Usual disclaimers apply.
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Chapter 39
Xena sighed heavily as she walked towards the open pasture. Argo had been too full of herself lately and Xena figured that it was time to check if her suspicion was correct for what was going on with the retired warhorse.
"Xena! Xena!"
Stopping as she heard her name, Xena turned and smiled at the blonde girl running towards her. "Hey, Daphne, what brings you out here?"
"You." The younger girl looked down at the ground and then up at her sister. "Mom said you were coming out here to check on Argo and I wanted to talk to you."
Hiding her surprise at the title Daphne had graced her mother with, Xena nodded. "Care to walk while we talk? I'd like to find Argo as soon as possible."
"Sure."
Daphne and Xena walked in silence for a while until it was finally broken. "So what did you want to talk about?" Xena asked.
"Um." Xena noticed Daphne's blush as she stammered for a few moments. "Have you ever, I mean, is there ever a way to get…" Seeing Daphne rub her bottom absently Xena grinned.
"Away from that evil spoon Mom loves?" Xena asked.
"Something like that," Daphne admitted. "I mean I'm fourteen, but sometimes I feel like I'm younger than Eve with all of the restrictions and stuff. How do you get her to lighten up?"
"Well a good start is not to follow one of Trouble's plans," Xena teased. "Those usually do not end well."
"Yeah, I'm starting to see that." Daphne stopped walking and looked at Xena. "And why is it every time anyone hears what happened they say something about being glad a goat wasn't involved?"
Xena's laugh filled the pasture and after finally composing herself the taller woman put her arm around Daphne. "Well, little sister, it's like this…."
"Are you serious?" Daphne looked up into Xena's face again.
"I am."
"They were naked?"
"They were." Xena stopped and smiled down at the blonde. "The goat still runs when she sees them coming."
"I don't blame the goat," Daphne admitted. "Why is it nobody warned me about Trouble before I got into trouble with her?"
Xena's reply came in the form of a loud whistle as she spotted Argo. "I think because everyone figured you needed to get to know Eve on your terms."
"You'd think my big sister would try to protect me from getting into trouble with Mom," Daphne huffed.
Xena shoved Daphne gently on the shoulder. "Nah, you needed to learn what Mom's limits are as well. After all, how are you going to keep a step ahead of her next time?"
"Next time?" Daphne asked.
"Well yeah," Xena patted the golden mare as she joined them. "I mean we have a few days before the prank wars start for Halloween and you and I are going to take home the prize this year, little sister."
"Halloween?" Daphne asked allowing the strange word to roll over her tongue.
"Yup." Xena put the extra halter she'd brought on Argo and handed the rope to Daphne. "Let's make some plans while I take a look at Argo." Smiling at the girl Xena winked and moved towards the back end of Argo being sure to roll up the sleeve of her tunic fully before reaching her goal.
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"Argo's pregnant." Mama's pronouncement at the family dinner table caused dead silence.
"Argo is pregnant?" Mom's voice finally broke the quiet.
"Yup." Mama continued to eat as if nothing unusual had been said.
"Is that why you had your arm up her, well…" Daphne stopped speaking and just grimaced. "Poor Argo."
"Where did you have your arm?" Emily demanded. "It's not nice to hurt Argo."
"I wasn't hurting Argo, Emily." Mama sighed. "I was checking the baby she has in her tummy to make sure everything is okay."
Emily narrowed her eyes and finally nodded. "Okay, but next time Zoe and me are going with you. We have to keep an eye on Argo too. Right, Sissy?"
Zoe nodded solemnly. "Right, Sissy." Zoe's took a slow bite and then looked at Mama. "Mama how did Argo get a baby in her tummy? Did a goddess put it there?"
"Ewww," Eve complained as Mama's cider spewed from her mouth while the rest of the table laughed at Zoe's question.
Ignoring the question, Mama focused on her food. Conversation eventually turned from Argo's impending birth to my birthday. "So how are you celebrating your birthday this year?"
Ephiny's question hung in the air and I took a deep breath. "The family and I are going to spend the day together, alone. I think we may go camping or something. I'll make sure the gods know not to bother the village though," I added as Ephiny's brow wrinkled in confusion.
"But the tradition…" She put her fork down and looked at me. "Sam, you're going to be sixteen that means a big party."
I shook my head. "That tradition started when twins decided to co-rule, Aunt Ephiny. My actual birthday is going to be family day. The party can come later. I'm not going to share this one with the Nation."
"But Sam," she tried again.
"No." I looked into the light brown eyes and held the gaze. "I am turning sixteen and I will spend it how I wish. I am going to put word out to Olympus that anyone who bothers me the minute I turn sixteen for a decision will face a very unpleasant welcome. This is my birthday. Mine and I will spend it how I wish." I then dropped the gaze and smiled sheepishly, "Besides, I plan on having a killer party when we get back. These Amazons aren't going to know what hit them."
Eponin grinned at that and leaned across the table, "Alright then, as long as there's going to be a killer party, and I'm all for backing you on this." Winking at me she turned to Ephiny. "Besides, with her goddess mother you can bet there will be a killer party. There is no way Aphrodite will let a sixteenth birthday go by without a celebration."
"Oh yeah," Rory added. "Auntie and a sweet sixteen party? We are going to have a great time. I vote for a huge pizza party followed by the biggest chocolate cake ever. Oh and let's not forget milkshakes. Come on, Sam, we have to have milkshakes."
"What is pizza?" Daphne asked.
"Only the best food ever," the rest of the kids at the table answered much to the adults' amusement.
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Aphrodite flopped into the overstuffed chair in Hestia's living area. Artemis was already there sitting in the other chair while Hestia sat on the couch. "You know that the rest of the gods aren't going to let us help my little warrior bard on her big day?" the goddess pouted.
Hestia nodded, "Which is why Sam has already taken matters into her own hands."
"What do you mean?" Artemis asked.
"Well, according to my little Evie," Hestia smiled. "Sam and her family are spending Sam's birthday alone, away from the village."
"How is that helping anything?" Aphrodite asked.
"They are spending it in the cavern of the gods," Hestia smiled at the looks of disbelief on Aphrodite's and Artemis's faces.
"How in Zeus's name did she find out about that?" Artemis asked.
"Evie says that Sam learned a lot when she was hanging out in the Amazon library and with Kassandra. Apparently the location of the cavern is something she came across."
"I wondered why Samina had asked me about the validity of such a place," Artemis was quiet. "She has been planning this for some time."
"That she has," Aphrodite beamed. "That's my little warrior bard, always one step ahead."
"She will lead my chosen people well one day," Artemis added. "However, I wish she did not feel the need to take such drastic measures."
"What else is she supposed to do?" Aphrodite asked. "We can't interfere and everyone else on Olympus is going to be hounding her like crazy."
Hestia sighed heavily, "I believe our child of the gods will be fine, Dite. After all, she has found, shall we say, a loophole?"
"But how long shall this loophole last?" Artemis posed.
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Walking to the practice field I summoned all of my courage and squeezed Daria's hand before nodding at Zivah and Rory. "Gods and Goddesses of Olympus who wish to vie for Athena's place show yourselves now!"
Feeling almost overwhelmed by all of the Olympians who appeared, I stood at my full height and appreciated my friends standing with me though I imagined that they were as overwhelmed as I was.
"You're choosing early?" a short man with flashing black eyes and dark hair stepped forward. "I am Momus."
I narrowed my eyes as he bowed in front of me. "Momus? Really?"
"Of course," he saluted me with a smirk. "I should think the daughter of a bard and warrior would appreciate that I enjoy putting a bit of satire into my poems."
Shaking my head, I looked around at the other gods and goddesses. Most were what modern history called demigods –gods and goddesses without a huge tie to Olympus, but still important to the common man. I noticed that Nike was missing and I relaxed feeling that she must have gotten the hint about not showing up again.
"Sam," Rory's voice was almost a whisper. "I feel them."
"What?" I looked at my friend and noticed that she was deathly pale and unsteady on her feet. "Hang in there, Rory," I said in English. "This won't take long."
I stepped forward slightly, and held up my hand effectively silencing those assembled. "I am here to make an announcement. I will not be available on my sixteenth birthday. My family and I will be gone from the village and will be in a place where you cannot follow."
"That's not fair!" a voice called out causing murmuring once more.
"Silence!" My voice caused a deathly quiet that was broken by the sound of horses' hooves. "I am telling you this because I do not want you bothering those in the village on my birthday. They do not know where I am going with my family and will not be able to help you. You will leave me alone until I contact you again. I have a plan in place to choose the successor to Athena but if you tick me off then you will not even be considered. Am I understood?"
"Samina!" my mothers' voices yelled in unison and I looked toward them smiling sheepishly.
"Sorry I didn't give you a heads up, but this needed to be done before we leave tomorrow." I turned back to the gods and goddesses and concentrated, smiling when the fire ball glowed in my hand. "This is just a small example of what could happen if you bother anyone in the village, any member of my family, or any of my friends while I am gone.
"I am not that eleven year old girl anymore and I will do what needs done if any of you think it within your right to push me. Remember that I will explain everything when I get back. Are there any questions?"
"Why not choose now?" Momus asked.
"You will have to prove yourself worthy before you will even be considered to replace Athena."
The demigods began to complain loudly and I heard arguing in the crowd. Growing weary of the tantrums I threw my still glowing fireball into the air watching as it grew and then exploded. "Enough! You don't have a choice. You put this job on me and we will do it my way. Now, leave Amazon lands and do not come back without an invitation!"
The field began to clear and finally the only people left were my friends and my parents. My very unhappy parents. Looking at my friends I merely shrugged my shoulders as we all turned to face my mothers. "This was my idea."
Mom held up her hand, "Oh we are aware that this was more than likely your idea, Samina Ephiny. However, every single one of you went along with this idea. I'm not sure what to do with the lot of you. The queen must handle the fact that you brought danger onto Amazon lands. And your mothers…" Mom trailed off.
"And your mothers need to deal with the fact that all of you came here knowing what Sam was going to do and not trying to stop her," Mama interrupted.
"Um, Aunt Xena?" Rory waved slightly. "It was actually a group decision. We thought it might be nice if they left the village alone while you were on your mini-vacay."
Mama and Mom looked at each other and Mama rubbed her hand down her face. "Queen's hut, now," Mom directed with her arm effectively sending us on our way to meet our doom.
"Why did you tell them it was a group decision?" I asked as we slowly walked back towards the village.
"Because it was," Daria answered. "We came with you and supported you. We all thought it was a good idea."
"Well, maybe not a good idea," Zivah interjected. "But a solid one. And I'm pretty sure that those gods won't be trying to bother us while you guys are gone. What's a mini-vacay?"
I snorted. "Just a way to say that we'll be gone for a couple of days."
Zivah nodded, "I like it."
Stopping as we reached the queen's hut I sighed as Mom and Mama encouraged us to enter. "Why do I get the feeling that I may not live to see my sixteenth birthday?"
"Because you may not," Mom quipped, coming in behind us. "All of you have a seat while we wait for your mothers."
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I was using my boot dagger to clean my finger nails when Mama took it from me and nodded to my boot. Sighing I reclaimed the weapon before returning it to my boot. We were waiting on Eponin to return from the border where she was making surprise attacks on our guards. Word had been sent and Talia, and Ephiny had joined our small group already.
"I don't see why we can't get this show on the road," Rory complained. "It's not like we can't tell Mama what happened later."
"We are waiting for your mother, Rory." Ephiny's voice was almost a low growl and Zivah merely shook her head watching the interaction of her sister and mother.
"Why?" Rory asked for the third time. "It's not like she's going to miss much."
I giggled when Ephiny looked skyward and began to count for the second time. "I am not debating this with you, Rory. We wait for your mother."
"Fine," Rory huffed. "I just think it's ridiculous to wait when we really don't have to."
Ephiny moved so fast it surprised even me when she grabbed Rory and pulled her from the chair giving her six rapid and hard swats to her bottom before placing her back in her chair without saying a word. "Got it," Rory finally said. "We're waiting on Mama."
Snorting, I got a jab from Zivah's elbow to the ribs as Mom's eyebrow outdid even Mama's when they turned their attention to us at the table. Shrugging at Zivah, I sat back and waited. I knew we were in trouble and we all knew the risks if found out. Figuring my ride to the cavern would be rather painful, I began to think about where I could find some extra furs to place over Mavri's saddle. My thoughts were interrupted by heavy footsteps, and I sat up knowing that Eponin would be joining us soon. Noticing that Mama was also waiting for the weapons' master I saw that no one else seemed to hear her. Wondering how far Eponin was from the Queen's hut I longed for a watch to time her.
Seemingly an eternity later, Eponin entered the hut and stopped short. Taking in the people in the room and those of us at the table she sighed. "What did they do this time?"
"Sam decided to call out all the gods who want to vie for Athena's spot on Olympus and the rest of the lot decided to back her up." Ephiny explained tersely.
Eponin nodded, "So let me guess, the queen needs to deal with the whole, bringing danger to Amazon lands, while the moms here need to address the whole, are you out of your minds component?"
"Bingo," Mom replied. "Nail on the head, wouldn't you say, Xena?"
"Yup. Ephiny, Talia?"
Twin nods answered the question and I tried not to groan. It was never a good thing when one's mothers became rather flippant about your misbehavior and then agreed upon that flippancy.
Turning to Mom, Ephiny spoke once more. "My queen, what do you propose we do about this offence?"
Looking at us Mom put on her queen's face and motioned for us to stand. "Front and center, girls." As we complied I noticed the subtle shift in the room. Ephiny to her right, Eponin on her left, and Mama slightly behind but close enough to protect Mom if needed. Talia waited quietly facing us as well, but removed from the queen's official group. Mom moved forward and paced in front of us. Finally stopping she moved back and took a deep breath before addressing us.
"Girls, I don't know where to start on this stunt. Not only did you call out more gods than I could count, you did it alone. There were no adults there to back you up," holding up her hand she silenced any protests we might have. "And before you say that there wouldn't be anything the adults could do against the gods isn't the point and you all know that. Sam, how many times are we going to have this talk about your overconfidence? You may be Xena's daughter but you are not Xena."
"I know, my queen. I was actually channeling my blonde mother," I admitted. "Mama wouldn't have done what I did today, but Mom would have."
"She has you there, Gabrielle." Mama's deep voice intoned only to stop when Mom turned to glare at her.
"Be that as it may," Mom sighed and shook her head. "It wasn't safe, Samina. You all know that. What were you thinking?"
"We wanted to help Sam," Rory spoke up. "And we wanted to make sure the village would be safe when you are all gone."
"It's as simple as that," Zivah spoke quietly. "We know it wasn't the best idea we'd ever had, but we have Sam's back not matter what. And we need the gods to know that we aren't going to let them terrorize us just because Sam and you are gone from the village."
"Do all of you feel that way?" Mom asked quietly.
Daria nodded. "We do. Sam is the future queen and we have her back. Always."
"They have a point," Eponin spoke up. "They were doing what they feel they needed to do to protect the princess and future ruler. I'd say they'll make formidable Amazons when of age."
"That's not the point, Eponin!" Mom growled as Mama tried to hold her smirk and Ephiny suddenly found her boots rather interesting. Looking to Talia, I grinned noticing that she suddenly found it necessary to pick at non-existent lint on her skirt.
Holding my grin I looked at my friends. I saw my future queen's consort and weapons' master, my future healer, and my future queen's regent. Wondering if Daphne would ever fit into this group of my closest friends, my thoughts were interrupted by Mom's voice once again. "Girls, I'm not sure what will get through to you. I am beyond furious as your queen that you allowed such danger to come to our lands. Samina you know better as do the rest of you. I don't care what your intentions were, you should have told us your plans so we could have been there as well."
"You wouldn't have let us do it!" The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. Going for broke, I continued despite Mom's clenched jaw and Mama's now icy eyes boring into me. "Don't tell me that you would have let me call them all out like that. It was the only way I could think of to make sure that the village was safe when we were gone. I told them that they couldn't bother me where we're going and they can't. I didn't want them to bother the village."
"And I understand that," Mama's voice was calm. "But this stunt shows how much growing you all need to do before you are full warriors. Your mother and I would have listened to your idea, Samina. We would have discussed it as your mothers first."
"And then I would have discussed it with Ephiny as the queen," Mom interrupted. "The point is, we are the adults and you should have told us about this idea."
"So you could have said no?" I demanded.
"So we could have been there from the start", Mom countered. I met her eyes with my own. "Don't look so shocked, Sam. Sometimes you do have pretty good ideas about the gods."
"But, but…" I stammered.
Hearing sniggering I rounded on Daria, "What?"
"Nothing. Just never thought anything could make you speechless." Daria joked before Talia cleared her throat causing Daria to once more look at her boots.
My thoughts were then interrupted by tingling coursing throughout my body. I felt it all over and by the look on Mama's face she had felt it too. More surprising though was that Rory looked as if she felt it too. My suspicions were confirmed when she looked at me in shock, "It's like before, Sam. The gods…"
"Xena?"
Mama took a deep breath and looked down at Mom, "I'm heading out there to confront them. Call Aphrodite and Hestia. Ask them to take the little girls and mother, maybe Cassandra and get out of the village."
"But Xena…"
"Please, Gabrielle," Mama leaned down to shut off any of Mom's further protests with a kiss. "Sam, come with me."
I moved to follow her and found, to my surprise, that we were also joined by all the people in the hut except for Mom. "Girls you need to stay here."
"No." Daria's voice was steady though I saw the fear in her eyes. "We won't leave Sam alone in this, or you."
"Daria you are not yet a full warrior…" Mama began.
"And that's not the point, Xena. None of the full warriors are any better off than we are," Daria moved and took my hand giving it a squeeze before turning back to my warrior mother. "Please, Xena. We have to do this. I have to do this. I know you understand better than anyone."
"At least she's not following a beat up ex-warlord," I quipped.
Shaking her head, Mama finally nodded. Putting her arm around my shoulder she walked with me to the door of the hut, "Always your mothers' daughter, huh, Sam?"
"Always," I replied as she opened the door and we stepped into the chaos that was the gods.
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