PART 8

XLIV. The Show Must Go On (or Break a Leg and Some Other Body Parts While You're at it)

“You want us to do WHAT ?!”

I winced as the explosive sound of incredulity rang across the grove, turning heads in alarm and curiosity. Obviously Ephiny was still not completely behind the plan yet. I wasn't sure I was, but there weren't many choices left at this point.

“You heard me,” Xena replied calmly, as if she had only asked Ephiny to pass the salt and couldn't see the problem. She was using her breast dagger to clean her nails.

Ephiny threw her arms wide. “Are you NUTS ?”

Artemis, wearing an identical expression of disbelief, leaned forward as if getting a little closer might clarify what she heard. “You're telling me that you wish to lead us straight back into the fire?”

Xena examined her cuticles closely. “Yeah,” she drawled and then lifted her eyes. “Unless you guys are too scared?”

Oh, Hades. I heard the collective whooshing gasp of the Amazons as Xena managed to impugn the entire Nation's courage in one casual taunt. Autolycus, standing nearby, gave Xena and me one horrified look and then began backing away, clearly realizing we weren't going to be much further use in the way of protection in about three seconds.

Ephiny put her hand on the hilt of her sword. “You bitch.”

Xena grinned at her, not the least bit concerned by the name-calling or the implied threat of violence. She replaced her dagger, crossed her arms and then nodded towards the village. “What's the alternative? You gonna give up, slink off into the woods with your tails between your legs and hope Dimitra doesn't come back to finish you off? You know she's not gonna let things lie; she's too much of a whack job.”

“Amazons aren't stupid, Xena,” Ephiny shot back. “We're not cowards either, but I can weigh the odds just as well as you can and this is a losing proposition! You're asking me to mount a suicide attack!”

“I'm not—”

“You are!” Ephiny stuck a finger in Xena's face. “And in case you've forgotten it, Dimitra's not only got the belt, she's got the same training as the rest of us. What makes you think we could get the jump on her even supposing we could make it into the village without her flattening us?”

Xena tilted her head towards me, raising an expectant eyebrow. That's my signal . I came forward, trying not to show how their earlier rejection of me had hurt. “We'll use that training against her.”

“Huh?”

Ephiny was right to be puzzled; I still couldn't believe we were even thinking of trying this stunt. “We'll give her what she wants,” I went on, “but everyone has to be in on this or we won't succeed.”

Artemis, unwilling to be duped a second time, shook her head. “This is preposterous.”

My Regent stared at me long and hard. “I can't believe you even have the gall to suggest this.”

“Do you have any idea how close it came to being complete annihilation? I did the only thing I could think of to buy us time. I'm sorry for failing to protect everyone. I know I can't bring back the dead, but I can damn well try to make sure there aren't any more. I'll prove it to you.”

Ephiny didn't want to believe me. She stood rigid and angry, but I could see she knew as well as I did how dire our circumstances were. “Yeah? How?” she challenged.

“She's gonna sacrifice herself,” Xena answered for me. “And—if you'd rather not get your hands dirty—all you have to do is watch.” This was delivered derisively. I had a feeling that if Dimitra weren't a threat to people beyond the Amazons, Xena might be just as content to walk off and leave the Amazons to fend for themselves.

“You expect me to believe you're gonna let her do that?” Ephiny gestured at me contemptuously, Xena's healthy protective streak very well known in these parts.

Her ugly tone was the last straw. “Fine,” I snapped. “You don't like our idea? What's yours?”

Faced with having to offer an alternative, Ephiny did a passable impersonation of a fish out of water, her mouth working soundlessly.

“Well?” Xena demanded.

Her curls shook like she was about to go off. She turned away, growled at the woods and then swung around, this time facing Artemis. “You realize what they're going to do if we agree to this?” For someone who had worshiped Artemis all her life, the reverence and deference sure had dissipated with familiarity over the last several hours.

“By midnight my fate will be sealed and with me the fate of the Nation.” Artemis looked at us all, her gaze resting on me the longest. She turned to Ephiny. “Unless you have some other course of action already in mind?”

Ephiny grimaced, but shook her head. “I couldn't come up with anything she wouldn't be able to counter. She's always been a fast learner.”

“Then it's settled,” Xena said. “We'll go over the strategy tonight and get organized to return to the village by morning.”

Ephiny nodded unhappily. “And this is going to work—how, exactly?”

“Pretend I convinced you,” I answered. “Happy or not about it, pretend Dimitra is the goddess you prefer.”

“And this is just for show?”

Tentatively, I put my hand on Ephiny's arm. “I promise you, the only trap here is for her.”

She gave me a conflicted look. “I want to believe you.”

“You can. Please, Ephiny, this is the only way. And…” I shrugged “…if it goes wrong and I'm still alive, I swear I'll submit myself to Amazon law.”

“Gabrielle…” Xena didn't look happy about that, but there was no way around it. None of it meant anything unless even the queen was subject to the laws and traditions of our society.

I ignored Xena. “I mean it, Ephiny. You won't regret this.”

“You better make sure I don't.” Ephiny sighed in dismayed resignation.

“That's it, then,” Xena said immediately, moving into action mode. “We've got a lot to do before morning.”

“What happens in the morning?” Ephiny asked suspiciously.

Xena smiled. “You should know; you planned the Brauronia party.”

I stepped in before Ephiny decided to try and clobber my friend out of angry frustration. “Maybe it would be a good idea to make sure the wounded are settled and prepared to move out at first light. In the meanwhile, you can talk to the others while Xena and our warriors figure out the best way to get us all back to the village and get the place ready for the ceremony.”

“We'll need to send out scouts,” Ephiny replied a little sourly. I suspect she was still angry enough with me that my using words like ‘our' and ‘us' were giving her hives.

“And I'll see what we can do about some food; we could probably all do with something to eat.”

“No.” Artemis shook her head.

“Excuse me?”

“Unless I am mistaken, Gabrielle, you still haven't learned the steps for the Brauronia dance. Or do you plan on improvising and hoping for the best?”

I gave her a pained, hopeful smile. “Yes?”

“No,” Ephiny said repressively. “If we're doing this, we're doing it right.”

+=+=+

“Like this?” Step-step-sashay-bump-step-step-cross-step-hunch-stand- (grunt) -arms-over-the-head-lean (heavy breath).

“Almost. Don't neglect your posture. You should be like the wind through the wild grasses; sleek and graceful, not like a man whose donkey has kicked him in the particulars.”

We'd been at it for hours now and I was so tired I was practically tripping over my own two feet. Sleeping standing upright was beginning to seem not only possible, but likely. “Can we take a break?”

“One more time,” Artemis demanded. “Join me.” She held out her hand imperiously, the flicker of dying firelight staining her skin orange and red.

Biting back a yawn, I took my position, half-hearing the count as she began to move, her movement pulling me into the steps. Step-step-sway-touch-hands-press-away-raise-arms—

I stumbled and fell into her, and I felt her strong, calloused hands steady me. “Sorry--” Grabbing her in turn, I found myself slightly tangled in her arms and, whether as a result of the belt's influence or that of recent events, we didn't draw away immediately. Her face was controlled and expressionless, and I wondered what she might be thinking. “I'm sorry,” I said again, “for everything.”

Her grey eyes, half shadowed in darkness, examined me bemusedly. “Why can't I hate you?” she asked. “Everything that has happened leads me to feel that I should… but I can't.”

I bowed my head. “I'm glad you don't.” I eased us apart and wiped a damp tendril of hair away from my face. “I wouldn't betray the Nation – or you – maliciously… I wish you could believe that. I know what I've done and… it doesn't feel right to ask for your forgiveness.” It hurt that I'd hurt her so badly. Having been robbed of her powers and immortality, I could only imagine how scary and confusing everything must have been for her, first dealing with her loss and then coping, like the rest of us, with the insidious effects of her own belt.

“It feels as though I can deny you nothing, even forgiveness, no matter how angry I am with you. Even if failure tonight means my death, since I cannot see Dimitra suffering me to live any longer than necessary.” Artemis looked thoughtfully into the fire, contemplating the flames. “Is this what love is, then? This sense of confusion and helplessness? I can't think straight. My body feels awash in flame every time I think of your touch. I feel as though my heart has been set adrift and left to the lash of Poseidon's tempestuous wrath, and yet…” She shrugged and looked at me almost shyly. “…and yet, almost against my will, I am still gladdened by your presence.”

It was awkward and touching and horrible to me right now, but maybe – just maybe – the effects of the belt weren't such a bad thing for her to be experiencing. “I'm glad. This would be a lot harder if you hated me.”

“Indeed.” Artemis fiddled with her slender braid. “Especially considering the rest of the ceremony.”

“What rest of the ceremony? I wear paint, Dimitra and I dance, she makes an announcement and then we go eat, right? If we were actually going through with it, I mean,” I added hastily, not wanting to give the wrong impression.

“Gabrielle, the ceremony includes a sacrifice. Who do you think will be the first to be slaughtered upon her altar?” She gave me a wry, sad smile and for a moment I was struck by her courage. I had forgotten that part of the program; if everything passed as she had described to me in the woods the other day, then Artemis wouldn't even live to get her belt back, assuming that we succeeded.

“No, we'll find a way,” I promised her, though I had no clue how I'd fulfill it. “There has to be a way around that part.”

But Artemis stoically shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. “The most important thing to me is deposing Dimitra. The Nation must endure. Promise me that, Gabrielle, and I'll be satisfied.”

I reached out, unthinking, unsure of how to respond. “I… I'll do everything I can. I know it's a long shot, but if I can't… I don't think I'll outlast you by much.”

She glanced down to where my hand rested on her forearm. “I do not envy you. In a way, my role will be easier than yours for all that my end is near certain.”

Frowning, I tried to see her point. “It's going to be hard, but Ephiny agreed to get everyone to cooperate. If we seem united in accepting Dimitra, then we should have a shot. I just hope I don't fall flat on my face,” I added, withdrawing my hand to gesture at my feet. “I'm not the most graceful thing on two feet.”

“Your grace has never been in doubt, Gabrielle,” she demurred. “I meant: I don't envy you the role you'll be forced to play. In your place, I can't imagine how I could bring myself to embrace and kiss a reptile like her.”

“K-kiss?” My mind stuttered to a halt within reach of the unpleasant memories of having Dimitra touching me, pressing into me, demanding that I love her. I felt decidedly sick. “You never mentioned that before.”

She tilted her head slightly, looking confused. “Yes, I did. In the woods, before the bear attacked.” Her expression soured a moment in recollection; I imagined her breakdown in the tree wasn't a fond memory. “I spoke of our unification: woman to nature, heaven to earth, god to mortal—”

I put my hands to my face. “Oh my gods.” Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse. “I have to kiss her?”

Artemis nodded in the firelight, somber with empathy. “I imagine I seem preferable, if only by comparison.”

I gave a hitching slip of laughter, gilded with a touch of hysteria. “So if we get through this with Dimitra, I'll be kissing you if we get your belt back?”

“Interesting question…”

I started as Xena appeared from behind me, her brows lowering like storm clouds over the stormy sea of her eyes. Caught in the unmerciful grip of the belt's hold, I could see how far gone she suddenly was, how ugly and deep its twisted influence had reached. How much had she overheard? I shook my head quickly, wanting to head off her rage. “It's not—”

“Will she?” she asked Artemis, stopping a pace or two away from us and settled her fists on her hips.

“Yes,” Artemis answered, unflinchingly.

Xena drew herself to her full height, looking down at me with an angry sneer. “And you can hardly wait.”

“No, Xena!” I protested. “That's not fair. I didn't ask for this.”

“You're just a victim, right? Spare me!” she snapped back before rounding on Artemis. “And you… I oughta just put you and Dimitra out of your stinkin' misery.” Her hands clenched into fists.

Artemis' stance changed subtly in the firelight, from calmly relaxed to a wary air of readiness. “Try if you dare,” she taunted, “but even if you do, it makes you no worthier of her than you are now.” Her left foot slid back a little, her body tensing, as she added, “Was I not right when I said Gabrielle has a gift for talking to animals?”

Oh, Kraken…

The inference was clear. I thought Xena was going to swing on her. I swear it looked as though she were going to; the two of them were locked in some silent, invisible battle of will and power. Another second and I'd find them throwing themselves at each other in an all-out fight. “Stop it!” I shouted and waded between them. “Stop it.” I stuck a finger in Artemis' face. “That was offensive and uncalled for and you know it. Is this how a goddess behaves? You should be ashamed! And you,” I spun to face Xena, “you promised to trust me. Is this what you call trust? I thought you knew me better, but maybe I was wrong. For Aphrodite's sake, you've no reason to be jealous, o kay ?!”

My outburst had narrowly upended their imminent confrontation and they both looked a little shame-faced, muttering and looking at their boots. If our situation wasn't so perilous, I might have found it comical. As it was, I just wanted to find a quiet spot and cry myself to sleep.

Sighing, I pushed my hair back out of my face. “Now, if you two don't mind, I need to practice the dance some more.”

“Actually, Gabrielle, I believe you are adequately prepared,” Artemis said and slipped away into the shadows, a fleeting figure weaving between the makeshift fires of the other camps.

“But…” I looked after her in surprise and then turned to Xena. “Is there anything you need help with? The injured? Weapons? Any—”

“No,” she replied curtly. “Just be ready to go in a couple hours.” Then she, too, turned and walked away, leaving me alone by the small fire.

“Great,” I huffed. “This is great.” I glanced towards the moon, now on the descent, and rubbed my eyes. I couldn't even remember how long I'd been awake. Beyond the boundary of my fire, women still bustled and worked, and as much as I longed to rest, I couldn't give the appearance of weakness. “Maybe I can help with the wounded.”

I headed toward the side of the grove where the healers had gathered to take care of the injured, all the while feeling the utter futility of it all. Sighing heavily, I couldn't escape the sense there would be no happy ending this time. Off in the distance I could see Xena moving stiffly away, pausing to talk with a group of passing warriors, and then moving on and into the mingling shadows. I hurried on, blinking back tears at the heavy thought of neither of us living past tomorrow night.

+=+=+

“Well, I guess we're done here.”

I paused in the middle of pulling a bit of decorative metal back up into place on my costume, to see a very tired, heavy-eyed Ephiny approaching. The uprooted Nation had trekked back to the village in the earliest hours of dawn, taking in the full view of the damage as the sun rose bright and unforgiving over the char and wreckage. It could have been worse, I suppose, but the sight of the burned huts and trampled decorations was as disheartening to me as it was to everyone else.

The desire to give up then and there had been nearly overwhelming. I was on the verge of walking away when Xena had returned from wherever she had spent the remainder of last night and given me an arched look. Remembering my duty, I'd found the words to announce to everyone that Brauronia would go on and with a bit of effort we could make the village festive again. Hundreds of women had answered my call working relentlessly through the day in spite of a lack of sleep the night before. Mind you, they'd bitched and whined, but in the end they had thrown themselves into it, knowing, at least intellectually, their lives depended on masking our true intent.

Looking around now, I could see the banners had been hung again – maybe a bit dirty or torn – but still bright and cheerful in the evening sun. Fresh flowers had been cut and set about in baskets. The savory smell of cooking meat and spices filled the air, as did the scent of a freshly tapped keg of something strong and malt-y. Somewhere in the distance over conversation and – amazingly – the first soft sounds of laughter, I thought I heard the musicians warming up. Had the threat of Dimitra's madness not hung over us, I could have almost enjoyed myself. “It's incredible what everyone's accomplished since this morning.”

She looked around, too. “Women are stubborn creatures; you can't make us and you can't stop us. Some of them are so tired I think pride is the only thing keeping them on their feet.”

I tried out a smile on her. “Pot? Meet kettle.” Ephiny snorted softly and I could almost believe things between us might someday heal, if we were given the time for it. Not that it's all that likely now , I thought morosely. Which made the effort now all the more important to me.

Ephiny seemed to feel the same way, the corner of her mouth quirking into a slight smile. “You should talk,” she replied and then looked me over. “I'm glad to see the outfit survived.”

The ‘outfit' in question was the new queen regalia three women had helped me into; a bold, young girl, a woman who had become a new mother barely even two seasons ago, and one of the council elders. The skirting was the softest doeskin I'd ever felt, as were the boots that hugged my calves just beneath my knees. A belt of smooth river stones, polished bone and beads circled my waist, sewn delicately into the leather to depict leaping antlered deer and complicated floral patterns, the craftsmanship and care evident in its precision and artistry. The top was knotted with leather and metal and chain, with clever interlocking pieces from my left shoulder down to my forearm, like a protective piece of armor. “It's beautiful,” I murmured, touching the belt. “I'm glad I had the help; I don't think less than three people could have gotten me into this thing.”

Her fingers reached out to stroke the leather of the shoulder strap above a swirl of blue body paint. “We spent the last two months putting this together for you.”

“Thank you,” I said with heartfelt sincerity. “It's always such a hard thing believing I'm a queen. I mean: me? A sheep farmer's daughter?”

“Yeah,” Ephiny replied drolly. “I know what you mean.”

There was an undertone to her comment I couldn't quite get a read on, so I tried not to make anything of it at all, instead turning to look around the common area with its myriad of decorations. “Everything looks great.” I stopped a moment, realizing with sudden clarity that time – my time – was running out. I probably wouldn't get another chance at this. I cleared my throat. “No matter how things turn out… I want to thank you for how much effort you put into trying to pull this off, for what you've done for me—for everything. I don't think I could have asked for a better Regent… or sister.”

Some kind of struggle was going on behind her eyes, but her gaze lowered to the ground and she nodded. “We were lucky too.”

“I wish we—”

The howl of a sudden wind through the village drowned me out. The banners furled and cracked in the air, the wind hissing and biting as it kicked up dirt and pebbles that stung against my skin and pushed Ephiny and I back from the dais. I struggled to stay on my feet and crouched, shielding my eyes with my arm. Women cried out around us and the children were gathered and hastened to safety, but in the midst of it the storm abruptly settled and died to a disquieting calm.

I surged from my feet and blinked the grit from my eyes, sucking in an alarmed breath. Dimitra, whose eyes glowed like silver-disked reflections of the moon, was slowly descending the stairs of the platform.

“Gabrielle.” Her voice rolled like fog over the intervening space, thick and heavy, saturating my hearing, my being. “Come to me.”

I turned back to find Ephiny wide-eyed and staring, and I mouthed, “Find Xena” to her. She nodded ever so slightly and started moving back toward the edge of the crowd.

With a last adjustment to my attire I turned and approached Dimitra. She stood at the base of the stairs leading to the dais, her eyes and skin and the folds of her leathers, shot through with glistening silver. Framed as she was by the flames of the bonfires set earlier in the day and the flowers woven into the frame of the platform, she made a striking sight. It was terrifyingly beautiful. Suppressing my fear, I came to a stop and dropped to one knee, hoping the show of respect would start us off on the right note. From beneath my lashes I examined her closely, seeing the belt wrapped firmly around her waist. Xena, where are you? I knew there was a plan, but she hadn't seen fit to give me every detail.

“Rise and approach,” she bade me.

How is it the bad guys always seem to get the snooty attitudes down so quick? But I did as she asked, getting back to my feet and coming to stand before her.

“Is everything prepared?”

“Yes.”

“And Artemis?”

“She is our prisoner,” I answered, turning back to see Artemis pushed forward into view, bound and gagged, and surrounded by a host of Amazon warriors. “Her fate is yours to decide.”

“I want her sacrificed, Gabrielle.”

I'd been dreading this possibility ever since my talk with Artemis last night. I'd spent most of the day trying to figure out a solution. I bowed my head to show acceptance of her decision, but then cleared my throat. “May I suggest waiting until the end of the ceremony instead? Seeing you raised to godhood will make her fall and humiliation complete.” I winced inside, knowing this had to be hurting Artemis. A look back confirmed the complete absence of expression as Artemis stared stonily at her nemesis.

“Perfect.” Dimitra smiled at me. “See to it.” This close I could feel the swirl of power around her; dark and tainted, like filthy water; like mud—deep, sucking, lethal mud. Gods, I wanted to get away even as part of me wanted to let it pull me in. I nodded, not trusting my voice.

“Then let Brauronia begin.”

Deep breath. Square the shoulders. You're on . I turned and signaled to Eponin. She nodded and beckoned to the rest of the Amazons. The musicians and dancers took their places, and everyone else streamed slowly out into the common area, their faces solemn. The little girls looked frightened, clutching their petal baskets to their chests. Some of them had even begun to cry. I smiled and walked back to the edges of the common where the little girls were huddled. I crooked a finger at them and squatted, holding out a hand towards them. “It's okay. Everything's fine. Just do like you practiced and then back with your mothers for some sweets.”

Hesitantly, they trooped forward in a single file, stiffly tossing petals across the ground, staring widely at the menacing figure at the foot of the stairs. Surreptitiously, I scanned the crowds, searching for Xena, but still there was no sign of her. Where are you?

Somewhere behind me, the drummers began a stately rhythm, picked up by the woodwinds and passed on to the dancers who swayed like willows in a soft breeze. Following the slow procession, I reached out my arms from my sides, palms up and then brought them before me, an empty-handed gesture of offering, of request.

…Step-step-hip-sway-raise-arms-overhead…

Voices rose in song, giving words to the ancient Amazon tradition as I danced my way slowly towards the dais… and her. How she knew the steps to the dance I had no idea, but she began a mirror to me, her body moving sinuously to the haunting music.

…step-step-dip-spread-fingers-over-face-reach-for-the-moon…

Step by step we neared one another, the drumbeat joined by the stomp of booted feet against the earth. I could feel all of them through the vibration joining the Nation together beneath the emerging stars in the darkening edge of sky.

…twirl-bend-stand-join-hands-in-a-circle-sway-left-and-right-step-step…

Whether from the fires, the effort of the dance or my fear of failing, I could feel perspiration break out across my skin, between my shoulder blades. So close now. The knowledge that she would be touching me again almost broke my concentration, and I struggled not to think, not to give myself away…

…step-step-sashay-bump-step-step-cross-step-hunch-stand-arms-over-the-head-lean -and-turn-

Her hands came around my waist and my skin crawled in revulsion. A run of goose-bumps radiated from her cold touch and I shivered as I completed the turn until I faced her, her hands on my bare sides, mine on her upper arms.

…dipped-backwards-her-hand-on-my-belly …

Gods, please hurry , I begged my missing friend. Dimitra brought me back up and her hand cupped the side of my face as we leaned first one way and then another, like reeds in the wind.

I pulled her to me, squeezing my eyes shut as she draped her arms around my shoulders, her breath urgent against my ear. I swallowed hard, breathing through my bared teeth, fighting the desire to be sick. We parted, spun and she took my hand again, twirling me. I closed my eyes, going with the motion until her hand on my shoulder brought me to a halt and joined us belly to belly in a close, intimate undulation. Keep going, keep going , I told myself. One way or another, this would soon be over. The music hit a crescendo and I opened my eyes, preparing for the moment I was dreading more than anything. And that's when I saw Autolycus just behind her. Hanging upside down by his ankles.

I almost blew the whole thing right there. This? This was the plan? Oh my gods, we're all gonna die.

Autolycus' expression indicated he probably felt the same way. He held a finger to his lips and I made a face at him. Hurry. Up. I mouthed. His long fingers reached out for Dimitra's waist and I tensed, preparing to do… something.

Dimitra turned us and I stumbled, sure she was going to see Autolycus hanging there like a fish on a line. Panicked, I risked a quick glance and nearly fell over, seeing him gone. I dropped my head back and reached for the sky, nearly poking Autolycus in the eye. He jerked his head back, making him swing and, beyond him in the branches, I could see Xena, looking more pissed off and strained than I'd seen her in a while. I had to get Dimitra turned around again and fast. Desperate, I improvised; I ran my fingers up her arms and up the column of her neck, disgusted by the raw flash of unwanted arousal I felt. She smiled, the cold glint of her metallic eyes staring back at me, unblinking. She went with it, letting me lead.

…step-step-turn…

Autolycus dropped back into view, grimacing as he was jerked to a halt. He reached out again and I pushed her back. Too far. His hand struck her back and Dimitra's eyes widened as she jerked in surprise and started to turn.

Panicking, I grabbed her shoulders, pulled her to me and pressed my mouth to hers to keep her from turning around. Power surged through me. Every nerve ending burned. Above me I heard a gasp of shock, followed by a thud and groan of pain.

Dimitra pushed me away and turned. “What is the meaning of this?! ”

Autolycus lay sprawled on the ground, rubbing the back of his head, the belt of power gripped firmly in his hand. Slowly, he looked up as Dimitra loomed over him, his expression changing with ample speed from annoyance to suave charm. “Oh, sorry. Mind if I cut in?”

* * *

XLV. Amazon Not Calm Slash Xena

After I left Amphipolis I came to know an old, beat-up fighter by the name of Alcebeus. Hard times and poor judgment had rendered him unfit for his job as captain-of-the-guard in Athens and somehow he found a way to add himself to my slowly growing army. Something about him made me think of a gruff uncle—I don't know why; I've never had one—but on occasion, late in the night after too many mugs of something nasty, we'd get to swapping tall tales and heavily fertilized boasts. I soaked everything up like a sponge, wanting to know more, know it all, and be better than anyone in battle. Masking my curiosity in arrogance, I waited for him to finish another of his outrageous stories and then asked him what he thought was the best strategy in combat.

“Go with what you know,” he answered, and winked at me before finishing off his ale.

I suppose, at the time that seemed like sound advice; in the same vein as “play to your strengths” I would imagine. Take what you do best and just keep doing it, rather than confuse things with something new and untested.

When the centaurs first sent their scouts against my army to press my defenses, Alcebeus rode out with a force to meet them. Using the standard Theban wedge attack he was definitely going with what he knew. From behind the lines I watched as he lay dying, having been easily unhorsed and trampled several times, and I thought that if I lived through any of what was going on, I would aim for the exact opposite of his advice. I figured that even if I never got close to the other end of things, it would at least be away from the philosophy that led to his messy demise.

Gabrielle may complain that I always have to find new ways to take out my opponents, but there's actually a method to my obsessions.

That said, I was so stunned by the sight of Gabrielle kissing Dimitra, I hadn't a clue what to do after I dropped Autolycus.

Maybe it didn't matter. Enraged, I dropped to the ground in front of them and roundhouse kicked Dimitra in the chest. She flew—back first—into the dais, sending kindling and Amazons everywhere. Behind me, Gabrielle and Autolycus remained frozen in place, gaping. “MOVE!” I bellowed.

I should have been more specific.

The bard and the thief, shocked into motion, promptly crashed into each other and went sprawling. Disgusted, I grabbed the thief by his jerkin and was about to shove him towards Artemis, but the sharp crackle of fire jerked our attention back toward the dais where the wanna-be goddess had leapt back onto the platform looking miffed to say the least. The silver of her eyes dilated and she bared her teeth, stalking toward us. Any hope I had of a complete fizzle of her powers was vanishing rapidly. She raised her arms and the fire brightened.

“GO! GO!” I shouted. We scattered in three different directions, fireballs exploding into the ground at our heels, scorching wet earth and flower petals. “Get the belt to Artemis!” I flipped over another volley and taunted Dimitra with a smug grin as I twisted out of the way of her furious barrage. “That the best ya can do?” I demanded, trying to keep her attention on me. “C'mon!” Keeping her busy was the only shot we'd have of setting things right. A quick glance towards the crowds showed that Ephiny had already taken the precaution of pulling the fallen goddess out of view. The last thing we needed was Dimitra torching Artemis before we could even get the belt back to her.

I changed direction, pulled out my chakram and let out a war cry, building enough speed to meet her when she continued her advance.

“Give it back! ” she screeched. “Give it to me! ” She threw her hand out at me viciously, a giant swiping at a fly, and I found myself thrown backwards, sliding on my back through the mud. All of which went straight down the back of my skirt. Damn Amazon leathers.

Dimitra dashed by me, throwing flames and force erratically across the common area and sending everyone for cover while trying to knock down or fry Autolycus who was proving too agile so far for her aim. She gave chase and Autolycus exercised his better judgment instead of his mouth for a change and high-tailed it in the opposite direction. He veered around a tree, the angry goddess in tow, and then, just as she was about to grab him, he ducked under her arm and threw the wadded up belt at Gabrielle. Dimitra wheeled around and prepared to toast the bard.

As stealthily as the sucking mud would allow, I angled myself behind her and leapt on her back, locking my arms around her neck and riding her. She screamed and clawed at me, trying to pull me off her back, even as she threw the odd fireball or bale of lightning around the clearing. I tried to ignore the singes. This wouldn't have happened if I'd just been allowed to keep my leathers, fish smell or not.

“Get it to her!” I yelled at Gabrielle. “Now!” I watched, incredulously, as she wavered on the point of indecision. “What are you waiting for?!” Dimitra ignored me in favor of pointing at Gabrielle in preparation of roasting her. I chopped down hard on her forearm, spoiling her shot. The piles of ale casks didn't fare so well, unfortunately, blowing apart in chunks of foamy wood.

“Give it to me or I'm going to kill all of you. Give me… betraying bitches… I'll rip your skin off! ” Dimitra screamed and then followed it with a hair-lifting giggle. I felt her grab hold of me and suddenly I was airborne again, crashing shoulder first into a tree, stunned from the impact. I pressed a hand to my numbed arm and winced, struggling to my feet, but making it only as far as one knee.

“I'm gonna hang you from a tree and carve your guts out for boot laces. ”

That didn't sound promising.

She ripped a wicked looking knife from her belt and came at me, the blade in her fist glowing as an extension of her power.

“Leave her alone!” CRACK!

Oh no.

Gabrielle, the belt wrapped around her arm, slammed someone's spear down across Dimitra's back again.

Dimitra shifted her shoulders, the maniacal grimace still in place as she slowly turned around to face Gabrielle. “Give me the belt,” she said slowly, giggled again—just once—and then went deadly serious again. “You lying, tainted, worthless piece of trash. You said you loved me. Loved. Me. Why, Gabrielle? I could've been good for you. For all of them. But you've ruined it now. All ruined. All bad, so sad. But Gabrielle, when they're all dead, I'm going to cut your heart out and keep you alive long enough for you to watch me eat it.” Dimitra rubbed the back of her hand against her mouth, stifling another laugh and turning it into a muffled sound of pain. Her eyes were wild, white around the edges. I wondered if she was going to froth at the mouth next.

Gabrielle, stunned by the verbal attack, took a small step backward.

“Give it to me, or I swear I'll gut your champion first.” Dimitra's empty hand closed in a fist; a brightening glow of flame she then pointed at me.

I saw Gabrielle's hands tremble on her make-shift staff and her eyes met mine for a brief, flickering moment before going back to Dimitra. She squared her shoulders. “Wait. All right.” Unwrapping the belt from around she had wound it around her wrist, she held it out in offering.

“Gabrielle, no!” I shook my head. What was she doing? Even with the threat to my life… Could I be worth so much more to her than even the Amazons?

“You want it?” Gabrielle asked, holding the belt out further. “Here.”

Dimitra reached for it and grabbed only empty air as Gabrielle pulled back and launched it over her head and straight into my lap. Oh boy… Dimitra immediately turned on me and fell face first in the mud, tripped up by Gabrielle's staff between her feet.

“Run!” Gabrielle yelled at me like the idea hadn't already been foremost in my mind.

“Here!” I threw the belt back at her and got to my feet almost at the same time as Dimitra. Her Vileness shrieked and flailed in the air after it and missed, so I clipped her again. Gabrielle ran past me, handing off the belt once more even as she tucked her hand against her middle and headed towards the woods as if she still had it.

Too bad Ephiny had been right; Dimitra wasn't stupid. She took a couple steps after Gabrielle, but turned immediately to find me edging back toward the crowd as I tried to spot Artemis.

Frustrated and angry, Dimitra raised her hands toward the sky and let out an ear-piercing shriek. I stumbled, pressing my hands over my ears as others around the perimeter dropped to their knees in pain. The sky above flashed with lightning and the dark clouds moved in, darker and darker, until I wondered how the storm couldn't break right on top of us. My eyes widened as they tracked the cloud coming in faster and faster until…

My eyes widened. “That's no storm cloud…”

Glossy black wings carried the deadly wave of crows into the village, sharp beaks and beady eyes flashing as I ducked under one and pulled out my sword to defend myself against the rest. Children screamed and Ephiny's voice rose over the mocking caws of the crows to bark orders to the village to take cover. Slashing at the hail of beaks and claws, I dashed beneath the attack and found Dimitra in hot pursuit again. I took off; leaping over a barbeque pit and dropping to a sudden stop as a sixth sense warned me of Dimitra's desperate tackle. She flew over my head, knife in hand—going with what she knew, apparently—and crashed gracelessly into the mud as more rain began to fall.

Lightning was followed sharply by a growl of thunder. A heavy THWAP! splashed at my feet, followed by a half-hearted Ribbit as a toad scrambled in the mud.

“This just gets better and better,” I muttered and turned to run toward the throng of armed Amazons pretending not to be guarding Artemis. I got one step and found myself tripped up, Dimitra's hand on my ankle.

“Gotcha!” She giggled shrilly, raising the hair on my arms, and started dragging herself up my leg even as I repeatedly kicked her with my free foot. Even more annoying, she kept trying to stab me with her knife. Damn useless Amazon leather… I pushed and pulled and held the damn belt over my head to keep it out of her grubby little hands while holding her off with my chakram as she tried to make good on her promise to fillet me like a fish.

“Xena!”

The sound of my name came from overhead and there, sitting safely in the branches, was the King of Thieves. Dimitra, seeing him there, intensified her attack, scratching and growling like a crazed animal until I wrenched myself sideways and threw the belt into Autolycus's reach. She was off me in a shot and it was my turn to take her down into the mud. “Oh, no, ya don't!” The moment we hit the ground, the mud oozed over me like a living creature, gripping me in a wet, dirty hug and pulling me off of her. She yanked free and followed hard after Autolycus who was making a beeline for the guards, and the second her attention left me, the mud dripped to the ground, letting me go.

Now, I'm ready to admit that I don't really number the Amazons in my list of favorite people for reasons I've already gone into and a few more I haven't. Feathers, parties and blue paint in the moonlight just ain't my thing. That said, I have—reluctantly, surprisingly, and gratefully—discovered that Gabrielle is on this list, which explains why I was willing to commit the following indignity to my person.

Dodging falling toads and flying crows, I sprinted after Dimitra, coming around in a broader angle, timing things just right—Left foot rock, right foot tree stump, leap—and I crashed into her headlong, knocking us both airborne and into the massive Brauronia cake. In retrospect, I rate it highly; softest landing I've ever had. Dimitra cried out in frosted disgust as I slammed her face-first into the strawberry filling. Icing and mud mixed quickly into a slimy, beige mess as we wrestled. “Hurry!” I yelled over my shoulder. Damn stuff was getting all over me and down my top. The five-tiered dessert must've taken the cooks days to make and Dimitra and I managed to destroy or wear most of it in seconds. Dimitra slipped as I punched her again, falling back on her butt and apparently straight down onto a hard candy figurine of an Amazon holding a spear. She yelped and danced around, trying to pull it out, and I spared a second to take stock.

From the corner of my eye I saw Gabrielle quickly pull Artemis free of her fake bonds behind the wall of Amazon defenders even as Autolycus was sliding to a halt, his precious, trouble-making swag extended. Reverently, Artemis accepted it, closing her eyes in profound relief, the belt knotted in her grip.

“This is no time to commune with your clothing!” I shoved cake up Dimitra's nose and then punched her again as hard as I could; dodging what I hoped was a weakened fireball as she went down.

Artemis wrapped it around her waist, making a sound of triumph as she set it snug around her hips.

Dimitra suddenly reared up like an animal in pain, arching in some kind of agony just as Artemis was gripped in a similar vise. Dimitra's eyes, first silver then translucent, shuttered cat-like, and then she wailed again, thrashing as the ground rumbled around us. The wind howled and the sound of the crows joined it in a painful keen. Trees bent, creaking under the strain, and the fall of toads intensified. Wiping icing from my eyes, I peered upwards, frustrated by the clouds as I searched for signs of the moon. Had it risen already? Were we too late?

Her skin, tanned from exposure to the outdoors, burned from within and I drew back, feeling heat coming off her in waves. The ground heaved, tossing me away just as Artemis collapsed, caught by Gabrielle and Autolycus while the ground shook again, this time knocking us all off our feet.

I fought against the wind, trying to get back up and using my chakram to block the odd crow or toad. Squinting, I could barely make out Dimitra's form as the glow around her brightened and I raised an arm to shield my eyes. She screamed and thrashed, and I could barely see her as she lurched to her feet, her body a living flame as she tottered toward us. The heat pushed me back, pushed us all back, except Artemis, who, having finally come around, pulled away from Gabrielle and Autolycus and placed herself directly in the nut job's path.

Gabrielle reached out for her, but had to step back or risk being burned. “Artemis, no!”

Again I searched the sky, but the clouds were too thick.

I'll give her some credit; Artemis is no coward. She met Dimitra head-on, the two of them merging in a molten, white-hot light, struggling for dominance. Over the howl of the wind, I could hear them shouting at one another, fighting for control.

“…kill you…!”

“…Stop!”

“…mine, it's mine!”

I ducked another crow and retreated to stand beside Gabrielle, keeping her balanced against the tremors as we helplessly watched them battle. Dimitra threw wild punches, flailing, until Artemis could get a grip on her.

“Dimitra!”

“…should never have loved you…”

“I know… I understand.”

I could have sworn I saw the bright outline of Dimitra pause before trying to gain an upper hand again.

“Listen to me!” Artemis shouted. “I was wrong!”

I stuck a finger in my ear and wiggled it around. “Did I just hear that?” I muttered under my breath.

Autolycus nudged me in the ribs. “Amen, sister.”

“You're just saying that!” Dimitra cried, the two of them ranging back and forth like a small sun in the clearing as the leaves and branches whipped and clacked.

“I was wrong to treat you as I did, wrong to spurn you and the gift you offered me.”

I heard a great, wracking sob, and through the glare of light, I could begin to see the outline of Dimitra locked as she was with her hands on Artemis' arm and wrist. “I don't believe you!”

“You can. Dimitra, you must; for your sake and the sake of the Nation… Would you destroy us all for your pride? I'm sorry!”

The blaze weakened further, revealing a distraught Dimitra who was as much leaning on Artemis as she was fighting her.

“My objections in the face of your earnest dream were baseless,” Artemis went on. The crows were able to settle as the gale lost force, and the rain of toads abruptly stopped. “Cease this needless attack, Dimitra. What is there to gain in destroying what you wanted most? I didn't understand… but I do now and, child, I'm so sorry for hurting you.”

The buffet of wind dropped to a breeze, the light dying as Dimitra sank to her knees, sobbing as the fight went out of her completely. Artemis, acting with more maturity than I ever thought possible, knelt beside the defeated woman and pressed a kiss to her forehead as she hugged her. Around us the early evening settled, with only the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional croak of a toad to disturb the moment. Even the crows had fallen silent.

“I didn't mean to,” Dimitra said over and over again, crying. “I swear, I didn't mean to… I-I couldn't stop it. It wasn't supposed to be this way. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…” As she spoke, Ephiny stepped forward and signaled to her warriors and dozens surged forward to surround Dimitra and Artemis, armed with spears and swords to keep a wary watch on them both.

Beside me, Gabrielle's head tilted to one side, listening. A familiar look of concentration surfaced on her face and I waited, wondering what she was thinking. “She wasn't in control either,” she murmured finally, a hint of surprise in her voice.

“Like it matters,” I replied.

“Yeah,” Ephiny added, overhearing. “Just look at this place.”

“But it does matter,” Gabrielle insisted quietly, her eyes still on Artemis as the goddess rocked Dimitra and—I couldn't believe my ears—crooned to her. “I won't deny she's guilty of theft, but I don't think mortals were ever meant to wear her belt. Dimitra wanted to be one of Artemis' dancers so badly and when Artemis turned her down the way she did, she felt angry and hurt and rejected. Who wouldn't?”

Reluctantly, I nodded, seeing the logic of it. “So she wanted to get back at Artemis, but when she took the belt from Autolycus, it probably fed on and amplified what she was already feeling and locked her into a cycle of emotional backlash.”

Ephiny looked back and forth between us, and then around the village, her mouth hanging open. “And this means, what, exactly? We're just supposed to forgive her for razing the village and killing our sisters?” A low murmur of agreement came from the crowd re-gathering behind her.

I could see this turning ugly, so I cocked an eyebrow and put a supportive hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, reminding them who stood behind their Queen. “No. She's saying that if Dimitra's to be punished, the sentence has to fit the crime.” It was more leeway than I would have given her, but I trusted Gabrielle's sense of compassion, especially given how Dimitra had treated her out in the woods. She wouldn't let Dimitra off completely.

“Indeed,” Artemis spoke up. The warriors backed up a little as she stood, Dimitra leaning heavily against her, still weeping. “Justice must be done. I want her placed in custody; her fate will be decided after Brauronia.” Amazon guards came forward to take Dimitra away. “I'll not have her ill-treated before her trial.” I could tell the guards were disappointed, but they followed orders and led an unresisting Dimitra away to a cell.

Autolycus cleared his throat as he fingered his moustache and eyed the clouds now giving way to a clearer night sky. My lips twitched and I smirked at his unsubtle hint.

Artemis smiled too. “I've not forgotten you. I said justice must be done, did I not?” She turned to face the Nation. “Let it be known that all charges against Autolycus the thief—”

“King,” he murmured. “King of Thieves.”

“Autolycus, King of Thieves,” she smoothly amended, “are dropped. Additionally, for his courage in helping to return my belt, he is to be considered a friend of the Nation, welcome on our lands and at our hearths.”

Gabrielle and I shared a dubious look and I made a mental note to remember to check his pockets before letting him leave after the party; otherwise it could end up being the shortest ‘friend of the Nation' relationship he might ever enjoy.

“Apology accepted.” Autolycus sauntered forward and bowed with a flourish, leading straight into taking her hand and dropping a kiss on it, much to Artemis' suspicious amusement. I didn't miss the way she kept a firm grip on her belt until he released her again.

“This is wonderful,” Ephiny said, somewhat sarcastically. “But can I remind everyone that time is running out?” She pointed to the sky where the moon, visible now behind the parting clouds, was well on the rise. “If we don't complete the ceremony, all of this is for nothing.”

Gabrielle went into what I call ‘queen-mode'—an impressive state of focused, no-nonsense I'd first seen evidence of the last time we were here—and handed Autolycus her staff, her face growing serious. “Ephiny, would you call everyone to order and have the musicians readied, please?”

Ephiny, obviously relieved, nodded and began herding everyone back into place. Eponin and her warriors took up positions nearby, vigilant and serious.

I could see the tension settle into Gabrielle's shoulders, the way her hands curled into fists, hidden in the folds of her skirt. “Hey.” She looked at me, startled from some hidden thought. “You're gonna do great.”

She smiled at me. The first real smile I'd seen from her in days. I couldn't help but give her one back. “Thanks,” Gabrielle said, standing a little taller. Calmly, she walked to the edge of the clearing, near Ephiny and the other dancers, to wait, but she watched me until Artemis took her place at the top of the dais.

Not about to relax my guard either, I drifted back towards the edge of the dais, giving Gabrielle a nod in reassurance as she made a last second adjustment to her outfit and composed herself.

Artemis did the same, but I could see a glimmer of concern on her face, too. I glanced up at the moon and wondered—was it already too late? How far reaching might the effects be if Artemis couldn't regain her powers? The slow, earthy rhythm of the drums drew my attention back to the ceremony and I watched, as before, the dancers began to sway and after a moment Gabrielle followed suit. In mirror image, Artemis joined, so much more fluid and graceful than Dimitra had been. The dance between them as they approached each other was seductive and mesmerizing and my jaw hurt just watching it. I shouldn't still have been entertaining thoughts of breaking Artemis' fingers every time she touched Gabrielle, should I? If this kept up, I'd need to get outta here—fast.

Dimitra didn't have the belt anymore. The village was safe. The festival could continue. I shouldn't be feeling like this.

I watched the sky, the moon, hating how I felt and wondering again if it meant we were already too late.

* * *

XLVI. Save the Last Dance for Me

The rest of her personality quirks aside, Artemis was a surprisingly good dancer; smooth, aware, graceful—she even made me look good, which is saying something. By now I knew the steps well enough I could spare some concentration and I could sense something different in her, a change. When she turned me in her arms, pulling me against her body, I looked into her eyes and noted they had turned a white gold, the sun-warmed shade of granite. But instead of just the stone of her gaze, I could see other hues, greater depths, and I wondered if this might be a lasting touch of her brief brush with mortality.

“You're beautiful, Gabrielle,” she said, swaying us first one way and then the other. “My belly has been aflutter and you still manage to calm me.”

Despite the fact I knew I looked a wreck, stank and could move to Athens with the bags under my eyes, I still blushed. “That's very sweet of you. I'm glad you're feeling better.”

Artemis shook her head, sending her single braid dance along in the air between us as we moved. “I've never felt more alive than I do right now.” Her warm palm slid down my arm, her fingers locking with mine.

…step-step-turn-lean-twirl…

Was any of this working? I spared a glance at the women gathered around us, their eyes enraptured as the full force of the ceremony was realized before them. This was Brauronia and never before had the connection between woman and goddess ever carried more weight and substance to the Amazon Nation as now, when, for a breathless, terrifying day, it had almost all been lost to them. I could see smiles and some of them clapped along, swaying to the music.

The moon over Artemis' shoulder, as full and rounded as an expectant mother, gleamed bright and sharp in the darkening sky as it made its ascent.

…step-arms-at-waist-stretched-now-over-head-lean-back…

Artemis supported me as I dipped backwards, my long hair nearly trailing on the ground. In mirror succession, I did the same for her as she echoed my move. We danced close together and I heard her laugh softly in my ear. It was an unexpected sound and I looked at her quizzically. “What?” Had I done something silly?

“Your friend looks ready to chew an anvil in half.” Her shining eyes slid sideways and I followed suit to find Xena standing off to one side, her arms crossed and her jaw working in a slow grind from one side to the other. Someone definitely wasn't in a partying mood. “Do you think she has any molars left?”

I stared at Artemis in amazement; had she just cracked a joke? “Well…” I was all for encouraging a sense of humor, but I wasn't sure I wanted it to be at Xena's expense. “She's not one for parties. And we're not out of the woods yet.”

“I should not have said what I did to her earlier,” she said, changing the topic on me. Or so I thought. “She has been steadfast in her purpose, even when she had no further cause to help us.” A thoughtful look came over her face as she looked up at the night sky. We continued our dance.

“I was wrong,” she said suddenly, spinning us slowly.

“About what?”

“She is worthy of you.”

I blinked at her in surprise, taken aback by this continuing change in attitude. “Artemis…” What on earth to say to that? Unaccountably, I could feel the heat rising in my face.

“It took the loss of my immortality to see it, to feel it for myself. As brightly as the stars of immortality burn, it is a cold, chill light. But mortals… the human heart is a sun burning so fierce and hot, I wonder how it is you can stand it.” Taking advantage of my speechlessness, she smiled and leaned forward, her lips hovering just shy of my mouth. I waited for it, bracing myself for the contact, but she leaned back and pressed a kiss against my forehead instead, murmuring, “But having felt it—that fire—I know now why you do… and I envy her for it.” The touch of her lips was brilliant warmth pouring through me. The scent of jade and evergreens and wildflowers enveloped me and filled my senses. Unlike with Dimitra, this touch of power was as gentle and welcome as sunshine after a cold rain. I breathed into it, nearly gasping, as it trickled into me; goddess to mortal to the earth beneath our feet—the connection had been remade and restored.

Was it the moonlight or was it us that glowed so brightly? At the edge of my awareness, I thought I heard cheering and a chorus of voices, rising in some triumphant song. Artemis, smiling, her eyes lit with burgeoning power, let go one of my hands, turning us and reaching out with the other.

It was almost as if I was outside of myself, just watching instead of being there, at the center of it all. Artemis, her one hand in mine, reached out to Xena with the other. I could see the glower on her beautiful face, the wariness and suspicion, but Artemis stretched her hand out just a little further. Perhaps it was that extra effort, but I could see it then as clear as day how much Artemis had changed. Aloof and proud and solitary, Artemis had likely never known the need for anyone else, except perhaps in the manner the gods needed any mortal—to worship and revere them. But this… I could see the way Artemis looked at her, the way she grasped Xena's arm like a friend and drew her into our circle.

Xena's long fingers linked with mine and with Artemis', closing the conduit of power. Her fingers twitched as it washed over her too, and she smiled at me, one of those smiles that sometimes haunt me in the kind of dreams I can't tell her about. On my other side, Artemis squeezed my hand, drawing my attention to her and she smiled too; a wild and carefree grin that suddenly shed the mantle of seriousness she'd worn almost from the second I met her face-to-face.

…turn-turn-turn-raise-arms-and—  

Artemis suddenly ducked under our hands, slipping between Xena and I like in a children's game, but just as we would have had to turn and twist inside-out to follow, she let us go. Xena and I swung together and she caught my waist or risked a collision.

Artemis, alight with power and laughter, bounded forward and leapt onto the remains of a tree stump, spreading her arms wide to encompass the entire Nation gathered before her. “My dear Amazons! Heal what may, mend what will… all else is in Hades' hands and the Elysian Fields. Let us celebrate!” And from Artemis flowed a spray of light bursting forth from her hands to envelop the village, covering everyone like ripples moving outward in a lake.

Injuries were healed, decorations were magically restored to their former glory, and the village itself… who would believe me who hadn't been there? It was as if the attack had never happened—huts and pottery were made new, as if never burnt or shattered. My joy was tinged with bittersweet sadness that lives couldn't be so easily restored. I could see the same expression on other women's faces; the happiness tinged with a longing for a lost friend, a family member cut down before their time.

Xena noticed. I felt her fingers brush across my cheek and only then did I feel the wetness of a tear. Happiness, relief, loss and grief… the emotions felt so close to the surface. The corner of her mouth lifted in a half smile, but I could see that she felt what I felt and wasn't sure whether to be happy or sad. Her touch was comforting and I leaned into her, needing to feel the solidity of her even as I wondered how she'd react given our earlier fights. I needn't have worried; it was all swept away between one breath and the next as Xena wrapped her arms around me and hugged me close, the both of us watching Artemis, bathed in moonlight and fire, silhouetted before her elated people as she sang along with them.

It was a moment I'd see framed in my memory for the rest of my days; their faces upraised, smiling, laughing, cheering, their hands reaching out to their goddess, and Artemis… She balanced there a moment longer and then jumped down amongst them, mingling as if they were her equal. And who was who to say she didn't feel that way? Someone pressed a mug into her hands and she raised it into the air.

“To courage in the face of danger. To hope in the shadow of despair. To the queen and her stoic champion!”

A roar followed as others raised their own drinks to join in the toast to us.

Artemis, encouraged by the welcome of her Amazons, tilted her head back and downed her drink. And immediately started gasping and choking.

I laughed softly. “I could have warned her not to do that—Hydra's Piss has quite a kick to it.”

“Is that right?” Xena drawled.

“Yeah,” I said proudly, looking at Xena, who gazed back at me with an indulgent smile. “I won the drinking contest, after all.”

“The Eyebrow” quirked even as she huffed a sigh. “I seem to recall you mentioning it right before you nibbled on me…”

Before I could blushingly reply, Artemis—who had finally recovered her breath—held up her hands to gather everyone's attention. “A dance! We must have a dance—to assure the success of Brauronia!” A whoop went up in response from the Nation. The musicians, already primed, broke into a rousing reel.

Xena glanced at me, a pained expression on her face. “We shoulda tossed the belt in the river. She's worse now than when she had a stick up her—”

“Xena.” I backhanded her in the midriff.

The musicians' tune was spontaneously taken up by those who joined in to sing, and even Autolycus began to clap before he found himself captured by a couple of younger Amazons who began leading him through the steps. He waggled his eyebrows at us and grinned, apparently willing to let bygones be bygones.

“Go on, Champion,” Artemis called, her arms filled by a tiny girl still clutching her flower basket. “I would have the event marked with a moment equal to the occasion. Give us a dance to remember!.”

When Xena didn't jump to action, I saw Ephiny raise her own mug, looking decidedly less annoyed with us now that the belt's influence had been removed. “Come on, Xena,” Ephiny said from the forefront of the gathering. “If you're too shy, one of us would be happy to take your place.”

Did Ephiny just wink at me?

Xena looked at Artemis and then down at me, and then shook her head. “Oh boy.”

“What's wrong?” I whispered. “This isn't on your list of ‘many skills'? Trust me; you can't dance any worse than I do.”

She bit her lip, clearly reticent about telling me what was on her mind, but she quickly muttered, “My foot's killing me.”

“Your foot?”

Another pained look. “Long story.”

The crowd was getting impatient. “Just lean on me and go with it,” I told her. “They're gonna eat us alive in a second.”

Her dark brows lowered. “Let ‘em try.” I could just imagine her thoughts of dismemberment and mayhem, most likely involving her chakram and an explosion or two.

“Xena.” I poked her to get her attention, and closed the space between us that she could disguise her injury by letting me lead in a sway to the music. The crowd, satisfied for the moment, began pairing off as well, joining in all along the common area. Amidst the revelry and song, I could also smell cooking meat on the evening breeze. Out of danger, surrounded by friends, I felt relaxed and at peace for the first time in days. I hugged Xena, hearing her grunt from the force of my exuberance.

“What was that for?”

“Just glad everything's back to normal.”

She turned us, bringing my back to the gathering as she looked over my shoulder. “Yeah? So you're not in love with hatchet-face any more?”

There was no missing the not-so-casual tone. “Xena, look at me.”

Wary blue eyes met mine.

“I was never in love with her.”

“She said…” Xena looked away from me, watching the other women in their costumes and finery dancing around the dais. “…she said you whispered my name.” Her gaze slid back to mine, suddenly open and vulnerable and so precious in her uncertainty.

I knew what she was referring to. I'd tried so hard to ignore it, forget it, avoid it… first from shame, then from desperate need, and now… Artemis had her belt back again. How could I possibly be feeling like this?

“Gabrielle?” She said softly, her brows pinched in worry.

“I did.” Swallowing against a suddenly dry mouth, I tried to speak to the odd expression dawning on Xena's face. “When it happened, when she did it… I… I got lost in it and-and I could have sworn… I mean… I guess I wanted it… to be you.”

The look of shy wonder was so endearing on her. “Doesn't it figure?” She chuckled self-consciously.

“What does?”

The corner of her mouth lifted. “I thought it was the belt making me crazy. Or just Artemis.” Xena shook her head, looking almost bewildered. “I guess it was more than that.”

Have you ever known that sensation when your heart suddenly feels too big for your chest and you might explode from it? Or melt? Or maybe pass out from forgetting to breathe? On the faintest gasp of air I was able to manage my very coherent, very eloquent response: “Oh?”

The shyness changed into amusement and, her injured foot apparently forgotten, Xena swept me up into the pace of the dance, her smile brighter than the brilliant glow of the full moon above us. A cheer accompanied us and I laughed, caught up in our happiness as she danced us across the dais.

“Oh yeah,” Xena burred as she twirled me out to the farthest reach of our joined hands and then back into the warmth of her arms. “Oh yeah,” she said again, and I stared into the face of my sun as she lowered her lips towards mine…

* * *

Epilogue - Memories in Moonlight

Solari shifted in her cushions, her one concession to the privileges of an elder, and looked down at all the young faces staring back at her, hanging on her every word. Each Brauronia the story had become more and more popular, harkening back to a time when Artemis had walked among them, until… well… she hadn't any longer. But they held to their traditions, celebrating the mysteries and the connections shared when the Nation came together even if their goddess no longer took part. Some hoped that someday—sometime in the future—Artemis would find them worthy again and return. Others took the stories for legend, quaint and meant to be only loosely interpreted.

But she had been there. She had seen it for herself, no matter that some of the younger Amazons scoffed and didn't think she saw them making fun of her old age. So what if she sometimes spoke to those who no longer walked among them? Didn't the dead still hear their thoughts?

The children, though… oh, the children. Every Brauronia they gathered at her feet, clamoring for the same stories over and over, and this one most of all.

“And then what, Auntie?”

She was always Auntie to the children, Auntie to even some of the elders who were young enough to be spry when she was already wishing her joints didn't ache so bad when the weather changed.

“Auntie?”

Such beautiful, innocent faces. Solari would never have thought she would grow to love children so much with their boundless energy and their quick laughter. She picked up the thread of her story. “All of us—me, Eponin, Regent Ephiny and Artemis, even Autolycus—we stood watching everyone, clapping and singing and sharing what was left of the Brauronia cake—”

“Not like when Lisa fell on it and cook had to use the spoon on her to get the frosting back before Regent noticed?”

“No, not like that. Just with plates or their fingers,” Solari clarified patiently as they giggled. She was used to the interruptions and questions. So very curious, the young. “Artemis shared her cup with us all and we felt truly a part of each other. And then she made her toast—”

A little girl stood, as if on cue, raising her small pottery cup in the air. “To courage in the face of danger. To hope in the shadow of despair. To the queen and her champion!”

The other girls cheered, making Solari smile in memory as she recalled responding in exactly the same way the first time she had heard it, with the deep-seated chills that raced up her spine. “Just like that.” She nodded and the girl sat down, pleased with herself. “We cheered, just like you. We'd taken down slavers, our own goddess defeated her would-be replacement, and our Queen and her Champion, through challenge and hardship, had brought us to victory. Except for those we had lost to battle, we couldn't have been happier.”

“And then…” another girl said, grinning around her missing two front teeth in anticipation.

Solari smiled back, nodding. “And then Artemis, happier than anyone remembered her ever being, called for a dance, asking Queen Gabrielle and her champion, Xena, to lead us.”

“And they did.”

“They were shy about it, but they did,” Solari agreed, her thin lips pursing in an effort not to laugh aloud at the memory of Ephiny's taunt. Gods knew, Solari wouldn't have turned down a dance with the Queen.

“They were beautiful, weren't they, Auntie?”

Solari looked out beyond the children at the Amazons, dressed in their feathers and beads, swirling around the firelight and lost herself in the corridors of time. “They were so beautiful,” she murmured, seeing the ghostly pageantry of memory play out before her wizened eyes as she turned to look at the dais. “Dressed in their feathers and finery, they were a sight to see. So strong and happy together. I envied them.”

“Why?”

She looked down at the scrunched, but earnest expression of the children at her feet as they tried to understand. “Because they had each other, and because that was the way it was meant to be.” She let out a long breath, remembering the way they moved together, even more fluidly than Gabrielle had with Artemis. “They danced in the moonlight and the firelight, Xena's dark head bent over Queen Gabrielle's golden one, speaking to each other so softly we could only guess what they might be saying.”

Ephiny may have guessed, she recalled. Eponin had handed the Regent that dinar later saying something about big beads…

“Before the Nation, they danced across the platform and we loved them—for their beauty and their strength and their heroism—we loved them and wanted to be them.”

Solari reached out her wrinkled hand with its gnarled fingers and cupped a little dark-haired girl's cheek, smiling as she added softly, “Most of all, we loved them because they loved each other, and we cheered loudest when Xena took Gabrielle in her arms and kissed her.”

It was one of the most heart-lifting moments she had ever known and Solari smiled again, thinking of how Xena and Gabrielle had looked at one another that night and for the rest of Brauronia. Even now, the thought of them warmed the cockles of her poor, tired heart.

The dark-haired girl grinned happily as the others sighed in appreciative longing. “That's a beautiful ending, Auntie.” The other children, even some of the formerly-scoffing Amazons whispered their agreement.

“Yes.” Taking a thin, but happy breath, Solari nodded, easing back into the comfort of her cushions. “It certainly is, isn't it?”

—Fin

(July 2003—March 2005)

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No Amazon feathers were harmed or permanently ruffled during the production of this story, but Artemis was left feeling unusually frisky. Any allegations of squirrels meeting an untimely and gory end have remained unconfirmed as Xena could not be reached for comment.