A few days passed as the necessary preparations were made for Xena's official coronation as the new Amazon queen. While such an event was usually a celebratory occasion, the village was uncharacteristically somber in the days leading up to the crowning. Which was understandable given the circumstances. Though the secret village had never hosted or witnessed the coronation of a new queen, fortunately Fauna had happened to had read some information on the ceremony. And Ephiny knew plenty as well due to being present when Gabrielle had first become queen. So there wasn't much trouble with preparing for the event. During that time Xena mostly stayed with Gabrielle as she took care of her and Aurora. Gabrielle had tried to convince her that she should focus more on her upcoming coronation, but Xena refused and insisted that she wanted to spend as much time as she could with Gabrielle while she could. Finally the day arrived as Xena stood looking out of the bedroom window as the villagers below finished the final last minute preparations. She watched as the dreary sky had finally given way to the rain that had been threatening to come down all morning.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) It's too bad it's gotta rain on your big day.
Xena turned to face Gabrielle who was lying in bed.
XENA
I think it's pretty fitting.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Come on don't say that. I know this isn't our finest hour, but I really think you becoming queen is gonna be a good thing.
XENA
You say that but I just don't share your vision for this one Gabrielle.
Xena sighed.
XENA
Last chance to change your mind about this. Are you really sure that making me queen is a good idea?
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Xena is your problem really with becoming queen or with the fact that it makes you have to face that my dying is real?
Xena didn't answer the question and didn't need to as she walked over and sat next to Gabrielle. They both already knew that Xena's main issue with the situation was primarily the latter.
XENA
I just don't know how I'm supposed to just go on with my life without you beside me. You know what you've done for me. You changed me. You're the light in my darkness. If it weren't for you I honestly don't know where I'd be now.
Gabrielle gave a weak smile.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) You always give me too much credit when it comes how you've changed. You had already made that decision before we met.
XENA
Yes but you're the one who always helps me stay on the right path.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) You don't need me for that.
XENA
How can you be so sure.
Gabrielle reached up and gently stroked Xena's cheek.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Because I knew you. I know the incredible, great woman you've become. I've seen how much your past still haunts you. No one who holds their past actions with so much pain and regret would go back to being that person so easily. Besides I know that you still remember that promise I had you make me quite some time ago.
Xena sighed as she remembered her promise she made when she and Gabrielle were in a particularly bad situation and it seemed like she might lose Gabrielle.
XENA
(Talking quietly) That if anything ever happened to you, I wouldn't become a monster.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Exactly. And you would never break a promise like that would you?
XENA
(Talking quietly) No, I wouldn't. Not to you.
Gabrielle smiled as she patted Xena's leg.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) I know. Now you should get ready. Don't wanna be late to your own coronation.
Xena reluctantly accepted her fate as she stood up and went over the dresser where her outfit layed. She picked up the clothing as she turned to look at Gabrielle with a raised eyebrow.
XENA
Something tells me that you had a hand in picking out my outfit didn't you?
Gabrielle smirked.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) You said you didn't care what it looked like, so I had Ephiny show me a few outfits that would suit you. And that won.
XENA
Because it "suits me" huh?
Gabrielle shrugged.
XENA
(Sarcasm) And people comment about my libito.
Gabrielle giggled.
GABRIELLE
(Weak/ Joking tone) Hey I'm not dead yet.
Xena sighed as she chose to ignore the death comment and got changed into her new Amazonian attire. After she was finished Xena stood in the middle of the room as Gabrielle smiled approving of Xena's new look.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Wow.
Xena had been mistaken for an Amazon many times due to her usual outfit and being a female warrior which wasn't all that common outside of the Amazons so it was understandable that she'd be mistaken for one of them. But now with her new outfit, everything about Xena's look practically screamed Amazon. Keeping true to Xena's typical style, the outfit was dark. Almost everything was black. The top was low cut and came down to just below her chest with two straps that crossed across the upper part of her chest in an "X" and tied behind her neck. It was studded with fringe hanging from the bottom. Her skirt had various decorations along the waistline with more down the front. It was about the same length as her usual leather skirt but had a large slit up both sides. On Xena's feet were boots that came to just below her knees with a bit of fur lining the top. Finaly on her arms she wore thin decorative armbands where her usual ones would be. And her wrists were covered by light brown and white fur bracers with thin black string wrapped around the length of the bracers which came just about up to her elbows completing the outfit.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) It looks great on you.
XENA
It's fine. I still don't get why I couldn't just wear what I normally do.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) You know how big the Amazon's are on ritual and tradition. Besides I like it.
XENA
Then I guess I can wear this for a while if it makes you happy.
Gabrielle smiled.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Hey you remember after we first got here and you came home to see me in one of my Amazon outfits.
Xena briefly smirked as she recalled the day that now seemed like such a distant memory.
XENA
Oh I remember.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Looking back who would've thought that we'd be where we are today.
XENA
It feels like a lifetime ago.
The room fell silent as the fond memory quickly turned to the realization that they would no longer be able to share moments like that together. Xena fought back the tears as she thought of how much she had taken the simple times she and Gabrielle had together for granted. So quickly had everything changed. She wished that she had treasured their time together even more than she already did. Now it was too late and all Xena wanted to do was hold Gabrielle in her arms and never let her go. But she knew that no matter how tight of a hold she had on her, all too soon Gabrielle was going to slip from her grasp. And nothing Xena could do now would change that. Xena was pulled from her thoughts when she heard a knock on the front door. She walked out of the room and yelled down the stairs for the person at the door to come in. A few moments later Skyla and Clover entered the bedroom.
CLOVER
It's almost time.
XENA
Alright I'll be right down.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Before you go can you help me to the window so I can at least watch from up here.
Xena gave a soft smile as she lifted Gabrielle out of bed and carried her to a chair that sat by the window. After making sure Gabrielle was settled Skyla and Clover took a seat on each side of Gabrielle to watch Xena's crowning. A couple days prior Xena had asked them to stay with Gabrielle and Aurora during the ceremony which they happily agreed.
XENA
I guess this is it. The next time I see you I'll be an Amazon queen.
Gabrielle smiled.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) You'll be great.
Xena gave Gabrielle a kiss as she left the room and went outside where everyone else had already gathered in the rain. Xena walked down the row that was formed by the crowd as she made her way to the stage that had been set up in the village square. Thunder rumbled and the rain poured as Xena slowly walked up the couple of steps and continued to the center of the platform where Ephiny stood waiting. Xena stood stoicly facing the crowd as Ephiny began to speak. It was a standard quick speech about Gabrielle willingly relinquishing her throne and giving her right of caste as queen to Xena. As Ephiny finished she took a knee in front of Xena and presented the Amazon queen's mask to Xena. Xena stood there for a moment as she looked at the mask and everything it ment. She glanced up at the crowd who stood silently waiting for her to accept the mask. Finally she looked further up at her house where she could see Gabrielle watching her from the window.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Is this really what you want Gabrielle? For me to take over what you've held so dear. I know I could never be the queen you were. But I'll do everything I can to live up to trust you have in me to do what's right for the Amazon people.
After a few awkward moments of everyone watching Xena look off into the distance, Ephiny cleared her throat, getting Xena's attention. She gave Xena a sympathetic smile as Xena finally took the queen's mask from her hands. After Ephiny moved to stand by Xena's side she gave a slight nod telling Xena that it was the moment of truth for whether or not she would accept becoming queen. After looking down at Gabrielle's mask that would now be hers, Xena silently vowed that no matter what happened from that moment on she would spend the rest of her life doing everything she could to live up to the faith that Gabrielle had in her. She would keep her promise to remain on the path of good. And if that path included taking Gabrielle's place as queen of the Amazon's, then that's what she would do. In that moment Xena looked up as she symbolically raised the mask into the air, signaling that she accepted the title and role of queen. The crowd cheered and chanted Xena's name as they celebrated their new queen. But Xena didn't pay attention to any of them as she kept all of her attention on Gabrielle who smiled at her from the window. She returned a brief smile before putting the mask on completing the ceremony and officially now making Xena the new queen of the Amazons. Watching from their room Gabrielle smiled as she felt her eyes becoming heavy.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Huh that's got a nice ring to it. Xena, warrior queen.
TO BE CONTINUED...