Chapter 34

Gabrielle's POV

After Xena and Zoe left for the day. I cleaned up the hut and tended to stew. Ali was playing with her toys in the floor in the middle of the main room. Stephania, and Lyssa were coming over along with Ephiny soon to discuss matters and they were bringing their children so Ali could play. I had warned Ali to behave and threatened corner time and swats depending on the offense. She knew after last night I'd follow through. There was a knock at the door. It was Lyssa and Dora, Stephania and Lacy. And Ephiny.

"Come on in, now girls, remember, Ali can't anymore, but she can tell what you're saying if she can see your lips, so make sure she sees your mouth moving okay?" I said.

"Okay." They both chirped they were both her friends. They both sat on the floor and started playing Ali's Blocks and Army men and Amazon Warriors, and toy Animals. They really had a lot of toys. All the Amazon children do in this village because of Laria, but my children inherited a lot as well. From Lila, Xena, Toris, Cyrene, and of course the handful of toys Zoe brought with her from the future. Her style stringed disks were very popular because they could be used as weapons and looked innocuous. Many Amazons wanted their children to have them as a form of self-defense. Zoe donated one of her original two donated to Laria to study.

"Can I get you two anything, Ale, Wine, Fruit juice?"

"Fruit juice." Ephiny said.

"Me too. Lyssa said.

"I'll have Wine." Stephania said. I served them all their drinks. We all sit down. "Why you haven't you the wine Lyssa?"

"I am with child. I am late. I have always been so regular. I have never missed one cycle, or been late before, except with Dora. It was 7 weeks ago when Iolaus and I…..were together."

I smiled. "Congratulations, Iolaus will be very happy. Is there anything I can do?"

"I think I love him Gabrielle. I would like to move to the Amazon tribe in Corinth to be closer to him."

"Well, I can arrange that if you like. But not until spring, it's too short notice before winter." She nodded.

"I need to write to Iolaus."

"You should right in care of Alcmene, Hercules's Mother he'll be there for Solstice and she's easier to find then they are."

We began to discuss the items we needed to discuss, about the guards, about the other villages boarding us, the one on our far boarder near the temple of Artemis was causing trouble we hardly thought of them because they were so far away, but it was a problem now. We needed to protect all our land especially the temple. If they were just using the temple to worship, that would of course be allowed, we aren't monsters, but that wasn't what they were going. They were using our hunting grounds. And they were using them unapologetically. That is definitely not good. Around Noon Meal. They left, Ali was not happy that her friends were heaving. Holding the coin the Aphrodite coin I said clearly. "You can play with them again, I promise."

"I go back school."

"If you want you can go back tomorrow, but the coin stays here. We only have one and we can't risk you losing it."

"I no lose it."

"You might just trust me."

Ali gave her a great big hug. "I trust Mama."

"Thank you, Baby girl.'

Zoe's POV

There were a few close calls but I behaved myself all day. After school school, I went to the dining hall met Mom, and we picked up some sandwiches took them back to the hut where we eat. Then I went to warrior school, we played Amazon Hide and Seek. My team won of course. I was talking with Hermione who lead the other team and Ione, they were only 10 and but Hermione was sharp like me and her big sister is Solari who is her guardian so she knows a lot about this stuff. So she was chosen she fought a good battle it was too close. If was a real war, I'd say the cost of human life was too high a price for my victory well depending on the victory.

"Well, put up a good fight 'Mione…."

"Thanks, Zoe. I had a good time."

"Yeah it was a blast."

"I'll never get used to the way you talk. How's your sister?"

"Adjusting. She's still Ali, you know, Kaia and Laria's coming over tonight?"

"That's good."

"Where's Callie I'm supposed to walk her to…." My eyes settled on Callie fighting with Avel. Avel and Callie never fight with anyone, I mean usually she and Avel just sort of Quibble like sisters or cousins, Iris and Avel's Mom the Miller Alida were sisters. They didn't hate each other or anything, but they didn't really get along either, but it was usually more like friendly banter, like play fighting. All three of us ran over and pulled them apart. I held Callie back, and Ione and Hermione held Avel back.

"What is wrong with you two?!" I yelled.

"She started it!" They both yelled in unison.

"Okay, I don't care. You both need a healer, let's go."

"You can't order me around." Avel said.

"Fine you both look like you've been run over by a wagon don't go to the healer, they'll drag you there anyway." I yelled out.

"What is going on here?" Aunt Ephiny said.

"Sorry Aunt Ephiny I was just trying to convince these two to seek treatment for their injuries."

"What happened?" Everyone looked everywhere but in the eye. "Zoe, what happened?"

"They got in a fight. They both said the other started it. Which is weird because even though they aren't friends they have this playful banter thing that's nice and they are cousins."

"I'm aware of that, thank you. You're both going to the healer. No argument, Now move it." She swatted both of them." They did as they were told. Ione get Alida please, and Zoe fletch Iris and tell them what's going on them."

"But…." She swatted me too.

I didn't much like Aunt Eph when she was like this. I decided to rebel by walking calmly and slowly to the stables instead of running. I know it was passive aggressive but right now it was all I had. I walked into the stables calmly and called out as not to spook the horses. "Iris?" No answer. "Iris!"

Iris came out. "Zoe, what are you doing here?"

"Callie and Avel got into a fight they're at the healers."

"That's been coming thank you, Zoe. I'll take care of it." I went home I knew a brush off when I heard one. And I've Seen Iris tame wild horses not someone I wanted to mess with I went home. Nellie and Kallen were asleep by the fire, Mama was stirring the stew, and Ali was playing her own version of jenga with our blocks. It's funny how here toys I would think were too babyish in the future I have no problem playing with here. I wonder why, I guess it doesn't matter.

"Hi, Mama, Hi Ali….." I said.

"Hi, Zoe." Ali chirped.

"How was your day?" Mama asked.

"Pretty good. Until Callie and Avel got into a giant fist fight after hide and seek, a real one the way she was standing I think Callie was really hurt."

"That's too bad sweet girl."

"Why'd they fight like that, really fight, they might not be pals, but they don't usually fight like that, Mama. But Iris said it was coming."

"It's none of our business unless they decide to involve us, Zoe. It's family business as in none of ours."

"But she's my best friend!"

Gabrielle's POV

I gave her a medium sized swat to her bottom. "Zoe, it's none of our business until and unless they decide to share with us."

"But she's my best friend and you're the Queen!" I gave her another two swats. These a little harder than the first one. She rocked on her toes, and stared up at me.

"I will not abuse my authority to satisfy your curiosity, Zoe and you're not to abuse your friendship and ask her something that is none of your business, end of discussion." She wanted to say something I know she did. But she knew end of discussion meant end of discussion and not to. So When I sat down on the bench she crawled into my lap. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly and she cuddled into me.

"I'm Sorry Mama, I'm just worried about her and kind of curious."

"Well you can still ask her how she is, you just can't ask her about the fight." She cuddled into me more deeply.

"Okay, Mama." Ali noticed her cuddling on my lap, and stood up and walked over to us.

"I join?" Ali said hopeful. Zoe moved to the right of me sitting on my right leg, and Ali climbed onto my left. I pulled the coin out of my pocket.

"Ali, we can only cuddle for a little while then we have to clean the main room, after that Zoe and you can only play in your room for the rest of today because we have company."

She cuddled deeply into me and breathed in. "Okay Mama."

Xena entered half a candle mark later with Lila, Taryn and Cora.

"Can anyone join?"

I looked at the sky through the open door. "We should get up, Ali has to clean up her toys. I have to stir the Stew, Zoe set the table."

"Okay, Mama." They both said at the same time. Ali tried to get up, Zoe did and got off and went to the table. Putting the wooden bowls that Laria made at the table. One for Xena, Cora, Taryn, Gabrielle, Laria and Kaia at the table, Ali at her high chair. Zoe put bowls for Lila, Taryn, and herself on the table near the hearth. Those were not set but stacked. Lila, Taryn and Zoe would eat on the bench, and chairs close to it. She set out spoons, and bread, Mugs, for everyone. While the table was being set Lila helped Zoe put away her blocks, and toys.

"All of you didn't have to come?" I said to Cora.

"Of course we came." Cora said. "Family to family. Eponin and Ephiny would have come but Eppie still can't get out of bed for anything but necessity and bathing, and Ephiny chose not to leave her side."

"Well, I did ask her not to."

"Of course." We all laughed and joked and had some wine, when there came a knock at the door. Laria and Kaia were greeted. Everyone knew everyone of course. Xena and I took Kaia and Laria into the girls' room. We got Ali's attention deciding not to bring the coin into play just yet. Laria could speak, she couldn't hear but she could read lips, and I knew she could sign but rarely did.

"Ali, this is Laria she's going to help teach you."

"Nice to meet you Princess Alice."

"I just Ali."

"Nice to meet you Ali."

"This my sister, Zo."

"Nice to meet you Zoe."

"Nice to meet you, Laria."

"I can hear you!" I exclaimed.

"It's the Godly powers, it's a long story, so how can you talk so well, most deaf people I met can't?" I swatted Zoe for that.

"Ow, Mama. I was just curious."

"It's alright. I was taught how to talk, and how to read lips, and before I lost my hearing I was training to be singer, as my secondary calling, I was going to be a warrior. Well that's what my Mother wanted me to be so I would have, but I always liked carpentry."

Laria's POV

"Laria, We asked you and Kaia here not just because we want Ali to communicate we can teach her to sign and she already knows how to read lips, but we want her to be the best Ali she can be, whatever she ends up doing." Xena said.

"You mean that?" I felt the words escape from my mouth. I'm sure the tone was disbelief, not that I knew what that sounded like anymore. My Mother loved me fiercely and but after my illness and deafness she did everything she could do protect me, She became overprotective and a tad crazy to both me and Kaia. It's way I am a Carpenter and she is a Nursery Minder. She focused all her energy on my education, on my needs she went a little insane in the end. Not that I completely blame her, but when she died in the battle with Valeska when I was 24, I begged Eponin for training and she agreed I've gotten pretty good in the last few years.

"Of course we do." The Queen said. "We want what's best for both our daughters. Ali will be completely trained to the best of her ability in hand to hand combat, the laws of our land, everything….."

"Because she is a princess…." Kaia asked.

"Partially." Queen Gabrielle said. "But whether I was Queen or just Gabriele I would want my child to be best version of herself as possible so would Xena. They shared a look, they gripped each other's hands."

"Well, I can teach her for the hour after lunch. I'll go to the nursery and teach here there or to your hut if she's not going back."

"I go back! Mama said."

"She did." Xena raised an eyebrow.

"She asked she wants to go back It felt wrong to discourage that."

"Ali, Wonderland if they tell you can stay home take it."

Xena's POV

After Laria taught Ali some quick breathing techniques we had dinner. Then we went out and joined the others. Ali sat in her high chair, Lila and Taryn sat by themselves on the bench. Zoe sat on my lap.

"This stew is delicious Gaby, I've missed your cooking." Lila said wistfully from her place on the bench.

"You should come over to eat more often, we do have dinner at the hut at least once a week."

"I'd like that."

"Lila is right, this is delicious." Kaia said.

"I always could cook, but my time on the road with Xena made my capable of making delicious meals with nearly nothing" After dinner the girls went back to their bedroom. Lila had to go to work she was on overnight again. She really was growing up and I was proud of her. Kaia and Laria left and then Aunt Cora and Taryn who took some to Eponin and Ephiny. We Bathed Zoe, and Ali and put them to bed, I told a story first coin firmly in my hand then we took turns holding it as we sang our babies to sleep.

"Can we do this Xena?" Gabrielle asked as we took our own bath after the girls went to bed.

"We have to, Ali needs this."

"So, we teach her signing, as does Kaia, along with everyone else. Laria teaches her how to breath and talk properly and whatever else she needs to teach her."

"She agreed to take her for one candle mark after lunch each day."

"Well, I could order her….."

"We agreed to handle this like Mothers, Gabrielle. Not like Queen and Consort." I nuzzled into her neck. I loved her scent.

"I know, I just….."

"You're just as scared as I am. I know."

"I don't want this to limit her in any way. I want her to have a great life."

Ali's POV

I go school today. I miss school. We have Stew again for morning meal. I get dressed all warm and Mama takes me to school. I play with my friends, Dora and Lacy. They got at talking to I can see at it, now that they know. Then we all three had a special lesson with Kaia, then we had more play time then it was lunch time, we went to the dining hut, we had stew it was different then the stew Mama made. Then we went back and Laria work with me we did more breathing and talking, and we played some. Then I played with my friends. Then Zoe come get me then We went to Mama's Special hut, She gave us big hugs. We stayed there a little while then we went home. and Zoe and I played while she told me more about Alice Wonderland.

Zoe's POV

Ali has been going to her extra lessons for about half a moon now. They're really paying off for everybody. Solstice is coming up, which means Aunt Ep's baby will be born and it will be Ali's first Solstice with us. I'm still working on my gifts, for everybody. Callie never did tell me what the fight was about but I decided it wasn't important and Mama was right she is my friend and it is her business. Mama left word for me to go get Ali after school today. Kallen is faithfully behind me. I walk to the nursery. Nellie is at the nursery I'm not sure what she does there. I pick up the both of them and walk with to Mama's Queen Hut. I am holding Ali's hand since every inch of leather is needed for what it's needed for, the tailor made all the kids and some of the hunters some gloves. I'm the only one with leather ones. So far. I imagine someone might get them for solstice. We stopped in front of the Queen hut and knocked our dogs behind us.

"Enter!" Mama Said. We went in. Mama, Aunt Ephiny, Stephania are all there. Before I could talk. Ali greets them

"Hi, Mama, hi Aunt Effie, Hi Lacy's Mommy." Ali said.

"Hello, Girls."

"Why are we here?" I asked curious

"Because there's a hole in our roof, your Mom is fixing it. I brought some toys for you to play with or you could draw or write." She pointed to a small stack of toys. Ali went for the blocks immediately. And sat down and started playing Tansy of course was already with her and 'sat down' next to her to play; the dogs laid down next to the fire. I'm pretty sure the dogs are going to have puppies together.

"Anything I can do to help?"

"Sweet girl, there really is a hole in our roof that your Mom is fixing and we really do have work to do so if you can keep yourself occupied." I tried to be upset but I really couldn't. She had a point. I huffed a little and then decided to draw, to just draw. Whatever I saw, or felt. I got out my drawing stuff my Mama had brought here and I started drawing I really got into the zone and didn't realize how much time had passed suddenly someone was tapping me on the shoulder.

"Zoe, sweet girl, it's time to go home."

"Sorry, mama." I blushed.

"Its alright, what'd you draw…."

"I don't know I was in the zone."

"let's see…." I showed her. It was a drawing. Of our village, with too many buildings. "Can I keep this?"

"I drew it wrong."

"I'd still like to keep it"

"Okay….."

"Let's go home."

A/N: Solstice celebration and more!