This story takes place sometime after Queen's Tradition, while this is a standalone story I would recommend reading Queen's tradition first.
As always, I do not own anything. I hope you enjoy, let me know your thoughts!
Xena and Gabrielle sat atop their respective horses gazing over the lush spring valley. They were heading back to the Amazon Village after taking a short vacation. The past year since Sam graduated from her classes had flown by. The soul mates had enjoyed the new relationship with their daughter, watching Sam begin to come into her own, allowing Sam to participate in more "official" duties within the nation. Sam altered her plans and was now working towards one day taking her place as Queen of the Amazons. So with Xena and Gabrielle away for a little bit, Sam was taking up some additional duties, under the watchful eye of Ephiny of course.
"Do you think Sam has pushed Ephiny into early retirement?" Gabrielle asks Xena as they begin to head down the hill to where they were meeting up with Sam and some other Amazons.
"I am sure she isn't any worse than you were, at least Sam knows how to hold a staff!" Xena comments ducking from Gabrielle's hand smacking her.
About half way to where they are meeting up with their daughter, both warriors pick up some unwanted noise, look at each other and take off on their horses to what sounds like trouble to them. As they emerge from the clearing, they spot Sam with a group of young Amazons being surrounded by a group of slave traders, trying to push the group of Amazons into a large cage, while another group of traders is slightly in front of the group taking watch.
"Bri, head towards Sam, I will take on the group out front" Xena calls out, turning her horse towards the larger group, hoping to draw some of the other slave traders towards her. She brings her horse to a stop, flipping off her horse and landing in the middle of the group, sword drawn. The slave traders quickly circling around Xena ready to attack. Xena begins to face off against the slave traders as they take turns trying to penetrate her defenses, but with little luck. With Xena handling this group, Gabrielle gallops past the closest slaver to the group, kicking him in the head. She quickly dismounts from her horse and rushes the remaining slave traders, their attention all but forgetting about the group of younger Amazons, focusing on their Queen.
"Sam, get everyone out and head through the clearing behind you, Ephiny and company should be right on the other side. I need you to make sure everyone gets to safety, then come back." Gabrielle instructs her daughter as she battles with the now 4 remaining slave traders. Doing her best to keep the group distracted as the last of the young Amazons disappears through the path, Gabrielle chances a glance over to Xena. Knowing her soulmate can take care of herself in a fight, she isn't too worried until she sees that one of the men has pulled back and has Xena in his sights with his bow, he waits and once one of the men lands a punch to Xena's face, he lets the arrow fly. Gabrielle yells out a warning to Xena but not in time, the arrow landing in Xena's right shoulder, propelling her onto the group, dazed. That moment is all one of the slave traders needs as he kicks Xena in the side of the head, knocking her unconscious.
Gabrielle turns her head just in time to duck as a slaver takes a swipe at her, seeing Xena lying on ground, Gabrielle picks up her intensity, determined to protect her soulmate, she is able to kill all the slavers nearest her and begins towards the group surrounding Xena, a booming voice is heard as the group parts, revealing a tall man, dark hair and facial hair, standing every bit as tall as Xena, with his sword pointed right at Xena's heart.
"Queen Gabrielle, a pleasure to meet you. I'm a huge fan, and would love if you would drop your weapons and take a little journey with my men and I. Otherwise I will be forced to end your warrior's life." Not quite sure how far away Ephiny and company are, but believing they are far enough to not be of any assistance at this moment, but close enough to follow, Gabrielle drops her Sais.
"Done" eyes glaring at this man. Keeping his word, he lifts his sword away from Xena and approaches the Queen. Gabrielle standing her ground begins to say something to the man, but is barely able to complete her quip when the man punches her in the stomach, causing the Amazon Queen to double over, and before the Amazon Queen can even take in another breath, the man knees Gabrielle in the side of the head, dropping her to the ground.
"Throw her in the cage, an Amazon Queen will more than make up for the Amazons you let get away. And do not take this one lightly, she may be small but she is just as powerful a warrior as I am. We got lucky today, I don't tend to waste this opportunity." The rest of the slave trader gather Gabrielle's limp body up and toss her into the cage. They secure the locks and everyone begins to head out.
From the bushes, Sam watches as the group leads her Queen away, waiting for them to be far enough away so that she can check on her mother, who is still lying still on the road. Sam runs towards her mom, kneels down checking to see if she is still alive, now debating on waiting to ensure her mom is taken care of or chasing after the Queen. She feels Xena grab her wrist and looks down.
Cliff hanger! What do we think?