"Amazons?" I looked at Ephiny like she had grown another head. "Like as in women warriors?"
"Exactly!"
I sat there shaking my head. "You can't be serious!"
Ephiny laughed, "But I am."
"And I'm supposed to just accept all of this?"
"I know it's a lot to take in," She said. "But you are here to accomplish something that another was unable to do."
"Again with the riddles." I grumbled. "And just what is it that I'm supposed to do?"
Ephiny smiled, "Well first, be a child. Grow up healthy and strong. Then one day you shall be a leader for the tribe."
"Uh huh." I was skeptical. "Healthy? I was sick and died. How am I supposed to grow up?" I couldn't help the tears that came to my eyes.
Ephiny reached out to comfort me, "All is not as it seems, little one."
I couldn't stop the tears that began to fall. "I miss my Mom!"
Ephiny put her arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. "I know, little one. And that's okay. You will for a while and then the pain will subside."
"I miss my mother too." Solan said quietly. "But I know she's okay because she has Gabrielle and Eve. Don't worry, you'll be okay too."
I wiped my face with my hands and smiled a 'thanks' to Ephiny. "Who are they?"
Solan smiled fondly with a distant look on his face. "Eve is my younger sister. And Gabrielle is Mother's best friend, partner and soulmate."
"Gabrielle is a leader among my tribe, although she is quite the wanderer."
"That's the truth!" Solan laughed.
"Don't worry, they will take good care of you."
Meanwhile:
Xena's hackles rose, "What do you mean 'there is one more thing'?!"
"Xe…" Gabrielle placed a calming hand on the Warrior's arm. "Tell us Aphrodite"
"Well ya see…" The blond haired goddess began nervously. "There's a little matter of the future of your tribe."
Now it was Gabrielle's turn to frown, "What about it?"
"I can't tell you everything - some you just have to figure out on your own." She shrugged. At the thunderous expressions on both faces before her, she rushed to continue. "There is a child from your line, Xena, that will become the champion of the Amazon Nation."
Xena shook her, perplexed. "What?"
"A child that descends from your bloodline, it is she that will save the Amazons."
"I have no other children besides Solan and
Eve."
Aphrodite shook her head and mumbled under her breath, "Dumb warriors."
Gabrielle growled, "Stop talking in riddles Aphrodite!"
"In other words, you will have a chance to be who you were supposed to be all along.
Parents."
Both blue and green eyes widened. "What?!"
"I've already told you too much." The goddess smiled. "When the time is right, she will find her way to you."
"Again with the riddles."
"But how?" The bard continued to shake her head in confusion.
"Find Varia...and soon all will be made clear." With that, Aphrodite disappeared in a shower of sparkles.
"Figures." Xena growled. "Gods and the Fates are always interfering."
"But maybe this will be a good thing, Xe…"
Xena wrapped her arms around her smaller companion and kissed the top of her head. "I sure hope so, Gab."
