The night life made their subtle sounds as Xena and Naomi stood alone amung the trees out of earshot of the others. Naomi kept hold of her spear as she learned against a tree waiting for Xena to respond. Xena crossed her arms as she tried to decide what she should say.
XENA
You asked what I have to say for myself. What exactly do you exspect me to say?
NAOMI
Fair question. How 'bout we start with how you ended up here.
XENA
Is anything I say actually gonna matter?
NAOMI
If I can validate it. And if not I'd like to think that I'm fairly good at being able to tell if I'm being lied to.
XENA
And you're willing to hear me out after the accusations Mia made.
NAOMI
I like to think that I'm a fair woman. I'd rather not cast judgment on someone before I have as much information I can get on the situation. Whatever it may be.
XENA
And if you don't believe me or like what I say you'll kill me.
NAOMI
That's what I said. I think giving the accusations against you that seems fair, don't you?
XENA
I can't argue with that.
NAOMI
Good. Now tell me Xena how is it that you ended up becoming queen of my people?
Xena sighed as looked away and out into the dark woods that surrounded them. Without going in lengthy detail, she told Naomi about how her and Gabrielle's relationship and about their daughter Aurora being kidnapped in a quest for revenge on the two of them. Xena told Naomi about the extensive injuries that Gabrielle had suffered while trying to get their child back. That her condition had taken a turn for the worse. And after learning that she was going to die, Gabrielle had willingly given Xena her right of caste as queen even though Xena had protested the decision.
XENA
And that's pretty much how I ended up here.
NAOMI
I see. Given the fact that you share a child I assume you and our former queen are involved.
XENA
Yes. She's everything that's right in my life.
Naomi was silent for a moment as she mulled over what Xena told her before speaking.
NAOMI
And I'm assuming that others can verify your story.
XENA
Yes. Willow and Iris are both aware of what happened. As well as everyone else back in the village.
NAOMI
I see.
Xena could see that Naomi was deep in thought.
NAOMI
If you don't mind I have a few other questions I'd like to ask before I decide what to do with you.
XENA
Ask away.
NAOMI
What Mia said is true isn't it?
Xena looked away sadly.
XENA
Yes. I've done unspeakable things. Not only to the Amazon's, but to so many others. I know that nothing I do could ever erase all of the pain and suffering I've caused. But I'll spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to make up for it. Though I know I never will.
NAOMI
I completely believe that. I can see the unmistakable difference from who you are now to the person you were back then.
Xena looked back at Naomi surprised by what she said. Naomi momentarily smiled.
NAOMI
We never meet directly until you came here to help us with this but I've seen you. I was on the battlefield when you came through the northern Amazon's territory years ago. Though as you can see I didn't quite get the same up close up look at you that alot of the others did.
Xena caught Naomi's implication of the fact that she had managed to escape the slaughter of the majority of women from the northern amazon tribe as Xena's mind flashed back to the brutal way she had killed so many of those women.
NAOMI
Though I wasn't completely sure at first but that disapproving glare you gave me earlier sparked something. I knew I've seen that same cold look before but I couldn't quite place it. Then like Mia, after hearing that yell of yours I was certain that I knew who you were.
XENA
I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry. I know that isn't nearly enough but there aren't nearly enough words to express how truly horrible I feel about what I've done to your people.
NAOMI
I know. And I think you mean our people by the way.
XENA
Everything after everything you still think of me as your queen? Why?
NAOMI
It's simple, I can tell that you're not that same woman I saw back then. And don't like the dwell on the past.
XENA
I think you might be the only one here who thinks that way.
NAOMI
That wouldn't surprise me. But we have other things to deal with here. I can't speak for the people who came with you, but I'll do what I can to see that the women from my village follow your orders. I can't make them like you but I can make sure that they don't do anything to further worsen the situation.
XENA
I don't think it'll be that easy but I appreciate it nonetheless.
Naomi pushed off the tree as she stood up straight.
NAOMI
Good now that that's settled we have a monster to kill. Let's get back to camp and get some rest.
Xena and Naomi walked back to where everyone else was. As they returned, Xena could feel the icy stares directed her way from most of others as she went to check on how Willow was doing. Even Iris was more standoffish as she sat by Willow while Xena made sure she was doing okay.
XENA
How's she doing?
IRIS
The same.
Xena crouched down to check Willow's pulse and was relieved to find that it was strong.
XENA
Well it looks like with a little rest I'm confident that she's gonna be just fine.
IRIS
Good.
Iris paused for a moment and Xena knew what must've been going through her head. So she wasn't at all surprised by the next thing out of Iris' mouth.
IRIS
I don't want to believe it Xena but was Mia right? Are you really who she says you are?
XENA
It was a long time ago but yes.
IRIS
Does Gabrielle know?
XENA
Not every little detail but yeah she knows alot about my past.
IRIS
Okay.
Iris looked back at Willow and Xena stood up as she took the hint that the conversation was over. Though she couldn't tell what Iris was thinking, Xena knew that after learning about her past it was going take the rest of the group time to adjust to the reality that their queen was responsible for taking the lives of so many of their people. That was to say if they even would be able to at all. Not that Xena would blame them. As Xena settled down for the night away from the others she had no idea of the true difficulties she would have to overcome as everyone was about to become reminded of the true danger that they were all very much in.
TO BE CONTINUED...