Fallen Goddess

(I don't own Xena and the funny part of this disclaimer has been removed due to NBC)

Go Conan O'Brien

AN: Minskit Gudinna is Swedish for fallen goddess.

She was known as Minskit Gudinna. The fallen goddess. She remembered not the world she once knew as Athena Goddess of Wisdom, War and Weaving. She did not recall her father Zeus or her people in Athens. When people talked of the Gods, Athena and Athena alone earned mankind's love. She with her power saved many people from the whims of other gods, such as Ares and Poseidon.

But that wasn't who she was now. She was the goddess that fell from heaven to lead the people of the chotmolac tribe into a golden age of prosperity. Her wisdom and cunning had done away with so many ills of that society.

She sat on a cedar wood throne as it was the only wood available her. It was ever so carefully lined with animal skins which was the best the tribesman could offer. She looked at her new people waiting on her to use her godly powers to determine justice and help keep peace for her new people. Chaos had taken her power to throw energy blasts as well as her teleportation ability but her natural wisdom and perception remained along with her godly strength.

Two men came up to her. Athena asked examining them closely, "Accuser. What is it you have to say against this man?"

The accuser said pointing, "I had family heirloom. A shield made of animal skin. An item that has been with us for three generations. My father and my fathers father possessed it. He stole it from me, my Gudinna."

Athena turned to the defendant and said, "What do you say to these charges?"

The defendant said, "I won it fair and square in bet. I never stole from him, my Gudinna." Athena scanned them with her eyes searching the truth. She saw that the defendant was telling the truth.

Athena stared at the accuser hard saying, "Your Minskit Gudinna has found that the accuser has lied to the Gudinna and bore false witness against his neighbor. Twenty-five lashes lying to me and twenty-five for lying about the defendant in court."

Then the accuser desperately tried to argue, "But my Gudinna..." Athena continued interrupting him, "And ten for speaking out of turn. I could have ordered your death, be grateful. Next case." She sat down on her throne.

A man approached her throne as Athena asked him to speak. The man said angrily but with a hint of sorrow, "My wife was caught in the act with my neighbor. They have done so several times."

Athena turned to the defendants giving them a chance to speak. He replied first hiding a smile from the happiness of his little sexual conquest, "I did no such thing. I would never."

Then she spoke adamantly, "We have never been together." Athena scanned them for the truth. She saw the several acts of depravity with each other.

Athena stood angrily but controlled saying, "Your Minskit Gudinna has found the accuser speaks not only the truth but is unaware of some the facts." She pointed to the female defendant. "A child needs it's mother so your life will be spared, if you should ever commit adultery again you will die personally by my hand. You will receive twenty-five lashes for lying to me and spend three days in the stockades."

She then pointed at another woman who was in the court audience and said, "You too have committed adultery with this man and you will spend three days and the stockade, commit adultery again and you will die, I will not take a mother from her child unless I have to. Do not force me." She then looked at the man continuing, "You have no children who depend on you, you are to be executed at dawn in full view of the women you committed adultery with so they know the penalty of this act you filthy bastard of a man." They were taken away as Athena sat on her throne.

Then the next man came forward as Athena bid him to speak. He said, "My Gudinna, this man assaulted me unprovoked. He walked up and punched me in the face and left me their."

Athena turned her head towards the other man as it was now his turn to speak. He said humbly, "My Gudinna, he speaks truthfully. I did assault him. I was mad because I was told he said something offensive to my wife. I was told later that it wasn't true. I'm sorry for the sin I've committed."

Athena replied, "Very well, you are forgiven as you see you are sincere. Your punishment would have been twenty five lashes and a months worth of servitude in repartion for the offense. But the lashes are removed and servitude reduced to one weeks charge in the service of your victim."

He replied happy with his mercy that he had received, "Yes my Gudinna, thank you.

Athena stared at her people as she looked as confident as ever that justice had been done. These were her people and she would see them through and take care of them, as any god should.

8

Xena, Callisto, Gabrielle, and Borias walked through Amazon territory. Everything seemed tense. Defenses had been built in preparation for a war against the Centaurs. The four moved carefully as they tried to avoid being seen. Xena and Gabrielle observed a sight that caught them both by surprise. They saw a dark haired Centaur bound with a blonde headed child Centaur at his side. They were being marched along by several armed Amazons.

Callisto noticed the look on Xena's face and asked, "Do you know him?"

Xena replied still a bit surprised, "That is Ephiny's deceased husband. Chaos must have brought him back. The child with him is Xenan. We can only assume something has occurred to Ephiny."

8

Athena walked along the tents and huts. The leader of the tribe approached her asking, "My Gudinna how are you doing today?"

Athena answered warmly, "I am well Marichata. How are the irrigation lines that I implemented doing.?"

He answered proudly, "Well indeed. We are now able to water our fields so we can grow our food and water our livestock with much less work. The redesigning of arrows and arrowheads are serving us well as our aim is more effective and our game is more easily taken down."

Athena nodded replying, "Very well."

Athena looked around her, she loved what she was doing but she felt like something was missing. Like she had lost a part of herself. She didn't understand it but she knew it to be true that she did not belong in this world.

8

Xena wanted to make this as easy and safe as she could. She looked at Callisto who immediately understood. She looked at Gabrielle and Borias who had set up an assault point. They were to free Phantes and Xenan and defeat without killing any remaining Amazons. Xena and Callisto both threw their chakrams. Callisto's was in the lead as it severed the weapons tips as Xena's knocked over each of the Amazons safely.

Borias and Gabrielle charged quickly from their position. Charging in was Gabrielle with her staff as she knocked over two Amazons while Borias undid Phantes bounds. Phantes immediately recognized him as he asked, "Borias? how is it possible?"

Borias answered, "From what Xena said about you I'm wondering the same thing." Xena and Callisto converged on the Centaurs as Gabrielle went to Xenan. She embraced the young prince.

Xena said touching Gabrielle's shoulder, "No time for greetings we gotta move." They went south quickly. Velasca would come and they would be ready.