Gabrielle stood in front of the Great Amazonian Council as Xena and the others sat in the front row of the audience. Gabrielle did her best to push down her nerves as the Amazonian summit officially got underway. The room began to quiet down as the five members of the council rose from their seats. Gabrielle took a deep breath as the woman in the middle of the five spoke.
?
Greetings fellow Amazon's. We of the council thank you all for coming on such relativity short notice. For anyone here who does not know, my name is Navaea. And to my right are the other council members Luna and Gianna. And on my left is Alanis and Nova.
ALANIS
We are here to discuss the events that involved the formally unknown Sapphire Snow Owl Tribe and the role that our queen, Gabrielle played in the incident.
LUNA
Queen Gabrielle what do you have to say about this incident?
Gabrielle looked at the council members unsure of what to say. She closed her eyes for a moment as she pushed down her nerves and entered her "queen mode". She then opened her eyes and spoke.
GABRIELLE
I'm not sure what you want me to say. The slaver attack on the village was terrible but we managed to stop them in the end.
NEVAEA
Yes that's true.
GIANNA
But the attack itself isn't the full reason for you being called here.
GABRIELLE
If I may ask what is the exact reason for this summit and my being here?
NOVA
Why do you think you've been summoned?
GABRIELLE
I assumed it was because of the village attack and what might've happened if we failed to stop the slavers.
ALANIS
To an extent it is. But the fact that you can't already see the true reason for this summit speaks volumes about your capabilities of being the queen of our people.
Xena scowled at the comment as she sat in front of the audience with the others on the trip. But she remained silent. She didn't want to make Gabrielle appear weak if at the first sight of difficulty she came running in to "save the day". Gabrielle held her ground as she tried to figure out what exactly it was that the council was talking about.
GABRIELLE
While it's true that I'm relatively new to being queen, I assure you that I am a very capable ruler.
GIANNA
Perhaps, that is when you choose to be.
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry?
NEVAEA
Ah yes I see what you're getting at Gianna. Gabrielle why is it that you're so frequently absent from your queenly duties?
GABRIELLE
I travel around alot. But when I'm not with the Amazon's I'm sure to leave my role in the very capable hands of my good friend Ephiny. Who's highly qualified for the job I might add.
Gabrielle motioned to Ephiny sitting with Xena and the others in their group.
NEVAEA
Who you leave in charge is not the question. You say you travel, for those who don't know could you tell us who it is that you travel with.
Gabrielle didn't like where she thought this was going.
GABRIELLE
Why does that matter?
NEVAEA
It does if we are to see where you're loyalties lay. Which can obviously have an impact on how you rule.
Xena growled to herself having a good idea of where this line of questioning was going and not liking it one bit. Gabrielle found herself becoming slightly Irritated at the questions that seemed to have nothing to do with the village.
GABRIELLE
(Slightly Irritated tone) First of all I can be loyal to more than one person or group at once. And to answer your question the person I travel with is Xena, the warrior princess.
Gabrielle turned slightly and pointed out Xena to the council. The woman in the audience gasped at the mention of the famous or infamous warrior, depending on who you talked to. Xena folded her arms across her chest and leaned back in her seat, unaffected by the slight commotion caused by the announcement of her presence. In all honesty she was more concerned about Gabrielle and where the council was heading with bringing her name up. Gabrielle waited for a moment while the crowd settled back down as she turned back towards the council and continued.
GABRIELLE
But you clearly already knew that. So why bring it up?
ALANIS
Simply as a point of reference for those who weren't aware of your connection to the former warlord.
Gabrielle scowled at the unnecessary mention of Xena's dark past.
GABRIELLE
And?
LUNA
You brought her here with you isn't that right?
GABRIELLE
Yes.
Again more gasps and talking came from the crowd. Ephiny learned close to Xena.
EPHINY
(Whisper) Is it just me or are you getting a bad feeling about this whole thing too?
Xena glared straight ahead at the women questioning Gabrielle with a very unhappy look on her face.
XENA
Absolutely.
The council waited for the crowd to quiet down again as they continued.
GIANNA
Tell us queen Gabrielle you are aware of Xena's reputation are you not?
GABRIELLE
I am. But that's not who she is anymore.
Fauna and Kai looked at Xena not knowing what they were talking about. No one in the Sapphire Snow Owl village was aware of the evil person that Xena once was. Not because she or Gabrielle were trying to hide it. The subject just simply hadn't come up.
XENA
(Whisper) It's a long story. Now's not the time to explain.
Fauna and Kai shrugged as they returned their focus to Gabrielle and the council.
GIANNA
Yet one more thing to prove that you're a less than competent queen. To think that you would bring someone whose not only not an Amazon but a former criminal and warlord at that. Tell us queen Gabrielle is that secret tribe aware of just who Xena is or was according to you.
GABRIELLE
It didn't come up.
ALANIS
It wouldn't surprise me if Xena was actually allies with those slavers to learn the village's secrets.
Now Gabrielle was getting increasingly angry. She always hated when people used Xena's past to try and discredit the good person that Xena had become.
GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) That's not true! Xena defended the village, along with everyone else! This doesn't have anything to do with Xena anyway!
Nevaea hastily stood from her seat.
NEVAEA
(Angry tone) It does when it comes to your role as queen. It further proves your lack of reasonable judgment.
Unable to just stay quiet any longer Xena stood up from her seat and angrily addressed the council.
XENA
(Angry tone) That's enough!
Everyone in the crowd gasped when Xena spoke.
XENA
(Angry tone) Gabrielle is a good ruler. Regardless of her relationship to me. I won't have you using what I've done to try and lessen her accomplishments as queen. Or who she is as a person.
Luna stood from her seat next and glared at Xena.
LUNA
(Angry tone) You have better watch your tongue Xena. The fact that you're even allowed here at all is a courtesy based solely on your relationship to the queen and nothing more!
NEVAEA
I'm curious queen Gabrielle as to what exactly is the extent of your relationship with Xena.
Gabrielle looked at Xena for a moment then back at the council and gave her simple honest answer.
GABRIELLE
I love her. And she loves me.
A number of the council scoffed at Gabrielle's response. Everyone there was well aware of Xena's past or at least had heard stories about her. Which explained the reaction to Gabrielle's statement. After all what kind of fool would fall for such an awful person and believe that they were actually loved in return. The crowd mumbled amongst themselves as Xena glared back at the audience for a moment.
ALANIS
This would explain why you allowed Xena to accompany you to the village in the first place.
GABRIELLE
Isn't that the reason we're here? What happened at the village.
GIANNA
Yes the slavers we discussed. But the thing that truly brought you here is what lays hidden within the village and the danger it poses.
Fauna gasped as she heard the council.
FAUNA
Kai you don't think that they know about that do you.
KAI
There's no way. How could they?
Both Xena and Gabrielle wondered that very thing themselves.
GIANNA
Based off the expression on you're face you're clearly aware of what we speak of.
GABRIELLE
How do you know about that? No one outside the village should know.
Members of the audience looked at each other wondering what they were talking about. Velasca who had been silent this whole time also found herself curious as to how the council knew about the secret.
ALANIS
We're not in this position for nothing. We have ways of knowing everything that happens within the entire Amazon nation.
Xena folded her arms across her chest and scowled.
XENA
So spies.
ALANIS
That is one of the ways yes.
XENA
So you know the secret about the village, what does that have to do with Gabrielle?
GIANNA
As queen she should have come to us to discuss what to do about it. What would've happened if those slavers got their hands on it or if word about it got out?
XENA
(Mumbling to herself) Obviously what's happening right now since you jackasses know about it.
Gabrielle glanced back at Xena with a worried expression hoping that the council didn't hear that comment.
GIANNA
What was that?
XENA
(Irritated tone) I said obviously what's happening right now since you jackasses know about it.
Everyone in the crowd gasped yet again as Xena looked back at them and was getting pretty tired of hearing that.
XENA
(Irritated tone) Oh quit the dramatics before I give you something to really gasp about.
Xena and Gabrielle's group scooted away from Xena's direction a bit. Knowing that Xena was beginning to lose her patience with the whole situation.
NEVAEA
(Angry tone) You have better tread lightly Xena. Keep in mind just where you are.
XENA
(Irritated tone) You're the ones trying to place blame for something that didn't even happen on someone who did everything she could to stop it.
NEVAEA
(Angry tone) As queen Gabrielle should have notified us of the discovery so we could best decide what to do.
XENA
(Angry tone) How could she when we never even heard of you until a few days ago!
NEVAEA
(Angry tone) Yet one more short coming to prove Gabrielle's incompetence!
XENA
(Angry tone) You know what, you, the rest of the council, this audience and this whole damn summit can all just go fu...
GABRIELLE
Enough!
Xena looked back at Gabrielle who stood there with her fist clenched tightly at her sides. Everyone in the room turned their focus to Gabrielle as she looked at the council.
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry that any of this happened. But I'm only one person. I have flaws and make mistakes. I admit that I don't know everything that I probably should as queen. But I promise you that I do everything I can to benefit our people. And I give my word as queen that I would never intentionally do anything that could hurt the Amazon's.
Luna looked at Gabrielle with a bit of sympathy and sighed.
LUNA
Perhaps we are being a bit too harsh here.
Nevaea looked at her fellow council member.
NEVAEA
You can't be serious Luna. As queen she should be held to a higher standard than the rest.
NOVA
I agree.
GIANNA
I think Luna may have a point. We all may have rushed to judgment to quickly on this matter. Alanis what do you think?
The final member of the council sighed as she rubbed her forehead in fatigue from the days events.
ALANIS
I think it may be best for everyone if we end discussions here for today. Perhaps after a good night's rest cooler heads can prevail when we reconvene tomorrow morning.
The other women on the council agreed and called the meeting to an end for the day. Everyone grumbled and talked amongst themselves as they begin to clear out the large room. Leaving Gabrielle, Xena and the rest of their group alone. Everyone knew the emotional toll that the meeting must've had on Gabrielle, even though she did her best to hide it. Xena walked over put her hand on her shoulder.
XENA
You okay?
GABRIELLE
(Defeated tone) Sure.
The others walked over as a few offered their own words of encouragement.
GABRIELLE
(Defeated tone) Thanks I guess.
No one really knew what what to say. None of them had exspected the way things had played out. Xena looked at the other's
XENA
I think Gabrielle and I are just gonna go back to our room and get some rest.
EPHINY
I think that's a good idea. It's been a long day and I'm we all could use some time to unwind.
With that everyone left the Hall and went back to their own rooms. Once back in their room Xena took Gabrielle to bed. The meeting had taken quite the emotional toll on her and Xena could see how tired she was. After getting them both comfortable Xena layed in bed holding Gabrielle as she gently stroked her hair trying comfort her. Gabrielle had her head resting on Xena's chest as she let out an exhausted sigh.
GABRIELLE
What am I supposed to do Xena? It's like no one wanted to actually listen to what I had to say today. Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm not fit to be queen.
Xena kissed the top of her head as she hugged Gabrielle a little tighter.
XENA
Hey. Don't talk like that. You're queen for a reason. That council clearly had no idea what they were talking about. You did everything you could today. And during the slavers attack on the village.
GABRIELLE
But they're right about me not knowing everything I should. Even Valassca mentioned it before and Ephiny agreed.
Xena sighed as she sat up and turned to face her as Gabrielle sat up too.
XENA
First of all I'd prefer it if you didn't listen to almost anything that Valassca says. You know she doesn't like you right?
GABRIELLE
Kinda, but still she's still not wrong.
XENA
And second, so you don't know as much as the others. It doesn't stop you from being a good ruler. Plus you're learning. You'd probably know more if we had visited the Amazon's more often and for that I'm sorry. I know that us always being away makes it far more difficult for you when it comes to actually being queen.
GABRIELLE
It's not your fault Xena. I choose to stay with you and I don't regret it.
Gabrielle then remembered what the council had said about Xena and found herself getting angry about it all over again.
GABRIELLE
Even if that council tried to use you're past against me just because I'm with you.
XENA
Gabrielle I'm...
GABRIELLE
Xena I already know what you're gonna say and you have nothing to apologize to me for. I know who you used to be but I don't care.
Gabrielle hugged Xena as Xena put her arms around her.
GABRIELLE
I know who you are now and that's what matters. I love you. Thank you for what you said today. I don't think I could've gotten through that without you.
Gabrielle kissed Xena.
XENA
We should get some sleep. You look exhausted.
Gabrielle gave Xena a tired smile.
GABRIELLE
Sleep sounds pretty good right about now.
Xena and Gabrielle got comfortable and went to sleep. As Xena drifted off she thought about how she could possibly help Gabrielle out of the predicament that she now found herself in. The night was quiet as everyone in the group slept in their rooms. It was very early morning before the sun had even begun to come up when Xena and Gabrielle were startled awake by a loud scream. They both sat up.
GABRIELLE
Was that a scream?
XENA
Yes.
Xena threw off her covers as she got out of bed and grabbed her sword and chakrum that was sitting near the bed. After throwing on her boots and actual armor as she raced out of their room, Xena ran into Ephiny whose room happened to be right next door.
EPHINY
You heard that too?
XENA
Clearly.
Gabrielle came out off their room with her staff as she stomped her boot on the rest of the way and saw Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
Ephiny any idea what that was?
EPHINY
No idea.
The trio suddenly heard a loud commotion coming from the lower level. They all raced over and looked over the railing. They could see and crowd gathered on the bottom floor.
XENA
Come on let's find out what's going on.
As they made their way towards the crowd, Velasca, Fauna and Kai came out of their rooms after hearing the commotion and followed the others. As all six reached the bottom the area had begun to become chaotic. A number of Amazons were running around in a panic as other's were gathering in a large group. Xena Gabrielle and the rest made their way through the crowd as Gabrielle asked someone near the front what was going on.
AMAZON
An act of unspeakable treason has been committed.
GABRIELLE
What does that mean?
The Amazon didn't answer as she angerly walked away. Gabrielle looked around and found Xena and the others had made it to the front of the crowd.
EPHINY
Damn that's really not good.
VELASCA
I think that might be the understatement of the century.
Gabrielle finally pushed her way through the crowd as froze in her tracks when she saw what the commotion was about. Members of the Amazonian Council were standing there looking down at a body that layed dead on the floor.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) Oh gods. Xena tell me that's not what I think it is.
XENA
It looks like someone took their disagreements with one of the members of the great Amazon council to the extreme.
Xena, Gabrielle, Ephiny, Valassca, Fauna and Kai stood among the other Amazon's as they looked on at the body of the council member named Nevaea murdered. It was obvious due to the multiple stab wounds in her back as she layed face down in a pool of blood.
NOVA
(Angry tone) Whose responsible for this?! Killing a member of the Amazonian Council by law is considered an act of high treason. Whoever's committed this crime will be subjcted to the harshest punishments we can use. No one will leave this summit until her everyone involved in her murder is brought to justice.
TO BE CONTINUED...