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It was nightfall and the group hadn't stop for the night yet. When the young Princess asked why, the answer she received made her anxious.
Corinth was close, they would be there soon.
She was relieved to know that she would be standing on her two feet soon, she had had enough of riding already. But not knowing what to expect once in the Capital was unnerving. She always had trouble dealing with the unknown and everything these past days was foreign to her. How she wished Misha was with her right now, she would reassure her that everything would be alright.
"Look ahead." She heard Queen Gabrielle say behind her.
The Princess did as she was told and as soon as her eyes focused she gaped at the sight. In the distance, a thousands of lights were breaking the night. From her point of view she could only see a part of Corinth but it was enough for the girl to be blown away. The closer they got the more the Princess could see of the city. It was bigger than everything she had imagined, she couldn't even see the limits of the Capital City and wondered if she would have any time to explore all of it. In the distance, the Princess could see what seemed to be a gate but to her surprise they didn't ride toward it. Instead they took a turn moving away from the city's walls.
"The Conqueror has a private entrance leading directly inside the stronghold." Explained the Amazon Queen answering her unasked question. "Entering by one of the main gates in the middle of the night would cause unnecessary trouble."
Alexa was about to voice her disappointment to not be able to get a first look at the city tonight when she saw the guards slow down before her and Patrocle dismount. She didn't know what they were waiting for but Queen Gabrielle didn't stop with the rest of the soldiers and guided their horse closer to the head of the group until she was directly behind the Conqueror. Patrocle finally reappeared and the gate, much smaller than the one they passed earlier, opened. The Conqueror entered followed by the Amazon Queen and Alexa, soldiers all around bowed at the newcomers.
As soon as they entered Queen Gabrielle was helping her get off the horse and people were almost immediately caring for the animals. Everything was moving very fast for the young Princess, she barely dismounted that she was asked to follow the two rulers and a man she didn't know but who seemed to be in charge in some way. The Conqueror was in a deep conversation with him so Alexa walked a little behind not wanting to intrude. They passed an insane numbers of huge corridors and stairs before finally entering the biggest room Alexa had seen in her life. But they didn't stop and kept walking instead. A few more corridors later and they entered another room, a much smaller one than before but still big enough to contain a huge desk and what she guessed was a salon in the back.
The Conqueror stood at the desk still talking with the same man. "Make sure everyone is informed, we will discuss the details tomorrow."
"Yes my Lord." He said before bowing to the Conqueror.
The Conqueror directed her attention toward the Amazon Queen, "I'm sure you will agree to wait for tomorrow to discuss the treaty ?"
The Queen nodded simply in assent.
"A room has been prepared for you" the Conqueror said to Alexa. "It will do until you choose one for yourself. Nikolas here is in charge as the Castle's superintendent, he will show you around. If you need anything you ask him. I called for the healer, he will take a look at your arm before you go to bed." The young Princess looked between the ruler and the man, not sure if she was supposed to say something. The Conqueror saw her struggle. "We will talk tomorrow. Get some rest." She said gently.
"Your Grace" Nikolas voiced holding the door for the Princess. Alexa started to walk outside but stopped and turned toward the two rulers, "Goodnight" she said before bowing. The women wished her the same before the door closed.
Alexa followed the man. They walked in silence up and down a few more stairs and corridors. Alexa wondered how she would manage to find her way in this labyrinth once alone. Maybe she could find a map of the stronghold to direct herself, she promised herself to ask for one tomorrow because there was no way she would not get lost here.
After a while the man finally stopped.
"Your quarter for the night Your Grace." He informed opening the door.
Alexa stept inside but didn't venture far, stucked in place.
"I know it's not ideal Your Grace but the Conqueror insisted that you should be the one to choose your permanent quarter. Until then i'm afraid-"
"No … no … that's not ..." Alexa interrupted. She took a deep breath before opening her mouth again, "I'm sorry, i'm not used to this." She said shaking her head. "This is perfect, really, it's way bigger than my old room." She chuckled. "I don't need another room, this one will do."
Alexa saw the surprised look on Nikolas' face and wondered what she had said to warrant this reaction.
"I'm sorry Your Grace but I don't think the Conqueror will agree." Nikolas finally said embarrassed. He must have seen the questioning look sent to him because he didn't wait long to explain. "This is the visitors' aisle of the stronghold. Your quarters has to be situated in the opposite aisle with the ones of the Conqueror. It is mainly a security issue but you will also find that the Royal quarters are much more comfortable."
Alexa looked at the man with wide eyes, "More comfortable than this one ?" she asked not believing it. She took another look at her room trying to imagine something even better. The bed was huge, four people could sleep in it and still have plenty of room to move. There was a giant window and even a private bathroom. She never had a private bathroom before !
Nikolas smiled at the Princess' reaction. He took his time to study the younger woman, a girl more likely who happened to be the daughter of Greece's ruler, a Princess who didn't act at all like her title would command of her. He understood right away that the girl wasn't born with privileges. When he received the news about the new addition in the Conqueror's life he was shocked at first but now he was relieved. He was beginning to worry about his Lord, for moons she seemed unhappy, something obviously bothering her. He hoped things will get better now, the woman deserved it.
"Does Queen Gabrielle has a room on this aisle too ?" Asked Alexa. She didn't know how long the Queen was supposed to stay here with them and she wished she would be allowed to spend some time with the Amazon before her departure.
"No, Queen Gabrielle will stay in her old quarters in the Royal aisle."
Alexa perked up at that, "Guests are allowed to stay close to the Conqueror then ?"
Nikolas shook his head, "Doing so would be dangerous, you can never be sure of people's intentions."
"I don't understand." She said clearly in the dark. "Why are you making an exception with Queen Gabrielle then ?"
"The Amazon Queen is not a threat to the Conqueror. Besides, she is the one who redid the Royal quarters, it's only fair she is allowed to use them when she visits."
Alexa looked curiously at the man, she was missing something. A knock at the door disrupted their conversation. The Princess waited for the door to open but realized too late it would not happen unless she asked for it. Thanksfully, Nikolas took matter into his own hands and open the door to the newcomer.
"Master Elpis." Nikolas welcomed.
The man entered with a spring in his step and a smile on his face.
"Princess Alexa, this is Master Elpis, the personal healer of the Conqueror. Master, Princess Alexa, daughter of the Conqueror and Princess of Greece Empire." Formally introduced Nikolas.
Alexa sighed at the title. She wondered if this would happen everytime she will meet someone new. Frankly she hoped not because she didn't think she would ever get used to it.
"Princess." Elpis acknowledged. "I was told our new Royal is already in need of my help. Not that I should be surprised knowing who your mother is." The healer chuckled.
"I … Uhm ..." Stuttured the Princess.
"And I see you inherited her conversational skills too."
"Elpis !" Erupted Nikolas horrified by the liberties taken by the man.
The healer waved him off. "Relax, i'm sure the Princess doesn't mind a little ligthness right now." The man said with a knowing smile directed at Alexa.
Not receiving any denial from the younger girl, the healer went back to the reason of his presence here. "Let's see what we got here. Care to sit down please ?"
Alexa sat on the bed eyeing the man cautiously. At first glance, he looked pretty old but seeing him move you would think he was not much older than herself. His playfulness made him much younger too. He moved her arm gently, a frown visible on his face.
"Did you fall on it ?"
"No. I tried to calm my horse, he pulled away while I was still holding the reins."
A groan escaped the healer's mouth. "A stretch then. Are you still in pain ?"
"A little bit."
The healer moved back crossing his arms, "Is it really a little bit or are you trying to be unnecessarely difficult ?" He asked sternly.
Alexa was taken aback by the change of attitude, "A little bit." She answered unsure.
The man stared at her longer than she would have liked before breaking into a big smile, "Okay ! Just making sure."
They remained silent during the rest of the consultation, Elpis too focused on his examination and Alexa a little weirded out by the man's behavior. At last the man finished his exam and let the girl's arm rest on her knees.
"Keep doing what you were doing. I will see you again in a few days to see if we can let this arm loose. Anything else I can help you with ?"
Alexa hesitated, something not lost on the healer. Elpis gestured to the other man in the room asking for some privacy.
The young Princess toyed nervously with the scarf laying on her knees. "What I say to you, will it remain between us ?"
"It will unless I feel the Conqueror has to know."
She hesitated again but realized she didn't have much of a choice. "I have trouble sleeping." The girl said embarrassed.
"Nightmares ?" He asked kindly.
Alexa nodded her answer. "I think it's because I feel anxious too."
"Is it something you're used to feel ?" The man asked while rummaging through his bag.
"It's been a long time since i've felt that way."
"The situation is peculiar so it's not surprising. Your new responsabilities could trigger some unwanted feelings, you have to be careful. There." He said handing her a bottle. "You'll have enough for the next couple of days. It is only temporary, I trust you will come see me if your troubles remain." He said seriously.
The Princess nodded grateful. "I will."
"Good ! I will let you two alone now." He said loudly enough for Nikolas to hear.
Alexa watched the healer leave the room. She got up and walked toward the window. As it was dark outside she couldn't see much except the City's lights puncturing the night. No sound from outside could be heard and with the lights floating the effect was strangely soothing.
At some point, Nikolas wished her a goodnight and she was left alone. She stood at the windows for awhile before exploring her temporary bedchamber. A nightdress was put carefully on the bed. She wasn't expecting to find anything in the wardrobe but obviously she had been wrong. A change of clothes, her clothes, was hanging before her. When did they find the time to put it there ?
Her bewilderment didn't stop there. Indeed, in her private bathroom she found all her stuff and then some. She took a look at the products that wasn't hers and stood agape as she was investigating the rest of the bathroom. Everything was top notch and was probably costing more than what Misha made in a year.
She went back to the bedroom and sat on the bed. The nightdress was within her reach, she grabbed it with her good hand and examined the fabric. She was expecting it but still the softness of it amazed her. Silk, of course. She took Elpis' concoction before taking her shoes off and laid on the bed. She turned toward the window and watched the stars in the night sky, it felt as if she was sleeping outside. It was probably the desired effect, she thought and wondered if many of the Conqueror's visitors were taking the time to admire the view. She hoped so because it was truly beautiful.
She felt herself fall asleep, she fought it at first wanting to stay awake as long as possible, enjoying the last moments of a simpler life. For better or for worse, starting tomorrow she knew she will finally see the drastic turn her life has taken.
It was years since she last walked these corridors. Looking at the tapestries, she could see some improvement were made. As a whole, the Castle looked as majestic in the inside as it looked on the outside. More importantly, she forgot how luxurious it was.
They arrived in front of the former Queen's quarters. Gabrielle opened the door and entered. She stood unmoving at the entrance looking dumbfounded at the sight. It felt like the room had frozen in time.
"Nikolas stubbornly refused to let anyone use it since you left." Xena said entering behind the Queen.
Gabrielle turned around to face the older woman. "This is kind of creepy."
Xena shrugged as a response. She always felt it was as well but at the time, she had better thing to do than care about Nikolas' decisions.
The Amazon checked every corner to see if everything was really exactly like she let them. It almost was. When she took a look at her wardrobe it was empty.
"I asked Nikolas to donate your clothes. I was afraid he was starting to build a shrine in your honor."
Gabrielle scoffed at the remark.
The room didn't lack furnitures but it felt empty nonetheless. A pang of sadness engulfed her when she realized the reason. She shared the room once, with the Conqueror. They lived together, it didn't last more than a few moons but they had their routine around here. Today, it was lifeless, the place acting as a memory of their past life together and nothing else. She went on with her visit, smiling when her eyes fell on the small and only couch of the salon, something she was sure she would never see again.
"I'm surprised you didn't get rid of it. You hated the thing."
The Conqueror followed the Queen's look and sighed. "Because it's uncomfortable. I never understood why you kept it."
"It's good for your posture !"
The Conqueror rolled her eyes like she would have done years ago when they had the same argument. The couch was ugly for one and the most atrocious thing she ever sat on in her life. It was like sitting on a board, an ugly board.
"It was a gift right ? You never told me from whom though."
"I was afraid you would track them down." Gabrielle explained jokingly.
Xena smiled at the banter. The electric atmosphere present since their encounter a few days ago was replaced by a lighter one. Maybe they could do it after all, maybe they could patch things up and get a new start.
"We have a long day planned for tomorrow so I'll let you rest. I'm getting tired myself."
Gabrielle nodded before seeing the warrior to the door. "Have a goodnight then." She said with a smile.
"Goodnight." The Conqueror answered politely. "If you need anything ..." She trailed off.
"I know." A smile again. Gabrielle watched the warrior walk down the hallway before closing the door. She leaned against it taking her time to register what was happening. She never thought she would put a foot in Corinth anymore, even less in her former quarter so being here right now was unthinkable. And yet here she was.
Even more surprising was the development of her relationship with her former lover. She never thought Xena would be willing to mend things between them but as it was often the case, the woman was full of surprises. The next days will tell but the Queen was optimistic. They were both inclined to work together and whether they liked it or not, they needed each other.
A need beyond my duty as the Amazon Queen, thought Gabrielle. She couldn't lie to herself, being in the Conqueror's presence woke up something within her, something she has not felt for years for another woman. A pull she only experienced once and thought she would never feel again, a desire so strong it managed to scare her in the past. She took a deep breathe trying to calm her raging emotions. It's true she hadn't shared her bed with anyone for almost a season - something odd even from Gabrielle point of view - but it was no excuses. It wasn't the reason of her visit and it certainly couldn't become a reason of her lack of motivation to leave. But as hard as it was for her to admit, she couldn't deny the fact the Conqueror still had this power over her. She could fight against it all her life but in the end she would still lose.
But some losses are worth it, right ?
Or at least that was what she always thought.