CONQUERING THE CONQUEROR

by TrueT159

An alternate timeline where Xena is still on warpath accross the lands. She's still angry, lost and on a path of destruction. Both for everyone around her as well as herself. That is until one fateful day that while she doesn't know it at the time, the seemingly meaningless events will become the spark of something that will completely change the course of her life.

37. Chapter 37

Not pleased at all by what Gabrielle had just said, Xena glared at her, for a long moment before turning her focus to Melosa as she heard the Amazon speak.

MELOSA

Are you absolutely sure about this Gabrielle. This is a big decision and don't want you to feel like you're being pressured into taking on something that you don't really want.

GABRIELLE

No. I wanna do this. Terreis obviously trusted me enough to give me her "rite of caste". That's what it's called, right?

MELOSA

Yes.

GABRIELLE

Well if she trusted me with something that important, then I wanna honor her memory and do everything I can to live up to the gift and responsibility that she passed on to me.

Xena scowled.

XENA

This isn't a game you know.

MELOSA

No one said it was Conqueror.

Xena gave Melosa a fierce look.

XENA

She knows nothing about being an Amazon or what it means to be in any kind of leadership role. Think about this Melosa. Terreis was even younger than her, so I sincerely doubt that given the situation your daughter had the opportunity to make a rational decision when she gave Gabrielle her rite of caste.

Melosa scowled as she turned to face the Conqueror.

MELOSA

She may have been young and appeared more care free than most of us, but my daughter was no fool Conqueror. She was wise beyond her years because she knew full well the responsibilities of her position. So even in her final moments I trust that Terreis knew what she was doing. And as for Gabrielle...

The queen of the Amazons turned her attention to Gabrielle for a moment as she continued.

MELOSA

I'm fully confident that with a little work, she's perfectly capable of learning our ways and will become a fine addition to our tribe. And while her ability to someday take my place remains an unknown, we can see how she progresses and make a decision on that matter further down the road once I'm able to see how much she's grown in her current role. But for now we'll just take things slow and give her time to adjust to this drastic change.

Melosa then switched to addressing Gabrielle directly.

MELOSA

Does that sound fair to you?

GABRIELLE

That sounds fine to me.

MELOSA

Well, that settles it then.

XENA

It settles nothing.

The Amazon returned her attention to Xena who could sense that she was fighting a losing battle but was determined to not let Melosa have her way, so made one final move that she was certain would cause the Amazon queen to have second thoughts about taking Gabrielle back to her village.

XENA

I'm warning you Melosa, you take her out of this building and not only can you forget about getting my help against Draco. But you can consider whatever alliance we had between us over. So if I were you I'd think carefully about if this one girl is worth burning that bridge that took so long to build between not only you and myself, but the rest of your people as well.

Melosa turned to face Xena as she stood tall and stared unintimidated into Xena's eyes as she gave her final answer on the matter.

MELOSA

If this is all it takes for you to sever our alliance, and that's how you want it to be Conqueror. Then perhaps this alliance was actually doomed from the very beginning.

XENA

(Quiet angry tone) Then so be it.

With an intense and angry glare at Melosa, Gabrielle and Ephiny who was still in the room but remained silent throughout the debate as she felt she had no say in the matter, Xena began to turn to leave the room before giving her final input on the subject before storming out of the room and slamming the door shut behind her.

XENA

(Quiet angry tone) You can take your new little princess and go. I want every single one of you out of here immensely. And I don't ever wanna see any of you people around here again. Or else.

It wasn't long after as the group of Amazons mounted their horses in front of the Conqueror's keep. Terreis's wrapped body was carefully loaded onto the back of a horse and secured as Gabrielle stood with her arm in a sling as she was approached by Elle who along with many others had gathered to see the group off.

ELLE

You're really leaving Gabrielle?

GABRIELLE

Yeah, I am.

ELLE

Look I know that you weren't really here of your own will, but I kinda thought we had become friends and that you were starting to like being here.

Gabrielle sighed.

GABRIELLE

It's not that we aren't friends Elle. In fact meeting you and Sarah has been one of the few good things that has come from all of this. I felt so scared and alone when I was first brought here, and you went out of your way to be nice to me and try making me feel better about things.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE

Thank you Elle. I'll never forget you.

Elle gave a sad smile as she pulled Gabrielle into a hug who returned the sentiment.

ELLE

Take care of yourself Gabrielle. I'm gonna miss you.

GABRIELLE

I'll miss you too.

The two separated and Gabrielle made her way over to Ephiny who was waiting on her horse and helped Gabrielle up into the saddle behind her as Leonidas walked up and stood beside Xena who was watching from the top of the steps to the front door.

LEONIDAS

Are you certain of this my lord? These women have been extremely valuable allies for quite some time. It would be a shame to part ways with them now when you both face such a powerful enemy in Draco.

Xena glanced over at her lieutenant for a moment before returning her gaze to the group of people about to leave her property.

XENA

Actions have consequences Leonidas. And Melosa knows this. I laid out my terms for our arrangement and she went ahead with going against what I had said regardless. So for whatever happens to her people from here out, it'sno longer my problem. And Melosa won't have anyone to blame for any of it but herself.

LEONIDAS

If you don't mind my saying, this is quite the strong reaction to the little one leaving.

With a slight turn of her head, Xena shot the solider an unhappy look before returning her focus ahead.

XENA

(Irritated tone) Meaning?

LEONIDAS

Well, my lord, it's not as though people haven't come and gone from here before. May I ask if there's any particular reason for why her leaving bothers you so.

XENA

It's nothing. You know how I feel about people taking what's mine.

LEONIDAS

I see.

The two stood silently for a moment as they watched Gabrielle and the Amazons preparing to leave before Leonidas spoke up again.

LEONIDAS

Well I, for one, am going to miss the young lady. I know Sara and many others here will miss her a great deal as well. She's a sweet girl and I think this place will feel quite a bit emptier without her around, don't you agree?

Xena stood quietly as she watched the horses begin to move out and found herself feeling a strange sense of loss that took her by surprise before it was replaced by anger as she turned away and began walking back inside as she gave her cold reply.

XENA

I'm losing a decent scribe, it's the only reason I'll even notice that she's gone at all. Now if you'll excuse me, even without the Amazons, I still have Draco and Ares to deal with.

TO BE CONTINUED...