Mothers
by B L Miller
part 2 (conclusion)
Xena immediately picked up the sets of tracks that led to the hidden opening. She saw several different passageways ahead of her. Uncertain, she listened. Running water. She took off after the sound, only dimly aware of the encroaching darkness. Soon she was in complete blackness, feeling her way along the walls as she moved forward. Her ears picked up on gentle crying. "Lila? Lila, are you in here?"
"Over here." The soft voice answered. Xena followed the voice until she reached the edge of the river. "I can't find it. I've looked and looked." The young woman was crying softly. Xena grabbed her arm to get her attention.
"Lila, get some torches and light the way. After that, get a fire started in here." Xena said as she removed her armor and weapons, save her breast dagger. Lila stared at the river, trying to see through the depths for the elusive tunnel. The warrior shook her arm, hard. "Lila! Go!"
"Torches…fire." The farm girl was snapped out of her slight trance. Xena dove into the river. Lila headed back toward the cave entrance.
Toris thought his heart would break when he saw the tears well up in the young boy’s eyes. Kaleipus moved quickly to take Solon into his arms. The boy lost his resolve and cried the heavy, sobbing cries of a child overwhelmed with emotions. The Centaur held the boy in his arms, rocking him gently as he waited for the precocious boy to regain his composure. Toris watched the scene silently, fully aware of the burning eyes of the Centaur upon him.
Since Maka had brought Gabrielle’s mother in during the low tide, Xena knew the entrance had to be deep along the rocky side. It wasn’t long before the warrior’s hand reached out and was treated to the feeling of more water instead of solid rock. She quickly rose to the surface to relieve her burning lungs and mark her position. Rising out of the water, she took several gulps of air as she removed her dagger and tossed it onto the ground, far enough away from the rising water that it wouldn’t get submerged as the water rose.
The tunnel was not the easiest to navigate through. Xena couldn’t even be sure if this was the right tunnel. She mentally checked her calculations as to how long she could stay down before she would have to turn back for air. When she reached the point of no return, she made the split second decision whether to continue or not. Pushing forward, she pressed even harder, trying to cover as much area as possible before her air ran out.
Lila grabbed as many torches as she could find and lit the path from the cave entrance to the river edge, where she had a small fire going. Standing at the edge, she looked up and down as far as she could see in the dim firelight. No sign of her mother or the warrior. Her thoughts raced between her mother and her sister. Xena made no mention of her sister. Lila wanted to go check on her sister, but didn’t dare move from her vigil.
Xena’s head came up, her lungs burning painfully. The floor of the small cave was already underwater. A quick check around in the darkness told her that no one was in this particular cave. The water was up to her knees. Xena hoped that Hecuba’s cave was higher than this one. She took a moment to restore her breathing to a manageable level, then filled her lungs and dove back in, heading further down the tunnel. She mentally cursed herself for having no knowledge of her enemy’s mind. There was no way of knowing how many of these small pockets existed within the mountain. There wasn’t enough time to explore them all, either.
Xena moved up into yet another empty, dark, pocket. To her lungs dismay and actual panic, the water had completely filled the cave. She forced her way out and made her way back to the previous cavern nearby to replenish her air. She was running out of time.
Hecuba watched in terror as the water continued to rise. With her hands still bound, there was no way she could try to navigate her way out. She was now standing up straight, the water to her chin. Her lip was quivering in personal fear as her teeth chattered from the onset of hypothermia. She had seen nothing but darkness for candlemarks now, almost mad with the absence of light. She heard the sound of splashing, followed by someone fighting for breath. "H-Help!" Her chattering teeth did little to help carry her voice, but it was enough for Xena to hear.
"Keep talking. I’ll come to you." She moved toward the sounds.
"Xena? Oh praise the Gods. Xena." Hecuba said her name almost reverently. She felt the warrior’s strong hand reach out and make contact with her shoulder.
"We don’t have much time, the caves are filling with water quickly. We have to leave, now! Grab hold of my skirt and don’t let go. I’ll pull you along. Hold your breath as long as you can." Xena couldn’t afford to take a rest now to catch her breath. Taking gulps of air, both women moved back under the water.
Lila was in complete tears by the time Cyrene found her. "Who are you?" The innkeeper asked as she reached her.
"Lila."
"Where are they, child?" Xena’s mother decided not to ask how the child got here, for all she knew the sister had come with her daughter and Gabrielle.
"I don’t know. Xena told me to light torches and make the fire. That was at least three candlemarks ago." Lila tore her eyes away from the rising river to look for the first time at Xena’s mother. "Where’s Gabrielle?"
The older woman lowered her gaze as she chose her words carefully. "She’s been hurt." Lila now noticed the blood on Cyrene’s top. "She’s safe right now. I came to see if Xena needed my help."
The time passed with Cyrene alternating between checking Gabrielle and her sister. All three women waited quietly, none choosing to express their fears or concerns. Cyrene had informed Gabrielle of Lila’s presence, and reluctantly, the continued missing status of the loved ones. The bard’s sobs of pain and fear caused her wound to continue to weep blood. Cyrene did the best she could to calm the two sisters down while struggling to keep her own tears in check. Several times she failed, moving somewhere away from both sisters and crying softly in private. These girls needed her to be strong in front of them. Her time for grieving, if necessary, would have to come later.
Kaleipus stoked the fire as Solon sat with Toris on the bed. The man was answering as many of the boy’s questions as possible. After the initial tears, the Centaur had discovered that Solon had suspected the truth ever since he had met Xena the previous year. At the moment, he seemed more interested in finding out all he could from his new-found uncle than he was in discussing the hows and whys of how he came to live the Centaurs.
Gabrielle heard dove calls in the distance. Her weakened calls for help were only heard by the weeping Cyrene, who was leaning against a nearby building, out of the queen’s sight. As fast as her tired legs could take her, Cyrene was at the bard’s side. "Gabrielle, what is it?"
"Run that way." She pointed toward the forest. "Yell for help, there’s Amazons out there. Go!" Gabrielle watched as the old woman moved toward the trees, waving her arms in the dark and yelling as best she could for help. Soon several Amazons appeared from the trees, weapons drawn, looking for a trap. Eponin moved forward and realized that this small woman had to be one of the mothers. Motioning for the warriors to lower their weapons, she approached the woman.
"Where are they?"
"Gabrielle’s hurt." Cyrene pointed over to the fallen queen, noting that several Amazons were already heading that way. "Xena’s…" She stopped speaking and took unexpected comfort in the arms of the strong Amazon. "A cave behind the main building. There’s torches." The tears of a mother in pain soaked into Eponin’s tunic. The Amazon motioned for some warriors to go to the cave. She sent another pair back to get Saras the Healer and some litters. Unbidden tears came to Eponin’s eyes as she held the grieving mother. She made a mental note to go see her mother as soon as they returned to the village and tell her how much she loved her. Taking small steps, she escorted Cyrene back to the small fire near Gabrielle. Two warriors had gone off in search of wood to increase the size of the fire. It was obvious that they weren’t going anywhere until sunrise.
The last cave was filled, giving no chance for the women to alleviate the agonizing pain in their lungs. Xena grimly noted just how far away the river was. She knew she didn’t have enough air to make it, much less the poor woman holding on to her. Twice Hecuba had run out of air and choked on water, forcing Xena to retreat to the nearest cave to let her regain her breath. It may have proven to be a fatal mistake. The warrior’s mind focused on her blue-green eyed lover. Xena pushed on with all of her energy, dragging her lover’s mother with her.
Hecuba started to choke a few strokes from the river edge. Xena forced herself to ignore the woman’s terrified thrashing and moved her hand up the smooth side of the riverbed, feeling for an handhold to propel them up with. She was blessed to find such a grip spot. Wrenching her arm painfully, she jerked their bodies upward.
Never had a breath of air felt so good to Xena. She held Hecuba’s head above water as two Amazons swam over to them. Hecuba coughed up water as she forced air back in her lungs. In the distance, Xena could hear Lila screaming, but her mind wasn’t on this particular woman from Potodeia. Allowing a warrior to help her, Xena made her way to shore. As desperately as she wanted to check on Gabrielle, the energy left her body the moment she reached dry ground. Xena was too weak to protest when an incredibly strong Amazon picked her up and, cradling her, carried her out of the cavern. Realizing that she was being taken to Gabrielle, Xena relaxed and succumbed to exhaustion.
Lila cradled her mother in her arms, rocking her gently. "It’s okay, you’re safe now, Mother. It’s all over…shhh." She stroked her mother’s greying hair gently. They were covered with blankets to dry off and warm up the mother. More logs were added to the fire to generate heat.
In all the excitement, Cyrene had completely forgotten about the blow to her head, which was now throbbing painfully. Reaching up, she felt the heat of infection. Eponin noticed and brought her over to get some immediate attention.
The makeshift camp was broken up into two three sections. One was inside the cavern, keeping watch over Lila and Hecuba. The daughter refused to move her mother, who was now sleeping deeply in her arms. The warriors who also had healing skills were tending to the numerous wounds on the women, including stitching Gabrielle’s gash. As the warrior did the stitching, she silently prayed that they would be small, neat, and even. She didn’t want to leave any unnecessary scars on her beloved queen. The third section was made up of the rest of the warriors, waiting to escort the group back to the village at first light.
Saras and the litters arrived just before daybreak. Lila was the only one able to ride. She took Argo’s reins and gratefully accepted an Amazon’s hand in getting up into the saddle. Looking downward, she understood why Gabrielle walked all the time. The others were all carried, even the mighty warrior princess, who only acquiesced after she tried to walk and found the effort too straining. Every muscle ached from swimming for so long or from holding her breath. She still couldn’t take a deep breath without protest from her chest muscles. Gabrielle was alert and responsive, chatting away with the women that carried her litter, telling them what happened and checking on the condition of all of her loved ones. Both mothers said little, they needed rest after their ordeal. Unlike their traveling daughters, neither woman was used to such physical exertion. It would be a quarter moon or more before they would have the strength to travel back to their homes.
Every woman in the village awaited their arrival. They were met with cheers for their heroism. As exhausted as she was, Xena still found herself deeply embarrassed to have been carried into the village instead of by the power of her own feet. Gabrielle smiled and waved, telling them that she wasn’t as injured as she looked. She didn’t have to look down to know that the right side of her shirt was completely covered with blood. Clean bandages had been put over the wound, but there was nothing else she could cover herself with, so she put her crimson stained shirt back on.
Gabrielle, Hecuba, and Cyrene were taken to Saras’ hut. Xena and Lila went to the palace and went to their rooms, falling asleep the moment they each hit their beds. A messenger was sent to advise Toris of the good news. Two others were each sent to Amphipolis and Potodeia to tell the families.
Gabrielle entered her room quietly, trying hard not to disturb Xena. Quickly undressing, she slipped under the covers. "Hey, you okay?" Xena asked quietly as she rolled over to face her love.
"Yeah, fine. I just needed a few stitches. Oh, good news. My shirt’s ruined." Xena smiled at that news. Oh, how she hated that ugly green thing. Although it did reveal the bard’s tight midriff.
"Maybe I can help you make the next one." Her eyebrow rising slightly.
"I guess you’re feeling better." Gabrielle responded as she playfully swatted the warrior’s arm. She was rewarded with a kiss.
"Mmm, definitely." Xena growled. "But we do need to get some rest." She reached down and stopped the bard’s roving hand. Gabrielle pouted slightly, but withdrew her hand. "How’s my mother? How’s your mother?"
"Cyrene’s fine. She needed a couple of stitches for her head, but other than a few bumps and bruises, she came out of it okay. Mother’s tired, but she’ll be okay." Gabrielle looked deep into the blue eyes. "Thank you." She murmured as she brought her mouth to Xena’s.
"Shh." She returned the kiss. "You would have done the same thing for Cyrene." Gabrielle nodded in agreement. She loved Xena’s mother almost as much as her own. Feeling the tiredness settle in, Gabrielle snuggled up against Xena’s breast and sighed contentedly. More than willing to go back to sleep with the bard against her, Xena wrapped her arms around her and closed her eyes, a serene smile playing about her lips.
"How are you feeling, Mother?" Xena asked as she entered Saras’ hut and moved over to stand beside her bed.
"I’m fine, dear. Just a little worn out from all the excitement." Cyrene tried to sit up, but her daughter’s gentle hands pushed her back down.
"Rest." Xena said as she took her mother’s hand in hers and sat down on the bed next to her. Since Gabrielle opened her heart, the normally reluctantly affectionate warrior found it a little easier to give her mother a tender gesture. Part of her also still felt guilty for her mother being in this predicament in the first place. Only Gabrielle knew how much it tore at the warrior’s heart to see the ones she loved getting hurt because of her.
Cyrene was both surprised and pleased with her daughter’s action. She brought her other hand over and clasped it with Xena’s. "How are you? I was worried to death waiting for you."
"Sore." She stretched her aching back.
"How’s Toris? Gabrielle said he was injured." Xena’s face went stoic at the mention of her brother. She was trying hard not to think about him being with the Centaurs and what he might have learned.
"He’s fine. He should have known not to cross over into Amazon land. He’s lucky to be alive."
"He was trying to save my life. And warn you, I might add." Cyrene chastised her daughter. "I know you two don’t get along as well as I would like you to, but he is still your brother and he put his life in danger to help us." Cyrene settled back on her pillow, satisfied that her point was made. Xena took a deep breath and counted to five before speaking.
"I know that, Mother. He just should have been more careful."
"He’s a farmer, not a warrior, Xena. He wasn’t worried about his safety, all he was concerned about was finding you."
"It’s about time Toris did something to help his family." She mumbled, forgetting that her mother’s hearing was almost as good as hers.
"Xena! That’s not fair. How can you sit there and judge his decisions? After Cortese, he returned home and took up farming. His land feeds half the village. You have no room to judge him. He was all I had left after you left."
"Mother, I…"
"Xena! Stop upsetting her!" Hecuba’s voice piped over from behind a privacy screen. The warrior’s head turned in the direction of the sound and her eyebrow arched above the hairline.
"Thank you, Hecuba." Cyrene said. "Xena, I know how you two feel about each other, but he is family. As soon as you’re able, I expect you to go see him, do you understand?" Xena nodded slightly, just enough to be noticeable.
"Gabrielle and I will go see him tomorrow, if she’s up to it." Xena felt the urge to visit the training grounds and take her frustration out on some sparring partners. "I have to go check on her. I’ll come see you later."
"Bring Gabrielle with you, I’d love to see her."
"Okay." She rose to leave.
"Xena." Hecuba called out. "Lila was in here first thing this morning to see me. You tell Gabrielle that I don’t care if she is the Queen, she had better get over here to see me soon if she knows what’s good for her."
"I’ll give her the message." Xena’s hand was on the door.
"And I expect YOU to come back later and see your mother for more than just a few minutes, young lady." Xena counted to ten, then left to find Gabrielle.
Gabrielle was in the throne room, talking over some recent issues with Ephiny, when Xena stormed in. "We need to talk." She said as she grabbed the queen’s arm and pulled her out of the room.
"Calm down, you look like you’re going to explode." Gabrielle watched as Xena paced back in forth, muttering to herself as she tried to regain control.
"Do you know what she said to me? To ME?"
"Who?"
"Your mother, that’s who! She yelled at me like I was a child!" Xena’s arms waved about in the air in disbelief that someone would dare to speak to her like that.
"Were you acting like a child, Xena?" Gabrielle teased.
"Don’t think you’re not in trouble too, my little queen. Your mother sent me a message for you, too." Xena grinned as she saw Gabrielle’s eyes roll.
"Uh oh. I’m not gonna like it, am I?" The bard put her hands over her face and shook her head. Xena’s grin became wider and she stopped pacing.
"Oh, I don’t think you will. She said that queen or no queen, she expected you to go see her immediately." She chuckled at the groan let out by Gabrielle.
"I bet Lila’s already been to see her."
"First thing this morning." Xena chirped. Gabrielle groaned again before looking at her lover. A horrid thought crossed the bard’s mind. "Xena…"
Xena’s look went from almost playful to concerned when she saw Gabrielle’s expression of dread. "What?"
"You don’t suppose they talked…" Gabrielle was already standing and heading for the door. Xena’s eyes went wide as she thought of the implications of both women talking to each other.
"They were alone in a cell together for a long time." Xena said as she followed Gabrielle out the door.
"If she tells Cyrene about the time I…" Gabrielle stopped and looked at Xena, who was also thinking of embarrassing parts of her childhood.
"Oh gods." They said in unison.
Fortunately, Cyrene was resting when they arrived. Xena checked on her quickly, then took advantage of the escape offered and went back to the palace. Gabrielle shot her a look as she left, but Xena only shrugged her shoulders. The bard’s eyes narrowed as she thought of the different ways she was going to get back at that traitorous warrior for leaving her alone with her fuming mother. "Gabrielle! Get over here!"
"Yes, mother?" She said as sweetly as possible as she turned to face her mother. They had exchanged fierce hugs the night before, but had not really spoken. This time they hugged gently. "How are you feeling?"
"I’m much better, Gabrielle. It’s you I’m worried about. You shouldn’t be up and about just yet." Hecuba was not happy with the increases of scars on her daughter.
"I’m fine mother, I really am." She giggled. "Besides, I got hit where I had the most padding." She smiled sweetly, trying to draw out her mother’s playful side. Hecuba smiled back and patted a spot on the bed for Gabrielle to join her. They had a brief talk before Lila returned to visit her mother. Gabrielle excused herself, citing Queenly duties. Surely there was something the Queen of the Amazons was needed for, even if it was to inspect the kitchen and sample the dinner menu.
Xena and Gabrielle left early the next morning to check on Toris. Xena was not interested in talking or sharing her feelings, despite Gabrielle’s efforts to coax them out of her. Her worst fears were realized when she saw Kaleipus and Toris standing outside the Centaur’s hut, talking to each other. Xena stopped dead in her tracks. Gabrielle saw the men as well and positioned herself between them and her lover. "Xena…" She waited until she had the warrior’s gaze. "I love you, no matter what."
"I know." Xena met her gaze, drawing strength and courage from what she saw. A few breaths, then a slight nod to indicate that she was ready. Gabrielle stepped back and let Xena lead the way.
Toris saw Xena striding toward him, her face devoid of any emotion. He looked at Kaleipus, then turned and headed toward his sister.
"You were told that Mother is well?" She said as they reached each other, embracing briefly. No matter what, they were still family, and she was glad that he wasn’t seriously injured by the Amazons.
"Yes, I got the message a few candlemarks ago. I’m glad to see that you’re all right as well.." Toris replied. They looked at each other for a moment, reading eyes they had known since childhood. He broke the gaze and stared off into the nearby trees, seemingly oblivious to Gabrielle’s presence. "We need to talk, Xena."
"You know." She said quietly, her gaze never leaving a different tree. Gabrielle moved over and put her hand on the warrior’s forearm and squeezed gently. Xena smiled gently at the contact.
"Yes." His voice revealed his barely controlled anger. Gabrielle quickly decided that the middle of town was not a good place for these two to start this discussion.
"Why don’t we go somewhere…private for this discussion?" She suggested as she stepped in-between the siblings.
Toris paced in the large sitting room. Xena leaned against the wall in a decidedly relaxed position. Gabrielle stood between them, her mind rapidly trying to figure out what to say to keep the situation calm. Kaleipus had taken Solon over to a friend’s house, going out the back door to avoid running into the women. "Why?" Both women were startled out of their thoughts by the man’s gentle question.
"I did what I had to do." Her tone betrayed none of the guilt she felt every day for that decision. Toris’ hand smashed against the pedestal he was standing near.
"How can you be so cold about it, Xena? He’s your son!"
"I know who he is." She said through clenched teeth.
"Then how could you leave him behind?" Toris temporarily forgot the physical threat his sister posed as he advanced on her. "He’s family, Xena. He belongs with us!"
"He was safer here, Toris!"
"Safer?" He yelled, his tone incredulous. "Are you sure it wasn’t just easier to drop your bastard son…" He didn’t get to finish his sentence as Xena lunged forward, brushing past Gabrielle to seize her older brother by the throat and knock his legs out from under him, pinning him to the ground.
"Don’t you ever…ever…talk about him that way!" Xena was using all her energy not to crush her brother’s windpipe. She ignored the impatient tugging on her shoulder by Gabrielle. Xena only faintly heard the bard’s impassioned pleas. Her focus was on her brother’s face, now turning bright red. Forcing herself to relax her grip, she spoke evenly and firmly as her gaze bore into her brother’s eyes. "I had no choice, Toris. It was too dangerous for him to stay with me." The pain of her own statement cut through her. Releasing the grip on Toris, Xena rose and walked over to a far corner, Gabrielle right behind her.
Toris slowly sat up and looked over at his sister. To his surprise, Gabrielle’s arms were around Xena, gently stroking her back while the bard spoke softly. He rose to his feet, rubbing his neck, and moved closer to them. "Xena…" The fight was gone from him now, his preconceived notions about Xena’s intentions shattered. The women continued to ignore him, both wrapped up in Xena’s pain. He moved within reach and spoke again. "I didn’t know. I assumed…"
Gabrielle spun around and glared at him, her blue-green eyes flashing with fury. "That’s right, you assumed!" She spat. "You weren’t there, Toris. You don’t know how hard a decision it was for Xena to make." Gabrielle’s hand never stopped rubbing Xena’s back as she continued to give Toris a verbal lashing. "You said he belonged with his family. Who would have protected him when the warlords went looking for the son of Xena? You?" She snorted, reminding him of the way he had run away when Cortese’s troops attacked Amphipolis. "Here, he was protected by a nation of Centaurs. Could you have provided him with a safer home?" Gabrielle watched as the muscles in Toris’ face slackened in defeat. Another victim to her way with words. Xena stiffened, having regained her composure. Gabrielle pulled her hand away, pausing to give a gentle squeeze to Xena’s forearm.
"Xena, I…" He was silenced by her upraised hand.
"Forget it, Toris. The main thing is to keep this a secret from Solon." Toris’ gaze immediately settled on one of the floorboards. Gabrielle’s eyes widened, then closed in understanding. Xena closed her eyes quickly at the thought. There was an eerie silence to the room for a moment before she spoke. "He knows." It was a statement, not a question.
"He overheard Kaleipus and I talking." He said in an apologetic tone.
"Mother mustn’t know." She said quietly, her gaze focused on a painting on the wall. Xena didn’t dare look into the bard’s all-knowing eyes. Toris stared at her in surprise.
"How can you continue to keep this from her? It’s her grandson, Xena. Her only grandchild. You can’t keep something like that from her."
"I’ve done it for almost eleven summers." She said matter-of-factly.
"But I know now. Xena, you’re not what you used to be. Let him come home with me. He deserves to know his family."
"His family is here, with the Centaurs. This is the only life he’s ever known. It’s better this way, Toris. Leave it at that." She turned to leave, Gabrielle right behind her.
"Xena," Toris called as she reached the doorway. She paused, hand on the latch. "Before I leave here, I’m going to ask Solon to come with me. I’ll leave the decision up to him. Kaleipus and I have already talked about it."
Xena’s grip on the latch was so strong that Gabrielle thought the wood would splinter under the pressure. She instinctively stepped back a bit. "You had no right to interfere with this, Toris." Xena’s voice conveyed her barely-controlled anger. "You have no idea how much danger you expose him to if you take him from the safety of the Centaurs. You can’t leave a decision like that up to a boy to make." Unable to resist the jibe, she added "Be a man for once, Toris." Xena jerked the door open and stormed off.
"Do you have any idea how much pain you’ve caused her?" Gabrielle said quietly as she watched her love walk off toward the trees. She knew that Xena would stop somewhere out of sight and wait for her. "She loves him, you know."
"I do now." Toris said quietly. "Solon still deserves to be with his family."
"Family?" Gabrielle turned to face him. "Let me tell you some things I’ve learned about family. A family is not just people related by marriage or blood, it’s people related by love. When I first left Potodeia, I thought that would always be my only family. Then I learned to be a family with Xena, then with the Amazons. Solon has a family, Toris. That family is this village of Centaurs that have loved him and cared for him since he was born. Your only claim to him is the blood that runs through your veins. How does that compare to the claim that Kaleipus has on him?" Toris stayed quiet. "Should we brace Cyrene for the news?"
Toris quietly battled with the question for several heartbeats before answering. "Say nothing for now. If necessary, I’ll explain it to her later."
Gabrielle caught up with Xena and explained what happened. They took their time on the way back to Amazonia, giving Xena time to digest the new turn of events. By the time they returned to the village, it was nightfall. A quick stop at Saras’ hut revealed that both mothers had felt well enough to be released and were at the palace with Lila.
Entering their room, both women were surprised to see an extra bed had been brought in. Lila and Hecuba were sitting there, chatting away. Gabrielle went to give them each a hug. Xena stood in the doorway, trying to think of a way to gracefully disappear. She wasn’t in the mood to make small talk with Gabrielle’s family. The bard looked at Lila. "Why is there a second bed in my room?"
"Well, we had to find someplace to sleep. Cyrene and Xena can sleep in the next room. Mother and I will keep you company." The lovers looked at each other, their thoughts plain on their faces.
"I can check with the guard and see if we can get another room somewhere for you two." Xena offered.
"Oh, don’t bother yourself like that, Xena. We’ll be fine. Gabrielle and Lila used to sleep together when they were children. It’ll be fine. Why don’t you go see your mother? I’m sure she misses you." Hecuba responded.
"Mother, I don’t think…" Gabrielle started but was interrupted by her mother.
"Gabrielle, all the arrangements have been taken care of. Now, I’m sure you didn’t have dinner. Why don’t we all go over to the food hut and get something to eat?" The lovers looked at each other and agreed that food was definitely a good idea. Anything to take their minds off of the current sleeping arrangements. Xena went next door to collect Cyrene.
Trasis, the head cook, was busy making out the list for the morning meal when a nervous serving girl came up to her. "Trasis, I have good news and bad news."
"What’s the good news?" She asked.
"The good news is that Queen Gabrielle and her sister are on their way here to eat dinner." Trasis’ eyes went wide as she mentally took inventory on the foodstuffs.
"That’s the good news? What’s the bad news?"
"Their mother is with them." The serving girl answered, taking a healthy step back from the Amazon, who was quickly turning red.
"There’s THREE of them?" Frantic activity began in the kitchen as Trasis silently apologized to Artemis for whatever wrongs she had done to deserve this fate.
Xena sat in a chair, listening to her mother sleep. Voices through the wall told her that the three women from Potodeia were still awake and chatting away. She tried to make herself comfortable in the chair, giving up only after trying every possible position. Sighing, she stood up and looked out the window. Spotting Eponin heading into her own hut, Xena got an idea. Dressing quickly, she stepped out of the room and knocked on the Queen’s door.
Gabrielle had listened politely to the third telling of the spring planting, wishing she was anywhere but here. She practically sprung from the bed when she heard the knock at the door. "Come in."
Xena opened the door and stuck her head in. "My Queen, there’s a matter of great importance that requires your attention."
A grateful bard grabbed her robe and boots as she headed for the door. Without looking back, she called out over her shoulder. "This must be very important. Don’t bother to wait up for me. This will probably take all night." She shut the door behind her before either woman could speak. Grabbing Xena’s hand, she strode quickly down the hallway, making certain that they were out of earshot before speaking. "Thank the Gods you rescued me. Lila was about to go into the list of possible suitors that were available."
Xena pressed the young queen up against the wall and took several hungry kisses before releasing pulling back and looking into Gabrielle’s eyes. Both women were having the same thought. "I think I know where we can go." She said as she took the queen’s willing hand and led her out the palace.
Eponin had just crawled onto her pallet when she heard the forceful knocking at her door. Cursing whoever had the nerve to bother her at such a late candlemark, she stomped over to the door and opened it. "What the hades do you, oh, hi Xena, Gabrielle. Is there something that I can do for you?" The Amazon looked at the two women, still dressed in their sleeping shifts.
"Is Ephiny’s old room still available?" Xena asked as they entered.
"Well, yes, but…"
"Great." Gabrielle said. "We’re borrowing it for the night." Noting the confused look on her friend’s face, the young queen simply replied. "Mothers."
"Oh." Eponin understood immediately. "Second room is hers. I think the pallet’s already made up."
"Thanks Ep." Xena said as the two lovers quickly headed to the room.
Once alone, it was all Xena could do not to rip the shift off of Gabrielle’s body. She pressed the bard up against the wall, showering her with passionate kisses. Gabrielle’s hands were far from idle, pushing Xena’s shift up to claim the soft breasts hidden beneath. "Gods, I want you." The warrior murmured as their clothes fell away. Scooping the bard up in her arms, Xena walked over and laid her on the bed, covering Gabrielle’s body with her own. Both women groaned at the pleasant contact. Xena’s mouth sought out the bard’s left nipple, taking into her mouth while gently sucking and licking. Gabrielle groaned loudly as she arched her back, her fingers insinuating themselves into Xena’s hair.
"Yesss." Gabrielle growled as Xena’s hand worked its way downward, cupping her sex. Both women dimly heard a door shutting, but any thoughts about it were doused when Xena’s finger slipped between the folds to find it’s goal.
Ephiny woke up from her sound sleep at the sound of someone entering her room. Reaching for her sword, she asked. "Who’s there?" A grumpy looking Eponin moved into the moonlight.
"Move over, I’m tired." She didn’t wait for an answer as she crawled in next to Ephiny.
"What’s wrong with our hut?"
"The Queen is using it." Came the tired reply.
"Oh."
Xena was constantly amazed by Gabrielle’s response to her touches. She kissed her way downward, stopping to lavish attention on both breasts, careful of the stitches that were testament to the recent events. Her tongue rolled over the tender flesh, drawing the nipple into her mouth. Gabrielle moaned and writhed beneath her. Xena pressed her thigh against the bard’s sex, groaning herself when she felt the warm wetness against her skin. She moved up to claim the bard’s mouth again, dizzying her with passionate kisses as their tongues danced together. Finally breaking the kiss, Xena positioned her mouth near her lover’s ear. "I can’t wait." She murmured as she sucked and nipped on Gabrielle’s sensitive earlobe.
"Neither can I, my love." Gabrielle’s hand traveled downward, her fingers locating and wrapping around Xena’s left nipple. The warrior let out an animalistic groan and pressed her thigh harder against Gabrielle’s sex. "Yes…please…more…" The bard moaned as she brought her own thigh up to press against Xena’s dark curls. All restraint vanished as the soft skin of the bard pressed against the warrior’s womanhood.
Xena moved upward, bringing her breast to meet the hungry lips. Gabrielle used both hands to guide the soft mound to her mouth, her tongue quickly flicking over the sensitive nipple. She sucked and licked and nibbled it to full hardness, relishing the grunts and moans her actions created. Gabrielle gave the same attention to the other breast as Xena’s thigh continued to press against her. The bard’s small hand worked its way between them to rest against the soft curls. Curling her finger between the folds, Gabrielle was treated to an instant bath of womanly juices. Xena gasped and pressed herself against the probing hand, encouraging more. Gabrielle realized that her warrior wouldn’t be able to take much more. "Over me." She whispered, causing another groan from her love.
Xena turned her body around and positioned her sex over Gabrielle’s face, her own face gazing at soft blond curls. There was no time for tender, languid explorations. Both women were too worked up for that. Using her fingers to part the soft folds, Xena lowered her head and dipped her tongue in to taste the sweet honey that Gabrielle offered. Small hands wrapped themselves around her hips, pulling her sex down to meet the bard’s waiting tongue. Both women groaned loudly at the delicious contact.
Their tongues worked in unison, both women struggling to bring the other to climax first while fighting to prolong their own pleasure. Xena’s tongue worked a frenzied pace against the swollen nub, causing Gabrielle’s legs to tremble with passion. Slipping forward, her tongue slipped in to taste the fresh liquid pouring from the bard. Her hands cupped the firm buttocks below her, pulling the bard’s sex against her mouth.
Xena’s eyes closed when she felt the soft tongue enter her. Her hips moved of their own accord, trying not to suffocate her lover while grinding her mound against the bard’s mouth. Gabrielle’s fingers raked across Xena’s back and buttocks, her hips lifting off the bed under the touch of the warrior’s skilled mouth.
"Oh…G-Gabrielle…" Xena’s strained whimpers drove the bard, encouraging her to claim her prize. Locking her lips around Xena’s nub, she brought her teeth down to press against it while her tongue gave strong, forceful licks across it. Xena’s body shook, her grip on the bard tightened, colors danced before her closed eyelids. Muffling her scream against the bard’s muscled thigh, she let the passion overtake her. Like a greedy kitten, Gabrielle tried to lap up all the juice that spilled out. Only when she felt the body on top of hers still did she cease her ministrations and gently roll Xena onto the bed.
Xena’s arms wrapped themselves around the bard’s thigh as she took the time to get her breathing under control. The legs moved away from her hand were soon replaced by loving arms that wrapped around her. Xena quickly took refuge against Gabrielle’s body, pressing her head against the hollow where the neck and shoulder meet. They laid together for long moments before either made any effort to move. Slowly, Xena’s hand made its way downward, making lazy circles along the firm abdomen until she reached the soft, downy curls. She could have spent all night twirling her fingers through the wet patch of fur, but the increased breathing and sighs told her that Gabrielle couldn’t stand much more torture. Xena kissed her deeply as the long fingers found their mark. Gabrielle’s hips jerked off the bed as she pressed herself against the probing fingers. Her cries were silenced by the warrior’s insisting tongue invading her mouth. Xena slid two fingers deep inside while using her thumb to continually stimulate the sensitive nub. Releasing Gabrielle’s mouth and moving to a kneeling position to get a better angle, Xena kept her eyes focused on her lover’s face as she watched passion overtake the young woman. Fingers on the inside matched the frenzied motions of the thumb on the outside, taking her over the edge. Arching up hard and screaming her lover’s name, Gabrielle exploded with ecstasy. A flood of honey poured over Xena’s fingers as she maintained her contact with the orgasming bard. Only when Gabrielle’s body went limp against the bed did Xena withdraw her fingers from their warm resting place. Moving up to take the still-quivering woman in her arms, Xena silently thanked several goddesses for giving her the chance to love such a beautiful woman. In the warrior’s eyes, Gabrielle was indeed a gift from the gods. Snuggling up closer, Xena kissed the storyteller softly, a gentle smile still playing on her face.
"Many…skills." Gabrielle murmured as she curled up deeper into the strong woman’s embrace. Both fell asleep within heartbeats.
"Maybe they’ve already finished their breakfast and gone back to the palace." Gabrielle suggested hopefully. Xena stopped and looked at her, arching her eyebrow for effect. The bard’s face reddened slightly as she realized her mistake. "Oops, I forgot we were talking about MY family, heh heh." She turned to face the foot hut, taking a deep breath and straightening herself. "Well, what’s the worst they can do? After all, I am Queen." She lost her nerve and looked to Xena for support, her last words indicating little hope that her rank would prevent the flurry of questions that would be facing her when Hecuba found her. Xena leaned over and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"I’m sure you’ll think of the right thing to say." Although Xena wasn’t quite so certain. Despite Gabrielle’s openness around her, the young woman was still painfully modest when it came to matters of a sexual nature. Explaining to her mother where she was and what she was doing all night long was certain to embarrass Gabrielle to the point where her bardic skills would be rendered useless. Mothers had a way of doing that.
"And where do you think you’re going?" Gabrielle stopped and grabbed her upper arm. "You’re not leaving me to face them all alone." The guilty look and sheepish grin told Gabrielle that was exactly what the warrior had in mind. Gabrielle frowned. "Don’t even think about it."
"Gabrielle, you know I’m no good at that kind of stuff." Xena’s voice was almost whining in her attempt to avoid the imminent confrontation. She was saved from a verbal lashing from the bard by Eponin calling her name. Both women turned to see a very unamused look on the Amazon’s face.
"Next time you two need a place to rendezvous, do me a favor and pick someone else’s hut." Eponin glared at the smug looking warrior. "I have been picked on all morning by the warriors under my command. I’m surprised that you two didn’t wake up the whole village." Gabrielle blushed furiously. The Amazon Warrior noticed with satisfaction that the smug look was off of Xena’s face.
"Sorry." The young Queen mumbled as she studied a blade of grass located somewhere near her feet.
"Sorry?" Eponin forced herself to lower her voice, reminding herself that she was still speaking to the Queen. "I have had the pleasure of having no less than ten women come up and ask me who the lucky woman was." A smirk crossed over Eponin’s lips. "I should have told them it was you."
"I would have just had to kill you, Ep." Xena said nonchalantly. "Protecting the Queen’s image and all."
"Yeah, you did a great job protecting it last night." Eponin teased. "Anyway, I’ve got to get back, I just wanted to warn you two, that’s all."
"Warn us?" Gabrielle said nervously.
"Well, it’s just that your mothers, well, you see…"
"For Gaia’s sake, out with it." Xena growled.
"They’re waiting for you both in the throne room. They’re not happy with either of you right now." Eponin thought that perhaps sparring with three warriors at once was preferable to being the victim of the look that Xena was giving her right at that moment.
"Do they know where we were?" The bard asked quietly. She was quickly getting a headache from all this.
"They know you two snuck out together and that I spent the night in Ephiny’s room. Lila saw me leaving." The lovers nodded at each other in unspoken understanding of the situation. Eponin left them alone and headed back to the training grounds, grateful that it wasn’t her that had to face the mothers waiting for them.
"Are you sure you’re ready for this?" Xena asked gently as they approached the door to the throne room. As comfortable as Gabrielle was to be Xena’s lover, she wasn’t comfortable with the idea of having to tell her mother and sister. Xena wasn’t as worried about her mother’s reaction. She knew that Cyrene loved Gabrielle as if she were one of her own children. Being lovers wouldn’t change that. Xena was more worried about how Gabrielle was going to handle whatever reaction she got from her family.
"No, but let’s get it over with." She said with no authority to her voice. Her hand hovered above the latch. "Xena?" Gabrielle felt the strong arms wrap around her and hold her in a tight embrace.
"I love you, Gabrielle. Nothing anyone else says is going to change that." Xena spoke gently to her soulmate. Gabrielle remained in the embrace for a few more moments, drawing strength from Xena’s love. With a gentle sigh, she straightened up and looked at the door.
"Ready?"
They walked in to see Hecuba and Cyrene sitting comfortably on overstuffed chairs in the far corner, chatting away as if old friends. The lovers exchanged confused glances as they walked closer. The sounds of the conversation were filtering in to them.
"…didn’t come and talk to me when it happened. She thought she hurt herself somehow and was going to bleed to death."
"Tell me about it. That girl never listened to me. Why, sometimes I wish I could just take her over my knee and…"
"Mother!" Xena yelped. The mothers stopped their conversation and looked up at their daughters, both of whom were showing tinges of red in their cheeks.
"Oh, I’m sorry dear. Hecuba and I were just talking about…"
"I know what you were talking about, that’s why I interrupted."
"Mother, did you tell Cyrene all my most embarrassing moments or were you saving some for later?"
"Actually, Gabrielle, we were just talking about how stubborn you two are." Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other, complete confusion showing on both of their faces. Neither mother was showing any sign of anger.
"I know you aren’t much for words, Xena." Cyrene turned her attention to the bard. "But I never expected you to be able to contain your emotions, Gabrielle. Why didn’t you tell us?"
"We would have understood, Gabrielle." Hecuba added.
The four women sat together for the next few candlemarks, learning more about the new members of their families. Xena’s tension dissipated as Hecuba took the time to speak privately to her, airing out all the old feelings that had come between them.
"Xena, I know that my husband and I didn’t treat you very well the first time we met you. You have to understand where we were coming from. Here comes this warlord, Xena, Destroyer of Nations, to take our daughter away from us. Then you would bring her back, more scars, more muscles, less and less the little girl who left. I thought I was blaming you for ruining our daughter. What I was doing was blaming you for her growing up."
"I would give my life to protect her." Xena reassured.
"I know you would, Xena. I just wish you didn’t have to. Let me make one thing clear to you. I am in no way pleased with the idea that you drag my daughter," Hecuba held her hand up to stop the protest that was on the warrior’s lips. "I know, she follows you willingly." Xena’s lips closed as the words were spoken for her. "I am still not happy that the two of you traipse all over hades half acre putting yourselves in danger. However, since it seems that there is no way to change that fact, I can at least take comfort in the knowledge that my daughter is happy. There was a time when she was younger that I thought she would never find true happiness. She always had a far away look to her eye. To Gabrielle, life in Potodeia would never have been enough. She needed more, far more than I could ever give her." Hecuba put her hand on Xena’s shoulder, albeit tentatively. "I’m glad you were able to give her that happiness, Xena. The love that you two share is very special."
"We were blessed by Aphrodite." Hecuba’s eyes lit up at the mention of the Goddess of Love.
"Then it is indeed the truest of loves if the great goddess herself took upon you two to bless it." Hecuba’s infectious smile reminded Xena of her beloved Gabrielle. "Now come here and give your mother-in-law a hug."
Gabrielle’s head swung around at the sound of her mother demanding a hug from Xena. Her blue-green eyes caught the incredibly surprised and astonished look in the blue ones. The young bard fought the urge to giggle at her lover’s plight. Leaning over to whisper in a conspiratory tone to Cyrene, Gabrielle observed "She looks like a frightened deer." That sent both women into fits of laughter as Xena glared at them before returning the hug.
Xena quickly found out that Lila didn’t share quite the same feelings as her mother. Leaving the stable after checking on Argo, she saw Lila standing there, glaring at her. She waited a moment to see if the young woman would talk, but all Lila did was glare at her, building the anger up inside her young body. "Is there something you wanted, Lila?" She asked in a bored tone. Xena really was getting sick of the daggers being thrown at her from her lover’s sister’s eyes.
"I…don’t…like…you!" Her words dripped with anger and hatred. "You took my sister away, you almost got my mother killed, you…hey!" Lila yelped when she was unceremoniously picked up off her feet by a now angry warrior.
"I’m sick of your tantrums, Lila." She carried the kicking and screaming woman over to the long horse trough. "I think you need to cool off." Xena said as she held Lila out over the water and released her grip. The trough was deep enough to totally soak the young woman.
"I can’t believe…" Lila sputtered as she came up for air. Seeing the smug look on Xena’s face, the young woman’s eyes narrowed. Climbing out of the trough, she reached down and grabbed a hefty pile of mud in her hand. Xena twisted her head to avoid the smelly mud, but Lila’s throw still caught her on the neck and chest. "Uh oh."
Lila ducked through the fence and took off across the field as Xena wiped the mud, which she was certain was mixed with manure, off of her face. Visions of Lila covered head to toe with the offensive muck danced through Xena’s mind as she took off after her. Her powerful legs quickly overtook the smaller ones as she scooped Lila up and tossed her over her shoulder like a sack of flour. "Put me down!" Lila yelled as she pounded on Xena’s back. "Where are you taking me?" She demanded. Xena said nothing as she headed over toward the pig pens. Two Amazons who had been tending to the pigs looked up and saw an angry warrior striding toward them, a screaming woman in her arms. They quickly shooed the pigs inside the corral and got out of the way.
With her free hand, Xena opened up the gate to the sty. A quick glance told her that it was deep enough that Lila wouldn’t get hurt when she fell. The pounding on her back increased. "I said put…me…down! You can’t just…(sniff)…hey! Xena, don’t you dare! Come on now, I only got you a little bit, this stuff stinks! Xena? Xena, please, I-aaahh!" She landed in the mud with a generous thwap sound. The normally stoic warrior couldn’t help but laugh when she saw the head to toe mess that was Gabrielle’s sister.
Digging her hands deep into the muddy water, Lila eyed her mark, then moved her arms as she splayed her fingers out, creating a muddy wave of pig smell that splashed all over the front of Xena. The warrior’s eyes narrowed, the fight was on.
"AND JUST WHAT DO THE TWO OF YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING??" Gabrielle bellowed at the two figures thrashing around in the mud, laughing their heads off as they threw mud at each other. The mud-covered women separated and gave each other the ‘uh-oh, we’re dead now’ look. Gabrielle’s blue-green eyes were dark with fury. "I’m sitting there, having a pleasant conversation with our mothers and what are you two doing? You’re out here acting like children!" Both Xena and Lila had visions of their mothers giving the exact same type of speech to them. Both still had the same fear of the tone. "Lila!" She glared at her mud covered sister. "I love Xena, and that’s all there is to it. I will continue to live with her and be with her and there’s nothing you can do or say about it so you might as well just accept it. Do I make myself clear?" Without waiting for an answer, Gabrielle turned on Xena. "And you! I would have thought you were too mature for this kind of display, splashing about in the mud and, uggh, whatever else is in here." For a girl raised on a farm, Gabrielle still hated the stench of the pig sty and avoided it whenever possible. "You two had better work it out right now." She turned to leave. "And don’t even think about entering the palace smelling like that." She yelled back at them. "I’ll have clean skirts and tunics waiting for you at the bathhouse."
Xena and Lila sat there for a moment, watching the retreating form. "Boy, she sounds just like Mother."
"Uh, that’s not good, huh?" Xena asked. The mud covered girl smiled mischievously.
"Nope. You’re in big trouble, Xena. When Mother got mad, boy oh boy, you didn’t want to be within twenty leagues of her." A rotten thought popped into the young woman’s head. "And Gabrielle knows more words!" She laughed at the anguished groan that came from Xena.
Too nervous to wait with the rest of the women, Xena and Gabrielle rode Argo to intercept Toris on the way to the rendezvous point. Both women breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the wagon was empty, save for her brother. When the horses reached each other, The siblings pulled them to a stop. Blue eyes met equally blue as heartbeats passed without sounds. Gabrielle cleared her throat. "If you will excuse me, I, uh, have to make a trip to the woods." She slid off of the horse and disappeared, recognizing the need for Xena to speak alone with her brother.
"What happened?" She asked quietly.
"Solon chose to stay with Kaleipus. We didn’t tell him that you were around, but he did ask if we could get word to you that he wants to see you in the summer." Toris looked down at his boots. "Xena, I won’t say anything to Mother."
"You know it’s for the best, Toris."
"I know. It would kill her to know that she has a grandson that she can’t see. I’m not doing so well with it myself." He blinked rapidly, remembering his reaction to Solon telling him that it was nice to know the truth but that he was happy living with the Centaurs. "I thought I was doing the right thing."
"You are now." She replied softly. "Toris," Xena waited until she had his gaze. "Thank you. For understanding…and for alerting us about Mother. I know that took courage on your part." All the anger she had for her older brother over the loss of Lyceus seemed to fall away from her heart, replaced with an understanding of the tragedies of life. Toris looked startled by his sister’s statement.
"I love you, Xena. You’re my sister, you always will be. I’ll always be there for you, and for your Gabrielle."
"How did?"
"Oh, Xena." Toris laughed. "I’ve known you since you were born. Don’t you think I can tell when you’re head over heels in love? Besides, its plain as day on her face. She practically beams."
Pressing against the stirrup with her left foot, Xena dismounted from Argo and into the wagon, giving her brother a stiff armed hug, still not entirely comfortable with the display of affection. Toris took it for what it was, his stoic sister’s attempt to express her feelings. He, of course, was much better at expressing his emotions and he wrapped his arms around her in a big bear hug, which she allowed for only a couple of heartbeats before pulling away and vaulting back onto Argo. "Gabrielle." She called out, knowing that her beloved wasn’t far. The honey haired beauty came out from behind some trees and took the proffered arm to vault up behind her warrior. Xena turned Argo around and urged her back toward the rendezvous point. She put some distance between herself and Toris, wanting a little privacy with Gabrielle before meeting up with their families.
Once they were out of sight, Xena eased up on the reins, letting Argo set the pace. "You all right?" Gabrielle asked.
"Mm? Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking."
"I know that, silly. What are thinking about?" Xena stopped the horse and turned in her saddle to face the bard. Gabrielle drank in the sight of a happy smile on Xena’s face.
"I was just thinking about when I was a child. I wasn’t the easiest child in the world, you know. When other girls played with cloth dolls, I played sword fight with Lyceus." Gabrielle giggled at the image of a little Xena swinging a wooden stick and calling it a sword. "Other mothers told Cyrene not to let me play with the boys, but she didn’t care what they said. She told them that if I was happy, then that was all that mattered." Xena blinked quickly, then gave Gabrielle a kiss. "Let’s head back and spend some time with our mothers before they leave." She urged Argo into a trot.
"You know we could escort everyone home instead of sending Amazons." Gabrielle suggested, sensing Xena’s need to spend time with her mother.
"No." Xena said quickly, then grinned slightly. "I love my Mother, Gabrielle, I really do. But the idea of spending every waking moment with her for the next four days is beyond my capabilities."
"Good." Gabrielle grinned. "I wasn’t looking forward to it either. Mother can be a little…demanding sometimes. But I still love her."
"I know, Gabrielle. That’s how mothers are. They love us to death, but also drive us crazy sometimes. I think its a secret skill they teach each other." Gabrielle nodded in agreement.
After the Queen and her family left, Trasis sent a request to Queen Ephiny that she be notified in advance the next time more than one person from Potodeia was going to be staying with them. Trasis wanted to plan her next vacation.
THE END
