TO BE HUMBLED BY YOUR BEAUTY

Maybe I should wake her up or go check on her, no I shouldn't do that she's still sleeping she should sleep longer most people don't normally get a crossbow bolt through their shoulder. So I should just leave her alone I guess I'm just concerned because it's getting late in the afternoon and she still not up but then again I have no idea how werewolf healing works, I'm assuming that sleep helps it to work but I don't know for sure and I'm only guessing. My thoughts are on tonight as well as I want to integrate the assassin personally. Not because I feel Iona that can't do her job because that is not what I think at all I know she always gets the information needed. No it's because I like to look my assassin in the eye before I send them to the noose, just to see what kind of a person they really are. I know both Iona and Demetrius are doing there duties right now and both have promised to be at this interrogation tonight though I have a feeling that they will both have a lot to say.

I would rather have Gabrielle with me as I feel this is as much about her as it is me. I won't deny that this whole event has been very perplexing because it's very rare that an assassin ever gets this close. The whole operation was clearly very well thought out and highly paid. They knew just when and where to strike, Abraxas and Ilithyia were in the study with Chara when this happened. I personally don't believe Abraxas had anything to do with this he doesn't have the right connections. He also left last night with Ilithyia, I had them both watched by one of Iona's best men who checked to see if they met or talked to anyone but they didn't talk to anyone and I'm doubtful that anything else will come up. Yesterday Abraxas started to show some me respect which doesn't normally happen. Though I don't think it was because of me I believe it was Gabrielle he seems to approve off her more than he does me, once he got over the fact that she wasn't human. In fact when I think about it she made my job much easier and I'm grateful for that.

Xena looked down at the table eyeing the scroll which wasn't work related but a scroll of a play she had been reading by a new bard. She had a feeling that any day now wagon loads of werewolf trophies, pelts and skeletons were going to be brought to the palace gates and they would only be the first things from Corinth. There would be thousands more brought here as the months went on, her hope was that Gabrielle would give her a location where she could have her warriors send all these items so her people could take them and bury them in the true custom just as Gabrielle had done with Damokles. She hoped this would be seen on her part as an act of kindness to the rest of the werewolf race and a sign that she wanted to make things right. Gabrielle had once said that most of her race hated her in one of their arguments. She didn't want that anymore she didn't want to be hated by them and she didn't want to make war with them any longer ether.

She wanted there to be a day when she could sit down and drink a goblet of wine with any of them in the same way she could with Minotaurs, Satyrs and Centaurs who all had equals rights as Greek citizens under her rule. She put a hand through her hair as a thought crossed her mind, what if she could get Gabrielle to sit with all three races. She always had a meeting which each of there delegates and leaders in the summer time getting Gabrielle to sit in with them would also make a point to her race that she had the same rights. That was if she could get Gabrielle to sit in with them, she had never asked her about her thoughts on the other none human races and she had a feeling that the younger woman was very much holding on to her humanity despite being a werewolf, maybe closer to the time she'd ask her now wouldn't be the right time. She looked up sharply as a knock sounded on the inner door. "Come in." She watched as the door opened and Gabrielle walked in she was fully dressed but looked a little out of sorts as she pushed her shoulder length blonde hair back. She felt a smile form. "You know you had me worried I was about to go in your room and check on you."

Gabrielle unbuttoned her shirt slightly revealing the skin on her upper chest which had healed up completely even the burn marks had vanished. "You shouldn't worry yourself as you can see I'm fine." She slowly re-buttoned her shirt. Xena put her hands together. "You look a little out of sorts though." Gabrielle slowly sat herself down she'd just finished her breakfast and she knew she'd feel better in a few minutes. This was just another down side of being a werewolf after any serious wound you'd wake up feeling groggy and out of sorts you had to eat a large meal and it always took a few minutes before your energy came back and you started to really feel better. She looked up slightly meeting the other woman's concerned gaze. "I've looked worse believe me and I'll feel better in a few moments." Xena pushed the fruit bowl towards her. "Please have something more to eat if you need it." Gabrielle eased a red apple out of the bowl biting down on it hearing the deep crunch and tasting the sweetness, she swallowed her mouthful as she turned to the older woman. "Thank you."

Xena breathed in deeply. "Could you tell me what happened when the Imperial Council realized that you were really Horn Hind?" Gabrielle took another bite from the apple. "You know I consider that moment one of the most surreal in my life, since I just went from being an unknown werewolf to the most well known werewolf in the Grand City I was ready or prepared for it at all." Xena leaned back in her chair. "I don't think anyone is ever prepared for power Gabrielle, my mother used to say great men and women do not gain power through force of arms, they have it thrust up on them." Gabrielle leaned over pouring a goblet of water she finished her apple then took a long drink from it before looking up. "Never thought about it like that." She paused before speaking. "I guess it was trust up on me then because the Imperial Council believed my being Horn Hind was a lie they wouldn't even see me, it was Damokles who forced the issue in the end and they hated him for it."

8

Hesperos sat back in his golden plated thrown adjusting his purples robes as he ran his gold ringed finger through his thick beard which had gold ringlets woven in to it. "The rumour is a lie! There is no way that our gods would choose a half breed as our Horn Hind the very idea is propitious!" Admes eyed his older companion putting a hand on his blotted belly. "I agree its lies and slander!" Narellaput her hands together. "Plus there hasn't been a female Horn Hind in over three centuries and we all know what happened to the last one." She turned pointing at the huge scroll on the wall behind her throne. "She betrayed our ancestors leading us all to ruin!" Damokles folded his arms this was the first time he'd ever been inside the council chambers he knew that Gabrielle had been here once to see the Crescent Hind and she hated the place. He could now see why, there were gold plated statues, and lavish rugs and decadent finery. The walls were highly decorated along with purple velvet curtains all lined with gold. Three huge thrones were bellow the main larger empty throne which belonged to Horn Hind and the Imperial Council were all seated on them.

Two men and one woman in there fifties and all spoilt and decadent, all wore lavish golden robes with rich colours and expensive rings. He eyed them in disgust before turning to look at the other werewolves below their thrones who were from each cast warrior, worker and builder, but all of them were full blood there was not a single half breed among them. He breathed in eyeing the scroll behind them which was called the Ethereal Ark Of Fire it was apparently very special as it had been written in godly ink and could rewrite its self as well as lengthen itself. The Imperial Council though kept it behind the thrones and no one was allowed to touch it as it was a sacred item. He breathed in knowing that his lover was behind the door in werewolf form, it had taken him two weeks to get this meeting and he refused to be thrown aside now. "The Imperial Council is mistaken this woman has been given horns! She is Horn Hind!" He raised his hand. "None of you can deny Horn Hind to do so is a sin against our race!"

Admes snorted in disgust. "You have much to say but we know you Damokles, we know that you've been turning others to your beliefs over the years you want the class system to end and you want half breeds like yourself to have the same rights as pure blood werewolves, you even believe that human born children should be allowed to live." He put a hand on his chin. "We also know that this woman is your lover and it would make sense for you to pull a stunt like this as it would get a lot of your so called followers talking." Damokles turned watching as Gabrielle walked in to the room on all fours wearing a long cloak to cover her head and body. "The Imperial Council thinks too much but you are all fat decadent fools and you will have your proof." He watched as Gabrielle stood up easing down the hood. The horns had grown even bigger now and the beginning of horn structure was growing though it was all still covered in velvet." He listened as the silence fell across the room he raised his hand pointing at the horns. "I dare any of you to try and tell me those aren't real!"

He eyed them all in disgust. "Also I would like point out that yes this woman is my lover, but we had been together for quite some time before this happened." He breathed in deeply. "So you will hear me now, this is your new Horn Hind and her name is Gabrielle! You will kneel to her because she is your future and she is the first Horn Hind to not be born of two werewolf parents!" He watched as they stood up he felt a cruel smile form as they slowly got to their knees in front of their thrones. He ignored their burning looks of hated all directed at him. He turned watching as the werewolves from each class did the same to show there respect. The love of his life Gabrielle was now Horn Hind the werewolf king and everyone should respect that truth. He turned slowly getting down on one knee in front of her ignoring her surprise. "Gabrielle you are Horn Hind you are the new king of our people, you whose horns rise to the heavens. Lead us as we are meant to be led in to the future, guide us as a people and do what is right for our race and bring us glory beyond measure."

8

Gabrielle lowered her gaze sadly. "I wasn't ready everyone was kneeling before me and I was suddenly a king." She felt her hand form a fist. "I didn't know then but I know now that this was the beginning of the end for my self and Damokles he really angered the Imperial Council that day by calling them fat decadent fools and they hated him with a passion after that. He wasn't on good footing with them to start with because he wanted equal rights and to end the killing of human children. I was new and naïve to being a ruler at the time I didn't understand the smoke and mirror politics that go on the shadows and are hidden from view also he was my closest friend and I made him my advisor the next day. I didn't trust anyone else but then again I never made the effort early on to secure loyal followers. It was only after his death that I started to secure these people and ironically everyone who had been loyal to him became instantly loyal to me." She eyed her silver ring for a long moment. "I wish I known what I know now, maybe if I had I could have prevented his death."

Xena shook her head sadly. "You know you shouldn't dwell on that Gabrielle you did the best you could at the time, it's a lot of responsibility to rule people and when I took the throne as Empress I wasn't prepared ether. I'd been a warrior and a diplomat all my life and suddenly I was the ruler of Greece it's just my transition in to throne wasn't as sudden as yours it was much slower and had more time to prepare myself." She moved her hand gently putting on the other woman's clenched fist. "I admire that you took all that on to your shoulders with out question, I think a lesser person may not have coped with what you took on." Gabrielle took in a deep breath as she lowered her gaze looking at the table. "Thank you for your kind words." Xena moved her fingers watching as Gabrielle's fist slowly unclenched she moved her fingers gently over her hand enjoying the feel of her soft skin under her palm this woman was so beautiful and charming and she loved her company.

It had been so long since she'd felt this way about anyone or cared so much and it was a nice feeling to have again, the last time she felt this way was when she'd been with a her husband. She felt her world freeze as a she looked at the other woman who was still looking at the table in deep thought by the gods she was in love with her! The thought of that felt like being hit by a stone cement wall and yet it was also a liberating feeling which filled her with joy. A joy which she couldn't describe at this moment in time but she knew it was there. She carried on staring at the younger woman letting her eyes drift over her face which was so unique the scar on her right eye only added to her beauty. She raised her other hand slowly suddenly feeling the need to touch the scar above her right eye just to feel the contours of the mark which truly defined her as person.

A mark of her courage, her passion and everything that made her who she was as a person, her thoughts were shattered as a hard knock sounded on her study door she put her hand on the table as the younger woman looked up sharply. She turned giving her a warm smile as she stood up watching as the younger woman did the same. "It's probably Iona or Demetrius, they told me this morning that they'd been successfully interrogated the assassin who attacked us last night, but they want you to be present for her judgment tonight." Gabrielle felt her eyes dart. "Why do I need to be present?" Xena put her hands behind her back. "Because you were there with me, it's just perfectly normal." Gabrielle looked down at her boots. "What are you going to do with the assassin?" Xena walked towards her study she slowly eased open the door. "She'll probably be sent to the noose saying that though, she could become very useful in that she could be used as bait to bring in the larger fish who had the nerve to send in her and her friends to kill me."

Gabrielle eyed the afternoon sky. "Would you be okay if we held off this judgement until it gets darker?" Xena turned slowly to meet her gaze. "Why at night?" Gabrielle took in a deep breath. "I just have this feeling that she might take her judgement more seriously if she has to look me in the eye in werewolf form, I don't want to hurt her I just want to scare her a little that's all." Xena raised an eyebrow. "If you think it will help then I'll be happy to wait a little longer ether way she'll be judged today one way or the other." Gabrielle nodded as she moved slowly towards the inner door. "I just want the truth and I know that very few people have the nerve to lie to me when I'm looking at them in my other form." Xena nodded feeling her smile turn to a wicked grin. "I think it's your protruding upper and lower canines they tend to make a point, even when you're not speaking." Gabrielle raised both eyebrows. "Oh really well I'll remember that in future." Xena watched as she left closing the door behind her she raised her hands feeling lost in the turmoil of her own emotions. She was in love with the other woman gods it felt like it had been so long since she'd felt this way and yet she remembered the feelings so clearly as if she'd felt it only yesterday.

She could feel the beating of her heart deep with in her chest and taste the dryness of her lips along with the need to touch the person who brought forth such desire. Yet the woman of her desires was completely unaware of her longing or her love and was always looking away. The realization of her feelings for the younger woman had only become clear to her now though so Gabrielle may have seen a lot of her past actions as the actions of a friend and not someone in love. One thing that was very clear to her though she did love this woman and the fact that she wasn't human did not bother her in the slightest in fact it was drawing her in and it made her want her even more. She wanted to feel her heart and her soul and watch her beautiful forest green eyes reflect in the darkness. She took in a sharp breath trying to calm herself down only to hear the door as it was knocked on once more she turned sharply. "Come in!"

She stepped in to the study closing the door behind her watching as Demetrius walked in. Demetrius felt a smile form as he looked at the dark haired woman. "The prisoner is ready for your judgement Empress." Xena sat herself down at the desk looking at the table top. "Then she'll have to wait longer, Gabrielle wants to see her but only in werewolf form she believes it'll help." Demetrius nodded his head calmly. "I'll inform Iona she has her chained to a chair in your throne room." Xena moved her finger in circles absentmindedly on dark wood. "Does this assassin have a name?" Demetrius put a hand on his belt. "Yes her name is Mavican." He eased out the scroll from it putting it on her desk. "Chara tracked her background, not much to say really typical mercenary but not at the low end of the scale she's at the high end like Iona. She's a big hitter who kills very important people for a living and very much a dyed in the wool professional of the highest calibur. She's never served in your armies and people in the past have hired her out to kill diplomats her last target was a Roman senator it was a successful kill but since then she hasn't been hired out for six months."

Xena opened the scroll eyeing it. "Or clearly someone else hired her privately recently." Demetrius nodded calmly. "Iona has a lot more information on her, she was able to get it out of her, though she said it was more difficult than normal Mavican is a professional and very good at taking pain she have to break a few of her bones." He looked up seeing a slightly distant look in the Empress's light blue eyes. "Are you all right Empress you look a little distracted?" Xena looked up meeting his concerned gaze. "I'm fine I've just got things on my mind." Demetrius felt a wide smile form. "Would one of those things be Gabrielle, by any chance?" Xena felt herself tense she looked up slowly she wanted to lie but she knew better. Demetrius could always see right through her lies anyway and what did it matter if he knew how she felt right now? She'd always trusted him. "I need to tell you something but it has to stay between us." Demetrius nodded calmly he knew what she was going to say but he really wanted to hear her say it. "Go on." Xena put her hands together taking in a deep breath. "I think I'm in love with her, I think I have been for a while I just haven't really admitted it to myself until today."

Demetrius breathed in deeply. "She's a fine choice for you she has courage, pride and honour and she's a great warrior." Xena shook her head. "The truth is I don't know if she even cares for me in the same way and I know something happened in her past that's made her weary of women I saw it every time I put my hands on her to start with she used to flinch, I can't force her to love me ether." Demetrius stepped closer to her table. "Empress I think she cares about you I think she just needs time and maybe if she's not ready to pursue maybe you should instead. I mean for better or for worse you'll find out if she loves you." Xena looked at him for a long moment before putting her hands together. "You have a point I just feel like it's been so long since I pursued anyone." Demetrius folded his arms. "I don't think we ever stop learning how to love Empress, I'd just take this slowly." Xena leaned back in her chair. "I'll think about that." Demetrius nodded as he opened her outer door. "We'll be waiting for you in the throne room." Xena sat up slightly. "Thank you Demetrius for listening." Demetrius nodded as he looked up. "Always a pleasure Empress and don't worry no one else will know about this it'll be between us."

End of part 58

Silvermoonlight

Thank you everyone for your watches and favourites I really appreciate them :)