After a fairly quiet trip from the Amazon village, it was a hectic scene as Xena, Gabrielle, Leonidas and the rest of the small group of soldiers rode through the gates of the Conqueror's keep. Having received word from the outer patrolmen of the groups impending arrival, those on the grounds of the keep were able to briefly prepare for the Xena's return. And as such a number of the Conqueror's servants were waiting outside to assist their leader with whatever she may have needed upon her homecoming. With one such person being Elle.
ELLE
Welcome back my lord.
The young woman greeted Xena as she saw her approaching before bringing the horse she was riding to a stop in front of the young woman.
ELLE
It's been several days since your hasty departure. I'm glad to see your safe return. I hope whatever urgent business you needed to attend to went well.
XENA
I did what I set out to do.
Xena slightly nodded over her shoulder as Elle peeked around the Conqueror to see Gabrielle seated directly behind Xena and smiled at the sight of her friend's unexpected return to the keep.
ELLE
Gabrielle. I can't believe you're back.
Gabrielle smiled as Elle walked over to stand beside the horse that Gabrielle and Xena were on.
ELLE
You know after you left with those Amazons, I never thought I'd see you again. I've missed not having you around here you know.
GABRIELLE
I'm glad to see you too Elle.
Still in pain from her injuries and having the ride from the village not doing anything to help, Xena was eager to get down from her mount and settled into a relaxing evening to rest, and cleared her throat in an exaggerated and slightly annoyed manner to get Elle's attention back on task.
XENA
I'm not paying you to stand around and talk Elle.
The young woman turned her attention to Xena.
ELLE
Apologies your lordship.
Xena looked at her servant before nodding back to Gabrielle.
XENA
Whatever. Just help her down, get inside and settled back into her room
ELLE
Yes, right away my lord.
The servant held out her hand to assist Gabrielle in getting down from the horse.
XENA
And be careful. She's a little banged up.
ELLE
OH? Um, Yes, of course.
Concerned about what could have happened to Gabrielle during her absence, Elle made a mental note to ask her about it later as she carefully assisted xena in helping Gabrielle down from the horse and then hugged her for a moment before escorting her inside while trying to get any answers she could for whatever happened while she was gone.
ELLE
Are you okay? Her lordship made it sound like you were hurt. What happened?
GABRIELLE
Welll it's actually kind of a long story.
As Gabrielle was escorted into the building by Elle, Xena dismounted from her horse and fought back a wince at the too swift of a movement that ended up aggravating the injury on her side.
LEONIDAS
Are you alright, my lord?
Leonidas walked up beside Xena after dismounting his own steed and noticing the Conqueror's painful reaction.
XENA
It's fine. I just got down a bit to abruptly is all.
Xena turned and headed inside and spoke to a servant that she passed on her way.
XENA
I'm going to my quarters. I want a hot bath drawn and dinner brought to my room within the hour.
The servant gave the standard affirmative response to Xena's command and went off to complete the tasks as the Conqueror entered the building and headed to her private quarters.
ELLE
Here we are.
Elle opened the door to Gabrielle's room that had remained unchanged since her departure a number of weeks prior and walked in, with Gabrielle following.
ELLE
I can't believe you're actually an Amazon princess now. So what was it like actually living in that village?
GABRIELLE
It was actually really exciting.
(Sighing) At first.
Gabrielle walked over and carefully sat down on the edge of her bed as Elle saw the change in her expression go from cheerful to dejected.
ELLE
Why? What happened while you were there?
Elle walked over the bed and sat down beside Gabrielle as she told her friend about Velasca and her supporters assault and attempt on her life. As well as how she had inadvertently gotten wrapped up in Velasca's plot to murder her way to becoming the Amazon queen. All of which Elle could hardly believe.
ELLE
Gabrielle... I'm so sorry that you went through that.
The young woman shook her head in disgust.
ELLE
I don't get how someone could even think to do something like that.
Gabrielle looked at the young woman as she was about to mention that the things the Conqueror has done over the years weren't very different from what Velasca and her followers had done, but then stopped herself as she remembered the only reason she was even still alive was because Xena had come and saved her. And instead just turned her eyes toward the window and shook her head disapprovingly.
GABRIELLE
I guess that's just something I'll never understand.
ELLE
Maybe in the end that might just be for the best.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, maybe.
Seeing that Gabrielle wasn't very invested in the conversation, Elle figured she must've been tired and that it would be best to let her get some rest as she stood up from the bed.
ELLE
Well I'm sure you're tired and hungry from your trip, so why don't I go grab you some dinner, and you can eat then get some rest.
Gabrielle gave a small smile.
GABRIELLE
Thanks, but you really don't need to...
ELLE
Oh nonsense, it's my job to help take care of everyone around here. So you just sit there and relax while I go get your food.
GABRIELLE
Thanks Elle, for being such a good friend.
Elle smiled.
ELLE
Anytime Gabrielle. Anytime.
Gabrielle watched as Elle left for a short time before coming back with a tray full of food before leaving Gabrielle alone. Who in turn ate her fill before getting into bed and even though her mind swirled with thoughts of everything that had taken place over the past number of days fell asleep relatively quickly as it all had both physically and emotionally taken a toll on her. Though even as Gabrielle drifted to sleep, her thoughts kept returning to the Conqueror and the question of why the woman had gone and risked her own well-being in order to save her.
XENA
Ahhh, that's much better.
Xena sunk down into the hot tub of water that came up to the top of her chest and leaned her head back as she closed her eyes and began to finally relax for the first time in what felt like forever.
?
I really hope you have your wounds covered properly.
XENIA
(Sarcastic tone) What are you, my mother?
She peeked her eyes open and smirked at the unhappy face of Cyrene's who was unamused by the comment as she stood in Xena's washroom with her arms crossed after letting herself into the Conqueror's private quarters.
XENA
(Joking tone) Oh, right.
The Conqueror leaned her head back once more.
XENA
Is there something you needed, mother?... Cyrene?
Xena glanced at her mother, remembering that the woman had told her previously that she no longer answered to the title of her mother.
XENA
Sorry, old habits. Anyway, was there something I can do for you?
Cyrene walked a little closer and saw the bloodied bandages on the floor that Xena had taken off before getting into the tub.
CYRENE
I heard that you got hurt again.
XENA
Yeah. Why disappointed that I came back?
Cyrene scowled.
CYRENE
(Stern tone) Don't you dare say something like that, Xena.
Surprised by both Cyrene's tone and comment, Xena sat upright and looked at the older woman who continued.
CYRENE
(Stern tone) Don't presume to know what I feel.
Cyrene softened her tone.
CYRENE
Despite everything and as much as I may have wished it wasn't true, you are still my child. As grown as you might be.
XENA
Am I? Because last time we really spoke, I seem to remember you saying that you had no daughter.
Cyrene sighed.
CYRENE
Look, Xena. You're well aware of how complicated things have been between us for years. And I can't say that I was all to thrilled to have been forcibly brought here.
XENA
(Irritated tone) Amphipolis was in danger, what was I supposed to do, just leave you in the line of fire?
CYRENE
That's not what I'm saying.
Cyrene shook her head as she walked over and sat down in a chair that sat beside a small table in the washroom.
CYRENE
Xena, I know that things between us haven't been good for a long time and honestly, given everything you've done, I'm not sure if there will ever be a day when they are again. But I when I heard that you were hurt protecting Gabrielle, I have to admit that I was kind of taken by surprise.
Xena smirked.
XENA
Boy people really do like to talk around here.
CYRENE
That they do.
Xena casually moved the conversation forward.
XENA
So what about it?
CYRENE
Nothing particular. Just seems a bit surprising that you'd dash off like that, if only to go after the young woman.
Xena made a slightly annoyed grumble.
XENA
I uncovered a plot against an ally that she just happened to fall into nothing more.
CYRENE
Really now?
Cyrene raised a curious eyebrow that Xena noted she had clearly gotten from the woman and scowled in response not appreciating what she suspected that the older woman was hinting at.
XENA
(Irritated tone) And just what are you implying here?
CYRENE
(Lying) Nothing.
Just seems like a lot of trouble for you to go through for something that doesn't really concern you.
The Conqueror scoffed.
XENA
Oh please, this had plenty to do with me. You'll remember that the murder of the Amazon princess took place here and that those women have been highly trusted allies for quite some time. So given our common enemy in Draco at the moment, it's only logical to maintain our mutual relationship, so solving the murder and foiling the rebel Amazons plot worked to my advantage. And saving the girl, well, that was just something that happened to fit into it all.
CYRENE
Oh, is that it?
No believing her daughter for one second on this subject, Cyrene gave her daughter a suspicious look that Xena didn't like and in response turned away.
XENA
Believe whatever you want, it doesn't make any difference to me. Now if you don't mind mother, I'd like to finish my bath in peace and turn in early tonight.
Cyrene smiled as she stood up.
CYRENE
Alright, I suppose I should be headed to bed soon myself.
Cyrene bid Xena good night and made her way out of the room, where soon after hearing the outer door to her quarters open and shut, Xena sighed to herself as she leaned her head back and relaxed in her bath for a bit longer before getting out the tub, drying off and getting ready for bed. The night within the keep carried on quietly and as morning broke things appeared to return to normal. That was until one of the servants brought a tray of food to the Conqueror's quarters as per usual for Xena's morning routine.
SERVANT
I've brought your breakfast my lord. Shall I just leave it on the table for you or would you prefer to remain in bed and have me bring it in to you?
Not getting a response, the woman placed the tray of food down on a table and walked closer to the door that connected to the Conqueror's bedroom.
SERVANT
My lord?
The woman knocked on the door that hadn't been completely shut when Xena had gone to bed the night before and again got not response. And figuring that Xena must've still been asleep the servant was about to leave when she heard a small groan from the other side of the door and slowly began to push the door open.
SERVANT
My lord? Is everything okay?
The woman opened the door fully to see the shocking sight of Xena curled up in her bed with her blankets pulled tightly around her as she looked to be shivering uncontrollably.
SERVANT
(Shocked/ concerned tone) My lord!
The woman hurried to the Conqueror's bedside and saw that Xena appeared to be sweating as she tossed and turned slightly beneath the blankets while shivering.
SERVANT
Hold on...
Seeing that Xena was very clearly unwell, the woman turned to leave.
SERVANT
I'll go fetch the healers and bring them here right away.
The servant hurried out of the room to get the healers as Xena groaned and shivered some more. And as the healers came and began to try treating her, it became apparent that recent injury to Xena's side had become just as potentially deadly as the nearly haled wound to her chest had once been with the discovery of an infection that unbeknownst to anyone had already been working its way through Xena's body for a few days. An infection that had spread so quickly, it was uncertain if there was anything that the healers could do that would be enough to prevent it from taking Xena's life.
TO BE CONTINUED...