The road home for Xena, Gabrielle and Aurora was long and slow. With Gabrielle nowhere near fully healed Xena made sure to make plenty of stops along the way. Which made the trip back take much longer than when they had originally left. Not to mention traveling such a long distance with a fussy baby on top of it wasn't exactly an easy feat. But Xena had faced far more difficult challenges so this was nothing. Her man concern was to just to get Aurora and Gabrielle back to the village safely. She knew that Gabrielle would be much better off once she was home resting. Though Xena still didn't particularly like traveling such a long way with Gabrielle in such a state. Though she tried to hide it, Xena could tell that she was in alot of pain. So Xena did her best to use the various remedies she knew to help at least ease Gabrielle's suffering.
WILLOW
Look there they are.
It was just past midday as the little family at last made their way into the village square. Xena brought Argo to a slow hault as a number of women gathered around them.
FAUNA
Gabrielle…
The group looked on solemnly as Xena dismounted the horse with Aurora on her back and gently eased Gabrielle from the saddle into her arms. Gabrielle gave her best reassuring smile to the group.
GABRIELLE
Don't worry it's not as bad as it looks.
CLOVER
When she got back to the village Amarice told us what happened.
SKYLA
Gabrielle, Xena i'm so sorry I still can't believe Kai actually did this. All the years we've lived together in this village and I never would have thought that she'd be capable of such a thing.
GABRIELLE
It's not your fault sometimes people can be really good at hiding who they truly are. Apparently I've been learning that alot lately.
Everyone stood there with saddened exspessions not really knowing what to say.
EPHINY
Well we're all just glad to see you back and that Aurora is safe.
Gabrielle gave a tired smile.
GABRIELLE
Thank's Ephiny. That's what's really important here.
XENA
As much as I'd hate to break up the welcome party I think i'm gonna bring these two to the house. It's been a long trip and as you can see Gabrielle is nowhere near recovered from what happened with Celine and Kai.
Gabrielle gave everyone a quick wave as Xena carried her and Aurora to the house. It was late the next morning when Xena answered the front door to see Ephiny, Cora and Willow standing just outside.
WILLOW
Hey Xena. Mind if we come in?
CORA
There's something that we wanted to talk to you about.
Xena let the trio in and they all took a seat in the living room.
EPHINY
How's Gabrielle doing?
XENA
Pretty much the same. She's actually upstairs sleeping right now. Same with the baby.
EPHINY
Good getting a lot of rest will help.
XENA
Yes but she has a long way to go before she'll be back to normal.
(Sad tone) If she ever even reaches that point at all.
Xena let out a defeated sigh. Ephiny reassuringly patted Xena's forearm.
EPHINY
Just hang in there Xena. You of all people know how stubborn and determined Gabrielle can be. It might take time but she'll get through this. You both will.
Xena managed a small, tired smile as she changed the subject.
XENA
So what did you wanna come and talk about?
CORA
It's about Celine. We had no idea about the history that you and Gabrielle had with her mother. Honestly aside from when they first came to our village, we only met Valassca a few more times when she would come to visit Celine. And since we got here after everything with Valassca happened we weren't even aware that she was ever here at all. All we knew was that Celine an her hunting party had found Kai injured, brought her back to our village and that she and Kai had become friends.
WILLOW
Even when Kai was brought to our village no one was aware of the apparent secret conventions and plans that went on between them. We knew that she and kai had become close and was upset after learning about her mother's death but we never suspected that the two would end up plotting something so heinous. And I just wish we could've discovered what they were up to before any of this happened.
XENA
It's not your fault. Apparently there was alot going on that none of us were aware of or could've predicted.
CORA
Still. You think you know someone and then it turns out you really don't at all.
XENA
Something that seems to be all too common these days.
EPHINY
Agreed.
Xena looked at Ephiny.
XENA
That reminds me. Ephiny did you know that Valassca even had a daughter?
EPHINY
I was just about to bring that up. And to answer your question, no I had did not. I guess Valassca was more of a private person but that doesn't really explain why would she keep her own child hidden.
XENA
I can think of a number of reasons. It could've been to protect her or because she thought she'd have more opportunities without being tied to her. Or Valassca was just so obsessed with her lust for power that she thought that Celine would only be in her way.
EPHINY
I understand that you don't exactly have a very high opinion of Valassca and for very valid reasons, but you don't actually think she was so driven by her desire to become queen that she kept her own child a secret because she thought it would hurt her chances?
Xena sighed.
XENA
I don't know and honestly I don't really care. They're both dead and gone now. So they can't hurt Gabrielle or Aurora ever again. That's all I care about.
EPHINY
Let's just hope Valassca didn't have any other secret children that are running around out there.
XENA
(Sarcasm) Thanks that makes me feel better.
Ephiny shrugged.
EPHINY
Hey I'm just saying. But i seriously doubt you could be that unlucky.
Xena smirked.
XENA
(Joking) You should know by now that when it comes to Gabrielle and myself we usually are.
EPHINY
Yeah but it always somehow works out in the end.
Xena lost her smile.
XENA
Yeah. I just hope it will this time too.
EPHINY
She'll be okay.
There was a moment of silence between everyone in the room. That was until they all heard Aurora begin to cry from upstairs. Everyone stood up.
WILLOW
I think we've taken enough of your time for today Xena. Plus it sounds like someone else is now demanding your attention. So we'll leave you to it.
CORA
You don't need any help do ya?
XENA
Thanks but I got everything handled.
Xena walked Ephiny, Cora and Willow to the front door and opened it as they made their way out.
EPHINY
Remember to let anyone know if you need anything Xena. I know it might be hard to believe given everything, but everyone here realky does care about you, Gabrielle and Aurora. We're all here for you.
Xena gave a small smile.
XENA
Thanks.
Xena shut the door after the three left and hurried upstairs to tend to the baby. Not long after Xena layed in bed nest to Gabrielle. Who had woken up and was now resting her head on Xena's shoulder as they watched Aurora looking around the room as she layed between them.
GABRIELLE
I was so scared we were gonna lose her Xena.
XENA
I know. For a bit there I thought I might lose the both of you.
GABRIELLE
I'm just glad we're all home now.
XENA
Me too Gabrielle. Me too.
Xena kissed Gabrielle on her head as they layed there contently together with their daughter. Just happy to all be together. Even though Gabrielle still had a ways to go to fully recover there was no doubt just how fa Xena and Gabrielle would go for one another or their daughter. Because as they had learned, for better or worse there was hardly anything in the world that could drive a person more than the devotion and connection they can feel for their own. Which was proven to be no different for the princess and the queen and the intensity that was shown by everyone involved when it came to those within their bloodlines.
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL V: BLOODLINES
END ❤️
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE 6th STORY OF THE SERIES...
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL VI: AN ABOMINABLE ASCENSION