It was a quiet, yet tense trip as Gabrielle and Elle were escorted by the group of Amazons they had run into after inadvertently wandering into their borders. As the two walked among the other women they couldn't help but be fearful for what might happen to them after being brought before these women's queen.

ELLE
(Talking quietly) What do you think is gonna happen to us?

GABRIELLE
(Whisper) No idea. But what I'd really like to know is what I possibly could've done to anger the gods so much where I keep ending up in these situations.

EPHINY
(Stern tone) Quiet back there. Both of you.

The Amazon looked over her shoulder at the two young women as the group continued walking.

EPHINY
We'll be arriving in the village in a few minutes. You'll have plenty opportunity to talk when you're brought before our queen.

Gabrielle and Elle did as instructed and continued on in silence as it wasn't long until they found themselves standing at the entrance of what was clearly a large Amazon village. A couple of masked women met the group and greeted their fellow Amazons upon their return before allowing them to enter before Ephiny spoke with one of them.

EPHINY
Do you know if the queen is busy at the moment?

AMAZON
Not that I'm aware of. Why do you ask?

Ephiny stepped aside and motioned to Gabrielle and Elle standing behind her, still bound by the rope around their wrists.

EPHINY
We found them trespassing on our lands. They say that they wondered in by mistake.

VELASCA
As if we're supposed to believe that.

GABRIELLE
Hey it's the truth.

Velasca glared at Gabrielle.

VELASCA
(Sterb tone) No one was talking to you.

GABRIELLE
Well it is. We never meant to intrude on your lands, honest.

Velasca scoffed, still not believing them as Terreis spoke up next, addressing the Amazon who had been speaking with Ephiny.

TERREIS
Anyway, could you please tell mother that we need to see her.

AMAZON
Oh I see. Of course, I shall inform the queen right away.

The woman walked away as Gabrielle and Elle were escorted to a large cage that sat off to the far side of the village and were locked inside as they were then left alone.

GABRIELLE
Hey let us out of here!

Gabrielle shook at the sturdy wooden bars of the cage door as she shouted to the women passing by, trying to get free.

AMAZON
Don't worry you'll be let out soon enough when queen Melosa summons you. Though if I were you I'd enjoy the safety of that cage you're in now while you still have the chance.

The woman chuckled at the ominous comment as she walked away leaving Gabrielle with a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach as she leaned her forehead against the bars of the cage.

GABRIELLE
They're gonna kill us aren't they?

ELLE
Or something worse. From what I know about the Amazons, they really aren't to fond of people invading on their territory.

Gabrielle turned around and looked at Elle sitting on the ground as she leaned back against the bars opposite from her.

GABRIELLE
Well it's not like we did it on purpose. There aren't exactly any big signs put up saying that this is Amazon territory or anything. So you'd think they would be a bit more understanding of how something like this can very easily happen.

Elle shrugged as she gave Gabrielle a disappointing look.

ELLE
You know this never would've happened if you hadn't run off the way you did. We were perfectly safe back in the keep.

Gabrielle scowled.

GABRIELLE
Maybe you felt safe but I sure didn't. So there was no way I was gonna stay there any longer than I had to. Especially not around that woman.

Elle mirrored Gabrielle's expression at the disparaging remark about Xena.

ELLE
You can't seriously think the lord Conqueror would hurt you?

GABRIELLE
And why wouldn't I? Regardless of what you say about why she did it, I saw her mercilessly beat a man before killing him without even giving it a second thought.

ELLE
(Irritated tone) I told you before that he was responsible for the suffering of his own people.

GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) So that makes okay to just out right murder someone?

ELLE
(Irritated tone) In that case I think it is.

Gabrielle shook her head in disbelief.

GABRIELLE
I don't believe this. I get that you probably have personal reasons for not being upset about his death, given that you lived in that city under his rule. But you can't be serious about supporting the man's out right murder. There are laws you know. I'm sure something could've been done to remove him from power another way.

ELLE
(Irritated tone) And how would you propose the residents of that city were supposed to do that? You do realize that if there's indifference and corruption at the top, in order to maintain that power that leader is going to fill as many of the other positions of power with people who either agree with the way they run things or yes men who are in it for their benefit or are too scared to go against them.

GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) Well if that's true, then which one of those are you?

Not liking the comparison that Gabrielle had just drawn between the Conqueror and the deceased Petrodes, Elle stood up and stormed over to her.

ELLE
(Angry tone) Now you listen to me Gabrielle, the lord Conqueror is nothing like that man. Understand?

GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) She might not do the exact same things but that woman is just as cold and heartless as any other tyrant I've heard of. I mean who else would hold someone against their will simply for their own benefit?! So you can say whatever you want Elle, it will never change the fact that your Conqueror is an evil, heartless woman who at the end of the day only cares about herself!

ELLE
(Angry tone) You know you think that you have everything all figured out when you really don't know anything!

GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) Oh trust me, I know plenty!

ELLE
(Angry tone) Oh yeah?!

GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) Yeah!

EPHINY
(Stern tone) Hey! That's enough out of you two.

Gabrielle and Elle looked over, beyond the bars of their cage to see the blonde Amazon coming over to them with several other women.

EPHINY
Half of the village can hear you both.

Gabrielle and Elle shot one another an angry glance as one of the Amazons unlocked the cage door and opened it.

EPHINY
Let's go. Our queen wants to see you.

Gabrielle and Elle were lead out of their cell and brought across the village's large courtyard. They followed the small group of armed Amazons up to a large platform where a decorative throne sat with a tall, dark haired masked woman standing in front of it. A crowd of women stood on the ground in front of the platform and turned their eyes to Gabrielle and Elle, before parting and making a clear path for Ephiny and the others to bring to two trespassers up to the platform. Once standing at the front of the crowd, Gabrielle looked up at the imposing masked woman that stood up on the platform as the blonde Amazon stepped in front of them and took a knee as she bowed her head.

EPHINY
My queen, these are the ones who were caught trespassing on our lands.

The masked woman nodded slightly and waved her hand, which was apparently a non verbal cue for the kneeling Ephiny to stand as the woman did just that and moved to stand off the side with several other of her fellow Amazons.

?
Tell me...

Hearing the woman's voice brought both Gabrielle and Elle's attention back to the masked woman in front of them and saw her raise from her seat before mowing forward a couple of steps.

?
For what purpose do you have to come into our designated lands uninvited?

GABRIELLE
Well like we've been trying to tell the other women who brought us here, us being on your land is purely an accident. We didn't even know that we were trespassing until we were met with those women.

?
I see. And where may I as did you think you were going?

GABRIELLE
Honestly I'm not completely sure where I was going. I was actually running away from where I had been when she followed me and we ended up where you're people found us.

The masked woman looked at Elle.

?
Is this true?

ELLE
Yes. I was actually trying to bring her back after she ran away from the lord Conqueror's keep.

?
The Conqueror's keep you say.

Gabrielle and Elle could hear the intrigue in the masked Amazons voice as Elle continued.

ELLE
Yes. In fact it's actually located not very far from here. There are plenty of people there who can tell you that we're both actually direct servant's to the lord Conqueror herself.

?
I see. Well if this is true then why was it that you're friend here ran off?

GABRIELLE
Because I never wanted to be there in the first place. That woman brought me there and kept me against my will. So when I finally got the opportunity to escape that place, I took it and just ran. I didn't even know that there were Amazons anywhere around here. I just wanted to escape from that place and look for my family.

?
Interesting. So since you were attempting to bring this young woman back am I to assume that you're also in service of the Conqueror as well?

ELLE
I am.

?
Interesting. Do you have proof of this?

GABRIELLE
Uhhh...

Gabrielle felt her anxiety rise even further than where it already was as she frantically tried to think of a way to prove she was telling the truth but had no clue as to how she could possibly do so. And what would even happen to her and Elle if she did have proof? Would these women kill them on the spot for being associated with the Conqueror? Had she and Elle just made their situation worse by mentioning that they had a connection to the woman?

ELLE
I do.

Gabrielle's panicked thoughts were suddenly set aside momentarily when she heard Elle speak.

ELLE
My hands are tied so I can't get it. But anytime I go anywhere I always carry the lord Conqueror's official marking with me for just such occasions. The same marking that she flies on all her banners and stamps on official documents. So if you have a treaty with her then you should be able to tell if it's real or not.

?
I see. Very well, let's see it.

The woman gestured to another to search Elle, who told the woman that she kept the parchment in her shoe for safe keeping. So after retrieving it, the woman brought the paper up to the queen who took and examined it closely. Finally after several long moments the queen handed the paper back to the woman who brought it to her and instructed it to be returned before returning her focus on Gabrielle and Elle.

?
So am I to assume that one of the two of you is named Elle?

ELLE
That would be me.

The woman looked back at the paper for another moment before folding it back up as she addressed Gabrielle and Elle.

?
It appears to be authentic. Very well I'll believe your story, for now.

Not liking this news, Velasca spoke up.

VELASCA
You can't be serious Melosa. They could've gotten that paper from anywhere. The fact that they have such a thing proves nothing.

The queen looked at Velasca disapprovingly.

MELOSA
I read it and it specifically mentions the girl by name

VELASCA
And who says they can't be lying about her name? You know full well the kind of threats our people face from outsiders, so why take the risk In trusting them?

MELOSA
Because I trust my instincts and the evidence presented before me.

VELASCA
(Irritated tone) So you're just going to let these trespassers go just like that? You're far too trusting Melosa and that's going to end up leading to our people's undoing.

The queen turned to face Velasca with a fierce look on her face.

MELOSA
(Stern tone) That's enough Velasca. You'll remember that I am your queen and unless you have a valid reason to challenge me for my throne, that's how it's going to stay. So I suggest that you show some respect. Because whither you agree with it or not, I know what I'm doing and unless proven otherwise, my decision on this matter is final.

Velasca scowled as the others in the crowd turned their eyes on her. She stood there silently for a long moment, her eyes locked in an intense glare at the Amazon queen who sat seemingly unphased by the other woman's obvious distain for her. Velasca didn't say anything more before finally turning away and storming off angerly through the crowd and leaving the immediate area. With the tense moment passed, Melosa's attention returned to her previous matter at hand as she addressed Gabrielle and Elle once more.

MELOSA
Given the fact I'm choosing to believe you're story, the two of you are free to go.

TERREIS
Mother?

The Amazon queen looked at her daughter who was walking over to her from where she had been standing off to the side of the queen's throne.

MELOSA
Yes Terreis?

TERREIS
It's gonna be getting dark soon. Do you really think it's safe to send the two of them out there by themselves? They didn't even have any weapons when we encountered them.

MELOSA
I suppose you do have a point. I wouldn't want to be responsible for sending innocent young women out into a potentially dangerous situation unnecessarily.

Melosa thought for a moment.

MELOSA
well then I think it would be alright if we allowed the two of them can stay the night I'm sure we can find somewhere for them to sleep.

The queen searched the crowd for a moment until she spotted the woman she was looking for.

MELOSA
Ephiny, why don't you take our visitors and show them to that empty hut that just got finished being fixed after Terreis plowed through the wall on a horse.

TERREIS
Oh why did you have to bring that up? I said I was sorry. The horse got spooked when I rode by the practice field and almost got hit with an arrow.

MELOSA
Which was why I had told you not to ride around that area with him.

The young Amazon rolled her eyes in response to her mother's comment as Melosa chuckled at her daughter's embracement. She then returned to speaking to Ephiny.

MELOSA
And because I'm certain that they're probably hungry by now, have someone bring them something to eat as well.

EPHINY
Yes my queen.

Ephiny walked over to where Gabrielle and Elle stood as she instructed them to follow her. As Gabrielle and Elle were lead away, Melosa disbursed the rest of the crowd to go about their business as Terreis spoke.

TERREIS
I'll meet you at home later mother. I think I'm gonna go with Ephiny and grab a bite to eat.

The young princess walked off in the same direction Ephiny had taken Gabrielle and Elle as Melosa stepped off the platform where her throne sat and watched back to her hut.

?
So who's the new girls?

Gabrielle and Elle sat down at a table with their plates of food as a couple of unfamiliar Amazons approached where they Ephiny and Terreis sat.

TERREIS
Oh this is Gabrielle and Elle.

The young princess motioned to each of them as she said their names to indicate who was who. The pair greeted the unknown Amazons who did the same in return.

TERREIS
And Gabrielle, Elle, this is Solari...

The young woman motioned to one of the Amazons.

TERREIS
and Eponin.

She gestured to the other woman.

GABRIELLE
Nice to meet you.

ELLE
Like wise.

The two Amazons greeted their visitors politely as everyone sat and ate as a number of the women carried on a casual conversation. And as they sat and ate their fill, Elle was surprised by Gabrielle's much more upbeat and chatty demeanor as she struck up a lively conversation with Terreis, who seemed to almost immediately take a liking to her.

GABRIELLE
I can't believe you actually live here Terreis. It's certainly different from where I grew up.

Gabrielle and Elle followed Terreis through the village as the young princess showed them around.

TERREIS
I'm glad you like it. Though I bet living with the Conqueror is far more extravagant. So I'm sure our humble little village pales in comparison to what the two of you must be used to.

Gabrielle lowered her head sadly.

GABRIELLE
Actually up until a little over a month ago I lived with my mother, father and younger sister in my home village of Potidea.

The small group stopped walking as Terreis looked at Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
The whole reason we even ended up here was because I ran away from the Conqueror's keep to try and find my sister and mother who were taken by slavers. They took a lot of people from my village and would have taken me too, but I somehow managed to escape. Only to end up in the wrong place and being taken captive by the Conqueror instead.

There was an awkward silence as Terreis wasn't sure how to respond.

TERREIS
Oh... I'm sorry Gabrielle. I didn't know. I didn't think the Conqueror kept slaves.

ELLE
She doesn't.

Gabrielle shot Elle a mean look.

GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) I was brought there against my will and she isn't paying me for anything I've been doing. So what would you call it?

ELLE
I don't know. I guess you're situation is different.

GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Gee I guess that just makes me special dosen't it?

Feeling things grow tense between Gabrielle and Elle, Terreis regretted bringing up that particular topic as she couldn't help but feel for Gabrielle as it seemed as though she'd been placed into an unfortunate situation.

TERREIS
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up a sensitive subject.

GABRIELLE
It's okay, you didn't know.

The trio resumed walking as Terreis continued to show Gabrielle and Elle around.

GABRIELLE
Wow this place is really amazing isn't. It's nothing like Potidea or really any other place I've seen.

Gabrielle turned away from the window in the small hut that she and Elle had been given to sleep in for the night after being escorted there after Terreis finished giving them a tour of the village.

ELLE
Yeah it's really something.

TERREIS
I'm happy I could show you both around.

The Amazon sat on the arm of a chair..

TERREIS
As you might've guessed we don't exactly get a lot of visitors and there really isn't anyone else around my age here, so I get pretty bored and even a bit lonely around here sometimes. So it's nice to have the two of you here. Even if it's just for tonight. I bet it must sound silly for me to say something like that when I live in a village full of people.

Gabrielle looked at Terreis.

GABRIELLE
I don't think that sounds silly at all. Even though I miss it now, back in Potidea I actually felt really alone. Don't get me wrong, I had my family and a few friends, but I just never felt like I really fit in there. Like I didn't belong.

ELLE
You really don't make any sense Gabrielle. I mean if you really felt so alone back in your village, then why would you wanna go back to that?

GABRIELLE
Because it's still my home. It's where everyone I love lives. And besides even if I did want to leave and strike out on my own to see the world, I wanted it to be my choice of where I went and what I did.
(Sad tone) But instead I just ended up trading simply feeling like a prisoner for actually being one instead.

It was late that night as Gabrielle laid awake in the dark room. She could have Elle sound asleep in the other small bed on the opposite side of the small bedroom. She carefully pulled back her covers and got out of bed as she slipped into her shoes and quietly snuck out of the room. Determined not to be sent back to the Conqueror's keep, Gabrielle moved to the front door of the hut and cracked the door open just enough for her to peek outside. Her heart sank however when she saw several women walking around, and figured from the fact that they were armed, that the women must've been some of the village's guards out on patrol. Disheartened, Gabrielle quietly shut the door and returned to bed.

EPHINY
Okay let's get going.

Morning came all too soon for Gabrielle as she found herself on the back of a horse behind Ephiny, with Elle riding with another of the village women as a small group of Amazons rode out of the village to escort Gabrielle and Elle back to the Conqueror's keep. Knowing that she couldn't fight or out run these women, Gabrielle sat on the back of the horse feeling completely defeated as what she was certain would be her one and only attempt at an escape came to an end and she would once again soon be face to face with the Conqueror whether she liked it or not. But in spite of what Elle and the Amazons might have said about the woman, Gabrielle still couldn't help but think of how the Conqueror would react to the news of her temporary escape and what Xena would do to her upon her return.

GUARD
(Worried tone) What happened?!

LEONIDAS
There's no time to explain. Go alert the healers that the lord Conqueror's been gravely injured and is on the way.

Leonidas held Xena's limp body in his arms as he dismounted his horse after returning to the keep as fast as he possibly could, along with some of Xena's army who had managed to keep up with him on his fast paced ride back. The guard nodded as he saw Xena and hurried into the building with Leonidas following as he carried Xena. He glanced over his shoulder for a moment as he heard a woman's voice shouting from behind him. He then saw a group of soldiers entering the gates with the lead soldier holding a flailing older woman on his horse as she demanded repeatedly for him to release her.

LEONIDAS
Easy with the woman, and bring her to one of the guest rooms. Make sure she's comfortable and I'll be with her shortly.

The soldiers proceeded with Leonidas' instructions as he quickly continued into the building with Xena as he hoped it wasn't already too late for the healers to save Xena.

?1
Quickly, over here.

?2
I got it.

?3
There's more bleeding over here.

?1
Well get another cloth on it and hold it until I'm done here. But be careful. I'm seeing a lot of serious bruising around the midsection.

?3
Broken ribs?

?1
Based on what I felt I'd say a couple at least.

?3
Anything punctured?

?1
Thankfully it doesn't look like it.

?2
These injuries are pretty serious. Especially the wound to the midsection. Be honest, do you think doing all this will actually make any real difference in the end?

?1
Honestly I don't know. But as of right now, it's not looking good.

Gabrielle watched the scenery pass her by while sitting behind Ephiny on the Amazon's horse as it carried the two women over the green rolling hills of the countryside. Elle rode with another one of the Amazonian women as a few others from the village accompanied them on their trip.

GABRIELLE
So is it really true that the Conqueror is an ally to your people like your queen said?

EPHINY
Yup.

GABRIELLE
But has she ever actually met her?

EPHINY
Several times. Though I wouldn't call them friends or anything. Their relationship is more built on a mutual respect between two powerful leaders. Although it didn't start out that way.

GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Some how that dosen't surprise me.

Hearing the comment, Elle shot Gabrielle an unhappy look from her place on another Amazon's horse. But before she could say anything Ephiny continued.

EPHINY
Well when someone is responsible for nearly wiping out a whole tribe of your people, coming face to face with that person is gonna be pretty intense.

ELLE
What do you mean? Her lordship would never just do something like that.

EPHINY
You know for someone that keeps telling your friend here that she doesn't know who the Conqueror really is, you seem not to know quite a bit about the woman yourself.

Elle shook her head in disbelief.

ELLE
That can't be true. If it was there would be no way that your queen become allies with her if she knew what the lord Conqueror supposedly did to her people.

EPHINY
It's true. The Conqueror admitted it herself. You can ask her if you don't believe me.

GABRIELLE
I don't get it. If she knew what happened to her fellow Amazons, how did queen Melosa go from being at odds with the Conqueror to becoming allies with her?

EPHINY
I don't know the details, but from what I've heard, the Conqueror had originally been allies with the northern Amazon's. But then she met an evil sorceresses who offered the Conqueror power beyond anything she had ever dreamed if she helped the sorceresses kill the Amazons.

GABRIELLE
Why did the sorceresses want the Amazons dead?

EPHINY
From the stories I've heard, she was an Amazon before she was forced out of her tribe after her last of power became too dangerous.

GABRIELLE
So the Conqueror betrayed that tribe because she was promised power by someone who had a grudge against her own people?

EPHINY
Pretty much.

GABRIELLE
Then why in Hades would queen Melosa trust that woman?! I mean what's to stop her from doing something like that again?!

EPHINY
Oh I don't think that that'll be a problem.

GABRIELLE
Why? How can you or your queen be so sure that the Conqueror won't one day betray you like she did to those other Amazon's?

EPHINY
Well for one it wasn't long after the fall of the northern tribe that the Conqueror and the sorceresses had a terrible falling out. I guess the sorceresses didn't deliver on her promises and then the Conqueror in retaliation put a stop to the sorceresses plans. So I guess queen Melosa doesn't think there's much of a threat of something like that happening again.

GABRIELLE
But how?

EPHINY
Because while the Conqueror may be a lot of things, foolish is not one of them. Being allies with the Amazon people is much more beneficial to her then spending an obscene amount of her time, money and other resources on a long, drawn out war that in the end wouldn't really have much benefit in winning anyway, when she still gets the same resources from our lands through the trade agreement that was set up shortly after she and our queen first met.

GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Oh wow how generous of her.

EPHINY
Yes well while she might not be the nicest and most morally upright people, we Amazons face far worse threats to our people from some truly evil people out there. That for all her faults not even the Conqueror would think of committing.

Gabrielle became silent as she caught the gist of what the Amazon meant. Both she and Elle became thoughtful as they each let the information they had each learned about Xena fully sink in. As both found that maybe this woman was a far more complicated and tortured soul that either of them had realized.

GUARD
Open the gates.

The gates slowly opened as the small group finally arrived at the Conqueror's keep. A number of guards then stepped out and greeted the new arrivals.

GUARD
Welcome. I was unaware that her lord Conqueror was expecting guests. Though I'm afraid that we're dealing with a situation here at the moment. So no one is allowed to enter the keep at the moment.

EPHINY
Actually this visit wasn't exactly planned. But we figured the lord Conqueror wouldn't mind a quick visit if we brought back a couple things that I'm sure she's realized have gone missing.

Hearing what the guard had said, Elle looked out from behind the woman she was riding with.

ELLE
Wait, what's going on? Was the keep attacked or something? Why isn't anyone being allowed in?

The guard saw Elle sitting with a woman on another horse wearing a look of concern on her face.

GUARD
Oh Elle, I didn't even know you had gone out. No need to worry, we weren't attacked.

The guards stepped aside to allow the group of women into the gates.

GUARD
We're just dealing with a situation at the moment.

ELLE
What? Is her lordship back yet? Did something happen in Amphipolis?

GUARD
I'm afraid I don't know details. My orders were to close off the keep until further notice and nothing more.

The guard turned his attention to Ephiny and the other Amazon's.

GUARD
So though I'm certain you've been traveling for a good while, I'm afraid I can't allow you inside at the moment.

EPHINY
That's fine. We had no intentions of staying anyway. We were just bringing them back that's all.

GUARD
I'm certain the lord Conqueror will be most appreciative of you going out of your way to do so.

Ephiny nodded slightly in a polite reply as Elle climbed down from the horse she had been riding with another one of the Amazons. Another guard came over to Gabrielle who reminded in place behind Ephiny to offer her a hand in getting down from the horse as he assumed that was why she hadn't dismounted. Lost in her thoughts, Gabrielle didn't notice the guard, as after everything that she had recently learned, she tried to mentally pieces together the terrifying and confusing puzzle that was the Conqueror.

EPHINY
Hey, stop daydreaming back there?

Ephiny nudged Gabrielle, getting her attention and nodding towards the guard who was still standing there waiting to help her down.

GABRIELLE
Oh, sorry.

Despite not being happy about being brought back to keep, Gabrielle knew that there wasn't any point in fighting it and took the guards assistance in dismounting the horse.

EPHINY
We'll be going now.

GUARD
Very well. Again we apologize for being unable to accommodate you at the moment. But please have a safe trip back and let your queen know the lord Conqueror sends her thanks.

EPHINY
Of course.

And then just like that Gabrielle stood and watched as the group of Amazons, including Ephiny turned away and rode off as they exited the keeps gates, before not long after riding out of sight as the guards closed the gate behind them. Leaving Gabrielle once again feeling trapped and unsure of what her future would bring now that she had been forced to return to the Conqueror. Who Gabrielle was certain would not be happy with her failed escape and after she had recently heard about the woman, Gabrielle didn't know what to expect from her once they were again face to face. And to be honest it was not knowing what Xena was going to do that was what scared Gabrielle most of all.

It was the day after Gabrielle's return to the keep and things were busy as she did her best to keep her head down and make herself scarce amidst the comings and goings of the bustling people who carried on with their work like normal. But even though she hadn't been living at the keep for very long, Gabrielle could feel that in spite of everything running normally, there was an air of unease hanging over the entirety of the keep. Of which did nothing to help the anxiety that Gabrielle had already been feeling about being brought back there. And though even to herself it seemed like a morbid thought to have, Gabrielle couldn't help but feel a bit relieved that the Conqueror still was unaware of her having even been gone as from what Gabrielle had heard around the keep, the woman had unconscious since her being brought back from her battle outside of Amphipolis. With many speculating on whether the Conqueror would even survive.

SARA 
Oh thank you Gabrielle.

The woman accepted an armful of scrolls that Gabrielle had brought over upon request and began placing them on various shelves after briefly glancing at the small letters and numbers that were written on the backs of each one, indicating where they should go.

SARA 
So you never did tell me how that little "trip" of yours and Elle's went.

Gabrielle paused in assisting Sara in putting the scrolls away as she looked at the woman in surprise.

GABRIELLE 
(Nervous tone) You know about that?

Sara chuckled slightly as she carried on with her work while she spoke.

SARA 
Well it's not everyday that a group of Amazons come riding into the keep. Plus I don't know if you've noticed yet, but people around here like to gossip. So word about anything even remotely new or exciting tends to travel through these halls fast.

Gabrielle looked down sadly.

GABRIELLE 
Oh. So I guess there's no way the Conqueror won't know about it if she wakes up huh.

Sara paused putting the scrolls on the shelf for a moment as she looked at Gabrielle, seeing the disheartened expression on her face.

SARA 
No, probably not.

Seeing that her answer did nothing to lift Gabrielle's spirits, the older woman quickly continued.

SARA 
But the lord Conqueror's an understanding woman, so I'm sure once everything gets explained, everything will be just fine.

Gabrielle looked at Sara, hearing the uncertainty in her voice.

GABRIELLE 
Sara, be honest. What do you think will happen to me once the Conqueror finds out I tried to leave? 

SARA 
(Sighing) I wish I could tell you Gabrielle but no one In this whole place fully understands how the lord Conqueror's mind works. I guess it could all depend on what kind of mood she's already in when she finds out.

GABRIELLE 
So how is she normally after getting injured?

SARA 
Uhh, well let's just say it makes her typical demeanor that you know seem cheerful and downright bubbly by comparison.

Sara watch as all the color suddenly drained from Gabrielle's face as Gabrielle felt her fear and dread reach new heights .

SARA 
Gabrielle, are you okay? You just got really pale of the sudden.

Gabrielle nodded slightly as she tried to suppress her panic from thinking of what an even more miserable Conqueror could possibly be like. Not that she had any interest whatsoever in finding out and sent out a very quick, silent prayer to the gods that she wouldn't.

SERVANT 
What in the name of Zeus?

The door to the Conqueror's quarters was quickly opened after a number of people had heard a loud thud from the floor below and one of the servants had come to investigate the noise.

XENA 
Fuck!

The woman stopped stunned in the doorway as she saw Xena laying on the floor several feet away from her bed where she had been in a mostly unconscious state for nearly a week after she'd been brought back to the keep. Xena growled to herself as she tried to lift herself up from the floor but was hit with an intense pain in her chest from the severe wound she'd been left with from her fight against Draco and dropped back down as she gripped at her injury.

SERVANT 
My lord, you shouldn't be out of bed.

Xena growled in pain and frustration as the servant hurried over and attempted to help her back to bed but was shoved away as Xena stubbornly refused the woman's help.

XENA 
(Irritated tone) Get out of here, I don't need your help.

The servant watched for a moment as Xena slowly stood and with gritted teeth took only a couple steps before she was brought back to her knees from more pain in her chest as a painful yell escaped her lips. Seeing Xena's pain, the other woman immediately knelt beside her as she tried once again to help the injured Conqueror back to her bed.

SERVANT 
You shouldn't push yourself my lord. Your injuries are quite serious.

XENA 
(Angry tone) I said get lost!

Xena angrily shoved the woman away causing the woman to fall back onto her backside. The woman sat there for a moment before Xena scowled at her and yelled again.

XENA 
(Angry tone) Get out!

The woman hurried out of the room as Xena got her hands on a small statue that was sitting on a low table next to her and in a fit of anger threw it towards the woman, but instead hit the wall beside the door that the servant had just run out, causing it to shatter upon impact.

LEONIDAS 
My lord?

It was some time later as Leonidas stepped into the doorway of the Conqueror's bedroom.

XENA 
Quiet angry tone) Go away.

Leonidas stood watching Xena as she laid on the floor where she had fallen earlier with her back to him. Dark shadows had spread across the large room, blanketing the Conqueror as the mid autumn sun had fallen nearly completely from the sky.

LEONIDAS 
It's getting dark in here. Why don't I light a few candles for you before I go.

 The lieutenant walked a couple steps further into the room before stopping after feeling something under his boot. He moved his foot and looked down as he noticed the pieces of the broken statue on the floor. And given how well he knew Xena, it wasn't the least bit difficult too piece together what had happened to it.

LEONIDAS 
That's a shame. I always liked that statue.

After moving through the large room and lighting several candles, Leonidas turned to face Xena still who hadn't moved.

LEONIDAS 
Would you like some help getting into bed or were you planning on sleeping on the floor?

Not appreciating the passive aggressive comment, Xena lifted her head and shot Leonidas an angry look.

XENA 
(Quiet angry tone) You lit the candles, now leave.

Leonidas casually leaned against the wall he was standing by as Xena scowled at his disobedience.

LEONIDAS 
Don't you wanna know what happened to Amphipolis? Including a very certain someone.

XENA 
I figured I'd be getting a report on the extent of the damage in a day or two. So you can go.

LEONIDAS 
Fair enough. I'll have someone come and clean up that glass in the morning then.

Leonidas pushed off the wall and stood up straight as he knew it was pointless to try arguing with Xena when she was in this type of state. He was nearly out the door before he stopped after hearing Xena speak again.

XENA 
How is she?

Leonidas looked over his shoulder at the Conqueror.

LEONIDAS 
A little shaken up and pretty angry about being here, but otherwise she appears to be just fine. She actually reminds me of you quite a bit with how strong willed she is. I guess I see where you must've gotten that from.

Xena winced as slowly sat up and leaned back against the table beside her.

XENA 
Don't let her hear you say that. She'd rather just as soon forget that I ever even existed.

LEONIDAS 
I'm sure that's not true. Even if your relationship is rather... strained at the moment.

XENA 
Trust me Leonidas strained is definitely not the word I'd use for it. Nor her for that matter I'm sure. Not that it even matters anyway. Just make sure she's well taken care of while she's here.

Leonidas smiled.

LEONIDAS 
I wouldn't dream of doing anything less.

Xena sat there as Leonidas left, shutting the door behind him as a feeling of darkness fall over her that no amount of light could drive away as she thought about the battle against Draco and the ramifications of what his alliance with Ares meant for her and everything she'd spent years building. And now with the addition of her being injured and unable to fight for the foreseeable future, the Conqueror knew that the weeks and months ahead would become some of the longest days of her life. But what she never could've known was that those same days would also bring something else that never in her life would Xena had ever expected.

XENA
(Huffing/ frustrated tone) Damn it.

The Conqueror gripped at the curtain as she attempted to make her way over to a chair that sat by a window in her study.

LEONIDAS
Are you sure you should be out of bed right now my lord? You still aren't nearly recovered from your injuries yet.

Xena looked at her lieutenant as she caught her breath and tried to ignore the pain from her wounds that were still in the process of healing.

XENA
(Irritated tone) What do you expect me to do Leonidas, just lay around in bed all day and night doing nothing?

LEONIDAS
Knowing you I'm well aware that just isn't gonna happen. But even so, you still mustn't push yourself. The healers warned you that...

XENA
(Irritated tone) I know what they said Leonidas. You forget that I know just as much if not more about medicine and treating injuries than all of those healers combined. Hades, I even thought half of them most of what they know. So even if those idiots don't seem to think so, I do actually know what I'm doing. Besides there really isn't any difference between sitting in a bed or a chair so if any of them have anything to say about where I decide to sit in my own home then injured or not, you tell them that they can come try making me stay in bed and see how that works out for them.

LEONIDAS
I'm sure they'd much rather just take you at your word my lord.

XENA
If they know what's good for 'em, they will.

LEONIDAS
Well if there isn't anything you need.

XENA
Actually there is something.

LEONIDAS
Hm?

XENA
My maps.

LEONIDAS
Your maps? What for? You know you're not in any condition to be traveling right now.

XENA
Oh please Leonidas, I'm not stupid. I'm fully aware that as much as I might not like it, I'm likely not going to be fit to go anywhere until mid winter or possibly even spring. Depending on how well my wounds heal. But while I might not be able to go into combat for the foreseeable future, both Draco and Ares still need to be dealt with.
(Quiet angry tone) Because if either of those bastards think that I'm just gonna sit here licking my wounds and let them get away with any of this, they've obviously forgotten just who I am.

LEONIDAS
What do plan to do?

XENA
I haven't quite decided yet,
(Sinister tone) But believe me when I say that God or not, I'm gonna give both of those bastards a very firm reminder of who they're dealing with. One that they or anyone else who would dare try to follow their lead won't soon forget.

The sun hung low in the darkening sky as a brisk wind blew through the few remaining multi colored leaves that still hung on the mid autumn trees. Xena reclined in a comfortable chair as she watched Gabrielle writing down her response to one of the several letters that she had received. The contents of the letters weren't anything of much importance, but injured or not things still needed to be done in order to keep the Conqueror's empire running smoothly. The crackling of the fire in the fireplace along with the light scratching of the quill point on the paper filled the silence between Xena's words.

XENA
I think that should be good for that one. You know the drill.

GABRIELLE
Yes.

As per usual when she finished writing a letter for the Conqueror, Gabrielle marked it with Xena's symbol at the bottom of the letter before rolling it up, pouring a dab of melted wax on it and stamping the Conqueror's insignia into the hot wax before it cooled and sealed the letter closed.

XENA
How many more are there?

GABRIELLE
Just one my lord.

XENA
Good. Let's hurry up and get this done with already. Then I'll finally be caught up on all of this crap.

It had been over a week since Xena had returned to a semi normal routine of work. And over a month and a half after she had originally been injured in her fight against Draco. Where she normally would move about the keep as she wished, even though her injury was healing, Xena had just decided it would be best to stay in her private quarters as much as possible until she could further recover. Especially given that she still was still experiencing some pain when she would move the wrong way or over exert herself. As well as times when she would get short of breath from moving around too much. But though the Conqueror would spend a fair amount of time in her private quarters on a regular basis, Xena wasn't too fond of not having much of a choice in the matter nonetheless. After all she was a woman who had become accustomed to getting her way. Either through either intimidation, force, respect or some combination of the three. But her own body as ironic as it seemed was the one thing where none of those methods of getting what Xena wanted wouldn't work. And in all honesty it was only through her sheer force of will that she had even recovered as much as she had already. But for all her medical know how, Xena knew that this serious of an injury was going to take a fairly lengthy time to heal completely. Not to say that she had to be happy about it in the meantime. Which she most definitely was not. Especially since she was certain that Draco was likely having a good laugh at her expanse. And given that she had yet to retaliate against him in any way after his attack on Amphipolis, Xena knew that it was only a matter of time until the warlord made his next move against her. But knowing she was injured, Xena wondered why he hadn't done anything yet. What was he waiting for? What did he have planned? And Ares, what did he get out of this? Had he actually given up on trying to get Xena to fight for him and instead chosen Draco as his champion for whatever he had originally wanted Xena for? Too many questions and not enough answers were all Xena had for that situation at the moment. And unfortunately there wasn't alot that she could do about any of it, other than to trust those she had spread across her territory who either were employed by the empire such as guards and the like or those who worked for Xena directly to keep her well informed of anything even remotely significant that happened within her boarders. And though she trusted them to do their due diligence in keeping her informed on anything that she would need to know, sending messages across such a vast expanse of land took time. Not that Xena could simply hurry to the other side of her territory on a moments notice even if she were perfectly healthy anyway. But her injury paired with the unexpected alliance between Draco and Ares made Xena feel as though she was beginning to lose the tight grip on that sense of control and power that she always liked to have. And that was yet one more thing about the entire situation that truly infuriated Xena to no end. And in the Conqueror's deepest and darkest memories that she had tried her hardest to seal away lingered the feeling of being in a similar situation of not being able to control a terrible situation as it would soon become something far worse. A dark day that would become the catalyst for the woman that she had become.

GABRIELLE
Um if we're done with the letters, is it okay if I go now?

XENA
Huh?

Hearing Gabrielle suddenly speak brought the Conqueror out of her thoughts as she focused on the young woman who was seated at the desk unsure of what she should do.

XENA
Oh right I guess we're done with all of that back work finally.

Gabrielle saw as the Conqueror appeared to become thoughtful for a moment once more before she resumed speaking again.

XENA
Yes I think that'll be all for today.

Xena casually waved Gabrielle off and leaned further into her seat as she felt a bit relieved that she had finally finished the backlog of work that had quickly pulled up while she was incomassitated. She quickly watched as Gabrielle stood from her seat and began picking up the various scrolls that were scattered across the desk.

XENA
You can just leave those there, I'll have them sent out tomorrow. You've been working hard the past few days, so go get yourself a good nights rest.

Gabrielle stopped what she was doing and looked at the Conqueror as she held a couple of scrolls in her arm.

GABRIELLE
Are you sure? I mean it's not really that much more work for me to give these to one of the message carriers like I usually do.

XENA
Nah it fine. Given how late it is they wouldn't leave with 'em until tomorrow anyway.

GABRIELLE
Okay. I'll just leave them here then.

Gabrielle placed the scrolls she held neatly back on the desk before turning to face the Conqueror who remained seated.

GABRIELLE
I'll be going now if that's okay.

Xena casually waved for Gabrielle to take her leave and sat quietly as Gabrielle left her quarters. Once Xena watched the door shut behind the young woman, the Conqueror let her head fall back as she tried to relax her still aching body and will the lingering memories that invaded her mind moments ago to recede back into the dark place within her mind where it normally resided. But though Xena tried to force the particular thoughts away as she always did whenever they would enviably find their way to the forefront of her mind, this time there seemed to be no putting those thoughts and memories away. And Xena knew exactly why.

XENA
(Talking to herself) She's here. In the same building. But it's a big place I could very easily just avoid her until I'm certain that Amphipolis is safe and just send her back without ever having to come in contact with her. Not that she wouldn't be just fine with that either. Honestly that's probably the smart thing to do here.

Xena sat with her thoughts for several moments before she finally sighed to herself as she knew that the resurfaced thoughts and memories weren't going to go away for as long as the keeps newest guest was there. And until the situation with Draco and Ares was resolved, Xena didn't feel right even entertaining the thought of sending that person back to Amphipolis.

XENA
(Talking to herself /annoyed tone) Alright, alright I'll go. Though I don't know what good it could possibly do.
I'm sure she's already pissed off about being forced out of her home and being brought here of all places.

Xena chuckled Sarcastically to herself.

XENA
(Sarcasm) And I'm sure seeing me will definitely help to improve her mood.

Xena sighed to herself as her mind was made up regardless of the certain disaster that she knew awaited her in a room within her own keep..

XENA
Guess I should go before it gets too late.

So though her body hurt Xena stood from her seat with a groan and made her way out of her quarters. She moved slowly and carefully though the halls as she did her best to not aggravate her still healing injury or over exhaust herself from defending the couple flights of stairs until she reached the floor that her unhappy guest room was on.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Why I thought putting my quarters on the top floor of this place was a good idea I'll never know.

The Conqueror huffed as her injury caused her to once again feel slightly winded from the physical activity of defending multiple flights of stairs. After a couple moments Xena caught her breath and carried on as she made her way down the hallway until she reached the room where the keeps newest guest resided. Xena stood before the door for a long moment as she felt herself becoming uncharacteristically nervous about what could happen once she opened that door. But determined to not have what was at that moment a strenuous trip, Xena's stubbornness wouldn't allow her to just turn around and go back to her private quarters without doing what she had come there to do. So though she had about a dozen different scenarios of how what she was about to do would turn out and none of them turning out well, Xena reached up and knocked on the door, which in itself felt slightly odd as this was her home but it wasn't as though she frequently went to her servant's or soldiers rooms. Typically if she wanted to speak to someone whither it was a solder, servant or even a guest that was visiting the keep for whatever reason, they were summoned to come to her or whatever she wanted them to meet. But this was different. After all the person that resided on the other side of that door was not just any run of the mill guest like a local ruler looking to strike a deal in order to avoid enduring Xena's wrath or some dignitary from another country to establish a treaty or trade route between the two rulers. Or even a tense meeting where the threat of war hinders on what the Conqueror chooses to say. But no who awaited Xena on the other side of that door was someone that Xena knew would be far more difficult to sway or even speak to then any leader she could ever even hope to deal with. So with a quick knock, Xena stood there for a moment that to her felt much clearer to an eternity until the door opened and the Conqueror stood face to face with someone who she had in all honesty thought that she would never see let alone stand within arms reach ever again.as she felt a mix of emotions began working their way to the surface but was still able to keep them in check for the time being as the two stood looking at each other for a long moment until the Conqueror finally broke the tense silence that hung between them.

XENA
I guess it's been a long time, hasn't it mother?

Two women stood looking at each other, the Conqueror with an unreadable expression on her face and the other woman with a scowl on hers. Xena looked down slightly as she stood taller than the other woman who looked a considerable amount older than Xena had remembered. Though it didn't surprise her to see the woman's advancing age as it had been quite a few years since she had seen the woman last.

XENA
Mother. You're looking well.

The older woman stared intense daggers at Xena with the same blue eyes as the Conqueror herself, but said nothing. After a long moment and feeling the tension and awkwardness of the situation, Xena spoke again to break the deafening silence between them.

XENA
I hope you find your room to you're liking.

Again more silence from the woman.

XENA
Um if there's anything you need day or night, whatever it is, just say so and I'll have someone bring it to you.

Still not getting any response other than an angry stare, Xena thought that a change in tactics was in order and switched to trying a more casual approach in attempting to get the older woman to say anything to her.

XENA
So how's business at the inn? I'm sure this time of year people are really enjoying some your good home cooking. Hey maybe while you're here you can...

Xena's sentence was abruptly cut short as she suddenly felt the stinging of a hard slap across her face. Her head jerked to the side with the hit and remained in that position for a moment as she pushed down the burst of anger that instinctively rose from the insulating action and silently reminded herself who it was that had struck her.

?
(Quiet angry tone) You have some nerve to have your men just come and take me from my home and bring me here.

Xena returned her gaze forward.

XENA
It wasn't a direct order but I do approve of their actions.

?
(Quiet angry tone) is that supposed to make me feel better? Regardless of how it happened I was taken by your soldiers and brought here against my will. Why? You haven't bothered with me or anyone else in the village for that matter for years. So why now? And why bring me here of all places?

XENA
Mother...

?
(Angry tone) No, don't you dare keep calling me that. After everything that you've done, you stopped being my daughter long ago.

Though Xena didn't show it, her mother's words hurt her to the very core. And even though it had been years since they had seen or spoken to one another, Xena's thoughts would often return to the older woman as she had always made an extra effort to ensure that Amphipolis, where she knew her mother still lived in the same home and inn where Xena and her siblings had grown up remained safe. But for as much as Xena at times might have wished she could go back to that simpler time, she knew all too well that those days were long dead and buried. Much like so many that Xena had known from that now seemingly far distant time. And among those lives that were lost on that fateful day, was the one that had driven that fist nail in the metaphysical coffin on the already strained relationship between the Conqueror and her mother. The very thing that had somehow ended up leading the two of them to this very moment. A moment full of anger, resentment and far too many painful memories that Xena was certain the both of them would just as soon rather forget. So understanding that the woman obviously still harbored a fair amount of anger and resentment towards her, Xena respected her mother's wish to not be called by her parental title and though it felt odd referred to the woman by name instead. Though due to sheer habit it was a bit more difficult than Xena originally thought.

XENA
Moth... Cyrene, Amphipolis was under threat of being attacked by a fairly powerful army. If you had been left there it was very likely that you would have been killed or possibly even taken prisoner by them.

CYRENE
(Angry tone) And yet you just left everyone else there to fend for themselves. The people that you claim to care so much about.

XENA
I didn't have any choice.

CYRENE
(Angry tone) You left the people who were once your own to die. Just like you did then.

Xena scowled at the insinuation that she had just simply abandoned the village that she had once called home.

XENA
(Quiet angry tone) You're wrong. I'm not the one who abandoned our people that day. It was that spineless coward of a so called brother of mine and your son who ran off like a scared dog with it's tail tucked between his legs.

CYRENE
(Angry tone) Well at least he isn't responsible for your other brother's death.

XENA
Lyceous knew the consequences of going into battle and chose to stand and fight for the village regardless.

CYRENE
(Angry tone) Only because you encouraged him and everyone else that fighting was the only way.

XENA
(Angry tone) Because I knew that there was no reasoning with Cortese. If we hadn't stood up and fought he would have taken everything and still likely would've killed us anyway.

CYRENE
(Angry tone) So you're saying that the ends justify the means?

Xena paused as she didn't want to agree or upset her mother any further and then spoke in a much quieter and almost defeated tone.

XENA 
(Quiet tone) I don't know. I wish Lyceous was here but if we hadn't done anything...

Xena watched as Cyrene seemed to lose all of her anger and steam and lower her eyes in sadness as she turned away from the Conqueror and walked back into her room before stopping and looking back at her estranged daughter.

CYRENE
(Sad tone) You know Xena, there was a small part of me that had hoped everything I had heard over the years about you was wrong. But I can see now that I was only fooling myself. You truly are just as cold as people say. It seems that really do only have one child left in this world and there isn't anything I can say or do to change that.

Though Xena struggled to maintain a neutral expression, the pain of Cyrene's words showed in her eyes as she quickly turned away to hide the hurt and heard the door to her mother's room shut behind her. She stood there alone in the hallway for a long moment before the once buried emotions that the conversation had brought back to the surface bubbled over and in a burst of pain, anger and regret Xena spun around with a quick, loud yell, sent her fist into the door with a loud bang, before storming off angerly and cursing herself for even coming to the room to begin with. As she was reminded of the lesson she had told herself far too many times to count. That lesson being that at the end of the day all Xena was capable of doing was causing nothing but pain. Pain to everyone around her. And whether it was an enemy or ally, intentional or not, Xena had come to learn throughout the years that no matter the type, pain above all else was a highly powerful motivator for nearly everyone. A group of which to many people's surprise, she herself was not excluded from.

The early morning brought a chill to the room as a blanket was pulled tighter, using it both for warmth and a shield from the bright morning sunlight that flowed into the room from the window as a face was buried beneath the soft material. After getting comfortable again and nearly returning to the previous state of deep sleep, a knock on the door to the room stired the groggy figure once more. Not fully awake or aware of the world around them, a muffled groan could faintly be heard from beneath the covers as an attempt was made to ignore the sound, but ended up being unsuccessful when another knock came before the sound of a door being opened could be heard a moment later., followed by a voice.

ELLE 
Wake up call Gabrielle.

Elle peeked her head into Gabrielle's room and saw her friend buried under her blanket, still asleep.

ELLE 
Hey, it's time to get up. 

Gabrielle sleepily grumbled something incoherent to herself as her semi conscious brain completely forgot where she was before hearing Elle's voice again.

ELLE
Come on, rise and shine Gabrielle.

Still not completely awake and not too thrilled about having her sleep being disturbed, Gabrielle stuck her head out from under her covers.

GABRIELLE 
(Sleepy tone) I'll rise but I refuse to...

Gabrielle paused making her half asleep, sarcastic comment as she let out a yawn and she became aware of her surroundings once again.

GABRIELLE 
(Sighing) Never mind. I'm getting up.

After Elle left and Gabrielle got out of bed and got dressed, she headed out of her room and to the dining room for breakfast. Once eating her meal, as per usual Gabrielle was about to stand up and start making her way to the archives but stopped when Isidora, the woman who was in charge of running the kitchen approached her.

ISIDORA
You there, girl.

Gabrielle turned toward the old woman and politely addressed her.

GABRIELLE 
Oh hello Isidora nice to see you. Um, It's Gabrielle by the way.

ISIDORA 
Whatever.

Gabrielle frowned at the woman's rude reply as she just carried on without giving the comment a second thought.

ISIDORA 
Listen the kitchen staff and servers are busy dealing with a large shipment of suppliers that came in. So I need someone to take a tray up to the lord Conqueror's mother as she refuses to leave her room for anything other than her toilet and hygiene needs.

GABRIELLE 
Oh uh...

Before Gabrielle could finish giving her answer, Elle, who had taken to typically eating with Gabrielle when their schedules allowed it spoke up.

ELLE 
I could do it.

ISIDORA 
(Irritated tone) You know despite your clear attempt at eavesdropping dropping on a conversion not concerning you, it's obvious that you weren't listening all too well because if you were you would've heard me say that "all" of the kitchen staff was busy today. Which last I checked and to my chagrin included you.

Elle scoffed at the woman who returned her attention to Gabrielle and under her breath called Isidora a hag which didn't go unheard by Gabrielle or the old woman herself who after shooting Elle a mean look carried on speaking to Gabrielle.

ISIDORA 
Well?

Feeling as though she may get in trouble for refusing to do something she was being told to do, Gabrielle agreed to help the woman.

GABRIELLE 
Um, sure I guess I can do that before I head to the archives.

ISIDORA 
Fine. Follow me to the kitchen and I'll set up her tray.

Isidora walked away as Gabrielle followed and Elle let out a disappointed sigh to herself as she realized that she wouldn't be getting out of dealing with the crotchety old woman for a bit after all.

ISIDORA 
Here.

Gabrielle accepted a tray of food and drink from Isidora after the old woman had finished putting the meal meant for the Conqueror's mother together and told Gabrielle where her room was.

ISIDORA 
Now get going.

Gabrielle turned around and began making her way out of the kitchen as she heard Isidora call after her.

ISIDORA 
And don't you drop or spill it. If you do and make me have to prepare another one, I'll make sure that food you dropped will be your next meal.

GABRIELLE 
I'll be careful.

As she spoke Gabrielle stumbled a bit and nearly dropped the tray, but was able to recover without spilling anything and gave a slightly nervous and embarrassed chuckle when she looked over her shoulder at Isidora who was standing by the counter with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. Gabrielle then left the room and walked upstairs to where she was told to go.

GABRIELLE 
Excuse me, I brought your breakfast if your hungry.

Gabrielle stood in the hall outside of Cyrene's room after carefully knocking on the door as she made sure not to spill the food she was holding. A moment later a voice from the other side of the door replied for Gabrielle to come in and so she did after fiddling with the doorknob for a moment as she worked on opening the door while keeping the tray balanced. Once getting the door open without spilling anything, Gabrielle walked into the room and saw an older woman looking out one of the windows to the room. She then spotted a small table that had a couple of chairs with it and brought the tray over to it. Once done setting the food down, Gabrielle saw the woman turn around and give her a small smile.

CYRENE 
Thank you dear.

Gabrielle returned the woman's kind expression.

GABRIELLE 
You're welcome.

Gabrielle stood there for a moment as she looked at the woman, a part of her almost surprised that the woman was human and not some monster or mythical creature that had spawned someone as dark and fearsome as the Conqueror. But it was now clear that much like many of the other rumors Gabrielle had heard about the Conqueror, her coming into the world by any other way than then how every other person in the world was simply wasn't true. At least not from what Gabrielle could tell from just looking at the woman before her. But even if she was just a normal woman, Gabrielle couldn't help but wonder just what kind of woman she must've been for her child to grow up and become the sometimes cruel and deadly that she knew the Conqueror could be.

CYRENE 
Was there something you needed?

Realizing that she was starring at the woman, Gabrielle quickly looked away and began randomly moving things around on the tray.

GABRIELLE 
Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I just umm. Never mind. Sorry I'll be going now.

Gabrielle turned to leave as the last thing she wanted to do was to insult, upset or anger the woman. Because whither she was anything like the Conqueror or not, Gabrielle was certain that if the Conqueror herself were to hear that Gabrielle had insulted or upset her mother, Gabrielle would most definitely not like what would happen to her as a result.

CYRENE 
(Sad tone) You're surprised I don't look like some kind of feral monster or crazed mad woman aren't you?

GABRIELLE 
(Lying/ nervous tone) Oh, no I don't think... I mean I wasn't expecting anything. I uh, well..

Gabrielle saw the woman shake her head as she sighed sadly and returned her gaze out the window.

CYRENE 
(Sad tone) It's okay. I'm used to it. After all it must've been something I did that caused my only daughter to become the kind of person who can just go around killing or hurting anything and anyone who she sees as standing in her way of getting what she wants. I'm not here right now because I want to be.

Gabrielle stood there feeling disappointed in herself for automatically judging and condemning the woman simply for who her child had become. And that wasn't fair as Gabrielle figured that the woman must have found herself being blamed for so much of what the Conqueror had done to so many. And also felt for the woman as she understood and could relate to being brought to and held in that place against her will.

GABRIELLE 
I'm sorry. That's not right for me to assume that you're the same as her just because you share the same blood. I should know that parents and their children can be so different from one another that one could question how they could actually be related. Not that I could understand what it must be like to have the Conqueror of all people as a daughter.

Gabrielle saw as the older woman looked at her and gave a small sad smile.

CYRENE 
You know you might be one of the only people who's ever thought that. Or at the very least has said it. Thank you...

GABRIELLE 
Gabrielle.

CYRENE 
Thank you Gabrielle. It's nice to meet you by the way. And if you didn't know, you can call me Cyrene.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE 
It's nice to meet you too Cyrene.

The two women stood quietly for a moment until Gabrielle turned to leave.

GABRIELLE 
Well I should get going.I'm actually supposed to be in the archives right now.

CYRENE 
Oh I didn't mean to keep you.

GABRIELLE 
It's okay. I'm glad I got to meet you Cyrene. Enjoy your meal. Bye.

The two exchanged friendly smiles before Gabrielle turned and left Cyrene's room as she quietly shut the door behind her. And as Gabrielle walked down the hall making her way to the archives she couldn't help but think that between the encounter she just had with the Conqueror's mother and the time she had spent with the likes of Elle, Sara and even the Amazons she had meet when she had tried to escape from the keep, Gabrielle was beginning to become more confused as to what to make of the Conqueror. The woman who was somehow both very much the same person that she had heard her to be, but yet so different from anything that she could've imagined. And as the coming, days, weeks and months would eventually reveal, this fact would become far more clear to Gabrielle and in ways that she would never see coming.

Quiet crackling could be heard coming from the fireplace as the Conqueror stood over her war table. She winced and gripped the side of the table as a surge of pain ripped through the slowly healing wound in her chest. Frustrated at the pain's persistence, Xena slammed her fist onto the table before picking up and downing the cup of ale that she had previously sat on the table, hoping that the alcohol she had been consuming would soon begin to take its somewhat numbing effect. Or that she would at least become drunk enough to not care. But in truth as she finished swallowing the contents of the goblet she knew that she was only lying when she tried to tell herself that in was the physical pain that she was truly trying to dull and not the hurtful memories and emotions that had been plaguing her since the conversation she'd had with her mother just a few days prior. Xena placed the now empty goblet back on the table poured more ale from the over half empty bottle she had sitting there as well. Once the cup was filled to the brim with the alcohol, Xena placed the bottle back on the table and picked up the cup to drink. She brought the cup to her lips and began to drink when a knock on the door interrupted her self destructive binge.

XENA
(Irritated tone) Unless it's an emergency like this place being on fire you can go away and deal with whatever it is yourself.

The door then opened and Xena let out an auditable growl of disapproval as she was not in the mood to be so blazingly disobeyed.

LEONIDAS
I thought this might where you were my Lord.

Xena didn't turn to face her lieutenant as she put down her cup and placed her hands on the table in front of her.

XENA
(Irritated tone) Now exactly which part of the words go away did you not quite understand?

Leonidas stood in the doorway as he saw the current state that Xena was in and sighed to himself.

LEONIDAS
Well with your injuries when you up and disappear from your quarters without a word people around here get a little concerned. Especially since you still aren't supposed to be moving around like this. You know those healers aren't going to be happy about it.

XENA
(Irritated tone) Yeah well I couldn't care less about whither the fucking healers are happy with what I do concerning my own body or not.

Xena took a drink from her goblet before continuing to speak.

XENA
(Irritated tone) So if you're done with telling me garbage that I don't give a damn about you can go.

Leonidas moved into the room and around the side of the war table as he picked up the half empty bottle and eyed it for a moment before putting it back.

LEONIDAS
Rough morning my lord?

The Conqueror scowled at the man.

XENA
(Irritated tone) What I can't enjoy a drink or two when I want without there being something bothering me?

LEONIDAS
Of course not my lord. I've just come to notice that at times when you tend to indulge a bit more in the drink you seem to be a tad more irritable is all.

Xena narrowed her eyes at Leonidas as she put down her drink.

XENA
(Irritated tone) And?

LEONIDAS
Nothing. I simply thought that perhaps if something was bothering you that you might want to get it off your chest is all.

Xena gave him a disappointing glance as Leonidas realized that he might not have made the best choice of words for what he had meant to say given the serious injury to the Conqueror's chest.

LEONIDAS
Apologies for the careless wording I didn't mean...

XENA
(Irritated tone) I know what you meant.

Xena again casually picked up and took a sip from her cup before putting it back down before continuing to speak.

XENA
Tell me Leonidas, has there ever been a time when I've come up to you or anyone else you know of for that matter and wanted to discuss my woes or feelings about whatever may be weighing on my mind?

LEONIDAS
No my lord, not that I can recall.

Xena scowled.

XENA
(Irritated tone) Then why the fuck do you think that I would start now?!

Leonidas stood silently as he assumed the question was rhetorical, and waited for the Conqueror to continue.

XENA
(Angry tone) Well?

Reading that Xena was actually expecting an answer from him, Leonidas spoke up.

LEONIDAS
Apologies my lord. I was merely concerned about your well being nothing more.

Xena took another drink from her goblet, finishing the ale in the cup off as she casually leaned against the table, beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol taking affect.

XENA
Well as you can see I'm doing just fine on my own. Now if you don't mind...

Putting down the cup ,Xena grabbed the now nearly empty bottle again as she carried on speaking.

XENA
I seem to remember telling you before you decided to just let yourself in, to get lost. Sooo...

With a gesture toward the door with the same hand that held the bottle, the drunken Conqueror motioned for Leonidas to leave. And with a disappointed sigh and shake of his head, Leonidas did as he was ordered and left, shutting the door behind him and leaving Xena to her own devices and misery.

GABRIELLE
There that's the last of 'em. Finally. That took a lot longer than I thought it would.

Gabrielle stepped back from the ladder she had just descended as she placed her hands on her hips and looked up at the shelf of freshly put away and rearranged scrolls.

SARA
Gabrielle, did you do all this just today?

Gabrielle looked over her shoulder and saw Sara walking over to her and turned to face the archivist.

GABRIELLE
Actually I started it yesterday.

Sara stopped in front of the large shelf that went all the way up to the high ceiling and took in the view of a freshly arranged and neat shelf of what must have been at least a couple hundred scrolls that she hadn't been able to maintain proper order of for quite some time.

SARA
You're kidding.

Hearing the disbelief in Sara's voice Gabrielle suddenly became worried that she might have done something that she shouldn't have.

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry should I have not done that. I was putting a few things away here and noticed that it didn't really look the same as most of the other shelves, so I kinda thought I'd rearrange it a little bit. But I guess I should've asked before hand. If it's a problem I can put it back how it was.

Sara looked at Gabrielle.

SARA
What? No. You actually just saved me about a weeks worth of work. I've been meaning to fix up everything over here after a handful of young, immature soldier recruits snuck in here one night and moved around most of what was here because they thought it would be funny.

GABRIELLE
I can't imagine that the Conqueror was too happy about that.

SARA
Oh she wasn't. And needless to say those recruits didn't last much longer around here after that.

GABRIELLE
(Worried tone) What?

Gabrielle felt a fearful chill as she thought of what terrible fate must've come to them at the behest of the Conqueror as Sara continued.

SARA
Yeah before they even knew it those young men ended up getting shipped out of here and sent right back to the village's that they'd come from. And since then I've been trying to get that mess back in order but with everything else I have to do around here I just haven't been able to find the time.

Gabrielle felt a bit of relief knowing that a bunch of young men weren't mercilessly killed just because of a silly prank. Which while immature certainly didn't warrant being put to death over..

GABRIELLE
Oh so she pretty much just fired them then.

SARA
Yeah.

Sara gave Gabrielle a curious look.

SARA
Why, what did you think I was gonna say the lord Conqueror did to them?

It had long since gotten dark outside when Gabrielle followed Sara out of the archives after extinguishing all the previously lit candles in the large room and shutting the doors for the night. Exhausted from a long, hard day's work Gabrielle bid goodnight to Sarah and made her way through the keep, back to her room. After getting ready for bed and blowing out the candle on her nightstand, Gabrielle tiredly plopped on to her bed and closed her eyes as she laid there and drifted off to sleep.

GABRIELLE
(Half asleep) Wha...?

A loud rattling sound followed by a creek abruptly roused Gabrielle from her slumber as she groggily lifted her head to see a tall figure standing in the doorway. Too dark to see who it was Gabrielle spoke up.

GABRIELLE
Hello?

The figure didn't say anything as it stood there for a moment before slowly moving further into the room, casually pushing the door behind them causing it to close about halfway.

GABRIELLE
Can I help you?

Again the figure didn't reply as they took another step closer to Gabrielle who was now adequately uncomfortable by the sudden intrusion and behavior of the mystery person but kept her composure as she slowly sat up in her bed and tried asking them politely to leave.

GABRIELLE
It's awfully late and I'm very tired so if there isn't anything you need I'd really like to go back to sleep.

Again the figure remained quiet as Gabrielle saw them lumber even closer. And now feeling a slight panic began to rise within her, Gabrielle fumbled in the darkness as she reached over to her nightstand and found a striking stick used for lighting candles and after frantically trying several times to get it to light, a small flame finally came to life and after quickly getting the candle lit, Gabrielle turned around and was utterly shocked when she saw the Conqueror standing right at the foot of her bed. Startled and confused Gabrielle looked at the woman.

GABRIELLE
My lord? What are you... um!

Gabrielle suddenly found herself being cut off as she felt the Conqueror's hand cover her mouth. Her eyes went wide in utter terror as she was shoved back down onto the bed and saw the Conqueror bring a finger from her other hand up to her lips in a signal and obvious demand for Gabrielle to be quiet. And it was then that Gabrielle felt a previously unknown level of fear fall over her as she could smell the strong scent of alcohol coming from the woman who loomed over her. She watched as Xena silently crouched closer to her and wondered if she would be better off trying to fight to get away or just remaining still, closing her eyes and waiting for whatever was about to happen to be over.

XENA
You know that scratch really hurt, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't do that again.

Gabrielle felt the Conqueror pull back slightly as she then found her face being lifted slightly until she was looking Xena in the eye. She looked at the woman with a terrified expression as she felt the Conqueror lightly stroke her thumb against her cheek for a second.

XENA
So soft, sweet, innocent. Eyes that still have a light behind them. Tell me, do you dream?

Gabrielle looked at Xena now both terrified and confused as she tried to think of what the woman wanted to hear that might get her to just go away and leave her alone.

GABRIELLE
Sometimes.

XENA
Of what?

GABRIELLE
My family, going home.

XENA
What for?

GABRIELLE
Because I..

Gabrielle paused in giving her actual answer as she tried to decipher what it was that the Conqueror wanted to hear as Xena spoke again.

XENA
Family. Home. What good is any of it? People who say they love and care about you will always be the first ones to turn their backs when you need 'em. You make a single mistake, make one wrong move and suddenly you're nothing to them.

Xena stood up straight as she stepped back from Gabrielle and began pacing around the room while continuing her what seemed to Gabrielle was nothing more than the drunken, incoherent rambling of a mad woman.

XENA
And when you try reach out, try rebuilding that bridge, they see what they've made you and call you the monster.

Gabrielle jumped when the Conqueror suddenly slammed her fist down on the nightstand she happened to be standing next to at that moment.

XENA
Well maybe you should look in the fucking mirror before you start pointing the finger at me! I wasn't the one who forced him to fight. Everything I did, everything I do... it wasn't supposed to be like this.

Gabrielle looked on as Xena suddenly paused in her ramblings and grabbed at her chest in obvious pain. As Xena grasp at her chest she felt herself becoming slightly short of breath. The ill advised moving around paired with the kick from Gabrielle to her injury and alcohol beginning to loose its numbing effects caused Xena to drop to a knee as agonizing jolts shot through her chest. Not knowing what was happening Gabrielle stood in shock, unable to move or what she should do. Was the Conqueror dying? Should she go get help? Did she even want to? After all this was evil, heartless woman. Wouldn't this world be a better place if she were dead? But as Gabrielle stood there contemplating the value of Xena's life, she came to the realization that while the world would undoubtedly benefit from the woman's death, if she simply stood by doing nothing and just let Xena rive on the floor in agony and potentially even die, then would that really make Gabrielle much different from the woman that was now laying in a crumpled heap in the middle of her room? It barely took another moment before Gabrielle knew the answer to her own question and against all logic that seemed to point to her during the contrary, Gabrielle hurried out of the room and down the hall to the nearest room and ponder on the door as she yelled for help.

ELLE
Gabrielle?! What's wrong? What's going on?

GABRIELLE
I'm honestly not sure. The Conqueror just showed up in my room while I was asleep. She's clearly been drinking and after pinning me to my bed she just started pacing around my room rambling about a bunch of stuff I don't understand before she dropped to the floor grabbing at her chest. I didn't know what's going on or what else to do so I came to get you.

ELLE
It okay Gabrielle, you did good coming here. Now go back to your room and stay with the lord Conqueror while I go get the healers.

Elle quickly moved passed Gabrielle as she began hurrying down the hall and Gabrielle called after her.

GABRIELLE
Wait what am I supposed to do?

ELLE
Just talk to her. Try keeping her calm. I'll be there with the healers as soon as I can.

Gabrielle stood in the hallway as Elle ran around the corner wondering how her life had become so chaotically bizarre and terrifying, before turning around and returning to her room where she saw Xena still in excruciating pain. Not knowing what she could really do for the woman, Gabrielle slowly knelt beside her and could see the agony etched across the Conqueror's face. Though she couldn't explain it, even after everything she'd heard, the way she had been utterly horrified by the Conqueror's actions since coming into her company, including the strange and unsettling behavior that she had just seen from Xena, seeing the normally intimidatingly strong and almost inhuman woman in such a state made Gabrielle feel oddly synthetic towards the woman. As it was clear that the Conqueror was a very angry and tortured soul. And when the healers had arrived and did some work right there before taking Xena away, Gabrielle found herself oddly curious about why the Conqueror had come to her room? Had she actually planned to attack her? and what it was that she had been going on about? But as Gabrielle walked over to her bed and sat down while trying to unravel everything that had just taken place, perhaps the most perplexing question of all to her was why in that moment did Gabrielle feel any kind of sympathy for the woman who had done so much hurt to so many people? But pushing the thoughts away from the forefront of her mind, Gabrielle layed down and after the swirling thoughts eventually surrendered to the need for sleep, Gabrielle drifted off into a dreamless slumber as the night went on before giving way to the dawn of the next day. As well as the dawn of something that would slowly begin to shed a new light the Conqueror. A light that could just as easy spread like a wildfire or burn out completely. And whichever happened would ultimately decide the fates of so many, but none more so than Gabrielle and Xena themselves.

SARA
Gabrielle, Gabrielle?

GABRIELLE
Huh?

Gabrielle turned her head toward the sound of Sara's voice after being brought out of her thoughts as she stood beside the ladder that the archivist was standing several rungs above her on, as she had been helping to pass the woman the appropriate writing to go on that particular shelf. Or that was what she was supposed to be doing at least, before her mind had wondered off several minutes prior.

SARA
The scrolls Gabrielle. Can you hand 'em to me?

GABRIELLE
Oh right. Sorry.

Gabrielle took a couple scrolls from the stack in her arms as she reached up and handed them to Sara who put them where they needed to be.

SARA
You okay? You seem awfully distracted today.

Gabrielle gave the woman another couple scrolls.

GABRIELLE
Just a little tired I guess. I didn't really get a good night's sleep last night.

SARA
You know I heard this morning that there was some kind of commotion around one of the other servants quarters. Don't tell me it was the one where you're room is. Do you know what happened?

Gabrielle sighed as her mind once again went back to the highly bazaar, alarming and confusing encounter that had taken place between herself and the Conqueror just the night before, still trying as she had been for most of the day, to make any kind of sense out of what had transpired.

GABRIELLE
Honestly I have no idea.

Gabrielle sighed.

GABRIELLE
I really wish I did though.

Sara shrugged as she finished placing the scrolls she held on the shelf.

SARA
Well given how much people around here like to gossip, I'm sure we'll find out what happened before too long.

Gabrielle handed Sara the rest of the scrolls she was holding as she turned and leaned with her back against the shelf as she returned to looking out of the nearby window and sighed.

GABRIELLE
Yeah, maybe.

In a darkened room with the curtains drawn, preventing the sunlight from entering Xena layed in her bed looking up at the ceiling. The pain in her chest, though still there, was significantly more manageable than it had been the night before. However Xena still wasn't able to enjoy the relief from pain as she had woken not long before hungover and with a splitting headache caused by her alcoholic binge from the previous day. Closing her eyes, she rubbed her forehead and temples as she tried to relieve the throbbing.

XENA
(Mumbling to herself) I have got to stop doing this shit.

After a few minutes Xena gradually tried to sit up and though it hurt she eventually made it to her feet and over the small wash bucket that sat on her dresser. Standing in front of it, Xena reach in with both hands as she scooped up a large handful of water and splashed it on her face to try and clear her head from both sleep and the lingering effects of the alcohol. She did this a couple more times before she began to feel slightly better and picked up a towel that sat beside the washbasin to dry off. That was when there was a knock on the door and Xena called for the person to enter.

LEONIDAS
Afternoon my lord, you're looking well.

Xena scoffed as she glanced over at the full body mirror that sat in the nearest corner of the large room and saw her reflection. Of which she noted to herself wouldn't exactly catch anyone's eye with her hair a mess, dark circles under her eyes and a good amount less color in her face, before after a moment, returning to drying that said face.

XENA
Liar. I look like shit.

The Conqueror turned around and leaned back slightly against the dresser as she finished wiping the water from her face and dropped it on the dresser as she grimaced at the painful pounding in her head.

XENA
Feel like it too.

LEONIDAS
Well you were hitting the bottle pretty hard last night my lord.

XENA
(Annoyed tone) Thanks for the reminder. As if I'm wasn't already well aware of that.

Xena rubbed her forehead again as she shuffled over to a shelf and pulled a few small jars of things from it before mowing to her table and placing the containers down as she grabbed a cup and pitcher of water, filling the cup about halfway.

XENA
Anyway, did you need something?

LEONIDAS
Not particularly. Just wanted to check in and see how you were doing. How's your chest?

XENA
Hurts.

The Conqueror opened the jars she'd gotten and began pouring just a dab of the contents of each in different amounts into the cup.

LEONIDAS
Then perhaps it would be best if you were to follow the healers instructions and not go wondering around the keep instead of staying in bed.

Xena looked at her lieutenant with a scowl as she added one ingredient to her cup and gave it a good stir with her finger.

XENA
(Irritated tone) This is my home and I can go wherever, whenever I damn well please.

LEONIDAS
Fair enough my lord.

Xena picked up the now finished mixture and grimaced both at the pain in her body as well as the terrible smell of the concoction that she had just put together.

LEONIDAS
Well if I may ask. What was it that you felt was so important that you felt needed your direct attention so badly that it required you to risk your injury getting worse?

Xena looked into her cup as she spoke in a softer voice then she typically used, the painful conversation between herself and Cyrene returning to her mind.

XENA
I, had to go see someone.

Knowing who Xena must've been talking about, Leonidas began to get the picture for why the Conqueror must've decided to drink as much as she had the night before.

LEONIDAS
I see. How'd that go?

The Conqueror turned around with her cup to face her lieutenant.

XENA
Don't wanna talk about it.

Xena raised the cup to her lips and took a sip before immediately having to put it down and grabbing the nearest empty container as she burned her face inside and losing the everything she had eaten the day before.

LEONIDAS
Shall I get one of the healers?

After a few moments Xena lowered the bucket and wiped her mouth.

XENA
No I'll be fine.

LEONIDAS
If I may make a suggestion my lord.

XENA
Mm?

LEONIDAS
You think perhaps things with your mother may have gone better if you hadn't been drinking before you went to speak with her in the middle of the night?

Xena gave Leonidas a very confused look.

XENA
What in Tartarus are you talking about? It wasn't late at all and I was completely sober when I want to see my mother.

Leonidas then mirrored Xena's confusion with his own face as he tried to figure out what she was talking about.

LEONIDAS
But I heard that you had been found in a rather awful state on the floor in the little one's room.

XENA
What are you talking about?

LEONIDAS
Gabrielle my lord. Who else do you think I call that.

XENA
(Slightly annoyed tone) I know who you're talking about.

Xena rubbed her forehead again. This time out of confusion as she tried to piece together the bits and pieces of her hazy memory from the night before.

XENA
I meant what did you mean that I was found in her room?

LEONIDAS
That was where the healers found you after being brought there by Elle.

XENA
Wait what was she doing there in the middle of the night?

Leonidas shrugged.

LEONIDAS
Maybe she heard some sort of commotion talking place between you and the little one.

XENA
A commotion? What could have possibly been going on for her to hear from her room? What was I doing, yelling like a banshee or...

Xena paused as pieces of what happened between herself and Gabrielle flashed through her mind. She still didn't remember much at the moment, but what she could recall caused an awful feeling to arise within her as she saw through her eyes holding Gabrielle down in her bed and then having her pinned up against the door.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) What have I done? I'm know I'm not a good person by any stretch of the imagination, but to do something like this, even drunk.

LEONIDAS
My lord, is everything okay?

Xena was pulled from her disturbing thoughts, her attention returning to the conversation at hand.

XENA
(Lying) It's nothing. You can go now. And have someone bring me up something light like broth or something from the kitchen.

LEONIDAS
As you wish my lord, I'll go place the order right away.

Leonidas turned to leave.

XENA
Oh and on your way out you can go ahead and take this with you when you go.

Xena held out the container that Xena had vomited in as the lieutenant sighed, feeling a bit dejected as he walked over, took the container and walked away with Xena commenting as he left.

XENA
(Half joking tone) You're a good man Leonidas.

Xena's demeanor then returned to being serious as she again thought about the fragmented memory of whatever happened in her personal scribe's room the night before. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to rest until she got to the bottom of it,. And though she already suspected that something so many already assumed she did may very well had taken place, Xena was well aware of what she was going to have to do. And that was find out for certain what had happened from the only other person who was in that room.

SARA
I think that should do it for today.

GABRIELLE
Are you sure I can go? It's much earlier than when I normally leave.

SARA
It's okay Gabrielle, I promise.

Sara took Gabrielle by her shoulders and turned her around as she began walking her towards the doors of the archives.

SARA
Now why don't you go get yourself something to eat and make it an early night. You look exhausted.

GABRIELLE
If you're really sure that the lord Conqueror won't mind.

SARA
Relax, you aren't going to get in trouble for stopping your work a little early. And if anyone does say something just send them my way and I'll take care of it.

GABRIELLE
But I don't wanna get you in trouble either, Sara.

SARA
You just worry about yourself Gabrielle. Trust me stopping work a little earlier than usual isn't anything that the lord Conqueror is too concerned about. Not that she would even know about it anyway. But as long everything stays running as it should around here and no one causes any problems, for the most part she just let's everyone go about their business as they see fit.

GABRIELLE
Really?

SARA
(Chuckling) Trust me she has far more important things to do than to scold people for going to bed early.

Gabrielle yawned.

GABRIELLE
Well if you're sure it's not a problem.

Reaching the doors, Sara opened one and held it for Gabrielle to leave.

SARA
Get some food and get a good nights sleep okay. Don't need you getting yourself sick from not taking proper care of yourself.

Sara smiled, giving Gabrielle a somewhat motherly look that told her the older woman thought of Gabrielle as more than just someone to assist her in her work. And for the first time that day Gabrielle smiled in return.

GABRIELLE
Okay. I'll see you tomorrow Sara.

Gabrielle left the archives and went to grab something to eat before heading to her room. Though after waking up to having the Conqueror in her room acting in a completely different horrifying way than normal, Gabrielle wasn't exactly sure how well she was really going to be able to sleep going forward. Not to mention being around the woman at all going forward. After all what had the Conqueror even come to her room in the middle of the night intending to do? Ideas had crossed Gabrielle's mind all day, but everything that she had come up with was just much too horrible for Gabrielle to even want to think about as she hoped that it was just the effects of the woman's obvious over drinking and not something that she was going to have to fear happening again and having the strong possibility of it ending up much, much worse.

?
There you are.

Gabrielle froze in her tracks as she turned a corner on her way to her room and heard an all too familiar voice behind her. Her nerves went into overdrive as she thought about the night before and looked over her shoulder to see the Conqueror standing behind her.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) I didn't even hear her coming up behind me. How? Even injured she's far scarier than any of those old stories about monsters I've heard back home.

XENA
Come with me. We need to talk.

Not waiting for Gabrielle to respond Xena turned around began walking away as Gabrielle stood there feeling her fear and anxiety rising once again. What did the Conqueror want with her? Did she intend on picking up on whatever she had intended to do the night before? Was she going to punish Gabrielle for fighting back? And if it was the latter, why had she waited all day to do so? As she watched Xena walking away, Gabrielle wondered if she should just run. With the Conqueror still injured, maybe she could get to a room and barricade herself inside until she could figure out what to do.

XENA
(Stern tone) Hey I'm not standing here all day.

Gabrielle saw as the Conqueror had stopped and turned slightly to look back at her almost halfway down the hall.

XENA
(Stern tone) Come on.

Feeling like she didn't have a choice and not wanting to anger the woman, Gabrielle reluctantly followed Xena down the hall and through a large portion of the the building. As they walked in silence to their destination, Xena glanced back to see the depressing look on Gabrielle's face as well as the slow, defeated way that she walked and thought that maybe trying to get the answers she wanted this way may not have been the best way of going about it, but she also didn't want to get anyone else involved in the matter unless she had to.

XENA
Here we are.

Xena held the door open to her study as she waited for Gabrielle to enter and after she did was about to shut it behind herself after she walked in but thought it might make things a little less tense if she left it open so Gabrielle didn't feel like she was being trapped.

XENA
Have a seat.

Xena gestured to the normal spot where Gabrielle would sit while working as her scribe as the Conqueror herself sat behind her own desk. Seeing Xena sit several feet away from her and the door left open, Gabrielle felt comfortable enough to take a seat and not worry that the other woman had any intentions of harming her. At least not right then anyway. Once Gabrielle had sat down, there was an awkward silence as Xena tried to decide where she should begin. Then finally after several long moments Xena spoke.

XENA
Listen about last night.

Gabrielle felt herself become more tense as though she wanted answers about what had happened or might have almost happened, she was still afraid of what Xena would do as a result of her fighting back. After all Gabrielle had seen first hand what happened to people who didn't give the Conqueror what she wanted. And wasn't that exactly what Gabrielle had done when the woman had come into her room? But yet as Xena continued to speak Gabrielle was utterly shocked as she heard the nest words out of the Conqueror's mouth.

XENA
I know that it really isn't going to mean anything but... I just wanted to say that I'm sorry.

Sitting in Xena's study, Gabrielle found herself somewhat speechless as she had been taken completely off guard by the unexpected apology she had just received from the typically cold woman sitting across from her. Someone who Gabrielle knew had killed countless people. Raided and taken over numerous village's and cities. Who since Gabrielle had met her had been cold, distant, calculating in almost everything that she said and did. And of whom Gabrielle had both heard of and witnessed first hand the aftermath of multiple violent outburst in various scenarios both in and outside of the keep. None of which to Gabrielle's knowledge, the woman had never appeared to be remorseful for in the slightest. So because of all of this, Gabrielle couldn't help but feel highly confused as to what the reason could have been for why the Conqueror had felt it necessary for her to offer the young woman an apology now. And fearing that it may have been some kind of trick or something to see her reaction, though Gabrielle still felt fairly shaken from the encounter that had taken place between herself and the Conqueror, she thought it would be wiser for her to just lie and pretend that what had happened between herself and the Conqueror didn't really bother her.

GABRIELLE
Thank you. I appreciate your apology my lord.

Xena watched as Gabrielle lowered her head and looked away while she sat there feeling very clearly extremely tense and uncomfortable with just being in Xena's presence. However her behavior didn't come to much of a surprise to Xena, as the Conqueror's suspicions of what she may have done to the young woman appeared to be showing clear signs of being true. And for all of Xena's very many faults and all of the truly horrible, unforgivable acts that she had committed throughout the years, along with killing children and non combatant women, forcing herself on anyone was one of the very few lines that Xena had vowed to herself that she would never cross. In days long before making her home at the keep and using it as her standard base of operations, the Conqueror had spent many years traveling across the various lands in an effort to take as much of those places as hers in some way. And it was through those travels that she had come across multiple scenarios where all too often women were treated as nothing but bartering tools to gain an advantage over ones enemy by holding them for a ransom of some kind. Or they were kept to used for nothing more than to satisfy those who held positions of power in every way imaginable. From being forced to provide the most basic of needs, to being used and abused in some of the darkest and most sinister ways that anyone could possibly imagine. And being a woman herself in a world and lifestyle that was largely dominated by those exact types of men, Xena was very well aware of how drastically different the way that men and women were treated in both the dark world she had lived in. As well as in the way they were typically viewed in regular, everyday society. And though the levels of imbalance between men and women may have differed drastically between the two words, it didn't change the fact that far too many women and girls were taking advantage of and treated horrifically in both. And although being a woman herself, Xena had somehow been fortunate enough to had been able to gather the right skills that allowed her to rise above any obstacle or barrier that may have come her way due to her being a woman. It was only once her reputation had began to become something resembling what it was now, when for the most part people appeared to no longer think twice about whether she was a man or a woman, and learned to show their respect, fear or a healthy mix of both for her. So to have there even be the possibility that the Conqueror had crossed a boundary that she had sworn she never would and done something so incredibly heinous, caused Xena to feel a level of guilt and shame that she until that moment she had thought to be impossible. So with a feeling pure remorse that she so seldomly truly experienced at this level, Xena stood from her seat and walked over to the window as she tried to think of what, if anything she could possibly do to possibly even begin to fix what she had done.

GABRIELLE
Um, my lord?

Hearing Gabrielle's voice, Xena turned to face her.

XENA
Yes?

GABRIELLE
If it okay for me to ask, I was wondering if there was a reason why you came to my room last night?

Xema sighed, somehow finding herself suddenly feeling even worse than she already had just a moment earlier as she suddenly realized that she had been making this whole situation far too much about herself not about the innocent young woman in front of her. Of whom Xena was certain must've been feeling so many different emotions that had undoubtedly been made worse by being brought to an isolated room with her attacker. So in a first, small attempt at doing what she could to try and ease Gabrielle's suffering, Xena felt it fair that she should be as honest with the young woman as possible about what she could actually remember about the night before. Though Xena knew that her answers wouldn't likely be nearly good enough to ease much, if any of Gabrielle's pain. But even so, Xena knew that even giving what little bit of insight into what happened as she could would be something that could slowly begin Gabrielle down the road to eventually moving past this. So with that in mind Xena was prepared to answer whatever questions that Gabrielle might have had as best and as honestly as she could.

XENA
I wish I could tell you. But I just don't remember.

GABRIELLE
I see.

Xena sighed as she rubbed her forehead and walked in front of her desk as she leaned back slightly against it, gathering her thoughts for what she should say.

XENA
Listen even though I don't remember what happened I just wanted to let you know that none of it was your fault. I... never meant to do what I did. And I'll understand if you don't wanna talk about it, least of all with me of all people, but if there's anything I can do just say the word. I know that it might not seem like it but what I did, that's not me. I may have done a lot of things that many would say is the work of an evil woman, but I never wanted or imagined that forcing myself onto another person would be one of them.

The room fell quiet as Xena looked at Gabrielle seeing a look of confusion cross the woman's face before she spoke, realizing what the Conqueror had apparently thought she had done.

GABRIELLE
Wait you really don't need to apologize my lord, you...

XENA
No I do. What I did wasn't right. Listen...

Xena moved closer to where Gabrielle sat and crouched down in front of her, getting down to a more even level with her. The new height of Xena's position allowed Gabrielle to look directly into the woman's eyes that normally held an intense coldness and instead saw something that she never imagined that she'd see. Which was remorse, sadness and concern as she heard Xena continue.

XENA
No, no one, no matter who someone is or whatever power they might hold, ever has the right to touch someone in that way without the other person's permission. You understand? No one. And I'm no exception. So yes I do think that giving you an apology is the very least that I can do giving what I've done.

GABRIELLE
But you didn't.

Xena's expression changed to match Gabrielle sense of confusion that she'd felt for the majority of their conversation up to that point.

XENA
I didn't?

GABRIELLE
No.

XENA
You're sure? I want you to be completely honest with me here. You don't have to be afraid of getting into any kind of trouble or being punished for telling me the truth if anything happened, understand? I swear my life on it.

It was in those words and the expression on Xena's face that Gabrielle saw a level of sincerity and care that she until that moment never imagined the infamous Conqueror capable of and briefly reflected on how yet again the woman was somehow so frighteningly similar and yet vastly different from everything about her that Gabrielle had ever heard.

GABRIELLE
You scared me and said some stuff that I don't really understand, but you didn't hurt me.

Xena sighed feeling a bit of relief as she looked Gabrielle in her eyes just wanting to be completely certain that Gabrielle was telling her the truth. And just saying what she thought Xena wanted to hear out of fear for what might happen to her.

XENA
You promise?

GABRIELLE
I promise.

Being a good judge of knowing when she was being lied to, Xena could see that Gabrielle was telling her the truth and took the young woman at her word that she hadn't assaulted her and felt an im·mense sense of relief wash over her as she turned and returned to her seat behind the desk.

XENA
Well I suppose that settles that.
(Thinking to herself) I think after this it might be a good idea if I lay off the booze for a while. I really don't wanna have something like this mess happening again.

Now relieved beyond belief that she hadn't done something truly horrible to the young woman, Xena looked at Gabrielle as she felt herself able to now ask her more details about what did actually take place between them.

XENA
If you would, I'd appreciate it greatly if you could tell me whatever you can about what happened when I came to your room last night. And again you needn't fear any repercussions for telling the truth about what happened regardless of whatever you may have to say, alright?

GABRIELLE
Okay. I'll try, but I don't really know what to say. It was all so strange and frightening. You were saying things that I didn't really understand or make sense.

XENA
It's alright, just tell me what you can. Even if it doesn't make sense or you think it doesn't matter.

GABRIELLE
Okay.

Gabrielle sat there as she recalled the whole highly uncomfortable and frightening interaction that had taken place between the Conqueror and herself during the late hours of the night before to Xena who sat in silence as she listened until Gabrielle was finished.

GABRIELLE
And that's what happened.

XENA
I see. Thank you Gabrielle. I appreciate your honesty. While I might not have done what I feared I had, I'm certain that regardless the situation was still very frustrating for you and I'll be sure that I do everything within my power to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

GABRIELLE
Thank you my lord.

XENA
Very good. That'll be all. You may go now.

GABRIELLE
Yes my lord..

Gabrielle stood from her seat and began to make her way to the door before Xena thought of one more thing that she still wanted to ask and called to Gabrielle before she made her way to the door.

XENA
Actually there is one more thing I need to know about what happened.

Gabrielle paused in her step as she turned back to face the Conqueror who remained in her seat at her desk.

GABRIELLE
I'm afraid I don't really know what more I can tell you my lord. The whole situation happened so fast and as I said I couldn't really make sense of anything you were saying or doing.

XENA
Yes I know. However my question isn't about me but rather about what "you" did.

A feeling of fear washed over Gabrielle as she silently chastised herself for believing the Conqueror when she had told her that nothing she said would get her in trouble or be held against her. And what had she said specifically that could have angered the woman when she previously had seemed truly genuine in wanting Gabrielle to tell her the truth. Gabrielle quietly found herself fearing that she could have been wrong in seeing a level of compassion in the Conqueror and thought that maybe she actually shouldn't have been honest with the women after all as she spoke, trying to think of a way she could somehow get herself out of this entire situation.

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry really. You said that you wanted me to tell you what happened. If this was some kind of test or you really didn't want me to tell you I'm sorry. I just... I...

XENA
Relax I meant what I said and you aren't in any kind of trouble.

Hearing the Conqueror speak, Gabrielle paused her nervous rambling as Xena continued.

XENA
I just wanted to know that given what happened and knowing who I am, why you decided to help me as I was on the floor in agony.

Gabrielle stood there for a moment as she thought about how strange of a question it was that she had just been asked as she thought the answer had seemed perfectly obvious. But after talking a second to get past the oddness of the question when she remembered exactly who had asked it, Gabrielle Xena answered honestly.

GABRIELLE
You were in pain. I couldn't stand there and do nothing.

XENA
Why? What am I to you but someone keeping you captive. You, like many others would only benefit if I were to have died.

GABRIELLE
Because I can't just stand by and let someone suffer and possibly die. I just didn't wanna be like...

Realizing what she was about to say without thinking, Gabrielle quietly stopped herself mid sentence and hoped that her slip of the tongue had gone unnoticed. But Xena already knew full well what Gabrielle had intended to say without her needing to finish.

XENA
Like me.

Gabrielle stood there frozen in place as she was certain that her words had undoubtedly insulted and angered the Conqueror. She wondered if she should even bother trying to apologize or just simply make a run for it and hope she could escape. But before Gabrielle could decide on what it was she thought she should do, Xena continued and like she had already done at the beginning of this conversation, said something that Gabrielle never would have expected.

XENA
You shouldn't.

DRACO
(Angry tone) What do you mean we can't keep going?!

Hector jumped slightly as Draco slammed his fist angerly against the table he stood at looking over a map of the area he and his men had been marching toward.

HECTOR
The heavy rain from last night flooded the river. There's no way we can cross safely and it would take us several more days to find a way around.

Draco scowled.

DRACO
(Angry/ Sarcasm) Great.

The warlord stood up straight from leaning over the table as he turned to face his subordinate.

DRACO
Then I don't suppose there's been any word on Xena's movements?

HECTOR
Still nothing since your last encounter.

DRACO
Interesting.

Hector saw his leader become thoughtful.

DRACO
Just what is that woman up to?

HECTOR
You did wound her pretty badly. So isn't it possible that she succumb to her injury. You did run your sword through her chest after all.

Draco scowled.

DRACO
(Irritated tone) You know Hector you can really shock me with how fucking stupid you are at times. Don't you think that if Xena were dead, we would've heard about it?

Not appreciating the insult, Hector scowled but didn't say anything as he knew it was smarter to remain silent. Because since being given a significant boost to his strength by Ares, Draco had become far more quick tempered and unforgiving. The warlord had clearly become far more comfortable with the power he'd been given and as result taken a far more brutal approach to dealing with whatever the warlord saw as opposition, disobedience or disrespect. Of which a fair number of the men within Draco's army had learned the hard way when several had entered up with fairly serious injuries after having unintentionally angering the warlord when not completing various tasks as he had instructed or even just doing something as simple as saying the wrong thing to him. However, even though Draco's approach in managing his army had changed, the warlord's men still remained loyal and overall satisfied with remaining in his employ. As they had come to claim multiple relatively easy victories across a very good stretch of area that they had been making their way across. Which had even included taking a number of smaller towns and villages that laid just along the boarder of the Conqueror's territory. And with those victories had come the spoils of war, that included a healthy surplus of a verity goods and activities of which along with Draco himself, the soldiers of the warlord's army were more than happy to indulge in and fully enjoy. However while Draco may have been making some headway in laying siege to multiple expanses of land not belonging to Xena, aside from the battle at Amphipolis where he had faced Xena, Draco hadn't yet moved in on any owned by the Conqueror as he was certain he'd be met with heavy resistance along the border. And attempting to slip by Xena's initial forces was a fools errand as he knew the result only him losing far too many men then he felt would be worth it in the process.

DRACO
She's alive. She shouldn't be. But she is.

Not quite as convinced as his leader of Xena still walking among the living, Hector sighed to himself as he decided to play along with the notion of the Conqueror not being dead as of yet.

HECTOR
Okay let's assume that's true and she is still alive. The question now is why haven't you made another move against her while you have the chance? If she's injured don't you stand a far greater chance of defeating her now while she's still vulnerable?

DRACO
You don't think that because of her being injured and knows that she has someone coming for her that she's gonna have her defenses up even further than usual?

HECTOR
I suppose she would expect a follow-up attack.

DRACO
Exactly.

HECTOR
Then if we aren't going after Xena's territories or her directly, what are we supposed to do, just stand around and wait for her to recover and retaliate?

DRACO
Oh I wouldn't worry about that.

HECTOR
Why's that?

DRACO
Let's just say sometimes the biggest threat can come be right under your nose without you ever even knowing it before it's too late.

Draco chuckled as he moved to leave his tent and stopped just before stepping outside.

DRACO
I'm grabbing something to eat, then I want one of the girls sent in.

HECTOR
Any particular one?

Draco thought for a moment before settling on which one of the slaves that he kept around he wanted for the night.

DRACO
Oh I can never remember her name. That one dark haired girl you grabbed from that little farm village a while back.

HECTOR 
The one from Potidea? I wanna say it's something like Lilly or Lila.

DRACO
Yes, Lila, that's the one. Have her waiting for me when I get back.

HECTOR
As you wish Draco.

A low, painful growl was let out as the healer applied a light coating of salve to the lingering wound on Conqueror's chest.

HEALER
Everything seems to be healing properly my lord.

XENA
(Slightly Irritated) I should be healing faster.

HEALE4
Yes well if you actually listened to my medical advice and stayed in bed, you probably would be.

Xena scowled at the woman but didn't say anything as she was forced to grit her teeth from another jolt of pain that while she was still experiencing some lingering pain, it had gotten significantly more bearable. Though that wasn't to say that Xena's injury didn't still hinder her ability to do many of the more physical things she had typically done before getting injured by Draco. A subject that still bothered Xena greatly as the lack of activity from the enemy had puzzled and bothered Xena possibly even more than the fact that Draco had nearly killed her and left her in her current state.

HEALER
Okay that should do it.

Finishing wrapping a clean bandage securely around Xena's chest, the healers tucked the end into the wrap and move to wash her hands as Xena stood up from her seat and put her shirt back on.

XENA
Finally. I have things to do.

The healer looked at Xena with slight disapproval.

HEALER
You don't ever listen to a word I say do you?

Xena idly made sure her bandages were secure as the healer spoke. Before looking at the woman when she had finished.

XENA
(Lying) What was that? I wasn't listening.

Xena smirked at the look on the other woman's face who was clearly unamused by her comment but didn't say anything in response as she just told Xena that she was good to go as Xena had already begun heading for the door.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) She apologized.

Gabrielle quietly walked the halls of the keep, absorbed in her thoughts while on her way to take a bath before heading off to bed.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) I shouldn't be like her. What did she mean by that? Why would she even care? To avoid any possible future competition? Does she actually feel some level of remorse for the things she's done? I suppose she did appear completely genuine with everything she said about what she thought she did as well as what did happen when she came to my room. I just don't get it. Just who is she?

Gabrielle sighed to herself as she found herself being reminded of just how many more differences there seemed to be between the myth of the Conqueror and the woman that Xena actually was. But as Gabrielle carried on with her bath before going to her room and settling down in bed, she had no way of knowing that she would soon bear witness to yet another side of Xena. A side of which Gabrielle herself would unknowingly be cause.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Pt.3

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