FEELING THE DARKNESS IN YOUR MIND

Xena opened her eyes slowly only to close again as the pain hit her hard it felt a nail was being driven in to her temples. She groaned pushing her head back deeper in to the pillow gods she felt like Tartarus. She knew this was the price you paid for drinking and she'd drunk a lot last night. She opened her eyes again but much slower this time before looking down realizing for the first time that her robe was still on despite that she had crawled under the covers. She sat up slowly in bed pulling the robe together under the sheets tying it closed as she put her hand on her desk. She needed her medicine that vile white powder from Rome but it was in her study. She turned catching sight of a tall goblet of water which was sitting on her side table next to it was a small bag.

She eased her feet over the side of the bed as she opened the bag which had the strong smell of peppermint and chamomile, she looked around her clearly someone had left it out for her. She slowly poured it in the glass of clear water watching as it bubbled going frothy before slowly going still as the water turned a green colour. She slowly took hold of the goblet drinking slowly, enjoying the taste which wasn't sharp and had a mild peppermint flavour. She finished the drink placing the goblet down catching sight of a wooden bowl which had been left out close to the bed for her. She turned as Ceto walked slowly through in to her room her personal maid looked up as she caught sight of something on the floor.

She looked up the concern spreading across her face. "Empress are you all right there's a smashed wine jug close to the wall?" Xena breathed in realizing that her headache was ebbing away very slowly it wasn't as bad as it had been a few minutes ago. She looked up at Ceto speaking calmly. "I'm fine Ceto I think I broke that jug." She lowered her gaze as a vision came back to very clearly. "I'd had too much to drink and I was angry and depressed, I threw it at the wall." Ceto blinked in surprise she put her hands behind her back. "What were you depressed about Empress?" Xena tensed as it all came back to her as her mind started to clear fully. "Something I can't change." She paused before looking up. "Did you put out the goblet of water and that strange peppermint remedy on my bedside table along with a sick bowl?"

Ceto moved towards her. "No Empress I didn't." She paused walking towards the central door which was slightly ajar which was a little odd. She breathed in deeply as she closed it carefully. "I was just about to come in and wake you as it's late and you don't normally sleep in till this hour." Xena raised her hand. "Was that central door open?" Ceto turned nodding as she moved to pick up her dirty clothes which would need washing. "Yes Empress." Xena leaned forward in thought feeling her eyes dart as she tried to remember only for her own words to echo in the back of her mind as last nights events. "You're beautiful in human form and you still look good in werewolf form." She sat up sharply as the memories came back to her all at once.

She could remember it all, Gabrielle coming in to check on her in werewolf form, her being slightly flirtatious with her and telling her that she couldn't have children. Then in desperation begging her to bite her because she'd had it in her head that if she got bitten it would fix her problem. She breathed as Gabrielle's calmly spoken words entered her mind. "I can no longer turn people, it's the price every Horn Hind pays when we are given the horns as there can only ever be one." She put a hand on her face she could remember the truth in those green eyes. Gabrielle hadn't left the room though despite this event instead she'd stayed with her and told her about a very beautiful piece of her life which had been when she had first kissed Damokles on the snowy mountain after taking the Roman eagle.

After being told about this she'd suddenly become very depressed this which was in part due to how she was feeling while the other part was the wine making her emotions stronger. She'd partiality pulled herself in to Gabrielle's lap and cried in to her chest. She cuddled her enjoying the feeling of her fur which was softer than any fur skin rug and then she'd spilled her heart to her. Though out the whole thing Gabrielle hadn't pushed her away instead she'd comforted her in a very thoughtful and gentle way, saying that she should be happy. She took in a sharp breath she knew Gabrielle could be very guarded emotionally but at that moment all of her guards were down and her softer side had showed through as she'd spoken to her in the calm open tone. "I think you are a very kind person and you try to do what's right for people, including me and you should be happy."

After hearing these words she'd perked up mood wise and told the other woman that she should by happy as well, after which Gabrielle had literally picked her up and put her to bed. She'd fallen asleep after this but it was clear that Gabrielle hadn't just left her she'd laid things out for her so she feel better in the morning. In all the time she'd ruled the palace she'd never had anyone help her in this way unless she'd requested it off them. She turned looking at Ceto. "I remember everything now, Gabrielle was here last night." Ceto looked at the Empress for a long moment before speaking. "You two didn't fight did you? It would be a shame because you're both really starting to get on." Xena felt a smile form. "No it was nothing like that I was drunk and she put me to bed, she was trying to help me."

She suddenly felt very happy despite her headache which was becoming more of a dull ache now. "You think we've being getting on Ceto?" Ceto felt a slight smile form. "Very much so Empress, I hear the palace staff talking, they all say that you're really getting on. You've both come so far since the day with the royals it's really surprised everyone as there were those who believed you'd never be able to repair the damage you did." She paused raising a finger. "Though I confess a few of the staff think that you have a crush on Gabrielle as you are very open emotionally with her, but I personally think there misinterpreting your friendship."

Xena stood up slowly ignoring the sticky feeling under her robe it felt like she really needed to get a bath. She turned to the other woman laughing slightly. "We are many things Ceto but we aren't lovers, but its interesting gossip none the less." Ceto shook her head. "No you aren't, not yet." Xena raised an eyebrow catching the slight playfulness in her tone. She pushed her long dark hair back letting it go her personal maid was just teasing her there nothing more to it than that. She moved slowly towards the bathroom. "I'm going to get a bath I'll let you get on." Ceto nodded feeling her smile turn to a wide grin. "Of course Empress I'll get you a light breakfast."

8

Gabrielle slowly eased the carving tool across the wood, she'd carved out most of the chunky wood but she was a long way from getting to the fine details. She turned to Thaleia who was sitting on the chair opposite, normally she wouldn't normally ask for help but she needed someone else's keen eye to tell her that she was on the right track as this was by far one of the biggest carvings she'd ever done. "Does it look all right?" Thaleia sat up slightly she had to admit that it was really nice to be able to help Gabrielle in this way. "It looks okay but I don't think the part where the right leg is the right the angle looks far too high." Gabrielle eyed the wood catching sight of what she was getting at. "Your right, my angle is way off." She slowly ran the carving tool across the wood in a harsh motion fixing the problem.

Thaleia eyed Gabrielle before turning back to the design in her hands which was of Jason fighting the hydra, the Golden Fleece was hanging from a tree opposite, she'd seen many of Gabrielle's sketches but this sketch was different it had every tiny little detail, like scales, claws and eyes as well as the heroes armour and deep wavy lines which made up the fleece. She looked up slightly. "Who is this for Gabrielle?" Gabrielle looked up slowly. "Its for the palace children I thought they'd like it in their new room." Thaleia looked at the large wood carving which was free standing. "There going to love this Gabrielle." Gabrielle brushed some of the chipping away from the grove she'd been working on. "I hope so."

Thaleia smiled as she eyed the sketch again. "Jason is a true hero the children love him and my mother will love this, she loves your work as much as I do." Gabrielle felt a half smile form. "You're just saying that because you're my friend." Thaleia laughed as she pushed on Gabrielle's shoulder. "Oh please that's ridiculous and you know it, do you know that we've never had a carpenter in side this palace?" She raised her hand. "All the carpentry here is just brought in from the market, but it's not half as good as yours." Gabrielle turned slowly to her putting down her tool. "What makes mine so special? I mean there are more talented carpenters out there than me." Thaleia looked up slightly as she spoke. "You put your heart in to your carvings."

Gabrielle felt herself freeze it had been so long since she'd heard those words the last time she heard them they'd been spoken by her long lost best friend. Thaleia leaned forward putting her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder catching sight of the distant look in her eyes. "Are you all right Gabrielle?" Gabrielle looked up as she snapped back in to reality. "I'm fine it's just been a while since I heard those words, the last time I heard them was from my best friend at the time." Thaleia slowly put the drawing down as she moved her arm away from Gabrielle's shoulder as she shifted so she was sitting closer to her. Gabrielle's mood had been changing over these past few weeks, she seemed much happier although she still never smiled fully. She was also still quite guarded but she seemed to be opening a little more and she wasn't as tense when she touched her. "Your best friend is she still alive back in your village?"

Gabrielle shook her head feeling her smile turn to a sad one. "No she died a long time ago, her name was Seraphin." She raised her hand putting her finger on the scar on her right eye. "She died the night I got this scar, which was given to me by the leader of the illegal slave traders when I refused to do as I was told." Thaleia shook her head as she met her friend's forest green gaze. "I'm so sorry." Gabrielle lowered her hand as she turned to meet her gaze. "You know she was just like you." Thaleia raised an eyebrow in confusion. "In what way am I like her?" Gabrielle felt her half smile form. "She saw the good in everything and everyone and she looked at everything in a positive way." She paused before speaking. "Your friendship means a lot to me Thaleia." Thaleia looked up feeling her smile turn to a wide grin. "Thank you Gabrielle your friendship means a lot to me as well I don't think the palace would be the same with out you, it felt lonely here before you came along."

Her thoughts were suddenly cut off as a sharp knock sounded on the workshop door, she turned slowly. "Come in." She looked up as Demetrius walked in to the room he stopped close by giving her a warm smile. "I'm sorry to interrupt both of you but I have something for Gabrielle." Gabrielle stood up slowly from her chair. "What do you have for me?" Demetrius smiled as he raised the two scrolls. "These are from the Empress their regarding the meeting tomorrow with the formal diplomat from Corinth." He carefully put the first in her hand. "This one is the room lay out in study so you know all the exits." He raised the other before handing it to her. "This is the scroll is all about Abraxas who's the diplomat your meeting, though in my opinion he's a slimy bastard with a lot of mouth."

Gabrielle slowly put the other scroll down as she open the other one looking at the map lay out very closely. "Thank you." Demetrius put his finger on the map. "As you can see it's funnelled to stop people getting in and out, it's for the Empress's own protection." He turned slowly to Thaleia. "You'll be joining Gabrielle." Thaleia blinked as she looked up in confusion. "Why do I need to be there I'm just Gabrielle's personal maid?" Demetrius felt a smile form. "It's because you're her personal maid that you need to be there, its common practise for Ceto to always present during the Empress's meetings, so you're to join Gabrielle on this one. Its also been arranged that despite that Gabrielle is their for the Empress's protection she will not be standing behind her in Iona's position she will be sitting next to her to show that werewolves now have equal civil rights the same as any Greek citizen."

Gabrielle turned feeling the surprise take over. "She's allowing me to sit next to her but that's not my position, the only person who should be seated next to her is a lover or future Emperor or Queen." Demetrius shook his head as he stepped closer to her. "No I disagree I think you sitting next to her is an important statement of your rights regardless." He paused before speaking. "Also she cares a lot about you and she considerers you a close friend." Thaleia raised her eyebrow catching the slightly charming tone in his voice which Gabrielle hadn't caught at all or if she had she'd ignored it. Gabrielle eased up the map looking at it closely. "What's above the room?" Demetrius looked up slightly he eased up his finger pointing at the sketch. "Wooden rafters, the pillars hold them up on both sides of the room, why." Gabrielle looked up slightly. "Because for Xena's own protection there should an archer with his bow pointed at those wooden rafters as well as the pillar area above the central door."

Demetrius blinked feeling the confusion take over as well as intrigue. "Why is that Gabrielle?" Gabrielle raised the map turning it so he could see it. "Humans would never do this but if werewolves assassins get inside they use the rafters to climb up, they'll be human during the day and you won't even recognise them among your own people." She breathed in deeply. "They'll climb up to the rafters and hide during the day then leap down in werewolf form at night it's a very common strategy." She moved her finger towards the pillared door. "A werewolf can also balance up on those pillars near the door and look in." Demetrius raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that?" Gabrielle lowered her gaze feeling the guilt take over as she spoke. "Because I did it some time ago, it was first night after I transformed in front of the Empress, I was angry and I broke her rule about not being in site during her meetings."

She shook her head. "I don't know maybe I was curious I just wanted to see what her talks involved, it was the one and only time I broke her rules back when we first met." Demetrius stroked his beard slightly feeling a warm smile form. "Well that's all the past Gabrielle you need not concern yourself with it its over and done with, I have to ask though why do you think werewolf assassins would do this? You and Xena sighed the scroll which ended the hunting law all over Greece the word will be going out, that it's now illegal to kill or hunt your people?"

Gabrielle felt her eyes dart. "Its for that very reason that they might try to do this, the Imperial Council loved the hunting law because it gave them the freedom to make harsh choices and make life harder for the working class members of my race, they view them as unimportant yet they are the ones who get serious injuries testing new weapons and die when their building new sections to the underground cities." She looked up slightly meeting his gaze. "They've had huge pressures put on them over the years, pressures I've wanted to end as it's unfair on them. In my view they are hard working back bone of our race and nothing would ever get done if it weren't for their hard work and dedication. The Imperial Council will hate that the hunting law has ending as they will have to release the pressure on them, they will also hate me for signing my name on that document with out their full consent."

She turned slightly. "For my actions alone they may try to assassinate me or Xena as a means to keep there dirty little war against humanity going." Demetrius nodded as understanding drew up on him. "I see, well I'll make sure to implement all the things you've said." Gabrielle rolled up the scroll. "Thank you Demetrius." Demetrius folded his arms feeling a wide grin form again. "Oh and I have another message for you, the Empress would very much like to speak with you she's out in the garden waiting for you. She told me to tell you that she's be by the white marble lion the one you like to spend a lot of time on at night." Gabrielle looked up sharply. "I'll go and see her now."

She turned to Thaleia who gave her a smile. "I'll clean up the workshop when I get back." Thaleia leaned on the chair. "You know I'm your personal maid that is my job." Gabrielle felt a half smile form as she adjusted her shoulder straps which held the swords on her back. "Yes but this it's my workshop it's all my mess." Thaleia laughed watching as she moved towards the door. "What ever you want Gabrielle." Demetrius watched as Gabrielle closed the door disappearing from site. He turned to Thaleia who was still seated in her chair. "She seems happier." Thaleia nodded before looking up. "I agree she's been much happier, she even smiles now it's not a full smile but its close."

Demetrius folded his arms. "I think the Empress likes her a lot, I can see it in the way she looks at her." Thaleia sat up sharply. "What do you mean?" Demetrius turned to her. "I think she has feelings for her." Thaleia laughed before shaking her head. "Oh please their just friends." Demetrius raised his hand. "Next time, you see them both together look at the way Xena looks at her, Gabrielle never even seems to notice it or if she does she ignores it." He took in a deep breath. "It must be very frustrating to care about someone and they never notice you." Thaleia felt her smile fade as she looked at him she felt like that all the time. She wished that just once he would notice her she stood up slowly feeling the sadness hit home, he never would though she was just a personal maid and he was head of the palace guard.

She breathed in sadly. "Excuse me I should be working." Demetrius turned sharply sensing the sudden change of her mood which had become very melancholy. "Are you all right?" Thaleia nodded as she forced a very fake smile. "Yes I'm fine I just have to do things I'll let you get on with your duties." Demetrius watched as she calmly left the workshop he looked around suddenly finding himself all alone. It was clear that he'd said something wrong to Thaleia but he had no idea what it was and the not knowing made him feel very out of sorts he'd never liked it when he offended someone and didn't know the reason why.

End of part 51

Silvermoonlight

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