Disclaimers 1: Ephiny, Solari, Terreis, Melosa, Epinon and Velasca all belong to Renaissance Pictures and MCA/Universal. No infringement is intended and no profit will be made.

Disclaimers 2: This set of stories are all mine although they do revolve around particular episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess. (For these stories Xena and Gabrielle have taken the supporting roles, no disrespect to the characters what-so-ever, but I felt like playing with the Amazons for a while.)

Authors Notes: This story takes place straight after the events of Amazon Chronicles Part 5 - Dawn of Chaos, but before the events depicted in the episode 'The Quest'.

Posted: December 1999

Thanks: To the Posse.

Warning: This story is sub-text friendly, if this type of material offends you, or you are underage, or it is illegal where you live then the exit is the way you came in.

Any comments or mail to:masque@talonthorne.co.uk

Visit the web-site: www.talonthorne.co.uk

Avator, forever thinking of you.

It was nowhere near dawn, darkness still shrouded the sky and a chill still hung in the air. Eponin rubbed her hands along her bare arms in a futile effort to restore some warmth to her limbs. She could not sleep. She had spent a couple of hours tossing and turning, but slumber had evaded her. Finally resigned to the fact that there would be no more sleep for her this night, she had taken watch over the Queen's hut from the shadows of her own home.

Something had changed last night, something in Melosa's eyes as they had parted.Come to me before dawn, Melosa's last words to her. An invitation? A Promise? How long before dawn? Eponin looked towards the eastern sky, still no sign of daybreak. She turned her attention back to her vigil and that was when she noticed smoke coming from the Queen's hut, from the fireplace in the main room - Melosa was awake.

She moved stealthily through the shadows of the village, eager to get to Melosa, to find out what she had truly seen in the depths of the Queen's eyes, to know what had passed between them as Melosa had pressed her lips against her back. Her spine still tingled at the remembered sensation of that kiss.

Her hand trembled upon the door latch, fumbling to open it.So long, She had waited so long for this moment, a chance to tell Melosa how she felt, how she had always felt.

* * *

Melosa tossed a couple more logs onto the fire and poked the glowing embers to encourage a blaze to grow. She heard the grinding of metal as the latch on the door slid open. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she recognised her Royal Guard's footsteps.

"Hello Eponin." She welcomed; slowly she moved her gaze from the crackling flames and turned in time to see the younger woman step from the darkness and into the glow that the fire provided.

"Melosa." Eponin's voice was barely more than a hoarse whisper as she simply looked at the Queen. In just her leather skirt and bodice, without her armour and royal attire Melosa took on a much softer edge; her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back, and her body usually held so rigid was relaxed. She was beautiful.

Eponin would never know what gave her the courage that night, but she was moving towards the Queen. When she was close enough she was reaching out and taking Melosa's face in her hands, her finger tips sliding along the soft skin of the other woman's jaw, all the while drawing their bodies closer. She bowed her head down, stopping mere inches from her goal, her eyes searching Melosa's.

It was Melosa who closed the final gap, her lips finding Eponin's. There was nothing gentle about the contact of their mouths. Their first kiss was consumed by a hunger of waiting so long and a passion finally realised. The Queen eased her arms around Eponin's waist; her fingers teasing the bare flesh of her guard's mid section.

A quiver ran through her body at the touch and was echoed by a soft groan in her throat. In pure reaction and unconscious desire her hands left Melosa's face and slipped down her throat and continued to move lower, deliberately grazing the sides of the Queen's breasts and prompting a soft moan in response.

The kiss continued for some moments, neither Melosa nor Eponin wishing to relinquish the joy of exploring one another bodies with their mouths or hands. Finally it was the need for air that drove them apart, they rested their foreheads against one another, but still managed to steal the occasional kiss as they regained their breath.

"Oh gods…" Eponin mumbled as her face dropped to Melosa's shoulder and she began nuzzling the other woman's neck.

Melosa smiled as she pressed her lips against Eponin's temple. "That was exactly what I was thinking." She clutched Eponin's hand and lowered them both to the rug before the fire. They settled against some cushions, Eponin enveloping Melosa in her arms as the Queen rested her head upon the Royal Guard's chest.

She felt so peaceful and so protected lying there in Eponin's arms that she allowed the rhythmic breathing of the body beneath her to soothe away her fears. She became conscious of the steady, strong beat of Eponin's lifeblood. She laid her fingers over the younger woman's chest; "I feel your heart beat." She smiled up at her.

Eponin placed her hand over Melosa's, "It belongs to you, it always has."

"Because I saved your life?" Melosa questioned, suddenly concerned that Eponin may feel an obligation to her for some kind of debt.

"No." Eponin grasped Melosa's hand as the Queen tried to remove it. "Because you let me love you."

Tears almost came to Melosa's eyes, but a smile forced them back. She leaned forward and pressed a small kiss upon the skin that covered her love's heart, before surging up Eponin's body to claim her waiting lips. Her desire for Eponin had waited far too long and she feared that she was losing what little control she had on herself and she could not afford it. At dawn she would have to battle for her people, her thrown, her life; she did not want her first joining with Eponin to be rushed or distracted, she wanted it to convey the promise of eternity. But as warm fingers inched along her thighs, slipping under her skirt and moving higher she wanted to forget about the Amazons and lose herself in her lover.

Ultimately the desire for their first time together to be special won out and Melosa reached for Eponin, gripping her wrist and stopping it in its ascent. She slowly pulled away from the kiss they were sharing and gazed into her lover's dark eyes, filled with uncertainty. She stroked Eponin's cheek as she regained her breath to speak, "Tonight…", she began quietly, "I will give you everything tonight."

Eponin understood exactly what was coursing through Melosa's mind. She nodded her acceptance and turned her head to kiss the fingers that caressed her cheek. She wanted it to be special too.

The next few hours were spent holding one another, trading kisses and touches until the reality of dawn broke into the haven that they had created.

* * *

Ephiny continued to stroke her son's blonde curls as she watched him sleep. Dawn was creeping in and the Challenge was upon them, the outcome of which would decide hers and Xenan's future. She did not want to leave the Amazon village, but she would if she had to. She did not want to leave Solari; maybe her friend would leave with her. The gods knew that Solari was filled with so much resentment for Velasca that she did not think Solari would want to stay anyway.

"It's time to go." Solari whispered, not wanting to wake Xenan. They had decided it would be best that he stayed out of sight for now.

Ephiny leaned over her son and kissed him gently on the forehead, "I'll be back soon."

Solari extended a hand and pulled Ephiny to her feet, steadying her when it seemed that she would lose her balance. Solari's arms slipped around the blonde woman's waist, her fingers interlacing behind her back.

With her palms resting lightly against Solari's shoulders Ephiny closed her eyes, waiting for her balance to catch up with her. Certain that she was not going to stumble a second time she opened her eyes and looked straight into Solari's.

Solari was struck with a strong sense of déjà vu as those hazel eyes focused on her, and a smile eased over Ephiny's lips. Memories of the previous nights dream swept through her, igniting the same sensations as it had then. "We'd better go." Solari told her abruptly as she turned away and disentangled herself from Ephiny.

Ephiny was startled by the play of emotions that had crossed her friends face; concern had given way to wide eyed fear to be replaced by, what Ephiny thought, was something akin to desire. Maybe?

* * *

Adjusting the final buckle Melosa's shoulder guards were finally in place and Eponin took a moment to settle them correctly. As she completed her task her eyes glanced upwards to find Melosa watching her. Slowly she leaned closer and claimed Melosa's lips, deepening the kiss as she felt Melosa arms winding around her neck.

They never heard the door opening or the entrance of Solari and Ephiny. It was not until they heard the subtle throat clearing that they broke the kiss and turned to the visitors.

Eponin immediately caught Ephiny's eyes and tried to suppress the grin that curled her lips, at the blonde woman's encouraging smile. Ephiny was the only person she had ever told of her love for Melosa; they had exchanged more than a lover's caress in the hayloft all those years ago.

"They're waiting." Solari informed their Queen, even as the sounds from outside became louder as more Amazons gathered for the Challenge.

* * *

Velasca already stood amongst a group of Amazons that had shown their allegiance to her and her quest for the Throne. She knew that she held the advantage in this battle; she was younger, faster and it had been she who had issued the Challenge, which meant that it was her choice of weapons.

She turned away from her supporters as she heard the door of the Queen's hut open. Ephiny exited first followed by Eponin and Solari and finally Melosa. They took up their positions on the dais and waited for silence to descend over the assembled crowd.

"Velasca, you have issued the Challenge to the Amazon Throne. Choose your weapon, or choose your champion."

A feral smile twisted Velasca's features. She held the advantage and she played it. Reaching over her right shoulder she drew her sword from its scabbard, "The sword." She announced smugly.

Eponin could feel her blood freezing in her veins, while her heart cried out in pain.Oh gods, please not the sword. Immediately she was stood before the Queen, "Let me Champion for you." She pleaded.

Melosa looked up at her love; the fear was evident in her dark eyes. The sword was not her strongest weapon, not by far, but she had accepted the Challenge and now she had to see it through to the end, whatever the outcome would be. She knew that Eponin was the most skilled warrior in the village when it came to the deadly blade, but she would not put Eponin in that possible danger, she would never be able to live with herself if Eponin died for her. Yet that was what Eponin had pledged to do, so Melosa knew that her Royal Guard would never accept that argument. There was only one argument that she would accept, "It's my Throne Eponin, my fight, not yours."

The Queen stepped away from her and moved to where Solari stood holding out the Queen's sword. Eponin remained paralysed, unable to even let her gaze follow Melosa. She felt a soft touch on her arm and looked up to meet Ephiny's eyes. "She's going to die." The certainty in her voice scared even her. The first blow of metal upon metal rang out and made her tense every muscle in her body, a chill settling through her entire being, but she refused to turn around and watch the battle.

Velasca circled Melosa, the evil smile never leaving her lips. This woman who had taken her in as a daughter, taught her everything that she knew about the Amazons, had trained her as a warrior, now faced the consequences of her creation. Velasca had been an attentive student, she knew Melosa's strengths and she knew Melosa's weaknesses. Melosa fought low - taking the legs out from beneath her enemy leaving them on the ground and at her mercy. Melosa had a blind side - leaving her right side open for the attack. Velasca was just waiting for the right moment; she heard the chanting from both her supporters and Melosa's,Why deny them their entertainment?

The strikes rained down upon her and it was all Melosa could do to defend them. Each blow jarred the blade in her hands, sending jolting pains along her forearm so unused was she to wielding the weapon. She knew that Velasca was only toying with her, prolonging the final strike, but she would not die without a fight - she owed it to herself and she owed it to Eponin.

Velasca moved with such ease, the blade whirling in her hand. The sword swung in a wide arc, extending out of Melosa's line of sight. She never saw the gleaming metal until the searing pain in her right side made her look down to see the sword tearing into her flesh. In shock her own weapon fell from her fingertips as she clutched at the wound, crimson blood seeping from the gash and covering her hand.

The opening that she was looking for, her chance to prove that she was the rightful heir to Melosa and she took it, by force. She drew back the blade, a vicious snarl escaping her lips as she lunged forward, thrusting the blade forward.

Agonising pain ripped through her body as Velasca's blade pierced into Melosa's chest and exited through her back as the daughter embedded the sword into the mother right to the hilt. Doubled over by the pain, with the sword still lanced through her body Melosa looked up into the eyes of her murderer, eyes that were dangerously close to her own.

Velasca seemed to relish in the Queen's suffering as she leaned closer and sneered, "This is my destiny Melosa." Discreetly she twisted the blade in the wound, drawing another cry of anguish from her dying mother.

Melosa gritted her teeth against the agony that threatened to rob her of conscious, and her life, "You will never be Queen Velasca."

Angered by the conviction of Melosa's words she placed her hand against the Queen's face and forced her body away from the sword. Unable to support herself, under the weight of her injury, she dropped to her knees and fell heavily to the ground.

She heard the anguished scream, forever to echo inside her head. Eponin was running before she had even finished turning around, skidding to her knees in the rough dirt she was beside Melosa gathering her love in her arms. Blood was beginning to fall from Melosa's lips, just as tears began to fall from Eponin's eyes. "No. No, not now."

Choking from the blood that fell thickly in her throat, Melosa desperately groped for Eponin's hand and placed it over her heart and then reached out to placed her own hand over Eponin's heart. Melosa's heartbeat was slow and weak but in contrast Eponin's was beating quickly with great strength. Melosa's darkening mind remembered touching Eponin the same way only hours before. "Mine." She whispered, letting Eponin know that she had accepted Eponin's love and that she returned it, "Let it beat for me." Her last words. Her hand fell away from Eponin's chest, leaving a bloodied handprint behind, and then Melosa was dead.

"No!" Like a wounded animal Eponin screamed towards the sky, cursing whichever force had conspired to take Melosa from her. With the greatest of care Eponin laid Melosa's limp body on the ground and slowly reached across the Queen's body to retrieve the discarded sword.

"The victory is mine. I therefore declare myself…"

"VELASCA!" Eponin shouted. In one swift movement she stood and raised the weapon, but as she was about to attack she felt two sets of arms restraining her.

Anticipating Eponin's reaction Ephiny and Solari had followed Eponin to Melosa's body, ready for when the sadness turned to anger. Eponin fought against their grasp but they held strong.

Velasca strutted across the battleground and grasped Eponin with one hand around her throat. "Not a very smart move Eponin. It is treason to attack the Queen."

"You're not the Queen." Eponin hissed back.

Velasca allowed her eyes to drop to the dead body at their feet; "I am now."

The complete disrespect for Melosa fuelled Eponin's anger once again and she struggled against the hands that held her. But Velasca's hand closed more tightly around her throat making breathing difficult.

Ephiny did not like what was happening and she was pretty sure that Solari felt the same. She wanted to let go of Eponin and let the Royal Guard have her vengeance but she knew that it would only cause her friend more trouble. "She's not worth it." Ephiny mumbled close to Eponin's ear.

Velasca released her grip upon Eponin, shoving her roughly back against Ephiny and Solari. "The penalty for treason is execution or exile." Thinking about the few moments she had witnessed between the departed Queen and her guard she realised that Eponin would probably welcome death. "You are exiled."

Gripping her left gauntlet in her right hand she pulled it from her wrist and held it before Velasca. Etched into the dark leather were Melosa's personal crest and the insignia that identified Eponin as the Queen's Royal Guard. "I would never serve you anyway." She dropped the gauntlet to the dirt and stalked away, sparing one last glance for the woman that she loved, even in death.

* * *

The hut that guarded Melosa's body after it had been prepared for it's funeral pyre only had one guard posted at the door. Slipping from the trees where she had been hidden since leaving the central meeting place after her banishment Eponin pressed her body flat against the wood, making sure she had not been seen.

She pulled her boot dagger from its place and wedged it between two of the planks of wood prying them apart to make an entrance for herself. A moment later she was inside the darkened room, replacing the planks of wood to conceal her presence. The lighting was so different to the harshness of the midday sun that at first she could not see anything. After a few seconds her eyes adjusted to the dimness and her eyes fell upon Melosa's body.

Whoever had been given the task of preparing the body had taken great care in the work. The wounds had been cleaned and treated as though Melosa still lived. Her Chobos rested across her chest, clasped in her lifeless hands.

As she stepped closer Eponin could no longer hold back the tears, they fell freely from her eyes and she had no intention of stopping them. She reached out with trembling hands and stroked the soft black hair that she had that morning buried her fingers in as they had kissed one another.

She bent over and pressed her lips to Melosa's, they were still soft and Eponin could feel the tears coming even harder now. "Mine." She whispered reaffirming Melosa's earlier sentiment.

The door began to open and Eponin retreated to the shadows.

Solari entered the hut convinced she had heard something inside. There was nothing out of place and she was about to close the door when one of the candles in the hut reflected against something upon Melosa's cheek. Curious Solari approached the Queen and touched her finger to the wetness upon Melosa's skin. She brought the moisture to her tongue and tasted the saltiness of recent tears.

"I know you're here Eponin. You might as well come out." She called into the darkness and waited for the other woman to reveal herself. Eponin stepped from the shadows and readjusted the bag that she carried over her shoulder. "You shouldn't be here." She warned.

"I had to see her one last time." Eponin confessed.

Solari cast a glance over her shoulder as though she expected someone to walk through the door at any moment. "Velasca will be here soon."

"So that's it now. You're playing by Velasca's rules." Eponin could feel the anger rising again. "How can you? You hate her as much as I do."

"Sometimes you have to go along to get along." Solari said, but her heart was definitely not in it. Just after Melosa had named Terreis her heir a sparring match between the two Princesses had turned nasty, resulting in three broken ribs for Terreis and a very resentful Royal Guard and bond mate.

Eponin stared at Solari in disbelief at the words that fell from her lips, "How can you say that? What about Xenan? What about Ephiny? What about Terreis? Did her death stand for nothing."

They both knew full well that if Velasca became the Queen then the fragile peace treaty between themselves and the Centaurs would be crushed. They would be at war and Ephiny and Xenan would be exiled - just like Eponin.

"You know damn well that Terreis's death stood for peace." Solari's rare temper flared at her friend, she took a moment to calm herself, anger would not help them now. "I don't want to stay here any more than you do but somebody has to stay here and make sure that her legacy isn't forgotten." She retaliated. Her lover's death had been a symbol for peace and a symbol for their future. That memory was about to be destroyed but Solari did not know how it could be avoided, but she had to try. "I don't have a choice."

"Yes we do have a choice." Ephiny said as she entered the hut with a jar of anointing oil. Both women turned to look at her. What had Ephiny discovered that they had not thought of? "Gabrielle."

"The Princess?" Eponin questioned.

"She still holds the Rite of Caste." Ephiny began.

Solari immediately saw where Ephiny was heading with her line of thought. "Melosa never passed on her Rite. So that still makes Gabrielle the rightful heir to the Throne."

"If Velasca wants a return to the old traditions then that's one rule that even she won't dare to break. All we have to do is find Gabrielle and convince her to accept the Mask of Queen Hood."

"That sounds like a plan." Eponin concluded and lunged back into the shadows as she heard the approach of running footsteps.

The door opened and Chalappa entered. The young warrior was out of breath and paused to regain it before she could speak. "I have news, about the Warrior Princess."

"Xena?" Ephiny asked, urging the scout for the rest of the message.

Chalappa nodded, "She's dead."

To Be Continued…

* * * * *