A knock on the door stirred Xena from her thoughts as she sat in the living room. She stood up and answered the door.

XENA

Oh hey Fauna. Come in.

Xena let Fauna inside as she shut the door behind her.

FAUNA

So how are you adjusting to being queen?

XENA

Fine I guess. I still don't get why Gabrielle chose me as her successor.

FAUNA

She trusts you Xena. All of us do.

XENA

That's not true. I've heard the whispers around the village about how Gabrielle could've chosen someone who wasn't even an Amazon to become queen.

FAUNA

Okay so maybe not "all". But now one in power ever has a hundred percent approval from their people. There's always going to be those naysayers who'll look for anything to complain about.

XENA

No kidding.

FAUNA

Whether they support you being queen or not, everyone here understands that you're going through alot right now. So even though you're queen now don't be afraid to reach out when you need help. You might be one of the strongest people we know but you're still only human Xena. Just give it time. It's only been a few weeks.

XENA

I know.

Fauna smiled.

FAUNA

Oh before I forget we received a letter for you.

XENA

For me?

FAUNA

Technically it's addressed to the Amazon queen and that would be you now.

Fauna reached into the small bag she had over her shoulder and handed Xena the letter.

XENA

Thanks.

After saying goodbye, Fauna left. Xena opened the letter and read it.

XENA

(Thinking to herself) You can't be serious. Damn it.

Xena stood up and walked to the front door, opening it as she looked outside. She spotted Amarice who just happened to be walking by.

XENA

You'll work.

AMARICE

Wha..!?

Before Amarice could really say anything Xena grabbed her by the arm and pulled her inside.

XENA

Keep an eye on Gabrielle and Aurora. I'll be back.

Without waiting for a response Xena left the house, leaving a confused and slightly Irritated Amarice standing in the doorway.

AMARICE

(Sarcastically talking to herself) Sure Xena, no problem. How considerate of you to ask if I'm busy or something beforehand.

She rolled her eyes as she turned to go sit down and wait for Xena to come back as she shut the door while Xena walked away. Xena walked through the village until she found Ephiny. Seeing Xena approach Ephiny stopped what she was doing.

EPHINY

Hey Xena what's going on?

XENA

Nothing good.

Given Gabrielle's ailing heath Ephiny became worried that something might've happened.

EPHINY

Did something happen to Gabrielle?

XENA

No she's the same as she's been. At least for now anyway.

Ephiny felt relieved that Gabrielle hadn't taken a turn for the worse.

EPHINY

That's good to hear. So then what's the problem?

Xena handed Ephiny the letter she had just received.

XENA

See for yourself. It's addressed to the queen, meaning me.

Ephiny read the letter.

LETTER

Gabrielle, Queen of the Amazons,

Though we have never met, I know of your devotion to our people. Your people, who are in dire need of help from anyone who can assist us in any way possible. To put it simply over the past several months a number of amazon villages have come under attack by various horrifying creatures. Countless numbers of our people have either fallen to these monsters or have been taken for purposes unknown to us. The attacks have spread far and wide. Accross numerous villages. Leaving chaos and destruction in their wake. It's unknown why we are being targeted, but the attacks are becoming increasingly frequent. Myself and others have already taken to fleeing our village in the hopes of escaping this creatures wrath. But as I write this letter I fear that one of the creatures is on our trail. They almost seem to be targeting Amazon's specifically. So as our queen, I ask for your assistance in finding a way to stop these creatures and put an end the brutal slaughter of your people. Please help us. Should I survive my escape I've written down a location to meet below. I hope that I am able to meet with you. But if I am caught by one of the creatures I prey to Artemis that you're able to find a way to save our people. Please my queen, save us.

Your loyal servant,

Amalia

Ephiny finished reading and looked up at Xena.

EPHINY

That doesn't sound good.

XENA

No kidding.

EPHINY

What are you gonna do?

XENA

I don't know. I can't just leave Gabrielle here while I go off hunting down a bunch of monsters.

EPHINY

You can't just ignore their pleas for help either Xena. You're queen now. You have a responsibility to your people.

XENA

(Irritated tone) Don't you think I know that.

There was a moment of silence between them. Ephiny understood the situation that Xena was in and sympathized with her.

EPHINY

Look you don't have to decide anything now. Why don't you take the night, talk it over with Gabrielle and we'll discuss what to do tomorrow.

XENA

Sure.

Xena returned home and thanked Amarice for staying there while she was out. After Amarice left Xena went upstairs. She entered the bedroom and saw Gabrielle laying in bed peacefully.

XENA

(Thinking to herself) It never ends for us dose it?

Not wanting to disturb Gabrielle, Xena silently removed her armor and got into bed. She had been opting to wear her usual stuff instead of the Amazon clothing that she was giving for her coronation ceremony. She had only worn the Amazonian attire that day because she was required to. But she still kept the outfit stored away incase she needed it for whatever reason. As Xena covered up Gabrielle turned over and opened her eyes.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) Hey.

XENA

Sorry for waking you.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) You didn't.

Gabrielle layed her head on Xena's shoulder.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) So who was at the door a bit ago?

XENA

It was Fauna. She brought over a letter that came for y..., for the Amazon queen.

Xena had to stop herself from referring to Gabrielle as queen, having still not being used to the fact that she was the one who now held that title. Gabrielle could tell that Xena was still highly uncomfortable with being named queen and the reason for it. She held Xena's hand in hers.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) What did it say?

XENA

It was from someone named Amalia. She said that Amazon villages all over are being attacked. And that the women in the villages are either being taken or brutally killed by some kind of creatures. She asked for any kind of help that the queen could offer to stop more Amazon's from being killed.

GABRIELLE

(Weak/ horrified tone) Oh god's that's beyond horrible. You have to do something to stop this.

XENA

She asked me to meet with her but I don't think I can.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) Xena you have to go.

XENA

How? I can't just up and leave you here like this Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) You being here or not isn't going to change anything.

XENA

You can't seriously expect me to go of somewhere for who knows how long while you lay here dy...

Xena couldn't bring herself to actually say the word. Having to pause for a moment while she composed herself.

XENA

The point being I want to be here with you when the time comes. And what if I leave and I don't make it back before... before you're gone.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) You still have to go. The greater good remember?

Xena sighed.

XENA

You know I really hate it when you use my own words against me like that.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) Only because you know I'm right.

XENA

Yeah well I still don't like the idea of leaving you here like this. Who knows how long I'll even be gone.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) What if I promise to do everything I can to wait for you.

XENA

(Sarcasm) Bargaining with death, sure that always works.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) We've delt with plenty of other gods and came out on top. So why not death?

XENA

Maybe we can talk Celesta out of taking you all together.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) Xena we both know that's not gonna happen.

XENA

(Sad tone) I know.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) Regardless I'll do whatever I can to wait for you to come back.

Xena gave a small smile.

XENA

I love you, and if you really can't hold on that long I don't wanna stand in your way.

GABRIELLE

(Weak tone) I know. But I'll wait for you anyway. I want you with me just as much as you wanna be here.

Xena had to stop herself from crying again as she held Gabrielle.

XENA

I love you Gabrielle. And I always will no matter what.

After gently kissing Gabrielle, both of them slowly drifted off to sleep. As the next few days were spent preparing for Xena and a small group of others to make the trip to meet up with Amelia. After a few days the time came for Xena to leave. As a precaution Xena had already named Ephiny to become queen if anything should happen to her. Of which Ephiny once again accepted. So that meant that it was smarter for Ephiny to not come on the trip so as not to put both the queen and her successor in danger. After making the necessary preparations for someone to stay with Gabrielle and Aurora and a promise of her own to Gabrielle that she would come back safe, Xena along with Iris and Willow left the village to meet up with Amelia and try and put a stop to the attacks on Amazon's. But little did Xena know that her new role as queen would soon be put to the test as the lives of numerous people now rested in her hands whether Xena or those people liked it or not.

TO BE CONTINUED...