Author's Notes: I own nothing!
Author's Notes 2: I truly appreciate all of you for following, liking, and sticking with me on this journey. I know I don't update very often, so you sticking with me means a lot.
Chapter 5
Gabrielle and Sam head the procession of Amazon warriors through the village. They pass through the main gates that are lined with Amazons who were tasked with protecting the village and those unable to fight. Gabrielle leads the procession containing her General, Regent, Captain of the Guards, and other Amazon who accompanied Xena into the battle to the healers hut. To any onlooker, they see the signs of a hard fought battle won, they see their Queen with her arm in a sling, bandage around her thigh, and a sling on their Princess. Both Xena and Ephiny are dirty and covered in blood and scratches from the battle, but defiantly coming out less scathed than the Queen and Princess. So it does not surprise anyone that the stopping point is the healers hut. The procession taking very little time, but the exertion of it is beginning to take its toll on Gabrielle. Taking a moment to steady herself, and pull herself up, projecting herself as the Amazon Queen, she turns her horse to face the sisters:
"My fellow Amazons, once again we have been tested by men who believe our sisterhood, our way of life is less than theirs. They look upon us as inferior, unworthy, not respecting what we have built, only wishing to take what they feel they are entitled too. 2 days ago our boarders were approached by a group who wished to take from us. They believed they could just march in here, threaten us into submission, and watch us cower in fear. But thanks to the group you see before you, they were able to stop the approaching army, once again demonstrating what a strong, powerful nation we are!" A large cheer rises from those gathered. Gabrielle ushers the crowd to die down with her "good" arm
"I cannot tell you how very proud I am of my sisters today. We coordinated an attack while on two fronts, all the while not losing one Amazon sister in the process. We showed that this nation is full of skilled, powerful woman, who will defend their family, their way of life, and their homes with every fiber of their being. That just when they think we are defeated, we find the strength within ourselves to fight just a little bit longer, a little bit harder" Gabrielle looks at Xena and winks, and pats Sam's leg. She feels Sam squeeze her arm. "because we have each other, this family to protect." The cheers are rising up again, many Amazons throwing their fists in the air. Gabrielle strength is leaving her, she leans back against Sam. "My sisters, I ask your forgiveness as I do have a date with our wonderful healer. I look forward to celebrating our victory shortly with you all. To a strong Amazon Nation!" Gabrielle shouts raising her arm high, the wince not escaping Xena.
The crowd salutes their queen, shouting back "To a Strong Amazon Nation." Gabrielle feels herself slipping, her vision begins to cloud, she leans even more on Sam and nudges her horse to begin moving. Xena feels what is about to happen and quickly approaches Gabrielle and Sam, leading the horse around the back of the Healer's hut. Gabrielle is able to keep herself conscience till they clear the crowd, she feels that Xena is within a step and slips into the darkness, slumping fully against Sam, her good arm dropping from the reins. Sam fumbles to grab ahold of Gabrielle before she falls off the horse.
"Mom?" Sam whispers, shaking her slightly, feeling herself begin to panic. "Mom? Queen Gabrielle?" Not getting a response and with panicked eyes, she looks around, finally seeing her mother is right next to her and noticing Ephiny, and the healer quickly approaching.
"Sam, just hold tight. We will help get her down" Xena says placing her arm behind Gabrielle and pulling her towards the strong warrior, carrying her towards the healers hut.
"For Artemis's sake Gabrielle, I swear to one of the God's that your stubbornness will be the death of me." Xena enters the healers hut and places Gabrielle on the cot. She places her hand on Gabrielle's face, pushes her hair out of her way and kisses her on the forehead. Stepping back to allow the healer to examine the Queen. She glances back into the hut as she leaves to retrieve Sam.