The next day Gabrielle's training began. Her days were filled with physical conditioning in the morning, combat training in the afternoon, studying, and meditation in the evening. During her time on Olympus, she apprenticed with many of the gods, learning everything they were willing to teach her.
Long, busy days merged into long, lonely nights. She missed Xena more than she ever thought possible.
Gabrielle lost all track of time while on Olympus. The gods have no need to measure time as mortals do; they're immortal, after all; time on Olympus moves faster than it does on Earth. Gabrielle guessed it had been years. She could see the changes in herself when looked in the mirror. Her face had lost the softness of adolescence and taken on a more mature look. She had cut her hair which added to that. Her body had slimed and her muscles hardened as her training progressed. Now she was all sleek lines and rippling muscles.
Finally, with her formal training complete the goddesses sent her on quests all over Greece to hone her skills. Always avoiding the Amazons and Xena. She ran into Hercules on Olympus at one point and traveled with him several times when Iolaus wasn't able to go. She made him swear not to tell Xena that he had seen her. She joined Athena's army and advanced to general.
Artemis took her to a remote Amazon tribe to learn about their society. She even helped a few gods in other parts of the known world.
Gabrielle quickly gained a reputation for being ruthless to her enemies and a savior, a defender of the weak and helpless, making friends and allies everywhere she went.
Then, one day, Artemis came to her with the news of Melosa's death at the hands of her adopted daughter Velesca. She told her it was time to go back to the Amazons and take her place as queen.
Artemis set her down behind a cluster of huts facing the central platform. She could see Ephiny and Velesca on the platform, the other amazons gathered around it. Ephiny had the queen's mask and was handing it to Velesca. A look of defeat on her face, and a triumphant smile on Velesca's.
Gabrielle moved stealthily around the huts and came up behind the outer group of amazons unnoticed. Velesca was holding up the mask and was just lowering it to her head when Gabrielle spoke.
"That belongs to me." She said, her voice firm and commanding.
Suddenly, all eyes were on her. Velesca's eyes narrowed, and with a snarl, she asked, "Who are you?"
Gabrielle lowered the hood of her cloak. Soft gasps of surprise were had by all, and whispers of her name followed.
"Queen, by right of caste." Gabrielle replied calmly. Her eyes held Velesca's in a steady gaze.
"You lie!" Velesca yelled, vehemently.
"No! She doesn't." Ephiny spoke up. "This is Gabrielle. Terrais passed her right of caste to her before she died. She is the rightful queen. Though we thought she was dead, she disappeared from this village some time ago, and no one has seen her since. Until now."
"No matter. I challenge you, Gabrielle. I will have that mask." Velesca's smile returned.
"Prepare yourself, Gabrielle. You have one candlemark." With that Velesca turned and stalked off.
Suddenly, Gabrielle found herself surrounded by a horde of curious, clamoring amazons.
"Enough!" She said in a low, powerful voice. Silence fell.
"Clear a path." She calmly commanded.
As if by magic, a path to the platform appeared. Gabrielle walked over to it, ascended the stairs, and, taking center stage, turned to address the assembled crowd.
"I know you all have questions, but now is not the time. I am prepared to make a formal statement when this is over." With that being said, Gabrielle walked off the platform and headed for the council chamber. Immediately followed by Ephiny, Eponin, and Solari.
Once they were all inside, Gabrielle turned to face them.
"Where in Hades have you been all this time?" Ephiny asked, anger clear in her voice.
"Yeah, do you have any idea what we went through searching for you?" Eponin chimed in.
"Not to mention Xena, she was half-crazed trying to find you." Solari added.
Gabrielle stood there, regarding each of them in turn.
Finally, she said "It doesn't matter where I've been. I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly, however it was necessary at the time. I will not say anymore on the subject. I am here now, to take my place as your queen."
They all just stared at her, not quite sure what to say to that.
"You need to name a champion, Eponin or I could do it." Ephiny finally broke the silence.
"No." Gabrielle stated flatly.
"Gabrielle, she'll kill you. Is that what you want?" Ephiny argued.
"She can try." Gabrielle retorted bluntly.
Before anyone could say more, a head poked in the door. "It's time."
Gabrielle walked out of the council chamber, the others following behind.
She made her way over to the practice grounds. Velesca was already there.
"Choose your weapon, Gabrielle." Velesca said, with an evil grin.
"Swords." Gabrielle said, firmly.
Velesca laughed, "This is gonna be too easy." As she drew her sword.
Gabrielle removed her cloak, looks of surprise, and loud whispers ran through the assembled crowd.
Even Velesca's eyes widened a bit at the sight that greeted her.
Gabrielle was wearing Amazon attire, with scale armor over her sleeveless tunic and under padding, bracers on her wrists, two swords crossed her back, and two daggers adorned her boots. She pulled her swords, the muscles in her tanned arms rippling with the movement. She faced Velesca, eyes cold, her lips quirked in a feral grin.
She waited.
Velesca attacked, bringing her sword around in a powerful stroke, figuring to make quick work of this wanna be queen.
Gabrielle effortlessly blocked the attack, then slid past Velesca ending up behind her, taking her head off with a backhanded swing of her sword.
Silence. For several long moments, no sound could be heard.
Then almost as one, the entire tribe knelt before their queen. Gabrielle waited for several heartbeats.
"Rise." She ordered. They stood, awaiting her next command.
Gabrielle wiped her sword on Velesca's clothes and sheathed them. She turned as she heard footsteps approaching. Ephiny held her cloak out to her, she took it and started walking towards the platform, the crowd parting before her.
She ascended the platform, picked up the queen's mask, turned to the crowd, and put it on.
Thunderous cheers filled the air. Gabrielle let this continue for several minutes.
Finally, she raised her hands to quiet the crowd. Silence descended.
She lifted the mask, "I was saddened to hear of Queen Melosa's death. I know she was well-loved by the tribe." She paused,
"I would like to apologize for disappearing so abruptly the first time I was here. Unfortunately, it was necessary at the time. Please, do not ask me where I've been, I will not discuss it. I will do my best to be a good queen and help our nation grow and prosper."
With that said, she turned and descended from the platform, finding Ephiny by her side.
"Allow me to show you to your quarters, Your Majesty." Ephiny said, gesturing in the direction they needed to go.
Ephiny led her to the queen's hut, which would be hers now.
Gabrielle walked through the door, taking in the room with a glance around. It was spacious, with a large bed, a desk, and a table with chairs around it. There were a few decorations on the walls, as well as a few weapons. She hung her cloak on a peg beside the door, then walked over and sat behind the desk.
Ephiny stood by the door, watching her new queen for several minutes.
"She's changed, alot. I wonder where she's been all this time and why she won't talk about it? She looks older, more serious. She's no longer that innocent, clueless, young chatterbox.
And those muscles... Damn.
What's she been doing, moving boulders?
And the move she used on Velesca, where did she learn that? She moved so fast I almost missed it. She killed Velesca like it was nothing, no hesitation, no emotion. What is Xena gonna say when she finds out Gabrielle is back, and is definitely not the same young woman she left as."
Gabrielle watched the Amazon's shifting expressions and could guess what she was thinking. She chuckled silently. Let them wonder.
"So, are you just gonna stand there?" Gabrielle asked, pulling Ephiny from her thoughts.
"Um, no, actually I need to go send word to Xena that you've returned." Ephiny turned to leave but was stopped by a firm command.
"No!" Gabrielle told her.
"Melosa promised that if we ever found you, she would send word. I intend to keep that promise." Ephiny argued.
Gabrielle gave her a cold stare. "I can appreciate your loyalty to Melosa. However, she is no longer here, and I am queen now. I do not want Xena to know I'm here. That is an order. And before you ask.. don't."
Ephiny was shocked by the intensity in Gabrielle's eyes and the cold power she could feel radiating from her.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ephiny said softly. Not knowing what else to do.
"Damn, I wasn't expecting that. What the hell did Xena do to piss her off that badly. I'll have to remember to never piss her off. I think it would be bad for my health."
"Good. Glad we got that settled. Now tell me about life in the village." Gabrielle said, in a much lighter tone.
So, Ephiny did.
Gabrielle settled into a mostly quiet life as queen. She implemented several changes to their training. She created and taught several classes, sharing her knowledge and experience. She named Ephiny as her second and chose a handful of her best fighters to be captains of the various squads she created. She formed her own Amazon army.
She also brokered peace treaties and trade agreements with the surrounding villages, including the centaurs.
The nation prospered under her rule.