Welcome to Branwyn of Llewelynn's version of the Xenaverse,

alter ego of B-Bard, who had the nerve to actually ask for her own

pseudonym.

Disclaimers: The characters of Xena, Gabrielle, Ephiny, Velasca, Boadecia, Argo, Hercules, Ioulas and the rest you recognize from XWP and HLG all belong to MCA/Universal. The Priestesses of Avalon and their backdrop I've borrowed from Marion Bradley. The rest has sprouted from my collective body, mind and soul link to the Xenaverse and Branwyn's hostel take over of my mind, whenever I get within two meters of my computer. No commercial profits intended or gained. I invite you to let me know what you think/feel about my story. Feed me: bindi@planet.nl

Author's Note: I would like to mention the all inspiring author Marion Zimmer Bradley, for feeding the Celtic warrior and Moon Priestess in me, through her wonderful novels! I thank all Bards of the Xenaverse for their wonderful, inspiring work and sharing it on the net! Bards Villagers, I love you guys! This story is for you.

More Thanks: Go to Raine, Enoon and Sam for their beta plus job on this tale! Silver and LJ, thanks for saying the right things at the right time.

Sex, Drugs and Drum Rolls: The story is of a subtext friendly nature and contains expressions of love between consenting adult women, oh yeah! Things get a little more out of hand in later additions. I wouldn't even call it subtext. Actually, any form of true love goes. If you can't handle this, grow up. At your own pace of course, but I advize you to get on with it in this lifetime because you're missing heaps. If you are unable to read this because of one law or another in your neck of the woods, do the smart thing: find something else to do; unite with like minded souls and try to do something about the damned law; immigrate to a more open minded place. There's always a choiceJ

Violence: Well, some. Mostly defense. It's a Xena related story so no more than the show would contain.

Spoilers: Nope, don't think it's possible. Where I live we're waiting for season four to continue (Aaaaaaarrrrgggghhhh Compulsive Xenatics Anonymous I need you).

Setting: I let Velasca out of the lava pit for a bit and I'd say this story is set after Dahok's first move and baby Hope is out of the picture, floating off in a basket some where. season three I think that is.

Amazon Alert:

Part 2

At the other end of closure

Done telling her story, in finer detail this time round, Rhiannon felt relieved.

It took most of the energy she had left not to burst into tears again. The Bard had poured her two beakers of port so far. The tangy liquid had gone straight to her head.

She noticed a puzzled pair of blue eyes, frequently flashing at her and decided to give the clueless Warrior a break. After all, Xena and the Regent treated her with respect. Now her lost childhood hero had become Queen of the Amazons, she'd better do the same in return.

"Hey, Xena." Rhiannon let out with a small burp. Oops, you're not at home Rhi, keep it polite and ya might live another day. This is Xena, remember. "Picture this, a sloped battle field, the usual muck and trenches. A bunch of berserk Scots to the left; garrison of Boadecia's troops to the right. You at the head of her men. A young girl runs out of your garrison pointing a sword at that Scot 'head fart' and all goes hay-wire. You lunge out to her; she ducks and fits you with a tailor-made black eye. You dive at her again and crash on top of the young thing and break her arm landing. She-"

"Yeah, yeah... which one are you then, Vivian or- Oh, no. You're Red Terror Rhi. The Warrior interrupted, jumped from her seat, leapt to the Celt and folded her into a bear hug. "What in the name of Tartarus are you doing here, girl?" Xena asked, holding the newfound piece of her past tightly. She started to worry about the answer as well as her decision to greet the woman as if she were an old army mate and let her go.

Gabrielle and Ephiny were looking at the two hugging and wrestling women before them with astonishment.

"So will you two let us in on your, uh, past together?" The Bard required.

The Celt broke away from Xena and caught her breath, leaning against the table the select group was sitting around. She avoided direct eye contact with the Warrior who had let her go a little too suddenly.

"Well," Rhiannon panted and the Bard interrupted.

"Catch your breath first. You've been through quite an ordeal to get here. We don't want you getting hurt now, do we?"

"Thank you." The Celt said politely and bowed her head, not looking away from the blonde woman's gaze. This lady is really something. She almost outshines her Queen. "I know Xena from the time she was part of Boade-"

The Warrior nudged the talking redhead into a chair and took over, "Boadecia, the warrior woman we helped scare off Caesar a while back." Xena's voice went soft and quivery, "That is probably why Velasca went looking for Gabrielle in Britannia. I couldn't figure that part out until now. Dahok attracts evil like-" She stopped and looked over to her soulmate for reassurance and sat down hard, numbed by the pain reflected in green eyes.

The Bard blew her lover a kiss and nodded, to aid the now sitting woman to continue her story, no matter how hard it was to hear the destroyer mentioned again. "What about when you were in Boadecia's army?"

"I'll explain Dahok later. Never the less, this is a part of my past I'm not sure how to feel about. It might help Rhiannon's case if I let you in on it though." Xena started to fidget with the straps of her leathers and took a deep breath. "So she kidnapped Ephiny. The Regent is unharmed and the kid had no other intention than finding the truth. Seems to me, she's the one taking all the risks here." The raven-haired woman stated and noticed the growing audience. I guess I owe them the truth too if they are to believe me that Rhiannon is not here to harm them, but Gods, why it getting darker in here? I can't focus like this.

A few at a time, the Amazons had gathered as close to the area where their Queen and her strange guest were dining, as possible. They caught onto the role switch between Xena and Gabrielle pretty soon and wondered where this was all leading.

"I was wandering all over the known world, lost in darkness and ended up in Albion. Up north-east in Britannia." Xena cleared her throat. "I was fishing, unknowingly on Boadecia's land, and was being spied on by a young girl. I caught the kid and before I knew it, her mother had an arm and blade around my neck. The kid, was Rhiannon. Her mother Boadecia, Queen of Celts. What the older woman saw in me I don't know, but she let me hang with her army. She was taking back some land from the Scots. Eventually she let me join her ranks and taught me some moves." Red Terror Rhi, as the kid was known, had a major crush on me if I remember correctly," Xena smiled at the Celt nervously and continued, looking over to her Bard. "She was never far from me and I stuck close to Boadecia, because of my less than honourable plan to take over her army and do some of my own damage. After investing a couple of seasons with the older woman and her family, getting to know them a little, I postponed the take-over. They were getting through my emotional walls, and I... liked it. Especially the kid got under my skin. She liked me even though I ignored her at first. The kid-"

"Hey, Warrior," Rhiannon interrupted what was possibly the longest public speech Xena had ever dared, and almost shoved the woman off her seat. "Drop the kid thing already. I wasn't a kid and you know it. You weren't even eighteen summers yourself, woman." The Celt feigned an angry expression and looked Xena in the eyes. "You were angry at the whole world and everything on it. At the same time, you let your guard down to a teen facing similar struggles. I didn't take that anger personally and you let out a part of the real Xena. Lots like the Xena I see here now. Mom was a fool for trusting you completely. She thought she could again in Gaul. Even I could see you weren't ready to surrender to any sort of authority completely." A giggle escaped the Celt's mouth. "Look at where you are now. Queen of Amazons. Top dogs all the way. Point proven."

The redhead paused and took a sip from her beaker. She chuckled soft as a cat's purr and looked at Gabrielle, who gazed at the Warrior Queen with a loving smile. The Bard was taking in this new information about her lover from across the table. Her face almost materialized the way she felt about the woman. Now that has to be a pair of deeply in love eyes. My youth hero has found a mate who doesn't get spooked by the past too quickly, lucky thing. The woman thought to herself and wanted to finish what she had started, when she noticed the now overcrowded food hall. She felt all eyes were on Xena and herself and broke into a cold sweat.

Gabrielle studied the faces of the two women centered in more attention than either of them obviously could handle and helped out gladly, "So you two go back a long way, huh?" The Bard took her lover's hand in her own and waited for Xena to look at her before she spoke any further. "Do you two want some time to talk in private? My, our quarters are more private. Share the rest of the story later if you both wish." Gabrielle had the distinct feeling that the Celt was just shy in her new surroundings and she wasn't struggling for words. Neither was she really angry. Her Consort on the other hand was struggling to no end. Xena' s expression had changed to the 'stare into oblivion and keep control' look. The blonde leaned into her lover and whispered against the Warrior's lips, "I want to hear the rest my love but I don't want it to become a torture for you. Take your time and focus on who you are now. Come back to me, my heart." Gabrielle finished with a kiss.

A sigh of relief came from the Celt when Ephiny stepped close to her, offering her hand as a sign of peace. In return Rhiannon clamped her hands over her head to seal the unspoken truce between the two of them and, to her own amazement, winked at the Amazon, who mirrored her stance.

"We will talk later, priestess, or should I call you princess?" The Regent whispered to the blushing Celt.

The gentle pressure of her Bard's lips brought the raven-haired woman back to herself and she nodded. Looking over at Rhiannon to check that she wasn't going to deck her from behind as a joke, like she used to do, she trailed along behind Gabrielle like an obedient wife. The Queen pose was fading.

Gabrielle excused herself, Xena and Rhiannon. They left the food hut escorted by Ephiny and Eponin. Amazons went about their way and got back to their evening routines.

Solari waited until the hall was empty and sat down to think. "Did I see that Elf-thing make eyes at our Regent? What's an Elf? Where did I get that from?"

Babes in Arms

"Give us five, Rhi." Gabrielle asked the Celt, opened the door to the royal quarters and encouraged Xena to walk in. She smiled, followed her love and disappeared.

"Take all the time you need Gabrielle, all the time you need." Rhiannon replied at the vanished blonde's request. I'll be standing right here appreciating your... drop dead beauty of a Regent. 'Kay? While you go feel up your Queen, she thought, standing on the porch before the hut and winked at Ephiny again, wondering why she couldn't keep her eyes off the woman or didn't feel a care in the world other than mapping out every colour in the Regent's eyes.

They could clearly hear two gasping women spend a little quality time on each other against the door and Gabrielle mumbling to her lover. The guarding curly haired Amazon blushed and fixed her gaze on the stairs. Eponin tried to suppress a giggle when she caught the Regent blushing from the corner of her eye, and stared at her boots.

Why can't I relax around this Avalon woman? Ephiny reflected on new feelings she could not make sense of, leaning from one leg to the other on the porch. She kidnapped you moron, of course you're still tense... what would those sweet, soft lips taste like? Bad Amazon. Hurry up Gab.

A few drips of candle wax later, the door flew open and the three waiting women jumped to attention. "At ease ladies, and Rhiannon, welcome in." The Bard spoke, face flushed a healthy red and extended her arm as invitation. "Eph, join us, Ep, goodnight sister."

Eponin nodded and trailed her way back to the food hut, talking to herself in riddles. "Lucky she's the Regent, very lucky Regent. Wouldn't mind a piece myself, but I'm glad I ain't the Regent. Poor Regent."

Xena was lighting candles all around the hut. She took one look at the Regent, whose gaze was resting upon the Celt and for the entire afternoon had not left her former abductor's side. Red Terror Rhi was as good at seeming confidant as the Warrior remembered she could be, stealing glances at the nervous Amazon. Xena encouraged the women to sit on the furs and pillows scattered across the floor by getting comfortable herself and patting a fur. A fire was blazing in the hearth.

Gabrielle settled down against her Warrior's side and pulled the hesitating Regent down with her. "Sit down with us. You're part of this situation, Eph. Velasca would have realized fast that I already left Britannia and would come back looking for you too, eventually. Don't you want closure?" She asked her friend lovingly.

"Let's not blow this all out of proportion, Xena let me help out and tell them." Rhiannon said and found a sheepskin to sit on, back against a wall and stretched her legs to relax.

"No." The Warrior replied determined, sliding an arm around her wife's waist.

I'll tell the story."

"Talk to each other, don't try to tell a story. Leave that to me. Help each other." Gabrielle took over when Xena paused to breathe.

The Bard turned to face her lover and continued, " Xe, talk to her as a warrior, former lover, friend or an enemy here to make peace for all... it will help to inspire your words. Talk to her, not to some far off horizon. I believe you can do it." She kissed the vulnerable woman, shivering at the touch of the gently exploring tongue that greeted her own.

Gabrielle eased away from Xena and glared at Rhiannon with eyes so icy, they seemed to almost freeze blood. "Hey Celt. No teasing the Queen." I'm on to you kid. More than you can fathom right now. "You are a piece of work aren't you. Try any stunts on my wife or Regent again and I turn the guards on you. You don't want that, I tell you." I however sense that this is not your intention and you are quite lost to yourself dear. "You have nowhere to go either I suspect. Humour me and help out here."

The Bard realized she was sitting up, leaning on her trembling arms and fists. She snapped out of Queen mode and closed her eyes to reconnect head with heart. She looked back up at Rhiannon and continued, "Sorry... you scared me with the Pegasus stunt and-" She looked over to Ephiny and swallowed hard. "I hadn't realized how badly it got to me until now. And I do resent you toying with Xena. Would you please remember where you are."

The Regent crawled to her friend and locked the woman in her arms for a brief moment. "I'm here Gabrielle. I'm safe now." She breathed into her friend's ear.

Xena waited for the women to settle down again and for the Celt to remember to

breathe. She resumed her hold on Gabrielle, inhaled her wife's scent deeply and asked the redhead, "Where do we start?"

"Wherever you want, my friend." The Celt replied.

"Friend? You can call me a friend after all that I've done to your mother and sister." Xena said surprised at the younger woman's words.

Rhiannon only nodded and invited the Warrior to speak by opening her arms wide.

Xena looked down, closed her eyes for a moment and explained to her friend and soulmate.

"I got bored after nearly three seasons, staying in Albion. Boadecia was getting prepared to

sack a fortress the Scots had backed her ally off in the autumn. I thought it would make a good headquarters for a while. I wanted power and was about to take it. I seduced Vivian, Rhiannon's twin sister for kicks. I roll-played the mysterious warrior for Rhi to stroke my ego and played nice to their mother. Viv was a little manipulator like me and we got fed up with each other real quick. Pretty clueless, huh?" The Warrior sat up, pulling Gabrielle into her arms and nuzzled the Bard's neck, trying to steady herself and waited for reactions.

Rhiannon watched Gabrielle close her eyes to savor the intimacy and subtle, non-verbal plea from her lover. The Bard gently started to rock her Warrior and whisper sweet nothings to the woman.

"Xena," Rhiannon interrupted the lovers before her, and also caught Ephiny withdrawing her eyes from her the moment she spoke. The redhead opened her arms once again. "I knew Vivian was a tease and lost in her version of reality, where physical release was identified as love. That lesson can be a struggle. I am finding that out for myself. Viv is changing, so are you by the looks of it, so there's hope for me yet." The redhead grinned and realized she was staring at the Regent. What am I doing?

Xena smiled warmly at the Celt and said in a low voice, "Got the guts? Go the distance my friend, go the distance. Presuming the woman you desire feels the same way about you." She added with a lopsided grin, glad the tension between them was gone.

"You regard me as a friend after what I did to you?" The Celt knew it was her turn to

do some confessing. She already knew about this mysterious Dahok and sensed that these women had been traumatized enough by this evil being. Eilan had kept any news from outside Avalon from her, although she had overheard her speaking about Dahok the Destroyer. The whole disastrous event did however start to make some sense now. I'll keep the conversation close to home. The bard's heart almost stopped when Xena mentioned Dahok, with good reason. I think we've all had enough excitement for one day. I know I have.

"Absolutely. You wanted an honest experience; I gave you one. I'd never do that for an enemy or anybody that I do not connect with in one way or another." Xena smiled again.

"I knew you kidnapped me to force mother out of her position and take over her army. You thought I only worshipped you but I played you for selfish reasons too. I knew drink worked like an aphrodisiac on you. Knew you wouldn't really hurt me... or mine for that matter. I worshipped the freedom you represented to me... wanted you to be the one to help take away some doubts about, you know... myself. " A blush crept up the Celts face and she opened her mouth to speak again.

"Yes Rhi, I knew." Xena barged in on her before the younger woman thought up another set of doubts about herself and continued. "I'm glad to have obliged, friend. It wasn't all bad, from were I stand. You didn't have to twist my arm and I am truly sorry for kidnapping you. Thank you for being there to reach me in a moment of total darkness with your kindness. I only strayed from the path of light back then. It wasn't until later that I chose it consciously. You were one of the first who had the guts to challenge my way of life with the power of friendship. That you have in common with my Gabrielle, as well as the gitter and chatter thing. Do you think we can rise above the events of our past?"

"Yes. And the present events?" Rhiannon wanted to settle this and get on with her own questions.

"I see no reason to dwell on it any longer." Ephiny shared her opinion after listening carefully for a long time and shared her thoughts. "I think we should give the Velasca problem some more thought though. She's trapped like before, but not forever."

"Agreed. But we will do that tomorrow morning. I could do with some rest." The Warrior scoped the tired faces of the women present. "You are welcome to stay in the village." The Warrior met her wife's green pools for confirmation and went on. "As long as you need to.

Eph, get the port and some beakers, we've got some making up and toasting to do. Let's leave making a plan for later. Oh and Rhi, meat the real Amazon Queen, Gabrielle."

The gathering in the Queen's quarters went on for two rounds of candles and several skins of port. Throughout the village tongues were wagging and Amazons let their imagination fill in the blanks of today's adventures.

Just before dawn, two spent women lay in each other's arms talking about the events that night and savouring the afterglow of their lovemaking.

"Xena." The Bard lay draped over her lover and asked. "Do I remind you of... her?"

The Warrior snuggled up to her wife tighter and replied. "No Gabrielle, she reminds me of you."

"Oh... that's okay then."

At the far end of the village Rhiannon tossed and turned in her cot. Of course, the blonde is Queen. Xena took on the right pose but the Bard, that woman screams royalty from within. Do all women that chose to live in a group have to play games?

Rhiannon speaks...

I had never gone the distance before. Didn't know how, I had accepted that as one of my weaknesses. The Elf inside me knew better but she was never let out long enough to have effect on my ways, nor did I recognize this. The subject of elves scared me witless. Mother always looked afraid when I asked about elves and Vivian told me the scariest story during our childhood stays in Eire. She made me believe I was swapped by the dark elves as a baby.

Living life the warrior way and having Avalon' s arms around me for so long, all thoughts of innuendo's made about my elf-like features were reduced to a dull ache in my heart every now and then. Nothing in all the known and unknown world could have prepared me for what effect she, the Amazon, would have on me. All of me.

'Bout the matter of our Champion

*Excuse me dear colleague, might I bother you for a bit?* Ceridwen directed her words to a very concentrated woman in front of her. Of course, she has to butt in just when I'm relaxing.

*Just a drip, sister.* Artemis hit her target with divine ease and turned to her visitor.

*What brings you to my part of the great cosmic puzzle?* The Goddess of the Hunt asked the Moon Deity.

*'Bout the matter of our champion. I'm here to let her off the hook and take care of some business for The Goddess.* The dark-eyed woman scratched her head and wondered how she would explain her way out of that one. The full extent of The Goddess was not part of her curriculum in school.

*I know when I'm spiritually outranked... besides, I owe you one for Velasca. The Elfling did us a favour.* Artemis said and re-strung her bow. *Be my guest. Suppose I'll see you at the Big Gathering later. Are all parties involved up to speed on the whole deal yet? * Then, little specks of gold dust were all that was left of the Huntress.

*Patience, my dear. All of The Goddesses special creatures will find their memory of Atlantis in due time.*

The air before Ceridwen started to ripple and drift towards the hut where her champion was out cold from exhaustion and the alcohol consumed that night. *Now it's up to you, my chosen one... remember who you are.*

Fitting in between a pillow and a hard place

Rhiannon did her best to be useful around the Amazon village. She practiced sword drills with Ephiny and Xena, when the Warrior was not otherwise engaged. From The Queen she learned about Amazon customs and rituals and vice versa. Hungry for knowledge she devoured her guest's library. The Celt felt a sense of peace when she was with the Queen. Gabrielle was objective toward the Celt and after a while, treated her as one of her subjects, with love and wisdom. All she requested in return was a few of her guest's native songs round the fire at some occasions and her participation in guard duties. Rhiannon found it hard to let go of the place though she knew she must return to her sisters some time, in the near future. The Queen's hospitality didn't make it any easier.

Amazon life was not so different from the way she and her sisters lived on Avalon, except for the celebrations frequently visited on her hosts. Rhiannon found the Amazons to be more relaxed and exotic. The openly shown affection between women was not custom to her either. Priestesses put their sexual energy to more of a 'cosmic' use and kept interaction strictly physical. Love and affection were considered unwanted distractions. The festivities, Avalon style, were rather formal and always the music, dancing, food and drink were laced with mind-altering herbs and their effects. This would give Eilan easy access to her priestesses' energies.

Rhiannon did not dwell on comparing worlds. She sucked up each new detail of the adventure and her new friends varied lives. The redhead started to wonder if this felt like 'home' and lived for the moment, loving all of it. Her heart, on the other hand, was growing restless, like a child coming out of a bad dream. The Celt started meditating daily before sleep to keep control, wanting to find some reason to stay longer and leave, all at the same time. There was a small group of Amazons who tried to help her leave by spreading gossip. During the day, that never made her feel threatened but reminded her that Amazons are only human and not perfect. At night, the rumours about her strange appearance set off downward thought spirals.

What's happening to me? I find myself among friendly souls and am treated like one of their own by most women. I don't deserve it. The others are right. I should go back to my own sort. What do they need a freak like me for? What do I need them for? Why am I so restless? I'm still here... why?" Rhiannon lay on her back, staring at roof timbers thinking to herself. She had been offered a room in Ephiny's hut and had accepted with mixed emotions. For three moons now she had listened to the Regent's nightly sounds. By day, the Amazon was never further than a stone's throw away from her, studying her every move, questioning her about her world and life. Rhiannon had gladly shared her family history but kept her knowledge of magick and the sight to herself.

Avalon... Avalon.... Eire... nothing makes sense anymore... Amazonia... Albion? No, mother will have me back on that damned, mist-covered rock in no time just to avoid my questions. The Orkneys... and let Viv fix me up with some lame fellow... out'f the question. And what in Tir fTautha's name will I do in Eire? Go looking for relatives who don't remember me. Face it Rhi, it's time to cross Llyr's watery back and let the sisters know all is well and the Amazons mean them no harm. What about Xena's plan to check on Velasca and think up a plan to get rid of her forever. Then what? Why is knowing my heart so difficult? The agitated Celt rolled onto her side and tried to get some sleep. When she finally did doze off her thoughts transformed to dreams of battles and wild oceans of lava.

Manuvours of a Regent

"Queen to Regent, Helloooo in there." Gabrielle sang and waved a hand in front of her hypnotized friend. "One more treaty to look over and sign. Then you can go run around our enchanting guest again... okay Eph? Okay, enough already Amazon. I'd rather be doing something else besides learning to be a Queen all day, you know." She added with a giggle, noticing that her Regent was still far away.

Ephiny snapped out of her daydream and quickly looked over the scroll Gabrielle was holding out to her, deliberately avoiding eye contact.

"Do you think we have led past lives Gabrielle?" The Amazon asked her friend in a matter-of-fact tone and kept reading the scroll.

"Hmm." The Bard started to pace slowly in front of her partner and mentor at Amazon law, looked over to the woman avoiding their usual closeness and answered, "I think so, yes. I can't put to words how, why or any of that just yet, but yes, I do. A point to life is figuring out the lessons of each one. I guess the Elysian Fields and this life are two of many." Gabrielle walked over to the Regent and cupped her friend's chin in her hand to gain access to troubled, teary eyes. "What is it Eph? Talk to me?"

Ephiny shook her head out of Gabrielle's gentle grip, kept shaking it vigorously and staggered backwards. "Can't, don't know how. Not yet. I will first have to get her to talk, really talk." The Amazon cried, and hurried out of the Queen's library.

Gabrielle made her exit a few moments after the Regent and went looking for Rhiannon.

Under siege by a random attack of emotions, Ephiny went straight to the practice fields and challenged Xena into a sparring dual. Xena suggested they'd start by practising some feints and side blocks. The raven-haired Warrior dropped her sword and took position. Oh boy. She's all worked up and ready to punch someone. What in Tartarus did you say to her Brie?

Once the free-styling got well on its way, Ephiny's moves got less focused and more like what her Bard would call a frustration punch-up. Xena dragged her sparring partner to a barrel of rainwater and dunked the curly head into it.

"Cool off first... then we talk." The raven-haired woman commanded to the now gasping and dripping Regent. I see that your effort to find out what is going on with her has not had a constructive effect so far, my love. The Warrior thought as she held Ephiny down a little longer on the second dunk. Don't know if my warrior talk will do the trick either... here goes nothing. Xena lifted the woman's head up by the hair and looked into blinking, angry eyes.

"Let's go for a walk, Regent." Xena said with a voice that let the Amazon know resistance was futile and shoved the woman towards where the forest grew thicker, away from the village and it's curious inhabitants.

"Talk." Xena commanded and took position walking slightly behind the Regent, resting a hand on the woman's sweat soaked neck. "Rage will hurt you and your Amazons. You don't want that Ephiny. I know you better than this, come on, talk to me woman." The Warrior ended, exaggerating her impatience with the Amazon.

Ephiny shook water out of her ear, lifted her face - red with fury - up to Xena and shouted as loud as she could, "WHY ME? Huh, WHY?"

"What's gotten into you Eph. Is it that bad?" The raven-haired woman placed her arm around the Regent's shoulders, voice tone now low and confidential. Think I'll drop the warrior thing now. She softened her face and waited for Ephiny to talk.

"Why do I always have to fall for everything non-Amazon that comes within sight. Why does it always have to be so... so different. Don't say you haven't noticed she's not completely human? Have you seen the way she is with animals?" Ephiny looked helplessly at Xena and went on. "Why didn't she kidnap Solari... or anyone other than me." She tugged at her own hair in frustration and yelled. " I'm the flaming Regent for Artemis' sake. All this can't distract me. I can't." The Regent sank onto a tree trunk and pulled the Warrior down with her. "I can't do this, not again."

"Hmm?" Xena leaned her elbows on her thighs, then looked back at the Regent with raised eyebrows. "And."

Ephiny copied Xena's posture and hung her head. "She's leaving. Problem solved, I guess."

"And?" The low alto of the Warrior's voice and her knowing grin were enough to convince Ephiny that Xena had already figured her out, before she had herself.

"I don't want her to leave but it's better that she does, for her own safety. You've heard the talk around here, haven't you?" Shaking hands dragged through curly hair and sad hazel eyes rested upon the Warrior's face.

"Rhiannon is not Phantes, my friend." Xena said as she cradled the Amazon in her arms and tried to be of some comfort. "Don't compare, just try to figure out what you feel. That's hard enough, I know. Then find out how she feels before jumping to any conclusions or plans, Eph. One step at a time." The Warrior did her best to sound optimistic. She knew very well how hard it was for the Amazons to accept Ephiny's feelings for a Centaur. At least Phantes was from around here. She also knew that the Celt had to return to Avalon and she had already made up her mind to accompany the redhead. Velasca was trapped once before. She didn't count on it that a mere relocation job was enough to keep her there for too long.

The Regent got up from the trunk, looked down at Xena and tried to smile for her friend. With a broken voice she spoke. "Guess I' m just scared. Sorry you ended up as my punching bag." She dropped herself next to Xena again and leaned her head on the Warrior's shoulder. "I have to get back and apologize to my Queen as well. I left her in the lurch back there. Thanks, Xena."

As the Regent strode off to see her Queen, Xena stayed put for a while and thought about what Ephiny had just revealed to her.

Can't say I blame her. Red Terror Rhi isn't going to let up that easy though.

Poor Eph, she's in for a tough ride... your Celt doesn't know who she is herself and you want her to tell you if she feels... anything for you, huh. She's too busy finding herself.

I do see that you, my love struck friend, affect the Elfling. I'm just not sure in what way. Xena rose to her feet and casually walked back to the village, humming a tune to herself. Trust your heart, Eph. Somehow she figured that the two women were in for a struggle. Something big was happening. Xena felt it in her blood but could not make any sense of it yet. She stopped dead in her trails and raised an eyebrow. Elfling, where did that come from?

One royal to another

Gabrielle searched around the village for Rhiannon and found her in the kitchen above a pan full of steaming grapeleaf wraps. "Princess, may I have a word?" The Bard asked when the redhead noticed her enter the steam room.

"If you start calling me Rhiannon your highness, yes." A playful smile accompanied the redhead's words and she put down a spoon and grabbed a rag to dry her damp face.

"Rhiannon it is then, if you drop the highness thing and call me Gabrielle." The Bard leaned against the door and smiled back at the Celt.

"Would you do me a favour and have a good talk with Ephiny. I can see you two have a distracting effect on each other and don't like what it is doing to my Regent." Ink-stained hands kept waving about, underlining their owner's request. "She is expected to carry out her duties responsibly and I'm here to make sure the circumstances for her to act as Regent are optimal. Do you understand what I am asking you to do?" Will you kiss her already?!

Rhiannon blushed and turned her back on the Bard. So Ephiny is not over the kidnapping at all. So that's why she doesn't leave me alone for even a heart beat, when she's not working.

Facing the now slightly frowning Queen once again, the Celt answered. "I will make peace with your Regent, I promise. I didn't realize that she still felt uneasy about me. I-" Taking a deep breath she paused. "I am sorry to upset the village with my presence." Me and my dumb ideas about not using the sight outside Avalon to keep interactions equal. I know the villagers will gossip, no different than at home, but I would have seen this one coming if I had used it a little.

"Don't be sorry. We Amazon's are only human, like you. Any stranger in town makes tongues loose. We don't get many. I ask this because Ephiny is a close friend and I would like to see you two getting along. You spend enough time together so I assumed everything was fine." The Bard walked over to Rhiannon, picked up a wrap on the way and offered her half.

"Thank you, Gabrielle." Playing with the snack, Rhiannon felt a little nervous. "What made you change your mind about how the Regent feels about what I did to her?"

She hasn't got a clue, either. It's what you do to her now, woman. "Well, she is rather distracted all the time and-"Hold it bard. Eph hasn't admitted she has feelings for the woman... yet. Back off. Gabrielle waved her hands in dismissal. "Maybe I'm just an over protective Queen and she's just preoccupied with personal matters. Promise me you'll have a talk with her to make sure you two are okay. That's all I ask."

"I will do that, I promise." Rhiannon smiled.

Learning is remembering

Rhiannon was still helping out in the kitchen, cooking up the evening meal when Solari came looking for her. The Amazon woman gave her the once over and glared, disapproval advertised all over her face. "The Regent wants to see you, now." Solari snarled at the Celt and walked off.

The redhead grinned and poked her tongue out when Solari turned her back. The remainder of the cooking Amazons giggled and waved towards their leaving sister, gesturing the Celt would be wise to follow her.

Rhiannon let Solari gain a good head start on her so she had time to think. She didn't get far when she picked up a conversation coming from Argo's stable, just around the side of the kitchen hut.

"...she's in the kitchen."

"And Eph?" Gabrielle asked her Consort impatiently.

"I don't know, Brie. I thought she was with you." The Warrior replied, bored.

"They are as blind as we were, and clueless." The Bard added with a giggle.

"At least Eph is waking up. Don't know if the Celt will crack so easily."

"Look love, I think we'd better not interfere anymore. Even though I owe Eph for opening up my eyes to your love and Rhi for a whole lot too, I-"

"Xena, it's all right. The way I see it is that Rhiannon of Avalon has the right to some privacy, as long as that kind of freedom doesn't hurt my Amazons. Her intentions still seem honourable towards us. No reason to invade her mind, when her actions speak for themselves." Gabrielle interrupted her lover. "The woman is obviously going though a rough time in her life and needs friends like her Xe. Ephiny can take care of herself." The Bard paused a while. "I would like to know more about why the Celt is changing, have you noticed that her... how do I put it? " The blonde paused again.

Rhiannon had heard enough and picked up her speed to close in on Solari. She prayed to herself. So the Amazon babe has got the hots for me. Artemis, Ceridwen have mercy on me, don't complicate things even more. She's making me crazy too but I don't know what to do.

The two woman arrived at the Regent's quarters. Solari knocked and entered.

"The woman you requested me to fetch, my Regent." The Amazon told her Highness.

"You want to ask me some more questions or learn another song perhaps... I know a great tear teaser and-" Rhiannon was cut off buy the door slamming shut under Ephiny's arm.

"Be quiet. This time you listen to me, sit." The Amazon Regent almost commanded, ignoring the Celt's attempt to be casual and pointed to a bench. Ephiny sat down next to the redhead and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She started to talk, voice breaking due to the lump she felt growing in her throat. "Who are you really?"

"Rhiannon of Avalon, you know that." You've asked me up to the point of privacy breech about my life." The Celt stood up and walked over to a window. What is she implying? Gods, the tension in this room is almost unbearable.

"I've been having these strange dreams and overpowering feelings, ever since you showed up.

What are you doing to me Elfling?" Ephiny asked, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her face betrayed the surprise at hearing her own choice of words. Elfling? What's an Elfling?

"You just c- called me an Elfling." Rhiannon's voice broke.

Struck by how vulnerable and frustrated the Amazon looked, Rhiannon felt tears of her own form behind her eyes. Tears of recognition. She slipped her hand over that of the Amazon and squeezed it gently.

"I don't know what to tell you." The Celt started and faced the shaking woman beside her. "I am a descendant of the Ancient Ones by the blood of Boadecia, and a reluctant Avalon priestess. That you know. The Elfling part is a total blank to me and frankly, it scares me witless." She ended, out of breath. "I don't even know if it's true. I mean, the word elfling is used to trash an elf or half-elf who tries to live among humans, back home."

"You don't remember anything... at all. Didn't your mother tell you anything?" Ephiny asked, locking onto the Celt's eyes, searching the woman's face for some answer. Anything that would make what was happening, make sense, put it in some sort of perspective. Come on woman, open up to me, please. I can't stand this much longer.

"Welcome to the family's secret Ephiny. No again, sorry." Rhiannon replied bitterly, bowed her head in shame and covered her face with her hands.

Ephiny realized the woman was suppressing sobs by the way her body tensed up.

She wanted so much to comfort this woman but was hesitant to act upon her desire to touch Rhiannon. The Regent nearly leapt from the bench with surprise when the redhead continued to speak.

"Tell me your dreams. I can at least listen and try to help you... friend." Rhiannon smiled at the Amazon, flinging back her thick red hair. "If you want?"

Ephiny got up and fetched some beakers and a canister of water. She needed time to decide were to start. How do I do this without scaring her even more or making a fool of myself? The Amazon sat down again and poured the Celt some water then fixed herself a beaker full. These dreams are connected to her, I can feel it. Be strong Eph, you can do this.

"This is pretty personal stuff. Are you all right with that?" The Regent asked to be sure.

The Celt nodded and added. "I presume we are past the kidnapping and this is about something bigger."

"Gods yes. Oh, please believe me it is. I would like it very much if I may also consider you as a friend. That is how big this is becoming." Ephiny sighed hard. She was not quite sure about anything other than the fact that she wanted to be close to the women, in any way possible.

"You are scaring me but what do I have to lose, right?" The Celt bit on her lip to feel something else besides her heart pounding.

"Right. It's one dream actually, in different variations." Clasping her hands together the Regent continued.

"We- uh, you and I, that is- kind of like... fall for each other. Over and over again. Like- Like past lives or something." Ephiny stopped for air and looked away, afraid of her listener's response.

Rhiannon gently placed her hand on the Regent's hands again and closed her eyes.

"Snakes?" She uttered and opened her eyes immediately, stunned by what appeared before her mind's-eye.

"What?" The Regent panted, letting Rhiannon's hand slip between her own for a tighter hold.

"I just saw snakes. In your dreams, do snake's or the snake as a symbol, play a large part?"

"Yes, most of the time." The Regent almost squeezed the blood from the redhead's hand.

"Yes... does that mean anything to you?" Ephiny repeated anxiously.

The Celt slowly stood up as if hypnotized. She walked over to a window and opened it for a breeze of fresh air and dragged Ephiny along with her. She turned her head to face the woman. "If what you say is true, your dreams may teach me how to remember. You are receiving the dreams from the part of me I do not know and can not reach on my own." She sighed, her mouth stayed open as if to speak. She is dreaming of past lives. If the snakes appear as tattoo's around her wrists, I'm in big trouble.

"Something tells me Rhiannon, Avalon Priestess, knows what to do now and that scares me witless. I must first let you know about the latest dream... last night's variation, before I loose my nerve altogether." She knows more than she wants to tell me, I can feel it.

Ephiny let the Celt go. "The better choice of words would be, the here and now part I am beginning to feel but not understand. The feelings grow stronger as we speak. Don't ask me to explain that because..." She paused to focus on the dream instead of her throbbing center and continued with a trembling voice. "I'm going solely on intuition here, priestess." The Amazon took a deep breath and continued. "I'm falling in love with you... again, but must be patient and wait, for my lover has lost her way and can't see me... ME." It was the Regent's turn to fight back her tears. Say something woman.

Rhiannon walked to the silently crying woman and folded the Amazon into her arms, from behind. "I hear you. I can't reach you as far as you need me to. I'm sorry lass, I'm sorry." She whispered into the ear of the shivering woman as Ephiny surrendered to her sorrow.

Before the Celt realized what is going on, Ephiny struggled free from their embrace,

turned to face her and slammed her up against the door. Her face features grew serious and her eyes seemed darker. With a husky undertone she breathed into one of her captive's pointy ears. "Let me reach you instead... let me in, Elfling."

The Amazon leaned into the Celt and their lips locked like a vault.

Rhiannon felt like she was falling into a deep pit, while surges of lightning raced through her veins. Barely standing the exquisight torture of old and new feelings and images starting to overtake her senses, she pushed the other woman away. Far enough to get out of the Amazon's hold on her and out the door.

Breathe, you dumb Celt. Slow, deep breaths, one, two, three, good girl.

Now go back in before her heart breaks. Ceridwen help me. She's having the same dreams as I did when I was a child. What in the name of The Goddess is going on? The Celt helped herself re-focus on breathing and re-entered the Amazon's quarters. As her eyes readjusted to candlelight, the redhead could make out the Regent's form, draped on her cot. Could she be a far off descendant of the Ancients?

"Ephiny, thought I'd pass out on you there, sorry." Rhiannon offered in explanation of her action. "Whauw." She walked over to the bed and sat down beside the crying Amazon Regent. What do I do now? I want her so badly, but that's usually how I stuff up any chance of getting emotionally closer to women. Gods, she's so gorgeous. Rhiannon stroked the Amazon's curls and let the Priestess in her come forward.

"There is another way to go about this, Amazon." Avalon's knowledge crept up from the back of her mind and guided her new approach, pushing any sensual feelings aside. "First I must return to my sisters and let them learn of my findings. I must also renounce my function as Priestess of Avalon." Rhiannon slid her legs onto the bed and wrapped an arm around the now heavily breathing Amazon, and continued with a slightly trembling voice, "I have served them long enough and will return one last time to make sure Velasca stays where I left her. I intend to pay my mother a visit to find out more of my ancient blood ties. By the Gods, I will find out this time. I have the best purpose life has to offer and I owe you a better explanation than I can give you now."

Rhiannon cupped Ephiny's chin and winked at the anxious blonde. "I want to come back and find out what is making us react to each other so strongly. I don't feel free to follow my heart at the moment, although I want to. I can't explain."

Ephiny wanted to cry out loud so badly, she thought she would drown in her own tears or die fighting them. Her thoughts spun into a downward spiral. So she's leaving. I knew it. She almost passes out from my kiss, slips outside, returns as this in-control Avalon chick and talks about leaving on this quest. What about me? Don't my feelings count? Doesn't she get it that what she is doesn't matter? Let me in damn you.

The Amazon sat up and fell for the ocean green pools, that belonged to the woman before her, all over again. She tried to kiss Rhiannon but the woman placed a finger on her lips and talked some more. Ephiny sat there numb, just letting the Celt soothe her hunger for any kind of closeness with words and promises. Tears slowly subsided and the Amazon regained her control, nestling herself against the Celt's body, and relaxed.

The Celt looked at the woman in her arms. Empowered by a connection she felt growing, a connection that could only be described as love, she lightly kissed the Amazon's curly crown. A little voice from the depth of her Elfling soul cried out for recognition.

Ephiny was overcome by exhaustion and numb from all the emotions. Morpheus stepped in.

The God of slumber had been having a harder time catching the foreigner woman over the past fortnight.

Listening to Ephiny's breathing pattern, the Celt made a note to herself to ask Xena for a serious workout in the morning. Now she needed to release some of the stress of being unsure about everything, including how to leave this wonderful woman alone until she left, without going completely insane. Rhiannon let go of the sleeping Amazon and tip-toed out of the hut. She strolled around the village for hours thinking up a plan, a way to make things right for everyone. She crept back to the hut and laid down in her own cot, more frustrated by her plan than anything else. The human part of her anatomy finally relaxed after cultivating herself to a climax. Flashes of a certain, particularly wet and sensual looking Amazon plagued her first stretch of uneasy sleep.

Oh Avalon, my Amazon

Rhiannon woke with a scream, soaking wet and tangled in sheets.

A candle mark before dawn, the Celt had dozed off again, right into the heart of a nightmare.

Now she was on her knees, next to her cot with the sheets around her legs, sword in one hand, growling like a wild cat.

"It's all right, Rhiannon. It's all right." Ephiny talked softly to the woman on the ground as she closed in on the sword carefully, thinking a dreaming Celt might be a dangerous one.

Solari and Lizzeah rushed into the room. The Regent quickly stepped between the alarmed guards and the redhead with her hands raised.

"It's all right, she's dreaming. It's a nightmare. I'll take care of her. Leave us, please." The Regent commanded her guards in a stern voice.

"She killed them all. She killed them." The Celt panted hard and collapsed under the weight of total confusion and utter exhaustion.

Ephiny took the sword out of the unconscious woman's hand and lifted her back onto her cot. "Sleep now restless one, sleep." She whispered and settled herself next to the redhead. "I'm here if you need me. I'm here, love." The Regent noticed that the sleeping woman's skin had a slight green glow and glistened with pearls of sweat. The Celt started to mumble in a language the Amazon could not understand.

The Regent slipped from the bed gently, walked over to the door and ordered Solari to get Xena and a healer. This fever is no good at all.

"XENA" Solari yelled as she ran towards the practice grounds. "Eph needs you, like right now. I've got to fetch the healer. See you later." The Amazon voiced to the worried looking Warrior as she took a deep breath and bolted.

Xena dropped her sword, replaced it with her chakram and sprinted to the Regent's quarters.

Ephiny waited for help holding onto the now shivering Celt with one arm, soaking down the woman's face and neck with a wet linen rag in the other.

"Gods, what is going on inside you my brave one?" The Regent asked out loud. This reminds me of when I tried to help Phantes fight off his nightmares. Phantes would try to suppress parts of his Centaur nature for my sake and pay for it at night. Let go woman. To all Gods, who will hear me, help her let go. "Let go Rhiannon, only you can set yourself free." She continued thinking out loud.

"Let go of what?" The Warrior asked, leaning against the doorframe.

"She first has to find out what to let go of, Eph." Xena concluded.

Ephiny's heart raced but she didn't look over to Xena, who had startled her, making her presence known. The Celt was waking up and the Amazon kept her eyes on the woman's fever-plagued face.

Who are you? I know you, but who are you? How can I know you, how can I want y--

The healer apprentice's hands descending on the Celt's face interrupted the Regent's private thoughts.

"My Mistress is on retreat. I can see the woman has a fever but that's all."

The young student healer looked anxiously from Xena to Ephiny. "I think Xena is the better choice. You've been to her land, you must know something about her?" She chattered on nervously.

Xena stepped towards the bed, stood looking at the Celt for a moment and said in a matter of fact way, " Eph, keep her comfortable. Sponge her down to help break the fever. I'll make her some willow bark tea. As for the physical side, I'm as much in the dark as young Leta here. Mentally, I'd say she's suppressing something and running from it... herself, all at once. I've heard she could be half elf. Don't know what that means. Her family kept it a secret. Maybe she's finding out right now. This is were I need my Bard... be right back." Xena rushed off to find her lover.

Ephiny kept her eyes locked on the Elfling's face as Xena had said something about a bard. "Leave us, the rest of you. You heard the Queen's Consort, bring me some fresh water." She excused Leta and Solari with a wave of her hand.

Rhiannon opened her ocean green eyes. Coated with tears, they looked up at Ephiny.

The Celt's face disclosed her fear and confusion. The Amazon stroked wet cheeks with the back of her hand and spoke softly, "Where did you go my Elfling?"

Voice quivering the Celt replied, "Oh Avalon, my Amazon." The woman floated out of consciousness again.

Debts and Promises

"I WILL go with you and that's final." Xena yelled at Rhiannon, taking on her Warrior Princess pose, legs spread, relaxed, arms crossed, eyes narrowed to slits.

"I need to see for myself that Velasca is harmless, for good. The Warrior hissed through her teeth. "Besides," she added in a more friendly tone, " I owe it to your mother and Vivian to at least get you home safely. You're barely over that fever my friend."

"I don't want you with me, Xena. Mother is grieving and not in the friendliest of states. You two will be at each other in no time," Rhiannon spat. "I can take care of myself."

Xena raised an eyebrow and shook a finger at the younger woman. "You little-

"Well?" The Celt grinned and folded her arms.

"I'll deal with it." Armor rang as Xena slapped her fist across her heart to confirm her promise "And I will stand by you all the way." The eyebrow dropped and a smile appeared.

"Tomorrow, two candle marks after dawn. Be ready, Warrior Princess." The Celt let her relentless escort know. "Now say goodbye to your lass and let me get on with things. Let the Queen know I will return you safely." She smiled at Xena and returned her attention to a list of harbors.

Ephiny took advantage of the fact that Rhiannon was not paying much attention to her surroundings and surprised the Celt before she could protest or run from her. The Amazon slipped her hand around the reading woman's neck, tangling her fingers in the thick red tresses of hair and pulled her in for a passionate kiss.

Rhiannon took one look into the Amazon's eyes and saw desire beaming from the woman's pools, ducked, turned and ran as far as her legs would take her. She didn't get very far before Ephiny caught up with her and she got chased all over the village center square.

"Do you give in? Ephiny panted out of breath, lying on top of the Celt, holding her down like a wild animal.

Rhiannon kept struggling under the weight of the curly haired woman, and shook her head from left to right, avoiding a pair of hungry lips. She wanted desperately to surrender to this beauty and almost did when Xena stepped in and pulled Ephiny off her.

"Ladies, you might like to continue this 'conversation' somewhere else? The whole village is watching and getting restless." The Warrior said in a low commanding tone.

Ephiny pushed Xena aside in her disappointment of the woman's intervention and strode off in the direction of her quarters.

The Celt stayed lying on the ground, totally out of breath and covered her face with her arms.

"Show's over Amazons." Xena yelled to all the women standing around and scoped the square with a fowl smirk on her face, to make sure they would react and get on with things.

Women hurried back to their activities and the raven-haired woman knelt down by her old friend.

"You all right Rhi? Can I do anything to help you?" The Warrior asked the exhausted Celt and brushed some red, curly strands of hair out of the woman's face.

Rhiannon reached out an arm to let her friend help her up. She looked at Xena, shook her head and followed the path that led to the Regent's hut. Over her shoulder she mentioned to the Warrior, "I hope your Queen is as good at mending a broken heart, as she is at inspiring chats."

Argo's interruptus

"Oh, for the love of sweat Aphrodih- please Gabrieh"- Xena's voice gave up on her as she surrendered to her Bard's gentle lovemaking. It felt like a sacred ritual being performed for her soul's safe return, by her personal Goddess from Potediai. Her lover was taking Xena to the edge of no return, over and over and over again.

Gabrielle lay between the Warrior's legs and played around the swollen nub with her tongue relentlessly slow, while she slid two fingers in and out of her lover in slow motion, once in a while spreading them wider to fill her lover. The blonde heard her love beg and plead for release from the sharp edge between pain and pleasure. Gabrielle replaced her tongue with a thumb and held it still. The fingers inside her Warrior softly caressed the veins, throbbing just two digits deep. She draped her naked flesh half over the trembling Warrior and leaned up on one elbow.

"Look at me, my love." The Bard asked tenderly and kissed her lover gently. "Come for me, Xena." Then she started to circle her lover's clit with more pressure and speed. Gabrielle leaned into the climax-yearning woman, penetrating her deeper still and froze when Xena yelled out Argo's name and jumped up at the sound of hooves galloping by their hut. The Bard screamed:

"THAT DAMNED HORSE, I'LL MAKE JERKY OUT OF IT ANY DAY NOW."

The Warrior collapsed the moment she tried to get up from the bed with a loud thump.

"Beeeh- righh- backhh." She panted, leaning on both hands and knees before a now very angry, frustrated Bard and wobbled off with great effort.

The cool night air aided Xena to regain her edge as she managed to move faster and more focussed on her mount's familiar sounds. The Warrior picked up speed and ran towards the Regent's hut, climbed up on the roof, ran over its rim and jumped onto Argo effortlessly behind a startled Celt. She grabbed the redhead by the scruff, dragged her off Argo and into the nearest public hut. She shoved the woman into a chair, then tied her to it with the string from Rhiannon's bow as she ordered two guards to keep her in sight at all times. Finally she rode her horse like mad to her lover's quarters for an urgently needed release, leaving behind one furious Celt. No words had been wasted between the two.

After a few moments of her lover's frenzied, nearly feral attention, the Warrior shot off over the edge of her orgasm and became one with her soulmate and the universe.

Going home to come 'home'

Xena had two horses prepared and rations to last at least a fortnight, lovingly packed by her Bard. She now kept her wife trapped between her harnessed body and Argo, kissing the young woman senseless. Meanwhile the sun had well passed the noon.

Ephiny spent most of the late morning calming a sore, furious Elfling down and ended up having to tackle the redhead to stop her from attacking Xena, Solari and a defenceless log. Warriors will be warriors. When the Celt finally did relax a little she found herself being drawn to the biggest distraction of all. Her body ached to dissolve into this restless Ancient soul. A few times she made a move on the Celt but ended up confusing the woman even more than she already was. Talking didn't help either. She changed tactics and stayed busy packing. The Regent wanted to drive Rhiannon out of the village, only for the woman to return 'home' to her that much sooner. She didn't want to waste another precious moment on tormenting goodbyes.

"Xena, its time," the Celt yelled at the orally occupied Warrior and took one last look at Ephiny. Her heart felt like it would burst. Last night's dreams had plagued her with rich, erotic images of the Amazon Regent. In the dream Ephiny wore the marks of an Ancient One. Slender blue snakes curled round her wrists. How can I know you... who are you? Why don't I remember? Rhiannon thought to herself and put on a brave face and said farewell to her hosts.

"Come home to me whole, my love." Ephiny said to Rhiannon as she closed in on her, one last try and tried to seal all the love she felt for the woman in one long, searing kiss.

Rhiannon let her this time.

Rhiannon speaks...

Xena turned out to be the perfect travel companion, apart from the arguments about who was right about typical warrior traits and the best travel route.

She left me alone to my thoughts when I asked and concentrated on getting us to Britannia in one piece. This proved to be a challenge the closer we got to the islands. I became completely useless to anyone, including myself.

I was totally taken by surprise when the change started. The Elfling in me was being reborn and reintegrated...

I was so tired of being scared that I tried to shut everything out, besides the calming sounds of nature. Sharp pains in my back appealed to the healing skills of my escort, all the way across the seas and kept us immobile in an obscure village just off Britannia's coast for a quarter moon. We had enough coin to rent a tacky, rat-infested room from an even filthier looking innkeeper. I was scared and completely in the dark about the metamorphosis I was undergoing. Xena used pressure points to dull the physical pain and told me some of Gabrielle's stories and poems to keep my mind occupied. I had no time or strength to give Ephiny much thought, come to think of that particular time...

A Phoenix trapped in her ashes

Laying on a litter pulled by Xena for the remainder of their journey to Avalon made the Celt cranky and impossible to deal with. The fever came back and the Warrior often wondered whether it was wise to continue travelling at all. That stubborn kid has a lot of making up to do. Hera's tits, why didn't I bring more willow bark. I'll have to find some more as soon as I find a suitable campsite. It's getting dark. Please, no Banshees or other local weirdo's tonight.

The exhausted Warrior put down the litter gently and looked back at the strapped-in woman. She massaged her cramped up arms a short while and wanted to continue following the trail to Avalon, when the younger woman called her name in a gasp.

"Xena, the pain's gone. Get me out of this contraption... now." Rhiannon said, losing her patience fast.

"Hold your horses, let me examine you first Rhi." The Warrior replied with an equally impatient tone and started to free the woman from her bindings. When Xena slid her hands lightly over the woman's body, she noticed muscles and bones that weren't there before. Rhiannon's collar bones, shoulder blades and back muscles had grown into a different shape. Between her shoulder blades a pair of green wings, the size of a hand, had been etched under the first layer of skin.

Xena fell back on her behind in astonishment. When she landed on the forest floor, her jaw dropped and she just stared at Rhiannon. The younger woman had the most delicate green shimmer about her that seemed to radiate from her skin.

"What?" The Celt questioned the Warrior who seemed to be in a trance.

"I don't know," Xena replied with a concerned voice. "I honestly don't know, Rhi."

Xena explained the physical evidence of her change and described the magically appeared tattoo.

Rhiannon got up from the litter, pulled her clothing straight, then fell over the sitting Warrior in her attempt to draw Xena's sword and go clobber a tree.

"No you don't." The raven-haired woman breathed between her teeth and took hold of the frustrated woman. "If you want answers, I suggest we head straight for Avalon. I'll check up on Velasca while you do your thing. After that we split to go drill Boadecia." Xena finished, nodding, pleased with herself. "Focus Rhi, Focus. You feel fine now because the fever has dropped again. Keep the water skin handy and drink a lot. You are going to need your strength."

Trusting Gods, the Girl and Magick

"I know it's your choice but don't you want to do this with a little more style? Crossing with the boat may be the only way to get on the island but what will you do when we get there?" An amazed Warrior asked the woman crouching next to her behind some rocks. This place is giving me the creeps.

Rhiannon remained silent for a while and thought about what Xena was saying to her.

She looked out from behind their hiding place and took in the majestic view of The Lake.

I wish I never had to go back.

"Want to help me put a manipulative old crow out of position? With a little of your quick thinking and surprise tactics, my knowledge of Avalon stuff and the help of some gods, we can make it up as we go along. What do you say, my friend? The Celt grimaced at the Warrior and waited for her response.

"No killing right, just altering this Eilan's amount of influence?" Xena asked to be sure.

"But asking gods for help isn't my style girl."

"Xena, how do I put your mind at ease on this one?" Rhiannon looked out over The Lake, scratched her head and readjusted herself against one of the rocks. "I don't invoke a God directly, you see. I summon up the power they represent, in me. If I direct that kind of energy on anything with intentions that do not correspond with the greater good, it repeats on me, three-fold. Future, past and present. Does that make sense?"

Nodding but not convinced the Warrior inquired. "It's a nice theory but what exactly can you do?"

"That's a good question. I uh, left Avalon before learning the full extent of my powers."

Rhiannon closed her eyes for a moment and asked her Goddess for an answer in silence.

"It sure seems like I'll be learning that the natural way. I hope it's not all as overwhelming as melting rock." That's what you get for rushing off after trapping Velasca.

Xena smiled at her companion. "We'll have to wait and see what we find, when we get there. Shall we stick to the earthly manual skills for now?" She's got a smart head on her shoulders and good intuitions, what could go wrong? What can't go wrong? I don't know this place.

"Forget about gods or this place for a moment. Do you trust me, my intentions Xena?"

Rhiannon asked seriously, reaching out to her friend's hand and holding it in anticipation of her decision. "It's all right if you doubt me. I understand because I'm not sure of myself anymore either. One thing I can promise though, I will not take any chances with your life."

Xena looked down at the Celt's hand, which was laced with small scars, and calluses, squeezed it gently and nodded again. "I trust you Rhi. I know it's hard to know yourself and not wanting to be the odd one out all the time. Just tell me what you want me to do."

Rhiannon took a deep breath. "Let me meditate myself into priestess mode for half a candle mark or so. Join me if you like. It is full moon tonight. How's that for divine intervention. We make a grand entrance and end this now." Rhiannon stated and started chanting, barely audible.

Prodigal Priestess

The thick mist surrounding the island of Avalon seemed to dissolve as the boat carved through The Lake. Xena got out of the boat first and dragged it higher up shore and gave the Elfling a hand. The younger woman had colored a pale emerald green from head to toe and her features appeared sharper. Her cheeky ears poked though red strands of wavy hair and her fingers had grown long and slender.

Xena took one of the woman's hands in her own and whispered humbly, "How beautiful you are, Elfling. Good Luck."

Rhiannon kept her eyes focused on the misty bank before them and froze all but squeezing Xena's hand to a pulp. From the mist a group of figures were starting to appear. "Slight change of plans Warrior, they have found us first. Get behind me."

Not quite adjusted to the role switch, it took Xena a blink to oversee the situation and wait for further instructions. She was on the Celt's territory now. If Brie could see me now. She must go nuts wondering what will happen next, every time I come up with a brilliant plan. She thought to herself and registered a second flow of adrenaline rushing through her system, just by thinking of her Bard.

Dampened by the fog, a low familiar voice greeted the women by the boat.

"Welcome back my little Elfling, you too Warrior Princess. You two kept us waiting long enough."

"Taliesin, what's going on here?" Rhiannon let out her amazement in a high pitched voice and unsheathed her sword fast.

"Come warm yourselves by the fire dears and I'll let you in on some of the events that took place since you left us, Rhiannon." The old man stepped clear of the mist and smiled at the prodigal priestess. "Tut tut Elfling, Hearn's sword can not be used against his Druids."

The Celt hissed between her teeth. "It's not Hearn's sword. It's mine"

"I believe you found it here, my child. Same difference." The Taliesin's reply came out as arrogant as ever.

"Why should I trust anything you say Taliesin, based on what? That little stunt you and Eilan pulled?" Her hollow, sarcastic laugh lost its echo to the mist.

"It's all right, Rhi." The dark tone of a female's words overpowered the young Celt's senses. "Come here my child." Boadecia walked from her misty cloak with arms wide.

Rhiannon's heart stopped for a beat and she jumped into her mother's arms, crying for joy and fear at the same time.

Xena stepped back a few paces to give the women some space but was grabbed by the wrist and pulled into the embrace by an ecstatically grateful Boadecia. Feeling somewhat awkward the Warrior joined in.

"Let's go to Vivian' s hut. She'll have a fire blazing and plenty of warm mead waiting to be tasted. Catch up time." The Queen of Celts extended her invitation, wrapping her strong arms around the new arrivals and led the way.

Perpetual motion

Xena listened carefully to the Taliesin's explanation of how the former High Priestess of Avalon was now trapped together with Velasca, the result of her own greed.

"Explain this to me again, in lamans terms this time around." The Warrior took a gulp of honey wine from the drinking horn offered to her and looked at the Druid with a lost, slightly bored expression.

She had left Rhiannon with her family to check out the rock Velasca was supposedly melted into. To her expectation, the nosy Taliesin accompanied her as a guide. His actual name was Gwydion of Lotharian she had learned from Rhiannon. An old family friend who had worked himself up the druidicial ladder and was now one of Boadecia's spiritual advisers.

The old man smiled at Xena with a trace of mischief around his mouth, sat down on a bench by the rock face and started over. "Let me put it this way Warrior, the Powers That Be have replaced Eilan because she no longer suited the greater good. Velasca came in handy I suppose, like a decoy. They are stuck in the rock, draining each other's powers and keeping the stone around them from melting so they can get out. The perpetual motion of greed, dear." The man paused and stroked his streaky white beard. "I simply got to Boadecia before she could kill her sister for abusing her daughter and persuaded her to co-operate with me. I lost my faith in Eilan long ago and planned to stop the egotistical, bitter woman's plan to strip the new Goddess on the block of her powers and reign supreme. Rhiannon was merely a puppet in her game. Over the time the Elfling was being trained in Avalon, I managed to turn the girl on her mentrix. This took little effort, for the woman's heart is pure and she recognized Eilan's true colors. Vivian, Rhiannon's human twin has been prepared and educated as new High Priestess of Avalon ever since I was instructed to overthrow Eilan."

Xena stared into the distance with a blank face as the Druid spoke to her.

Sounds about right. The same old, same old. Gods and humans and mixtures of all species, trying to affect life any way possible, good or bad. Sometimes we are helpless pawns, other times we have some illusion of control. I hate that, I hate that, and I hate that. Worse, I can't do a damned thing to change that. Can I? The Warrior shrugged her shoulders to shake off the primal anger she felt rising within, took a deep breath and pictured her Bard before her mind's-eye. A smile crept up on her and she confronted the now silent old man.

"Maybe you can help me with another mystery... Lord Magick?" Xena asked the man and winked to get across the sarcasm intended.

The Druid clapped his hands and giggled. "Good Warrior Princess... you are getting the hang of it. Don't take it all so seriously. Behind all disaster lies a cosmic joke." The Taliesin commended her attempt to be funny. "Referring to the joke you think is being had by all, at the expense of Rhiannon now, are you?" He asked, got up, lifted his long tunic up to his knees and trotted off in the direction of Vivian's hut. "Follow me." The running man yelled over his shoulder to the confused Warrior.

"Crazy old fool.... trust you as far as I can throw you." Xena thought out loud, first making sure he was out of hearing range and then followed him.

Her mother's daughter

"Are you having me on, ma?" The now blackish, green colored Rhiannon screamed after the pacing Boadecia, punching the older woman's ribs from behind. "You knew all this and let me go. What kind of a mother are you?" The Elfling panted with a shrieking voice, sank to her knees and leaned back on her heels. "You let me grow up without saying a word of this?" Her voice broke and tears burnt as she surrendered to overpowering emotions, stirred by her mother's words.

Boadecia leaned down, pulled her child to her feet and tried to hug her. Rhiannon didn't give in easily and flung a couple more fists at her. The older woman just tightened her arms around her girl and explained. "Please love, I didn't know all of it I swear. I didn't know until Gwydion stopped me from trying to kill Eilan with my bare hands. After I received a parchment from Arafel's mother with word of the girl's death, I snapped out of mourning Prasutagus and decided to go take a look for myself. You were already gone. We had to deal with Velasca and Eilan before going after you. They would have destroyed everyone. The Moon Goddess appeared to our aid and promised to guide you back here. You are her champion Rhi, you and Vivian are her Moon children." Now Boadecia was crying in her daughter's arms. "Can you forgive me for keeping silent all these years?"

"Mother, we were all used. Doesn't that teach you anything? Drop the self-inflicted guilt thing." Vivian's irritated voice of reason butted in. "How about letting the last skeleton out of our family closet while you are confessing. Are you going to tell her of Eanfled?" The young woman tapped her heel impatiently, steeling glances of her reflection in the High Priestess robe from a mirror on the wall.

"Who's Eanfled?" Rhiannon eased out from the comfortable safety of her mother's arms and blinked away the moisture, clouding her vision. "Mother?" Anxious green eyes flashed at the older Celt.

Your father's eyes

"I'm off to tease a Warrior Princess, ladies." Vivian said, grinning at her kinfolk.

Reacting to her sister's sour face, "Don't worry little Elfling, I won't be too harsh on her." She laughed, made a pirouette in front of the mirror and slammed the door behind her as she left.

"The little blood sucker. Haven't the sisters of Orkney been able to kick that mean streak out of her yet?" Rhiannon picked up a stray boot and threw it after her sibling.

"She's letting off steam, before the big ritual. You know that Rhi. Xena can stand up to Vivian just fine on her own." Boadecia spoke warmly to her daughter. "Come and sit out on the porch with me, love. It's a beautiful night. I need to tell you some things about yourself."

The two women went outside, carried two stools with them and got comfortable.

The night sky was metallic blue and the stars shone dim above them. A full moon rising stole their power. She covered the island in flickering patches of shadow and light, chasing each other over the soft hills of Avalon.

Rhiannon inhaled the musky night air and waited for her mother to speak.

Every cell in her body tensed in anticipation of what Boadecia was about to reveal.

Boadecia gazed into her child's anticipating eyes, leaned over and rested a hand on her knee. "You have your father's eyes. Every time you looked at me from the day you were born, up to now, I felt his presence." The Leader of Celts stood up, kneeled in front of her child and continued.

"Your father is Eanfled, gate keeper of the Dream Stone. Prasutagus and I got lost there once, on our way home from celebrating Shamaine with Eilan. You were conceived the night before Eanfled let some elves escort us back to The Lake shore." The older woman stopped and bowed her head to hide the tears, burning in her eyes. "I have told you some things about elves. Remember the bedtime stories of Oswyn, the High Elf."

The Elfling clamped her hands together in her lap and waited for her mother to continue. Rocking back and forth numbly and looking down at the kneeling woman like a prisoner waiting to hear the sentence.

Continued In Within the Realm of Flying