Usual disclaimers apply.

Chapter 26

I woke up slowly the next morning. I was still upset about the previous day and stayed silent except for my usual morning greeting for Eve. Quickly getting dressed, I finished my morning chores and ate breakfast quietly. Finishing, I helped clean up camp as instructed and then stomped toward Mom and her horse.

I stopped in my tracks however when I noticed Mama helping Mom mount up with Eve on her back. Confused, I started to walk again when Mama motioned to me. "You're riding with me today Sam, come on."

Deciding I still didn't want to talk, I frowned instead and walked toward Argo. Mama was already in the saddle, and held down her arm for me. I grabbed it and was easily lifted into the saddle in front of her. Sighing, I shifted slightly and gave Mavri a last look of longing before we began our travel for the day.

As angry as I was, I could feel myself relaxing as we rode. The rhythm of Argo, the smell of Mama's leathers, all of it was so familiar and I unconsciously leaned into Mama.

Deciding I wanted a song, I put my ear buds in and turned on my music player. Relaxing even more at hearing my mama sing I skipped ahead on the player until I reached the right song. Finally, Mama began to sing my lullaby. I smiled at the memories and as it finished, I started the song from the top again.

Shifting, I heard humming behind me. Pulling the buds from my ears, I could hear Mama humming my lullaby before beginning to sing it. I turned just enough to look at her before deciding to speak.

"You know that song Mama? You know my lullaby?"

Mama nodded. "Mother used to sing it to me when I was little. I must have done the same with you."

I looked at the road in front of us. "Yeah. Mama called it Sam's lullaby."

Mama's arm tightened around my waist a bit. "Did your mama sing it to you often?

Ignoring her question, I asked one of my own. "Do you ever sing it for Eve?"

Afraid of the answer I closed my eyes. "Actually little one, until I heard it today, I'd forgotten about it. I guess it reminds me of you somehow."

I opened my eyes and smiled a little. "I'm glad."

"What do you mean?"

"Glad that it's Sam's Lullaby and wasn't ever Eve's," I admitted softly.

"It's nice to have things that are just yours with your parents," Mama agreed. "That song is one of them."

"Yeah, at least we have that I guess."

"So, did your mama sing to you often?" Mama asked changing the subject.

"You mean she didn't tell you in her letter?"

"I'm asking you Sam."

"She sang to me every night before bed when she tucked me in. Mom would tell me a story and then Mama would sing to me. I miss it, and them." A tear rolled down my cheek. I quickly brushed it away and tried not to think about home.

Focusing on the here and now, I tried again. "So what did you write yourself in your letter?"

"Oh a little bit of this and a little bit of that." Mama teased.

"Mama, come on, you can tell me." I whined. "Or you could just let me read it."

"Nope, can't do that." She said.

"Why not?"

"Gabrielle and I burned the letters after we read them. Didn't want to take any chances with them."

"Oh." I sighed and once again quieted. I knew she wouldn't tell me anything unless she wanted to and I didn't want to ask again.

Suddenly noticing a cloud of dust in the distance I felt Mama tense. "Gabrielle!" She shouted as they led the horses off the road quickly. "Get on Mavri", she commanded handing me his reins. I did as she said and was surprised when she put Eve on the saddle in front of me. "Don't move and watch your sister."

I nodded, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach as half a dozen riders suddenly approached us. They stopped and looked at our small group.

"Ladies," a tall man in Roman garb nodded and lead his horse towards Mama. Looking at her he smiled. "Have any of you seen a boy around here?"

As he asked, I noticed movement in the scrub brush behind me. Acting as if I didn't notice I began to make faces at Eve. I knew if I had noticed the boy, Mama had too.

"No, we haven't." She answered calmly. "Why are you looking for him?"

"That's Roman business." The man said. Turning, he returned to his horse. "Well, we'll leave you alone." Nodding again, he and his contingent moved out.

Mama waited until they were out of sight. "You can come out now, it's safe."

The bushes parted and a young boy a little taller than me slowly walked toward us. He was obviously Egyptian and looked half starved. "Thank you for not telling them I was hiding there."

"Why were they after you?" Mom asked.

"They took me as payment when my father couldn't pay their taxes. I am valuable to them, but I want to go home."

"You mean they just took you?" I asked in disbelief.

He nodded. "It's what the Romans do."

Mama put her hand down and he was pulled behind her in the saddle. "My name is Xena."

"I'm Haji." He said.

Mom rode over to him and pulled some flat bread from her bag. "Here Haji, eat this and we'll stop for lunch in a bit." Dismounting, she came to me and took Eve. Placing her in the pack, she got back on her horse and we headed out.

****XENA****BARD****XENA****BARD*****XENA***

We stopped for lunch a few hours later. Mama had managed to find an area with a few trees and we were all enjoying the shade. I made small talk with Haji, but something about him didn't seem right. Sitting down to eat, I noticed that Mama hadn't let him so much as touch Eve's hand.

"So Haji, that's a nice pendant you have."

He smiled. "Thank you. It is in honor of Thoth."

"Ah, the god of the desert." I supplied looking at Mama. She gave me the slightest of nods and I continued my conversation.

"Very few outsiders know that. I am glad you have heard of my gods."

It was my turn to smile. "I enjoy learning about such things. So tell me, how long have you been gone from your family?"

"Not long. Only a week or so. I ran away from the Roman camp two days ago. I had hoped they would give up looking for me, but that has not been."

"The Romans don't give up easily." Mama supplied.

He shook his head and finished his food. "No, they do not. Thank you for your kindness."

Mama nodded and Mom began a series of questions with him as he helped her clean up from our meal. Moving toward Mama, I sat next to her and grinned as Eve crawled into my lap. "He's not Egyptian." I whispered.

"I know." She said smiling at Eve. "I'm keeping an eye on him, don't worry."

I laughed. "I was just about to tell you the same thing."

She looked over at me and kissed the top of my head. "Just look out for your sister. I don't trust him."

"I will," Mama. "I don't trust him either." I watched as Mom had an easy conversation with him. "What about Mom?"

"She likes to see the good in people Sam, but she's not new at this. She knows what she's doing."

"Okay warrior princess, I'll let you and the queen do your thing."

"Just as long as you stay away from him too, Sam. You are not to be alone with him either."

I nodded. "Okay Mama, okay."

Eve clapped at that moment and I happily responded in her favorite manner. Whispering to her in English I confided, "Don't worry Evie, we won't let anything happen to you."

****XENA****BARD*****XENA****BARD****XENA****

Mama found an amazing spot to camp that night. There were actually trees and a small watering hole near the camp. The green was nice to see after days of scrub bushes and sun on sandy soil.

Haji offered to help refill our water skins and Mama had allowed it. I knew she could see me, but I wondered if she was slowly starting to trust him, or just wanted to see what he would do. After filling up the skins and returning to camp with them, I returned to the watering hole to fill up Mom's soup pot.

It still surprised me when the sun went down, how cool the nights were. Soup would be welcome and I was even starting to get used to the varied ingredients being used. Mom really was a good cook. I thought, especially when she could make edible food on the trail night after night.

Finally done with my camp chores, I sat on my bedroll and watched in shock as Eve squirmed out of Mama's arms and started to crawl towards me. Moving closer to her, I scooped her up and tickled her tummy. "Good going Evie," I whispered in English, not wanting Haji to hear my other language. I gave Eve a kiss on the cheek and with a nod from Mama took her back to my bedrolls to play.

Haji slowly moved towards us and I quickly stood, returning Eve to Mama. Eve hollered, but calmed when Mama stood and ventured to the edge of the campsite. I knew she was feeding her and I returned to my bedrolls, now occupied by Haji.

His deep brown eyes looked into mine. "You didn't have to do that you know. I won't hurt her."

I smiled. "I'm sure you won't, but she needed fed." I glanced toward Mama's back. "And that is something I can't do."

"Oh." He smiled in understanding and then began drawing patterns in the ground in front of us with his finger. "So where are you from?" He asked.

"Second star on the right and straight on until morning." I replied.

"What?"

I looked at him and shrugged. "I'm from a long ways from here. Amphipolis."

"Oh, do you travel a lot?"

"Some. When the need arises or my folks decide they need to face another adventure."

"Yeah, I was gonna ask you about that. Where are your folks?" He asked quietly.

I looked at him as if he had rocks for brains. "Well, one is cooking our dinner and the other just finished feeding my baby sister."

He shook his head. "They can't both be your parents." He protested. "I mean you look like Xena, but Gabrielle can't be your parent too."

I felt my anger grow. "Oh, and why not?"

His eyes grew round, "Well, they're both women. You have to have a man to have a kid."

"Says who?" I answered.

"The gods." He sniped.

I started laughing at that. "Which gods? Yours, mine, or even maybe the ones in India."

He started to sputter. "All gods. It's a fact that you have to have a man and a woman to have a baby."

I was rolling by this point. "Oh Haji, you have no idea."

He was now looking at me like I was the one with rocks for brains. Stopping my laughter, I winked at Mama as she joined Mom by the cook fire.

"They are both my parents because they are raising me together. I've got two moms, let's just leave it at that okay?"

He slowly shook his head and began grumbling. "Okay, I don't get it, but I'll let it go."

"Good. It's safer for all of us that way."

"Hey guys, time to eat." Mom called, interrupting us.

I stood and motioned to the cook fire, "Come on Haji, you'll love Mom's soup."

He slowly stood up. "I'm sure I will, it smells great."

Finishing our meal I put down my bowl and turned to Haji. He had been polite and pleasant throughout the meal, but had been staring at me to the point that I was uncomfortable.

"Want to tell me why you keep staring at me like that?" I clipped.

He shook his head. "Nope."

I glowered. "Then stop doing it before I take your eyes out."

I heard Mom start to cough and turned to see her face turning red before she finally started to laugh. "Oh the gods Xena, she is so your daughter!"

I shrugged my shoulders. "What?"

Mom laughed again. "She told Ephiny the same thing the first time we met her."

It was my turn to giggle. "Really?"

Mama nodded. Turning her blue eyes toward Haji, "I don't like to be stared at any more than my daughter does. So tell me, what is it about her that you find so interesting?"

Haji blushed and shrugged his shoulders. He began to stutter and finally managed to spit out his reason. "Uh, I really don't know. You've all been so nice to me and it's been a while since I've had a friend."

I eyed him suspiciously before responding. "Okay, but stop staring at me before I have to hurt you."

Getting up, I made my way to my bedrolls. Lying down, I rolled onto my back and stared up at the stars. I heard Mama put Eve down for the night and felt Mom sit down next to me. Snuggling towards her, I said nothing as she began to brush the hair from my face.

"Any requests tonight?" Mom asked.

I shook my head. "No, you choose."

Mom pulled me tighter to her and kissed the top of my head. "I sing the song of David, giant killer and friend…"

Mom had finished her story and returned to her spot next to Eve. I sighed and rolled onto my side. I missed having Mama sing to me, but resigned myself to it not happening as often. Feeling someone sit next to me, I was startled when Mama turned me over. Bending over to kiss my forehead she began to hum and then sing a soft lullaby that quickly had me closing my eyes.

****XENA*****BARD****XENA****BARD*****XENA****

I awoke to the sound of clapping and something heavy on my chest. Opening my eyes slowly, I grinned as I saw Eve sitting on top of me clapping. Gently moving her, I sat up and pulled her onto my lap. "How did you get over here Evie?" I asked quietly.

"She crawled." Haji's voice broke the silence. "I watched as she made her way to you. Quite the determined little thing."

I nodded. "Well, she takes after her Mama that way." I said.

Looking toward Mom and Mama's bedrolls, I saw Mama emerging from the bushes. She walked towards me and held her arms out. "I'll take that." She grinned. "Time for someone's breakfast."

Looking down at me she pointed toward the horses. "Take care of the horses for me this morning Sam. I'll bring back some firewood after I feed Eve."

I nodded and quickly rose to start my day. I was just brushing down Mavri when I saw Eve crawling like a speed demon past Mom. Turning to look at her, Mom shook her head and returned to making breakfast for us all. Stepping out from behind Mavri, I froze as I watched Haji take the necklace from around his neck. He smiled at Eve, and then moved the pendant around in his hands. When he held it again, it was a small knife. He pulled his arm back and reacting on instinct, I reached into my boot and threw my dagger at him. "No!" I screamed as my dagger hit its target.

He dropped the knife and screamed as the dagger stayed lodged in his shoulder.

At the sounds of my scream, Mom turned around and Mama vaulted into camp, her sword drawn. "He was going to throw that knife at Mom." I said quietly, watching as Mama picked up Eve and handed her to Mom before picking up the knife.

Mama looked at the knife closely before turning her attention to Haji. "Sekhemet?" She asked holding up the knife with the head of a lion etched on it.

Haji began to clap slowly and I felt the familiar tingle as he changed before our eyes. "Ares?" I questioned.

"At your service little warrior." He smirked. "Very nice skills with the dagger, though with Xena as your mother, I'd expect no less."

"How did you find us?" Mama asked stepping forward and punching him squarely in the nose.

Grabbing his nose, he glared at her. "That does hurt you know."

"Well at least you aren't bleeding." I commented. "The last time she did that you bled all over the place."

Mama looked at me as Ares opened his eyes wide in shock. Turning his focus back to Mama he patted his nose one last time before holding up my dagger. "You know Xena, it's just amazing what you can do when you give somebody a dagger forged by Hephestaus and blessed by yours truly." He finished pointing to himself.

"You can feel it." I spoke quietly as I moved closer to Mama.

He chuckled. "Smart too I see." He twirled the dagger in his hands. "This, my little warrior is one of my nicer daggers. I designed it myself and I don't give these out lightly little girl, so I'd like to know, where did you get it?" He eyes flashed and I looked to Mama.

She nodded and I smirked at him. "I'll tell you, if you answer a few of my questions first."

"Sam!" Mom had finally spoken and I turned to look at her.

"It's only fair, after all, he's been enjoying our hospitality. No reason he can't answer a few questions in return."

I turned my attention back to Ares ignoring Mom's protests. "First, how is it you're here without the wrath of the Egyptian gods?"

He chuckled and began tossing my dagger up in the air before catching it. "Sekhemet and I have a little arrangement." He stopped tossing the dagger and stroked his beard. "Seems we're compatible in certain ways and I asked a favor of her."

I nodded. "So why are you here in the first place? Why the deception?"

He looked at Mom and then back to Mama. "Oh, she's good Xena. Asks all the same questions I'd expect from you."

"Answer her Ares." Mama's voice was cold.

He shrugged and looked at me. "I felt the dagger call to me. Like I said, I didn't have many of these made and I can feel them. I wanted to know who had it, so I made a bargain with Sekhemet and came here. Imagine my surprise when I find my dagger in the possession of a young girl claiming that Xena is her mother."

"I'm her mother too Ares." Mom said angrily.

He rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, of that I'm sure." He looked at me again. "I can see both of you in her. Too bad really, she'd have so much more potential without you as one of her mothers."

"Hey!" I yelled. "We don't have time for the usual friendly bantering. "Are you here to kill my sister?"

Mama stiffened and held her sword tighter waiting for his answer.

"Now why would I want to do that?"

It was my turn to roll my eyes at him. "You don't believe the Fates prophecy?"

"Twilight of the gods?" He scoffed. "Never could trust those three. So no, I don't believe it. Not until I see that one," he pointed at Eve. "Try to take a sword and run it through me will I believe that prophecy."

I relaxed a bit and looked to Mama. "Did I miss anything?"

She grinned and shook her head. "Nope, I think you covered it all."

Ares blushed and began to pace. "You mean you knew?" He demanded.

Mama shook her head. "I had my suspicions that you weren't who you said you were. You didn't even know that Thoth is the god of wisdom, not the desert."

"Yeah well, I'm not bedding Thoth." He replied sarcastically.

"I thought you and I already had this conversation Xena."

Mama smirked this time. "Just making sure Ares. After all, it's not every day you pretend to be a twelve year old boy for my benefit."

He glared at her and then turned his attention to me. "My turn. So, little warrior, where did you get this dagger?" He demanded.

I returned his glare and glanced at my parents once before answering him. "You gave it to me, another lifetime ago."

"Then there must be something about you I like, other than the fact that you travel with Xena and her annoying blonde sidekick."

I grinned at that, "Yeah, but she's your favorite annoying blonde."

He started and looked at me again. "Not afraid of me I see, probably has something to do with my former pride and joy."

I shook my head. "No Ares, it has all to do with you." I stared at him closely.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked.

I smiled and raised my eyebrow. "It means that you gave me that dagger and now, I would like it back."

He shook his head but handed me the dagger. "I still want to know how you came to be."

"Let's just say, I'm special."

Ares sighed and rubbed his beard looking hard at Mom. "Oh yeah, she's definitely yours Blondie. Talks until you want to strangle her and makes no sense. What I want to know is how is she yours and Xena's? The two of you didn't even know each other then. As a matter of fact, Xena was still with me then."

"She was not!" I protested. "She used you just like you used her. She was never yours Ares, not like you wanted."

Mama put her hand on my arm. "It's okay Sam, he's just trying to get a rise out of us."

I looked up at her. "You were right, he's so different, and he's not my Ares." I whispered.

Ares came closer to me and circled around us. I put my dagger back into my boot and he reached out and grabbed my locket as it dangled. I laughed as he was shocked and sent back at least 10 feet.

"That's Aphrodite's work." He mumbled pulling himself to his feet and brushing his clothes off.

"Not as dumb as you look are you Ares?" I giggled. "Nice landing."

He marched over to me and reached out to touch my head. I slapped his hand away out of instinct and saw anger flash in his eyes. I'd never seen that before in him and I now understood what Mama meant about never trusting him.

"Be careful Sam, or next time I might not be so nice." He looked at Mama and saluted before turning once again to me. "I'll see you again soon, kiddo." He intoned before vanishing.

I fell into Mama's open arms and began to shake. "He's so different here." I said quietly. "Is that what he's really like?" I began to cry thinking of my uncle and realizing I had lost yet another important thing from home.

Feeling Mama's arms under my legs, she lifted me up like a small child and I laid my head on her shoulder. She walked toward her bedrolls and sat down gently with me still in her lap. Rocking me, she waited until I quieted before speaking. "I think we need to have a long chat little one."

Sniffing I leaned back and looked up at her. "About what?"

"About everything you haven't told us."

I put my head back on her shoulder and sighed. "Do we hafta?"

"Yes, Sam, we have to." I heard the smile in her voice as she kissed the top of my head.

I sighed and positioned myself to be as comfortable as possible.

Mom had joined us and I could see her holding Eve on her lap. Eve had fallen asleep and I grinned. Seemed even Ares couldn't stop her morning nap.

"What do you want to know?" I asked.

"Who was Ares to you, to us, in the future?"

"I called him Uncle Ares." I began. "And that's what he was, my uncle. He looked out for me, taught me some basic fight moves and knife throwing skills." I gulped. "We never told you that though. You just thought I was learning from you guys."

"Uh-huh. You mean we let you be alone with Ares?"

"Yeah, he even babysat sometime when Auntie Dite couldn't. He wasn't as much fun as Auntie Dite, but we managed to find fun stuff to do." Not willing to give up too much information on what the man had taught me.

"He was never angry like that, like I just saw." I paused and looked at both of my parents. "Even when he knew he was dying, he was more scared than angry. Even when you beat him up because he wanted you to tell me about the prophecy, he was never like that. The Ares I met today scared me. My Ares never scared me."

***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD****XENA***BARD***XENA**

More to come soon, hope everyone enjoyed this chaper.