A HIGHER POWER CHOSEN WITH UNCERTAINTY

Gabrielle adjusted her shirt collar as she sat down in front of Xena who smiled as she looked up. She had admit she had been a little unsure about joining her for breakfast but she'd pushed the thought aside as the truth was she wanted to have a breakfast with the other woman as she enjoyed her company. After last night that feeling had become very clear to her, it wasn't just because of her gift of giving her a new pet. No it was much more Xena had been very kind to her and thoughtful and her friendship now meant a lot to her. She now wanted to do her part and help the other woman in anyway as she trusted her and she wanted to show her that trust when she sat opposite her in the meeting.

Xena eyed the food which had been laid out. "I told Ceto to bring your breakfast in here so Thaleia could sleep in a little longer as today might be a little stressful for her." Gabrielle eyed the food, she'd fed her Dove before she'd come in here and new her pet was now sitting quietly on one of the bed pole, getting used to its new surroundings. She spent most of last night just holding and stroking it so it could get used to her and wouldn't be scared of her. The more time she spent with it the better so when she finally took werewolf form it would trust her or at least she hoped it would. She still hadn't even given the sweet bird a name but nothing she'd thought off really fitted at this moment in time.

She'd make it a large bird box then hung it up next to her balcony so it could fly outside, and back inside when ever it pleased. She looked up eyeing the dark haired woman. "Thank you for inviting me to breakfast." Xena felt a smile form. "Your welcome." She watched as the other woman pulled over her plate and started to eat. She up slightly as she took a bite from her fish "I've been meaning to ask for a long while how were you picked as Horn Hind, I mean is there a ritual or a sign before you start growing your horns?" Gabrielle took a bite out of her barley bread. "No there's no ritual it just happens." She took in a deep breath. "One day you're a no body among your race and the next you wake up with horns sprouting from your head. No one knows even to this day who picks the next Horn Hind or even why. Some say it's the work of the Greek gods but I've never believed that as I don't worship them. I always thought it was my goddess's work as she promised me great things in my vision of her." She lowered her gaze. "But I've never understood her thinking."

Xena took another bite out of her fish. "I understand what you mean by that none of us know how the gods think or why they do things. They don't visit people and people only ever claim that they see them in visions, dreams or whispers." Gabrielle toyed with her bread absentmindedly. "I've had a vision and whispers but it's been so long since my goddess has whispered in my ear." Xena took a sip of her honey water. "It must be terrifying to go from being an unknown to a king just like that." Gabrielle felt a sad smile form. "It's terrifying." She finished her bread pulling over her warm porridge which was coated in honey she picked up her spoon. "My life as Horn Hind wasn't pleasant well it was in the beginning when I had Damokles around because he was always there."

8

Gabrielle opened her eyes she felt a smile form she could feel the larger arms wrapped around her, Damokles was sleeping. She gently eased his arm off her as she got out of bed feeling the cold air on her naked body. For the first time in what felt like years she felt happy, it was such a strange emotion to her. She wouldn't lie their relationship had happened so quickly and yet now thinking about it she wouldn't take it back for the world. She knew that he loved her and that she loved him just as much. He was a gentle man who was very heartfelt and kind, she turned eyeing his muscled chest with its many jagged unhealed scars, they had a lot in common, they both had scars made by human brutality.

She smiled before standing up, today was the day the new orders went out no doubt they'd be packing and heading out to a remote location with the new recruits. Three months had now passed and still no Horn Hind, it seemed odd to her but then she'd read that there was always a three month gap between Horn Hinds why that was still remained a mystery even to this day. Maybe the next one would give a damn about his or her people and wouldn't lavish themselves in gold. She walked over to her drawing desk eyeing the small wooden bird which was almost finished. It was a tiny Goldfinch she intended to give it to Damokles when it was finally complete. She stretched again feeling her transformation start she'd become so accustomed to it now that she could block out most of the pain.

She wouldn't lie though every time her pelvis bone shifted it still really hurt, she'd never gotten used to even now even after all these years. She winced as shook her long mane closing her jaws before rubbing her eyes. She watched as Damokles yawned waking up she turned giving him her best smile despite her razor sharp teeth as he opened his eyes. "I was about to wake you." She blinked as he shot up in bed the shock appearing in his face as he stared at her. "What?" Damokles blinked again trying to contain his shock gods he couldn't believe what he was seeing but it was there spouting from Gabrielle's head just behind her ears were two velvet covered bone structures. The very beginnings of horns, he breathed in deeply trying to focus him self as he looked up meeting her confused gaze. "Horns…you've got horns."

Gabrielle stared at him for a long moment. "Horns?" She didn't think as she grabbed the glass mirror near her washing area bringing it up to her face slowly catching sight of what he was talking about. On her head just behind her ears were the beginnings of horns, thick bone growth covered in velvet, she swallowed staring at them in utter shock. This couldn't be real could it? It had to be a joke or a dream and she was going to wake up from it why would she get these horns? She was just a warrior she wasn't anyone important, she wasn't even a full werewolf she was half blood. Every Horn Hind before now had always been born from two werewolf parents, so why would she be picked? She put the mirror down trying to steady her shacking clawed hand this didn't make any sense to her at all. Why would she be the next Horn Hind? She knew nothing of leadership, she went down on all fours trying to focus her thoughts, everything felt like it was going so fast and she was now trying desperately to catch up.

8

Xena eyed her empty plate before turning to the other woman. "That must have been terrifying for you to just wake up and suddenly find that you had started to grow horns." Gabrielle looked at her empty bowl. "It was terrifying that day Damokles was much calmer than me, I was loosing my mind at least it felt that way to me." Xena picked her barley bread taking a bite from it. "If I'd been you I would have been going through the same thing." She shook her head. "I may have resorted to drinking, to calm my nerves though." Gabrielle picked up a boiled chicken egg slowly pealing it. "At that moment in my life I had no idea what to do or what to say. I'd been a warrior ever since the beginning but to go from that to a king just like that it made no sense to me at the time. It was like being in a dream and I just thought I was going to wake up at any moment and everything would go back to normal."

Xena took a sip from her goblet as she turned meeting the other woman's forest green gaze. "I remember when I returned to Greece all those years ago after I left Rome, I remember that I'd sent word that I was returning home. I made my way through Corinth the people were filling the streets cheering at my return in their hundreds and the whole time I was wondering why. I thought when I left to live in Rome that maybe those who loved me would not love me so much because of my loyalty to Rome and my husband yet when I walked through those streets on horse back and it never felt real to me it was so dreamlike."

Gabrielle took a bite out of the egg. "If I'm honest I never felt any animosity over the idea of Greece and Rome as a joined and united land. I heard that it helped people there was a lot more trade and commerce, there were ideas which got shared like a new medicines and new forms of surgery. Also it gave new cooking methods, recipes and entertainment and even though Rome is no longer part of Greece the things people have learnt still remain. As have so many of the Roman people who have made the choice to stay here and not go home." Xena finished her barley bread she put her hands together. "I never thought about it in that way and yet it makes so much sense." Gabrielle chewed her last mouthful. "I guess it's just the way I would see it if I were sitting on your throne."

Xena raised an eyebrow as she leaned forward. "Have you ever been surrounded by a parade of people who are cheering?" Gabrielle put her hands together as she looked up. "Yes I have in the Grand City but I didn't care for it." Xena looked at her for a long moment. "Why don't you care for it?" Gabrielle took in a deep breath. "Their routine the Imperial Council used to parade me around the Grand City once a week for the people to see but the people couldn't touch me. I was surrounded by guards and I was told that I couldn't talk or speak to them. I always felt so detached from them and I'm sure they felt the same about me I'm the Horn Hind and yet they couldn't even touch me. I never felt that I was worthy or there cheering because I'm not the one in the control I was just the puppet and the Imperial Council were the puppeteers."

Xena slowly moved her hand putting it on the other woman's. "I don't care what anyone else says I believe you should be the true king of your people, you always want to do what's right and that's a very rare and noble quality." Gabrielle felt the other woman's finger close around her own she felt a sad smile form. "Thank you but that will never happen not while the Imperial Council rule and no one has ever been able to overthrow them and all those who have tried have been killed in battle or murdered." She was about to say more only to stop as knock sounded on the door she looked at Xena's hand which held hers, it was so nice to feel that caring from the other woman it was always so genuine. It also made her feel a lot more at ease during their conversations though it had taken her a long time to really realize how much it mattered to her. She had felt very out of her element but now she was just starting to get used to it despite that it still felt a little strange to her.

Xena looked up slightly easing her hand gently away from Gabrielle's. "Come in." She watched as Demetrius walked in through the door an uncertain look in his eyes as he spoke. "I'm sorry I did not mean to interrupt your breakfast Empress." He nodded his head respectfully in Gabrielle's direction. "Gabrielle." He paused before speaking. "Abraxas has arrived and he brought his wife with him." Xena narrowed her gaze. "You mean Ilithyia?" Demetrius nodded. "Yes Ilithyia." Xena finished her goblet placing it down. "I was hoping that he wouldn't bring her." Gabrielle blinked in confusion. "I don't recall reading in the scroll about Abraxas's wife." Xena breathed in deeply. "She's Roman just like king Marmax's wife, Eulalia."

Gabrielle felt a sneer form. "Oh yes I remember them, he threw wine in my face and his wife never stopped laughing at me the whole time I was being dragged around in chains." Xena tensed slightly she suddenly felt very foolish for bringing this up as she hadn't wanted to remind Gabrielle of that day. "I'm sorry Gabrielle I didn't mean to bring that up." Gabrielle raised her hand wanting to change the subject. "What's the problem with Ilithyia?" Xena put her hand through her hair feeling the frustration hit home. "The problem is she's very charming and kind and this is going to make this meeting much more difficult because she'll protect her husband even though he's a foolish man who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut."

She shook her head. "I'm sure that Abraxas is coming here to complain about the werewolf hunting law being dropped but I doubt his reasons will noble, he has a lot of werewolf items he probably doesn't want to give up these things as he sees them as trophies." Gabrielle breathed in sadly. "There not trophies they were people." Xena eyed her empty plate. "Yes and that is why you're being there by my side is so important, I want him to see a living breathing werewolf who's deeply noble." She turned eyeing Demetrius as a thought crossed her mind. "I assume Iona won't be in this meeting?" Demetrius looked up slightly. "No she won't be, I have her doing training drills, she's not enjoying it one bit but it's all for her own good and she'll see why in the future." Xena stood up watching as Gabrielle did the same she turned to Demetrius. "I don't doubt that she will with your training, I know if anyone can teach her loyalty and compassion it's you." Demetrius nodded his head respectfully. "I aim to teach her that and many other things." Xena raised an eyebrow. "I look forward to seeing the results." Demetrius felt a smile form. "As do I Empress." Xena took in a deep breath as she met his gaze. "Please go and get Ceto and Thaleia as they need to be present for this meeting."

Demetrius nodded before looking up. "I'll see that it's done." Xena watched as he closed the door leaving the room. She turned slowly to Gabrielle. "Are you ready to go to the meeting? We can wait a few minutes if you're not ready." Gabrielle shook her head as she turned to the taller dark haired woman. "No I am ready and I think that now is a good a time as any." Xena gently put her hand on her shoulder feeling a wide smile form. "What ever happens today I'll be sitting right next to you through out the meeting. So if you want to say anything just say it, this meeting is as much about you as it is me and you are a royal by rights and an equal with me in these meetings."

Gabrielle looked up slightly putting her hand on the other woman's. "Thank you." Xena felt a smile form as she eyed the smaller woman. "You're my best friend I want to help you in any way I can." She knew that this was a true statement she would do anything this woman asked it off her now. She trusted her more than anyone else in the palace and she really enjoyed her company. Gabrielle felt a wide smile form as she eyed her best friend as she felt her let go of her shoulder. "I will say what I feel." Xena shook her head. "Abraxas has always been difficult, he's my least favourite diplomat maybe him seeing you will give him a hard slap of reality." She breathed in deeply. "Well I hope it does because I could do with out his foolish belly aching every time I make mayors changes to the laws."

End of part 54

Silvermoonlight

Thank you everyone for your reviews, input and feedback I really appreciate it, I'll be honest when I came up with this idea three years ago I never thought it would work as a story, because all of the characters are so different to the classic universe and I thought that this element might put people off along with Gabrielle not being human and this being permanent, so thank you everyone for giving this a chance and proving me wrong :)