Drake's Ultimatum

"All right let's get this nasty splint off," Xena told Eve who nodded her head vigorously. Xena took off the splint. Eve happily used her arm again missing the use of it, but it was weak so Xena set her the task of completing some exercises every morning to regain its strength. She also got her own morning routine on schedule starting with exercises that Llyr joined her in along with Melody who still woke up early and needed her attention. Eve eventually joined her expressing her displeasure in being left out. Xena didn't mind wanting to encourage healthy activities.

"Princess over here!" Xena kicked the ball to one of her subjects. She was enjoying not being a Queen, which had its burdens, a princess's job was much either though just as annoying with its burdens sometimes because it was hard to just be normal. However her subjects in Sultry made her feel as if they didn't hold her on a pedestal even though they both knew they did.

"Why did I not think to create a football field back home," Xena muttered and than frowned. It had been a week and still nothing from Drake. She supposed he may be letting her cool down, he knew first hand that just because she didn't yell and throw things that it meant she wasn't furious with him.

"Can you two cool it we're in public, Drake and I never even did all that," Xena told her Cyrene and King Rodrigo before she sent the ball flying their way inspiring laughter.

"Xena!" They exclaimed once they had ended their lip lock to miss getting hit by the ball. Xena grinned at them.

"My bad when I see that much PDA I just lose control." Eve picked up the ball after fighting with Llyr and Melody to get it in the first place so she could take it to Xena. She ran on her short legs onto the field and Xena took the ball from her.

"Thank you baby, but go apologize to Llyr and Melody." Eve grinned at her and nodded after she got her kiss. Xena resumed the game amid cheers from other spectators, but mostly her children. Llyr in particular was howling his cheers and clapping. She had finally got him to wear trousers. All his clothing were made from fur and finally tailored to maintain what he was use too.

"Mother how can you be happy, it's your fault, Xena left."

"I say good ridden to her, Lady Lane is perfect for you," Fiona told him. "Marry her instead she'll give you an heir, a son."

"I have an heir mother, her name is Eve and she is your granddaughter, and don't tell me you've already forgotten Melody as well. And if you have noticed I have a son."

"You mean that mutt?" Fiona asked. "A dog is not a son."

"Llyr is not a dog!" Drake yelled getting angry. "He is my son."

"Don't you raise your voice at me young man, I am your mother and I will not stand for this." Drake groaned squeezing his eyes shut as his fists tightened in anger. "Now I know what's best for you and you're marrying Lady Lane, and no I haven't forgotten my granddaughters they belong to you not her, she can keep the mutt if she likes, but I will bring my granddaughters up properly so they can marry for the better of the Kingdom."

"Oh damn it mother, you hate her so much that you would see me unhappy?" Drake asked.

"Don't be a fool Drake, Lady Lane can make you perfectly happy."

"No mother she can make you perfectly happy, because unlike Xena she won't challenge everything you say to her or do."

"Xena is nothing but a manipulative bitch, I see the way she controls you, Lady Lane knows her place." For the first time in his life Drake actually thought about hitting a woman, and his mother no less. He moved backwards to ensure that he didn't do anything he'd never forgive himself for that he would rather die than do.

"Did you ever stop the think that maybe I like it when she bosses me around, maybe just maybe I think it's sexy, it turns me on. So trust me when I say if I ever married Lady Lane we would never ever consummate the marriage even she tried to be something she's not. I love Xena."

"I see she has you brain washed."

"I am not brain washed mother stop it, I've had enough of you driving a wedge between us you're just going to have to accept that we're getting married and actually be there for us without intruding on us when we're making time for ourselves or release your status as Dowager and join Grandma." Fiona looked as if Drake had slapped her in the face.

"I wouldn't dare go live with that...that...woman," Fiona said a burning hate filling her voice.

"Well than it's your choice."

"Well its not as if she's so angel too when it comes to me," Fiona groaned. "You'll blame me for the first argument that happens and ship me off like an ungrateful son." Drake frowned.

"Mother to be honest she'd think I'd beat you if you stopped arguing with her. The arguing is fine, you two stop on your own, that's your problem. It's my problem when we're having dinner together alone without the children and you come in unannounced or when ever we're trying to spend time alone."

"All right, all right I'll stop barging in when I know you're trying to be alone. But I still hate her and she's going to know it, I draw the line there."

"Yes mother, that's all she ever asked for." Fiona left out fuming that Xena had one up on her.

"Now to go get my family." He hurried to his horse and guards to head for Sultry, by the time he arrived it would be time for the wedding. He ordered everyone to be ready to attend.