews, this is a really really nice way to get motivated.
Unaware of the turmoil surrounding their situation, the Amazons went back to their daily life after the fright of a possible war with the Centaurs. Members of the Council kept their words and did not reveal the fact that danger was still looming over them. Questions were raised about the whereabouts of their Queen though. Pretexting a need for their leader to retreat in Artemis's temple was Ephiny's idea. The Regent hated to lie to her sisters but it was a necessary evil today. When Eponin came back without their Queen, Ephiny thought the worst must have happened and that everything was over.
The relief of learning the Queen was in fact alright was quickly replaced by dread and anger knowing that the Amazon Queen was traveling with the Conqueror. Letting a defenseless Gabrielle with the former Destroyer of Nations, it was foolish considering their history.
Upon thinking of the many ways things could go catastrophic for everyone, the Regent heard voices behind the door of the Queen's office. With Gabrielle gone, she found herself at the head of the Nation. She was confident in her abilities to replace her Queen but only for a short time, she was a warrior not a ruler after all.
The voices grew quiet and she heard someone enter without knocking, making the identity of the woman quite clear.
Unmoving, Ephiny kept her back turned at the newcomer. "Any word ?"
"Nothing." The warrior curtly answered.
She sighed, "You should have stayed with her."
Eponin's temper flared up at the hint of accusation in the woman's voice. "She's the Queen, I can't go against her orders Ephiny !"
"If something happens to her ..." Ephiny trailed off, trying really hard to not freak out.
"She knows what she's doing."
A silence lingered between them until Ephiny turned to face the warrior, worry clearly visible in her eyes. "Does she, really ?"
Eponin looked away. She was trying to convince herself that their Queen had a plan but, like Ephiny, she knew Gabrielle was capable of making rash decisions where the Conqueror was concerned. They were both well aware that this time, if something were to go wrong, the consequences would be devastating, for the Nation but also for their young Queen. And the Gods know Gabrielle has suffered enough for a lifetime.
"She's not the girl who needs protection from us, not anymore. She is our Queen, we have to trust her judgement." The Weapon Master was confident in her Queen's capability to defend herself, she was one of their Nation's best warrior after all.
"I never questioned her decisions, you know that. But we both know things usually become more complicated with Xena in the picture."
Eponin observed her friend carefully, knowing there was much more there than the woman was letting off. "Gabrielle is not yours anymore Ephiny", she finally voiced clenching her jaw.
The Regent's expression changed drasticly, worry swiftly replaced by anger and outraged. "It's not about jealousy ! Just because we are not together anymore doesn't mean I can't care for her well-being, as the Regent and as her friend. I can't believe you of all people would say something like that."
"Unlike everyone, I'm allowed to have an opinion on all this."
Ephiny saw something in the woman's eyes she never thought she would ever see. Uncertainty. Without thinking twice, she walked toward the warrior and took her in her arms. "Gabrielle and I, it's in the past. You're the one I married."
"I know. It's just … I saw them look at each other and even after all these years, it was still there."
"What was ?" Gently asked the Regent.
"Love." Eponin broke the embrace taking a step back embarrassed by what she was saying. "It was not as obvious as when they first met but it was still there. Even after everything that happened between them they still love each other and they can't acknowledge it because they're … they're ..."
"Because they're idiots." Ephiny finished with a smile.
Eponin chuckled at the words. "Yes, that they are." Ephiny laughed too. "Watching them it strucked me that it was us at some point. It made me remember the time when I was in their shoes, when you were to become the futur Queen's consort and I was painfully aware of the fact that you would never be mine." The Regent flinched at the memory, it felt like a lifetime ago. What a mistake that would have been. The Weapon Master went on, "At the time I was looking at you like Gabrielle looked at Xena, with love … and with pain. And I thought about us, if something were to happen between us …" The fear was obvious in the warrior's eyes but she didn't waver and kept them straight ahead. "I could never live like that Ephiny, I don't know how they do it, how they managed to bear with so much pain all these years but I know I could never do the same."
Ephiny remained speechless, too shocked by the warrior's words. There were things in her life she regretted but breaking it off with their blond friend was not one of them. Eponin knew that, at least Ephiny thought she knew but apparently she was wrong. "Gabrielle and I ..." she finally tried but couldn't finish her thought not knowing what to say.
Luckily her lover understood her predicament. "I know. I never doubted you or Gabrielle. I love her as much you do. Seeing them just made me insecure. I don't understand how can you love someone so much and yet keep yourself from acting on it."
Ephiny could. She knew all about Gabrielle and Xena's relationship. She knew their separation was due to the combination of several factors. Relationship are complicated when you're a nobody but it's even harder when you're Greece's ruler and the Queen of the Amazons. Their sense of duty got in the way, their aspiration too.
'She offered me the world Ephiny, and all I could think about was the price of it all. Greece will never be enough … I will never be enough …' Those were Gabrielle's words, the first ones she shared with her after she left the Conqueror and came back here, and they were engraved in her mind.
Despite Eponin's words, Ephiny could see the uncertainty was still there, "It doesn't happen often thankfully but every time i'm reminded of the fact that I almost became Gabrielle's Consort at some point in my life, it always makes me pause because I always forget about it. Every time it's like someone is slapping me with this information. Neither of us expected it to go this far but I guess we forgot who we were. When words got out that the Queen and her Regent were sharing a bed, people became ecstatic. We were just looking for comfort and they were looking for a partner for their ruler. I don't know why we didn't stop this sooner." She said shaking her head sadly. "We never talk about it … with Gabrielle I mean. The last time we broached the subject was the night we decided to break up. We admitted to each other that we were not in love and that we definitely deserved better and then we went on with our life. After that we never said a word about it."
"And not long after she was standing next to you when we married."
"Yes she was." Ephiny smiled at the memory. "It should have been awkward." She added chuckling.
"But it wasn't." Eponin said while taking the Regent's hands in her own.
"No it wasn't but only because she refused to let it be that way. She made sure to make this day the best one of our life." Again, she took Eponin in her arms needing the comfort. "I just wish she could live it too. If someone deserves happiness it's Gabrielle."
"Then I think we should just let her work on it."
The Regent agreed. She will not stop worrying about her friend but Gabrielle put the Amazons before herself for too long, now she just needed to be selfish and focus on herself. So much time has been wasted already ...
"It's like watching a wild animal in a cage." Queen Gabrielle said while staring at the restless Conqueror who was pacing the floor on the other side of the cave. She saw the disapproval in Patrocle eyes. "What ? You were thinking it too."
The weather was awful, keeping them trapped in here. Xena started to lose her patience a candlemark ago, now it was the Queen's turn to be on edge. Thanksfully, she had Patrocle to keep her company.
"Maybe but I didn't keep my place at the right of Greece's ruler by saying out loud everything that comes through my mind."
"I'm a bard Patrocle, saying what comes through my mind is the essence of my work" said the Queen cheekily.
Patrocle liked seeing this side of the bard, being able to banter with her. He has missed seeing this twinkle in her eye meaning she was up to no good. Despite what's they've been through Gabrielle always managed to keep this childlike part of her alive.
"So you're a bard now ?" Wondered the man out loud, mocking.
Gabrielle sent him a look clearly annoyed that he dared make fun of her skills. Patrocle smiled at her. A wave of nostalgia washed over him suddenly. Memories of past campfires shared with the Amazon, the stories she would tell and the soldiers hanging at every one of her words. During their very first meeting, she introduced herself as a bard first and as the Amazon Princess second. Later she confessed to him that doing so kept her on her toes, she didn't want to forget who she was or where she was coming from. Her exact words were stuck in his mind, 'If i'm not a bard anymore, it'll mean I stopped being myself. Nothing is worth this sacrifice.' He certainly wished he could have spared her the hurt. He saw the two rulers drift away from each other and he never said it to anyone but when the Queen left that day he feared for her and Greece's survival.
"Queen Gabrielle, the warrior bard." He proposed after awhile.
But the Amazon waved him off, unconvinced. "No no that's not poetic enough."
"Oh really ? Does Her Majesty has a better name to propose then ?"
Patrocle watched the Queen ponder his question, when finally he saw her eyes light up.
"The Battling Bard."
"Queen Gabrielle, the Battling Bard ?"
"Yes that's more like it."
"Well if Her Majesty is satisfied." Patrocle exclaimed with a mocking bow.
When Gabrielle left to go back to her Amazons, the Conqueror didn't direct her anger toward the world but toward herself, focusing on restoring Greece's past grandeur. But being the Conqueror for so long she forgot to be just Xena. The most powerful woman of the world was alone and it broke Patrocle's heart.
"How long are we going to pretend that there is not something wrong happening ?" Suddenly asked the Queen.
Patrocle stared at her, confusion clearly visible on his face.
"If we weren't with her she would have left already, storm or not. I'm sure she wouldn't even have stopped in the first place." She glanced at the man searching for any clue that her suspicion was true. "I feel that what's troubling you two is related to my presence here and if it is I have the right to know."
Patrocle remained stoic, "Empire's business is secret Gabrielle, even if I wanted to I couldn't tell you." He was a General in the Greek Army, he could not divulge sensitive matters, even to her.
But Gabrielle knew the man and more importantly she knew his Lord. They had been on the same side once, something they seemed to keep forgetting. Their habits, their flaws were no secret to her. No word was coming out of the man's mouth and patience not being one of the Queen's qualities, she leaped off her seat and walked briskly toward the Conqueror. She would not stand there while decisions were made without her.
The ruler saw the younger woman approach and tensed immediately recognizing the body langage of a furious and frustrated Amazon, she put on a hard face preparing herself for the outburst.
Gabrielle stopped a few feet away from the Conqueror, narrowing her eyes at her, "The informations your messenger brought to you this morning, were they related to the Amazons ?"
"What are you talking about ?" The tall woman asked confused.
"Your behavior ... I'm talking about your behavior since your received a message this morning."
"There is nothing unusual about my behavior." She tried feigning innocence.
"Oh please ! I spent years at your side, I know when you're hiding something."
"Really ?" She asked rising a perfect eyebrow, challenging.
And the Queen to respond with the same tone, "Yes really. You didn't try to ignore me today, quite the contrary in fact because you actually talked to me without accusing me of something."
Their argument reached the ears of the youngest of the group. Alexa looked in the direction of the two women wondering what was happening. After ignoring each other, the Amazon Queen and the Conqueror were now arguing and watching their demeanor, Alexa could see this was serious.
She hated when people were fighting and it was even more true today. After everything that happened to her these past days she thought she deserved to have something positive in her life right now. She liked Queen Gabrielle and she'd very much enjoy seeing her again after this trip which could be difficult considering her actual relation with the Conqueror. Whatever happened between them it was in the past, it was not fair for her to find herself the witness of their squabble now. She needed to stop this nonsense but how ? While thinking about that, the Princess tested out, for the umpteenth time, the mobility of her arm but quickly stopped, her injury was cool now and it was beginning to be very uncomfortable. Glancing again toward the two quarrelling warriors, an idea popped up into her mind. Desperate times require desperate measures after all. On this thought, she got up and walked toward them.
The Conqueror was standing in front of the Amazon, arms crossed. "So i'm being nice and you find this suspicious. I thought it was what you wanted."
As for the Queen, she was pointing fingers. "You playing nice with no reason is what I find suspicious especially only hours after being plainly angry at me. We played this game already, don't think I've forgotten how you function Xena. You're being nice because you feel guilty and I want to know why."
The Conqueror was about to rebuke the Amazon Queen's accusation when she saw Alexa put herself between them. Gabrielle looked as surprised as she was.
Alexa stood awkwardly, aware of the two set of eyes studying her, silently asking the reason of the interruption. "My arm hurt" she said almost pouting. Like she anticipated, both women focused their attention on her injured self and quickly forgot about their argument.
The Amazon watched as Xena carefully handled Alexa's arm. The girl winced a few times while trying to remain quiet.
"I'm sure it's nothing, I can still move it." Reasoned Alexa flexing her hand to prove her point.
Piercing blue eyes stared at her, "I can't be sure of that if you don't keep your arm steady."
The exchange reminded Gabrielle so much of the girl's mother. The Great Conqueror was a wonderful warrior and a tough woman, no one would dare say otherwise. But Gabrielle had the privilege to see this tough exterior crumble behind closed doors. Xena was never sick but injured however … And Gabrielle quickly discovered that Greece's ruler was the worst patient anyone could have to deal with.
The Amazon was trying to assess a pretty bad cut on Xena's thigh. Unfortunately for her the woman couldn't keep from fidgeting."Can't you stay still for a moment !" She finally erupted.
"You're hurting me !" accused the older woman."Why don't you let someone else do that, someone who actually knows what he's doing."
Gabrielle rolled her eyes at the jibe, "I wouldn't want one of your men witnessing their big bad warrior in chief whining because they got a boo-boo."
"A boo-boo ?! Are yo-OW!" She cried after a very painful movement from her self-declare healer. "You did that on purpose !" shouted the warrior, scandalized.
Gabrielle tried to stay focus on her task but the warrior's attitude was beginning to become really frustrating. If someone had told her Xena was such a difficult patient she would not have proposed to help."I told you to stay still ! Stop acting like a 4 years old and let me finish." Her tone shut the older woman up for a whole minute at best before the Amazon heard a muttered voice.
"It's not a boo-boo, a boo-boo doesn't need stitches."
Gabrielle looked up and couldn't suppress a smile at the sight in front of her, the feared Xena, arms crossed over her chest, pouting.
The Amazon paused to enjoy this moment. "You're cute" she said with so much fondness it made the Conqueror blush.
"Warriors are not cute Gabrielle." Xena uttered petulantly trying to hide her face.
"Not all for sure but you are."
The warrior shook her head ligthly but smiled anyway, a special smile reserved only for Gabrielle.
The Amazon put the final touch to her work before focusing her attention on her reluctant patient."Here you go. Good as new."
Xena examined her thigh. Satisfied by the result she looked up at Gabrielle and with her most innocent smile she asked,"You're not going to kiss it better ?"
The Amazon did a double take, when she saw the warrior was serious, she rolled her eyes at the woman's antics before planting a gentle kiss on the bandaged thigh.
The childlike attitude, the goofing around was behind the hard façade. There was so much love behind that wall, a whole different person and it hurt to know that and not being able to see it. She could see Alexa was sharing the same traits. Like her mother she was hiding her feelings, wanting to keep people from worrying or prying, wanting to protect herself.
"It's not broken, probably just torned." Finally declared the Conqueror. Alexa watched as the woman retrieved a few items from her saddle. Handing her what seemed to be a scarf she ordered, "Here, the less movement the better."
"For how long do I need to keep it like this ?" The Princess asked looking at her immobilized arm.
"A couple of weeks."
"A couple of weeks ?" asked Alexa incredulous.
The Conqueror nodded. "It's your good hand, I don't want to take any risks."
"How am I supposed to travel ?"
"You will ride with Queen Gabrielle until we reach Corinth."
The Amazon flinched at the formality but kept her smile in place. The exchange was amusing her to no end, it was the first time she was seeing the two talk that much to each other. And Alexa was apparently not done with her questions.
"What about Snowflake ?"
"Too dangerous."
"And Sefu ?"
The Conqueror's temper was starting to flare up with Alexa's questioning. "I need all my men available to fight if need be and I don't want you in the middle of it. You will be safe with Queen Gabrielle."
Alexa had no doubt about that, she was just glad to hear the ruler admit it. Come to think of it, her bold interruption was not a so bad idea after all. Maybe she was not as useless as she first thought ...