Chapter 3

"Changes"

Xena continued to scout the Amazon camp, waiting for anything. The sun had disappeared an hour ago, leaving only darkness where she was camped. The Amazon camp was well lit with torches and a large fire. It looked as if they would be having a party. Xena watched over a few perfectly placed boulders, her hands placed on the boulders as she leaned to get a closer look. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted Gabrielle and Hope emerging from the Queen's hut.

"Tomorrow is the beginning of a new life. The Amazon nation will grow stronger and larger. With all of the Amazon's combined we will become an unstoppable force." Gabrielle grinned.

"The execution of Livia will bring us all closer together. Livia has been going after the Amazon's for years and now she must pay the price." Hope spoke as the fellow Amazon's cheered.

"I have a thought, why wait to kill Livia tomorrow, when we can do it right now?" Hope asked

"I promised, Xena.."

"So what? She isn't here, justice needs to be served!!" Varia yelled

Gabrielle reluctantly nodded. "Bring out the prisoner!" Gabrielle yelled

Xena watched as Eve was brought out in chains, she looked badly beaten. Eve looked around, the confusion running over her face.

"Livia, how do you feel knowing you are going to die?" Gabrielle asked her.

"I feel fine, I shall pay for my crimes against the Amazons, even if it is death." Eve stated proudly.

Gabrielle unsheathed a sword at her side and pointed it at Eve's throat.

"Don't do it, don't do it Gabrielle." Xena whispered.

Gabrielle raised the sword as the Amazon's looked on, waiting for an execution. A wild smile shown on Gabrielle's face as she swung the sword back.. Suddenly her sword broke into half, she heard an all to familiar war cry approaching her. Xena flipped and landed in between Gabrielle and Eve.
"Xena what are you doing here?" Gabrielle asked, the confusion showing on her face.

"I told you I wasn't going to let you kill my daughter." Xena stated.

"Oh she's going to die, if not by my hand then by someone else's, she needs to pay for her crimes against the Amazons. She's been pardoned once and she returned, she was stupid for returning."

"Gabrielle, let me take her out of here." Xena pleaded.

"No." Gabrielle stated with a small grin. She grabbed a staff that Hope held.

"Do you think this is wise? Crossing blades with the warrior princess?" Xena asked

"Eve isn't leaving here alive, and if you have to go down with her, that's fine with me." Gabrielle smirked.

Gabrielle swung her staff at Xena, who quickly blocked. Xena did a flip and grabbed a staff from an Amazon that stood to watch the spectacle. Gabrielle charged from behind her, hitting Xena on the back. Xena quickly turned around and eyed Gabrielle. Gabrielle tried to hit Xena on the arm, which Xena blocked. They fought for a few minutes until Xena kicked the staff from her hands.

"You can't beat me Gabrielle." Xena stated, throwing the staff to the side. "What has gotten into you?"

"I'm leading the Amazons, it is my duty as queen."

Xena slightly rolled her eyes, her crystal blue eyes shining in the torchlight. "Since when do you want to be queen?"

"It is my duty, now are you going to leave in peace?" Gabrielle asked

"No, I'm not leaving with out my daughter." Xena stated, holding her ground.

"Kill her." Gabrielle demanded.

Various Amazon's began to charge at Xena. Xena pulled her sword and defended herself. Eve tried to run and hide but was short stopped by Varia. "I will get my revenge." Varia stated as Eve stood.

"Then do it." Eve stated, with one swift movement Varia's sword plunged into Eve's side, blood pouring from her wound.

"Eve!!" Xena yelled as she watched Eve fall to the ground with a thud. Xena fought off the attacking Amazons with out a problem, killing only a few of them. She ran to Eve's side after Gabrielle had called for them to retreat.

Xena cradled her fallen daughter in her arms as tears formed in her eyes. She felt for a pulse, there wasn't one.

"I'm sorry about your daughter Xena." Gabrielle said

"No your not, you wanted this all along. I'm taking Eve with me, you've changed, don't worry I won't be returning." Xena said, the hatred in her voice as she whistled for Argo who quickly came running. Xena picked up Eve's limp body and placed it on Argo's back. "This isn't over, not by a long shot." Xena warned, leaving the Amazon camp.

After leaving the camp and entering the forest Xena felt her legs turn to jelly as she fell to the ground. She blinked back the tears that she continued to hold back. She gained her composure and headed further into the forest, she would have to give Eve a proper burial. The hate for Gabrielle boiled inside her; this wasn't something that would quickly pass. Out of every thing they had been through this was the worst thing that could have ever happened. How would Gabrielle feel if Xena got her revenge by killing Hope? Well she would find out soon enough. The hatred now turned Gabrielle turned her into an enemy. Xena made a better friend than an enemy; Gabrielle should have known that by now. What was running through her mind to turn her against Xena? Was the love for power always in Gabrielle so much that it would turn everything against Xena? Xena had always tried to be a good friend to Gabrielle and now Gabrielle was the enemy, someone she despised.