ELLE 
Chilly this morning, isn't it?

GABRIELLE 
A little.

Gabrielle took a spoonful of her hot porridge and blew on it before putting the food in her mouth.

ELLE 
(Joking) Well, at least we have a nice hot bowl of mush to warm us up.

Elle took a spoonful of her own breakfast and grimaced at the taste, before forcing herself to swallow.

ELLE 
Though I can't say as much about the flavor.

The young woman looked down at the bowl sitting in front of her and moved the portage around with her spoon.

ELLE 
What did that old hag put in this?

GABRIELLE 
Come on, Elle, it's not that bad.

ELLE 
Here, you can have mine then.

Elle pushed her bowl across the table toward Gabrielle, who slid it back to Elle.

GABRIELLE 
I'm good, thanks.

Elle gave Gabrielle a suspicious look.

ELLE 
Uh huh. Not that bad? Sure.

? 
More complaints about my cooking, Elle?

Both young women at the table looked to the side and saw Isidora standing near the table with a stack of empty plates and bowls in her hands.

ELLE 
Yeah, you can't do it.

The old woman scowled.

ISIDORA 
You clearly have no actual taste. Because if I couldn't cook, I wouldn't be here.

ELLE 
Well, you really dropped the ball today with this slop. 

Elle scooped up a spoonful of the mush and let it plop off her utensil and back into the bowl.

ISIDORA 
Well, no one's making you eat it.

ELLE 
Good thing. Because forcing anyone to eat this might be considered a new form of torture.

The old woman gave Elle an angry look before grabbing her and Gabrielle's bowls and then dumpling the contents of Elle's bowl onto the young woman's head before turning and walking away, muttering to herself.

ISIDORA 
(Muttering) Ungrateful little harpy. She's lucky that the Conqueror is around. One day... And I swear, if it's not soon...

Gabrielle and Elle watched as the old woman walked away before standing from her seat.

GABRIELLE 
I guess I'll just head to the archives.

ELLE 
(Half joking) Take me with you. Don't make me go into that kitchen with that hag.

GABRIELLE 
You know, maybe if you didn't call Isidora a hag, she might be a little nicer to you.

ELLE 
Easy for you to say, you don't work with the woman every day. Besides, you've seen her. She's not exactly fun to be around.

Gabrielle eyed the other woman as she smirked.

GABRIELLE 
Well, maybe you just need to get to know her better. 

Elle frowned at the comment, recognizing it as being suspiciously similar to what she had said to Gabrielle regarding the Conqueror.

ELLE 
(Sarcasm) Remind me to watch what I say to you from now on.

Xena sat in her study as she looked over multiple papers and maps before her work was interrupted by a knock on the door.

XENA 
Enter.

The Conqueror looked up from the paper she had been reading as Leonidas walked into the room.

LEONIDAS 
Good morning, my lord. You're looking well.

XENA 
Better than I've been. What did you need?

Xena returned to looking over her papers while Leonidas made his way to her desk.

LEONIDAS 
We just received word that there's been some suspicious activity taking place around the border.

The lieutenant's word's getting her attention. Xena set what she'd been looking at aside and gave Leonidas her full attention.

XENA 
Suspicious in what way?

LEONIDAS 
We're not quite sure, but it seems that a fair amount of their warriors are gathering near the border.

XENA 
Do we know what for? Or where they could be heading?

LEONIDAS 
Not at the moment.

Xena scowled as she rose from her chair.

XENA 
(Quiet angry tone) Draco. So he's finally decided to make his next move.

Xena moved from behind her desk and began walking with purpose toward her door.

XENA 
(Quiet angry tone) That son of a bitch is gonna pay for what he did last time.

LEONIDAS 
Actually, there still hasn't been any news about any kind of activity within or near the borders of Draco.

The Conqueror paused in her step as she turned back to face Leonidas.

XENA 
It's not Draco? Who is it then?

LEONIDAS 
Amazons. And a good number of them too.

XENA 
Amazons? 

Xena thought for a moment, puzzled by the information, before speaking again.

XENA 
Which tribe?

LEONIDAS 
We aren't completely certain, but it does appear likely to be the tribe of the Amazon queen Melosa.

Again, confused by the unexpected information, Xena thought out loud as she moved back to her desk.

XENA 
Melosa's tribe? What are they doing around here?

LEONIDAS 
Should we deploy our defenses?

XENA 
No, I don't think that'll be necessary. Not just yet, anyway.

Xena sat back down.

XENA 
If it is Melosa's tribe, she's always been a trustworthy woman. And given that we're allies, I see no reason why she would throw away our treaty and alliance without justification. Especially when she knows that the cost for both sides would be far too high if there were to be some kind of war.

LEONIDAS 
Is it possible she got word of your injury and is looking to possibly make a move while you appear vulnerable?

XENA 
No, that's not her style. We don't agree on a lot of things, but she's an honorable woman and leader to her people. So why ever she may be sending her Amazons here, I'm sure that it's with good reason.

Xena paused for a moment as she thought it possible that it wasn't women from Melosa's tribe that were waiting on her territory's border. As she did have a very checkered reputation in her dealings with the Amazon's as a whole. With her making enemies out of multiple of the various tribes of women in her even darker days of her temporary alliance with the evil sorceresses Alti. And it was possible that Leonidas was somewhat correct in his thought of the possibility of people hearing of Xena's injury, and some of the survivors from those northern Amazon encounters could see Xena's current condition as the perfect opportunity to exact their revenge. So, not knowing exactly who it was that they were dealing with or why, even if it did turn out to be an ally, Xena decided that it was best for her to air on the side of caution.

XENA 
But in case it doesn't turn out to be Melosa's tribe, perhaps it would be better to send some people out there to meet them. But we'll keep it a small battalion and won't engage until we're certain of who we're dealing with and why they're here.

LEONIDAS 
As you wish my lord.

The lieutenant brought his fist to his chest in salute to the Conqueror.

LEONIDAS 
I'll gather the men and head out immediately.

XENA 
Very good. Dismissed.

Leonidas bowed his head slightly before turning around and leaving the room to do as instructed, as Xena learned back in her chair as she brought her hand to her chest where her wound had begun to hurt again and scowled.

XENA 
(Thinking to herself Sarcastically) Just what I need right now is to deal with the possibility of another enemy attack.

The Conqueror sighed as she stood to walk around the keep a little to clear her thoughts as she waited to see who it was that was encroaching on her lands. But little did Xena know that, because of the approaching forces,  soon her keep would become the center of an unexpected level of chaos. And not in any way that Xena would have expected.

The Conqueror's keep was more a buzz than normal as Gabrielle moved through the hallway carrying several scrolls from the archives to be delivered per request of the Conqueror. And while the bustle seemed similar to when Xena had returned injured from battle, the general feeling that Gabrielle got from everyone around her was fairly different. Though she couldn't quite place it, the general feeling appeared to be a mix of excitement and unease.

ELLE 
Hey, Gabrielle. Where are you off to? Aren't you usually in the archives this time of day?

Gabrielle looked over her shoulder as Elle came up beside her and began walking along with her.

GABRIELLE 
The Conqueror sent a message to the archives requesting these scrolls.

ELLE 
Oh. 

GABRIELLE 
Hey, is it just me, or does things around here seem a bit more tense today than usual?

ELLE 
Yeah, it definitely feels like everyone is on edge.

GABRIELLE 
Any idea what's going on?

ELLE 
Funny you should say that because I was just about to ask you the same thing.

The pair kept walking as Gabrielle gave Elle a questioning look.

GABRIELLE 
Why would I know?

Elle shrugged.

ELLE 
I thought maybe because you work directly with her lordship, you might have some inside information about a lot of the goings-on around here.

Gabrielle scoffed.

GABRIELLE 
I'm her scribe, Elle, nothing more. What makes you think she would tell me anything?

ELLE 
Guess I just figured you'd probably heard something while working with her.

GABRIELLE 
Nothing I can recall. Though I doubt that I'm always around for every message she gets.

ELLE 
Good point.

The two young women walked a bit further together before parting ways as Elle went off to continue what she'd been doing as Gabrielle made her way to the Conqueror's quarters.

XENA 
Come in.

The door to Xena's study opened as Gabrielle walked in, carrying an arm full of scrolls with her.

GABRIELLE 
Um, I brought the scrolls you sent for.

Xena looked up from the papers she had been looking over and motioned to an open spot on her desk that she was sitting behind.

XENA 
Just put 'em there.

Following Xena's instructions, Gabrielle walked up to the desk and set down the scrolls, of which the Conqueror immediately grabbed one and opened it as she began quickly scanning through what was written before settling it aside and doing the same with another. Gabrielle watched as she repeated the action again, and then once more. As Xena grabbed yet another scroll and began to open it, she happened to glance up to see Gabrielle still standing there.

XENA 
(Slightly Irritated tone) What are you still doing here?

GABRIELLE 
Sorry. You didn't say I could go, so I just thought you must've still wanted me for something.

Gabrielle could see that the Conqueror was in a particularly foul mood and thought that it would likely be better if she excused herself and left the woman alone.

GABRIELLE 
But I can see that you no longer have any need for me right now, so I'll just go.

Gabrielle quickly turned to leave as she began to head for the open door, but stopped when she heard the Conqueror's voice call after her.

XENA 
Wait a minute. I'm not seeing one of the documents I sent for.

Gabrielle froze in her tracks as she turned back to face the other woman, worried that she had forgotten to bring her something she had ordered to be brought to her.

GABRIELLE 
I'm sorry. Let me see what I forgot.

Gabrielle returned to the Conqueror's desk to see which of the documents she had forgotten to bring.

GABRIELLE
What one are you looking for?

XENA 
An Amazon treaty. It's the most important thing I sent for.

Remembering the short time she and Elle spent with Terreis and the others from the young princesses' tribe after her attempted escape, Gabrielle paused looking through the scattered scrolls and looked at the Conqueror as she wondered if whatever was happening somehow involved those women.

GABRIELLE 
Did you say Amazons?

Xena glanced up at Gabrielle from her search.

XENA 
I did. Why?

Suddenly realizing that she shouldn't have said anything about it, Gabrielle frantically began piecing together a way to explain herself without letting it slip that she had meet some of them after she had escaped from the keep some time ago.

GABRIELLE 
(Lying) I just always found the Amazonian culture and way of life fascinating.

Xena raised a curious eyebrow.

XENA 
Oh, really. I'm surprised that someone from such a small settlement like Potidea would even know about the Amazons. Those women are famously known for keeping to themselves for the most part.

Gabrielle quickly continued spinning the tale of how she had come to know about the tribal women in a desperate effort to avoid the Conqueror finding out the truth and suffering what Gabrielle was certain would be the dire consequences of what might happen if she did.

GABRIELLE 
(Lying) Well, one time when I was little, I accompanied my mother to another town near my Potidea and there just happened to be some Amazons there.

XENA 
Huh. Is that so? How can you be sure they were Amazons?

GABRIELLE 
Well, it's kinda obvious when you see them, isn't it? Plus everyone's heard stories about them, haven't they?

XENA 
Hm, I guess you have a point. They do have a tendency to stand out from the average woman you would see around these parts.

The Conqueror's attention then returned to her search for the treaty amongst the other scrolls, as Gabrielle breathed a silent sigh of relief that the Conqueror seemed to believe her story.

XENA 
I still don't see that treaty. You must not have brought it.

GABRIELLE 
I could've sworn I did.

Xena scowled as she looked at Gabrielle.

XENA 
(Irritated tone) Are you calling me a liar?

GABRIELLE 
(Nervous tone) No, of course not, my lord.

Gabrielle began looking through the mess of papers in a desperate attempt to avoid getting in trouble.

GABRIELLE 
Let me just see what is here so I know if anything else is missing, and I'll go get it right away.

Gabrielle looked over the parchments and stacked the ones she read into a pile. Once nearly done going through the papers, Gabrielle was becoming more nervous that she had left something behind, and as a result, while reaching for one of the last two remaining documents, she accidentally knocked the whole stack of papers off of the desk, sending them scattering all over the floor at her feet. She looked at the floor for a moment before looking up at the Conqueror, who Gabrielle could see was losing her patience with her.

GABRIELLE 
(Nervous tone) I'm sorry. I'll pick it up.

Gabrielle hastily knelt down and began picking up the unrolled scrolls. She got down a little closer to the floor to reach one paper that had slid halfway under the Conqueror's desk, and as Gabrielle retrieved it, she spotted a still-rolled-up scroll that, unbeknownst to anyone, must have fallen and rolled beneath Xena's desk. So after reaching further under the desk, Gabrielle grabbed the runaway paper and stood up with all the papers. As she stood, Gabrielle saw the Conqueror still standing there with the same scowl on her face.

GABRIELLE 
(Nervous tone) Sorry again. I didn't mean to make a mess. But I found this under your desk. It must've fallen without our noticing. Maybe it's the treaty you were looking for.

Gabrielle held out the rolled-up scroll for Xena to take. Which she did, as she promptly opened and read it. It was exactly what they had been looking for.

XENA 
Yeah, this is it. 

Xena glanced at Gabrielle, who felt a wave of relief hit her at those words.

XENA 
Nice work.

Xena rolled the paper back up and tucked it into her shirt for safekeeping, as she casually told Gabrielle to reroll the other documents and leave them in a pile in the center of the desk, so none would fall off again.

LEONIDAS 
My lord, the Amazons are approaching the front gates.

With the treaty in her hand, Xena stood from the chair she had been sitting in as Gabrielle finished stacking the scrolls and looked up to see Leonidas standing in the doorway.

XENA 
Good. Let 'em in.

Xena began walking toward the door.

XENA 
Now let's see what just what in Hades those women think they're doing.

Gabrielle stood there as Xena walked out of the room, and silently hoped that none of the Amazons who had come to the keep would see or recognize her and potentially tell the Conqueror about her visit to their village. And with the worry of what might happen if they did, Gabrielle left the room in search of Elle to see what they should do.

GABRIELLE
Elle, there you are.

After searching for a bit until reaching the bottom floor of the keep, Gabrielle found the young woman making her way towards the front doors of the building and stopped her.

ELLE 
Oh, hey Gabrielle. I guess you heard about the Amazons?  I wonder why they're here? Did you hear anything from her lordship.

GABRIELLE 
No, but that's not important. We have much bigger things to deal with right now.

ELLE 
What do you mean?

GABRIELLE 
Elle, If any of those Amazons are the ones that we met when we left the keep, and they see us and mention it in front of the Conqueror, what do you think is gonna happen?

ELLE 
I honestly haven't thought of that. But I'm sure it'll be fine.

GABRIELLE 
Maybe you will be. But what's gonna happen to me if she finds out that I tried to escape from her? You work here willingly. I'm being kept here as a ploy against her enemies.

Elle went quiet for a moment as she tried to think of what she should say to reassure her friend.

ELLE 
I'm sure it'll be okay. After all, the Amazons are obviously here for something important, so I doubt they'll have time to even notice us. Besides, that was a big village. What are the odds that any of the ones we met are the ones that came here with the rest of the group?

Xena stood outside along with a large number of guards and soldiers as the group of Amazons brought their horses to a stop in front of her. She stood fully dressed in her Conqueror attire, which had become the iconic look that so many had come to recognize immediately. Her face was a Stoic mask over how uncomfortable the weight of her armor felt against her chest, which still hadn't completely healed from the seemingly ever-persistent injury that Draco had given her. Still, in spite of the discomfort, Xena remained focused on the situation in front of her, as she was determined to get to the bottom of why the Amazons had made their presence known on her lands.

XENA 
Melosa.

Xena stood unmoving as she watched the Amazons dismount their horses and gather behind Melosa as the Amazon queen approached the Conqueror and stopped just in front of her.

MELOSA 
Lord Conqueror.

The Conqueror's men stood not far behind her, ready to strike on command, as the two powerful leaders stood face-to-face with an air of uncertainty and tension hanging over all of them. That was until Melosa held out her hand in an offering to Xena, who, after a moment, did the same as the two women clasped each other's wrists in the warrior's handshake.

MELOSA 
It's been quite some time. You're looking well.

XENA 
Like wise.

The two released each other's arms as Xena got straight to the heart of the matter.

XENA 
Though I can't help but wonder just what it is that brings you here, Melosa.

The Amazon queen looked at Xena with a questioning look for a moment, as she also eyed the large number of guards that the Conqueror had brought out to meet them.

MELOSA 
Did you not get the message I sent ahead?

XENA 
I never received anything of the sort.

Melosa sighed as she shook her head disapprovingly.

MELOSA 
(Talking to herself) Then something must've happened to our messengers. 
(Quiet angry tone/ talking to herself) If I get my hands on that monster...

XENA 
Do you think you could fill me in on what's going on here, Melosa? Because I'm not exactly fond of people just showing up on my doorstep with your people's combat skills and no warning beforehand.

MELOSA 
Trust me, Xena, I'm well aware of your dislike of uninvited guests on your lands. A sentiment that we share, actually. Which brings me to the reason why I'm here.

XENA 
Which is?

MELOSA 
We Amazons are under attack and being taken captive. Many of our sisters have already fallen in one way or another to this threat, and per our treaty, I was hoping for your assistance in putting a stop to this and saving our people.

Xena stood a bit relieved by the unexpected news, as she found herself glad that it seemed she wasn't going to have another direct enemy to deal with at the moment, as she still had no idea what Draco had been up to since news on the warlord had been relatively silent.

XENA 
Alright. Then why don't you and your party come in? I'll have some rooms prepared for your stay along with a good meal, and we can discuss the matter of why you're here.

MELOSA 
We accept your offer, Conqueror.

XENA 
Very well.

Xena turned around and went back inside as her guards, Melosa and the other Amazons followed. And though Xena's concern about the Amazons coming to her for nefarious purposes against her had been dispelled, what actually would soon take place involving those visiting women at her keep, would reveal an unknown conflict that would soon come to a head with very unpredictable results.

With the arrival of the group of Amazons, the Conqueror's keep was busier than normal with the rushed need to accommodate the visitors as Xena lead the visiting women inside. Once within the building's walls, Xena and Melosa separated from the rest of the group as they stood off to the side of the large entrance room to speak a bit more privately.

XENA
Given the situation you briefly mentioned outside, am I to assume that this isn't going to be a lengthy visit?

MELOSA
It's not planned to be no. I hope that we can come to an agreement quickly. The last thing I want is to give our attackers more opportunity to prey on my people.

XENA
Makes sense.

Xena motioned for Leonidas who was standing among the guards that remained at attention for Xena's next orders to join her and Melosa.

LEONIDAS
My lord.

XENA
Have some of the servants prepare several rooms and show these visiting women to them.

LEONIDAS
As you wish.

XENA
And send word to the kitchen that we'll be having a grand dinner in honor of our guests.

The Conqueror looked at Melosa.

XENA
If that's alright with you?

MELOSA
It's not necessary but if that's what you want, we'll graciously accept your hospitality Conqueror.

Xena returned her attention to Leonidas.

XENA
You heard the woman.

LEONIDAS
Consider it done. I'll get on it right away.

With a quick salute, Leonidas walked off to do as instructed as Xena looked at the Amazon queen.

XENA
I'm gonna assume that you'd rather wait to be shown to your room and get straight to the business of why you're here.

MELOSA
The sooner, the better. I trust that I can leave my sister's in your people's care.

Xena gave a quick nod to assure that the other Amazons would be just fine as she turned away.

XENA
Fine. Follow me.

So as a group of servants came to escort the other visiting Amazons to their rooms, Xena lead Melosa thought the keep, to her study.

XENA
It's been quite a while sense we spoke last, hasn't it?

MELOSA
I suppose it has.

The two leaders entered the Conqueror's study as Xena closed the door behind them to give them privacy to discuss matters freely, before mowing further into the room.

XENA
Can I offer you anything?

MELOSA
I'm fine, thanks.

Xena motioned to a chair in offering for the Amazon queen to have a seat as she sat down behind her desk.

MELOSA
I'd rather stand if you don't mind.

XENA
Very well. Then let's get down to why you're here.

MELOSA
Urgency.

The Amazon walked up to the Conqueror's desk.

MELOSA
There's trouble within our lands. We've been invaded by a massive group who've been stalking, attacking and kidnapping many of the Amazons spread across the land.

XENA
How long has this been going on for?

MELOSA
From what I've gathered it's been several moons since the first known attack. Though I only received word a little over one moon ago. Since then, I've been doing my best to keep track of the developing situation.

XENA
And?

MELOSA
Over that time more and more Amazons have fallen victim to these people, and it seems that no matter what we do, we're fighting a losing battle. And in just this moon cycle, I don't, know how they're doing it, but it seems that no matter what we throw at them, it's not enough. It's as if the enemy has grown stronger and more ruthless in their pursuit of our people. Which is why I've come to ask for your help in dealing with this.

Xena sat quietly for a moment as she absorbed the information just given to her before speaking again.

XENA
This is a rather troubling turn of events. It must really be a massive army to cause this much of a threat.

MELOSA
That's the thing. As far as I'm aware, it's not. The numbers are high, but they're nothing that should stop us from warding off an assault like this

XENA
Unfamiliar tactics?

MELOSA
Not that I'm aware of. It seems that we're just simply being overpowered on the battlefield.

XENA
Maybe your Amazons just have finally met their match.

Not appreciating the Conqueror's callous comment, Melosa scowled.

MELOSA
(Irritated tone) Might I remind you that we have a treaty, Conqueror. And even with that aside, what makes you think that you won't be one of the next ones to be targeted once Draco's done with the Amazon people?

Hearing the sudden and unexpected mention of Draco's name brought a scowl to Xena's face as the pieces for why the warlord hadn't followed up from his attack on Amphipolis with another attack on her territory.

XENA
(Quiet angry tone) So that's what he's been doing. He's going after the places that fall just outside my boarders to bolster his power. And he's clearly set his sights on the Amazon's not only for your lands but as a means to fund his efforts. Which is most likely why he's capturing them. To be sold.

Xena slammed her fist down on her desk.

XENA
(Angry tone) That son of a bitch. Him and Ares. They aren't gonna get away with any of this.

MELOSA
Ares?

Hearing Xena bring up the God of War's name unprompted confused Melosa.

MELOSA
What does any of the god's have to do with this?

XENA
That's how Draco's been able to overpower you so easily. He has Ares helping him. That overrated immortal has a personal interest in me and got pissed off when I told him I wasn't interested in him or his "help". So he gave it to Draco to watch him crush me.

MELOSA
I suppose that being a god of war, having you and Draco going to war over the warlord's invasion would benefit him.

XENA
Yeah that too. I guess the past few years, he's likely been bored for the most part since I have a very large amount of Greece under my control now.

MELOSA
Then if we're up against one of the god's themselves, I don't see how we can possibly win this. That is unless we find another one of them that will help us. Though I don't know how well that'll work given that Draco has the god of war on his side.

Xena flashed a cocky smirk.

XENA
I fear no one. Mortal or not. Ares may be a god, but he isn't unbeatable. And neither is Draco. Even with Ares' help.

Xena stood from her seat as she moved to where she kept her sword on a rack and idly looked at it as she continued to speak.

XENA
(Ominous tone) I think it about time I repayed them both for the little gift I was left with the last time we met. Soon Draco and Ares will learn what happens to anyone who thinks that they can cross me and get away with it.

The crowd from the Amazons arrival had long since disbursed as they had been escorted to their rooms and everyone who resided in the keep had resumed their usual routines. Gabrielle felt some relief as it seemed that none of the visiting Amazons had seemed to notice her as aside from Melosa, Gabrielle had spotted some of the other women that she and Elle had interacted with during their brief visit to the Amazon's village. And fortunately they had all been escorted to their rooms as Gabrielle had gotten out of the situation unnoticed before she carried on with her usual routine and went to the archives. She had been at work for a good while when a voice from behind her pulled Gabrielle from her work, surprising her.

?
Gabrielle?

Gabrielle looked over her shoulder as she put the scroll in her hand on the shelf and turned around to a smiling face.

TERREIS
Who would have thought I'd find you here.

GABRIELLE
Terreis? I didn't know you were one of the ones that came here.

TERREIS
Yup. I came with my mother. Actually I think a lot of the ones you met from the village came along.

GABRIELLE
Oh wow. There was a good number of you downstairs I didn't notice.

TERREIS
Yeah. Given what's going on, my mother thought it would be better if we traveled in a bigger group than we normally do. Though I had to practically beg her to let me come along.

GABRIELLE
Why

Terreis shrugged.

TERREIS
She thought it might be too dangerous in case the group got attacked while traveling here. But after a bit I ended up convincing her to let me come. And I'm so glad I did since I get to see you again Gabrielle.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
It's nice to see you too, Terreis.

TERREIS
So this is the archives, huh?

The young Amazon princess looked around at the surrounding shelves as she took in the sheer number of writings that appeared to be stored in the large room.

TERREIS
The lord Conqueror sure has a pretty big collection of writings.

?
She certainly does.

Hearing another voice Gabrielle and Terreis looked over to see Sara walking over to them.

GABRIELLE
Oh sorry Sara, I got a little distracted. I'll get back to work right away.

Sara smiled.

SARA
Oh don't worry about it. You're always such a hard worker when you're in here. So I know you aren't just standing around for no reason.

The archivist gave Terreis a friendly smile as she continued.

SARA
So who do we have here?

Terreis introduced herself as Sara then did the same.

SARA
An Amazon princess. That's certainly interesting. Are you enjoying your visit to the keep so far?

TERREIS
I am. I was actually looking around when I came in here and happened to run into Gabrielle.

Sara looked at Gabrielle with a bit of a surprised expression.

SARA
Gabrielle, you never told me you knew an Amazon princess.

Feeling the sense of dread of the possibility of the Conqueror finding out about her attempted escape return, Gabrielle did her best to casually play off knowing Terreis as she simultaneously tried to change the subject.

GABRIELLE
Oh I guess I never thought to mention it.

TERREIS
You know ever since you left the village I've been hoping I'd get to see you again.

SARA
You've been to an Amazon village?

Again Gabrielle tried to carefully navigate the conversation as she chose her words carefully to avoid Sara learning exactly how she knew Terreis. And to avoid making any obvious lies that Terreis might unintentionally call her out on.

GABRIELLE
(Slightly nervous tone) Oh did I never mention that either?

SARA
Well I guess you're just full of surprises, aren't you?

GABRIELLE
Yeah I guess so.

Just wanting the interaction to end before anything was said that could possibly lead to the discovery of her temporary escape, Gabrielle quickly tried to get Terreis to leave the Archives.

GABRIELLE
You know I'm sure your mother is probably wondering where you are.

TERREIS
I doubt it. The last I knew she was meeting with the Conqueror.

Terreis lost her cheerful expression as she continued.

TERREIS
We actually came here for her help.

GABRIELLE
Her help?

TERREIS
Yeah. We Amazon's are in very serious danger. So my mother thought that the best way to help save our people was to come here and see what the Conqueror could do to help us.

GABRIELLE
But what if she doesn't wanna help?

TERREIS 
I'm sure she will. Don't forget we are allies. But whether we get the Conqueror's help or not, given the dire situation, my mother felt that it was a risk worth taking.

GABRIELLE
Well while I didn't know what the Conqueror's gonna do, I really hope that your people get the help you need.

TERREIS
Thanks. So do I.

SARA
I'm sure it'll work out. But in the meantime...

The archivist looked at Gabrielle.

SARA
I've got things covered here. So why don't you show Terreis around. I'm sure she'll find her way around much easier with a guide.

GABRIELLE
But I couldn't just up and leave you to work alone like that?

SARA
It's fine Gabrielle. I've got things handled just fine. Plus I'm sure that the Amazon queen will be very appreciative of you showing her daughter a fun time. Which I'm sure will make the lord Conqueror happy as ìt will certainly go a long way in keeping keeping good relationships with them. So go ahead and don't worry about

Ģabrielle stood there for a moment as she thought about what Sara had just said and found that it did seem to make sense. So though she still felt a bit uncertain about doing it, Gabrielle agreed show Terreis around the keep.

TERREIS
Oh, thank you, Gabrielle.

The young Amazon smiled excitedly.

TERREIS
Ooo this gonna be exciting. I can't wait.

And so Gabrielle and Terreis left the archives as the two had fun wondering around the keep. All the while both young women talked about various things as Gabrielle found herself ready enjoying Terreis's company. And as the sun began to fall, the pair overheard some other people who were walking down hall mention that they were handing down the feast that had finished being prepared. But as Gabrielle lead Terreis to the dining room, she nor the Amazon princess had any clue about the chaos and tragedy that was about to take place and as a result, it would throw the entire keep into utter chaos.

The dining room was filled with people as Gabrielle entered the room with Terreis. The dining table had been extended by adding another long table to each end in order to accommodate so many visitors. Multiple dishes and platters of food had already been spread down the tables, with the servants placing several more as multiple people from both the keep and the Amazons moved to the available seats but remained standing as they waited for everyone else to find a place and for the two leaders to give the go ahead to sit. As more people begin to find a seat Gabrielle and Terreis heard a voice behind them.

LEONIDAS
You should find a place to sit before space runs out.

The two young women looked over their shoulders to see the Conqueror's lieutenant standing behind them.

TERREIS
Oh.

The princess looked at Gabrielle.

TERREIS
Come on Gabrielle. Come sit with me.

Gabrielle looked down the length of the table to see an open spot next to the Amazons queen that had clearly been reserved for Terreis to sit beside her mother. And noted that there were only the Amazons seated on that side of the table.

GABRIELLE
I don't think there's room for me. Plus it looks like it's just your people sitting on that side so...

TERREIS
I'm sure it's fine Gabrielle. You're my friend,, so I doubt anyone will mind if you sit with me. Besides seeing us mingling will probably help to ease any awkwardness or tension between everyone here.

GABRIELLE
(Skeptical tone) I guess.

TERREIS
And even if it ends up not being okay I'm sure the worst thing that'll happen is you'll just be asked to move.

Still not completely sure, but seeing that everyone else who weren't the Conqueror or the queen were already seated and clearly waiting on them to sit, Gabrielle just decided to go with Terreis and followed the princess to a couple of open spots near Melosa and sat down as Terreis greeted her mother, who gave Gabrielle a quick glance before looking back at Terreis who smiled. Gabrielle sat completely straight with her hands folded across her lap as she felt unsure of what she should do, before Melosa turned her attention away from the two and to Xena who stood at the other end of the tables and gave a small nod to say that Gabrielle sitting there was fine with her and Xena moved on, picking up the goblet of the keeps finest wine that was on the table before her and raised it in the air as she began to address the room.

XENA
This evening we welcome our guests. Melosa, queen of the Amazons. Her daughter Terreis and the rest of the women that have accompanied them from their tribe. All of whom have come in search of aid against Draco and his army. And while it's no secret that though we may be allies, queen Melosa and I haven't always seen eye to eye on how we each run our respective kingdoms. But throughout the years we've come to understand and hold a great respect in for one another as leaders who at the end of the day want what's best for the people they each ruled over. So it goes without saying that I will gladly join forces with her and her people in order to defeat Draco, his army and whoever joins him in his foolish attempt at taking what's not his. So make no mistake that by the time we're done with all of them, Draco and his allies will be nothing more than a stain on the history of Greece that too will quickly fade from memory while this kingdom only grows and spreads over their shallow graves. But though Draco's days are numbered, tonight isn't about his impending demise. Tonight we celebrate our guests and a strong alliance that we've forged.

The room clapped and cheered as the Conqueror wrapped up her short speech.

XENA
So everyone eat and drink your fill. There's more than enough to go around. While we feast tonight, tomorrow we begin the fight. And put an end to Draco once and for all.

The room erupted in more applause and chears as Xena raised her cup high and many others did the same before taking a drink in celebration as Xena sat down and everyone began to have their plates fixed with food from the massive spread of options before them as they began to eat. As the meal carried on Gabrielle overheard Melosa speak to Terreis.

MELOSA
I see you've found something to occupy yourself.

TERREIS
Yes. Intact while you were busy meeting with the lord Conqueror Gabrielle was kind enough to show me around a bit.

Gabrielle felt her nerves begin to kick in as she glanced over at saw Xena raise an eyebrow in intrigue at the exchange between the mother and daughter as Gabrielle wondered if she should've done such a thing.

MELOSA
That was certainly nice of her. Though I hope you didn't pull the girl away from anything important Terreis. You wouldn't want to cause her trouble, would you?

GABRIELLE
Oh it's not a problem. Really.
(Thinking to herself) I hope.

TERREIS
Yeah the other woman in the archives that Gabrielle works with said it was okay.

MELOSA
I see. Did you enjoy yourself?

TERREIS
I did. Gabrielle was an excellent tour guide.

Melosa smiled as she turned her eyes to Gabrielle.

MELOSA
Well you have my thanks Gabrielle, for keeping my daughter entertained. She can be rather excitable at times when experiencing something new, so I appreciate your kindness towards her even if it came at some inconvenience to you.

Melosa looked at Xena.

MELOSA
I hope Terreis being shown around by someone wasn't a problem.

Gabrielle sat anxiously waiting to see what the Conqueror would say. Though she wasn't kept waiting for long as she saw Xena look at her, Terreis and Melosa for a brief moment before she spoke.

XENA
I suppose not. As long as you don't have any issue with it.

MELOSA
Not at all. I'm grateful for the hospitality she showed Terreis.

XENA
Alright then.

Xena looked at Gabrielle and gave her an approving nod.

XENA
Nice job.

Gabrielle let out a releaved sigh as the conversation moved on to other various topics as everyone ate and spoke amongst those seated near them. Including Gabrielle and Terreis who carried on a casual conversation which as Xena idly made small talk with Melosa, couldn't help but notice how much more talkitive and animated that Gabrielle seemed to be when speaking to Terreis. A side she hadn't seen from the young woman. Though that didn't exactly surprise Xena as she knew full well that she was far from the most approachable person around. And even less so as of late due to her having to deal with her injury and everything else with the situation involving Draco. Still for some reason Xena couldn't help but keep her eyes fixed on the young woman. Finding herself somewhat oddly enjoying watching a more cheerful and upbeat side of Gabrielle that she hadn't yet seen. As Xena momentary wondered if who she was watching at the table was the person that Gabrielle really was. And as the meal died down some people begin to excuse themselves while a smaller group was remained at the table, with some residents of the keep and others a number of the visiting Amazons, Xena was about to excuse herself as well but stopped as she suddenly got an odd feeling that something wasn't right. She couldn't put her finger on it but something within her said that something felt off. However, she didn't want to say anything aloud in order to avoid causing a panic, and instead was about to motion for Leonidas who was seated near by to come over but just before she could, Xena's super human hearing picked up the sound of a small, speeding projectile cutting through the air as an arrow flew into the room and stuck into an empty chair. The room suddenly fell silent as everyone who was remaining stood up. But before Xena or anyone else could fully react to the sudden arrow being shot toward the group, a large string of multiple arrows began to fly in from various directions around the room.

XENA
Everyone get down! Now!

Pandemonium erupted as everyone rushed to take cover from the sudden onslaught. Many finding refuge beneath the tables as Xena caught an arrow in mid-air as it came her way before tossing it aside and quickly grabbing a large platter from the table and using it as a shield as she moved around the room trying to locate where all of the arrows were being fired from, as she spotted Melosa and several other Amazon's doing the same, while Gabrielle, Terreis ducked under the table for shelter.

TERREIS
What's going on?!

GABRIELLE
I don't know.

TERREIS
We have to do something before someone gets killed.

GABRIELLE
Do what?

TERREIS
I don't know but I can't just do nothing.

Gabrielle watched as Terreis slowly moved out from beneath the tables and stood up as she looked around to see if she could spot any of the archers that had already claimed several guards and others that hadn't made it to safety. She quickly searched the rapture above and spotted several figures as Melosa noticed Terreis standing out in the open.

MELOSA
Terreis get into cover!

Terreis didn't move as her eyes widened when they locked onto one of the figures, recognizing them and opened her mouth to call the person out before she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest and looked down to see that she'd been hit by an arrow. She then looked back up and saw Melosa who along with Gabrielle, Xena and number of others had seen as in seemingly slow motion, the young Amazonian princess fell to the floor.

MELOSA
Terreis!

With more arrows flying, Melosa tried to reach her fallen daughter but was dropped to the floor as an arrow pierced her leg.

GABRIELLE
No Terreis.

Without thinking of her own safety, Gabrielle rushed out from beneath the table to try and save her friend but was driving to the floor as she too found herself being struck by an arrow, causing Gabrielle to let out a painful yell as she felt the arrow became embedded into the back of her shoulder. She layed there for a moment as more arrows flew over her before she lifted her head to see where Terreis was still laying. And though her shoulder hurt and she honestly didn't know what she could do, Gabrielle crawled toward the fallen Amazon and in an effort to prevent her from being hit by any more projectiles that continued to fly around them, Gabrielle used her own body to shield Terreis from getting hit again. It was several more long moments before the arrows finally stopped and Xena carefully made a quick movement from behind where she had hunkered down during the onslaught. When nothing happened, then peeked out and took a look around to see several other's doing the same with no more arrows being fired, which made Xena conclude that their attackers had likely done what they had intended to do and left. Still as she stood Xena ordered for the remaining guards in the room.

XENA
Block the exits and search every inch of this building. I want whoever's responsible for this found and brought to me immediately.

Xena then turned to assess the damage of the attack as she saw Melosa move as fast as she could with an arrow in her leg toward the table where the Conqueror then noticed Gabrielle and Terreis laying in a heap on the floor as well as several others scattered around the room that were either dead or injured.

XENA
And get the healers in here, quick.

Multiple of the surviving guards rushed out of the room as more ran in after hearing the commotion and followed the others that ran out after seeing the terrible scene that they had walked in on. Hearing the Conqueror's voice, Gabrielle looked up to see that the attack had stopped and winced as she raised up from covering Terreis to see the Amazon princess had her eyes closed and looked very pale compared to her usual complexion.

GABRIELLE
Terreis?

The Amazon didn't respond.

GABRIELLE
Terreis, can you hear me?

Gabrielle felt tears welling up in her eyes as she slowly reached up and touched Terreis's cheek. The touch seemed to stir the other young woman as the princess slowly opened her eyes and saw Gabrielle looking down at her.

TERREIS
(Weak tone) Gabrielle, you tried to save me.

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry Terreis. I wish I had been faster or noticed in time to actually do something.

TERREIS
(Weak tone) You've got nothing to apologize for. You took an arrow for me. Even after I was already hit. We've only met twice and really haven't known each other long over all and yet you were willing to sacrifice yourself to protect me.

GABRIELLE
Because you're my friend. I just didn't wanna see anything more happen to you.

Gabrielle found herself unable to fight back her heartbreak as the tears in her eyes began to overflow and run down her cheeks feeling that her friend was slipping away as Terreis gave her a weak smile.

TERREIS
(Weak tone) And I couldn't ask for a better friend. Someone who does everything they can for the people they care about. I knew from the moment we met that you were an amazing person Gabrielle.

The Amazon took a labored breath before continuing to speak.

TERREIS
Which is why I know I'm making the right choice when I do this.

Gabrielle gave Terreis confused look as the princess continued.

TERREIS
(Weak tone) Gabrielle... I want you to have my rite of caste.

GABRIELLE
Your rite of caste? Terreis, I, I don't understand.

Xena walked over and crouched down beside the two as the Amazon began to gasp for air as she coughed and blood began to seep from her mouth.

TERREIS
(Weak) Please, Gabrielle...I know I don't have a lot of time left.

GABRIELLE
Don't say that. The Conqueror has some amazing healers here. I'm sure they can save you.

Gabrielle looked at Xena who had been looking over the Amazon's injury and shook her head in response.

XENA
The arrow hit her heart. There's nothing anyone can do. The fact that she's even still alive and able to speak is unbelievable.

Hearing the Conqueror's words and knowing that she had no reason to lie about such a thing Gabrielle cried a little harder as though she still didn't understand what Terreis meant by wanting to give her the princesses right of caste, she didn't want to upset the dying young woman, Gabrielle quickly agreed to accept whatever her rite of caste was.

GABRIELLE
Okay, okay. I'll accept it.. just please hold on Terreis.

Terreis smiled slightly at Gabrielle before closing her eyes and only a few moments later, Xena checked her pulse before standing up and facing Melosa as a number of healers rushed into the room.

XENA
Im sorry, she's gone.

With those words the already somber and tense room felt a weight hang over them as the seriousness of what had just happened sank in. An Amazon princess, the daughter to the Amazon queen had just been murdered within the Conqueror's keep. A situation that Xena knew full well was not a good look for her and needed to be cleared up and have the true killer found. Otherwise she would find herself facing more than just Draco and Ares as her enemies. And as the Conqueror was left to begin to try and unravel the tragedy that had just occurred, Gabrielle also found herself in yet another unexpected position, as she had just accepted Terreis's right of caste, not knowing what it entailed. Or how the decision she had just made in the moment out of emotion would bring about multiple changes in her life and where exactly her fate would lay.

The tensions were high as a large number of people gathered around the body of the slain Amazon princess. Melosa knelt beside her daughter whose head rested in Gabrielle's lap and gently brushed aside the few stray hairs from the young woman's face, her eyes filled with a silent grief as the Amazon fought to maintain her composer in front of those gathered around.

MELOSA
...Terreis.

Gabrielle looked at Melosa as she felt her own tears fall for her dead friend.

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry. I tried to protect her, but...

Gabrielle lowered her head in both mourning and disappointment in herself for not being able to prevent her friend's death.

GABRIELLE
I wasn't able to really do anything for her in the end.

Xena crouched down beside Gabrielle, Melosa and the deceased Terreis.

XENA
There wasn't anything that anyone could've done. Once that arrow hit Terreis, it was already too late for her.

The Conqueror looked at the arrow sticking out of the young woman's chest.

XENA
Giving that she was the first one hit before the rest of the arrows came in, whoever is responsible for this knew what they were doing and wanted her dead more than anyone else.

Gabrielle looked at Xena.

GABRIELLE
But why? She was one of the nicest people I've ever met. Who could wanna kill someone like her?

XENA
You're even more naive than I thought if you think that just being nice will spare anyone from falling victim to someone else who might hold a grudge against them for whatever reason. Being what people call nice does nothing but put a target on your back.

Gabrielle lowered her head sadly as she looked at Terreis who was lifted from her lap by Melosa as the Amazon queen stood up with her daughter's lifeless body in her arms as she called over a couple other women from her village.

MELOSA
Ephiny, Solari, take Terreis to the horse and prepare her for the trip home.

She then glared at Xena as she turned to face her while still speaking to her fellow Amazons.

MELOSA
We're leaving immediately. It seems that darling to trust anyone outside ourselves was a mistake.

Xena scowled at the implication as Terreis's body was taken from Melosa who then moved to stand toe to toe with the Conqueror.

XENA
(Irritated tone) You can't possibly think I'm responsible for this.

MELOSA
(Quiet angry tone) And what am I supposed to think? My only daughter was assassinated within your walls Conqueror. In fact, I'd even dare to say that based on the Method of this latent attack that this was an attempt on not only her life, but mine and the rest of my party that accompanied me here. And to think that I was foolish enough to believe we were allies and lowered my guard around you. A mistake that I will never let happen again.

In a flash Melosa drew a dagger from her boot and lunged for Xena in a grief fueled rage. She drove her blade straight for Xena's chest as before anyone else could react Xena grabbed Melosa's wrist, twisted it and kicked the back of the Amazon queen's knee, causing her to drop to one knee as before Melosa could recover a series of guards had moved in with their weapons drawn and surrounded her and the Conqueror who held Melosa in place as she grabbed a handful of the queen's hair and tilted her head back to look at the Conqueror as she spoke.

XENA
(Cold tone) Don't let your emotions lead you to doing something stupid Melosa. You'll remember where you are and who I am. If I wanted you or any of your people dead I wouldn't make such a half-assed attempt as to just unleash a hail of arrows into a room which might I remind you has my people in as well.

MELOSA
(Quiet angry tone) Oh please, it's well known that you've got no problem with sacrificing your own in order to get what you want.

As Melosa spoke Xena's eyes shot to several Amazons who were slowly moving closer and Xena pulled the Amazon queen's hair slightly as she addressed the other woman.

XENA
Uh, uh, I'm afraid this little conversation is between me and your queen. Now if we don't want any more bloodshed to occur here today, I'd suggest that you all back off.

Angry Amazon eyes glared at Xena as several began to spread out in an attempt to take Xena off guard.

MELOSA
Stand down. That's an order.

Hearing their queen's command, the tribal women backed off but remained really for if they needed to take action as Xena resumed speaking to Melosa as she addressed the woman's point of the Conqueror's willingness to sacrifice her own people in order to achieve whatever goals she may have.

XENA
You might be right about my sacrificing my men in rare occasions when I don't see any other way to victory. But what you're forgetting in this scenario Melosa, is that I was in the room too during the attack. So why would I have had them unleash such a risky tactic?

MELOSA
Like you're men would hit you.

XENA
In that level of chaos there would be no way to ensure that I wouldn't be hit. There were actually several close calls during the attack where if I had been slightly off in my timing or positioning, I could've ended up resembling a human sized pin cushion. Much like some of the others here who weren't quite so lucky.

Xena nodded toward several bodies of those who had fallen victim to the arrows that had rained down over the room. Among them were both those in the Conqueror's employ as well as a few other Amazons who were killed along with Terreis. After taking a long moment to take in the full extent of the scene before her, Melosa found herself agreeing with Xena's logic.

MELOSA
Though my heart tells me otherwise at the moment, I suppose you have a point, Conqueror. You have my apologies for jumping to conclusions and going after you.

XENA
Given the situation, I can't say that I wouldn't have drawn a similar conclusion right away and done the same. Though that's not to say that I appreciate the accusation.

Xena released Melosa and stepped back as her guards remained ready if the Amazon queen went after their leader again. But this time the woman remained calm as she turned to face Xena and sheathed her blade.

MELOSA
Then, if you aren't the culprit behind this attack and the cause of my daughter's death, it means someone else in this building is. And I fully intend on finding out who they are and making sure they pay for what they've done.

XENA
I agree. So allow me to help you find those responsible. This was undoubtedly a ploy to pin us against one another. Because whoever did this knew that I'd be the top suspect for this. Making it much easier for them to get away with whatever it is they tried to do here.

MELOSA
You may have a point. Which would mean that you may need to look into getting yourself better securityConqueror.

XENA
So it would seem.

The two leaders attention was drawn away from their conversation when Gabrielle made a painful groan from the arrow still stuck in her shoulder as she remained kneeling beside Terreis's body and Xena crouched down beside her.

XENA
Come here, let's take care of that shoulder.

In pain and still in shock from everything that had just happened Gabrielle just did as she was told and let Xena examine her injury.

XENA
It's in too deep to just pull out without causing more damage.

Xena grabbed the arrows shaft and broke off the feathered end as she took a moment to look at it and take note of its style as Gabrielle questioned what she was doing.

GABRIELLE
What do you mean it's too deep? How am I supposed to get it ou- AAH!

A sharp, stabbing pain suddenly ripped through Gabrielle's shoulder, cutting her off mid-question as she felt the arrow head being pushed further into her shoulder. She yelled out in agony as the foreign object was forced through her flesh and tried to push Xena away, but instead was held tight as the Conqueror wrapped one strong arm around both of Gabrielle's, pinning them at her side before resuming to push on the arrow.

XENA
(Stern tone) The arrow has to come out damn it. Now hold still.

The pain in Gabrielle's shoulder persisted before suddenly getting much worse for a moment as she felt the arrow head rip through the flesh in the front of her shoulder, resulting in a loud scream that Xena ignored as she took hold of the head of the arrow and pulled the rest of the broken item through the wound and tossed it aside as Gabrielle's body gave out from the pain, and she involuntarily fell forward but was caught by Xena, who gently laid her down on the floor before telling someone to come bring Gabrielle to the healers and bandage her wound.

MELOSA
Wait a minute. She's not going anywhere without having someone go with her.

The Conqueror scowled as she stood up and looked at the Amazon queen.

XENA
What are you talking about? You have no say in what I do with the people under my employ.

MELOSA
You're right,but Gabrielle is no longer just another person in your keep. You heard it yourself Conqueror. My daughter passed her rite of caste on to Gabrielle who accepted. Which by Amazon law makes her not only an Amazon, but also puts her in place to be next in line for the throne. After she's probably initiated into the tribe that is.

XENA
She clearly didn't know what she was doing.

MELOSA
My daughter may have been young, but she was no fool Xena. She wouldn't have just given away her rite of caste to someone who she didn't think was worthy of caring on in her place and eventually taking over as queen.

XENA
Well Gabrielle obviously didn't know what accepting that meant.

Xena paused for a moment as she thought of something about the whole situation that seemed a bit odd to her.

XENA
Which brings up another point of how she and your daughter knew each other. And how you do as well. Because you seem to be a bit more familiar with her than people who have just met today.

MELOSA 
Because we didn't. It was actually not very long ago when she and another young woman wandered into our territory and were brought to our village for a night before I sent them back here.

XENA
Interesting.

Overhearing the conversation while drifting out of consciousness, Gabrielle felt herself beginning to panic as she realized that the Conqueror had just learned about her attempted escape. She tried to sit up and plea her case but was pinned back to the floor by the Conqueror who glanced in her direction.

XENA
Don't move. You're wound isn't cleaned or bandaged. You won't get very far before you feel faint from blood loss.

Xena then looked at Melosa.

XENA
You want someone with her, fine. Send one of your uninjured to accompany her to the healers.

Xena returned her gaze to Gabrielle for a moment.

XENA
I'll deal with this new information afterwards. For now, we have more urgent matters to attend to.

Gabrielle, along with several other injured people were brought to the keeps infirmary as the search for the culprits of the attack spread throughout the keep. And as the sun fell on the unexpectedly chaotic day, Gabrielle would soon find that the days ahead wouldn't be any less intense as she had unknowingly become a part of something much bigger than just accepting a role that she didn't fully understand. And landed in the middle of a conflict that had been secretly brewing for some time that as a result would inadvertently also draw the Conqueror into the situation. And not in the way that the culprit would have hoped.

XENA
(Stern tone) Absolutely not.

MELOSA
With all due respect Conqueror, this isn't your decision.

With a scowl on her face, Xena paused in her steps as she turned to face the Amazon queen and a few other women accompanying her as the group moved through the halls of the keep on their way to the Conqueror's study.

XENA
(Irritated) The fuck it isn't. You can be queen of the god's, Hera herself for all I care. You're in my home, on my lands, so you don't get to just come in a dictate what happens to the people here. End of discussion.

Without another word and before Melosa could reply Xena turned back around and continued down the hall.

XENA
Now if you'll excuse me I have to see if anyone has found anything regarding your daughter's killer.

A small groan was let out as Gabrielle slowly opened her eyes. She found herself laying in a bed within a room in the healers quarters of the keep. Her mind still a bit foggy as she tried to piece together exactly what had happened as she looked over to the window near her bed and saw that the sun had clearly long since set which caused her to question just how long she had been unconscious. She laid there for several moments lost in her in thoughts until the sound of the door opening caught her attention as she heard someone entering the room and turned her head to see Ephiny walking in as the Amazon shut the door behind her and turned to see Gabrielle looking at her.

EPHINY
Sorry I didn't mean to wake you.

GABRIELLE
You didn't.

Gabrielle watched as Ephiny walked around and lit a couple candles that were placed around the room before coming over to Gabrielle's bedside.

EPHINY
How are you feeling?

Whether the Amazon was asking if she was in physical pain or if she was referring to how she was handling everything that had taken place earlier in the day Gabrielle wasn't sure, but gave an answer that would fit either question nonetheless.

GABRIELLE
I... don't know.

EPHINY
Is there anything I can get you?

Gabrielle shook her head no as an awkward silence filled the room before Gabrielle spoke up several moments later after somewhat gathering her thoughts of which were scattered all over the place as she tried to make sense of what had happened over the dinner turned nightmare that had taken place earlier in the evening.

GABRIELLE
What happened earlier? Why?

Still unsure of what exactly happened as the incident was still being investigated Ephiny didn't have an answer for Gabrielle and knew that she needed to be honest with her about the fact, along with everything else that would now come from it.

EPHINY
If you mean the attack I'm afraid we still don't have any answers. Both our people and the Conqueror's are at work as we speak doing everything they can to find whoever's responsible. Hopefully they'll be found soon so they can be brought to justice.

GABRIELLE
I hope so too.

Gabrielle sighed as she tried to sit up but felt a pain in her shoulder that drove her right back down on the bed as she let out a pain fueled yelp.

EPHINY
You shouldn't be moving right now. You took a pretty serious hit to your shoulder when you were struck by that arrow.

Gabrielle put her elbows under her as she again tried to move.

GABRIELLE
I'm not trying to get out of bed. I just wanna get more comfortable and sit up a little.

Ephiny stood there watching her for a moment before sighing to herself and picked up the pillow that was sitting in a nearby chair and helped Gabrielle lean forward slightly as she placed the pillow behind her before easing her back against it.

EPHINY
There. Better?

GABRIELLE
Much. Thank you.

EPHINY
Don't mention it.

Ephiny walked back over to the chair she had gotten the pillow from and moved the small blanket to the side as she slid the chair up to Gabrielle's bedside.

EPHINY
Is it alright if I sit?

GABRIELLE
Of course.

Gabrielle watched as the Amazon took a seat and idly look around the room almost as if she would rather be somewhere else instead of in that room. Which Gabrielle found odd as she wondered why exactly the woman was even there in the first place. Was she upset with Gabrielle for not being able to protect Terreis? Did queen Melosa send her to try and get some answers for why she hadn't done more to help her daughter. Someone who Gabrielle called her friend. Which brought tears to Gabrielle's eyes as she remembered the moment of watching her friend die right in front of her and thought that she should at least attempt to offer her condolences. Even though she knew it would likely wouldn't really make any difference.

GABRIELLE
Listen Ephiny, about Terreis. I... I'm really sorry. If I had noticed the arrow sooner...

EPHINY
There wasn't anything that you could've done. The former princess died as a result of that surprise attack. You risked your life in order to try and save her. A quality that she clearly saw as being worthy of becoming her successor.

Gabrielle looked at Ephiny confused by what the woman had just said.

GABRIELLE
Her successor? What are you talking about?

Mirroring Gabrielle's baffled expression for a moment, Ephiny realized that given the chaos of the situation, Gabrielle likely didn't remember Terreis passing her rite of caste to her just before dying and reminded Gabrielle of that fact. Or strengthen out any confusion if that didn't actually happen.

EPHINY
Terreis's rite of caste, I was told you accepted it. Or didn't you?

GABRIELLE
Her rite of caste?

Gabrielle searched her memory of the day's events, though once the attack started everything after all seemed like a blur. Still after a moment Gabrielle did remember that Terreis had said something about giving her something that the dying process referred to as her "rite of caste" and Gabrielle had said yes. But in all honesty Gabrielle had no clue what Terreis was talking about and just said yes to it because it seemed important to her friend.

GABRIELLE
I think she said something about giving me something like that.

EPHINY
And did you accept it?

GABRIELLE
Yes?

Gabrielle looked around for a moment as she wondered if she had inadvertently done something that she shouldn't have.

GABRIELLE
Why? What exactly did I say yes to?

Ephiny was just about to try and explain the situation that Gabrielle had gotten into when the two heard a pair of voices coming from the other side of the door of two people who seemed to be engaged in a very heated debate.

?1
It doesn't matter what you say. My answer is no.

?2
Again, you say that as though you have any say in the matter.

Gabrielle and Ephiny looked at each other, recognizing the other voices as they didn't have time to wonder what the agreement was about before the door to Gabrielle's room opened as Xena and Melosa walked in, not acknowledging Gabrielle or Ephiny as they continued their debate before Xena slammed the door behind her and glared angerly at the Amazon queen.

XENA
(Angry tone) I said no and that's final. And if you don't like it you can just forget about getting my help against Draco as you take your people and leave right now.

Melosa scowled as she crossed her arms and stood staring intensely at Xena.

MELOSA
So is that how it's gonna be, Xena?

XENA
It's Conqueror to you, Melosa. And yes, it is. That is, if it needs to be.

MELOSA
We both know it doesn't.

XENA
Well that's up to you now, isn't it?

MELOSA
Don't do this Xena. We both know that Amazon law is clear on this. The girl was given Terreis's rite of caste and as such inherited my daughter's role as princess and next in line for queen of our tribe.

XENA
You're queen, you can change that if you wanted to.

Melosa scoffed at the comment.

MELOSA
You really don't know as much about Amazonian culture and politics as you think Conqueror. Do you seriously believe that I want my successor to be someone from the outside who doesn't know anything about our people let alone ruling over them?

XENA
Well if that's really the case, there must be something you can do that doesn't involve taking her from here and into a world she knows nothing about.

Melosa sighed in frustration as she looked at Gabrielle and then back to Xena as a question regarding the Conqueror's behavior over the matter came to mind.

MELOSA
I suppose I can see your point. But let me ask you something.

XENA
(Irritated tone) What?

MELOSA
Why do you care so much about us taking Gabrielle?

Xena casually shrugged.

XENA
I just don't like people taking what's mine. You should know that by now.

The Amazon queen thought for a moment before replying.

MELOSA
Interesting. I thought you didn't own slaves, Conqueror.

XENA
I don't. And you know that.

MELOSA
Then tell me how exactly Gabrielle belongs to you? Or is required to stay here?

Xena scowled at Melosa fully aware that the woman knew that she didn't have any sound reasoning that would legally prevent Melosa and her Amazons from taking Gabrielle with them when they left. And in all honesty even Xena herself wasn't sure as to why the thought of the young woman leaving seemed to bother her so much.

GABRIELLE
Um, don't I get a say in any of this?

Having completely forgotten that they were in the room with her, both Melosa and Xena turned their attention to Gabrielle who was still seated in her bed with Ephiny standing beside her who bowed her head and stepped aside as Melosa moved to Gabrielle's bedside as Xena stood at the foot of the bed with her arms crossed giving Melosa an evil look before turning her eyes to Gabrielle.

MELOSA
Technically it is your decision for whether or not you wish to be truly initiated into the tribe.

XENA
(Annoyed Sarcasm) Oh so suddenly now your laws aren't so set in stone when I'm not the one with the objections.

Not saying anything Melosa gave Xena a disapproving glance before returning her focus on Gabrielle as she continued.

MELOSA
This is a very important decision to make so if you need time to consider it, I'll understand.

Gabrielle thought for a moment.

GABRIELLE
So am I really the princess to the Amazon's?

MELOSA
Unless you renounce the title even though you aren't part of the tribe, yes. You're technically princess and my heir to the throne.

GABRIELLE
And if I accept then I'll become an Amazon, you'll take me with you when you leave here?

MELOSA
If that's what you want, then yes you'll come with us.

XENA
(Muttering to herself) Not if I have anything to say about it.

Again Melosa glared at the Conqueror as Gabrielle also looked her way and Melosa could tell that she felt somewhat intimated by her presence and comments and placed her hand on the opposite shoulder from the one that had been injured by the arrow to try reassuring her.

MELOSA
Gabrielle this is your decision and no one else's.

The Amazon queen glanced over at the Conqueror as she continued.

MELOSA
Regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Xena scowled as Melosa returned her focus to Gabrielle.

MELOSA
And you don't need to fear reproductions of whatever you choose. If you choose to come with us and learn our ways, you'll be protected and ensured safe passage away from here and to our village where you'll live freely within the village as you're prepared to one day take my place as queen. Or if you decide that this isn't something you want then you need only to denounce the title and that'll be the end of it.

Gabrielle looked at the two leaders who stood before her as she realized that this moment was a possibility the one that she had been wanting for as she imagined that she'd have far more freedom among the Amazons even if she didn't know what being one would actually be like. And even if she decided that she didn't really want to become part of their tribe she could probably just say so after they left the keep, and then she could finally search for her sister and go back to Potidea. And so with that in mind, Gabrielle had no doubt as she spoke knowing exactly what she wanted to do.

GABRIELLE
I'll do it. I'll go with you back to your village, become an Amazon and their princess.

Not pleased at all by what Gabrielle had just said, Xena glared at her, for a long moment before turning her focus to Melosa as she heard the Amazon speak.

MELOSA
Are you absolutely sure about this Gabrielle. This is a big decision and don't want you to feel like you're being pressured into taking on something that you don't really want.

GABRIELLE
No. I wanna do this. Terreis obviously trusted me enough to give me her "rite of caste". That's what it's called, right?

MELOSA
Yes.

GABRIELLE
Well if she trusted me with something that important, then I wanna honor her memory and do everything I can to live up to the gift and responsibility that she passed on to me.

Xena scowled.

XENA
This isn't a game you know.

MELOSA
No one said it was Conqueror.

Xena gave Melosa a fierce look.

XENA
She knows nothing about being an Amazon or what it means to be in any kind of leadership role. Think about this Melosa. Terreis was even younger than her, so I sincerely doubt that given the situation your daughter had the opportunity to make a rational decision when she gave Gabrielle her rite of caste.

Melosa scowled as she turned to face the Conqueror.

MELOSA
She may have been young and appeared more care free than most of us, but my daughter was no fool Conqueror. She was wise beyond her years because she knew full well the responsibilities of her position. So even in her final moments I trust that Terreis knew what she was doing. And as for Gabrielle...

The queen of the Amazons turned her attention to Gabrielle for a moment as she continued.

MELOSA
I'm fully confident that with a little work, she's perfectly capable of learning our ways and will become a fine addition to our tribe. And while her ability to someday take my place remains an unknown, we can see how she progresses and make a decision on that matter further down the road once I'm able to see how much she's grown in her current role. But for now we'll just take things slow and give her time to adjust to this drastic change.

Melosa then switched to addressing Gabrielle directly.

MELOSA
Does that sound fair to you?

GABRIELLE
That sounds fine to me.

MELOSA
Well, that settles it then.

XENA
It settles nothing.

The Amazon returned her attention to Xena who could sense that she was fighting a losing battle but was determined to not let Melosa have her way, so made one final move that she was certain would cause the Amazon queen to have second thoughts about taking Gabrielle back to her village.

XENA
I'm warning you Melosa, you take her out of this building and not only can you forget about getting my help against Draco. But you can consider whatever alliance we had between us over. So if I were you I'd think carefully about if this one girl is worth burning that bridge that took so long to build between not only you and myself, but the rest of your people as well.

Melosa turned to face Xena as she stood tall and stared unintimidated into Xena's eyes as she gave her final answer on the matter.

MELOSA
If this is all it takes for you to sever our alliance, and that's how you want it to be Conqueror. Then perhaps this alliance was actually doomed from the very beginning.

XENA
(Quiet angry tone) Then so be it.

With an intense and angry glare at Melosa, Gabrielle and Ephiny who was still in the room but remained silent throughout the debate as she felt she had no say in the matter, Xena began to turn to leave the room before giving her final input on the subject before storming out of the room and slamming the door shut behind her.

XENA
(Quiet angry tone) You can take your new little princess and go. I want every single one of you out of here immensely. And I don't ever wanna see any of you people around here again. Or else.

It wasn't long after as the group of Amazons mounted their horses in front of the Conqueror's keep. Terreis's wrapped body was carefully loaded onto the back of a horse and secured as Gabrielle stood with her arm in a sling as she was approached by Elle who along with many others had gathered to see the group off.

ELLE
You're really leaving Gabrielle?

GABRIELLE
Yeah, I am.

ELLE
Look I know that you weren't really here of your own will, but I kinda thought we had become friends and that you were starting to like being here.

Gabrielle sighed.

GABRIELLE
It's not that we aren't friends Elle. In fact meeting you and Sarah has been one of the few good things that has come from all of this. I felt so scared and alone when I was first brought here, and you went out of your way to be nice to me and try making me feel better about things.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
Thank you Elle. I'll never forget you.

Elle gave a sad smile as she pulled Gabrielle into a hug who returned the sentiment.

ELLE
Take care of yourself Gabrielle. I'm gonna miss you.

GABRIELLE
I'll miss you too.

The two separated and Gabrielle made her way over to Ephiny who was waiting on her horse and helped Gabrielle up into the saddle behind her as Leonidas walked up and stood beside Xena who was watching from the top of the steps to the front door.

LEONIDAS
Are you certain of this my lord? These women have been extremely valuable allies for quite some time. It would be a shame to part ways with them now when you both face such a powerful enemy in Draco.

Xena glanced over at her lieutenant for a moment before returning her gaze to the group of people about to leave her property.

XENA
Actions have consequences Leonidas. And Melosa knows this. I laid out my terms for our arrangement and she went ahead with going against what I had said regardless. So for whatever happens to her people from here out, it's no longer my problem. And Melosa won't have anyone to blame for any of it but herself.

LEONIDAS
If you don't mind my saying, this is quite the strong reaction to the little one leaving.

With a slight turn of her head, Xena shot the solider an unhappy look before returning her focus ahead.

XENA
(Irritated tone) Meaning?

LEONIDAS
Well, my lord, it's not as though people haven't come and gone from here before. May I ask if there's any particular reason for why her leaving bothers you so.

XENA
It's nothing. You know how I feel about people taking what's mine.

LEONIDAS
I see.

The two stood silently for a moment as they watched Gabrielle and the Amazons preparing to leave before Leonidas spoke up again.

LEONIDAS
Well I, for one, am going to miss the young lady. I know Sara and many others here will miss her a great deal as well. She's a sweet girl and I think this place will feel quite a bit emptier without her around, don't you agree?

Xena stood quietly as she watched the horses begin to move out and found herself feeling a strange sense of loss that took her by surprise before it was replaced by anger as she turned away and began walking back inside as she gave her cold reply.

XENA
I'm losing a decent scribe, it's the only reason I'll even notice that she's gone at all. Now if you'll excuse me, even without the Amazons, I still have Draco and Ares to deal with.

The days had grown a good deal shorter with the sunlight nearly fading from the evening sky as a loud thud came from the Conqueror's study from a fist slamming onto her desk as she stood up from her seat and addressed the man standing before her.

XENA
(Angry tone) What do you mean you don't have any information?

MESSAGER
Forgive me, my lord. But it seems that due to the recent change in the weather, it's made tracking Draco's movements much more difficult.

XENA
(Angry tone) You realize that the snow would make it more difficult for him and his army to move around as well. So don't you even try using that as a pathetic excuse for you or your team's incompetence.

MESSAGER
Then what would you have us do differently? We've been running ourselves into the ground for nearly a month now. Ever since you decided that finding Draco was out sole focus, my men and several other battalions have been going nearly nonstop to locate him and his army. We're exhausted and moral is down. And now that the cold and snow has begun to settle in, I'm afraid that sentiments among the soldiers aren't getting any better. So if I may, I think it would be wise to perhaps ease up on our efforts to locate Draco for the time being. At least until the spring anyway.

XENA
(Angry tone) Your men?

The Conqueror scowled, not happy with the way of which she was being spoken to by her subordinate.

XENA
(Quiet angry tone) It seems that you've somehow forgotten who it is that's in charge around here.

The solider stood stiff as he could practically feel the Conqueror's anger radiating off of her as she almost casually walked out from behind her desk and made her way over to the man while she continued to speak.

XENA
(Cold tone) You're soldiers. It's not your job to wine and complain about the orders you're given. Your job is to go out there and fight for the kingdom that you swore to serve.

The soldier remained unmoving as Xena walked around him before stopping right behind him as she spoke menacingly into his ear.

XENA
(Quiet angry tone) "My" kingdom. Meaning you do as I fucking say and keep your mouth shut and your worthless opinions to yourself.

SOLDIER
Then what are we supposed to do? Because what we're doing now clearly isn't working and I... ak!..

Feeling his airway suddenly cut off, the soldier himself unable to continue making his case as he felt the Conqueror's hand tightly gripping around his throat as she applied a great deal of pressure against the man's windpipe.

XENA
(Cold tone) You already know full well what I expect from you. But you don't seem to wanna listen.

Keeping her grip tight on his throat, Xena took her boot and pressed it into the back of the soldier's knee and forced him into a kneeling position as she continued to talk.

XENA
(Cold tone) But perhaps now I have your attention?

Unable to breathe, thus vocalize his reply, the soldier nodded as he began to try and pull Xena's hand from his neck. However, he soon found himself shoved forward with the Conqueror's knee in his back as his arms were pinned beneath both of their full weight and unable to move as his struggle to breathe continued.

XENA
(Cold tone) Good. Then maybe you'll remember your place and keep in mind that if you don't like how I'm doing things, I can easily relieve you of your duties in a very permanent way. Do I make myself clear?

The soldier nodded as he felt his vision beginning to fade and tried to move but was unable as Xena put more of her weight down on the suffocating man when she leaned down closer to his face that was crazed back from her hold on his neck.

XENA
(Menacing tone) What was that? I'm afraid I couldn't quite hear you.

The soldier gasped as he frantically tried to push out any kind of vocal response from his restricted airway before he was lost to the darkness that threatened to claim his consciousness and then likely his very life and finally somehow managed to barely get out a single, small word that he desperately hoped would be enough to release him from this tortured fate.

SOLDIER
(Gasping) Y-es.

Satisfied with the man's reply, Xena released her grip on his throat and heard a loud gasp from the soldier who was once again allowed to breathe as she stood up from kneeling on his back and casually walked back to her seat behind her desk. The man coughed as he got back to his feet and rubbed his throat as he began to regulate his breathing after taking several deep inhales of oxygen.

XENA
(Stern tone) Now get back to the barracks. We're done here.

SOLDIER
(Breathing heavily) Yes, my lord.

Remaining in her seat, Xena watched with an unfeeling expression on her face as the shaken soldier did his best to get out of the room as fast as he could without making it obvious but failed miserably as he opened the door and was nearly knocked to the floor when he ran into Leonidas who just happened to be entering the room at the same time. The lieutenant looked at the young man who was visibly shaking up as he excused himself and hurried out the door and down the stairs from the Conqueror's study.

LEONIDAS
Based on the way that young men just bolted out of here as though he were being chased by the hound of Hades, Cerberus himself, I take it that you've already received the latest update from the field.

Xena made an irritated grumble that Leonidas translated to being a yes as he walked up and stood in front of her desk as Xena began looking over a few papers that were laid out on her desk.

LEONIDAS
If I may, can I ask you a question my lord?

XENA
What?

LEONIDAS
Why the sudden increased interest in locating Draco?

Xena lifted her eyes from the paper as she glared at her lieutenant.

XENA
(Slightly Irritated tone) There's nothing sudden about it Leonidas. You know that I've been trying to pin down his movements since our last meeting.

LEONIDAS
Yes but he's been silent for quite a few moons now, so why the more focused effort now?

XENA
(Irritated tone) He's our enemy. And if you'll remember the reason I'm gonna have a good-sized scar in the middle of my chest that I have every intention of paying him back for.

LEONIDAS
Well yes, but it just seems like interesting timing that you've decided to place more efforts into your war against Draco shortly after the complicated way things were left with the Amazon's when they departed a few weeks ago.

XENA
(Irritated tone) So what.

LEONIDAS
Well it just seems interesting that you would increase your interest in fighting Draco when you turned queen Melosa away without your help after the disagreement the two of you had over where the little one belongs.

The Conqueror narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

XENA
(Quiet irritated tone) What exactly are you getting at here?

Leonidas could tell that the Conqueror's mood had suddenly gotten worse as he realized that he had unintentionally brought up a what appeared to be a surprisingly touchy subject, and decided that weither he was right or not In the Conqueror's reasoning for her refocusing on Draco that it was probably best for him to keep such thoughts to himself as he didn't want to be on the receiving end of Xena's already foul mood.

LEONIDAS
Nothing. I just thought it seemed odd that you would seemingly assist the Amazons when you're currently at odds with their leader.

XENA
Well this has nothing to do with Melosa or any of the rest of them. I was already at war with Draco before those women came here. I couldn't care less what happens in their conflict with him. All I want is for that bastard and Ares to pay for all the damned trouble they've caused me.

A small, evil smirk appeared on Xena's face.

XENA
And if Draco's too busy dealing with the Amazons, that gives me just the opportunity that I need to take him off guard and finally finish what he started.

Her smile got slightly bigger as a nefarious idea crossed the Conqueror's mind.

XENA
And who knows, maybe when I'm done with Draco I'll be able to pick up a bit more land that was previously unavailable due to that now worthless treaty.

LEONIDAS
My lord, you don't actually intend to go after the Amazons after you deal with Draco, do you?

XENA
I'm thinking about it.

LEONIDAS
Don't you think that this is a bit of an overreaction to the disagreement you had with queen Melosa?

XENA
She's the one who made the choice to break our treaty, so no. No treaty means that there isn't anything stopping me from doing what I should've done long ago by bringing those lands under my control.
(Sinister tone) And if Melosa or any of the rest of those people dare to stand In my way, I'll put a brutal and painful end to all of them.

And with those words, the Conqueror walked passed Leonidas as she left the room, leaving her lieutenant somewhat stunned by the sudden coldness being shown to the people who for some time now had been one of their greatest allies, as he silently questioned the drastic shift in the Conqueror's priorities while watching Xena disappear from view as she went about whatever business she had in mind to do.

EPHINY
Here we are Gabrielle. Sorry it took so long to get you completely situated due to dealing with Terreis's funeral and giving Melosa and everyone else time to grieve.

Gabrielle stepped into the small hut that Ephiny held the door open to.

GABRIELLE
It's okay, really. I know that I'm officially going to be brought into the tribe and next in line for queen in just a little while, but you really don't have to treat me any differently than anyone else. And given everything with Terreis, I completely understand that things around here haven't really been normal since we got back here.

EPHINY
But that's how things are done here Gabrielle.

The Amazon shut the door behind them and walked further into the hut that was larger than the rooms that Gabrielle had both at the keep and in the room she shared with her sister back in Potidea.

EPHINY
Remember you're not just another person here. You're not only an Amazon now, but the next in line to become the leader of our people.

Gabrielle walked over to a set of chairs that sat with a small table as she looked at Ephiny.

GABRIELLE
I know. But as much as I don't wanna admit it, the Conqueror was right about my not knowing what I'm doing.

Gabrielle lowered her eyes sadly as she thought about Terreis.

GABRIELLE
I mean Terreis was my friend, and she was dying. I just wanted to make her happy and to not worry about whatever this rite of caste stuff means.

EPHINY
You know having second thoughts about such a big decision is normal Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
It's not just that, what if Terreis made a mistake and I can't do what's expected of me?

EPHINY
Well, you'll be giving a proper introduction into your role later, but in short being princess means that you're gonna be taking on a lot of responsibilities once you've officially been brought into the tribe.

She looked back up at Ephiny.

GABRIELLE
What if I made the wrong choice in accepting this?

EPHINY
It's a bit late to be thinking about that isn't it?

Gabrielle sighed.

GABRIELLE 
Yeah, I guess it is.

There was a bit of silence between them as Ephiny decided to take that as a good time to leave.

EPHINY
Well I know that this has all been a lot for you, so I'll let you get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a busy day with your offical initiation ceremony.

Ephiny walked over to the door of Gabrielle's temporary hut and looked back at the new member of the tribe.

EPHINY
Someone will be in in a little bit to bring you in some clothes for the ceremony in the morning. In the meantime feel free to let me or anyone else know if there's anything you need.

GABRIELLE
I okay. Thanks Ephiny.

EPHINY
Alright. Well don't be afraid to speak up if you do. And someone will come get you when it's time for the ceremony in the morning. Good night Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Night.

With that Ephiny left the small hut as Gabrielle sat there in thought for a bit as everything about this new, unexpected life began to sink in as she stood up to answer the door to receive a set of new, Amazon style clothing had been set out for her and after looking at the beautiful outfit for a moment, Gabrielle took a breath as she decided what she wanted to do and hung up the outfit for the next day before returning to sitting on her new bed as she thought back to Terreis' funeral that had taken place several days prior. It was a somber ceremony as an Amazonian song rang out as the flame was lit to send Terreis's spirit into the Amazon afterlife and Gabrielle stood among the crowd before watching a number of the women take part in a traditional dance that though she didn't fully understand, figured it was one of the many traditions and rituals that she would soon be learning after she took her new place among these people and their way of life. But as the ceremony ended and the preparations for Gabrielle to become part of the tribe would soon begin, there was an unexpected danger that lingered in the shadows of the village. A danger that if Gabrielle had known lurked just around the corner, she may have thought twice about taking on this new life. A life that though miles away, Xena would soon uncover was in grave danger as she would soon uncover a pivotal clue to who the culprits behind Terreis's murder were. But with the Amazon's village being a fair distance away from the keep, would the Conqueror's discovery come too late? And would she even care to do anything about it? Or had Gabrielle already sealed her fate when she chose to come to the village and become the next in line for the Amazon throne. Of which blood had already been spilled for, and that those responsible were fully prepared to do again in order to get rid of anyone who stood in their way. A list that had several names on it. Of which due to her soon-to-be new offical position among the tribe, now included Gabrielle.

The breaking of a new morning saw little to no improvement in the Conqueror's mood, of whom awoke with a splitting headache as she slowly sat up from her face down, sprawled out position on her bed as she slowly shifted to the edge of the bed and heard the ching of an empty bottle hitting the floor by her feet. She rubbed her aching forehead as she looked down to see a large empty bottle of ale that she had consumed the night before after returning to her room where she then drank until passing out. With a sigh Xena leaned down and picked up the empty bottle and set it on the nightstand by her bed before standing up and shuffling over to the wash bucket that sat on her dresser. The Conqueror stood there for a moment, looking at her reflection in the water taking note of the darkened circles under her eyes that even passing out drunk was apparently not enough to get rid of. A fleeting thought crossed her mind asking why she kept doing this to herself as an answer of "why not" followed almost immediately after. Choosing not to dive any further into the train of thought the Conqueror pushed it into the small space where it usually resided in the back of her mind as she gathered some water into her hands and splashed it onto her face to fully rouse her senses and clear her mind.

ELLE
Your breakfast is here my lord.

Xena came out from a small room connected to her bedroom in a robe after finishing a quick bath as she dried her hair and shot Elle an unhappy look before walking behind a scene to get dressed.

XENA
Leave it on the table and go.

Following the Conqueror's request, Elle placed the tray of food on a table and began walking toward the door when she heard Xena voice from behind the screen as she got dressed.

XENA
Oh and be sure to have someone else come get the tray when I'm done. I don't wanna see your face anywhere around me until I say otherwise.

Elle stopped as she turned back to face the screen that Xena was behind shocked by what she just heard.

ELLE
I'm sorry?

XENA
(Stern tone) You heard me. Now get out.

ELLE
Have I done something to upset you, your lordship?

The Conqueror stuck her head out from behind the screen as she gave her servant an intense glare before speaking.

XENA
(Stern tone) You tell me Elle. Since you seem to know more about what people around here do then I do.

Elle lowered her eyes as she realized what Xena was getting at.

ELLE
I'm sorry my lord. I know I should've told you about Gabrielle's temporary escape before, but she's my friend and...

XENA
(Angry tone) And nothing!

Elle jumped slightly as Xena shouted and came out from behind the screen fully dressed and walked up to her.

XENA
(Angry tone) You work for me. And you just let her walk out of here and didn't bother saying a word about it to anyone.

ELLE
I'm sorry. I tried to stop her from leaving, really.

XENA
Not very hard apparently since you two made it all the way to the Amazon's village.

ELLE
Well it's not as though I could physically stop her.

XENA
(Angry tone) But someone else could have! And yet you still said nothing!

ELLE
(Quiet/ slightly scared tone) I didn't wanna get Gabrielle in trouble.

XENA
(Angry tone) And I suppose that's also why you didn't say anything about your little outing with her after the two of you were sent back.

ELLE
(Quiet/ slightly scared tone) Yes my lord. I'm sorry, I should have told you.

Suddenly before Elle know what was happening she found herself being grabbed by the front of her dressed and getting lifted off the floor as the Conqueror yanked her up to eye level with her.

XENA
(Angry tone) You're damn right you should've! And why you thought that keeping your little friends secret was more important than doing your job I'll never know because I'm not that fucking stupid!

ELLE
(Scared tone) Please, my lord. I'm sorry.

Frightened, Elle began to try wiggling out of Xena's grasp. She knew full well that more often than not Xena's temper would get the better of her. And based on the fact that she could still smell the alcohol on the woman that she had consumed from the night before, it was likely that it was still in her system and possibly imparting her judgment. Leaving Elle to hope that the Conqueror was clear-headed enough to be reasoned with as she silently contemplated whether or not she should call for help.

ELLE
(Scared tone) I'm sorry that Gabrielle got taken away with the Amazon's. If I had known it would become an issue I would have told you about us meeting them beforehand right away, honest.

With a scowl on her face Xena shoved Elle away as she let the young woman go, causing Elle to drop to the floor as she looked up at the Conqueror who walked over to the door.

XENA
(Stern tone) I don't give a damn about that girl being gone. And the fact that you think that's the issue here tells me that you obviously don't know nearly as much as you think you do.

The Conqueror turned to look at her servant.

XENA
(Stern tone) It's your recklessness that I take issue with. Because at the end of the day that's what lead to my losing a very powerful ally. And at a time when I can't afford to take on new enemies.

Elle looked down as she remained seated on the floor.

ELLE
Forgive me my lord. If I had known this would happen...

XENA
(Angry tone) I don't wanna hear your excuses. Just get out of my sight.

Xena turned and moved toward her study as Elle stood up, not being able to help but feel responsible for Xena's current mood and wished that she could do something about it as she too missed her friend.

ELLE
I...

Hearing that Elle was still there only served to anger the Conqueror further as she abruptly turned around and yelled at her young servant.

XENA
(Angry tone) I said get out!

Never having the Conqueror's wrath directed right at her before, Elle suddenly found herself too stunned to move as her inaction caused Xena's anger to rise further as she stormed over to the young woman and grabbed her rather roughly by her arm as she ignored the painful cry that Elle let out as she forcibly escorted her to the door and shoved her out of the room before slamming the door behind her. The young woman stood outside the room for a moment as she rubbed her upper arm where Xena had grabbed her feeling a bit shaken as the Conqueror had never put her hands on her or gotten so angry with her before. She then walked away from the room as for the first time she realized just why Gabrielle and so many others who knew the Conqueror could still fear her.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Why is it that no one seems to listen to me anymore?

The Conqueror walked over to the table where her food had been set and grabbed a piece of already sliced bread and began eating it as she went about continuing to get ready for the day. Once finished, and with no immediate matters to attend to she then left her quarters and idly wandered around the keep for a while before finding herself down in the dining hall. Uncertain of what exactly brought her there, Xena stood there for a moment before her eyes fell on the seat that Terreis had been sitting in when she was shot with the arrow that lead to her death not long after. Scowling at the thought of the events of that day, a thought suddenly crossed Xena's mind that she found herself unable to ignore. The thought being that even with all the guards that Xena had, how was it that Terreis's killer had been able to evade being detected and escape? It shouldn't have been possible. Xena was certain that no one would have been able to sneak into the keep, set up such an elaborate attack and then get out unnoticed. And yet that's just what had appeared to have happened. The key word of that being appeared Xena thought as she began walking around the room with the sense that something about the whole situation beginning to feel more and more off sank in. And though the keep had been searched up and down before the Amazons had left, nothing of use for catching the culprits responsible for the attack had turned up. And given the fact that Melosa was likely convinced that it was someone from within the keep or someone who had snuck in, it made sense that she would want to get her people away from there as quickly as possible. Not to mention that she was grieving and wanted to bring her daughter's body home to deal with. But Xena on the other hand knew that it couldn't have been someone who worked for her. No one in the keep would have been that foolish. Would they?

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Maybe if I retrace what was happening during that dinner I can figure out something.

Walking around the area, Xena mentally went through the whole dinner and the chaos that followed. And as she walked she found herself by the chair that Terreis had been sitting in and though already knowing the direction that the arrow had to have come from, for the sake of covering all of her bases, the Conqueror pulled out the chair and sat down. Then after doing some quick mental adjusting for the difference in their hight, Xena found where the arrow had hit Terreis on her own body that would be a little lower on her and after doing some quick mental calculating for the position that the arrow entered Terreis's body, Xena followed an invisible trajectory line upwards to the raptors and after taking note of where about the shot must have come from, she stood up and briskly walked out of the room, passing by Leonidas on the way who casually questioned what she was doing.

XENA
Getting to the bottom of my Amazon problem.

They brief, cryptic reply was all Xena said as she disappeared around a corner to continue her investigation as Leonidas stood there wondering if he should prepare for another war.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) It came from up here. I'm certain of it. But...

The Conqueror stood looking around the area that she had determined that the arrow that had killed Terreis had been fired from.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) This whole area has already been searched and like everywhere else nothing was found.

She let out an irritated growl, feeling stumped as she silently questioned why she was even still trying to solve the Amazon's murder anyway.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) What am I doing up here? I have better things to do than play investigator for a murder that has nothing to do with me. Come on Xena, you have to focus on Draco and Ares.

Pushing the thoughts of Terreis's death aside, Xena turned to return to her study as she took a couple steps toward her quarters but stopped when something under her boot felt odd. Xena looked down and stepped back before placing one foot forward again as though she were walking and felt the floorboard shift slightly. Finding it slightly odd but thinking that it could've just been natural wear and tear on the building, Xena stood there for a moment as she looked around when the beams that ran across the ceiling caught her eye noticing that a small section above her head had multiple scuff marks as though they had been being walked or crawled on. But why? And by who? Both questions that Xena was now determined to find the answers to as she hopped up onto a small table that sat in the hallway and jumped up as high as she could and grabbed onto the beam. Hanging from the ceiling, the Conqueror then pulled herself up. Though what would normally be nothing for her, turned out to be more difficult than expected as her lack of strenuous activity due to the injury to her chest had taken its toll as Xena huffed and sat straddling the beam after getting up onto it.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) How did I let myself get this out of shape so quickly? I'm gonna have to do something about that.

Moving on Xena stood up on the beam and looked down to see that if she walked out a little further she had very easy access to the whole dinning room. She then looked around and took note that there were a whole series of beams that stretched across the length of the room and scowled as she silently admonished herself for not having thought of something so obvious sooner as she found the spot that lined up perfectly with the angle of which Terreis had been hit.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Of course they were in the raptures. How didn't I think of that sooner? I bet those bastards were already gone before we even began looking for 'em.

The Conqueror growled to herself as she turned around as she returned the way she came and climbed down from the beam. And as she dropped slightly to the floor, the Conqueror felt the floorboard shift again as she landed and looked down to see the board had popped up slightly when she landed as if it wasn't even nailed down. Finding that highly suspicious, Xena crouched down and found that the nails had in fact appeared to have been removed. Now somewhat irritated that someone had vandalized her home, the Conqueror reached down and easily lifted and set the floorboard aside before returning her attention to the new opening in her floor. Xena sifted through the straw that was used for both insulation and increased stability. Though unsure of what exactly she was searching for it didn't take long for Xena to locate it as she unceremoniously a bow along with several arrows that had clearly been hidden there. And as Xena picked up a couple of the arrows to get a better look at them, a shutter ran down her spine as she instantly recognized the pattern of the arrows as being Amazon made. It was then that Xena realized that Terreis's killer hadn't been someone who snuck into the keep at all, but had been allowed in with the rest of the Amazons. Because those responsible for the attack and death of Terreis were in fact the deceased princess' own people. A discovery that Xena cursed herself for not seeing sooner at there had been plenty of other arrows scattered around the room. But due to the chaos of the attack followed by the tense disagreement with Melosa over Gabrielle, Xena's attention had been elsewhere as Xena deduced that the arrows from the scene must've already been replaced with regular ones by the time the investigation began. But as Xena stood there bitterly cursing the culprits' ability to pull one over on her, another thought hit her as she realized that the ones who were responsible for killing one of their own were the very same people that Gabrielle had left the keep with. And was set to bear the same title that Terreis held and had passed on to her. And without stopping to think about it any further, Xena hurried off.

LEONIDAS
You're wearing your armor.

Xena was briskly moving through the halls now equipped with her full armor and weapons as Leonidas stepped out of a room that she happened to be walking by.

XENA
Ready the men immediately.

Xena continued walking as she gave out the order as her lieutenant quickly followed her as a result.

LEONIDAS
My lord, you still aren't completely healed. You know the healers still don't advise you traveling. Are you sure it's wise for you to head out like this?

XENA
Those healers don't know anything. Just do as you're told and get ready.

LEONIDAS
Then am I to assume that Draco has finally made his next move?

XENA
Nope.

LEONIDAS
Then what is it?

Xena glanced over at her lieutenant as they continued walking and told him exactly where they were going.

XENA
I have some unfinished business to settle with a certain group of Amazons.

Leonidas didn't say anything as he could see the seriousness in the Conqueror's eyes and did as previously commanded and went ahead to gather together a large number of soldiers that soon after rode out of the keeps gates behind the Conqueror as they rode through the snow that had been falling since before dawn toward Melosa's village. And as they ride Xena found herself again silently questioning why she was doing this as she contemplated turning back but instead continued onward as something deep down kept telling her to keep going without fully understanding why.

EPHINY
It's time, Gabrielle. Are you ready?

Hearing Ephiny's voice from outside, Gabrielle took a deep breath as she tried to calm her nerves about the ceremony that was about to take place to officially bring her into the tribe as she stood up from her seat and answered the door.

GABRIELLE
As ready as I'll ever be.

Ephiny stood in the doorway as she looked at Gabrielle who was fully dressed in Amazonian clothing as Ephiny noticed the uncertainty in her voice.

EPHINY
You're sure you wanna do this?

GABRIELLE
Yeah. Just nervous about what to expect is all. This Amazon stuff is still new to me.

EPHINY
Don't worry Gabrielle, it's not anything that I'm certain you can't learn.

Ephiny gave Gabrielle a friendly smile.

EPHINY
Remember, Terreis choose to pass her rite of caste on to you and from what I heard queen Melosa already vouched for your ability with the Conqueror. So I'm sure that with time you'll find your way to becoming a fine Amazon and addition to our tribe.

Gabrielle smiled in return.

GABRIELLE
Thanks Ephiny. It means a lot to hear you say that.

Her face returned serious.

GABRIELLE
I just hope everyone else here feels the same.

EPHINY
Gabrielle I may not be in any kind of leadership position, but I've seen Melosa rule very effectively and one of the things I've seen, and you'll soon learn is if you put in the work and show that you're committed to this, people will eventually take notice and recognize that. Though that doesn't mean that you'll always be able to please everyone. That's not only part of ruling over our people but just a part of life in general. You understand?

GABRIELLE
Yeah.

EPHINY
Good. Now. I think you should probably get out there. The whole village is waiting on you.

GABRIELLE
Oh... right. I guess making them wait out in the cold wouldn't be a very good way to start things off as part of the tribe, would it?

So with that, Ephiny escorted Gabrielle outside to her initiation ceremony into the tribe. A ceremony that included some singing, chanting, music and dancing. All of which Gabrielle watched with great interest as she looked to learn as much as she could about her new people. After some of the dancing and chanting took place, the woman grew silent as they gathered before the queen's throne and Melosa rose from where she had been seated and addressed the village woman before her.

MELOSA
My sister's. We gather here today to welcome a new face into our tribe. A young woman who was not only granted passage among our people but has been gifted the title of princess by Terreis, my late daughter who after making an attempt to protect her, passed her rite of caste on to this young woman before she left us to go on to the other side. And while we may not fully understand Terreis's reasoning, I trust my daughter's judgment and know that she must have seen something in this young woman that told her that she could be a suitable successor for her title and potentially one day my own. So please join me in welcoming our new Amazon, sister and heir to the throne, Gabrielle.

The crowd cheered as Melosa motioned to Gabrielle, who stepped forward as previously instructed before tuning to walk over to Melosa and taking a knee before the Amazon's queen. Who was very soon to be her queen as well.

MELOSA
Gabrielle. Do you hearby swear your loyalty and service to the people here before you as well as all the women who you now will call your fellow Amazons and sisters?

GABRIELLE
Yes.

MELOSA
Do you swear to stand side by side with these women as we strive for a strong and prosperous Amazon nation?

GABRIELLE
Yes.

MELOSA
And as the new princess of the Amazons and thus heir to the queen's throne, do you vow to uphold the Amazon law and accept that someday the honor and burden of ruling over our people will fall to you?

GABRIELLE
Yes.

MELOSA
Then rise and take your new place at my side Gabrielle. For you are now one of us. A group of strong, brave and powerful women known as the Amazons.

Gabrielle stood up and stepped aside as she turned to face the crowd that Melosa then addressed as she stood up.

MELOSA
My sister's, its now official. So may I now officially introduce to you all the newest member of our tribe and your new princess and future queen of the Amazons, Gabrielle.

Melosa gestured to Gabrielle who waved awkwardly at the cheering tribal women in the crowd as the Amazon queen then proceeded to raise her first in the air as she spoke to the crowd once again.

MELOSA
To a strong Amazon nation.

CROWD
To a strong Amazon nation.

The crowd of women also raised their fist high as they cheered, and Gabrielle stood looking out at the crowd in awe that they were all cheating for her as she smiled and raised her own fist in solidarity with the people that she was now a part of. A people that though all appeared friendly that night as the village celebrated Gabrielle's entry into tribe with lots of singing and dancing around a large bonfire, all too soon would Gabrielle receive a very harsh awakening to the notion that being welcomed by everyone as the future ruler of their people couldn't have been any further from the truth. A very brutal reality that Gabrielle would learn as her new place among the Amazons threatened to be very shortly lived. As did her very life unless the plot that had already been set in motion could somehow be stopped before it was too late.

It was early the next morning as Gabrielle followed Solari through the village after the Amazon had come to get her from the small hut she had been staying in since her return to the village.

GABRIELLE
So you really aren't going to tell me what's going on.

SOLARI
Nope.

Gabrielle made a slightly annoyed groan as she never particularly enjoyed being kept in the dark about things. Especially when those things happened to have something to do with her. Not because she didn't trust people, but because in general she had always been a curious type of person and would usually be able to figure out any kind of surprise that her family had planned for her. Which always drove her sister Lila crazy and gave Gabrielle a good laugh in the process. And as Gabrielle's mind wandered to thoughts of her sister and the rest of her family, the sad realization of just how long it had been since their village had been attacked and her mother and sister had been taken with a number of other villagers. Gabrielle silently hoped that they were all okay as now that she had at last gotten away from the Conqueror, Gabrielle could finally search for them and maybe now due to her new place among the Amazons, she would actually stand a realistic chance of getting them back.

SOLARI
Here we are.

Hearing the other Amazon's voice, Gabrielle was brought out of her thoughts as she noticed that they were standing in front of a large hut that was considerably larger than most of the other buildings in the village aside from the queen's hut that belonged to Melosa.

GABRIELLE
What's this?

SOLARI
The hut that you've been staying in was only temporary until after your induction ceremony, and we finished getting this one ready for you.

Solari opened the door and held it for Gabrielle to go inside.

SOLARI
Welcome to your new home, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle stepped inside and looked around at the fully furnished hut that had been prepared just for her. As to say that it was beautifully decorated to Gabrielle seemed to be an understatement as she looked around in awe or the apparent lengths that the women in the village had gone to just for her. Because though it had been somewhat of a drastic change to go from her simple village life to seeing the wealth and comforts that the Conqueror had amassed within her keep, it was different when those nice things were specifically meant for Gabrielle herself. Of which gave her pause as she wasn't sure how she should feel about having all of this just given to her simply because of the new title that she held.

GABRIELLE
Solari, I, I don't know what to say.

Seeing the odd look that came across Gabrielle's face, the Amazon looked at her with a puzzled expression.

SOLARI
Something the matter? Is there something here that's not to your liking?

Somewhat surprised by Solari's question, Gabrielle turned to the Amazon as she quickly explained herself. Not wanting it seem as though she was letting her new title go to her head and that she was being ungrateful.

GABRIELLE
Oh no it's not that at all. If anything I feel like this is all too much. You guys really didn't have to do all of this just for me.

Solari smiled.

SOLARI
Nonsense. You're Amazon royalty. Next in line to take the throne. It's customary for our leaders to live as such.

The Amazon looked at Gabrielle as the new member of the tribe took in more of the room with a slightly uncomfortable look on her face and thought that perhaps this particular tradition wasn't for the new princess.

SOLARI
Though if it makes you uncomfortable to be given such things we can have the hut redone to fit more to your liking.

Gabrielle returned her focus to the other woman.

GABRIELLE
That's really not necessary. So much work already went into getting this set up. So I'd hate to have more time put into it just to move things around.

SOLARI
Are you sure?

GABRIELLE
I'm sure. And I actually do like it. I just wasn't expecting all of this is all. So there really isn't anything to worry about.

SOLARI
Well if you're certain that it's okay.

Gabrielle nodded.

SOLARI
Very well. I'll just be going then and let you get settled in. And if you need anything just let someone know.

GABRIELLE
I will. Thanks Solari.

The native Amazon turned to leave but paused when she heard Gabrielle ask her a question.

GABRIELLE
Hey Solari, now that I'm officially an Amazon princess, what exactly am I supposed to do?

The native Amazon smiled.

SOLARI
Don't worry Gabrielle. In due time, you'll learn everything that you need to know.

Gabrielle gave a thankful smile in return as Solari excused herself and left Gabrielle to get settled into her new home.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Wha?

Some time later a knock on the door to Gabrielle's hut stirred her from the nap that she had drifted into shortly after Solari had left. She yawned as sat up straight from where she had fallen asleep leaning on the arm of the couch that sat in her hut as she happened to look out a nearby window and noticed that the sun had begun to set.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Gee how long was I asleep?

Another knock quickly pulled Gabrielle from looking at the multicolored sky as she looked back at the door.

GABRIELLE
Coming.

Gabrielle stood up and quickly made sure she looked presentable before going to answer the door.

GABRIELLE
Oh Velasca. Good to see you. Was there something you needed?

VELASCA
Gabrielle.

The Amazon gave a slight nod in greeting and stood there silently as Gabrielle noticed a number of other villagers with her and greeted them as well before returning her attention to Velasca as she wondered why any of the women had come to see her.

GABRIELLE
Um was there something you needed?

VELASCA
Well given that myself and the other women I have with me haven't gotten the chance to formally welcome you, we thought that we'd stop by and give our regards to the new princess herself.

GABRIELLE
Oh you didn't have to do that.

VELASCA
Yes well we're here now so...

Velasca paused for a moment as Gabrielle realized that she must've seemed rude to the other women

GABRIELLE
Oh, how rude of me. You came over just to welcome me to the village and I just leave you standing at the door.

She stepped aside from the doorway as she invited the visiting women into the hut.

GABRIELLE
Please, come in.

Still reminding Quiet, Velasca and the others accompanying her walked inside as Gabrielle shut the door behind them and turned to her guests.

GABRIELLE
It was really nice of you to stop by like this. I appreciate the warm welcome Velasca and um...

Gabrielle looked at the trio of women who were with Velasca and realized that she hadn't ever seen any of them prior to them showing up at her door just a few moments prior.

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry, I don't think we've met before, have we?

Gabrielle held out her hand to greet her new visitor's.

GABRIELLE
If you didn't already know, my name's Gabrielle. And I know that I'm new here and was crowned princess, but I don't wanna be treated any differently from the way you'd treat anyone else in the village. So I hope we can get to know each other and become friends.

The other women looked at each other for a moment before returning their eyes to Gabrielle as one of the women smirked as she let out a Sarcastic chuckle and repeated the word "friends" in a likewise tone. Which confused Gabrielle as she lowered her hand and looked at Velasca as if to ask what they meant.

VELASCA
Oh don't mind them. They just aren't really the type that likes the whole notion of friendship.

GABRIELLE
Oh, um okay, I guess.

Gabrielle looked back at the other Amazons.

GABRIELLE
It's still nice to meet you, sorry I never caught either of your na...

A sharp pain abruptly cut Gabrielle off as she felt a sudden hard blow to the back of her head. Her vision blurred for a moment as she dropped to the floor. She laid there unable to get up as she saw a pair of boots walk around the stand in front of her as Gabrielle raised her now throbbing head to look up at Velasca standing with the other two women who were glaring down at her.

VELASCA
Huh, I'm surprised that didn't knock her right out.

Confused and in pain, Gabrielle tried to make sense of what was happening as she made an attempt to get up.

GABRIELLE
What's... going… on? Gah!

Gabrielle let out a painful yelp as one of the unknown Amazon's drove a boot into her face. As she instinctively covered the affected area as she turned away just to feel the hard hit of another kick to the middle of her back. And again Gabrielle reacted reflexively as she arched back from the pain and quickly received another blow to her face as the second kick to the area split Gabrielle's lip. She rolled over grabbing at her mouth as she recognized the slightly salty, metallic taste of her own blood and looked up at Velasca.

GABRIELLE
Please stop. Why are you doing this?

VELASCA
(Angry tone) Shut up.

Gabrielle cried out in pain as Velasca drove her boot into her ribs, and she rolled to her other side where she was kicked again by one of Velasca's associates and then stomped on by the other. Though Gabrielle tried desperately to escape her attackers, she found herself unable to do so as she was helplessly outnumbered and outmatched with the three women all being skilled fighters compared to Gabrielle who had no combat training or experience whatsoever. So unable to get away, Gabrielle let out a desperate plea for help as she shouted as loud as she could and hoped that someone, anyone that might've been nearby would hear her as she was continuously struck on multiple places on her body by both feet and fists for several long minutes until Velasca apparently got tired of hearing Gabrielle yell and motioned for the other two women to halt in their assault as she crouched down in front of Gabrielle as she grabbed a handful of strawberry-blonde hair and forcibly lifted Gabrielle's head to look at her.

VELASCA
Stupid girl. You ruined everything that took me far too many moons of trying to come up with a plan that would actually work and not having it get traced back to me. That is until our people began getting attacked by that warlord and Melosa felt it best to turn to the Conqueror for help. That was when I knew it was finally my chance.

Though her body hurt all over, and she had to fight to remain focused, Gabrielle tried to push Velasca away but only received a hard slap across her face as Velasca let go of her hair before continuing to speak.

VELASCA
(Angry tone) But then that little brat who was never even worthy of being next in line for the throne in the first place went and gave you her rite of caste. You, who knows nothing about our people.

Velasca kicked Gabrielle as she heard her pain fueled cry in response.

VELASCA
(Angry tone) Who knows nothing about how to rule.

The Amazon stomped on a now semiconscious Gabrielle who curled up into a ball in an instinctive attempt to protect herself as Velasca continued both her rant and assault as she brought her boot down on Gabrielle again and again.

VELASCA
(Angry tone) Who until yesterday wasn't even one of us!

The enraged Amazon brought down her boot as hard as she could, and Gabrielle cried out as Velasca ground the heel of her footwear into Gabrielle's back as she carried on.

VELASCA
And to think that Melosa just allowed all of this to happen.
(Angry tone) Clearly that woman is an even more of a fool than I thought.

Velasca took her foot off of Gabrielle as she walked around to stand in front of her once more as Gabrielle slowly raised her head to see a sinister smile cross the crazed Amazon's face.

VELASCA
(Sinister tone) Not that really matters, however. Because after I'm finished with you, I'll deal with Melosa next. And this time be sure to finish what I started back in the Conqueror's keep.

The full realization that it was Velasca and her allies that were the ones responsible for the attack that killed Terreis finally sank in for Gabrielle, as she felt a kind of anger she'd never felt before build within her as she gave the woman standing over her a look of utter hatred.

GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) How could you do that to one of your own people? And all for the sake of power that people like you should never have. You're nothing but a monster.

VELASCA
(Cold tone) You can call me whatever you want Gabrielle. Because in all honesty, your opinion on anything is worth less than nothing to me. So I really couldn't care less about what you have to say.
(Sinister tone) Because soon enough you won't be able to say anything at all, ever again.

Seeing that Velasca and her apartment supporters had every intention of killing her before staging an entire coup to take Melosa's throne, Gabrielle knew that she had to get out of there and with the knowledge that she was unable to fight her way to freedom, she did the only thing that she could think of and proceeded to yell as loud as she could for someone to come help her once again. But now sick of her attempts to yet again ruin her plans, Velasca shouted to her associates to silence Gabrielle before she alerted anyone else in the village of their being there, and they came to investigate. So it was with those orders that as Gabrielle continued to yell for help while struggling to escape, she felt another hard blow to the back of her head which caused her to fall silent as the world around her quickly faded into a haze and her limp, barely conscious body was then taken out into the night and the fallen snow as Velasca and her co-conspirators dragged her out of the village and into the nearby woods where they planned to finish the job of killing Gabrielle and setting it up to look like an accident to avoid suspension until they could proceed with getting rid of Melosa at a later time.

XENA
(Irritated tone) Damn it.

With a look of concern on his face, Leonidas glanced over at the Conqueror who he rode alongside as they along with a group of lower ranked soldiers pushed their horses through the snow that had begun to pile up on the ground as it continued to fall.

LEONIDAS
Everything alright my lord?

XENA
(Lying/ Irritated tone) I'm fine.

Xena grimaced as the fast-paced, rough rides long with the cold, appeared to have an effect on her seemingly ever persistent injury to her chest as she tried to ignore the pain and simply continue forward.

LEONIDAS
Are you certain that you don't wanna stop or slow down? Though I know you're a strong woman and don't like to admit your own limitations at times, you can slow and send some or the rest of us ahead if you're truly in such a hurry to reach the Amazon's village. No one will think any less of you if you arrive shortly after the rest of us my lord.

The Conqueror sneered at her lieutenant, as his perceived nagging regarding whether or not she was pushing herself too hard was making her already bad mood due to the whole Amazon situation and having to travel in poor weather conditions even worse. Of which Leonidas could see on her face as she stubbornly and rebelliously leaned closer to the horse she was riding and urged it to go even faster, leaving Leonidas to sigh at the Conqueror's blatantly wreckless response to not liking to be told what to do as she pulled ahead of him and the rest of the group of soldiers as the group continued making their way toward the Amazon village through the snow as even more began to fall and everything overhead continued to grow darker from the sun sinking from the sky. But as fast as the Conqueror and the rest of her men were going, with Gabrielle's life already in jeopardy, would the Conqueror's unexplainable desire and efforts to reach the village in order to prevent the very crime that she had uncovered and that had been revealed to Gabrielle before she was knocked out and dragged off by Velasca and her cohorts? Or would she be too late to not only save Gabrielle, but put a stop to the plot that if left unstoppable would unintentionally spark even further conflict for the Amazon nation and as a result would give Draco more opportunity to prey on the native women to use as a means to strengthen his forces further to bring up against the Conqueror and finally get rid of Xena for good.

It was silent, without another soul in sight as the small group of Velasca and her followers exited Gabrielle's hut with Velasca taking the lead as the women accompanying her carried Gabrielle that was in a semiconscious state after the severe beating that she had received from the three native Amazons. The cold wind blew through the surrounding trees as a thin layer of snow left a trail of footprints from the women as they trekked further into the woods to find a good place to finish what they had planned for the unwanted new addition to their tribe.

VELASCA
This should be far enough out where no one will hear anything or just happen to wonder out and interrupted us.

Velasca stopped as she turned to the pair of women following her as one of them questioned what they were going to do with Gabrielle. Velasca gave an evil grin.

VELASCA
We finish what we started and leave her remains for the animals to get rid of the rest.

Despite to get away, and with as much strength as she could muster in greatly weakened state, Gabrielle struggled to get free. Her frantic fight for freedom however ended up shortly lived as Velasca walked up to her while she was still being restrained and drove a powerful punch into Gabrielle's stomach. Gabrielle groaned in pain as the shot forced her to double over, but she remained on her feet due to the other women still holding her by her arms. Another punch landed on the side of Gabrielle's face and then another that made her legs completely give out, and she dropped toward the ground but only fell to her knees as the Amazons holding her arms prevented her from crumbling into the snow completely. And as she was being held in place, Gabrielle raised her head to look up at Velasca through pain filled eyes, and relieved only an expression of utter indifference from the Amazon, who appeared unfazed by the suffering she was inflicting.

GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Please...no mo...

Another hard punch abruptly rendered Gabrielle silent when Velasca's fist connected with the side of Gabrielle's head and everything again became a blur as Gabrielle went totally limp and the other Amazon's let her fall face down into the snow. Drawing a dagger, Velasca stepped closer to Gabrielle as she motioned for her associates to lift Gabrielle to her knees once more

VELASCA
Now...

Velasca looked down at the battered Gabrielle who was picked up under each arm before having her head yanked back by her hair to look up at her attackers.

VELASCA
To finish this.

The Amazon pulled a dagger from her hip and brought the blade to Gabrielle's throat as in that moment Gabrielle saw her life ending. And after everything that she had escaped and the terrifying experiences she had endured, being beaten and killed by people who she had thought had saved her from a life that she had been so desperate to flee was quickly turned what had felt like a dream into a living nightmare. Although the living part of that statement looked to change as Gabrielle closed her eyes to await her end but quickly opened them barely a moment later as she heard a loud yell and saw Velasca turn her head toward the sound.

VELASCA
What in the...?

The sound grew louder as Gabrielle soon saw several riders on horseback emerge from through the trees a short distance away that appeared to be heading in their direction. She attempted to yell for help, but found herself barely able to even speak as she was abruptly shoved to the ground where she remained without the strength to move and listened as the Amazon's got into a defensive position to face whoever was coming they way. There was another loud yelling that Gabrielle could have sworn sounded familiar but found herself unable to focus on as at that point it had become a struggle just to remain conscious. But as she finally lost that particular battle and her awareness slipped into darkness, Gabrielle silently thanked the unknown riders, who even if hadn't completely saved her, their presence at least allowed her to go into a place where even if it was still the end, she'd likely be none the wiser until it was already over and Gabrielle was on the other side.

?
You know, it seems pretty spineless that an apparent skilled Amazonian warrior would need the help of a couple goons to savagely beat down and kill one of their own who's unarmed.

The horses came to a stop in front of the small group of Amazons who held their weapons drawn on their unwelcome guests.

VELASCA
What do you think you're doing here? You aren't welcome on these lands, per order of the queen, Conqueror.

A cold wind blew as Xena remained seated on her steed and she stared intensely at Velasca with her hand on her sheathed swords handle.

XENA
You state her orders as though you didn't attempt to kill Melosa right alongside her daughter.

Velasca scowled.

VELASCA
(Lying) I don't know what you're talking about.

Xena smirked

XENA
Oh, but don't you?

She reached down into a pouch that hung off of her horse's saddle and pulled out one of the Amazonian style arrows that she had uncovered in her investigation of Terreis's death.

XENA
I believe this belongs to you.

She tossed the arrow on the ground in front of Velasca who took a quick look at the item that laid in front of and shot the Conqueror an angry look.

VELASCA
(Quiet angry tone) This has nothing to do with you. So what are you doing here? What do you want Conqueror?

XENA
You have something that belongs to me.

Xena dismounted her horse as she held her sword ready for a fight, with Leonidas and the rest of the soldier's with her doing the same as she looked at Gabrielle who was still laying in the snow before turning her intense eyes back on Velasca and her allies.

XENA
And I want her back.

TO BE CONTINUED..

Pt.42

A cold wind blew as Xena stood before Velasca and her followers ready for a fight as the Amazon stepped slightly closer to the Conqueror with a scowl on her face.

VELASCA
This is none of your concern Conqueror, you're trespassing on Amazon lands. Now leave.

Xena stood unintimidated by the other women who had begun to spread out in an attempt to surround her and the small group of soldiers that accompanied her.

XENA
Oh no, I'm not going anywhere. Not until I get what I came here for.

The Conqueror's eyes moved to where Gabrielle laid unmoving in the snow of which didn't go unnoticed by Velasca who smiled.

VELASCA
You mean to say you traveled all this way just to get Gabrielle?

Velasca snickered.

VELASCA
My, my, Conqueror. It would appear that you've begun to grow soft. In fact if I didn't know any better I'd say that you actually care about that worthless piece of false Amazon trash.

The other Amazons chuckled along with Velasca as Xena stood there silently before a devilish smile crossed her face.

XENA
Is that what you think?

The Conqueror drew her sword and twirled it casually in her hand as she continued with a far more sinister tone in her voice.

XENA
(Sinister tone) No. You see I'm not particularly a fan of people taking what's mine. And she...

Xena pointed toward Gabrielle with her sword.

XENA
(Sinister tone) belongs to me.
So I'm afraid that regardless of what you or your queen says, I'll just be taking her back now.

VELASCA
You don't scare me Conqueror. At least not like this.

Velasca motioned for her associates to surround Xena who motioned for Leonidas and her other soldiers to remain in place when Velasca pointed her blade down toward the unconscious Gabrielle.

VELASCA
I have the advantage. You see, I know about your injury, Conqueror. And though you tried to mask it while we were at your keep, it's apparent that you still haven't fully recovered from it.

Velasca smiled as she saw Xena breathing slightly heavier than usual.

VELASCA
Infact though you're trying to hide it, I can see the effects of that said injury as we speak.

Xena growled to herself at how observant the Amazon was as she thought that she had been doing a good job of making the pain that she was actually in due to the fast-paced ride jarring her body and thus affecting the ever persistent injury to her chest. However, regardless of whether the injury was bothering her or not, Xena was confident that it would hold no bearing on this confrontation. Even if these women were Amazons, in regard to combat, the Conqueror was familiar with their typical tactics. And as such knew of multiple ways of combating them injured or not and smirked as the thought of crushing this group of Amazons crossed her mind.

XENA
Well if I was at my full strength it would make this too easy.

Xena twirled her sword in a quick arch again as she moved her feet further apart and assumed a better fighting stance as she held her blade at the ready.

XENA
And I think I could use a good challenge.

Velasca sneered angerly at Xena's confidence.

VELASCA
You've become as much of a fool as Melosa. But if you wanna die right here and now Conqueror, that's fine with me.

The Amazon drew her own sword as the other women allied with her did the same.

VELASCA
It'll actually save me the effort of the possibility of an all out war against you when I become queen.

XENA
It's gonna be awfully hard for you to become queen when you're dead.

VELASCA
Your words are nothing more than threats Conqueror. Threats that I'm afraid that you can't back up.

XENA
(Quiet angry tone) Try me.

VELASCA
As you wish.

And with those words, one of the Amazons with Velasca launched herself at the Conqueror with a swing of her blade. Reflexively Xena brought up her own weapon and blocked the attack as she shoved the woman away as with that first strike a fight between the two groups began. Xena and her men collided with the opposing Amazons as weapons clashed and yells of battle rang out into the night. During the chaos Xena ducked out of the way of the attack of one of the women and retaliated with a kick to the woman's shin followed by an elbow to her face when she dropped slightly from the hit to the leg. The hits drove the Amazon to the ground where Xena was about to finish her off as she raised her sword to bring it down on her but was forced to stop when another Amazon came at her from behind. The woman let out a fierce yell as she leapt at Xena with her weapon poised to strike. Xena quickly stepped aside, swinging her blade upward as she moved and slicing the woman from stomach to sternum in the process. The Amazon immediately fell face down to the ground, the snow beneath her rapidly turned from white to crimson as the blood flowed out of her body, draining her life along with it. Though she had taken out one of her enemies, Xena was unable to find a reprieve from the fighting as another Amazon came right at her. She swiftly blocked the incoming attack with her sword and locked weapons with the opposing woman. The two fought for supremacy for a moment until Xena's senses alerted her to someone coming at her from behind. Quickly Xena drove her boot into the stomach of the Amazon who was in front of her to break the clash between them and attempted to step to the side to avoid being hit but was unable to get completely out of the way as Velasca slashed at the Conqueror with her blade and cut into Xena's arm. Letting out a yell that was honestly more of anger than pain from being hit, Xena swung at Velasca who dodged and swung back. The two clashed for a moment before Xena maneuvered her sword to quickly push Velasca's weapon down and went in for the killing blow with a forward thrust of her blade. Or rather that was what she had intended to do before her arm was suddenly grabbed by one of Velasca's associates, stopping her momentum as before Xena could do something about it, she felt a sharp pain in her side as another Amazon plunged a dagger between the Conqueror's ribs. Xena winced as she threw the woman that had grabbed her off and elbowed the one that stabbed her in the face, but was unable to stop Velasca from knocking her back with a sharp elbow to her face. Staggered, Xena stumbled back several steps and gripped at the wound on her side to try to slow the bleeding. Feeling that they had the upper hand in the situation, the woman that stabbed Xena came right back at her as she attempted to drive her blade into Xena once more. But never being someone to be fooled twice, the Conqueror swiftly turned her sword so that her blade was pointing down and then proceeded to thrust her sword back, impaling the Amazon in her stomach as she buried her blade into the woman's flesh. The Amazon let out a painful groan as she folded over the Conqueror's blade before Xena yanked her sword out of the woman and threw her elbow back to drive the Amazon to the ground behind her. Seeing her allies being killed, gave Velasca pause as Xena turned her focus to the leader of the group.

XENA
Well it looks like you're the last one left.

Velasca scowled at the Conqueror, as she stepped back and lowered her weapon, clearly having no intentions of fighting Xena and her men without any backup.

VELASCA
This isn't over Conqueror. I will become queen and I won't let you, Melosa, that little bitch that doesn't even belong here or anyone else stand in my way.

Velasca turned to leave and began walking away through the trees as Leonidas attempted to go after her., but stopped when he heard a noise behind him and saw Xena down on one knee and clearly in a great deal of pain.

LEONIDAS
My lord.

The lieutenant swiftly moved to the Conqueror's side and crouched down beside her.

LEONIDAS
Are you alright?

He looked at Xena's hand that covered the wound on her side covered in blood and looked over his shoulder at the rest of the small group of soldiers.

LEONIDAS
The lord Conqueror's been injured. Get the horses. We need to move.

XENA
The... girl.

Leonidas looked back at Xena who grimaced as she tried to control her breathing so her injury wouldn't hurt so much.

XENA
Be sure to get Gabrielle too.

LEONIDAS
Yes, of course.

Leonidas stood up and looked around for a moment to find where Gabrielle had fallen. After a moment of walking aroud searching for her, he spotted a crumpled form just laying in the snow and after taking several steps closer, the lieutenant saw that it was Gabrielle and moved quickly to her as he crouched down and gently touched her to see if she would respond. But when Gabrielle didn't react he slowly rolled her over and felt a mix of anger and sadness when he saw Gabrielle's bruised and blood smeared face.

XENA
Does she have a pulse?

Leonidas looked beside him to see that Xena had made her way over to them though he could also see a trail of the droplets of blood left behind from where the Conqueror had walked but knew better than to say anything as he instead pressed his fingers to Gabrielle's neck to check if she was still alive.

LEONIDAS
She's alive. Though from looking at her, those Amazons really did a number on her.

He shook his head in disgust as he sighed.

LEONIDAS
Even giving their obvious thirst for power, how could anyone want to harm this sweet young woman?

Xena looked at Gabrielle for a long moment.

XENA
You should know the lengths that people are willing to go for power. You've worked for me for how long now?

LEONIDAS
Yes, but for all the things that I've stood by and witnessed you do, I know without a doubt that you would never do something like this. Not to someone like her.

Xena looked at Gabrielle, feeling a new level of sympathy for the young woman that she hadn't felt for anyone in a very long time.

XENA
No, I suppose I wouldn't.

Xena turned to return to her horse. 

XENA
Well, come on. Bring her to the horses and we'll get out of here.

Xena began walking with Leonidas carrying Gabrielle in his arms and the rest of her men following, but suddenly stopped when a sharp pain ripped through Xena's chest, causing her to drop to one knee. The swift motion then caused the open wound in her side to throb painfully as well. The combination forcing Xena to fall completely into the snow as a number of her soldiers rushed to her aid. Still carrying Gabrielle, there wasn't much that Leonidas could do at that moment but moved quickly to Xena's side regardless as he gently passed Gabrielle to another soldier before crouching beside Xena and noticing the Conqueror gripping at her chest.

LEONIDAS
You pushed yourself too hard my lord. We need to get you out of here and bring you somewhere you can rest and both you and the little one's injuries can be treated.

The lieutenant picked Xena up from the ground and held her in his arms as he turned to the others and ordered for them to follow him as he moved through the snow as quickly as he could.

MELOSA
(Slightly annoyed tone) Do you have any idea what time it is Solari?

SOLARI
Apologies, my queen but we have an urgent matter that requires your immediate attention.

The Amazon queen stood in the doorway of her hut after being awoken by a rapid knocking on her door and opening it to see Solari who had come from her rotation of guard duty with an important message.

SOLARI
An army, nearly on our doorstep.

MELOSA
How did they get so close without being detected?

SOLARI
We aren't sure, but I'm afraid that the even worse thing here is who we've identified as the leader of the approaching force.

MELOSA
Draco, coming directly to the source for his slaves.

SOLARI
I'm afraid it's actually far worse than that my queen.

Melosa scowled as she knew that there was only one other person that would be coming for them in the dead of night like this.

MELOSA
The Conqueror.

Knowing that if they didn't act fast, this whole village could very likely end up being torched to the ground, Melosa ordered for Solari to gather every fighter that they had and to prepare everyone to defend the village as the queen herself gathered her boots, winter coat and weapon before leaving her hut to meet the Conqueror's army at the entrance to the village just as Leonidas and the rest of the small group rode up and came to a stop when seeing the group of armed Amazons waiting for them.

MELOSA
Stop right there and turn around immediately, or face the consequences.

The group of riders came to a stop as Xena who was still clutching at her side and trying to ignore the pain in both her fresh wound and her chest spoke.

XENA
Then I guess you don't actually care about your new little princess after all.

The Amazon queen scowled as she looked to see Gabrielle's battered and unconscious body seated in the saddle and leaning against Leonidas.

MELOSA
Attacking Amazon royalty and then bringing her back to the village. You know full well that she hasn't been here anywhere long enough to learn how to defend herself and yet you still savagely attack her this badly because she dared not want to stay with you. Have you no morals at all Xena?

XENA
The fact that you think that I would actually do such a thing, speaks volumes to what you actually think of me Melosa. And even if I had, why would I be bringing her back here to you.

Xena nodded to Leonidas for him to hand Gabrielle over. And as he got down from his horse to slowly bring Gabrielle over to the Amazon's.

MELOSA
I've known you to do far worse just to make a point.

Xena scowled.

XENA
(Irritated tone) Look, do you want her back or not? You can see that she's hurt. But if you don't care about her well-being after all I'll bring her back home with me where she'll apparently be safer than she is staying here.

MELOSA
And just what is that supposed to mean?

XENA
You just assume that I was the one who did this, when what you should be doing is looking within your own village for the actual culprits of this assault as well as those responsible for your daughter's murder.

Not appreciating the implications of Xena's words, Melosa approached the Conqueror.

MELOSA
(Quiet angry tone) You have some nerve Conqueror. How dare you attempt to use my late daughter as a ploy to get whatever it is that you want here. And to make it worse you cast blame on one of us for the attack. You actually think that I would be swayed so easily into mistrusting my own people? It seems that you're the one who doesn't actually know me, Xena.

Xena reached into a satchel on the side of her horse and pulled out the bow and arrows that she had found hidden under a floorboard in the keep and tossed them on the ground in front of the Amazon queen.

XENA
Then maybe these will be enough to prove that what I said is true.

Melosa looked at the weapons in the snow.

MELOSA
Where did you get these?

Xena explained how she came across them hidden in her floor while she was investigating Terreis's murder.

MELOSA
Am I supposed to actually believe this story of yours?

XENA
Believe whatever you want but if I really wanted to take Gabrielle back with me or attack your people do you really think that we'd even be having this conversation to begin with?

MELOSA
Alright Conqueror. I suppose I can't see any holes in that logic.

Melosa motioned for a couple of the other women to take Gabrielle from the soldier and bring her into the village, but cautioned them to be careful in case this was all a trap that the Conqueror had put together. So while exercising caution, a couple of the women approached Leonidas who handed Gabrielle over to them and watched as they carried her over to Melosa who told them to immediately bring her to the healers before returning her attention to Xena who she could now see looked a little worse for wear herself.

MELOSA
So tell me Conqueror, am I to assume that these supposed renegade Amazons are the reason for your current condition as well?

XENA
Well I wouldn't give them all the credit. If it hadn't been for this president chest injury of mine, I would've fared far better against those damned cowards and stopped the ones who got away from escaping.

The injury to Xena's side apparent, Melosa sumised that the Conqueror must've been telling the truth as she couldn't see Xena lying to make herself appear weaker or more vulnerable in order to get what she wanted. Not to mention that the queen could see the blood seeping between Xena's fingers and silently questioned how she had remained conscious with the amount of blood that Melosa was certain that Xena must have lost.

MELOSA
Very well Conqueror. I'll take you at your word, for now. But bear in mind that I will be questioning Gabrielle once she's regained consciousness on what happened to her. So I'd appreciate it if you stuck around in the meantime.

The Amazon looked at Xena's side.

MELOSA
Not that you appear to be in any condition for traveling at the moment anyway.

Melosa called for a few women to escort Xena to the healers and knowing that she would be in serious trouble unless she received healers' javascript:; medical attention soon, Xena accepted and went with the Amazon's after telling her men to move away from the village to make the Amazons move comfortable and make camp until morning when she would send an update on where the situation stood. So later that night as Xena laid in a bed in the healer's hut, she looked over in the darkness at the bed across from her where a treated but still unconscious Gabrielle layed and found herself feeling relieved that she had gotten there in time, but at the same time felt guilty about not having been there sooner to prevent Gabrielle from being attacked in the first place. And as the hectic events of the day took their toll and Xena drifted off to sleep, she decided to pay no mind as to why she was so concerned for Gabrielle's well-being. A concern that Gabrielle would too come to question when the next day came, and she would be faced with a decision that would shock everyone, including herself with the unexpected choice that she would make.

Heavy eyes slowly opened as Gabrielle groggily awoke to find herself laying on a cot and looking up at the ceiling of a small hut. Trying to pinpoint her new whereabouts, she tried to sit up but was unable as she felt a great deal of soreness radiating throughout her body and instead opted to remain where she was while trying to piece together how she had ended up there wherever she now was.

?
'Bout time you woke up.

Shocked by hearing another voice as Gabrielle hadn't noticed that anyone else was even in the hut, Gabrielle looked over from where she layed to see Xena laying in another bed across from hers. Which confused her even further. Both for what the Conqueror was even doing there and what could have happened to put her in that bed.

GABRIELLE
My lord. Wha.. What are you doing here?

She paused for a brief moment.

GABRIELLE
And for that matter, what am I doing here?

Gabrielle looked around at the unknown space she now found herself in.

GABRIELLE
Wherever here is.

Gabrielle winced in pain as she tried to sit up again and figure out what was happening, but ended up falling back against the mattress when she found the pain too much for her to really move.

XENA
The healer's hut within the Amazon village. And you shouldn't try moving around like that. You'll only end up hurting yourself worse.

Gabrielle looked over at Xena for a moment before turning her eyes to the ceiling as she scoffed.

GABRIELLE
You say that as though you actually care about what happens to me.

Xena scowled, a bit surprised by Gabrielle's attitude toward her but realized that it was likely the combination of both the physical and emotional pain of what she had been through that was really talking. And as such decided to let it go and not let the comment get to her.

XENA
(Idle tone) Fine, I guess I should've just let those Amazons finish the job then.

Gabrielle returned her attention to the Conqueror, certain that she couldn't have meant what Gabrielle thought she did.

GABRIELLE
Wait, are you saying that you're the one that brought me back here?

The Conqueror shrugged casually.

XENA
Technically my men were the ones who brought us both here.

GABRIELLE
But at your orders though.

Xena shrugged casually.

GABRIELLE
But why?
(Thinking to herself) Was she really so bitter about my leaving that she came to bring me back to the keep by force? And if so, why? Why does it matter to her where I am? I'm nothing but a servant to her.

Gabrielle scoffed to herself.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Or rather a slave. Even though she says that she doesn't own any, I've never been paid for anything I've done for her. And I was kept in her home against my will. So what else could you possibly call that?

Gabrielle shook her head, somehow even more confused about things then when she had just woken up a few moments prior as she noticed that if the Conqueror was in the healer's hut with her than she must've also been injured as well.

GABRIELLE
What am I to you other than someone you've held captive for your own benefit? So why even bother to not only come after me, but obviously put your life on the line in order to save me?

Remaining quiet for a moment, Xena pondered Gabrielle's question. A question that she too had asked herself numerous times while traveling to the village. And as she layed in that bed across from the young woman, xena found that she still hadn't been able to come up with an actual answer to said question. As all she really knew was that, for whatever reason, the thought of something terrible happening to Gabrielle had given the Conqueror a truly dreadful feeling. A feeling that until just that moment, Xena realized had only been reserved for any threats of her mother being put in danger. But Xena couldn't tell the young woman laying in the bed across from her that. However, the question still remained as to why. Why did the Conqueror care so much about what happened to this escaped would-be slave turned personal scribe and servant? And as Xena searched within herself for the answer to that question, she noticed that she'd been silent for several moments and as a result had piqued Gabrielle's curiosity which was made apparent by the questioning look she was receiving from the young woman. A curiosity that Xena felt needed to be nipped in the bud. And as such quickly gave Gabrielle the first answer that came to her mind.

XENA
Don't know. I guess I just didn't like not having you around.

Taking by surprise by the Conqueror's very unexpected answer, Gabrielle gave her a surprised look and questioned if she had actually heard the other woman correctly. Seeing Gabrielle's reaction to what she had just said, Xena realized that she may have inadvertently given too much of an honest answer for her own liking without actually meaning to and quickly continued In an attempt to cover her mistake as she looked away.

XENA
You know, with your being a pretty good scribe and additional archivist and all. It's a bit of a loss for me not having you back at the keep. So naturally I couldn't just let you get killed.

Xena turned her head to face Gabrielle once more.

XENA
That's why I came here to get you and bring you back.

She returned her gaze to the ceiling.

XENA
That is if you wanted to come back. With your being an Amazon I can't exactly take you from here without your permission and not start an all out war in the process. So like Melosa said before it's your choice of whether you wanna be here or not.

Gabrielle layed there stunned by the fact that Xena was actually giving her the choice of where she wanted to be and for a moment questioned if it was some sort of trick. But as she briefly questioned Xena's motivates for telling Gabrielle that the decision for what she would do was completely up to her, within the dim glow of the nearly dark room, she could see the seriousness of what the Conqueror had said in the woman's expression and couldn't help but wonder just what was going on in this ever confusing woman's mind as, yet again she had gone and done something that Gabrielle never would have imagined the fearsome Conqueror of Greece would have done. Which while it may have seemed crazy and contradictory to everything that Gabrielle had wanted since her first encounter with the Conqueror months ago, she now found herself saying something that not long ago she wouldn't have ever imagined she'd say. As she now wished to return to the place that she had been so very desperate to leave. As well as the person that when she had left just a short time ago, she had hoped she'd never see again.

GABRIELLE
Alright.

Xena looked at Gabrielle when she spoke.

XENA
What?

GABRIELLE
I'll come back.

XENA
Are you sure?

Gabrielle sighed as she looked up at the ceiling yet again.

GABRIELLE
At least no one there has tried to kill me. So I think I'd rather take my chances back there than staying here where I'm clearly not wanted by some people who are willing to do whatever they can in order to get rid of me.

XENA
Okay. As soon we're able to travel, I'll talk to Melosa and we'll go back. I can't see her being opposed to your leaving the village given what happened and with it being your choice to leave. But for now, just rest up while you can. Traveling in the cold and snow is never fun, even worse so when injured.

Gabrielle sighed to herself as she closed her eyes and tried to relax from the chaotic events that had put her there to begin with but was unable when the fear of what might happen to her if Velasca and her followers returned to finish what they started.

GABRIELLE
You know you never said what happened before you bought me here.

Keeping her eyes closed, wanting to get some sleep, Xena answered her.

XENA
Nothing special. We showed up, fought, killed a couple of 'em, and when she knew she couldn't win, their leader Velasca ran.

GABRIELLE
(Worried tone) So she's still out there?

Xena smirked.

XENA
You're safe here. Melosa knows about what happened and sent out patrols around the village in case Velasca returns. Though given that she knows that her plans to seize the queen's throne have been uncovered, I highly doubt that she'll be back any time soon. And even if she eventually does come back, we'll have already been long gone by then. And there's no way she'd be stupid enough to try and get into the keep if she discovers that you've returned there. And if she is crazy enough to try it, she'll never even lay a finger on you before she's caught and met with the end of my blade. So you don't ever need to worry about that sadistic bitch ever again.

Feeling tired from unbeknownst to Gabrielle having kept watch over the young woman to ensure that she was okay until she awoke, Xena carefully turned her back to Gabrielle as she rolled to her uninjured side to get comfortable and closed her eyes to go to sleep.

XENA
Now either go to sleep or be quiet so at least I can.

Gabrielle layed there for a few moments looking at Xena's still form through the slowly dimming candlelight and for the first time found herself actually thankful that the Conqueror had come into her life. Because she was certain that if it hadn't been for that woman stepping in and running off the Amazons who held attacked her, Gabrielle had no doubt that she would have been killed by them. A fact that regardless of who the Conqueror was, Gabrielle couldn't ignore without at the very least letting the woman know that she was greatful for what she had done.

GABRIELLE
Um, my lord?

Not moving, Xena answered.

XENA
(Slightly annoyed tone) What? I said I was going to sleep.

GABRIELLE
I didn't say it before but, thank you. You know, for saving me. You didn't have to do that and ended up getting hurt because of it. So I just wanted you to know that I appreciate what you did for me.

XENA
(Slightly annoyed tone) Yeah, whatever. Now be quiet and go to sleep before I put you outside in the snow.

Gabrielle sighed as she got comfortable and closed her eyes, finding herself suddenly tired despite just waking up from having passed out. But given that her injured body clearly needed the rest, Gabrielle didn't bother fighting it as she settled in for the night, and without really thinking about it bid Xena good night as she then drifted off to sleep.

GABRIELLE
Good night, my lord.

Having heard Gabrielle's last words before the room fell silent, Xena waited several minutes before turning her head to look over at the young woman, seeing her sound asleep. And after a few moments of just watching her sleeping peacefully, Xena quietly spoke into the darkness before laying her head back down and drifting off herself, not even thinking about the words or the casual way that they left her lips just as she fell asleep.

XENA
Goodnight, Gabrielle.

It was a number of days later when Xena carefully settled into the saddle of her horse as a group had finished gathering just outside the Amazon village.

XENA
Alright come on.

Xena looked down at Gabrielle who stood facing a number of the Amazons, including queen Melosa.

MELOSA
Are you sure you don't wanna stay Gabrielle? We'll be sure to do everything within our power to ensure that nothing like what Velasca and her supporters attempted ever happens again.

GABRIELLE
I know you will. And while I appreciate that, I just don't think I can stay here right now.

MELOSA
I understand.

The Amazon queen leaned closer to Gabrielle, so only she was able to hear what she said next.

MELOSA
(Whisper) You know you don't have to leave with the Conqueror if you don't want to. You don't need to fear her here, so if you don't actually want to go with her, just say so, and we'll have her leave the village immediately.

Gabrielle smiled, thankful for the queen's concern.

GABRIELLE
It's okay, really. She actually left it completely up to me for whether I wanted to go with her or not. And while I can't quite fully explain why, I agreed to leave completely on my own accord.

Melosa stepped back slightly and was convinced by the calm expression on Gabrielle's face that she was telling the truth.

MELOSA
Alright. No one will stop you from leaving if that's what you truly want.

The queen of the Amazon's gave Gabrielle a motherly smile.

MELOSA
Just know that wherever you may be, you will always have a place here. Because though you might be leaving, you will still be an Amazon regardless of where you are.

GABRIELLE
Thank you Melosa. I'll be sure to try and come back sometime... if I can.

Gabrielle glanced over at Xena who just made an unintelligible grumble before telling Gabrielle to wrap it up before it got too late for them to safely travel.

MELOSA
Yes, well before you go, I believe that some of the others have something for you.

GABRIELLE
Oh it wasn't necessary for anyone to get me a going away present.

EPHINY
Well that's not exactly what it is.

Gabrielle watched as Ephiny, Eponin and Solari came to the front of the crowd that had gathered to see Gabrielle off.

EPONIN
You were actually supposed to get something like this anyway, but it kind of got pushed aside when everything with Velasca happened. So it might be a little late but here. This is yours, Gabrielle.

The Amazon moved the arm that she was holding behind her and brought out what looked to Gabrielle to be a long, thin, wooden pole that had multiple thin pieces of rope decoratively colored rope tightly wrapped around a length of the middle section of it. As well as on a smaller section at one end of the object that was done in a similar fashion.

GABRIELLE
Oh, um, thank you.

Gabrielle took the item from the Amazon as she looked at it, uncertain of what exactly she had just been given.

EPHINY
It's a staff.

EPONIN
A fighting staff to be more precise.

GABRIELLE
A fighting staff?! What am I supposed to do with this?

Gabrielle glanced over at the Conqueror who was waiting several feet away before returning her attention to Eponin.

GABRIELLE
(Whisper) Are you crazy, giving me a weapon?! What makes you think that the Conqueror is gonna be okay with that?

Overhearing the conversation between Gabrielle and Eponin, Melosa spoke up to Xena about the issue.

MELOSA
What say you Conqueror? Does the presence of such a weapon, though non-lethal, threaten you?

Xena scowled at the way Melosa almost mockingly asked her the question and was about to say that Gabrielle couldn't keep it just out of spite when Leonidas leaned closer from his horse right beside Xena and spoke quietly to her.

LEONIDAS
(Whisper) If I may, my lord, perhaps the little one having the staff might be a good idea just incase she finds herself in another situation like what happened with those few Amazon women, and she needs to defend herself.

XENA
It's not a terrible idea, but I can't see the staff being much of a help when she doesn't even how to use it.

LEONIDAS
(Talking quietly) I'm certain that it isn't anything that you, myself or one of the other soldiers couldn't easily teach her. She's a bright girl, I'm sure she'll pick it up with little problem.

Xena looked at Gabrielle for a moment as she thought for a moment before seeing that Leonidas had a point and returned her attention to Melosa.

XENA
Alright. I suppose there's no real problem with her having the staff. So if she wants, she can keep it.

Xena looked at Gabrielle, who smiled at the news of being able to keep the gift she'd received.

XENA
Well if we're done here I'd like to get a moving. As I've already said, I'd prefer to get back home before dark.

So after saying goodbye to her new Amazon sisters, Gabrielle looked at the group of the Conqueror and her men and paused as she suddenly wondered who she was supposed to ride with.

XENA
(Slightly impatient tone) Well what are you waiting for? Hop on.

Gabrielle watched as Xena nodded to the open space in the saddle behind her, implying for her to sit there.

GABRIELLE
Oh.

Gabrielle moved to climb up behind the Conqueror but having never really gotten onto a horse by herself she wasn't exactly sure of how she was supposed to get up into the saddle but tried anyway as she figured that it couldn't be that difficult given just how many people were able to ride. But still being hurt and relatively shorter than many people, Gabrielle found that pulling herself up onto the horse's back was apparently much easier said than done as she felt everyone's eyes on her struggling to find her way up with no success. She jumped slightly again and suddenly felt the back of her shirt being grabbed as she was unceremoniously pulled up into the saddle by Xena who had gotten tired of waiting for her to make it up. Once seated comfortably behind the Conqueror, Gabrielle awkwardly thanked her for the assistance and got an unseen eye roll in response.

XENA
Just hold on.

GABRIELLE
Hold on to wha...?!

Not wait for Gabrielle to finish talking, Xena slowly got her horse moving which caused Gabrielle to quickly grab onto Xena's shoulders to prevent herself from falling which got another eye room for the Conqueror as she momentarily let go of the reins and took Gabrielle's hands from her shoulders and brought the young woman's arms around her midsection.

XENA
There. Now keep a firm grip. You fall off a horse and you'll know it.

GABRIELLE
Oh, okay.

Gabrielle tightened her grip slightly before remembering that she'd been told about the Conqueror's side being injured while saving her and lessening her grip.

GABRIELLE
Oh, your side, I don't wanna hurt you if I hold on too tight.

Xena chuckled as she pulled Gabrielle's arms tighter around her.

XENA
If rival warlord's, crazed Amazon's or overrated gods can't put me down for good, I'm pretty sure your holding onto my waist when I'm a little banged up isn't gonna kill me. So you just worry about staying in the saddle while we ride. Because I'm not gonna be picking you up off the ground if you slip off along the way. You'll just be walking back to the keep then.

Gabrielle didn't get the chance to respond as the Conqueror got her horse into a slow gallop and Gabrielle instinctively tightened hold on the woman seated in front of her as they, along with Leonidas and the rest of the group of soldiers, made their way back to the Conqueror's keep. Where in the coming cold months ahead, and unexpected flame would emerge from a spark that unbeknownst to Gabrielle had already been lit. But the question still remained on whether in the end it would end up becoming a beautiful sight to behold or if the enticing flames would just do what they're best known to do and just leave her burnt and scared in the end.

After a fairly quiet trip from the Amazon village, it was a hectic scene as Xena, Gabrielle, Leonidas and the rest of the small group of soldiers rode through the gates of the Conqueror's keep. Having received word from the outer patrolmen of the groups impending arrival, those on the grounds of the keep were able to briefly prepare for the Xena's return. And as such a number of the Conqueror's servants were waiting outside to assist their leader with whatever she may have needed upon her homecoming. With one such person being Elle.

ELLE
Welcome back my lord.

The young woman greeted Xena as she saw her approaching before bringing the horse she was riding to a stop in front of the young woman.

ELLE
It's been several days since your hasty departure. I'm glad to see your safe return. I hope whatever urgent business you needed to attend to went well.

XENA
I did what I set out to do.

Xena slightly nodded over her shoulder as Elle peeked around the Conqueror to see Gabrielle seated directly behind Xena and smiled at the sight of her friend's unexpected return to the keep.

ELLE
Gabrielle. I can't believe you're back.

Gabrielle smiled as Elle walked over to stand beside the horse that Gabrielle and Xena were on.

ELLE
You know after you left with those Amazons, I never thought I'd see you again. I've missed not having you around here you know.

GABRIELLE
I'm glad to see you too Elle.

Still in pain from her injuries and having the ride from the village not doing anything to help, Xena was eager to get down from her mount and settled into a relaxing evening to rest, and cleared her throat in an exaggerated and slightly annoyed manner to get Elle's attention back on task.

XENA
I'm not paying you to stand around and talk Elle.

The young woman turned her attention to Xena.

ELLE
Apologies your lordship.

Xena looked at her servant before nodding back to Gabrielle.

XENA
Whatever. Just help her down, get inside and settled back into her room

ELLE
Yes, right away my lord.

The servant held out her hand to assist Gabrielle in getting down from the horse.

XENA
And be careful. She's a little banged up.

ELLE
OH? Um, Yes, of course.

Concerned about what could have happened to Gabrielle during her absence, Elle made a mental note to ask her about it later as she carefully assisted xena in helping Gabrielle down from the horse and then hugged her for a moment before escorting her inside while trying to get any answers she could for whatever happened while she was gone.

ELLE
Are you okay? Her lordship made it sound like you were hurt. What happened?

GABRIELLE
Welll it's actually kind of a long story.

As Gabrielle was escorted into the building by Elle, Xena dismounted from her horse and fought back a wince at the too swift of a movement that ended up aggravating the injury on her side.

LEONIDAS
Are you alright, my lord?

Leonidas walked up beside Xena after dismounting his own steed and noticing the Conqueror's painful reaction.

XENA
It's fine. I just got down a bit to abruptly is all.

Xena turned and headed inside and spoke to a servant that she passed on her way.

XENA
I'm going to my quarters. I want a hot bath drawn and dinner brought to my room within the hour.

The servant gave the standard affirmative response to Xena's command and went off to complete the tasks as the Conqueror entered the building and headed to her private quarters.

ELLE
Here we are.

Elle opened the door to Gabrielle's room that had remained unchanged since her departure a number of weeks prior and walked in, with Gabrielle following.

ELLE
I can't believe you're actually an Amazon princess now. So what was it like actually living in that village?

GABRIELLE
It was actually really exciting.
(Sighing) At first.

Gabrielle walked over and carefully sat down on the edge of her bed as Elle saw the change in her expression go from cheerful to dejected.

ELLE
Why? What happened while you were there?

Elle walked over the bed and sat down beside Gabrielle as she told her friend about Velasca and her supporters assault and attempt on her life. As well as how she had inadvertently gotten wrapped up in Velasca's plot to murder her way to becoming the Amazon queen. All of which Elle could hardly believe.

ELLE
Gabrielle... I'm so sorry that you went through that.

The young woman shook her head in disgust.

ELLE
I don't get how someone could even think to do something like that.

Gabrielle looked at the young woman as she was about to mention that the things the Conqueror has done over the years weren't very different from what Velasca and her followers had done, but then stopped herself as she remembered the only reason she was even still alive was because Xena had come and saved her. And instead just turned her eyes toward the window and shook her head disapprovingly.

GABRIELLE
I guess that's just something I'll never understand.

ELLE
Maybe in the end that might just be for the best.

GABRIELLE
Yeah, maybe.

Seeing that Gabrielle wasn't very invested in the conversation, Elle figured she must've been tired and that it would be best to let her get some rest as she stood up from the bed.

ELLE
Well I'm sure you're tired and hungry from your trip, so why don't I go grab you some dinner, and you can eat then get some rest.

Gabrielle gave a small smile.

GABRIELLE
Thanks, but you really don't need to...

ELLE
Oh nonsense, it's my job to help take care of everyone around here. So you just sit there and relax while I go get your food.

GABRIELLE
Thanks Elle, for being such a good friend.

Elle smiled.

ELLE
Anytime Gabrielle. Anytime.

Gabrielle watched as Elle left for a short time before coming back with a tray full of food before leaving Gabrielle alone. Who in turn ate her fill before getting into bed and even though her mind swirled with thoughts of everything that had taken place over the past number of days fell asleep relatively quickly as it all had both physically and emotionally taken a toll on her. Though even as Gabrielle drifted to sleep, her thoughts kept returning to the Conqueror and the question of why the woman had gone and risked her own well-being in order to save her.

XENA
Ahhh, that's much better.

Xena sunk down into the hot tub of water that came up to the top of her chest and leaned her head back as she closed her eyes and began to finally relax for the first time in what felt like forever.

?
I really hope you have your wounds covered properly.

XENIA
(Sarcastic tone) What are you, my mother?

She peeked her eyes open and smirked at the unhappy face of Cyrene's who was unamused by the comment as she stood in Xena's washroom with her arms crossed after letting herself into the Conqueror's private quarters.

XENA
(Joking tone) Oh, right.

The Conqueror leaned her head back once more.

XENA
Is there something you needed, mother?... Cyrene?

Xena glanced at her mother, remembering that the woman had told her previously that she no longer answered to the title of her mother.

XENA
Sorry, old habits. Anyway, was there something I can do for you?

Cyrene walked a little closer and saw the bloodied bandages on the floor that Xena had taken off before getting into the tub.

CYRENE
I heard that you got hurt again.

XENA
Yeah. Why disappointed that I came back?

Cyrene scowled.

CYRENE
(Stern tone) Don't you dare say something like that, Xena.

Surprised by both Cyrene's tone and comment, Xena sat upright and looked at the older woman who continued.

CYRENE
(Stern tone) Don't presume to know what I feel.

Cyrene softened her tone.

CYRENE
Despite everything and as much as I may have wished it wasn't true, you are still my child. As grown as you might be.

XENA
Am I? Because last time we really spoke, I seem to remember you saying that you had no daughter.

Cyrene sighed.

CYRENE
Look, Xena. You're well aware of how complicated things have been between us for years. And I can't say that I was all to thrilled to have been forcibly brought here.

XENA
(Irritated tone) Amphipolis was in danger, what was I supposed to do, just leave you in the line of fire?

CYRENE
That's not what I'm saying.

Cyrene shook her head as she walked over and sat down in a chair that sat beside a small table in the washroom.

CYRENE
Xena, I know that things between us haven't been good for a long time and honestly, given everything you've done, I'm not sure if there will ever be a day when they are again. But I when I heard that you were hurt protecting Gabrielle, I have to admit that I was kind of taken by surprise.

Xena smirked.

XENA
Boy people really do like to talk around here.

CYRENE
That they do.

Xena casually moved the conversation forward.

XENA
So what about it?

CYRENE
Nothing particular. Just seems a bit surprising that you'd dash off like that, if only to go after the young woman.

Xena made a slightly annoyed grumble.

XENA
I uncovered a plot against an ally that she just happened to fall into nothing more.

CYRENE
Really now?

Cyrene raised a curious eyebrow that Xena noted she had clearly gotten from the woman and scowled in response not appreciating what she suspected that the older woman was hinting at.

XENA
(Irritated tone) And just what are you implying here?

CYRENE
(Lying) Nothing.
Just seems like a lot of trouble for you to go through for something that doesn't really concern you.

The Conqueror scoffed.

XENA
Oh please, this had plenty to do with me. You'll remember that the murder of the Amazon princess took place here and that those women have been highly trusted allies for quite some time. So given our common enemy in Draco at the moment, it's only logical to maintain our mutual relationship, so solving the murder and foiling the rebel Amazons plot worked to my advantage. And saving the girl, well, that was just something that happened to fit into it all.

CYRENE
Oh, is that it?

No believing her daughter for one second on this subject, Cyrene gave her daughter a suspicious look that Xena didn't like and in response turned away.

XENA
Believe whatever you want, it doesn't make any difference to me. Now if you don't mind mother, I'd like to finish my bath in peace and turn in early tonight.

Cyrene smiled as she stood up.

CYRENE
Alright, I suppose I should be headed to bed soon myself.

Cyrene bid Xena good night and made her way out of the room, where soon after hearing the outer door to her quarters open and shut, Xena sighed to herself as she leaned her head back and relaxed in her bath for a bit longer before getting out the tub, drying off and getting ready for bed. The night within the keep carried on quietly and as morning broke things appeared to return to normal. That was until one of the servants brought a tray of food to the Conqueror's quarters as per usual for Xena's morning routine.

SERVANT
I've brought your breakfast my lord. Shall I just leave it on the table for you or would you prefer to remain in bed and have me bring it in to you?

Not getting a response, the woman placed the tray of food down on a table and walked closer to the door that connected to the Conqueror's bedroom.

SERVANT
My lord?

The woman knocked on the door that hadn't been completely shut when Xena had gone to bed the night before and again got not response. And figuring that Xena must've still been asleep the servant was about to leave when she heard a small groan from the other side of the door and slowly began to push the door open.

SERVANT
My lord? Is everything okay?

The woman opened the door fully to see the shocking sight of Xena curled up in her bed with her blankets pulled tightly around her as she looked to be shivering uncontrollably.

SERVANT
(Shocked/ concerned tone) My lord!

The woman hurried to the Conqueror's bedside and saw that Xena appeared to be sweating as she tossed and turned slightly beneath the blankets while shivering.

SERVANT
Hold on...

Seeing that Xena was very clearly unwell, the woman turned to leave.

SERVANT
I'll go fetch the healers and bring them here right away.

The servant hurried out of the room to get the healers as Xena groaned and shivered some more. And as the healers came and began to try treating her, it became apparent that recent injury to Xena's side had become just as potentially deadly as the nearly haled wound to her chest had once been with the discovery of an infection that unbeknownst to anyone had already been working its way through Xena's body for a few days. An infection that had spread so quickly, it was uncertain if there was anything that the healers could do that would be enough to prevent it from taking Xena's life.

HEALER 1
Dear God's, she's burning up.

The woman took the hand she'd placed on Xena's forehead away after feeling just how much warmer than normal she was.

HEALER 2
I'll get some cold water and cloths right away.

The second woman moved to get the items as the rest of the healers began to search for the reason why Xena could have been running such a high fever. This was made a bit more difficult by the fact that the Conqueror, while seemingly conscious, was hardly responsive to anything that the healers would ask.

HEALER 2
What do you think we're looking at here?

HEALER 3
I'm not sure just yet. We're gonna have to examine her first, then hopefully we'll have at least some idea. But first we need to get her temperature down, otherwise it won't matter what's actually wrong with her if the fever kills her before we can do anything.

HEALER 2
Yes, of course.

The second healer moved off and quickly returned with a bucket of water and several cloths that she placed on the floor by the bed as the third women pulled the blankets that Xena had wrapped herself in away. Once the woman with the clothes had submerged one into the cold water and rang it out a little, she began running the cool, wet cloth over Xena's forehead, upper chest and arms in an effort to reduce the Conqueror's temperature to normal, with the first woman also doing the same for a few moments.

HEALER 3
Okay, you both keep running those cold cloths over her to fight her fever, and I'll see if I can figure out what we're dealing with.

Having been alerted of the troubling condition that Xena had been found in by the servant who had been delivering her morning meal, the room was in a controlled chaos as a handful of healers rushed into the Conqueror's quarters and immediately began their work to find and cure whatever was ailing the woman.

HEALER 1
Hey have either of you seen this?

The two other healers paused in their respective tasks with one examining Xena's eyes for any change in her awareness and the other reapplying the cold water to her cloth from the bucket, to look at the lead healer.

HEALER 3
See what?

HEALER 1
Her side. I was lifting her shirt to run a cloth over what I could there and well, look for yourselves.

The woman pushed Xena's shirt up to just below her chest to show what she had discovered as the other two healers gasped at the sight when they saw a shocking amount of redness covering Xena's skin that was emerging from beneath the bandages that had been covering the injury to her side that she'd received while preventing Gabrielle from being killed by Velasca and her rebel followers.

HEALER 3
An infection. That would certainly explain her symptoms.

HEALER 2
The question is how could it have gotten so bad without being noticed before now.

HEALER 1
Sometimes these things can come on without any symptoms to cause real alarm. Plus you know that the lord Conqueror is a highly skilled healer herself, so it's likely that she already knew about the infection and had been treating it herself but hadn't realized just how serious it was before ending up in this condition.

HEALER 2
Or she was just too stubborn to admit that something else was wrong.

HEALER 3
Both sound plausible. Although in truth, I can't see the lord Conqueror being so wreckless as to allow herself to fall into such a state over her own pride. But either way the how isn't important right now, we can find that out for certain later. For now, we have to focus on what's important and that's the job we have in front of us. So now that we know what's causing the problem, we need to focus on fixing that before doing anything else. Now let's get these bandages off so we can get a better look at the wound.

Having thankfully gained some semblance of what the cause of Xena's current condition was, the trio of healers worked to cut off the bandages wrapped around her midsection to find that their suspensions of an infection to have indeed been correct, and as such began the next steps needed in order to combat it and give Xena's body the chance to fight the rest of the sickness off itself. Even if those working to save her felt that the chances of Xena pulling through and making a full recovery looked bleak at best. After all, how often could one person be at deaths door and not pass through it? Just how many times throughout the years had the goddess of death, Celestia herself, surely been within arms reach of the Conqueror? Only to have Xena slip away from her touch and yet again escape what would certainly be a one way trip to the deepest depths of Tartarus, where she would pay the price for the countless evil deeds she's committed for the rest of eternity. Because for all of her seemingly godlike abilities at times, Xena was still just as mortal as any other regular person. As difficult as that might have been for anyone who had witnessed the woman in action to believe, she could die. A bitter truth that those in the keep had been given a reminder of in an uncomfortably frequent manner in the recent number of months. Including then and there in the Conqueror's bedroom, where the small group of healers worked to pull her from death's grasp yet again.

LEONIDAS
So what will happen going forward?

HEALER 1
Unfortunately we can't be certain.

LEONIDAS
Why not?

HEALER 1
I'm afraid the lord Conqueror's most recent injury has become severely infected. We've done what we can but...

The lead healer paused as she stood just outside the Conqueror's bedroom with Leonidas as they spoke about Xena's current state of health, after having done everything she could for the woman.

LEONIDAS
But what? Are you saying that she's going to die?

HEALER 1
I'm afraid whether the lord Conqueror survives this latest trial or not remains to be seen.

LEONIDAS
Then there shouldn't be anything to worry about. The lord Conqueror is the most strong-willed person I've ever met. Certainly she'll be able to fight this and make a full recovery.

HEALER 1
It's possible. But keep in mind, no matter how physically or mentally strong someone may be, no one can come out victorious in every single battle. This includes the lord Conqueror, as this is not a fight that can be won with a sword or even some brilliant strategy. In truth only time will tell where not only her fate will lay, but all of ours as well.

The healer turned to leave.

HEALER 1
But for the time being we'll have to keep watch over her to see what happens and proceed on from there.

LEONIDAS
Understand.

Leonidas left with the healers as soon after, multiple servants began to take shifts to look over Xena, unsure of if she would survive.

ELLE
Gabrielle? What are you doing up and about?

GABRIELLE
I'm okay. I just couldn't sit in my room for another minute.

Elle walked up to Gabrielle after spotting her walking gingerly down the hallway and looped her arm around her friend's to assist her.

GABRIELLE
I've been cooped up in there for over a week.

ELLE
Yeah, but if you don't rest, it'll take even longer for you to fully recover.

GABRIELLE
I knew that but...

Gabrielle lowered her eyes as the two stopped walking and Elle gave her a concerning look.

ELLE
But what?

GABRIELLE
I've just had a lot on my mind and after everything that happened with the Amazon's...

ELLE
Oh... I guess almost being killed like that would make it pretty hard to just relax.

GABRIELLE
That's certainly one way to put it.

Realizing how what she had just said may have inadvertently come off as insensitive, Elle quickly apologized.

ELLE
Sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was making light of what happened to you.

GABRIELLE
It's okay, I know you didn't mean anything like that.

ELLE
Still, I should really be more careful and maybe think a bit more before I say things. Sometimes I think I talk just to talk without paying much attention to what I'm actually saying.

GABRIELLE
Just forget about it.

Gabrielle let go of Elle's arm and moved to stand by a nearby window.

GABRIELLE
Believe it or not I was actually known as quite the talker back in my home village. So sometimes I would accidentally say things that I probably shouldn't have.

ELLE
Really?

The young woman walked over and stood next to Gabrielle and leaned against the wall as she continued.

ELLE
You, a talker? But you haven't really been like that since I've known you.

Gabrielle looked at the older woman for a moment and was about to speak when Elle figured out the obvious reason for the apparent change in her friend's habits.

ELLE
Oh right, you were brought here by force and only knew the worst parts about her lordship reputation.

GABRIELLE
Yeah. So you can see why I wouldn't be my usual chatty self.

Gabrielle sighed as she looked out the window at the winter landscape outside.

GABRIELLE
When I got here, I just remember being so afraid that I'd accidentally do or say the wrong thing and end up the target of the Conqueror's wrath. So I just did my best to keep quiet and do whatever I was told, then hopefully I'd be okay.

ELLE
I guess that makes sense.

Elle looked at Gabrielle.

ELLE
But you seem pretty talkative now.

Gabrielle returned her full attention to Elle having not even noticed that fact until hearing it mentioned just then.

GABRIELLE
Huh, I guess you're right.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
Though I suppose it's kinda easy when it's a friend that I'm talking with.

Elle mirrored Gabrielle's expression.

ELLE
It's kinda crazy how things have changed since you first came here.

GABRIELLE
Have they?

ELLE
Yeah.

The young woman's face returned serious.

ELLE
Which makes me wonder something even more.

GABRIELLE
What's that?

ELLE
Why after the whole chaos of Terreis being killed, you still deeded to leave with the Amazon's?

GABRIELLE
Well why wouldn't I?

Elle lowered her eyes sadly.

ELLE
(Sad tone) Oh. I guess I just thought we were friends, and you were starting to see that this place wasn't the worst thing in the world you could be.

Gabrielle sighed.

GABRIELLE
Of course we're friends Elle. It's just...

Gabrielle shook her head as she tried to think of the right way to explain why she wanted to leave without hurting Elle.

GABRIELLE
You do remember that I was brought and kept here against my will. I only crossed paths with the Conqueror by mistake after escaping from slavers. It's not as though I ever had a choice before the Amazon's of weither or not I wanted to be here.

ELLE
Then why are you here now?

GABRIELLE
Because even with Velasca out of the village, I just didn't feel right staying there anymore. And I guess after everything that happened, I've just been feeling kinda restless about it all.

ELLE
But you know you're safe now, right?

GABRIELLE
Yeah maybe, but honestly it's not really just the whole Amazon thing that's been bothering me. Well, not completely.

ELLE
What do you mean?

Gabrielle looked at her friend.

GABRIELLE
The Conqueror.

ELLE
Her lordship?

Elle gave Gabrielle a puzzled look.

ELLE
Okay now I'm confused. I thought you just said the whole reason you left in the first place was because you wanted to get away from her.

GABRIELLE
I did, and I could tell that she was really not happy about my leaving. Though I can't really figure out why.

Gabrielle looked back out the window.

GABRIELLE
Then when she showed up just in time to save me from Velasca and her followers.

She returned her eyes to Elle.

GABRIELLE
Why?

Elle shrugged.

ELLE
She uncovered what those rebel Amazons had planned and went to stop them.

GABRIELLE
Yeah that's what she told me too. But I don't know.

ELLE
What do you mean?

GABRIELLE
I don't know.

Gabrielle watched out the window once more.

GABRIELLE
I'm just starting to think that you were right about her and maybe there's more to who the Conqueror really is after all.

Elle looked at Gabrielle shocked by what she had just heard but then smiled as she was happy to know that someone else was able to get a glimpse of the Xena that had made her loyal to the woman.

ELLE
(Half joking) I told you so.

Gabrielle smiled in response as she chuckled slightly and shook her head slightly in mock disapproval. The lighthearted movement however was soon brought to an end when the two young women saw Cyrene wandering down the hall with a very troubled expression on her face. And after her initial conversation with the older woman, Gabrielle had spoken with her often and found herself genuinely liking Cyrene. Almost as if she were a second mother. So naturally, when Gabrielle saw Cyrene seemingly upset about something, she had to go see if there was anything that she could do for her.

GABRIELLE
Cyrene?, is everything okay?

Cyrene looked at Gabrielle as she and Elle approached her and slowly shook her head no as the tears she'd been holding in began to fall, and she told them what she'd just heard from the healers about Xena's current condition. And as she and Elle tried their best to console Cyrene, Gabrielle unexpectedly found herself also concerned about what was going to happen to the Conqueror. A concern that while somewhat explained by the fact that in the end Xena was only in her current state due to her having fought Velasca and her allies to protect Gabrielle, still took Gabrielle off guard. Leaving her feeling even more confused about how she should feel about everything that had recently happened. But little did Gabrielle know that as conflicting as her thoughts on the Conqueror were at that time, the new light in which she would soon begin to see Xena in would bring a new level of both confusion and chaos within Gabrielle that she had never known before.

It was early morning, just before the sun began to rise as a figure in the darkness started to stir. Slowly, a pair of tired eyes opened and shut a few times before adjusting to the darkened room.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) What time is it?

Xena turned her head to look out the window as a cloth slipped from her forehead and caught her attention.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) What the...?

Confused as to where the cloth had come from, Xena picked it up and felt that it was very slightly damp. Now more intrigued by the reasoning for the object, she began to sit up but fell back immediately a jolt of pain shoot through Xena's side, causing a painful groan to escape her.

XENA
(Irritated/ painful tone) Son of a Bacchae!

Xena laid there for a moment as she waited for the pain to subside. Then, once the sensation had dulled enough for her to bear, she very carefully moved to raise herself to an elevated position and lifted her shirt to examine her side where she saw a set of fairy fresh bandages had been wrapped around her midsection.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) These aren't the bandages I had on. Where did these come from?

Carefully Xena touch her side and scowled to herself when she felt how much more sensitive the area was then it had been before.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) What in Tartarus?

Slowly Xena undid the bandages wrapped around her midsection and was taken by surprise when she found a set of freshly done stitches where her old ones were as well as the redness that surrounded them.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Fuck. How did that happen?
(Thinking to herself Sarcasticly) Great, an infection is just what I need.

The Conqueror sighed to herself as she lowered her top back down and pushed the rest of her blankets off of her as she moved to get out of bed. However, when she stood up and attempted to take a step, Xena found herself unable to get far as she found her whole body suddenly feeling incredibly weak. Barely able to get back to her bed before collapsing, Xena layed there for several moments before hearing a knock on her door, followed by a woman's voice from the other side.

?1
I'm sorry, she doesn't appear to be awake.

?2
That's okay. Honestly, I'm not even really sure why I wanted to come see her.

?1
Well, perhaps later. Was there any specific message you had to be given to her?

?2
No, that's okay, I'll just go. Sorry for troubling you.

?1
It's no trouble at all as I was already on my way here to check on her any...

The conversation the two people were having suddenly came to a halt when the door to the Conqueror's quarters unexpectedly opened, and they saw Xena standing before them.

Elle
(Surprised tone) My lord, you're awake.

Xena stood, gripping the door frame for support as she attempted to hide the fact that she was having difficulty standing from the pair who stood before her.

XENA
(Slightly annoyed tone) Can I help you?

Elle quickly spoke up again.

ELLE
Oh, sorry you're lordship, you gave us all quite a scare when we heard about your falling ill, and we just wanted to come see how you were doing. Which I'm relieved to see that you ssem to be doing far better than you were.

Xena's face remained unreadable as though still not fully aware of what happened to her, she began piece together enough to see that something serious had apparently happened to her that was enough to cause a significant concern for those around her, though not wanting to appear weak or uncertain in front of her servants, the Conqueror played along as though she was fully aware of everything that had taken place over the number of recent days prior.

XENA
(Lying) Yes, well as you can see I'm doing just fine now.

Xena's eyes then moved to the other person who was with Elle.

XENA
Though I have to admit that unlike Elle being here, I'm a bit surprised to see you coming to check on me, Gabrielle.

Hearing the Conqueror actually refer to her by name when she almost never did somewhat caught Gabrielle by surprise as she instinctively stood up straighter on instinct from having Xena speak to her.

GABRIELLE
Yes, well you only got sick because you were hurt while saving me from those Amazons. So I felt kinda bad for that, and I guess I just wanted to see how you were doing.

Xena's eyebrow arched in intrigue at the thought of Gabrielle holding any level of concern for what would happen to her in any way. But then her mind flashed back to just after she had been injured by Draco, and she had drunkenly found her way to Gabrielle's room where the then fresh injury was met with the young woman's foot when it appeared that Xena was trying to attack her. But even when Xena was riving on the floor suffering incredible pain as a consequence of her own actions, instead of just running away from the terrifying situation Gabrielle she had just experienced, Gabrielle had felt woried about Xena's wellbeing and rushed out of her room to get help for her. With neither woman fully understanding why. The memory of which had brought the Conqueror to gaze at Gabrielle with subconscious focus that didn't go unnoticed by the young woman who shifted uncomfortably under Xena's gaze that made Xena realize that she had been staring and quickly cleared her throat as she averted her eyes from the young woman in front of her to a slight chip in the door frame that she suddenly found fascinating and began picking at it.

XENA
Yes well as I said before, I'm feeling much better.

Xena winced as she felt a jolt of pain go through her side, causing her to tighten her hold on the door frame she'd been holding for stability. An action that didn't go unnoticed by Gabrielle or Elle, who moved to quickly help hold her upright.

ELLE
Your Lordship. Should we go get the healers?

XENA
No.

Xena took a breath and grit her teeth as she tried to wait for the pain to pass.

XENA
I just need to go sit down.

Xena attempted to move away from the other two but almost dropped to her knees due to the pain and was instead assisted over to the nearest chair by Gabrielle and Elle, who gingerly helped her sit.

ELLE
Are you sure you don't want the healers to come see you?

XENA
No this isn't anything that I can't take of myself.

Xena then instructed Gabrielle and Elle to go bring her a cup, some hot water and a couple of herbs that she kept in a small pouch on a shelf that she pointed to. The two younger women moved to do as Xena instructed and after bringing her the items, Xena broke up the herbs into the cup and gave it a quick stir before drinking most of it and setting the rest that was in the cup down on the small table beside her.

ELLE
Are you gonna be okay, my lord?

XENA
Those herbs should start to help ease the pain soon enough.

ELLE
Oh good.

The room fell silent for a moment before Gabrielle found herself feeling incredibly awkward just standing there as even though she had wanted to come see how the Conqueror's condition for herself, now that she was in the Conqueror's quarters, and her bedroom nonetheless, Gabrielle then began to question whether or not it had been a good idea to come there. Or why she even had in the first place. Her thoughts however were interrupted when she heard the Conqueror's voice speak.

XENA
Now if there isn't anything else, you can go and carry on with your usual business.

ELLE
Yes my lord.

Both Elle and Gabrielle turned to leave as they moved toward the door and Xena

XENA
(Commanding tone) Hold on.

Hearing Xena's command, the two young women immediately stopped and turned back to face her as Xena continued.

XENA
You can go.

The Conqueror pointed at Elle.

XENA
But you...

Xena pointed at Gabrielle.

XENA
You and I need to have a little chat.

Gabrielle swallowed nervously as she wondered what she had done to possibly upset the Conqueror for a moment until she realized that the woman must've still been upset about the fact that Gabrielle had left with the Amazon's against her wishes. And then after apparently discovering Velasca's plot and showing up to stop the Amazon, the Conqueror had ended up getting hurt protecting her, and ended up nearly dying as a result. None of which Gabrielle was certain had done anything to improve her standing with the woman. And even as she stood there unsure of what the Conqueror might do to her, she remembered that this was the same woman who had saved her and hadn't ordered any sort of punishment for her leaving when she returned to the keep which Gabrielle also remembered that the Conqueror had left the decision of whether or not she wanted to come back up to her. But why? Gabrielle had so many questions about the Conqueror's recent actions. And maybe if she did things right, this would be just the opportunity that Gabrielle had been hoping for to find out. But as Elle exited the room and left Gabrielle alone with Xena, what would happen next would be the last thing that Gabrielle could have ever imagined would happen. As well as everything else that would eventually follow as a result.

Alone with Xena in the Conqueror's quarters, Gabrielle stood nervously before the woman after Elle had been ordered to leave. She stood up straight as she watched the Conqueror move further into her room and sit in a chair as she groaned slightly as she got comfortable, mumbling something to herself about "getting too old for this". After which a silence fell over the room as Xena drank some more of her tea and Gabrielle just stood in place, not knowing what she should do or say.

XENA
(Slightly impatient tone) Well do you plan on just standing over there all day or are you gonna sit down already?

GABRIELLE
Oh, um okay.

Though slightly surprised by the invitation or command, and uncertain of which it was, Gabrielle walked over to the small table where the Conqueror was sitting. And once she near the table, the Conqueror casually used her foot from under the table and nudged the chair across from her out and nodded for Gabrielle to sit. Which the young woman did. The two then sat there for a moment as Xena finished up her tea and Gabrielle remained quiet with her worrisome thoughts of what the Conqueror wanted her for racing through her mind. Then after what felt like an eternity for Gabrielle, the Conqueror spoke.

XENA
Now let's get down to business shall we? The Amazons.

Hearing exactly what she had feared Xena wanted to discuss, Gabrielle felt her heart sank in fear as she tried to think of anyway she could possibly talk herself out of whatever the Conqueror had in store for her as punishment for the trouble that she had inadvertently caused.

GABRIELLE
I'm so sorry my lord. I never suspected that by my joining the ranks of the Amazons that I would get entangled in a plot aimed at getting rid of anyone that was in a direct line for queen. I only took the rite of caste when Terreis was dying because she was my friend and I didn't know what else to do. I just...

Gabrielle paused, not wanting to say her reasoning for wanting to go with the Amazon's but heard the Conqueror speak the words as though she were able to read Gabrielle's mind. Even if admittedly her reason for wanting to leave must've been pretty obvious.

XENA
Didn't wanna be here.

Knowing there was no point in trying to lie, Gabrielle nodded slightly as she waited for what she expected would be a rather unpleasant response from the Conqueror but was surprised when she got a small chuckle out of the woman instead.

XENA
You say that as if you're not wanting to be here was a secret.

Gabrielle looked at Xena as she stumbled over her words, trying to come up with something to make the whole situation appear different from what it really was.

GABRIELLE
(Nervous tone) Well I, uh... That is.... You see...

Not knowing what to say could possibly make her predicament any better, Gabrielle found herself at a loss for words and began to silently panic for what she should do. That was until she saw the Conqueror burst out in laughter. An action that took Gabrielle completely off guard, having never seen the woman do such a thing.

XENA
Ah.

Xena chuckled a bit more as she calmed down from laughing for several moments.

XENA
You know, you're pretty funny.

Gabrielle looked at Xena in confusion, not having any clue about what could possibly be going through the woman's head to make her act in such an odd way, as she wondered if her illness had somehow affected the Conqueror's mind.

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry?

XENA
You really don't think I'm not aware of what the people around here are really like when I'm not around? I know far more of what goes on within these walls then I sometimes I wish I did. And that includes you.

Xena smirked.

XENA
Which admittedly isn't very hard given the circumstances of how you ended up here in the first place. So I would say you're wanting out of here was about as far from subtle as it could be.

Gabrielle looked down sadly at the reminder of how she had come to find the Conqueror after the attack on her village. She then thought about the fact that she still had no way of knowing the fate of her sister, mother or anyone else from Potidea after she had made her escape from Hector and the other number of Draco's men who were with him. A reminder that she didn't need as though it had been many months since that dreadful day, Gabrielle's thoughts would often return to the family she had left behind, and she would pray to any of the god's that might hear that they were okay and that she would one day be reunited with them.

XENA
But that's not what this is about.

Xena's voice brought Gabrielle back to the present as she looked at the Conqueror, who after looking away slightly for a moment continued.

XENA
What I wanna know is how you feel about being brought back here after you chose to leave the Amazon's village.

Gabrielle sat there somewhat confused by the other woman's inquiry before finally responding.

GABRIELLE
I don't know. I never really expected anything that took place there to have happened
(Thinking to herself) Though I suppose that's somewhat become the story of my life ever since the day those men showed up in Potidea planning to sell everyone as slaves.

XENA
Yes, I guess nearly being killed for the title you had just received wouldn't typically be atsomething that most people would typically think about.

GABRIELLE
But thanks again for saving me.

The Conqueror shrugged.

XENA
Yeah well I just did what needed to be done. If Velasca had succeeded in her plan, that would've only been more of a headache for me down the road. And given my position of power, actual allies tend to be scarce. So I like to try and maintain what few I actually have.

Xena sipped from her cup before putting it down and reaching over to where the kettle sat as she picked it and another cup up as she poured some tea and sat it down in front of Gabrielle who looked at it then Xena with an uncertain expression.

XENA
What, do you not want it?

GABRIELLE
It's not that. I just wasn't expecting it, is all.

Xena shrugged casually.

XENA
Well it's a cold day, so having something warm to drink is always nice.

GABRIELLE
Oh, I guess it is.

Gabrielle picked up the cup a took a sip before putting it back down.

GABRIELLE
Thank you.

Another few moments passed in awkward silence as Gabrielle watched the Conqueror who appeared to be a bit distracted and couldn't help but wonder just what she was thinking before the woman spoke again.

XENA
So how've you been feeling? Any lingering effects of the attack?

Gabrielle sat there momentarily surprised by the Conqueror's question. Until she figured that she was probably asking to see if she was having any difficulty with doing her work.

ĢABRIELLE
No. I'm okay. I'm still able to do everything just fine.

XENA
Good to hear. You'll be sure to let me or someone else know if somethings wrong.

GABRIELLE
Yes, of course.

XENA
Very good.

Gabrielle watched as the Conqueror picked her cup back up and take another drink before looking idly into the cup for a moment, then raising her eyes to look at across from her at Gabrielle. The look that Gabrielle saw was something that she'd seen in passing from the woman before, but somehow different. More intense, but yet unintimidating. But as she sat there seemingly captivated by the Conqueror's gaze, in an instant Xena opened her mouth to seemingly say something, but then stopped as she looked away and stood up before actually speaking.

XENA
Well it looks like you've settled back in here. So you're dismissed.

GABRIELLE
Yes my lord.

Gabrielle stood and began walking toward the door before turning to look back to see Xena looking over something on her desk as she held her side and couldn't help but feel guilty about her getting injured while saving her.

GABRIELLE
My lord?

XENA
Yes?

Xena looked at Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
For what it's worth I'm sorry you got injured while protecting me. If you hadn't, you wouldn't have gotten sick and...

XENA
It's not as though you forced me to go after those Amazons. I'm well aware of the consequences of what can happen anytime you go into a dangerous situation. I did what I felt was necessary. Nothing more.

GABRIELLE
Still. You saved me and I don't really know how to thank you.

XENA
Don't.

Xena looked back toward her desk as she waved Gabrielle off.

XENA
Just go. I have work to do.

Xena watched as the young woman turned to leave and as Gabrielle reached the door, she heard, Xena called after her.

XENA
Gabrielle.

Gabrielle stopped and turned back to face Xena.

GABRIELLE
Yes?

XENA
It's good to have... my scribe back. I'll be expecting you to make up for the time lost while you were with the Amazon's.

GABRIELLE
Oh. Okay.

XENA
You can run along now.

After being dismissed, Gabrielle watched for a moment as Xena returned to whatever business she had to attend to before leaving the Conqueror's to her work. And as she closed the door behind her, Gabrielle never saw the Xena's eyes look up at the door she walked away from the Conqueror's quarters, having the strange feeling that there was something else that the Conqueror had wanted to say but hadn't. But what Gabrielle didn't know was just how correct the feeling was. And how the truth of what actually layed within the Conqueror's depths or how Gabrielle's reaction to it would soon change everything.

It was a busy day in the archives as Gabrielle worked alongside Sara reorganizing some of the writings. She stood below a ladder that the archivist was standing mid way up as she was handed scrolls from the shelves to be set on a nearby table for sorting later on.

GABRIELLE
Wait, this isn't anything like the other stuff I've seen in here.

Sara looked down at Gabrielle who was reading the label written on the side of one of the scrolls.

SARA
Why what does it say?

Gabrielle looked up at Sara.

GABRIELLE
It says Plato.

SARA
Oh he's known as one of the great philosophers of our time.

Gabrielle eyed the scroll with curiosity for a moment as she spoke.

GABRIELLE
Philosophy? Huh, I wouldn't expect the Conqueror to enjoy reading such things.

SARA
Why not?

Gabrielle shrugged.

GABRIELLE
I guess I just always thought of the Conqueror as a really straight forward woman.

Sara chuckled as she climbed down the ladder to stand face to face with Gabrielle.

SARA
What did you think was stored in here all this time? Nothing but maps, treaties and strategies?

Gabrielle shrugged, feeling slightly embarrassed by her answer.

GABRIELLE
Kinda.

Sara smiled as she shook her head in mock disapproval as she took the scrolls that Gabrielle was holding and sat them on a table  before beganing to walk away.

SARA
Come on, let me show you something.

Curious as to what Sara wanted her to see, Gabrielle followed the archivist through the large room until they reached a curtained off area that Gabrielle had seen plenty of times before, but still didn't know what laid beyond it as she hadn't had any reason to go behind it. That was until Sara pulled the curtain aside and motioned for Gabrielle to step inside.

GABRIELLE
What is all this?

Gabrielle looked around at the large section of books and scrolls that lined two full, tall walls, not too dissimilar to how the rest of the archive was organized.

SARA
This is where we keep what the lord Conqueror would call "the less practical writings and works"

The woman walked over to a shelf and after looking it over for a moment, placed the scroll that Gabrielle had found in its appropriate place as Gabrielle looked at the sheer number of items that lined the shelves with interest.

GABRIELLE
What do you mean "less practical"?

SARA
See for yourself.

Sara motioned to the shelves and Gabrielle looked at the various scrolls in front of her for a moment before picking one up completely at random and opening it to read.

GABRIELLE
Wait this is a story.

Gabrielle quickly scanned the page.

GABRIELLE
It looks like a good one too.

SARA
You enjoy literature?

GABRIELLE
Well I suppose I hadn't read very many things due to accessibility in a small village, but I have always enjoyed listening to and telling stories since I was a little girl.

SARA
Ah, I suppose that would explain why the lord Conqueror sent you to work in here.

Gabrielle shrugged.

GABRIELLE
I guess. Though I never really expected to see something like this here of all places.

SARA
Well, almost no one knows it, but since I've known her, the lord Conqueror's actually always enjoyed reading and collecting all types of various literary works from writers that span all across the world. I actually come in here quite a bit myself.

Sara chuckled.

SARA
Even if the lord Conqueror is the only one here who can actually read a good number of what's in here.

GABRIELLE
Wait she doesn't let her own archivist read everything in the archives? How does she expect you to do your job fully if some of what's here is off limits?

Sara laughed a bit as she shook her head.

SARA
No, it's nothing like that...

Sara paused as she reached onto a shelf and grabbed a scroll before handing it to Gabrielle.

SARA
Here, see for yourself.

Having no idea what Sara could've meant, Gabrielle unrolled the parchment and immediately understood why no one else would likely be unable to read it, as she had no idea what it said due to it being written in a language she had never seen before and looked Sara with a surprised expression on her face.

GABRIELLE
The Conqueror can read this?

SARA
She can.

Gabrielle rolled the paper back up and gave it back to Sara who put it back.

SARA
She's actually well versed in multiple languages from all over the world. Something that I'm sure was both helpful and necessary across her travels before she settled down here.

GABRIELLE
Huh.

SARA
Why don't you pick one next?

GABRIELLE
Why? It's not like I can read what's in here.

SARA
They aren't all foreign works.

The woman looked around for a moment.

SARA
There. That section is all Greek.

The archivist pointed to a section of the shelf, as Gabrielle went over to it and again pulled out a scroll at random and opened it to read.

GABRIELLE
Wow. This is beautiful.

She looked up from the parchment.

GABRIELLE
Are all the rest like this?

SARA
Some. Why who's that one by?

Gabrielle looked back at the paper as she read the author of the poem she had just read.

GABRIELLE
It says Sappho. Who's that? I've never heard of him.

Sara smiled.

SARA
"She's" actually a pretty well known bard. Though I suppose being from a small village, you might not have heard of her. Here...

Sara moved to where Gabrielle had pulled the scroll from and grabbed several more and after reading the labels, handed them to Gabrielle.

SARA
These are some more of her works if you'd like to read 'em.

GABRIELLE
Are you sure it's okay for me to do that?

SARA
Like I said before, anyone has access to what's in here so trust me Gabrielle, it's fine.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
Okay. Thanks.

Sara and Gabrielle turned and exited the curtained off section of the archives as they returned to work having never noticed that only moments prior they had been being watched from a distance by a set of blue eyes that had come to the archives looking for something and left without it once they saw Gabrielle coming their way.

XENA
So this is where you go when you aren't held up in your room.

Xena stood in the doorway of the keep's kitchen for a second before moving to casually lean against the wall and watched the busy kitchen staff go about their work in preparing the coming evening's dinner.

XENA
Though I can't say I'm too surprised that you'd end up in here. That.smells good by the way.

Xena casually picked up a spoon and went to take a spoonful of the stew that was simmering on the open fire stove but felt the sting of a large wooden stirring spoon smack the back of her hand causing her to pull it away in an instinctive response.

XENA
Hey, that stung.

The whole room suddenly froze as they heard Xena's voice and looked at the person standing at the stove as they wondered what Xena would do to the cook. Especially given just who the cook was.

CYRENE
Given what I've seen you pull through since being brought here, I'm pretty sure you'll survive a little wack from a wooden spoon to the back of your hand.

Xena grumbled to herself.

XENA
Doesn't mean it doesn't still hurt.

Xena looked around at the people who were now watching them and gave a wave and a casual command for them to get back to work. And after every eye in the kitchen was off of them, the two stood there for a moment as Xena watched Cyrene add a couple more ingredients to the stew a stirred it.

CYRENE
So I'm assuming that there was something you needed since you bothered to come find me here. Other than apparently being impatient for dinner

XENA
What, I can't just wanna have a casual conversation?

Cyrene gave Xena a suspicious look that said told the Conqueror her mother knew full well that casual conversations weren't particularly her style, as Xena sighed slightly, knowing that there was no point in trying to lie to the woman.

XENA
Alright fine, maybe I did have a reason for coming to see you.

Cyrene smiled in triumph as she finished stirring the pot of food and set the spoon on the counter as she turned to face her daughter.

CYRENE
That's what I thought. So what did you want Xena?

XENA
Well first, you do know that you don't have to do anything while you're here right?

CYRENE
Xena, when have you ever known me to just sit around and do nothing all day?

XENA
Fair point. I just don't want you to think that you have to do this to stay here.

CYRENE
Yes I know. Now stop avoiding my question.

Xena smirked.

XENA
Nothing ever gets passed you, does it? I guess that's one thing that hasn't changed since I was little.

CYRENE
One of the quirks of being a parent is knowing when your children are hiding things.

Xena scoffed jokingly.

XENA
No wonder we never got away with anything without you eventually finding out.

Xena smiled as she stepped aside.

XENA
Well how do you feel about taking a lunch break, and we can eat somewhere a little more private.

Cyrene agreed, and Xena had a quick lunch for the two of them made and Xena carried it up to Cyrene's room, where the mother and daughter sat to eat and talk.

CYRENE
Well now that we're apparently out of range of any potential eavesdropping, what was so important that you needed to speak with me in private? You know if somethings wrong...

XENA
Sorry. I'm not trying to worry you. It's just that i don't really know how I ended up here.

Xena looked down at her plate as she idly moved her food around.

XENA
Do you think it's possible for someone to... love me?

Cyrene looked at Xena with a slightly surprised expression.

CYRENE
Xena, I know that alots happened, but I never stopped loving you. Even after everything, I wouldn't still be here if I didn't. I thought you knew that.

Xena smiled.

XENA
I do. And I'm glad to hear you say that, really I am. But that wasn't exactly what I was talking about.

CYRENE
Oh.

The woman sat there looking at Xena for a moment until she quickly realized what she actually meant.

CYRENE
Oh Xena, since when do you come to me for advice about your love life?

Xena shrugged.

XENA
I guess there's a first time for everything.

CYRENE
But why? It's not as though you've ever been shy about that sort of thing before. Or really anything else for that matter.

XENA
True. But this time it's... different.

Now intrigued by the unexpected topic and vulnerability that Xena was showing, Cyrene found herself curious to know just who it was that could have possibly gotten the normally bold and unintimidated Conqueror to act as though she was a shy, inexperienced young teen. Which even at that age Xena had never acted in such a way, as she had always been full of a confidence that even a lot of full-grown men would never have. So to say that seeing her daughter act so differently was a surprise to Cyrene would be an understatement.

CYRENE
This really isn't just another warlord or powerful leaders that's caught your eye, is it?

XENA
No.

Able to see the seriousness in Xena's eyes, Cyrene could tell that whoever this person must've been truly different from the others that she had heard about. Especially since she had never known her daughter be so open and vulnerable about anything like this before.

CYRENE
Well then who is it? Xena, please tell me it's not one of those dangerous types. You know I heard about Ceasar. You think you would learn to stay away from men like that.

XENA
No,  I've learned my lesson about people like him.

Xena scowled at the thought of the Roman and everything she suffered because of him.

XENA
Trust me.

CYRENE
Oh well, I suppose that's good to hear. But if it isn't some kind of feared, violent or power hungry leader, what's the problem?

Xena sighed.

XENA
Because, it's...

Xena paused for a moment, uncertain for a moment if she wanted to fully open up about the truth of what she had been feeling for some time now. But then decided that she couldn't just keep trying to ignore those feelings and just let it out regardless of what her mother's reaction might be.

XENA
Gabrielle.

Taken by surprise by the name that had just come out of the Conqueror's mouth, Cyrene was certain that she must have heard Xena incorrectly as she figured that it just wasn't possible that the Conqueror had just confessed to having feelings for someone like Gabrielle, as she repeated the name back to Xena in an effort to clarify what she assumed she had misheard Xena say.

CYRENE
Gabrielle. You aren't talking about the same Gabrielle that's here in the keep?

The question was of course rhetorical, as Cyrene was fully aware that the only person they both knew with that name did in fact reside within those walls. A fact that while true, was no less shocking as Cyrene never would have imagined the Conqueror confessing to having feelings for a young woman such as Gabrielle. Of whom Cyrene, like so many others in the keep, had taken quite the liking to. Which admittedly caused a great deal of concern for the older woman, as Cyrene knew all too well of her daughter's reputation when it came to getting whatever she wanted. The harsh truth being that Xena could be ruthless, callous and down right emotionless if it came down to her getting whatever she had set her sights on for one reason or another. Of which Cyrene had no doubt included emotional manipulation. But then Cyrene silently wondered if that were the case here, than what exactly did Xena want from Gabrielle? And why did she think that talking to Cyrene about it would help her get it?

CYRENE
What exactly do you plan on doing with that girl Xena?

Not liking the suspicious tone of the other woman's voice, Xena scowled at the question.

XENA
What's that supposed to mean? You don't think I would actually do something to directly hurt an innocent young woman?

CYRENE
Xena please, let's not pretend like we both aren't aware of the things you've done as a means to an end when it suited your needs.

Unaware before that moment of Cyrene's knowledge of some of her far more devious strategies for achieving her goals, Xena looked away as she found herself unable to fault her mother for her completely reasonable suspensions. And suddenly felt ashamed of having done so.

XENA
You're right. I have done that before.

She returned her focus to Cyrene.

XENA
But I promise you, not the way you might think I have.

CYRENE 
I know. Even with all the different rumors I've heard over the years, there were just some things that I always refused to believe that you were capable of. I just needed to be sure. 

XENA 
I know. But what I meant before was she came to me as an escaped would-be slave and simple villager. What could she possibly have that would make me do something like this to get?

CYRENE
Isn't she Amazon royalty now?

XENA
(Talking to herself) Boy, nothing really does go untalked about around here.
Yes, technically she is. But I'm allies with that tribe. If you'll remember I recently stopped a coup attempt on their queen.

CYRENE
I thought you went there because of Gabrielle.

Xena shrugged.

XENA
Two things can be true. And might I add that if any of what you're saying was true, and I did have some kind of anterior motives here, why would I involve you of all people to help me get what I wanted when I could just come up with some sort of strategy or tactic to get it done instead?

Not able to see any holes in Xena's argument, Cyrene conceded the idea that Xena's interest in Gabrielle had some kind of secret motivation to it, and as a result smiled at her daughter as she offered a bit of motherly advice that Xena had unexpectedly come to her seeking.

CYRENE
Well if what you're saying is true, and you think you have a genuine interest in Gabrielle, then why not just tell her how you feel?

Upon receiving the overlly simplistic solution to the question of how she should handle this new situation involving her developing feelings toward Gabrielle, Xena looked at Cyrene with a blank stare.

XENA
You make it sound so simple.

CYRENE
That's only because it is.

Cyrene smiled.

CYRENE
Not everything requires some grand strategy Xena. Sometimes the only thing you can do is throw caution to the wind and hope that it works out the way you want it to.

XENA
And if it doesn't?

CYRENE
Then at least you can say you tried. But what you need to ask yourself is if you think it's worth taking that chance, or if you're content with spending the rest of your life regretting not knowing?

Xena smirked slightly.

XENA
I guess I don't need any more regrets on top of the multiple ones I already have.

CYRENE
Dose anyone?

XENA
No, I guess they don't.

Xena smiled more earnestly at her mother.

XENA
Thanks.

The Conqueror stood up from the table.

XENA
I think I'll leave you to get back to what you were doing.

CYRENE
Am I to assume that you're going off to find a certain young lady with blonde hair and green eyes?

Xena smirked as she turned to leave.

XENA
Don't know...

Xena paused as she let her mother's words set in, and she wondered if the older woman was right.

XENA
Maybe.

Cyrene watched as Xena began walking away but stop when she heard her mother speak up again from behind her, and looked back over her shoulder.

CYRENE
Xena.

XENA
Yeah?

CYRENE
Don't you hurt that girl. Gabrielle's a sweet young woman and I don't wanna see anything happen to her.

XENA
Don't worry I'll do everything within my power to make sure that never happens.

CYRENE
I'm serious Xena, you do anything to intentionally hurt her, and the bridge that we've been slowly building between us will be gone. And this time for good.

XENA
Understood.

And with those somewhat tense last words between Cyrene and herself, Xena left her mother mother's room as she headed off to the archives, where she figured Gabrielle would still be working. And as Xena reached the doors to the room, she felt herself hesitant to go inside. The uncertainty of whether she should actually go through with what she had come there to do racing through her mind. Then as Xena decided to open the door to peek inside, she heard Gabrielle's voice come from nearby as she talked with who Xena knew was most likely Sara, Xena knew that for good or bad, whatever happened next, she couldn't turn back now. And as she walked into the archives to find Gabrielle, the young woman would soon learn to unexpected truth about Xena's feelings toward her. But how Gabrielle would respond and what would happen as a result still remained an unknown. As well as what Xena would do when faced with the possibility of the admission of her true feelings being met with denial and rejection.

Having been hard at work organizing a shelf of scrolls for a good while, Gabrielle placed the final few rolled-up papers that she held in their appropriate place and let out a satisfied huff to herself as she stepped back and admired a job well done.

GABRIELLE
I'm all set over here Sara.

SARA
Already?

Sara's voice called back to Gabrielle from an unknown part of the archives where she was working on her own tasks.

SARA
You know you never fail to impress me with just how quickly you're able to get things done.

Gabrielle shrugged to herself.

GABRIELLE
It's no big deal. So what did you want me to do next?

SARA
Good question. Honestly since you've been here this place has gotten way more manageable and organized, so I'm not really sure just how much more needs to be done.

Sara paused for a moment as she thought of what else might have needed to be done but couldn't think of anything specific off the top of her head.

SARA
Maybe just walk around and take note of anything that you think looks out of place or needs reorganizing.

GABRIELLE
Sure thing.

With a new directive, Gabrielle began walking along the various shelves with a piece of paper and a quill in hand as she looked at the various scrolls and books, scribbling down notes on anything she saw that might have needed work.

GABRIELLE
(Talking to herself) Hm this looks pretty good here.

Gabrielle scanned one of the tall shelves that she stood between as she confirmed that everything looked to be in order before turning around to check the other shelf that had been behind her. She slowly walked along the length of the shelf, keeping her eyes on the scrolls in search for anything that looked out of place. Her focus zeroed in on her task at hand, Gabrielle hadn't even noticed when she neared the end of the shelf and suddenly found herself walking right into something that didn't give an inch when she bumped into it.

GABRIELLE
Oof.

Thinking quickly that she hoped Sara hadn't seen her do something so ridiculous, Gabrielle stepped back from whatever she had bumped into and felt her nerves immediately kick in as she saw the Conqueror standing directly in front of her.

GABRIELLE
My lord, I didn't see you there.

XENA
You know, it might be a good idea for you to watch where you're going.

GABRIELLE
(Slightly nervous tone) I'm sorry. I was just looking to see if I had to fix anything on this shelf, and I wasn't expecting anyone else to be in here aside from Sara and myself.

Xena raised her eyebrow.

XENA
Well the last I checked these were my archives.

GABRIELLE
(Slightly nervous tone) Yes of course. I wasn't implying that you or anyone else shouldn't be in here I just...

XENA
Relax, it's alright. I wasn't serious.

Gabrielle breathed a small sigh of relief.

GABRIELLE
Oh. Sorry. I guess I couldn't tell.

XENA
Well I'm not exactly known for my sense of humor.

Xena smirked slightly.

XENA
But I didn't come here to discuss my sense of humor. Or should I say typically lack there of.

GABRIELLE
Of course. What did you need my lord? Just let me know and I'll go find it for you.

XENA
That won't be necessary. I already found what I came here for.

Xena began to turn around as she continued to speak.

XENA
Now if you'll come with me...

Xena paused as she realized how commanding she unintentionally sounded and quickly continued In a much softer tone.

XENA

 Please.

Slightly surprised by Xena's uncharacteristic politeness, Gabrielle couldn't help but be curious as to what she could've wanted as if the Conqueror needed her for scribe duties, the woman would have simply told Gabrielle as such. So with the uncertainty of why Xena had summoned her, Gabrielle followed the woman out of the archives and to Xena's study.

XENA
Go ahead and make yourself comfortable.

Xena motioned for Gabrielle to go take a seat as the two entered the room and Xena shut the door while Gabrielle walked over to a chair that sat opposite to the one behind Xena's desk.

GABRIELLE
You don't want me to get some paper?

Confused just for a second by Gabrielle's question, Xena realized that typically when Gabrielle was summoned to her study, she was there to act as her scribe and silently chuckled to herself at the reasonable the confusion.

XENA
No need. I just brought you here today to talk. Can I get you anything? A drink?

GABRIELLE
No, thank you.

Gabrielle sat down as Xena walked over and poured herself a bit of wine thinking that it might help calm the nerves she had been doing everything she could to keep hidden as she took a sip from her goblet before walking over to sit across from Gabrielle as she placed her drink on the desk.

XENA
So I can see that you appear to be doing very well in the archives.

Xena started speaking, unsure of how exactly she should begin trying to bring up what she had actually brought Gabrielle there to say.

GABRIELLE
Yes. Sara's wonderful to work with and makes getting things done so easy.

XENA
Really? Because from what I've heard it seems like you're the one actually making her life easier.

GABRIELLE
Oh, well I'm sure she's just being nice. I'm really just doing what she tells me.

XENA
Hey now. You really shouldn't sell yourself short like that. I'm very well aware of all the hard work you've done, and I want you to know that I appreciate the amount of effort you put into both that and being my personal scribe.

Gabrielle sat there surprised by the unexpected compliment from the Conqueror.

GABRIELLE
Thank you my lord. I'm glad to hear that you think I'm doing a good job.

Xena gave Gabrielle a slightly curious look.

XENA
Did you think I didn't?

GABRIELLE
I thought so. But then you came to the archives today and told me to come with you.

Gabrielle looked down.

GABRIELLE
So I thought maybe I had done something wrong.

Gabrielle's eyes lowered as Xena sat looking across the desk at her, as she never realized until that moment just how afraid the young woman appeared to be of her at times. A fact that left Xena questioning yet again if what she was doing was even a wise decision. But at the same time tugged at her heart to do anything she could to hopefully change that.

XENA
No.
(Soft tone) No you haven't done nothing wrong at all.

Xena stood up.

XENA
Gabrielle I...

Xena paused as she saw Gabrielle look back up at her with an uncertain expression in her eyes.

XENA
(Sighing) Hades I'm not good at this sort of thing.

Gabrielle watched as Xena walked from behind her desk, came up beside the chair that she sat in and turned it so the young woman was facing her as squared down to eye level right in front of her.

XENA
Listen, I don't know the right way to say this, and I'm sure at the end of the day it probably doesn't even matter anyway. But...

Xena paused just for a moment as she and Gabrielle locked eyes, and she had to silently remind herself to keep speaking before she got completely lost in the sea of green that was reflecting back at her in anxious anticipation for her to continue.

XENA
Well what I wanted to tell you is that when I look at you, there's something within me that never wants to look away. I see you and... I feel something deep within me awaken that I thought had died long ago. And though I know that this is likely the last thing you could've ever expected or wanted to hear from me of all people and that the chances of you ever feeling a similar way about me is near impossible at best, I just couldn't keep going on without... letting you know how I really felt.

With a gentle touch, Xena cautiously placed her hand over the back of Gabrielle's that was resting in the young woman's lap as the Conqueror continued.

XENA
It’s hard for me to describe what I've come to feel for you, but over the time since you've been here, through the kindness you've shown me when you didn't have to, the way you haven't allowed the circumstances of everything that's happened to you to change who you are. The way you care for everyone you're around. Including myself. Something that I know isn't an easy thing to do. It's because of all of that, and so much more that I don't really know how to say that's made me to come to realize just how much I've grown to care for you. And as much as I tried to ignore the way that you make me feel when I'm around you, I've recently realized that doing that has just simply become impossible. Which is why as much as I've tried over the past months it's just become too much for me to carry on, trying to fool myself into believing that I don't feel the way I do. Because the truth is Gabrielle,
I love you.

The room fell quiet as the final words of Xena's confession met Gabrielle's ears and Xena watched as the young woman sat there, appearing to process what she had just heard for a long moment until finally finding her voice once again after being stunned into a brief silence.

GABRIELLE
You, love me?

XENA
Yes.

The revelation of Xena's feelings for her at last out in the open, Gabrielle was left uncertain of what to make of such an unexpected confession. Was this some type of trick? A test of some kind to see how she would react? Gabrielle wasn't sure. But as she looked into the eyes of the other women that appeared to be filled with an anxious yearning that Gabrielle had never seen before. A look that gave her the sense that the words the Conqueror had just spoken to her were not only true, but had come from the deepest depths of the woman's heart. But having no idea of how exactly to feel or how she should feel about the other woman's feelings toward her, Gabrielle found a whole host of questions come to the forefront of her mind as she slowly pulled her hand from under Xena's still trying to make sense of what she was hearing.

GABRIELLE
Wait, is that the actual reason why you came to the Amazon's after I had gone with them?

Xena stood up and grabbed a chair from nearby and moved close to Gabrielle as she sat facing her and answered the young woman's question with one of her own.

XENA
What if it was?

The words that Gabrielle was hearing from the Conqueror began to fully set in as she remembered the way that the woman had been so opposed to her leaving with the Amazon's in the first place. Which now with the knowledge of how Xena had apparently already felt about her made the woman's reaction make so much more sense. And as such caused yet another question to be added to the mental list that Gabrielle had been keeping about Xena since they had met.

GABRIELLE
Because if you really felt this way before I went with the Amazon's, why didn't you say something then?

XENA
Would it have mattered?

Gabrielle looked away slightly for a moment.

GABRIELLE
No, I guess it wouldn't have.

XENA
I see.

Hearing the response to the question, Xena felt as though now she also had the answer to another that she had yet to ask as she stood up and moved her chair back without saying another word as she heard Gabrielle speak up again.

GABRIELLE
If I may ask my lord, why tell me all this? We're you expecting...

XENA
Nothing.

Xena turned to face Gabrielle once again as she cut the young woman off mid-sentence, fearing that the younger women had gotten the wrong idea from their conversation.

XENA
I don't expect anything from you by telling you this.

Gabrielle watched as the Conqueror moved to her desk a began looking through the papers that sat in a small stack on it, keeping her eyes on the items in front of her as she continued to speak.

XENA
You've given me an answer to the question I had so you have no need to concern yourself with this matter any further. You're free to go about your business now.

Unsure of if Xena was being sincere in telling her that she wasn't in trouble for giving the woman a response that she wanted, Gabrielle stood and slowly moved toward Xena at her desk.

GABRIELLE
Are you truly not angry with me?

Gabrielle watched Xena who had her back to her as the Conqueror kept her attention on the items in front of her

XENA
No don't worry, you aren't in any kind of trouble for giving me your honest answer,

GABRIELLE
My answer to what?

XENA
Nothing. Now go on.

Xena casually motioned to the door for Gabrielle to leave and returned to her work as Gabrielle stood there watching Xena for a moment still not knowing what to make of the conversation the two just had, but then finally turned away to leave the Conqueror's study. Hearing the door shut behind Gabrielle as she exited the room, Xena raised her eyes to look at the door that Gabrielle had just left through.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) What were you expecting Xena? You're nothing but a damn fool to think that she would ever feel anything for you. What were you thinking would happen? Someone like her could never find a reason to feel anything but fear and hatred for someone like me. And why wouldn't she? After all the things I've done, maybe I didn't deserve to be loved by someone like Gabrielle. Or maybe anyone.

Xena let out a defeated sigh as she tossed the paper she was holding on the desk in front of her and sat there with a heavy feeling in her chest that she had never expected to feel at the rejection of another. But as the Conqueror sat in her study seemingly alone in her thoughts and feelings, what Xena didn't know was just what was actually going through Gabrielle's mind. Because as the young woman walked away from the Conqueror's quarters, Gabrielle would find herself unable to forget the interaction that had taken place between herself and the Conqueror. An interaction that had shown Gabrielle an uncharacteristic and surprisingly open side of Xena that she never knew was there. And as the winter carried on at the keep, the coming days, weeks and months would see a new side of Xena that not only Gabrielle but no one else in the keep would be able to believe.

?
And you should have seen the look on her face when I shoved the basket of bread right back at her and said, Gabrielle. Hey, are you even listening?

GABRIELLE
Wha...?

Gabrielle blinked a couple of times as she was pulled from her thoughts after hearing her name being called and refocused her eyes on Elle who was seated across from her as they ate their breakfast together in the keep's dining hall.

GABRIELLE
Oh sorry Elle, I guess I kinda let my mind wander off there for a bit. So, you were saying?

ELLE
You know if I'm boring you, or I'm talking too much...

GABRIELLE
Oh no it's nothing like that.

Elle gave Gabrielle a somewhat suspicious glance.

ELLE
You sure? Cuz' you seem even more quiet than usual.

Gabrielle gave her friend a reassuring smile.

GABRIELLE
You're fine Elle. Really.

ELLE
Oh good.

The young woman smiled at Gabrielle for a moment before her face went serious as she popped a piece of her food into her mouth and chewed before speaking again.

ELLE
So then did you wanna tell me what's been bothering you lately?

About to put a spoonful of warm porridge from the bowl in front of her into her mouth, Gabrielle paused as she responded to her friend's query.

GABRIELLE
What makes you think something's been bothering me?

ELLE
Gabrielle come on, we're friends, aren't we? And you've been here for how long now?

Gabrielle shrugged slightly.

GABRIELLE
A good while. Maybe a couple months shy of a year.

ELLE
Exactly. So don't you think that I've noticed that you've been acting differently than you normally do for nearly a month?

GABRIELLE
And how's that?

ELLE
Well for one you're usually pretty attentive and quick to respond when someone's talking to you, at least from what I've seen. But lately though there's someone talking to you, and you appear to be looking right at them, your mind just seems to be miles away elsewhere.

Gabrielle sighed.

GABRIELLE
(Lying) I don't know, guess I've just been a little off recently is all.

Gabrielle looked down at her bowl of food and idly moved her spoon in it around.

ELLE
You're not coming down with something, are you? Maybe you should go see the healers.

Gabrielle raised her eyes from her food to return her focus to the other young woman.

GABRIELLE
No, don't worry I'm not sick. I've just had some things on my mind and...

Gabrielle stopped talking abruptly as her train of thought came to a sudden halt when from a distance behind Elle her eyes caught the movement of someone walking into the dining hall.

ELLE
What?

Noting the abrupt pause and the now odd expression that had suddenly appeared on Gabrielle's face, Elle turned in her seat to look behind her to see what had captured the other woman's attention.

ELLE
Oh it's just her lordship. You kinda had me worried there for a second that something was wrong. You know you...

Elle returned her attention to Gabrielle and saw the young woman suddenly looking very tense with her head down as she appeared to find a new intense interest in the food in front of her, and as a result Elle quickly forgot what she had originally wanted to say as the concern for her friend took over.

ELLE
Gabrielle, what's wrong?

GABRIELLE
(Lying) Nothing.

ELLE
Gabre…

Gabrielle suddenly stood up from her chair as she cut Elle off.

GABRIELLE
I gotta go.

ELLE
Hey wait.

It was unclear if Elle's words even reached Gabrielle as barely a few seconds later Gabrielle had already put a good distance between them. Leaving Elle baffled as she sat and watched Gabrielle make a hasty exit out of the dining hall, never even sparing a glance back.

ELLE
(Talking to herself) Was it something I said?

Gabrielle entered her room and quickly shut the door behind her as she stood with her back leaning against it, trying to calm the racing thoughts that had too often been running through her head ever since the Conqueror had told her that she had feelings for her.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) I can't even look at her now without going back there. She said she loves me. Does she really?

The young woman shook her head at her own question, thinking how outlandish it was for her to even consider.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Come on Gabrielle, don't be ridiculous. Of course, what she said wasn't true. She must've had some kind of other motivation for saying what she said. She had to have wanted something, or maybe it was a test or trick of some kind.

Gabrielle paused in her thoughts as the Conqueror's face came into her mind and brought the young woman back to the Conqueror's study as the memory of Xena crouching in front of her and the almost pleading look that she saw in the woman's eyes. The softness of her voice, the gentle way she held Gabrielle's hand in hers all flashed through her mind as she shook her head slightly in an attempt to make the thoughts go away. But even as she tried to dispel the notion that the Conqueror's confession could have truly been genuine, something deep within Gabrielle just couldn't let it go as she walked over and sat on the edge of her bed while trying to make sense of it all.

GABRIELLE
(Talking to herself) But she came to save me from those rebel Amazons. What could she have possibly gained from doing that if it was just a lie. She nearly died too. But I don't get it, why?

Gabrielle sighed as she idly turned her attention to out her window and watched the gentle snow fall for a bit before deciding to lay back on her bed for a little while until she needed to go to the archives. But as Gabrielle laid there she found herself unable to relax as her mind shuffled through a series of memories. Memories involving some of the Conqueror's actions that, while at the time seemed mundane and could have been interpreted in a number of ways, suddenly took on a whole new light. Such as the way that Gabrielle would sometimes catch the Conqueror looking at her when she thought the younger women didn't notice. How she had chosen Gabrielle to work with her personally. Then there was the time shortly after Xena had been originally injured by Draco. Even though the Conqueror had been drinking the night that she had come to Gabrielle's room and didn't make a whole lot of sense. Gabrielle still remained the general way that Xena stroked her hand against her cheek and the somewhat desperate look in her eyes. Up until now and after the initial shock and fear of the encounter had worn off, Gabrielle had just assumed that everything that Xena had said that night were nothing more than the drunken ramblings of a mad woman. But now after hearing the Conqueror's proclamation of love, Gabrielle couldn't help but wonder if it was possible that for the woman to have at least begun to felt something for her back then.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) it would explain so much but... No, it couldn't be. I must be going insane to even think something like that.

Gabrielle shook her head at the thought. The likelihood of Conqueror to have felt anything for her now, let alone so soon after her arrival at the keep was just too farfetched of an idea to had possibly been true.

GABRIELLE
Gods, I must be going insane to even consider something like that.

With a shake of her head, Gabrielle con·sciously concluded the matter being settled and closed her eyes to get some rest. But as the same series of thoughts continued to play out on repeat in her head, Gabrielle found herself unable to get her mind to relax and opened her eyes once again to just lay there on her back as she stared up at the ceiling

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) But if I know none of what she said could possibly be real, then why can't I stop thinking about what happened?

Gabrielle brought her hand up to lay on her chest, able to feel the fast-paced beating of her heart as she laid there with her thoughts.

GABRIELLE
(Talking to herself) Or thinking about her.

It was snowing outside as Gabrielle moved through the keeps halls on her way to the archives. It was just another ordinary day as she happened to take notice of the beautiful scenery that laid outside the window she was walking by, causing her to stop for a moment to admire the snow coated trees and ground that seemed to sparkle with the reflection of the day's bright sunlight.

?
Something out there?

Gabrielle jumped slightly, startled at the unexpected sound of the Conqueror's voice coming from directly from behind her, and quickly turned to face the woman.

GABRIELLE
Oh my lord. I was just on my way to the archives.

Xena arched an inquisitive eyebrow.

XENA
Really now? Because from what I can see, you seem to be standing in the middle of the hallway just gazing out of this window.

Gabrielle fidgeted slightly as she tried to think of a good excuse for what she had been doing so as not to get in trouble for not getting straight to her work.

GABRIELLE
Yes well you see was just walking by on my way to the archives when I, I...
(Lying) I thought I saw a massive flock of harpies swooping down from the sky toward the keep.

Xena's brow went higher at the explanation Gabrielle had just given her for what the young woman had been doing and had to fight to keep an amused smirk from breaking her stoic expression due to the obviously false story

XENA
(Fake serious tone) Harpies, huh?

GABRIELLE
(Lying) Yes, dozens of them. Maybe even hundreds. I only noticed because of the massive shadow they cast over the sun.

XENA
Well that could be a problem. I better take a look.

Playing along, Xena turned her attention to the sky outside as Gabrielle tried to stop her in order to protect her lie that she silently questioned why in her haste she had said something so outrageous instead of something simple that would have been much easier to logically believe.

GABRIELLE
(Lying) Oh but just I guess they must not have been really interested in actually attacking here because just before you showed up they had already begun flying away.

XENA
(Fake serious tone) Mmm even so, I have better still look into this just in case they decide to come back.
We need to be ready for any potential enemy attacks.

Xena watched the sky for a moment before she spotted a small flock of locally found birds flying high among the clouds and continued as though she had found the imagined harpies that both women were well aware were never even spotted around where the keep was located.

XENA
(Fake serious tone) Ah, I see. This could be a serious problem. I better alert the guards and have everyone ready to defend the keep immediately.

Xena returned her attention to Gabrielle wearing a very serious expression on her face.

XENA
Or at least I would if this place were actually under attack.

Gabrielle gave the Conqueror a worried look as she assumed that she was now in trouble for having been caught clearly lying directly to the Conqueror's face.

GABRIELLE
(Nervous tone) Well you see I uh...

Gabrielle was unsure of what she should say at the moment as she then saw Xena raising her hand towards her. And so certain that she was now in trouble for not only being tardy to her work, but for also lying directly to the Conqueror's face about it, Gabrielle made an attempt to step back. But then as Gabrielle tensed up and prepared herself for what might be coming, when she suddenly felt her golden hair get gently tousled as Xena chuckled slightly before taking her hand away and returning her attention out the window.

XENA
That was certainly an interesting little story. You've got quite the imagination you know that?

Surprised by Xena's nonchalant response to her lie, Gabrielle stood in silence as she watched the Conqueror who had seemingly turned her full attention to the world outside the window that both women were st standing in front of.

XENA
So would you like to try telling me again what it was that you were looking at when I got here.

Gabrielle sighed to herself, knowing there was no point in trying to lie about having gotten lost in taking in the sights that laid outside the window and decided that it would be best to just confess to having done as such.

XENA
Look at that. I suppose you're right. Huh, even after all the time I've been here, I guess I never really noticed such things. But now I'm curious...

Xena looked over at the young woman and nodded toward the window.

XENA
So tell me Gabrielle, just what was it exactly about this particular scenery that captured your attention so completely?

The unexpected question took a moment to register with Gabrielle before she realized that the Conqueror's request was in fact serious and turned to face the window as she proceeded to describe why she found the frozen landscape so eye-catching. All the while not seeing that Xena's eyes had moved from outside to watch her as she spoke for several minutes uninterrupted.

XENA
Well that was a good amount more detailed than I had expected.

Gabrielle looked down.

GABRIELLE
Sorry, I guess I got lost in what I was doing. I didn't mean to ramble on like that.

XENA
Now why are you apologizing for something that I asked you to do?

While hearing the Conqueror speak, Gabrielle felt a gentle touch of Xena's hand touch on her chin as the woman raised Gabrielle's head to look at her.

XENA
What you said was quite poetic. Beautiful even.

Xena lowered her hand slowly as she felt that Gabrielle would no longer look away.

XENA
Has anyone ever told you that you can have a real way with words when you want?

Gabrielle shrugged slightly.

GABRIELLE
Honestly all while growing up back in Potidea most people just thought of me as the annoying girl who always had her head in the clouds and talked too much.

A look of surprises flashed across the Conqueror's face, as the thought of the seemingly quiet and timid young woman she'd come to know being accused of being too talkative was nearly incomprehensible. But then as Xena thought about just a moment longer, the apparent change in this young woman's natural personality or actions suddenly didn't feel as unbelievable, as Xena knew that fear could go a long way in dictating how people acted. And it was obvious to Xena that ever since the two had first come in contact with one another, that Gabrielle had been terrified of her. A fact that while normally Xena would have been just fine or even happy with, now brought a feeling of sadness and guilt to the woman as her heart ached for the mental, emotional and even physical pain that she so callously caused Gabrielle. A terrible reality that as much as she now wanted to, Xena could never go back and change. And it was with that sobering realization that she decided then and there that regardless of whether or not her feelings for Gabrielle were ever reciprocated, Xena silently vowed that she would spend the rest of her days trying to make amends for the pain she had undoubtedly hurt the young woman who inspired of everything had somehow managed to capture the fearsome Conqueror's heart. And so, in an effort to begin to try and set things right between them, Xena smiled slightly as she looked over at Gabrielle.

XENA
Well you can talk all you want around me, and I'll be happy to listen.

Gabrielle looked down slightly as she shyly smiled.

GABRIELLE
Thank you my lord. I really appreciate that.

Xena shrugged casually.

XENA
It's no big deal

The two then stood there for a few moments in an awkward silence as neither woman really knew what else they should say as, for whatever reason, Xena remembered some of a conversation that she and Gabrielle had just after the younger women had been brought to the keep.

XENA
So by any chance you wouldn't happen to remember some of a conversation we had back when you first arrived her do you?

GABRIELLE
Which one, my lord?

Xena smiled.

XENA
I believe it involved something about your having entertained some of the people back in your home village with stories of some kind.

GABRIELLE
Oh. Yes I remember. Why do you ask?

XENA
Was that something you enjoyed doing?

Gabrielle smiled at the fond memories of being back in Potidea with her family and friends and how she would often regale many of the younger children with various tales of amazing heroes on epic adventures, unbelievable myths and legends. Stories of triumph and victory. Tragedy and defeat. And everything in between. And after a moment of thinking back to the days before being brought to the keep, Gabrielle was reminded of how some of the happiest times that she had back in her home village were when she was spinning her tales to anyone who would actually listen.

GABRIELLE
Yeah it really was.

Seeing the sudden light in Gabrielle's eyes when she was reminded of her love for storytelling caused Xena to smile as she hadn't ever seen such a look of fondness on the young woman's face. And knew that she had to see more of it

XENA
You'll have to tell 'em to me sometime.

Xena paused for a moment as she realized that her previous statement might have come off sounding more like she had issued Gabrielle a command rather than having asked her to do something and quickly continued in an effort to change how her statement might have come off as she shrugged nonchalantly to hide her concern.

XENA
You know... if you want.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
I'd like that.

XENA
Good, I'll look forward to it.

More silence fell between the two for another long moment as they stood looking at one another until Xena suddenly seemed to break free of the spell and turned to leave.

XENA
Don't you have work to do? You should get to the archives.

GABRIELLE
Oh, yes of course.

Gabrielle turned and began walking toward the archives, but in her haste tripped over her own feet and began to fall. However before she could Gabrielle could hit the floor she suddenly found a strong, yet gentle arm catch her and help her stand as she and Xena looked at one another.

GABRIELLE
Um, thanks.

XENA
You alright?

GABRIELLE
I'm okay.

The two stood looking at one another for another moment as Gabrielle felt the Conqueror's arm still around her as the two women suddenly broke the momentary tension as Xena let go of Gabrielle as the young woman took a few steps back from her, putting a little distance between them as Xena awkwardly cleared her throat.

XENA
You should be more careful and watch your step.

GABRIELLE
Yeah, I'll be sure to try and keep that in mind.

XENA
Good. Now if you don't mind last I checked we both had work to do.

Gabrielle watched as Xena gave her a quick nod goodbye as the woman began to walk away before getting a good way down the hall before Gabrielle herself turned to head off to the archives only to stop when she heard Xena's voice call to her.

XENA
Oh right I almost forgot.

Gabrielle turned partially to see what the Conqueror wanted.

XENA
Heads up.

Before Gabrielle could even question what Xena was doing she found herself barely able to catch a medium size pouch that the other woman had tossed her way. And as she felt the decent weight of the bundle that had just been given to her, Gabrielle looked at the Conqueror in confusion who just shrugged as she gave a casual answer before continuing to walk away.

XENA
Just something that I was overdue in giving you. Don't spend it all in one place.

Gabrielle looked on in confusion as Xena carried on to the end of the hallway and went around the corner before she looked down at the pouch in her hand for a moment before deciding to open it to see what was inside and nearly dropped the contents of the pouch on the floor as she could hardly believe what she saw.

GABRIELLE
By the gods I've never seen this much money at one time in my life!

It was a late afternoon as Xena sat in her study idly watching out the window that was right behind her desk as a knock on the door pulled the Conqueror from her thoughts as she called for the person to enter and began to stand to greet the person as they entered.

LEONIDAS
Good afternoon, my lord.

XENA
Leonidas.

Xena gave a quick greeting as she looked past the man for a moment to see if anyone else was behind him, and when she saw no one, the woman sunk back down in her chair and reclined back into her previous comfortable position. An action that didn't go unnoticed by the lieutenant as he glanced behind him for a moment before returning his attention to the Conqueror.

LEONIDAS
Were you expecting someone else, my lord?

XENA
And who would I be expecting?

Leonidas smiled as he placed his hands behind his back as he walked up and stood a little in front of Xena's desk.

LEONIDAS
Perhaps a certain golden haired young woman who you seem to be keeping very busy as of late working by your side.

Xena gave the man an unhappy look, not wanting the tough and fearsome persona that she'd spent years building to be called into question.

XENA
And what of it? She is my scribe after all.

LEONIDAS
Nothing. It's just that everyone has begun to notice that you and the little one seem to be spending a greater deal of your time together as of late.

Leonidas smiled.

LEONIDAS
You must've had quite the backlog of work to do to have her here so often.

Not too pleased with what she knew was the man's teasing, Xena scowled, as this was one of the specific reasons she hadn't wanted to say anything about her feelings toward Gabrielle in the first place. And leaned forward slightly as she put her elbows on her desk and rested her chin on the back of her hands that she laced together with her fingers and looked intimidatingly at Leonidas.

XENA
And since when was it any of your concern what I do with my time or who I choose to spend it with?

LEONIDAS
Apologies, my lord. I meant nothing by it. I was merely making an observation, nothing more.

XENA
Yes well perhaps it would be wise of you to keep observations that don't concern you to yourself and...

Another knock on the door cut Xena off as she and Leonidas looked to the doorway where Gabrielle now stood.

GABRIELLE
Sorry for interrupting. You wanted to see me my lord?

XENA
Nonsense.

Leonidas noted the gentle smile that came to Xena's face as she rose from her seat and began to move from behind her desk as she motioned for Gabrielle to come in.

XENA
I was just passing the time waiting on you to finish up in the archives.

Gabrielle walked over to where Xena and Leonidas stood and was greeted by the lutenant as she approached.

LEONIDAS
Hello little one. How are you today?

Gabrielle smiled at the man who had always been so kind to her ever since her first encounter with the Conqueror.

GABRIELLE
I'm wonderful. You?

LEONIDAS
I suppose I can't complain.

Leonidas returned a smile of his own toward Gabrielle as he continued.

LEONIDAS
So I hear from my lovely wife that you've basically redone the whole archives.

Gabrielle shrugged.

GABRIELLE
Sara gives me too much credit. She does a lot of the actual hard work.

LEONIDAS
Sweet, kind and modest. The lord Conqueror certainly got lucky to have you come along.

The man glanced over at Xena for a moment.

LEONIDAS
(Slightly teasing tone) Isn't that right my lord?

Tired of Leonidas' comments, Xena glared at the man.

XENA
Was there something you actually needed Leonidas?

The Conqueror flashed an evil smile as she got an idea of how to silence her lieutenant.

XENA
Perhaps requesting a promotion? Because I do believe the perfect position opened up for being the sole chamber pot scrubber for the entire keep.

The thought of being put on such an unpleasant job caused Leonidas to stand at full attention and bring a stop to his teasing as he addressed his leader in a now completely professional manner.

LEONIDAS
That won't be necessary. I find that I quite like my place as your lutenant just fine, my lord.

Xena's smile grew as she gave a look to Gabrielle that made Gabrielle question if the woman's threat had actually been serious or not. Of which she'd never know as Xena swiftly changed the topic of conversation.

XENA
Now if you wouldn't mind, I'm assuming you had another reason for coming in here that didn't involve prying into my personal affairs.

LEONIDAS
Yes. It would seem that there appears to an issue between the staff in the kitchen that may require your personal intervention.

XENA
The kitchen staff?

A fierce expression crossed the woman's face as she knew that her mother had come to spend a lot of her time working beside the rest of the kitchen workers. And the thought that someone could have possibly been causing problems for the woman was something she was absolutely not going to stand for.

XENA
And just what exactly is this issue you're talking about?

LEONIDAS
I'm not completely certain, but people have been talking of hearing voices shouting and loud ruckus often coming from behind the doors of the kitchen. And as such has appeared to have gotten worse as of late.

XENA
(Irritated tone) And why is it that I'm only just now hearing about this?

LEONIDAS
I can't say. The only reason I know of this is because I've heard what people were saying and thought that this should probably be something that is brought to your attention as I'm aware that Cyrene spends most of her days there, and as such came to inform you of the matter right away.

Xena stood up.

XENA
Well, if that's the case, I think I had better pay everyone down in the kitchen a little visit. Though I have a feeling that mother will just say that everything is fine regardless of what's going on.

Xena moved toward the door and was just about to leave when she got an idea and stopped to look back at Gabrielle.

XENA
Wait here. I'll be back once I sort out whatever's going on.

Xena paused, again not meaning to sound as though she was giving Gabrielle an order.

XENA
That is, unless you'd rather go back to the archives instead?

Gabrielle walked over to where Xena now stood.

GABRIELLE
Actually if it's okay, I was wondering if maybe I could come with you to the kitchen. I like Cyrene. She's a good woman, and I'd hate to see someone treating her or anyone else terribly.

Xena smiled as she marveled at the young woman's kindness for everyone around her. Silently questioning how it had taken her so long to finally begin to see just how much of an amazing person that Gabrielle was.

XENA
I think mother would like that. In fact, I think she might actually feel more comfortable talking to you than me anyway.

Xena continued on as she gave Gabrielle a quick gesture for her to follow as the two made their way down to the kitchen. The pair had just gotten to the doors that connected the mess hall to the kitchen when they heard shouting coming from the other side of the door.

?1
(Angry tone) What is wrong with you people?! Why is it that no matter how many other people are in here, I'm the only one who seems to have any idea of what I'm doing?!

?2
Hey now that's no way to speak with people who are in here doing as best they can.

?1
(Angry tone) No one was asking you. In fact, I don't even know why you've decided to set yourself up here in "my" kitchen in the first place. You think that just because you run your own little inn that you know anything about what it means to run a place like this?

?2
I knew plenty.

The first voice scoffed.

?1
Please, you think that just because you're the lord Conqueror's mother that you just get to come in here and tell me how to run my kitchen? You're way out of your league. So why don't you just shut up and mind your own business before I...

There was a loud slam as the kitchen door was suddenly flung open and everyone in the room jumped slightly at the sudden sound and looked to see the Conqueror storming into kitchen with a ferocious scowl on her face. Her eyes locked on to the woman that had been yelling as she stomped up to her and stood looming over her.

XENA
(Angry tone) Is there any particular reason you feel it acceptable to stand around belittling and yelling at people as though you owned the place, Isidora?

Xena motioned to Cyrene.

XENA
And my mother?

Xena sneered as she continued.

XENA
(Angry tone) What in Tartarus makes you think you would get away with that?

Isidora jumped as Xena slammed her hand down on the counter behind her as the Conqueror stood waiting for a reply.

ISIDORA
I do apologize for that. I certainly meant no disrespect to the woman. I only wish to serve you the absolute best, and I was only trying to ensure that.

XENA
(Quiet angry tone) By yelling and demeaning the mother of the person who employs you? I honestly can't tell if you're just saying that now to cover your ass, or if you're really that stupid to believe that I would be okay with that.

The old woman looked down in response to Xena's comments as the Conqueror continued.

XENA
In fact I've heard from everyone who works with you that you're nothing more than a miserable old hag who no one wants to be around. I honestly don't know why I even keep you around here. Come to think of it, I think that it might be about time for you to leave.

The old woman looked at Xena in disbelief as she began to plead with the Conqueror.

ISIDORA
My lord, please. I'm so sorry. I never meant to upset you or your mother.

XENA
Have your things packed within the hour.

CYRENE
Xena that really isn't necessary.

Xena's attention turned to her mother.

XENA
And what would you have me do, mother? Just allow her or anyone else to treat you as though you're in someway beneath them? You might be able to just simply look past that, but I won't.

With no sympathy shown to the elderly woman, Xena turned and began walking away, as Isidora continued to plea with her now former employer.

ISIDORA
But it's the middle of winter, I have no means of travel. No family to speak of anywhere that I can get to. What am I supposed to do? Where will I go?

XENA
Not my problem. Perhaps you should've thought of that before treating everyone around you like trash and not expecting anything to happen because of it.

Xena continued making her way to the door and walked by Gabrielle, who had just witnessed the whole situation.

GABRIELLE
You aren't really just going to toss her out in the cold with nowhere to go are you?

Upon hearing Gabrielle's question, Xena came to a halt and turned to face her.

XENA
I've done far worse to people for much less. She's lucky that she'll be able to walk out of here on her own accord.

GABRIELLE
But she's an old woman?

XENA
Yes but that doesn't mean that she gets to go around doing whatever she wants.

GABRIELLE
So that's it? You're just going to send her out in the cold with nowhere to go?

XENA
Yes.

Gabrielle lowered her eyes as she again silently wondered how she could have begun to have feelings for someone who could be so cold and began to walk away.

GABRIELLE
Excuse me, I should really be getting to the archives.

Xena stood there watching as Gabrielle made her way to the door and couldn't put the look in the young woman's eyes out of her mind. And as a result let out a small sigh to herself before calling after Gabrielle.

XENA
Hold it right there.

Hearing the Conqueror's command directed at her, Gabrielle immediately stopped and turned to face Xena and the others in the room as Xena looked at her and felt a pulling at her heart as she saw a look of disappointment and sadness in Gabrielle's eyes, before continuing to speak.

XENA
On second thought, I see that perhaps I may have been a bit too harsh in my judgment over this particular situation.

Xena returned her attention to Isidora.

XENA
While I absolutely do not condone your treatment of my mother or really anyone else who works in here, I've decided to give you another chance and allow you to stay.

ISIDORA
Thank you my lord. I truly appreciate your kindness in giving me a second chance.

XENA
(Stern tone) Yes well don't make me regret it. Because if I find out you do something like this again, you won't get another one. And I don't care if a herd of rabid chimera are roaming around outside. If you ever disrespect mother or anyone else connected to me, you're as good as gone. Got it?!

The older woman looked away.

ISIDORA
Yes my lord. I assure you that nothing like this will ever happen again.

XENA
Good. I'm glad we have an understanding.

Xena's focus then moved on to Cyrene who had been watching the whole exchange quietly until seeing her daughter look her way.

CYRENE
You know you really didn't have to trouble yourself so much over me, Xena.

XENA
You didn't seriously expect me to just let someone talk to you like that and not do anything?

CYRENE
Even so, thank you.

XENA
Come now, if there's one thing that you of all people need to do is thank me for anything. In fact I think I should be the one thanking you here.

Cyrene smiled as she chuckled slightly at the somewhat confusing comment.

CYRENE
Thank me? What ever for?

XENA
For being able to look past everything that's happened and giving me the chance to work my way to becoming your daughter once again.

CYRENE
...oh Xena.

Cyrene walked over and stood before Xena as she held open her arms for an embrace that Xena accepted the invitation for as mother and daughter shared a hug that had either woman been told would happen even just a short time ago, neither would have believed it. After a few moments Xena pulled from her mother's arms as she looked back at Gabrielle who had been standing quietly and walked over to her with a small smile on her face.

GABRIELLE
That was very kind of you to let Isidora stay after all, my lord.

Xena shrugged casually as she tried to hide just how much Gabrielle's reaction to her original choice in solution to the issue had influenced her final decision on the old woman's fate.

XENA
Yes, well as you mentioned I don't think sending an old woman into the dead of winter was an appropriate punishment. So I changed my mind.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
Not that my opinion matters here, but I'm glad that you decided to change your mind.

Xena eyed the other woman for a second before flashing a small smirk as the level of Gabrielle's kindness continued to both amaze and amuse her as she tried to play of her change of heart on the matter as though Gabrielle hadn't had everything to do with her not tossing Isidora out of the keep herself.

XENA
Yeah well my mother being here isn't permanent, and I'm gonna still need a cook here when she eventually goes back to Amphipolis after I finally settle things with Draco, and I'm certain that it's safe for her to go back.

CYRENE
(Joking tone) Just can't wait to get rid of me, huh?

Xena's attention turned to Cyrene, having forgotten that she was still there.

XENA
No, mother, I didn't mean it like that. Of course, you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you like.

Cyrene smiled.

CYRENE
It's okay Xena. I was just kidding. I'm well aware that you would let me stay here for the rest of my days if I wanted to. But Amphipolis is my home. And while I'm happy to be here with you...

Cyrene paused unsure of how to continue without making it sound like she wasn't grateful for Xena letting her stay in the keep for so long.

XENA
It's okay mother. I understand. Everyone has somewhere that they feel that they belong, and for you that's back in Amphipolis. And don't worry, as soon as I know it's safe for you to go home, you'll be on the first cart back. I promise.

Cyrene smiled.

CYRENE
I'm happy to hear you agree. But I don't think that's something that we need to worry about for some time, as I have no intention on traveling anywhere until I can go outside without having to wear three to four layers.

Xena chuckled slightly.

XENA
Yeah I suppose it does get fairly cold around these parts during the winter, doesn't it?

The Conqueror turned to Gabrielle.

XENA
Now to get to the actual business that I had planned.

GABRIELLE
Oh that's right, you wanted me for something didn't you. More scribe work I'm assuming?

XENA
No, not this time.

Xena smiled at the young woman.

XENA
I was actually thinking you might like to come see something with me.

Gabrielle gave Xena a curious look.

GABRIELLE
Come see something my lord?

XENA
Well not right now, but tonight. I don't know if you've seen it before, but I think it's something that you might like nonetheless.

Curious as to what the Conqueror could have wanted to show her, and not getting any sense that the woman was up to anything nefarious, Gabrielle somewhat cautiously agreed to Xena's request.

GABRIELLE
Oh um sure I guess.

XENA
Wonderful..Come meet me in my study when it gets dark.

GABRIELLE
Why after it gets dark?

Xena smirked

XENA
I'm afraid that's something for me to know and for you to find out.

Xena turned around and headed out of the kitchen as she called back to Gabrielle as she left.

XENA
See you later, right after the sun sets.

Gabrielle stood in the kitchen completely baffled as to what the Conqueror could have possibly had in store for her as she looked over at Cyrene who just shrugged in equal confusion.

CYRENE
Don't look at me, I stopped knowing what to make of the girl years ago.

Darkness fell over the keep as the night arrived, and Gabrielle walked the halls as she made her way to the Conqueror's quarters as per Xena's earlier request. Still having no idea what it was that the woman wanted her to see, Gabrielle pondered the possibilities of what it could be but couldn't pin down anything specific for what it actually was. Having done so since that afternoon, when Xena had first asked her to meet up with her just after sunset.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) What could she want to show me? She seemed convinced that it would be something I'd like. Something "I" would like. As in, she thought to do something just to make me happy. But why? And she asked me come. Didn't command, but asked. As in giving me the option to choose what I wanted to do.

Gabrielle paused in her steps.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) So could it mean that what she said to me was really true, and she does actually have feelings for me?

Gabrielle felt her heart beat slightly faster as her mind thought of the possibility, before she shook her head at the thoughts.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Come on Gabrielle. What's wrong with you? You can't seriously think that any of this could possibly be real. You can't actually be letting yourself fall for whatever this is that she's doing? You've not only heard but seen what she's capable of. She's a violent, angry killer who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

The young woman stood leaning against the wall in the middle of the hallway with no one else around as she felt her head and her heart wagging a war within her.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) But she did save from those Amazons. And then earlier, the woman I knew when I was first brought here wouldn't have thought twice about getting rid of Isidora. Honestly, based on what I saw before we got here, she very well might've killed her.

Gabrielle sighed as she layer her head back and looked up at the ceiling.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) What am I supposed to do? Has being around her too long made me lose my mind? Gods, why is that woman so confusing? Every time I think I know who she really is something happens to make me question everything that I thought I knew about her.

The young woman turned her head to look down the hall.

GABRIELLE
(Talking to herself) Or myself, apparently. Because this settles it, Gabrielle, you've officially lost your mind.

Settling the internal struggle at least for the moment, Gabrielle pushed herself off the wall and tried to settle her racing thoughts as she carried on the way she had been going.

GABRIELLE
Hello?

Gabrielle knocked on the door to the Conqueror's study as she waited a moment for a reply and when she didn't get one, waited another few moments before knocking again and again got no reply as she stood there unsure of whether she should just leave or go inside.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Maybe she fell asleep... it's probably for the better anyway.

So, silently telling herself how much of a fool she was acting, Gabrielle turned around and began walking away from the Conqueror's quarters when she had gotten partially down the stairs before hearing a door open behind her.

XENA
Leaving already?

Gabrielle stopped and turned to look up at the Conqueror who was standing at the top of the stairs.

GABRIELLE
You didn't answer when I knocked, so I thought you might have fallen asleep or changed your mind.

XENA
Not at all. I was just finishing up a couple little things when you knocked.

GABRIELLE
Oh, well if you're busy.

Xena smiled.

XENA
Don't be ridiculous. I asked you to come here tonight, didn't I?

The question she posed clearly rhetorical as she moved to the side and held her arm out to the room in an open invitation for Gabrielle to enter.

XENA
Come on.

Pausing for just a moment, Gabrielle looked at the other woman's face and saw what Gabrielle could only conceive as a gentleness in her expression. And with one more thought that she should just walk away then fading away, Gabrielle walked back up to where Xena stood.

XENA
I'm glad you came.

Gabrielle gave a small smile back at the woman before continuing inside with the Conqueror following. Once inside Xena moved ahead of the young women as she lit a couple more candles before moving to a chair where a thick fur coat was hanging and put it on.

XENA
Over here.

Gabrielle watched as the Conqueror moved to a set of large doors that sat between two windows and pulled them open before again stepping aside and gesturing for Gabrielle to walk through. Again Gabrielle looked at the woman before she moved across the room and stopped right in front of her as she gave her a slightly apprehensive look.

XENA
(Joking tone) Relax, it's not like I'm gonna heave you over the balcony or anything.

A look of fear fell over Gabrielle as the possibility of the woman wanting to kill her hadn't even crossed her mind. A look that Xena caught immediately and silently cursed herself for making such a comment so casually, knowing full well that Gabrielle had known about and witnessed her killing in such a cold and unfeeling manner. As Xena then quickly continued in an effort to lay Gabrielle's fears of anything like that to rest.

XENA
That was a joke. Sorry, I guess someone like me saying that kind of thing kind of kills the humor of it.

Xena stood there for a moment, unsure of what she should say before turning to step outside.

XENA
I'm just gonna go out now. Feel free to join me when you're ready.

Xena paused for a moment as she tried to be sure to choose her words more carefully.

XENA
That is if you want to.

Gabrielle watched as the Conqueror walked outside and up to the banister that encircled the balcony as the woman then stood stoicly appearing to turn her attention to the night sky above. A few moments passed Gabrielle watched Xena from inside before slowly moving to the doorway as her curiosity for what Xena was looking at got the better of her. The young woman reached the doorway and as Gabrielle raised her eyes to search for what Xena could have been looking at and was met with nothing but a plain night sky as she gave Xena a questioning look and got a small smile in return.

XENA
Just wait. If my calculations are correct, and they almost always are, it should be starting any moment now.

GABRIELLE
What should be starting?

XENA
That.

Gabrielle saw as Xena nodded for her to turn her attention above and looked up in response as she saw a small, quick light shoot across the night sky. She was about to look back at Xena as she wondered what was so special about one little shooting star but kept her eyes fixed on the sky as she saw another light fly by. Then another and another. And before Gabrielle knew it she was walking countless streams of light dash across the night sky in a dazzling display that she'd never thought to imagine.

GABRIELLE
(Breathless wonder) it's beautiful.

Hearing Gabrielle's voice, Xena looked over her shoulder at her and smiled.

XENA
It's really something ain't it.

Gabrielle kept her eyes on the sky as she walked up the balcony's railing as she stood a little apart from Xena who watched the young woman's face as she looked up at the majestically lit sky as it shimmered with the shooting lights that had completely captivated her attention. That was until she received the unwelcomed reminder that it was winter, and she was standing outside with nothing but the dress she normally wore on as she felt a shiver run through her, and she wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to keep warm. But when another cold wind blew and cut right thought her clothing as though she had nothing on at all, Gabrielle knew there was no way that she'd be able to stay out there and was reluctantly about to turn around and hurry back inside when she felt something get dropped over her and looked beside her to see that the Conqueror had taken off her big, thick fur and wrapped it around Gabrielle to keep her warm.

GABRIELLE
Thanks, but now you're gonna be cold.

Xena shrugged casually.

XENA
Eh, I'll be fine.

Gabrielle looked at the woman's exposed skin, as the Conqueror was wearing a sleeveless shirt that Gabrielle could tell wasn't very heavy. And with the same being said for the thickness of the woman's pants, Gabrielle knew that no matter how indomitable Xena may have appeared there was no way the woman couldn't have been unaffected by the bitting wind that wiped through the night and as such, couldn't just let the Conqueror stand out there exposed to the harsh elements on her account.

GABRIELLE
Here my lord, please take it back.

Gabrielle took the coat from her shoulders and held it for Xena to take back only to have the woman gently push her hands back toward herself.

XENA
I'm okay, really. Plus it's obvious that you're cold, so...

Xena took the fur from Gabrielle's hands and began to drape it over the young woman again but was surprised when Gabrielle put her arm out to stop her.

GABRIELLE
No, I don't want it.

Xena paused as she looked at Gabrielle for a moment, stunned by the fact that the woman had just told her no. As Gabrielle saw a serious expression fall over the Conqueror's face.

XENA
Did you just tell me no?

Having not realized what she had said before hearing it back, Gabrielle looked at Xena nervously as she fidgeted slightly and tried to talk her way out of what had suddenly become a rather uncomfortable situation.

GABRIELLE
(Slightly nervous tone) Did I? Well you see what I meant to say was no, I don't want it, but uh if you insist who are I to refuse.

Gabrielle let out a small nervous laugh as she looked at the coat for a moment before moving to put it on but stopped as the Conqueror spoke up.

XENA
Alright fine. If you're really sure you don't want it.

Gabrielle looked at the woman.

GABRIELLE
Not if it means that you have to go cold.

Xena smirked.

XENA
You do realize that all I have to do is take a few steps, and I'm back inside?

GABRIELLE
Yes. But by that logic so could I.

XENA
I suppose you have a point, but then you'd miss the show.

GABRIELLE
Maybe, but at least I'd know you weren't standing out here in the cold because of me.

Xena sighed to herself as thought of how ridiculous this all seemed and held out her hand to take a fur back.

XENA
Okay if you're really worried about being warm at my expense, I'll take it back.

Gabrielle handed over the coat and Xena put it back on as Gabrielle began to watch the sky again for another moment or two before planning to head inside. But as she was about to turn around to go inside, Gabrielle suddenly felt the warmth of the fur coat wrapped around her once again, but this time found that there was someone standing directly behind her as she was gently pulled close to the warm body behind her and heard the Conqueror's voice speak into her ear.

XENA
There now we can both be warm and happy.

Gabrielle wasn't sure what she should do at that moment, but couldn't help but think of how surprisingly warm and comfortable she felt in the other woman's arms. And weither it was because of the cold or how she no longer cared what all logic and reason told her, for the first time since she could remember, Gabrielle felt content and happy to be exactly where she was. As though it appeared to Gabrielle that Xena's feelings for her were in fact genuine, there was something else that had been silently happening to the woman who was standing right behind her. Because despite Xena being known far and wide as the Conqueror, due to her plans to take over or force every land that she came across to become subservient to her. Perhaps if someone were to look into the deepest depths of the warrior's soul, and could see what had begun to take place within her, they could argue that maybe it was actually Gabrielle who was truly the conqueror. And despite Xena's refusal to admit it to anyone, the least of all being herself, it was because of this young woman from the small farming village of Potidaea who had stumbled into her life who had somehow taken hold of her heart. And no matter how hard she tried to ignore or deny it, something far greater deep within Xena had already begun to change.

The bright winter's sun was shining though the large windows as Gabrielle left her room to start her day around early to mid-morning as she had done so many days prior. She stood there for a moment as she looked out of the large window that sat at the end of the hallway and smiled at the beautiful blue sky as a thought of something else strikingly blue crossed her mind that brought her back to the night before when she and the Conquerer had stood together under the starlit sky as they watched the heavens dance high above them. The memory of Xena holding her so close beneath the woman's coat. And how incredibly warm, happy and at peace Gabrielle felt while standing there in the woman's embrace. Something that Gabrielle hadn't felt in a very long time and had never imagined she would in this place. Least of all in the arms of the Conqueror. But as Gabrielle reflected on the seemingly utter absurdity of the fact that she had begun to fall for someone like the Conqueror, she remembered that even after they had first met, Xena had never been quite what Gabrielle had expected, and chuckled to herself at how, yet again her life had taken a drastically unexpected turn, and she had now ended up somewhere had never thought she'd be. But for once this was somewhere that Gabrielle was actually happy to be.

ELLE
You seem to be having a good morning.

Gabrielle looked over and smiled at the sight of her friend approaching.

GABRIELLE
Good morning Elle.

The young woman smiled back as she walked up and stood next to Gabrielle.

ELLE
(Joking tone) So is there any particular reason that you seem to have that big smile on your face, or are you just really happy to see me?

GABRIELLE
Come on Elle, you know I'm always happy to see you.

ELLE
Yeah, but you never have that look on your face that you had when I came over here just now.

Gabrielle felt her face get slightly warm as she looked away and fiddled with the sleeve of her top as she hadn't thought that Elle had apparently noticed her daydreaming about a certain dark haired, blue-eyed woman who ran the place, and for whatever reason found herself feeling embarrassed by it.

GABRIELLE
(Slightly uncomfortable tone) Wha- what are you talking about? I was just enjoying the scenery outside, is all.

Elle eyed Gabrielle suspiciously.

ELLE
You mean the same scenery that you've walked past every day for months?

Unsure of how to respond, Gabrielle began to stumble over her words as she frantically began trying to come up with something to tell her other than the truth of her having gotten lost in her enraptured thoughts about Xena. As for some time after Gabrielle's arrival in the keep, Elle had tried multiple times to show Gabrielle that the Conqueror wasn't the monster that she, like so many others, thought her to be. And at that moment, the last thing Gabrielle wanted to hear was a very pleased "I told you so" from the woman.

GABRIELLE
(Defensive tone) What, I can't like looking outside without needing a reason to?

Elle raised her hands slightly as she saw that she had hit an unexpected nerve.

ELLE
Woah, I never said that. If looking at trees makes you happy, then go ahead and look at all the trees you want. Sorry.

Realizing that had just been pretty rude to her friend for no good reason, Gabrielle sighed to herself as she looked at the young woman.

GABRIELLE
No, I'm the one who should apologize. You were just making a good point, and I just didn't want you to figure out that wasn't really what I was doing when you came over here.

Elle gave Gabrielle a questioning look.

ELLE
Why? What exactly were you doing?

Gabrielle sighed as she prepared herself for the teasing that she was sure was about to come her way once she confessed her feelings for the Conqueror to her friend and had just begun to speak when she heard another voice behind her.

XENA
There you are.

Gabrielle turned around as both hers and Elle's attention turned the Conqueror's way.

ELLE
Good morning your lordship. I hope you're doing well.

Xena looked from Elle to Gabrielle as she smiled.

XENA
Couldn't be better.

Gabrielle smiled back as Elle looked between the two women unsure of what to make of the exchange as Xena then continued to speak.

XENA
You know I was hoping to catch you before you went off to the archives.

GABRIELLE
Oh did you need me for scribe work today?

Xena smirked.

XENA
No, not exactly. I just figured that since you've been working so hard lately, that you deserved a little time off.

GABRIELLE
That's really nice of you my lord, but without being in the archives or your study, I wouldn't really know what to do with myself all day.

XENA
Don't be ridiculous, I'm certain that someone with a mind like yours could think of a million things to occupy your time around here.

Gabrielle smiled as she shook her head slightly.

GABRIELLE
I appreciate the compliment, but you give me too much credit my lord.

Xena eyed the younger woman in mock disapproval.

XENA
Now you wouldn't be trying to argue with me about something, would you?

GABRIELLE
No, of course not my lord.

Xena smiled slightly.

XENA
Good. Because if you were, we might have a problem.

Xena gave a quick wink to Gabrielle as the young woman realized that the Conqueror hadn't actually been serious about being upset with her and smiled as Xena made a metal note to try being more obvious when she wasn't being serious as she realized that her sense of humor was a bit difficult at times to differentiate from when she was being serious.

XENA
And now that we have that settled, since you mentioned that you weren't sure of what to do with yourself without having any work to do, I actually come here with the idea that you might like to finally tell me some of those stories that you mentioned you knew. Of course, it's completely up to you whether you want to or not, but it was just something that I thought I'd throw out there in case you were interested.

GABRIELLE
You really wanna hear my stories?

Xena shrugged.

XENA
Well I wouldn't be asking you to tell 'em to me if I didn't.

Xena turned around and began walking away, as she glanced over her shoulder at Gabrielle and smiled.

XENA
But I'll leave it up to you. And if you decide you wanna come spin some of your tales, you know where I'll likely be.

Gabrielle watched as the Conqueror walked away, and it was only after Xena was out of sight that Elle turned to Gabrielle as she was thrown completely off guard by the interaction she had just witnessed between the two.

ELLE
What in the world was that about?

GABRIELLE
I guess she's bored and wants a little entertainment

Gabrielle shrugged slightly as she tried to hide the smile on her face, and began walking in the same direction that Xena had gone as she called back to her friend.

GABRIELLE
I'll catch up with you later Elle. I know she said that could come by if and when I wanted to, but still I probably shouldn't keep the lord Conqueror waiting.

Gabrielle gave a quick wave toward her friend as a moment later she disappeared around the same corner that Xena had turned at and was gone. Leaving Elle standing by the window by herself.

ELLE
(Talking to herself) Why do I have the feeling that there's something going on around here that I'm missing?

The young woman brushed off the thought as too walked away and left the hallway as a hidden, cloaked figure that had been silently watching the whole exchange between the three moved from their hiding place and slipped away from the scene without having ever been noticed by anyone who had just been there.

?
Gabrielle? Gabrielle, where are you?

Gabrielle stood among a group of trees as she heard a voice call out to her from a distance, and turned toward the sound after immediately recognizing the voice calling her.

GABRIELLE
Lila?

LILA
You can't just leave me behind. Gabrielle.

Lila's voice echoed through the trees as Gabrielle began frantically looking around for her sister.

GABRIELLE
Lila, where are you?

LILA
Gabrielle, don't leave me here.

Gabrielle continued searching for where the voice was coming from only to realize that it seemed to be coming from all around her as a fog crept in around her, and she called out to her sister again.

GABRIELLE
I'm not going anywhere. Where are you?

LILA
Gabrielle!

With that fial yell Gabrielle found the direction that her sister's voice was coming from and took off running into the fog before coming out of it a few steps later and stopped when she found herself in a familiar place unable to believe what she was seeing.

PAST GABRIELLE
No Lila!

Gabrielle watched as the version of her past self stepped forward as her sister was torn from the group of frightened villagers.

HECTOR
Get back in with the rest of the group before you make me mad.

Wanting nothing but to protect her sister and the others that had been taken, the past Gabrielle stepped forward defiantly before the larger man and refused to move.

PAST GABRIELLE
Take me! Let the others go!

HECTOR
Now, why would I do that when I can easily take all of you?

LILA
Gabrielle run!

A bright light flashed as Gabrielle was suddenly watching herself running through the woods as she tried to escape from the slavers that were hot on her trail. And as they ran by her, Gabrielle turned to continue watching and jumped slightly when she saw Lila standing directly in front of her.

LILA
You left us Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
No that's not true. I ran to get help.

LILA
Did you? Because you never did come back.

GABRIELLE
I couldn't. I fell into a river while trying to escape and got swept away.

Lila began to slowly walk around Gabrielle.

LILA
Oh so in everything that happened afterward you're telling me that you never had the time or opportunity to come find me?

GABRIELLE
Alot's happened since. I'm gonna find you Lila I swear.

LILA
(Angry tone) Liar! You don't care about any of us at all. Now that you found your new home with that woman, you've forgotten all about us.

GABRIELLE
You're wrong. I could never forget about you. It's just that I don't even know how to even begin to look for you.

Lila stopped in front of Gabrielle.

LILA
You say that but we both know that you haven't even tried in who knows how long.

Gabrielle watched as her sister turned away from her.

LILA
It's clear that you've made your choice for who you actually care about. I hope you're happy with the choice you made Gabrielle and that woman is worth turning your back on your own family.

The young woman began walking away as Gabrielle called after her.

GABRIELLE
No Lila, wait.

Gabrielle tried to go after her sister but found herself unable to move from where she stood as she desperately tried to follow Lila who was quickly getting further and further away.

GABRIELLE
Come back. Lila!

Gabrielle struggled to move but couldn't as the sky above her suddenly grew dark and Lila slipped further out of her reach as Gabrielle continued to call out to her.

GABRIELLE
Lila, Lila. Lila!

Suddenly everything around her flashed to complete darkness and a moment later Gabrielle's eyes shot open as she sprang forward.

GABRIELLE
Lila wait! I...

Gabrielle looked around as her mind became clear, and she realized that she was sitting on the bed in her room in the Conqueror's keep.

GABRIELLE
Another nightmare?

Gabrielle sighed as she rubbed her eyes to feel the few tears that she had apparently shed in her sleep.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) I've been having more and more of those lately.

She turned to move to the edge of the bed and looked out the window to see that it was morning as her thoughts went back to her dream.

GABRIELLE
I haven't forgotten Lila, mother, everyone else. I haven't forgotten about any of you. I promise.

Snow was falling outside as Gabrielle stood among the shelves in the archives with an armful of scrolls that she was putting away after they had been returned. She had just gotten finished and stepped back to check her work when Sara walked over to her.

SARA
Why am I not surprised that you're done putting all those papers away already?

Gabrielle shrugged slightly as she looked over at the archivist.

GABRIELLE
I guess I'm just a fast worker.

SARA
I'm pretty sure we've already established that.

Sara smiled and stood looking at the shelf.

SARA
You know Gabrielle, you're so efficient with what you do around here that you don't really leave me with much else to do.

The archivist turned to Gabrielle as she continued.

SARA
Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
I'm glad I can help.

SARA
Oh you certainly help plenty, trust me.

GABRIELLE
So what should I do now?

Sara chuckled.

SARA
That's the thing Gabrielle. I don't think there's anything that needs doing around here. At least not at the moment anyway.

GABRIELLE
Well when you say that now I really don't know what to do?

The archivist shrugged.

SARA
Whatever you want I guess.

Gabrielle thought for a moment as she tried to figure out what she should do and remembered a handful of things she saw that she wanted to read while sorting scrolls and figured that might be a fun way to pass the time.

GABRIELLE
Well if you're sure you don't need me to do anything there are a few things I made a note to try and read if I ever had the time.

SARA
Then by all means. You go enjoy yourself and I think I'm gonna go see what that husband of mine is up to. That is if you don't mind being left in here alone?

GABRIELLE
It's no problem. You don't need to worry about me.

SARA
Okay. If you're sure., then I'll leave you to your scrolls and see you later.

GABRIELLE
Okay. Say hi to Leonidas for me.

SARA
I will.

With that, Sara said goodbye to Gabrielle and left the archives, leaving the young woman to explore whatever was there at her own discretion. Of which Gabrielle did a reserved enthusiasm.

GABRIELLE
(Talking to herself) Let's see, I'm pretty sure there's still a couple up there that I haven't read yet.

Gabrielle stood looking up at a shelf that sat above her head for a moment before looking for where the ladder currently was and bringing it back to the spot she had been before climbing up to find what she wanted.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) No, that's not it. Not that one. Nope. Read it.

Not finding what she was searching for, Gabrielle figured that it must have gotten put on the shelf above and climbed up further to look. She checked several scrolls and was still unable to find the one she wanted.

GABRIELLE
(Talking to herself) Come on. I know I put it here. Unless someone came and took it out to read and haven't returned it yet.

Gabrielle sighed to herself in minor disappointment.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) I guess I'll have to wait for that one. So now the question is what do I read now instea.... Wait a minute.

Gabrielle paused her train of thought as she spotted a rolled up paper that she hadn't checked yet and reached out to the side to get it.

GABRIELLE
Come on, allllmost.

Gabrielle stretched out her arm as far as she could and yet the scroll still remained just barely out of her reach. However, Gabrielle was convinced that she could get it without having to climb all the way back down, move the ladder just slightly and climb back up again. So in an act of pure stubbornness, Gabrielle took another step up on the ladder and learned a little further over. And that seemed to get her close enough to just barely reach the scroll. Although it was almost immediately after doing this that Gabrielle realized she had just made a big mistake when the ladder she was on began to tip in the direction she was leaning.

GABRIELLE
No, no, no.

Gabrielle frantically scrambled to grab on to the shelf to stop herself from falling, but was unable to get a hold of it as both she and the ladder went down, and she braced herself for impact.

GABRIELLE
Wah!

Gabrielle landed abruptly, but was surprisingly unhurt, like one would expect to be when falling from such a hight. And it was then that she looked up slightly as she heard someone speak.

XENA
Do I need to start following you around everywhere to make sure you don't get yourself hurt from falling?

Gabrielle chuckled slightly in minor embarrassment as she was held completely off the ground in the Conqueror's arms.

GABRIELLE
Thanks. For a moment there, I kinda thought I was in trouble.

The two look at each other for a moment not saying anything until Xena blank a couple of times and let Gabrielle down.

XENA
Yes well just be sure to be more careful from now on, okay. What's gonna happen if I'm not around when you get yourself in trouble, huh?

Gabrielle looked down.

GABRIELLE
Sorry. I'll be more careful.

XENA
Good to hear.

Xena smiled as she moved her hand to gently brush a few stray golden locks from Gabrielle's face that caused the young woman to look up into the Conqueror's eyes. In was in that moment that something undeniable passed between them and Gabrielle could feel her heart begin to beat faster as she knew that she was no longer able to keep the way she had come to feel for Xena silent.

GABRIELLE
My lord?

XENA
Yes?

GABRIELLE
What you said before. About you saying you loved me, I...

Gabrielle paused, suddenly not knowing how to tell the woman standing in front of her how she felt.

XENA
Yes?

GABRIELLE
Well it's just... what I mean is... or rather what I wanted to tell you was I....

?
Hey Gabrielle I ran into Sara who said you were here and thought I'd come by...

Hearing a voice both Gabrielle and Xena looked to the side as Elle came into view and stood a bit surprised by the sight of Gabrielle in the Conqueror's arms as they stood very close to one another.

ELLE
(Talking slowly) and see if you wanted company.

Suddenly Gabrielle felt her face get very hot as she could only imagine how red it was and swiftly stepped out of Xena's embrace as she tried and failed miserably to act casual.

GABRIELLE
Elle, what a nice surprise. The lord Conqueror was just putting me down from catching me after I fell off this ladder.

ELLE
Are you okay?

Gabrielle went to lean her elbow on a step of the ladder and in her nervousness missed the step and stumbled slightly before quickly recovering and getting her elbow on the step after a rapid second attempt and leaned against it casually.

GABRIELLE
Oh yeah, I'm okay.

Elle eyed Gabrielle slightly as she noticed that her friend seemed to be acting a little odd.

ELLE
Are you sure? Because you seem a little off right now.

GABRIELLE
(Slightly nervous tone) Me? Off? What are you talking about Elle? I'm fine.

ELLE
Really? Because you don't seem fine.

Realizing that Gabrielle appeared to be uncomfortable with the situation, Xena decided to step in to put a stop to Elle's questioning.

XENA
(Stern tone) She said everything's fine.

Slightly surprised by Xena's tone, Elle stood up a little straighter as she addressed the Conqueror.

ELLE
Oh, my mistake.

Xena then turned her attention back to Gabrielle, who looked away slightly in an attempt to hide her awareness over the whole situation.

XENA
Well being that you're all good here, I'll be going so you can get back to your scrolls.

Xena gave a quick nod goodbye before turning around and leaving Gabrielle and Elle as the young woman looked at Gabrielle.

ELLE
So what did you wanna read?

Suddenly not really feeling interested in what she had originally wanted to do , but more particularity just not wanting to deal with the awkward situation of having Elle potentially asking more questions, Gabrielle quickly made up an excuse to leave.

GABRIELLE
(Lying) Actually the Conqueror just came here to tell me that she needed me for some scribe work.

She began slowly walking away.

GABRIELLE
(Lying) So I really should get going. You know how the lord Conqueror doesn't like to be kept waiting.

Before Elle could respond, Gabrielle turned around and hurried out of sight as again the feeling that something was going on with her friend and the Conquerer that she was missing.

SERVANT 1
(Whisper) Look there she is, out and about again.

SERVANT 2
(Whisper) You think she's going off to see her?.

SERVANT 1
(Whisper) Mmm I don't know.

SERVANT 2
(Whisper) Oh come on, don't tell me you haven't noticed. I mean how often have you seen her going this way before.

SERVANT 1
(Whisper) Hmi guess you have a point. I wonder if the rumors going around are true then

SERVANT 1
(Whisper) Well if you ask me I say...

SERVANT 2
(Whisper) Oh shhh here she comes.

The gossiping servants quickly went quiet as Xena approached from down the hall and walked past them on her way to where they assumed was the archives as yet another day came at the keep. And only spoke up again once they figured the Conqueror was out of earshot.

SERVANT 2
(Whisper) Did you see that look in her eyes that she's always trying to hide when you know who's around?

SERVANT 1
(Whisper) I don't know. I mean, this is the lord Conqueror we're talking about here so...

Able to hear every word that the pair of servants were saying and feeling rather annoyed by the excessive amount of similar gossip that she'd been hearing going around the keep for some time, Xena stopped and turned back toward the servants.

XENA
(Irritated tone) You know if you're gonna gossip about someone, it's probably smarter to do when that person's not around, Especially when that particular person is responsible for your employment.

The two servants looked at the Conqueror in shock as they both began to stumble over their words in a hasty effort to apologize as Xena stood watching them for a bit before hearing a voice behind her and looked to see Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
What's going on? Is everything okay?

Xena smiled.

XENA
Everything's fine. I was just taking care of a little business before coming to see you, is all.

Gabrielle walked up to Xena.

GABRIELLE
Were you coming to see me again?

XENA
I was. Though I guess I would've been surprised when I got to the archives, and you weren't there.

GABRIELLE
Oh well without much to do there, Sara said I could go off and do whatever I wanted. So I decided to take a walk around the keep. I hope that's okay.

XENA
Of course it is. You're free to go wherever you like.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
So um, did you need me for scribe duties or was there something else you wanted to see me for?

Xena stepped closer to the young woman and lowered her voice slightly.

XENA
Well given that I haven't gotten any new letters or anything today, why didn't you tell me.

Xena stepped back as she smirked at the expression on Gabrielle's face when she let a soft smile cross her lips. However, Xena's happy expression quickly faded to a scowl when she heard the pair of servants whispering to one another.

SERVANT 1
(Whisper) Huh, looks like you were right after alll.

SERVANT 2
(Whisper) See, I told you. There's definitely something going on with her and...

Overhearing the servants' conversation yet again, Xena looked over her shoulder and sent an angry glare their way.

XENA
(Irritated tone) I'm not sure if you either think that I'm suddenly hard of hearing or if you're too stupid to realize when you should keep your mouths shut. So tell me which one is it?

SERVANT 2
(Nervous tone) Well we uh I suppose it would be the second one?

XENA
(Sinister tone) Well if that's the case I'm afraid that I can't fix stupid, but you not being able to keep quiet, now that, I can do something about.

Gabrielle looked on as the tense situation unfolded and found herself feeling concerned for the servants.

GABRIELLE
My lord...

The Conqueror glanced over at Gabrielle and seeing the worried look on the young woman's face, and paused for a brief moment before returning her attention to the servants with a scowl.

XENA
(Sinister tone) But fortunately for you, I'm in a good mood today so instead of just cutting your tongues out right here and now, I'm gonna give you to the count of five for you to start running before I even pull my knife from my boot.

One servant looked at the other.

SERVANT 2
(Nervous tone) Wait she isn't serious, is she?

XENA
One.

SERVANT 1
(Nervous tone) She can't be.

XENA
Two.

SERVANT 2
(Nervous tone) I don't know she looks pretty serious to me.

Xena moved her hand to her dagger that she always kept on her at all times as she continued her count.

XENA
Three.

Xena took a step toward the servants, who moved back as the Conqueror's words appeared to indeed be more than just an idle threat.

SERVANT 1
I think you're right about her not bluffing.

XENA
Four.

The servant's watched as Xena pulled her dagger from it's sheathe.

SERVANT 2
Oh Zues, run!

In a frantic scramble the two servants spun around and began to run as they heard Xena's voice from where she was still standing.

XENA
Five!

With a terrified scream the two servants dove to the floor in an attempt to avoid the dagger that they were certain was just sent their way. Only to not see it and look back to see the Conqueror walking toward them with the weapon still in hand, as they scurried to their feet and ran down the hall and out of sight learning Xena standing there as a smile crossed her face and she casually flipped the dagger in her hand before returning it to its sheathe and turned around to walk back to Gabrielle who looked down as she came back.

XENA
Relax I wasn't actually gonna do it.

Gabrielle raised her head in surprise.

GABRIELLE
You weren't?

XENA
Nope. I just wanted them remember who it was that they were talking about and that they should be forced on their jobs and not standing around gossiping about what I'm doing.

Gabrielle gave a relieved smile.

GABRIELLE
Oh. Well, I suppose that's good.

Xena smiled.

XENA
I'm glad you agree.

The Conqueror turned to walk away.

XENA
Now, if you wouldn't mind I was wondering if would you care to accompany me back to my quarters. Maybe you can tell me another one of those stories of yours.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
I'd like that.

Xena smiled back before turning completely and began to walk off, with Gabrielle close behind as they made their way to her private quarters. But for what both women expected to not be anything more than just a little quiet alone time together, what would happen in that room on that day would become another pivotal turning point for their each of their lives.

XENA
After you.

Gabrielle walked into Xena's private quarters as the other woman held the door open for her before following her inside and shutting the door.

XENA
Why don't you go make yourself comfortable.

GABRIELLE
Sure.

Gabrielle walked over to the chair that sat near Xena's desk where she usually sat.

XENA
No not there. Over here.

Gabrielle stopped and looked over to see Xena walking toward her bedroom.

GABRIELLE
Oh I uh.

Xena paused in her steps to look back at Gabrielle and smiled.

XENA
I figured it would be easier to relax on a bunch of pillows than just sitting in those chairs all the time.

GABRIELLE
Oh, yeah. I guess it would be.

Gabrielle followed Xena into her room and watched as Xena moved to get herself a drink before going over to where the number of pillows were spread on the floor and settled herself down in them before calling Gabrielle over to join her.

XENA
Well come on over and make yourself comfortable. You want anything?

GABRIELLE
No I'm okay. Thanks.

Xena patted the pillows near her.

XENA
Okay. Then come have a seat.

Xena smirked.

XENA
Unless you just wanna stand way over there while you're telling me some of those stories I've been looking forward to hearing?

GABRIELLE
Oh yeah I guess you did want me to tell you some of my stories, didn't you?

Gabrielle walked over to where Xena was laying casually on her side and sitting down on one of the pillows as she remembered the first day of her being in the keep and how utterly terrified she was standing in this room as her mind raced with the worst possible thoughts of what was going to happen to her at the hands of the woman who was laying within arms reach of her. But now there Gabrielle was willingly in the Conqueror's bedroom as she thought of how much had happened since then and thought of how if the girl from then could see her now, she would probably think that she had gone completely mad. Which to be honest, the Gabrielle of the present still wasn't convinced that she hadn't. Regardless of how she had begun to feel.

GABRIELLE
So um, which story would you like to hear first.

Xena shrugged casually.

XENA
I don't know which ones you know. Just pick one, and I'll let you know if I've heard it before.

GABRIELLE
Sure thing. Okay let's see.

Gabrielle thought for a moment and picked out a rather adventurous tale that she had heard, as she figured that an action packed story would probably hold the Conqueror's interest more than some of the other more romanticized stories that the young woman knew.

GABRIELLE
OK, this is the story of Alexander. The mighty king of Macedonia And hailed as the fearless leader of one of the greatest army's known to the entire world.

Xena raised her eyebrow in interest at the statement.

XENA
One of world's greatest army's, huh?

GABRIELLE
Well, maybe aside from yours, my lord.

Xena smirked.

XENA
I think that goes without saying. But please, continue.

Xena lounged back as she listened to the young woman weave her tale and watched with a focused interest to not only the story that Gabrielle was telling, but Gabrielle herself. Noting how joyful and enthusiastic she was when spinning the tale, a fact that couldn't help but cause the Conqueror to smile. Gabrielle carried on for several minutes uninterrupted as she became more engrossed in her storytelling and began to move and gesture dramatically during various points until she finished and realized that she had stood up in the middle of the story, having been fairly animated while telling it and felt slightly embarrassed for doing so as she returned to where she had been sitting.

GABRIELLE
(Slightly embarrassed tone) Anyway that's the story of the man we know now as Alexander the Great. Hope you liked it.

Gabrielle looked at the Conqueror who had an unreadable expression on her face for a moment before smiling slightly.

XENA
Has anyone ever told you that you can really hold an audience's attention with the way you do that storyteller, bard-like thing you do.

Gabrielle smiled gently.

GABRIELLE
Thank you. I'm happy to hear that you liked it. I can tell you another if you'd like.

XENA
If you want to, but I actually got a few from the archives that I like and thought perhaps you'd read them and perform some of your magic on 'em.

GABRIELLE
Of course, my lord. I'd be happy to.

XENA
Sounds like a plan then.

Gabrielle watched as Xena turned over and reached behind the pillows before rolling back to her previous position and holding out a few scrolls for Gabrielle to take.

XENA
Oh, and you don't have to, but I thought it might be better if you started calling me by my name instead of just my title.

Gabrielle gave the woman a curious look.

GABRIELLE
Are you sure? Everyone here just refers to you by your title. Well, expect for Cyrene I guess. But she's your mother, so I guess understand why you'd be okay with her doing it. But why me?

XENA
I guess I just figured since I spend more time with you than anyone else here, it would just be easier for you to not need to be so formal.

GABRIELLE
Are you sure? I don't mind calling you my lord like I've been, but if you would rather I use your name?

Xena waved off the notion that it wasn't a matter of her preference.

XENA
It's not about what I want I just thought it might be a simpler option for you. But as I already said, I'll leave the decision for whether you wanna use my name or not completely up to you.

Unsure of what to make of the unexpected freedom, Gabrielle decided to just move on.

GABRIELLE
Okay. Well if it's okay with you, I think I'll stick with Conqueror.

Xena shrugged slightly, showing her indifference on the matter, as Gabrielle took the gesture for what it was and moved on as she looked at each rolled up paper for a moment before returning her attention to the Conqueror.

GABRIELLE
Which one do you want me to do first?

XENA
Surprise me.

Returning her eyes to the scrolls in her hands, Gabrielle read each title quickly and picked one at random to read and set the others down before opening the one she chose and again let her words paint the scenes that were written down before her, as Xena despite knowing the tale found herself hanging onto each and every word that flowed from the blonde's lips.

GABRIELLE
The tale of Leto and Asteria. In a time before mortals and even many of the gods upon Olympus, there were the titans. Many of which would give shape to the very world we walk today, there was a pair of sisters among them, and their names were Leto and Asteria. The two sisters were close and loved each other, and were very close. Always by one another's side. That was until Zeus, king of God's set his sights on Leto, and she became pregnant with his offspring. This action however would in turn endure the wrath of the queen of the god's and Zues' wife Hera, who came after Leto, forcing her to flee from the vengeful goddess. But as Leto ran to escape her pursuer, she soon found that hiding herself from the queen of the god's themselves was anything but an easy task as Hera was relentless in obtaining her revenge for Zues' betrayal. But all the while that Leto was on the run, Asteria had been keeping watch over her dear sister and as soon as the opportunity presented itself, she came to Leto's side and offered her safe harbor from Hera. Doing so by transforming herself into an entire hidden island where Leto then stayed and gave birth to her and Zues's children. Safe and protected by her sisters... love.

Gabrielle lowered the scroll as she finished reading and stood there quietly as Xena gave a brief applause for her performance.

XENA
Very good. It's been quite a long time since I read that one, and hearing you read it like that added a whole new life to it. I might have to ask you to eventually read all the works I have in my collection.

Gabrielle remained silent as her eyes stayed fixed on the open scroll she had just read and Xena continued to speak as she idly poured herself a drink and sipped it.

XENA
But I think that's probably good for now. Why don't you come sit down, have something to eat.

Again Gabrielle didn't say anything as her mind had gone elsewhere and everything that the Conqueror just said went completely unheard as she just stood in place.

XENA
And don't be shy. Help yourself there's well more than enough so go ahead and...

Xena looked up from the spread of food that had been brought to the room shortly before they got there, and paused when she saw Gabrielle standing there with a sad look on her face, her eyes still drawn to the page in her hand.

XENA
Gabrielle?

Xena got up from her spot where she had been laying and moved to stand in front of the other women.

XENA
(Soft tone) Hey, what's wrong?

The Conqueror generally reached out and touched Gabrielle's arm, which finally got the young woman's attention as she raised her head to look Xena in the eyes.

GABRIELLE
Oh forgive me, my lord. I think my mind kinda wondered off there for a moment. It won't happen again. What was it that you were saying?

XENA
Well I had invited you to come sit down. So why don't you do that, then you can tell me what's bothering you.

Gabrielle looked away slightly, figuring there wasn't any point in telling the Conqueror what was on her mind, as she assumed nothing would or could be done about it. Especially since the Conqueror likely had a long list of other things that she would find a far more important and valued use of her time and effort.

GABRIELLE
(Lying) It's nothing. Really. I guess I just must be a little tired.

Knowing that Gabrielle was lying but not wanting to scare her into thinking that she was going to be in trouble for doing so, Xena knew that she needed to be careful with how she proceeded if she wanted the young woman to feel comfortable enough to open up to her and not fear punishment for what might be thought of as wrong doing in the Conqueror's eyes.

XENA
Then in that case you should come sit down for a bit. Come on.

Before Gabrielle could offer any level of protest, she found the scroll being slowly taken from her hand and replaced with the Conqueror's, whose grip was so gentle as the woman led her over to the pillows, where she encouraged Gabrielle to sit. Once seated Gabrielle watched as Xena sat across from her and placed the scroll Gabrielle had read between them.

XENA
Listen, over my many years of traveling and interacting with all different kinds of people, I've gotten pretty good st reading people. So I'm able to tell fairly often when I'm being lied to.

A brief look of worry crossed Gabrielle's face as she was just about to Apologize for lying when Xena continued.

XENA
But don't worry, I'm not mad.

Gabrielle watched as again Xena took hold of her hand and just held it as she continued.

XENA
I'm not gonna force you to say or do anything you don't want to, but I can see that something's bothering you. So please, tell me. I promise you that whatever it is, nothing will happen to you, no matter what you say.

Taking her free hand, Xena gently cuped Gabrielle's cheek.

XENA
So please Gabrielle, talk to me. Let me try and fix whatever's wrong.

Gabrielle saw a look of pure sincerity in the Conqueror's eyes and could see that the woman meant every word of what she had just said. And while she was touched so deeply by the woman's very real desire to help her, Gabrielle still didn't feel that telling Xena would do any good as regardless of how much power Xena might have held, as even the Conqueror's resources had their limits. Not to mention the strong possibility of it already being too late for anything that was said or done to even matter.

GABRIELLE
(Sad tone) I don't know if you can.

XENA
Well if that's how you see it, then what do you really have to lose from telling me?

The comment caught Gabrielle off guard, as she couldn't find any holes in Xena's reasoning. And with the look of genuine care and compassion being reflected by the Conqueror's gaze, Gabrielle decided that if nothing else, talking to someone about what had been weighing on her might at the very least give her some level of comfort to know that she had tried to do something. Even if it was just telling someone who had a better chance of doing something about it than she did.

GABRIELLE
It's about what happened that ended up bringing me to your camp the night we met.

XENA
You mean when you escaped from Hector and the rest of Draco's men who were with him.

GABRIELLE
Yes.

XENA
Oh, I see.

Not liking where she felt this conversation was going, Xena sat there for a moment as she tried to reason with the thoughts running through her head.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) And here I thought she had come to like it here. Come to like me. After all, she's seemed so much more at ease and comfortable around me lately. But maybe I've just falling prey to my own stupidity and wishful thinking and was simply imagining it all. Damn it, when did I become such a fool.

Not wanting to make Gabrielle possibly think she was upset for bringing up the subject, Xena snapped out of her thoughts and moved the conversation forward.

XENA

Yes I remember. What about it?

GABRIELLE
Well you see while I was lucky enough to escape, there were quite a few others from my village that were taken by those men. And everyone in that group, They were good people.

Gabrielle felt her eyes beginning to tear up as she continued.

GABRIELLE
And among them were my mother and sister. My family. They were with everyone else that got taken from Potidea. I tried to stand up and protect everyone, but I couldn't do anything. So I just...

Gabrielle clenched her fists that rested in her lap as she found herself unable to hold back her tears any longer, and began to cry as she continued.

GABRIELLE
They were taken to be sold into slavery and I just ran. I kept telling myself that I would find help and go save them. But instead I've just been here, wrapped in my own little world here. I'm here, safe and happy, and they're who knows where. My sister's out there somewhere likely going through things that I would never wanna even imagine, and I'm just going on with my life like she never even mattered to me at all. What kind of monster just leaves the people who they claim to love behind and never look back like that?

Xena watched as Gabrielle cried and could feel her heart break for Gabrielle as Xena often forgot just how much the young woman had been through.

XENA
(Soft tone) No, Gabrielle. No.

Xena gently lifted Gabrielle's chin up to look at her.

XENA
(Soft tone) None of what happened when Draco's men came to your village was your fault. You ran to get help for everyone?

GABRIELLE
But ever since then I haven't done anything to find them. It's like I don't even care about any of them.

XENA
And what were you supposed to do? Where were you supposed go, huh? You understand that they're not all gonna be together. So, how are you planning on tracking them down? And even if you did, how would you go about freeing them? Because trust me, anyonre who uses the work of slaves aren't particularly fond of having the people they paid good money for just taken away from them.

Gabrielle lowered her eyes sadly.

GABRIELLE
(Sad tone) I... don't know. It's just that after that story and the dreams I've been having. I just really miss my family, and I don't even know where my mother and sister are. Or if they're even still alive. Not to mention all the others who were taken. I don't know if I'll ever see them again.

Tears streamed down Gabrielle's face as the likelihood of her never seeing anyone who was taken from the village ever again hit her hard. But none more so then her sister Lila, who she had thought of while reading the story of Leto and Asteria. A pair of sisters who loved each other so much, they were willing to sacrifice so much for the sake of one another. Much like what Gabrielle had tried to do for Lila along with the rest of those who had been taken captive by Hector. But sadly, unlike in the story, Gabrielle felt that she had failed to protect anyone.

GABRIELLE
My sister and mother are gone, and I don't know where they are or how I could ever possibly find them. They're gone, and I'm probably never gonna see them again.

Gabrielle completely broke down as she wept for the loss of her mother and sister. The fact, paired with the guilt of having not thought about finding them in some time, brought a whole new level of sorrow that Gabrielle never knew she could feel as she closed her eyes and just let the tears fall, as all seemed lost. But then in the midst of her sorrow Gabrielle felt herself being pulled forward and opened her eyes as she suddenly found herself wrapped in the Conqueror's arms with her head resting on Xena's chest.

XENA
I'm sorry you went through all that. Losing the people you love no matter how it happens is never easy. And I know that being here all this time hasn't made any of it any better.

Though Gabrielle was surprised by being pulled into the other woman's embrace, she didn't resist or try to pull away as she found being held by Xena incredibly and unexpectedly comforting. And remained in Xena's arms for several minutes until the young woman's tears slowly begun to subside.

XENA
(Soft tone) Shhh. Everything will be okay. It might take time, but wherever they are, one day you'll see them again. I promise you I'll find them and bring them back to you.

Hearing the words Xena had just spoken but not able to believe her own ears, Gabrielle pulled back from the other woman and looked at her in shock.

GABRIELLE
You mean it? But how? They were taken to be sold into slavery. They could be anywhere by now.

Xena smirked.

XENA
I think you're forgetting just who I am. With the vast amount of resources I have at my disposal, there really isn't very much I can't find a way to do. So even if your family was taken to a foreign land, I'll find where they are. And I won't rest until you have them back.

Gabrielle sniffed.

GABRIELLE
You mean it? You would really get them back?

XENA
Of course I will.

Xena reached over and began to gently wipe the tears from Gabrielle's face.

XENA
Gabrielle, you've become the most dear thing to me in all the world. Don't you know that? I would do anything for you to be happy.

Gabrielle looked into Xena's eyes and knew without a doubt that she had meant every word she had said. As for the first time since her village was attacked, Gabrielle had actual hope that she would be reunited with her family and friends that she had been separated from for so very long now.

GABRIELLE
I don't know what to say. Thank you.

Overcome with joy, Gabrielle couldn't contain herself as she threw her arms around the Conqueror and hung on to her.

GABRIELLE
I can't tell you how much this means to me.

Xena smiled softly as she returned Gabrielle's embrace and lightly brushed the young woman's soft, long hair.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) If it's anything close to what you mean to me, then I think I understand far better than you know.

The two stayed holding one another for several moments. During that time Gabrielle couldn't help but reflect on how happy and safe she felt in the other woman's arms. And as the recent feelings that Gabrielle had come to develop for Xena, she knew that she couldn't hold it back any longer. And though Gabrielle wasn't sure what exactly would come of telling Xena how she felt, and could feel her heart begin to pound in her chest, Gabrielle pulled back slightly and raised her eyes to look into Xena's. The two stood there in silence for a moment as something unspoken passed between them and without a word Xena leaned closer to Gabrielle and both women's eyes closed as their lips softly met in a gentle, yet meaningful kiss. It was just a moment later when Xena pulled back just slightly and both her and Gabrielle's eyes opened as Xena heard the words that, as much as she may have hoped, never truly believed she would hear come from the young woman looked slightly up at her.

GABRIELLE
I love you.

Xena smiled, having not felt so happy in as long as she could remember, and brought her hand up to softly brush Gabrielle's cheek.

XENA
I love you too Gabrielle. So much more than I could ever say.

The two fell silent once again as Gabrielle laid her head back on Xena's chest and the Conqueror held her close. Both women letting themselves just simply enjoy the beautiful moment as they spent the rest of the day and well into the night quietly together. Each silently deciding on their own to hold nothing back any longer and let whatever was to now happen between them unfold in its own time.

Another day came at the keep as Xena stood with a small smile on her face and her shoulder casually leaning against the wall as she watched through the doorway to the dinning room where she had been standing for several minutes.

CYRENE
Now don't you look happy.

Xena looked over as Cyrene walked toward her after exiting the kitchen to dtand beside her daughter as she turned her eyes to where Xena's attention had previously been just a moment prior as she smiled.

CYRENE
And I have a feeling that I can probably guess why.

Xena smirked at her mother's comment as her eyes went back to the room.

XENA
(Disingenuous tone) Oh yeah. And just what might that be?

CYRENE
Perhaps it has something to do with a certain young woman whose clearly stolen your heart.

XENA
I'm that obvious, huh?

Cyrene chuckled slightly.

CYRENE
It's written all over your face. I don't think I've seen you this happy since you were a little girl.

Cyrene placed her hand on the Conqueror's shoulder as Xena smiled, and the two stood silently for a moment before the older woman spoke again.

CYRENE
But seriously, I'm happy for you Xena. Gabrielle's been good for you.

Xena gave Cyrene a questioning look.

XENA
What do you mean?

CYRENE
Come on Xena, you can't think that I haven't noticed how much you've changed since Gabrielle's come into your life.

XENA
Have I? Can't say I've really noticed or thought about it.

Cyrene smiled.

CYRENE
You might not have, but everyone else around here sure has.

Cyrene turned her attention forward.

CYRENE
Including her.

Xena looked in the direction as her mother and saw Gabrielle who was sitting with Elle looking her way and smiled when their eyes met before looking away quickly when Elle said something that Xena couldn't hear.

XENA
She said she loved me. Me, of all people. How that actually happened, I don't think I'll ever know.

CYRENE
Isn't that what you wanted?

XENA
Yeah but I never imagined it could actually become anything more than just wishful thinking on my part.

CYRENE
Well maybe she sees something in you, she likes.

Xena gave a quick, sarcastic snicker.

XENA
(Sarcasm) Right because I have such a charming personality and great track record when it comes to my interactions with other people.

CYRENE
True. But that doesn't mean that things can't be different going forward.

XENA
I don't know about that. People don't just change mother.

CYRENE
But can't they?

Cyrene smirked at the Conqueror who was about to say something in response but didn't get to before noticing that Gabrielle was coming their way as her small grin turned into a full smile upon seeing the young woman's approach.

GABRIELLE
Hey.

XENA
Hey.

Gabrielle turned her attention to Cyrene.

GABRIELLE
Hello Cyrene, how are you today?

CYRENE
Just wonderful. I'd ask you the same, but I think that smile on your face already says it all.

Gabrielle let out a small chuckle as she tried to pretend that she didn't know what the older woman was talking about.

GABRIELLE
I guess I'm just in a good mood today.

CYRENE
No doubt.

Çyrene glanced over at Xena who just rolled her eyes in response, giving the older woman a good chuckle.

CYRENE
Well I'll leave you two to your business while I head into the kitchen. I'm sure I'll see you later.

Cyrene began walking off as she called back over her shoulder.

CYRENE
(Joking tone) Don't go causing too much trouble... Xena.

Cyrene chuckled at Xena's unamused expression as she fully turned away and pushed through the door to the kitchen.

GABRIELLE
What did she mean by that?

XENA
(Lying) Nothing.

The Conqueror held her arm for Gabrielle to hold.

XENA
Come on. I thought we'd go for a little stroll together.

Gabrielle took Xena's arm and let the woman lead her from the dining room.

GABRIELLE
Where are we going?

XENA
You'll see.

The halls were quiet, where the two walked arm in arm for a while until coming to a small side door that lead outside.

XENA
Here, put this on, it's cold out there.

Gabrielle took the fur wrap that Xena picked up from the windowsill and held out to her before grabbing her own coat to put on. Then, once both women donned their warm over clothes, the Conqueror opened the door and held it as Gabrielle walked outside with Xena right after, shutting it behind them as they walked off arm in arm once again.

XENA
You warm enough?

GABRIELLE
Yeah I'm okay.

XENA
Well let me know if you get too cold, and we'll go back inside.

GABRIELLE
I will.

Gabrielle smiled as she leaned her head on Xena's arm while they walked.

GABRIELLE
So was there something out here that you wanted to show me?

The Conqueror shrugged.

XENA
Not particularly. I just remembered you saying that you liked how the ice that froze over the trees branches looked in the sunlight, and thought you might enjoy a little more of an up close view of it.

The younger women looked up at Xena.

GABRIELLE
You remembered a silly little comment like that and then took time out of your day just to do this for me?

Xena smiled at her.

XENA
Of course I remembered. And I could never be too busy to do anything that'll make you happy, no matter how big or small.

Xena chuckled slightly.

XENA
Besides it's not like I have a ton to do around here lately anyway.

Gabrielle leaned closer against Xena.

GABRIELLE
Well I still really appreciate it. Thank you.

Xena stopped their walk and moved to stand in front of Gabrielle.

XENA
Of course Gabrielle. I would do anything for you.

Gabrielle smiled.

GABRIELLE
I know you would.

Without another word Gabrielle stretched up to her tiptoes and pressed her lips against Xena's who leaned into the kiss as she put her arms around the younger women, and they stayed in a passionate embrace for a few moments until pulling away.

XENA
(Joking tone) Not that I'm complaining or anything, but any particular reason you just did that?

Gabrielle shrugged.

GABRIELLE
Just because I love you. That's not a problem, is it?

Xena smiled.

XENA
Not at all. I love you too.

The pair walked around idly, just enjoying one another's company for a while longer before the cold began to get to be too much, and they decided to go back inside.

XENA
After you.

Xena pulled open the door and held it for Gabrielle to go in first and was about to follow when she stopped suddenly and turned to look back out into the courtyard.

GABRIELLE
What is it?

Gabrielle moved to stand right behind the Conqueror, who had her senses now on high alert as she slowly stopped back outside.

XENA
Stay there.

Doing as she was asked, Gabrielle stayed in the doorway as Xena walked further outside before coming to a stop and looking around at the quiet scenery as she searched for whatever had caught her attention. And then without warning she drew her dagger from her waist and swiftly sent it into a bush several feet away causing a small rabbit to come scurrying out and sprinting away. Rolling her eyes at herself, Xena walked over and retrieved her dagger before returning to Gabrielle who gave her a questioning expression.

XENA
Hey you can never be too careful. Being in any position of power means that you have to stay on alert for those who would love nothing more than to take that power from you. You should know that. Given what happened with the Amazon's, and that Velasca who came after you when you got in her way of seizing the Amazon throne.

GABRIELLE
Oh, yeah.

Gabrielle lowered her eyes.

GABRIELLE
I guess I just don't like to think about that too much.

Xena cursed at herself for ruining an otherwise pleasant experience for the young woman but at the same time knew that she couldn't shield Gabrielle from some of the unpleasant truths of what their lives together could look like.

XENA
Well perhaps that can be a discussion for some other time.

Xena smirked.

XENA
(Joking) Besides, I don't know if you've ever noticed, but sometimes I can have a habit of being just a tiny bit intense.

Gabrielle smiled back.

GABRIELLE
(Joking) Who, you? No. I never would have guessed.

XENA
(Joking) I know, shocking, right?

Gabrielle chuckled as Xena put her arm around her, and they walked off to her quarters.

LEONIDAS
You wished to see me my lord.

The lieutenant entered the Conqueror's study as another morning rose on the keep to see Xena sitting behind her desk scribbling something down on a scroll before glancing up for a moment and telling him to come in before returning to her task.

LEONIDAS
I'm surprised that a certain someone isn't here with you.

Not looking up from her paper, Xena replied.

XENA
(Sarcasm) Yes, well I do have to get some work done around here at some point.

Leonidas smiled.

LEONIDAS
I suppose having the little one around all the time would be rather distracting, wouldn't it?

Xena raised her eyes from the paper in front of her and glared at her lieutenant.

XENA
I forget Leonidas, we're you always such a smart ass? Or is this some new personality trait that you've only recently discovered the past number of months?

LEONIDAS
(Joking tone) Nothing new here, my lord. I just thought you might've become more appreciative of my humor.

XENA
(Sarcastic tone) Is that what you call it?

Leonidas chuckled.

LEONIDAS
You sound like my Sara.

XENA
(Joking tone) Well if this is the kind of thing she has to deal with all the time, I'll have to send the poor woman my sympathies.

LEONIDAS
(Joking tone) I'm sure she'd be more than appreciative of that.

Xena chuckled slightly before returning to her paper and after giving it a quick look over, she rolled it up, poured a bit of hot wax on it and pressed a seal into it before setting the paper with a number of others that sat in a neat pile on her desk.

XENA
Well if you don't mind I didn't call you in here to discuss your terrible sense of humor.

Xena moved to a small stack of scrolls to the opposite side of her desk from where she sat as she continued.

XENA
I need you to give these to our massagers and have them go out immediately.

LEONIDAS
Is there some urgent matter that I'm not aware of?

XENA
You could say that.

Xena leaned back in her seat.

XENA
I'm looking for information on someone. A slave to be more precise.

LEONIDAS
A slave? But I thought you've always been opposed to slavery.

XENA
Relax I'm not looking to buy anyone. Well, at least not for my own personal gain anyway.

The Conqueror's lutenant gave the woman a baffled look, that told Xena she should probably explain herself.

XENA
It's for Gabrielle. You see while she was able to escape, her sister, mother and many others from her village were taken by Draco's men, and I'm sure have been sold off into slavery to who knows where by now.

Xena sighed as she leaned back in her chair.

XENA
I promised her that I'd do everything I could to find her family and reunite her with them once I did. Though thinking about it now, I'm not sure how I'm reasonably gonna be able to keep a promise like that. I mean even with all the resources I have at my disposal, finding one or two specific people without having the slightest clue where they could be is basically impossible.

LEONIDAS

 Perhaps. But if there's anyone I know of who has the best chance of succeeding in such a monumental task, it would be you, my lord. And I'm not just saying that.

XENA
Well for Gabrielle's sake, I hope you're right Leonidas. I really do. She's already been through enough and the last thing I want is to hurt her by getting her hopes up of seeing her family again only to leave her empty-handed and broken-hearted.

Elsewhere, the wind whipped as a large number of horses stood tied up outside an inn as a ruckus and unruly crowd had taken over inside.

SERVER
Here's your ale guys, I'll be right back with your food.

SLAVER 1
Oh forget the food, I see something else that I would much rather sink my teeth into instead.

The man laughed as he gave the server a firm pat on her rear end, and the woman jumped slightly as she stepped away from the man's reach with a scowl on her face.

SERVER
(Irritated tone) Well I'm afraid that's NOT on the menu.

SLAVER 1
Oh but what's a good meal without a little desert.

The man stood from his seat and leaned over the table as the rest of his comrades began to holler louder, and the woman stepped back and pulled a dagger from her waist.

SERVER
I'm warning you to either back off or leave right now. Or else.

The group of men laughed.

SLAVER 1
(Condescending tone) Oh no boys. The little lady has a weapon. What ever will I do?

The man stood up straight as he drew the sword from his side and pointed it toward the woman as he smiled an evil grin and the woman stood frozen in fear as the tip of the blade was brought up to her throat as the man chuckled.

SLAVER 1
Huh, it looks like mines bigger.

?
(Joking tone) Really? That's not what I heard, little man.

The man looked over toward the voice with a scowl as the rest of the slavers around him laughed.

SLAVER 1
(Sarcasm) Ha ha. That's real funny Draco.

The warlord smirked as he shoved an emotionally beaten down young woman inside and shut the door to the inn after just coming inside after being gone for a bit after the group arrived at the inn.

DRACO
Who said that was a joke?

He walked over to an empty chair at the head of the table and sat down. Having the young woman stand silently behind him with her head hung low.

DRACO
Now why don't you let the woman get back to work, and you can go occupy yourself with one of the girls we have upstairs.

SLAVER 1
Ugh, please. It's no fun if it's the same few over and over. Sometimes a man needs verity.

The man smirked.

SLAVER 1
Unless I can finally have a go with that girl you insist on keeping to yourself?

He locked over to Lila who didn't react in the slightest as her lightless eyes just looked down at the floor, and she waited for whatever she would be made to do next.

DRACO
Yeah not gonna happen.

SLAVER 1
Oh come on Draco, what makes her so special?

The warlord shrugged.

DRACO
Nothing. I just don't wanna share her.

He flashed an evil look in the direction of the subordinate he was talking to.

DRACO
(Threatening tone) You got a problem with that?

SLAVER 1
(Nervous tone) No of course not Draco. No problem at all.

DRACO
Good.

The warlord reclined in his chair as he picked up a cup and took a drink as another one of his men spoke up.

SLAVER 2
I just wish we weren't stuck around here. The damned winter in this area makes it near impossible to do anything.

DRACO
Maybe, but I say we take this as an opportunity to rest up as much as we can before we go after Xena in full force.

SLAVER 2
You say that, but you haven't done anything to capitalize on your opening against the Conqueror at all.

Draco laughed.

DRACO
Oh you have no idea just how wrong you are.

SLAVER 2
I mean aside from the Amazons.

DRACO
I know what you mean. And my answers the same. You forget just who we're dealing with here. Even with my amplified power, Xena's smart. Going right after her or her territory directly would only give her the opportunity she's been waiting for to pull some kind of trick and figure out some way to defeat me even with this power given to me by Ares. No, I need something else. Some other type of advantage over her that isn't just brute strength.

Just then the door to the inn opened and one of Draco's men entered and shut the door before walking over and handing him a small rolled up piece of paper.

SLAVER 3
This just arrived a carrier bird.

The warlord took the paper, opened and read what was written before an evil smile came across the man's face.

DRACO
And it looks like thanks to our little song bird, I believe I may have just found the perfect thing to use against her.

Draco let out an evil laugh as a plan to finally get to Xena quickly formed, and he had a reply message written down and attached to the birds left before sending it back to where it came. And to it's recipient, who would begin to carry out Draco's new plan of attack. A plan that would soon cause the new world that Xena had begun to build to come crashing down. And weither she would be able to somehow hold it all together, or if the pieces would simply slip through her fingers, remained to be seen. As the events that were soon to come would put not only test Xena's resolve in holding on to everything she held closed to her. But would prove to be first great trial in weither the person she had begun to become would be strong enough to face such adversity. Or would a potential tragedy be too much for the woman to handle without going back to the dark place within herself that she had only begun to leave behind?

TO BE CONTINUED...

Pt.5

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