Usual disclaimers apply.
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Chapter 44
The days following my birthday had been uneventful save for Eve finding Artemis's gift for her. The night we had gone to our new home, we'd discovered a small room off the kitchen where our porch in the future had been. In that room was a rather large perch. The perch had been empty, but in a basket next to the perch had been a small Harris hawk hen.
Eve had lit up like a Christmas tree while my moms groaned. "How could she, Xena?"
"Apparently without asking us," Mama had replied dryly watching while Eve gently picked up the baby bird and held her lovingly.
"Mama, Mommy look what Artemis gave me!" Eve's shouts caused even a sleeping Grace to open her eyes briefly.
I watched as Mama moved forward after handing Grace to Mom. Kneeling down in front of Eve Mama gently stroked the hen's feathers before looking again at Eve. "Do you think you're ready for such a responsibility, Trouble?"
"I am, Mama!" Eve replied. "Isn't she pretty?"
"Adorable." Mom replied.
"Mommy, Mama…" Zoe and Emily's voices faded as they ran into the room.
"Oh, look. She's so pretty," Emily moved forward and stared at the bird in Eve's hands. "She likes you, Eve."
"She does?" I chuckled as Mama wiped her hand down her face and Mom shook her head. "Are you sure?" Eve demanded.
"Yeah," Zoe had moved forward. "She's really happy she's with you. Artemis told her that you're as special as she is."
"Xena?"
"I don't know, Gabrielle." Mama looked between the twins and Eve. "Does she say anything else?"
The twins shook their heads in tandem. "She's tired and says she'll be hungry soon. Artemis left some food for her in the bowl by the perch. She's ready to go back in her basket." Emily finally answered.
I smiled as Eve nodded and gingerly placed the hen back into the fur lined basket. "I'll come back and feed you soon, girl. Is it okay if I think about your name for a while?"
"She says that's okay," Zoe supplied. "But she wants a good name. Nothing like Damn Bird."
I began to laugh in full at the pronouncement as Mama and Mom groaned.
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"Sam! Sam!"
"In my room!" I yelled in response to Rory calling me.
Hearing the sound of Rory running up the stairs I sat back and waited. "Sam?"
"In here," I replied.
"I should have, oh by the goddess!" Rory opened the door to my closet fully. "She didn't."
"She did." I leaned back in the bean bag chair and pointed to the other one across from me in the back of my closet. "She somehow recreated everything about my closet from home and added a few upgrades. Including," I pointed to the pillows and bean bag chairs then moved to the door. Standing I closed it and placed my ring in the heart shape near the keyhole. "Watch."
"Did that?" Rory began. "I mean did that ring just cause the keyhole to close?
"It did," I grinned. "And from what Auntie tells me nobody can get in here unless I release the lock with my ring."
"Never know when you might need that."
"Too true," I agreed unlocking the door with my ring and sitting down once more. "So, do you like it?"
"I love it." Rory looked around the inside of the closet and began to grin. "Do you still love it? After all, it's been six years."
Waiting until Rory sat down I finally replied. "I still love it. There's something about it," I shrugged. "I guess it just makes me feel safe again. As safe as I can be here."
"Yeah. I hear you, cousin." Rory absently rubbed her bottom.
"Something you want to tell me?"
"Yeah, never smart off to Mama right after she has a fight with Zivah. You'd think Andy was the worst thing that ever happened to Zivah. I mean Mom kinda likes the poor guy…"
"But Aunt Eponin is another story." I finished.
"Don't you know it," Rory agreed.
"So what did you say?"
"I just suggested she might want invite Andy to dinner so she can roast him properly over an open fire instead of threatening Zivah with permanent grounding."
My laugh filled the closet, "I bet Aunt Eponin loved that."
"Yeah," Rory shrugged. "About as much as she loved it when she discovered Addy now knows how to jump like Aunt Xena when needed."
"I still can't believe she managed to get out the window like that. I mean me climbing out of that window was one thing, but Addy?"
Rory laughed as I shook my head. "Well she was adamant that Eve needed her help with baking those cookies for Sentacles."
Laughing again I stretched out and took a deep breath. "Too bad Eve forgot to tell Addy that Aunt Hestia would have just picked her up from her bedroom."
"You'd think the kid would have known that." Rory muttered as a knock on my closet interrupted us.
"Sam, open the door!" Zoe's voice hollered. "Mama says it's time to eat. You come out right now!"
"Yeah!" Emily's voice chimed.
"I'm coming, keep your pants on," I answered as the twins kept knocking on my door.
Finally standing up I opened the door and had to hold in my laugh at my little sisters. Zoe was standing there with her hands on her hips copying my blonde mother while Emily had her arms crossed across her chest and seemed to be waiting as patiently as possible.
"The gods do they look like your moms."
"I know," I knelt down and pulled each one into an unexpected hug. "Go tell the moms that Rory and I are coming down right now. And don't run down the stairs!" I shouted as they ran as fast as they could from my room.
"Sam, what on…" I stopped Rory's question by holding up my hand.
"Wait for it, wait, and now…"
"Eve Anastasia Bardos what did we tell you about showing the twins how to slide down the bannister?" Mom's voice sounded from the kitchen as Rory and I moved slowly down the stairs.
"Well it takes them too long the other way," Eve protested. "Their legs are too short to keep up."
"Not helping, Xena." Was then heard after Mama snorted trying to keep an obvious chuckle to herself.
The sound of swats met my ears next and I wasn't surprised when Rory and I entered the kitchen to find three pouting sisters and the youngest still being fed by Mama. "So what's for dinner?" I asked.
"Nothing if you don't get the table set," Mom replied pointing to the still empty table. "Are you staying for dinner, Rory?"
"Depends," she answered. "What are you having?"
"Just help Sam set the table," Mama directed. "You know you've never turned down Gabrielle's cooking a day in your life."
"True," Rory shrugged and moved to the drawers removing the silverware. "You know," she paused and looked around the kitchen. "If you had a refrigerator and electric lights this would be exactly like eating dinner with you back in the future. Well, except for all the little sisters."
"Really?" Eve piped up as she looked across the table at me as I sat down.
"Yup." I smiled at her. "This kitchen looks almost identical to the one from the future. It's nice to have some of home back," I admitted.
"That it is," Mama agreed finally moving Grace to her shoulder to burp her. "I'm not even going to complain that the gods had a hand in this house, Sam." Mama stood and gently laid a now sleepy Grace in the portable bassinet Mama had made. "It really is nice to have some of the future here with us."
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"Sam! Sam!" Eve's voice interrupted Daria and I in the midst of a heady kiss.
"The gods, how does she know where to find us and time this?" Daria protested. "I mean first she had to show me Harry just as we were…" Daria trailed off as I blushed.
"I know, as if you'd want to see that baby hawk more than kiss your girlfriend. Still can't believe she named it Harriet." I whispered pulling Daria back to me for another kiss.
"Well you did tell her that story of the girl who was a spy named Harriet." Daria whispered to me as we were once again interrupted.
"Sam, I know you're in here!" Eve hollered from the floor of the barn. "You gotta come, they're going to hurt him!"
Sighing I finally sat up in the hay. "Hurt who?"
"Some guy who says he knows the moms, calls himself the King of Thieves. Hurry!"
"Shit," I muttered sitting up properly and brushing myself off the best I could. "Meet you there," I told Daria as I flipped off the hayloft into the barn and took off running towards the sounds of commotion from the center of the village. Noticing Eve in the midst of the chaos I shook my head and sped up to join the group.
"Hey now, watch it ladies, not that I don't mind a good strong woman, but I'd prefer…" the voice stopped as I entered the scene pushing Eve behind me.
"What in Hades is going on here?" I asked as I laid eyes on Autolycus for the first time.
"This man was found trying to break into your home. Luckily, Lolly saw it and stopped him."
"Thank you," I replied to the tall warrior pointing her sword at Autolycus's throat.
"I tell you I wasn't trying to break into Xena and Gabrielle's happy home," he began. "I just wanted to surprise them. I mean after the last surprise Xena gave me, well I just wanted to return the favor."
"And how were you going to do that?" I asked moving forward.
Looking at me I watched as Autolycus saw the family resemblance. "For the love of the gods, Xena?"
Hearing laughter behind me I shook my head, "Not helping, Daria." I quipped.
"No." I smiled at the man. "I'm her daughter, Sam. And you are Autolycus."
"I am. And not that I don't appreciate you knowing me, where are Xena and Gabrielle?"
"Who are you to ask where our queen and consort are?" The warrior holding the sword spoke once more.
"It's okay, Mayla. Autolycus is an old family friend according to my mothers." I then turned my attention to the King of Thieves once more. "They are currently unavailable, however, I am available and as the princess I ask you why you were trying to break into our home."
"First, get blondie here to stop threatening me with her sword. I don't need for her to accidently mar this beautiful face."
Holding my smile, I nodded to the warrior, It's alright, Lyca, you may stand down."
"Are you sure, Princess?" She asked.
"I am. Autolycus and I are just going to the queen's hut. I would like for Solari and Eponin to join us there."
"What about me, Sam?" Eve finally piped up and I shook my head at her. "I think you need to get back to the kitchen. I'm sure Yaya is missing you."
"Who do you think told me to go find something to do that wasn't in her kitchen?" Eve huffed.
"Again, that's not helping," I told Daria as she tried to hold in her laugh.
"I know," kneeling I pulled Eve close and whispered in her ear. Glad that she decided to go with what I'd told her. I watched as Eve took off towards home and then stood and addressed the Amazons still surrounding us.
"Please, Lyca, go and get Eponin and Solari."
"As you wish," Lyca nodded briefly and took off towards the training field where I knew Eponin and Solari would be today.
Heading towards the queen's hut I pulled Daria by the elbow, "You're coming too, Daria."
"Why? What did I do to get called in on this?"
"You had the luck of being with me today," I teased as I motioned for Autolycus to join us. Feeling the presence of two members of the queen's guard behind us I wondered when they had been summoned. Taking it in stride we continued to the hut and I wondered how many more guards would be present.
Finally reaching the queen's hut we followed two other guards inside, leaving the ones following us outside of the hut. Stopping short when I heard Daria's snort with Autolycus's sounds of disbelief I shook my head when I finally was able to see what they were seeing. No wonder she had left me so willingly just a few moments ago.
"About time you got here, Sam." Eve said to me as she watched us enter the hut from Mom's usual place. "I see you brought the prisoner."
"Prisoner?" Autolycus turned to me and then back to Eve, "Now you just wait a minute, nobody said anything about me being a prisoner, besides, nobody can catch, the King of Thieves." He finished twirling the end of his mustache.
"You're Autolycus?" Eve jumped up from Mom's chair and ran towards the thief only to be stopped by one of the guards. "Move, would you? I need to ask Autolycus something." Eve demanded. The guard looked at me and I nodded briefly.
"It's okay Roma," I addressed the red-head. "Autolycus has given us no reason to mistrust him and my mothers trust him. You can let Eve through."
The guard nodded and stepped back. "I will be watching." Her only words as she kept her sword at the ready.
"About time," Eve huffed finally making her way over to the thief while glaring at Roma. "Can you teach me how to pick locks? I mean I need to know how to get out of manacles and into rooms that are locked. Oh and can you teach me how to scale the side of a building. Mama says I'm still too young, but I bet you can teach me that, right?"
"Who is this kid?" Autolycus asked as Daria snorted again.
"My little sister, Eve." I replied watching his eyes go wide before looking back down at her.
"Okay, kid," holding his hands up he waited until Eve quieted. "I'm sure I can teach you a lot of things, but let's be sure to run it by Xena first. I'd like to keep all of my fingers and other parts."
Looking up at the man Eve slowly nodded, "Okay then, but I'm telling you that I have to be able to pick locks before you leave."
Moving from her spot Eve headed to the door of the hut, "Not a word to Mama or Mommy, Sam." Her blue eyes narrowed at me. "Or I'll tell them exactly what you were doing in the hayloft."
Shaking my head as Daria began to choke I moved towards Eve. Kneeling down I placed my hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye, "Nice try, little bit, but you try that and I will make sure that Mama knows exactly how that accident involving the chicken feathers, the honey, and the tanner's spare leather was done."
"Damn."
"Damn right." I commented. "Now go and find something to do that won't have the entire village after Mom or Mama when they get back."
"You are no fun when you're in charge!" Eve huffed before turning and storming out of the queen's hut, her staff held tightly in her grip as she took it off the wall by the door.
"So that's Eve," Autolycus moved to sit down and put his feet up on the table. "I can see why the gods were after her. A lot like Xena that one."
"And Gabrielle," Daria interjected.
Back handing Daria in the stomach I grinned at her, "Knock it off."
"What, it's true." Daria mumbled as she and I sat down at the table with the thief.
"So, Autolycus, what brings you here?" I asked.
"I needed to see your mothers about a woman," he muttered.
"So you decided to come to a village full of armed women?" I asked.
"Well that could be fun too," Autolycus muttered almost to himself.
Choosing to ignore that comment I shoved the man's booted feet off the table and onto the floor. "My moms will be back as soon as is possible, but it's going to be at least a candlemark or more. Are you sure you can't tell me what you were doing trying to break into my house?"
"Like I told the Amazon before I wasn't trying to do anything except surprise Xena and Gabrielle."
"How were you planning to surprise them?" I asked.
"Don't you think walking into their house and seeing me would be surprise enough?" Autolycus asked with a grin.
"Normally, I'd say yes, but I have a feeling there is more to your surprise than you are telling us."
I leaned across the table and held the man's eyes in my own gaze, "What do you think, Daria? Think Autolycus just wanted to surprise my moms?"
"I think he has no idea how much you are like both of your mothers," Daria answered.
"What does she mean?"
"She means," I leaned forward and smiled at the thief. "That I have quite a few of my own many skills."
Leaning back in his chair once more the man nodded at me, "I can see that. I also know that you aren't of age yet and won't really hurt me."
"At least nothing permanent," Daria quipped sniggering when Autolycus's face paled.
"Are you sure you aren't one of Xena and Gab's kids, too?" He asked.
"I'm sure," Daria replied. "I just spend a lot of time around them."
"So," I leaned back in my chair this time and tried to visibly relax. "Why were you trying to sneak into our house and how did you know it was our house?"
I watched as Autolycus looked at the ceiling and then finally back to me. "Look, Sam, I will tell you everything, I promise. It's just that I'd rather only tell my story once and really need your moms here for when I do."
"Okay."
"Really?" The man looked surprised and then took a deep breath. "I do have a favor to ask of you."
"Oh?" I asked.
"Yeah," he shook his head and muttered under his breath before finally answering. "Look, there's this kid back in town. She's only eight and I can't have her alone at the inn where I told her to wait for me. I mean she might get into trouble or something."
I nodded in understanding, "Who is she?"
Autolycus scratched the top of his head, "I can't tell you. Not yet, just know that she'll fit in here just fine and she needs protection."
Making up my mind I decided to make my first huge decision without my mothers' okay. "Daria, I want you to take…."
My orders were interrupted as Eponin and Solari finally entered the queen's hut. "Sam?"
I nodded to Eponin and smiled briefly, "Daria will explain on the way, but I need you and her to go and get," I stopped and turned to the man again. "What's her name, Autolycus?"
"Alex. Her name is Alex. She's at the inn run by Thaddeus and his wife in the village. She's staying in room three."
"Will she come with us when we tell her who sent us?" Eponin asked.
Autolycus nodded, "Tell her that I didn't break my promise and she'll finally get to meet her namesake. She'll come with you. Oh and make sure she didn't cause any trouble there. If she did, well," Autolycus opened the pouch at his waist and pulled out three coins. "This should cover the lodging and anything she may have done."
Taking the money from him Eponin nodded slightly, "I expect a full explanation when we get back, Sam."
"You'll have one, weapon's master," I replied watching as she and Daria headed to the door of the hut.
"The one day where the queen, her consort, and her regent are out of the village…" Eponin muttered to herself making me smile as I watched them leave thankful that Eponin trusted me enough to do as I asked without questions at the moment.
"So, looks like we wait," I announced turning back to Autolycus. "But first," I looked at Solari and sighed. "Would you please go check on my sisters?"
Seeing the look in her eyes I held my groan, "If you have to, get Cyrene or Kassandra to call in reinforcements."
"I will," Solari assured me before heading out of the hut leaving me alone once more with the famed King of Thieves.
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I think I'm back. Thanks to all the followers and PMs. I appreciate it.
Let's just say that RL can interfere a lot but hopefully things will calm down.
For those of you who read my Glee fic- I am working on the next chapter. Stardawn and I are also working on the next installment of The Mockingbird Chronicles, and I am a few chapters into a sequel for Broadway Baby.
Please let me know what you think of the chapter if you are so inclined.