SCROLL V: BLOODLINES
SUMMARY:
Following the confusion and chaos surrounding Xena's pregnancy, Xena and Gabrielle enjoy their lives in the secret Amazon village with their baby daughter, Aurora. But all too soon their lives are once again thrown into disarray when Aurora is kidnapped by unexpected enemies in a twisted quest for revenge. Leaving Xena and Gabrielle desperate and willing to risk everything to get their daughter back before it's too late..
-NOTES:
-This is the 5th story in my
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series.Following :
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL I: THE NEW ORDER
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL II: THE GREAT CAMPAIGN WITHIN THE DOMAIN
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL III: MUTINY IN THE MONARCHY
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL IV: A FRUITFUL STATE OF SKEPTICISM
So it's highly suggested you read those in order before this one if you haven't already. As this is a direct sequel and knowing the events and/or characters introduced in the previous stories are important for understanding the plot of this story.
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INTRO QUOTE:
"Before you embark on the path of revenge, you had better have dug two graves."
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Pt.1
Darkness stretched across everything. Engulfing all it touched. A silence hung in the cool air as all that could be heard were the sounds of the creatures of the night. Shadows lingered from the fire of the torches planted in the dirt as the flames attempted to keep the ever incroaching darkness at bay. While in a black room two figures layed unmoving, seemingly dead to the dark world around them. Silence lingered for a long time until a a loud clrack of thunder split through the darkness followed by a cry that then echoed through the night. Slowly a small groan came from one of the figures as after a moment it moved and slowly rose, shuddering as bare feet moved accross the cold floor as they moved towards the source of cry. After feeling around in the darkness for a few moments a light suddenly appeared as a small flame was lit and a shadow stretched across a now dimly lit room. Slowly the figure continued towards the sound as the low light from the flame followed along with the figure through the room until it stopped, lingering next to a small, wooden container with no top. After setting down a candle down to the figure reached into the container and slowly lifted a small, crying baby out.
?1
I think I know just what to do with you.
The figure turned around and walked off carrying the child. A moment later another figure shifted as the first approach with the baby.
?1
Now let's quiet you down.
?2
You want me to take care of this?
Another small light was lit from a candle as the second figure rose and the room was brightened revealing the figures in a soft glow as the first continued walking.
XENA
No I got her.
Gabrielle smiled as Xena got back in bed holding their daughter Aurora in her arms.
XENA
I think the thunder just woke her up is all.
Xena began softly singing a lullaby as she gently rocked the baby in her arms. Gabrielle layed there as she turned to her side and watched as Xena calmed the child down and got her back to sleep. Soon after both Xena and Gabrielle got comfortable as they too drifted off once again. Several months had gone by since the baby was born as it had been over a year since Xena and Gabrielle had first decided to stay in the secret Amazon village of the Sapphire Snow Owl Tribe. Life was going well for the happy little family. Dispite Xena's initial shock and confusion at getting pregnant. And Gabrielle's trouble with the new Amazon's she had brought into the village. Everything had worked out in the end as the goddess Artemis stepped in to help. Thanks to the goddess the fighting that had been caused by fear and mistrust between the villagers and the visiting Amazon's were stopped as everyone had found common ground and the village began to flourish just as Gabrielle had hoped. And after Xena and Gabrielle were told by Artemis that Xena's pregnancy was the product of they goddess' magic to give Xena and Gabrielle a child that was from the both of them, the two couldn't have been happier to learn that they were going to be raising a child together. And even after a number of months had gone by Xena and Gabrielle were still in amazement that they were actually building a family together. Something that being their they were both women, they simply didn't ever consider to be a possibility. But now they were adjusting to their new lives as mothers to their beautiful baby girl that they had decided to name Aurora. Who had quickly become fairly popular within the village as the other women welcomed the new addition to their queen's family with open and loving arms. Morning soon came as the storm passed giving way to a beautiful day as Xena held open the door for Gabrielle as she walked outside carrying baby Aurora in her arms with Xena following right behind. As per their typical morning routine, the two headed to the mess hall with their little one to get some breakfast.
SKYLA
Aww there's the cutest princess in the whole village.
Skyla smiled as she saw Xena and Gabrielle with Aurora in her arms come to the table where she, Clover, Iris, Fauna, Willow, Cora, Celine, Ephiny and Amarice sat already eating.
XENA
(Joking) Thanks.
Skyla shook her head at Xena's joke as Xena put both her and Gabrielle's plates of food down and sat down on the beach as Gabrielle sat beside her and held Aurora in her lap as everyone chatted and ate.
EPHINY
You know you're wrong by the way Skyla.
Skyla looked over at Ephiny.
SKYLA
What are you talking about?
EPHINY
Just as Xena, Gabrielle and the baby came over you called her princess.
SKYLA
Yeah? She's our queen's daughter so that makes Aurora a princess.
EPHINY
Actually technically it doesn't.
Now Gabrielle found herself interested in Ephiny and Skyla's conversation and couldn't help but chime in.
GABRIELLE
But Aurora's my daughter and since I'm queen I thought that automatically made her an Amazon princess.
EPHINY
While she is your daughter this is more complicated than normal.
GABRIELLE
More complicated than normal, why?
XENA
It's because you didn't give birth to her.
Xena looked at Ephiny as she took a bite of her food.
XENA
Isn't that right?
EPHINY
Yeah that's pretty much it.
Gabrielle looked at Xena for a moment who was next to her then back across the table where Ephiny sat.
GABRIELLE
But by blood she's my child too.
EPHINY
(Sighing) I know that Gabrielle. But the way the Amazonian law is written it states that after the queen gives birth should the child be a girl the right of caste is given to the child in a ceremony once the child is a few weeks old making her officially an American princess.
Gabrielle sighed as she felt slightly disappointed that her daughter wasn't considered a princess because she wasn't the one who gave birth to her. She was then brought out of her thoughts when Aurora became fussy.
XENA
Here let me take her.
Gabrielle handed Aurora off to Xena who got the baby to settle down with her own morning meal. Once the baby was happily nursing, Xena's attention returned to the conversation they had been having which continued on for a bit.
GABRIELLE
I know it might sound silly but I just wish that Aurora could be considered an Amazon. I mean she is my daughter.
Xena smiled at her.
XENA
I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you'll remember Gabrielle, you weren't born an Amazon either but you still became queen.
Gabrielle paused for a moment as the realization of what Xena had said sunk in. Then she looked at Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
Wait didn't you say that the baby didn't receive the right of caste until a bit after they were born.
Ephiny smirked as she realized that Gabrielle had finally figured out how she had worded that.
EPHINY
Yes.
GABRIELLE
And since I wasn't born an Amazon either I still inharited the role of princess and then queen after I was given the right of caste.
EPHINY
So you did.
GABRIELLE
So we could give Aurora her right of caste and that would officially make her both an Amazon and since she's my daughter a princess.
Ephiny chuckled a bit.
EPHINY
I knew you'd figure it out on your own eventually.
Gabrielle thought to herself for a brief moment before speaking again.
GABRIELLE
Princess Aurora, that has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
Gabrielle smiled as she looked at Aurora still in Xena's arms having her breakfast, then at Xena as she realized that she and Xena hadn't even discussed if being an Amazon was something they wanted for their child. Gabrielle knew that she would love for their daughter to officially be a part of the Amazon's, which aside from Xena had become her family and where she felt the most at home. But she hadn't given any thought to whether or not Xena wanted the child they shared to actually be a part of this world.
GABRIELLE
I mean if that's what you wanna do.
Xena smiled.
XENA
Of course I'd love nothing more than to have our daughter become a part of the Amazon's.
Xena finished feeding the baby and gave her back to Gabrielle. Then she grabbed her and Gabrielle's now empty plates as she stood up.
XENA
And if she's anything like one of her mothers, I know that someday she'll be an amazing queen.
Gabrielle smiled as Xena placed a loving kiss on the top of her head and walked off the put their plates with the other dirty dishes to be cleaned by someone later. Gabrielle looked down at the baby in her arms as smiled before she looked up at Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
So when can we give Aurora her right of caste?
EPHINY
We can have the ceremony ready in a day or two if you want.
Gabrielle was quite for a moment before she felt Xena's hand on her shoulder and that was all she needed to know for certain that this was what they wanted.
GABRIELLE
It is.
EPHINY
I'll start making the arrangements after breakfast.
Gabrielle looked at Aurora.
GABRIELLE
You hear that Aurora? You're gonna be our little princess.
Gabrielle's attention was drawn away from the little one in her arms as Celine stood from her seat and picked up her cup.
CELINE
I don't know about you guys but I think this deserves a celebration.
She raised her cup in the air as she spoke loudly so the whole mess hall could hear her.
CELINE
To Aurora, the daughter of queen Gabrielle and Xena. And our soon to be princess of the Amazons.
Everyone at the table raised their cups as the rest of the women in the mess hall did as well. And echoed the words "to Aurora". Including Xena and Gabrielle.
XENA/ GABRIELLE
To Aurora.
Everyone took a sip of whatever they were already drinking and cheered. The sudden ruckus causing the baby to become scared and start to cry as Gabrielle smiled and comforted her daughter. Following breakfast Ephiny began making the preparations for the ceremony to make Aurora an official Amazon that would take place in a few days. As soon the excitement for Aurora officially becoming an Amazon spread throughout the village. Until finally the day of the ceremony arrived.