With a strange, yet not unpleasant sensation, Gabrielle found herself in a spacious hall of white marble. Looking around she notices the area is nicely furnished and has a comfortable feel to it.
"Welcome to my home. Please, make yourself comfortable. " Athena tells her with a warm smile. "Can I get you anything? Would you like some wine?" She asks.
Gabrielle, still taking in her surroundings, settles herself in a soft comfortable chair and replies, "No, thank you. I would like some water though, if that's possible?"
"Of course." Athena replies, and with a wave of her hand a goblet appears on the table next to Gabrielle. She picks it up and takes a sip, pleased with the sweet, refreshing taste.
"Thank you." She says to the goddess.
"You're welcome." Athena says with a warm smile.
"Where's Artemis?" Gabrielle asks, looking around, realizing the other goddess didn't join them.
"She's giving us a chance to talk privately." Athena replies.
Setting the goblet back down on the table, Gabrielle folds her hands in her lap and looks up at Athena with a curious expression and asks mildly, "So, what was it that you wanted to talk about?"
With a far off look and a sad smile Athena began, her voice held a tone of remembered grief. "Many years ago, I fell in love with a mortal. He was an acolyte of mine, one of my best warriors. He was kind and gentle, an honorable man with a good heart.
Our joining produced a child, a daughter. Unfortunately, back then Hera was still livid over Hercules, other half mortal children would have been unwelcome. So I left our daughter to be raised by her father. Artemis and I bound her powers so that as she grew she would not reveal her true heritage. My beloved took our daughter and settled down in a small quiet village. I tried to visit often and spend as much time there as possible without drawing attention to myself from the other gods. One day a group of raiders came to the village, and my beloved being the kind of man he was, stood against them. He defeated the raiders, but was mortally wounded during the fight. By the time I realized what had happened, I was too late to save him. I couldn't risk bringing our daughter here to Olympus and I couldn't stay there to raise her, so she was placed with a young couple who were having difficulties having a child of their own. I would still visit as often as I could, but as the child grew I kept my distance to keep her safe."
Gabrielle sat there quietly listening to Athena share her story. Her heart went out to the goddess for the tragedy she had suffered.
"Athena, I'm so sorry." Gabrielle said, eyes glistening with barely restrained tears. "I don't understand, why would you tell me something so personal? I'm a stranger."
Athena looked over at Gabrielle and with a warm gentle smile said, "Gabrielle, you are that child. You are my daughter."
Hearing Athena's last words had stunned the young woman beyond all thought. She sat there trying, with great difficulty, to wrap her mind around this startling revelation.
"No, that's not possible." She thought to herself. "I can't be half god, can I? Well that would explain a few things. I always knew I was different. I never really fit in with the people back home, and I don't really resemble my parents. Xena had even commented on it, jokingly asking if I was adopted because I'm so different from them.
Oh hades! What's Xena gonna say when I tell her. She's gonna flip. She doesn't trust gods. Does that mean she won't trust me? Maybe I shouldn't tell her. Can I keep a secret like this from her? What if she finds out and realizes that I didn't tell her? She would hate me. Okay Gabrielle pull yourself together and deal with this."
Gabrielle gave herself a little shake and looked up at Athena, who had been patiently waiting to see how the young woman would react. "Why now?" Gabrielle asked softly.
"Why tell me now, after all this time?"
Athena regarded the young woman for several long seconds, smiled, then said,
"Well, first and most importantly, Hera has mellowed over the years regarding demi-gods. Which means I can finally formally acknowledge you as my daughter.
Secondly, Artemis and I have been watching you very closely since you left home. We thought now would be a good time to tell you of your heritage since you received the rite of caste and you are now an amazon princess and one day you will be queen. You will need the skills of a warrior to rule the Amazons. For now, Melosa is queen and ruler of the Amazons, but eventually when she steps down or dies, that responsibility will pass to you. At that time, you will have to choose, either to take your rightful place as queen or appoint a regent to rule on your behalf."
Gabrielle's eyes unfocused, her gaze turning inward as she thought about what Athena had said. Following this line of thought to its logical conclusion, realization dawned.
"Oh gods! She means I will have to choose between being queen and staying with Xena! Could I leave Xena to stay with the Amazons? Should I? If so, wouldn't it be better to do that now, rather than later? Of course, if Xena finds out about my true heritage and reacts poorly, which is more than likely, that won't matter."
Athena stood quietly, watching the range of emotions playing across Gabrielle's face. She could guess what her thoughts were. Athena walked over and sat in a chair next to Gabrielle.
Gabrielle looked over at Athena, her expression filled with anguish . "I will have to choose, won't I, between ruling the Amazons or staying with Xena."
"Unfortunately, yes, I believe you will have to choose, eventually. I don't know if you've noticed, but Xena doesn't want you to be a warrior." Athena said, sadly.
"Yes she does! She's going to teach me."
Gabrielle said, forcefully.
"Is she? Has she taught you anything about being a warrior since you've been with her?"
Athena asked gently, not wanting to upset the young woman.
Gabrielle thought back on the things Xena had taught her since they began traveling together.
"Well, she's taught me alot about what not to do. That my actions have consequences, and to take responsibility for them. How to set up camp, and foraging. I guess mostly the lessons have been about survival and not making mistakes. Now that I think about it, she hasn't taught me how to fight or defend myself, and when I've asked, she gets mad and avoids it. Her lessons did save me from Morpheus, but that was about not fighting. Why would she stop me from being a warrior? She knows that's what I want."
"Do you? Are you absolutely certain that's what you want? Athena asked, seriously.
"Like all parents, I often wondered over the years what your future would hold. Would you marry and have children? Be a poet or bard, maybe a teacher? Have a peaceful, happy life settled in a small village. Or would your warrior heritage and kind heart lead you to a life of adventure like it did your father? A warrior, a guardian, protecting the weak and righting the wrongs of the world." The smile faded, Athena gave Gabrielle a serious look, and firmly stated, "Being a warrior is a hard life, Gabrielle." Then asked her pointedly, "Is this really the path you want to follow?"
Gabrielle looked down at her hands, and thought back on the last several months with Xena, and everything she had experienced in that time. She thought about the fighting and bloodshed, her fear and anxiety during those times. She remembered the things Xena had told her about the dangers of picking up a weapon and being a target. And Xena was right, of course. However, Gabrielle couldn't stop this almost overwhelming need to rush in and join the fight, especially when others were in danger. It was a part of her, and no matter what Xena said, that part would not be denied. Then she remembered the way she felt after successfully defending Xena against the people of her village, who were ready to kill Xena for past grievances. She had talked her way out of that, but words or weapons made no difference in her need to defend others. It was simply who she was.
Gabrielle looked up at Athena then, and with a squaring of her shoulders and a steely glint in her eye, she said, "Yes, it is."
Athena gave Gabrielle a warm knowing smile, and a slight nod, letting the young woman know that she accepted this decision and supported it.
Gabrielle returned the smile, a look of relief crossing her face.
"Gabrielle, do you trust me?" Athena asked seriously.
Surprised by the goddess's question, but wanting to give an honest answer, Gabrielle studied the goddess for several minutes before softly saying, "Yes."
Athena smiled, looking pleased by her answer.
Then she asked, "Are you going to tell Xena about being a demigod?"
Gabrielle stiffened at this and with a pained look said, "I don't know. Part of me wants to, she's my best friend. I want to share this with her, but I'm not sure how she'll react.
Athena thought for a moment and asked,
"Which is more important to you, being a warrior or staying with Xena?"
"Do I have to choose? One is my greatest wish, the other my greatest desire." Gabrielle thought to herself. Apparently, her thoughts were showing in her expression.
Athena regarded Gabrielle solemnly and spoke softly, "You're in love with her." It was a statement, not a question.
Gabrielle focused her gaze on the goddess, shock and surprise showing on her face. Then her eyes softened, and a blush rose to her cheeks. "Yes." Gabrielle replied just as softly.
Athena nodded in understanding. "Does she know how you feel?" Athena asked.
Gabrielle gave a slight shake of her head. "I don't think so. I haven't told her, but with her it's hard to say, she's very perceptive. It doesn't matter anyway. I'm sure she doesn't have feelings for me. I got the impression she's into bad boys.
I'm just a young village girl and she's this worldly warrior. What would she even see in me? Besides, when Xena finds out I'm half god she won't want anything to do with me anyway. She doesn't trust gods."
Gabrielle's shoulders slumped and a sad, apologetic look appeared on her face.
Athena sighed, "I'm sorry Gabrielle. I know how hard this is for you. I wish I could make this easier on you. Unfortunately, you will have to choose to either continue traveling with Xena and see what happens or you could come here to Olympus for a while, Artemis and I could train you. I also need to know if you would like your power restored."
Gabrielle knew Athena was right, but she wanted to at least talk to Xena before making a decision. "I need some time to think before I decide."
Athena nodded, "I understand." Then she said hesitantly.
"I know circumstances have prevented us from having a relationship before now, but I hope that we can spend some time together to get to know one another better. No matter what you decide."
Athena said, with a hopeful look at her daughter. Gabrielle smiled, "I hope so as well. I would really like that."
Athena smiled, "Let's get you back to the Amazons." Athena stood and held out her hand, Gabrielle stood and took it willingly, knowing what to expect this time.
In a flash of light they were back.
Gabrielle turned to Athena. "Thank you, for everything." She said with sincerity.
Athena smiled, "You're welcome, Gabrielle.
When you've made your decision, call my name. Whatever you decide." She stepped forward and gave Gabrielle a quick hug. Then she was gone in a flash of light.