Chapter 18: Unexpected News
In the following weeks, the palace underwent drastic changes. Ulysses approved everything Xena wanted to do without hesitation. Zephyra now occupied the large room that was next to Xena's and Ulysses' bed chamber. As promised, the women now had their own rooms. Even the new bath hall was now complete, however, only Xena, Ulysses, Gabrielle, and Zephyra could use it. Xena had it installed close to their bed chambers.
Xena made her way to the training grounds. Ulysses told her that he would be out there today training with their soldiers. Zephyra followed next to Xena, trying to engage her into small conversation but she noticed she was doing all the talking.
"Are you okay, my lady?" Zephyra asked.
"Yeah, just feeling kind of weird. I'm really tired today," Xena replied. Zephyra nodded in understanding. As they turned the corner, Gabrielle joined them.
"What's on the agenda?" Gabrielle asked eagerly.
"I'm going to watch Ulysses and the soldiers on the training grounds," Xena answered in a softer than normal voice.
"Can I come too?" Gabrielle asked.
"Sure," Xena said, trying to sound normal, but Gabrielle could see through her. She leaned in and whispered, softly touching her back,
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, just a little tired, that's all."
"Ah, Ulysses kept you up, huh?" Gabrielle teased.
Xena smiled and kept walking. A footmen brought a throne chair for Xena to sit in and another chair for Gabrielle and Zephyra.
"Wow, it's incredibly hot out here," Xena said, breaking out in a sweat. At the same time, Zephyra and Gabrielle both turned to one of the guards and told him to bring a fanning leaf. He immediately returned and a stablemaid began fanning Xena. Ulysses noticed Xena's presence and walked eagerly to greet her. He grabbed her hand and kissed it lovingly.
"Good morning, my queen," he said. She smiled tenderly at him.
"Are you hot again?" he asked, noticing the sweat beading on her face.
"Yeah."
Ulysses then told one of the guards to bring Xena some water at once. Xena took one sip of the water, but the taste was awful, and it made her stomach churn. She set the glass down on the ground next to her. Gabrielle eyed her warily but didn't say anything. As the men trained and tried to impress Xena with their skills and flips, some of the soldiers burst out laughing.
"You're so boring, you put Lady Xena to sleep," one of the soldiers joked. Ulysses heard them and turned his head to see Xena dozing off. Gabrielle saw Ulysses heading towards them and noticed Xena's head bouncing as she tried to fight her sleep. Ulysses grabbed her by the hand and made her stand on her feet.
"Come on, you need to take a nap." Before they walked away, Zephyra leaned into Ulysses' ear and whispered,
"She said she was very tired today." Ulysses nodded and they both went into one of the sunrooms. Xena laid on a lounge chair big enough for her to spread out comfortably.
"Rest, my queen," he told her. When he walked out, he instructed one of the stablemaids to fan Xena to ensure she kept cool while she slept.
Later, Zephyra walked into the sunroom with Xena's lunch. Xena was still sleeping.
"Xena," she said softly, waking her up.
"I brought your lunch."
"I'm not hungry," Xena replied, pushing the food away.
"But my lady, you didn't eat breakfast either. You must be starving." Xena reluctantly took the food tray. She bit into her sandwich and chewed slowly. Five minutes later, Zephyra was holding Xena's hair back while she puked all over the floor. She wiped Xena's mouth and helped her lay back.
She stepped out of the room and informed the staff members that there was a mess that needed to be tended to. She then went back to remove Xena from the room. As she walked with Xena, with her arm around her, she said,
"Maybe you should see the healer and see if she can give you something to settle your stomach?" Xena sighed. She hated being examined.
"I just need to get a little more sleep and I should be fine." Zephyra nodded, not believing Xena at all, as she helped her to her bedchamber. Once Xena was settled into bed, Zephyra went to find Ulysses. She found him still on the training grounds, discussing tactics with his soldiers. She waited until he finished speaking before approaching him.
"My lord," she began, "I think you need to come quickly. Lady Xena is not well." Ulysses' face immediately showed concern.
"What's wrong with her?"
"She's been very tired, and she just threw up her lunch. She insists she's fine, but I think she needs to see the healer." Ulysses nodded.
"Thank you, Zephyra. I'll go to her at once." He hurried back to the palace, finding Xena resting uneasily in their bed. He sat beside her, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"My love, Zephyra told me you're not feeling well. We should call the healer." Xena sighed, feeling comforted by his presence.
"I'm fine, really."
"Fine, once Mykaleia confirms that, then I'll stop worrying," Ulysses said firmly. He kissed her forehead before leaving the room to find the healer, his heart heavy with concern for his queen. Ulysses paced the hall while Mykaleia conducted a full exam on Xena. Gabrielle and Zephyra were in the hall with him, just as eager and worried.
"Xena," Mykaleia said softly as she finished her examination.
"I'm done." Xena nodded. "I'm perfectly fine, right?" Mykaleia agreed,
"Yes, you aren't sick."
"Right, like I thought. I just knew I needed a little more rest. The heat is getting to me," Xena said, trying to sound confident. Mykaleia interjected,
"Not quite."
"What do you mean?" Xena asked, her curiosity rose.
"My lady, you're with child," Mykaleia announced gently. Xena's mouth dropped as she looked down at her stomach.
"Are you sure?" she asked in a small voice, needing reassurance.
"Yes, I'm positive," Mykaleia affirmed. Xena dismissed her, and as Mykaleia left, she was bombarded with questions from the waiting trio.
"I think you need to go in there and talk to Xena," Mykaleia told them. She then touched Gabrielle's and Zephyra's arms, adding,
"Let Ulysses go in there and talk to her first." They looked at each other worriedly. Ulysses took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he feared might be disturbing news, and walked into the room.
"Hey, my love," he said softly.
"Hey," Xena replied, her voice equally soft. He grabbed her hand,
"Whatever she told you, we will get through it together." Xena smiled at him.
"I sure hope so because I'm going to need your help."
"What did she say?" he asked, his heart pounding. Xena looked at him tenderly and led their hands to her belly.
"She said I'm with child." Ulysses looked at her with wide eyes, then down at her belly. His initial shock turned into a wide grin. He laughed joyfully and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"This is wonderful news, my love," he said, rubbing the back of her head affectionately. "Wonderful news." Xena nestled into his embrace, feeling relieved that he was excited.
"I couldn't believe it at first. I just thought I was tired." Ulysses pulled back slightly to look into her eyes.
"We're going to have a baby together," he said, the reality sinking in. Xena nodded, her eyes filling with happy tears.
"Yes, we are."
"We need to tell the others," Ulysses said, his excitement growing.
"They've been so worried." They walked hand-in-hand out of the room, Ulysses' arm protectively around Xena's waist. Gabrielle and Zephyra looked up with anxious expressions on their faces.
"What's the news?" Gabrielle asked. Xena smiled at them.
"I'm not sick. I'm...I'm going to have a baby." Gabrielle's face lit up with joy, and she rushed forward to hug Xena.
"Oh, Xena, that's amazing!" Zephyra, too, beamed with happiness.
"Congratulations, my lady!"
"We're going to need your help, all of you," Ulysses said, his voice full of warmth.
"This is a joyous occasion, and we want everyone to be a part of it." Gabrielle nodded eagerly.
"Of course! Whatever you need." Zephyra added,
"We'll make sure everything is taken care of so you can rest and take care of yourself." Xena felt a wave of gratitude. She was surrounded by people who loved her and were ready to support her through this new chapter.
"Thank you, all of you. This means so much to us."
Ares laid sprawled across his throne, his body slumped in a drunken depression. The weight in his chest felt like a boulder, pressing down with an unbearable force. His rage simmered, threatening to erupt at any moment. Aphrodite appeared in a shimmer of light, her presence irritating him further.
"Hey, handsome," she said, her voice honeyed and sweet. In a fit of anger, Ares threw his cup at her. She shrieked and dodged it. The cup shattered against the stone wall.
"Hey, what's your problem?" she demanded, her tone a mix of annoyance and concern.
"I know why you're here, and I'd prefer you leave," Ares growled, his eyes narrowing. Aphrodite sighed, her expression softening.
"Oh, so you know the warrior babe is pregnant, huh?" Ares' anger flared, and he materialized a fireball within his hands, the flames dancing dangerously.
"What did I tell you?" he said through gritted teeth. Aphrodite held her hands up in a gesture of peace.
"Calm down. I just came to see how you were holding up."
"Leave," Ares said in a low, threatening voice, the fireball still crackling in his hand. Aphrodite sighed again and disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Ares alone with his anger and jealousy.
"Peace, huh?" Ares muttered to himself, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Not if I can help it." He burst out in a loud, resounding laughter that echoed through the chamber, the sound filled with malevolence and a hint of madness. His mind raced with thoughts of revenge and chaos, plotting ways to disrupt the fragile happiness Xena had found. The doors to his throne room creaked open, and Strife slipped inside.
"Uncle Ares, I heard you might need some assistance," he said with a sly grin. Ares smirked,
"You heard correctly. Xena's peace is our enemy. We need to remind her of what true war feels like." Strife's eyes lit up with excitement.
"What's the plan?" Ares leaned back in his throne, his mind already crafting a devious scheme.
"We'll start by sowing discord among her allies. Turn her closest friends against her. Make her doubt everything and everyone." Strife rubbed his hands together eagerly.
"I love it. Where do we begin?" Ares' grin widened, his eyes glinting with malicious intent.
"With Gabrielle. She's always been Xena's rock. It's time to shake that foundation." Strife nodded and disappeared to set the plan in motion, leaving Ares to revel in his dark thoughts. He imagined the chaos and turmoil he would unleash, the sweet taste of revenge against the warrior who dared to defy him and find happiness without him.
"Enjoy your peace while it lasts, Xena," he muttered to himself, his laughter once again filling the throne room.
"For soon, you'll remember why they call me the God of War."
Gabrielle was sleep in her bed, her breathing soft and steady. Strife materialized above her with a wicked grin on his face. He blew a fine powder over her, causing her to sneeze and turn over. Strife laughed quietly and disappeared. His work was done.
The following day, Gabrielle woke up feeling unusually refreshed and full of energy. She decided to check on Xena, curious about how she was feeling. Eagerly, she made her way to Xena's bed chambers. Just as she was about to knock, Ulysses opened the door.
"Gabrielle," he said, surprised. "I'm sure you're here to see about Xena. She's still resting, but I'm sure she'll be pleased to have you by her side."
"Thank you," Gabrielle said, stepping inside. She walked over and sat on the bed next to Xena. Xena stirred and opened her eyes. Gabrielle took her hand.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired." A few quiet moments passed before Gabrielle asked,
"Are you going to keep this baby?" Xena looked at her, puzzled.
"What are you saying?" Gabrielle laughed and stood up.
"Come on, Xena, don't act like you deserve the mother of the year award."
"I never said I did," Xena said, her voice filled with regret.
"If you have this baby, you'll be an embarrassment for the whole kingdom," Gabrielle said.
"Why do you think that?" Xena asked, her heart sinking.
"Ulysses asked you for your hand in marriage only to bed you whenever he pleased. You stupidly fell for his trap, thinking that he loves you," Gabrielle scoffed.
"Now you're pregnant by him, and you really think he's going to claim this baby? Ain't no way in Tartarus he will. Has he even said anything about the wedding to you?" Xena was silent, the truth of Gabrielle's words hitting her hard.
"That's what I thought," Gabrielle continued.
"You and that baby are going to be banished from the palace before you give birth, and he'll find a new queen that he really loves. All of Greece will laugh at you. Ugh, and wait until Cyrene hears about how stupid you are." Xena looked down, her heart breaking. Ulysses had said nothing about their wedding. Gabrielle went on,
"Well, I hope you give a damn about this baby since you clearly didn't give one about Solan."
"Get out," Xena said angrily, her voice shaking.
"Get out, get out!"
"Truth hurts, doesn't it, Xena? I wouldn't be your friend if I didn't tell you." With that, Gabrielle turned and left. Xena sat there, tears streaming down her face. Gabrielle's words echoed in her mind, each one like a dagger to her heart. She felt broken, her confidence shattered. Was Gabrielle right? Would Ulysses abandon her and their child? Would she be banished and humiliated?
She looked down at her stomach, her hand trembling as she placed it over the small life growing inside her. The fear and doubt gnawed at her, but a small part of her still held onto hope. She had to believe that Ulysses loved her, that he would stand by her and their child.
But the seeds of doubt had been planted, and they took root quickly. She thought about Solan and the pain of giving him away. Could she protect this child from the harsh world they lived in?
As the hours passed, Xena's mind continued to race. She felt a deep weariness settle over her, both physically and emotionally. She knew she needed to talk to Ulysses, to hear from him directly. But she also knew that she needed to find her own strength, in case things turned for the worse.
She laid back down, her mind still churning with thoughts and emotions. She closed her eyes, trying to find some form of peace, but sleep avoided her. The words of Gabrielle kept replaying in her mind and she needed to uncover the truth immediately.
Zephyra saw Gabrielle leaving Xena's room and hurried over, curiosity in her eyes.
"Hey, Gabrielle," Zephyra called out.
"Is Lady Xena awake?" Gabrielle turned, her face calm and composed.
"Oh no, she just fell asleep. That's when I left out." Zephyra's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Oh, okay. I'll check on her later then." She offered Gabrielle a small smile before turning and walking away.
As Zephyra made her way down the corridor, her thoughts drifted to Xena. She hoped that Xena was finding some rest and peace, especially after the stressful events of the week. The palace seemed quieter, the air heavy with a sense of anticipation and unease. She decided to check in with Ulysses, hoping he might have some insight into Xena's condition. Turning a corner, she nearly bumped into Ulysses himself.
"Oh, sorry!" she exclaimed.
"Zephyra, no need to apologize," Ulysses said, a slight smile on his face.
"How can I help you?"
"I was just checking to see how Lady Xena is doing. Gabrielle said she just fell asleep," Zephyra explained. Ulysses nodded, a hint of worry still in his eyes.
"Yes, she's resting now. It's been a rough week for her." Zephyra nodded in understanding.
"I'll keep an eye on her, make sure she has everything she needs."
"Thank you, Zephyra," appreciating her dedication.
Zephyra offered a reassuring smile before continuing on her way, feeling a bit lighter knowing that she could still be of service. As she walked through the palace, she couldn't help but feel a closeness with Xena, understanding that even the strongest among them needed support and care. Even with so many people in the palace that cared about Xena, she would personally ensure that Xena felt loved and supported.
