Subtext: For sure! There is love between two couples, women. If this offends you then don't read this story. But there is no sex contained in this story.

Started: August 27, 1999

If anybody has comments about my story please let me know at:

redhope@redhope.netm

Part 6 (Conclusion)

Section 6

~*Part 17*~

"Are you Criostoir?" The man pulled his horse to a halt and looked down to the woman who justs reappeared from above. He held up his hand and some where around a hundred horses came to a stop. Two Amazons were directly behind him, the messengers.

"I am"

"I am to report to you from Queen Gabrielle that you are to attack from behind the battle" The mercenary nodded his head and he turned in his saddle. All the riders unsheathed their swords.

"Follow me men!" He looked back to Eponin and nodded.

"Thanks" Right after that he kick his horse into a gallop. Him and his band of mercenaries all turned veered to the left some then came in directly behind to the battle. Criostoir's mercenaries yelling with their swords raised. The two messengers Amazons had walked over to Eponin with smiles.

"Glad you two brought them back" The two Amazons chuckled.

"Sorry we weren't earlier" The weapons master looked to the Amazon on the right.

"I'm just glad you came now instead of later"

Gabrielle looked up to see a dark man on a jet-black stallion come charging in behind the battle, the bard grinned.

"They're here Xena!" Xena slashed her sword across the warrior's stomach and he fell. She looked up to see a mass amount of men on horseback flood into the fight. Xena grinned at the familiar man and laughed. She charged into another warrior, as did the bard.

Soon the yells of Amazons could be heard. Their voices renounced. Some hollering over the mercenaries arrival. Xena then spotted Lysia.

"Lysia over here!" The tall Amazon spun around and rushes over to the Warrior Princess.

"Need help with something Xena?" Lysia ducked as a man swung at her head, she punched him in the face.

"Yeah, protect Gabrielle got me?" The tall Amazon nodded her head.

"You got it" Xena nodded to the Amazon and whirled her blade to gut a running warrior. She leaped into the trees. Emerald eyes watched her go.

"Lysia where is she going?"

"I don't know Queen Gabrielle" The bard turned to her left and found a horse just a few paces away. She looked up to see Okeanos.

"Long time no see Queen Gabrielle" The Amazon Queen gritted her teeth.

Xena landed onto the ground and kicked a man in the stomach and looked to Ephiny on her horse.

"Ephiny?!" The regent turned her head to the right to see the warrior.

"Xena, what's up?"

"I need you to tell your archers to pull back. I'm worried they'll kill some of the mercenaries" The regent nodded and Xena stepped up close to the horse. Ephiny cupped her hands over her mouth and did a different birdcall then Solari's.

"Its done" Xena could hear the birdcall be repeated through the trees.

"Thanks Eph" The regent smiled and she kicked a man in the face to her right. Xena turned around to spot a large stallion, Okeanos on it far away. She then spotted her bard right in front of the horse. Her heart skipped a beat. "Hades" The warrior was about to leap up but two men rushed her and she was pressed. Her mind worked quickly as what to do. Gods Argo! How could I forget? The Warrior Princess jumped out of the way of the warriors and they almost slashed each other in half. Xena whistled sharply and the warrior heard the familiar sound of hoof beats.

Lysia rushed Okeanos and his sword met hers. Gabrielle stepped back and a man was on her, she made quick work of him with her staff then she looked back to Okeanos. The bard's memory quickly flashed back to the day when she first got her staff. Ephiny's words coming to her.

Ephiny looked up to the bard, staff in her hands, a brown horse to Ephiny's right.

"Centaurs have certain strengths and weakness. Their fast and agile, we use that to our advantage" Ephiny raised her staff. "As a centaur passes at full gallop" Ephiny quickly brought the butt of the staff to the horses left mid leg "The staff goes here. To crack the knee at the joint" Gabrielle nodded and Ephiny went on. "This splits the leg forward and drops them to the ground" Now Eponin looked to the bard from her side. "As the centaur falls" Ephiny begins to whirl around with the staff. "A strike to the lower shoulder" The butt of the staff now at the back of the horse's mid joint. "Dislocates the two front legs"

Gabrielle's eyes refocused and she watched as Lysia was cut in the arm by Okeanos' sword.

"Watch out Lysia!" And with that the bard raced forward, her staff went swinging to the horse's front joint. A crack was heard as the horse whine and began to fall forward. The bard spun around with her staff as the horse began to fall, the end of her staff smacking hard into the back of the horses two joints. Two loud cracks and the horse rolled onto its side crashing onto the ground. The Amazon had taken to steps away and Okeanos had jumped off his horse before it rolled onto its side.

"I'll kill you for that!" Gabrielle turned around quickly but as a sword came down at her, Lysia's sword stops Okeanos' blade.

"Tsk tsk, nobody mess with the Queen" Lysia pulled back her fist and it connected with Okeanos' face. The warlord stumbled back but he rapidly recovered and brought his sword up to the Amazon's side, he grinned at Lysia and jerked his sword out of the Amazon's side. The large Amazon's fell to her knees then on her side, her hands grasping her sides trying to stop the bleeding.

"And nobody messes with me" Okeanos turned to the Gabrielle whom was in her fighting stance. The man laughed and stepped up to her.

Xena rode out of the battle, a warrior running after her from behind. So she spurred Argo in a certain spot. In reaction the mare stopped galloping and kicked with her hind legs. Okeanos' warrior went flying through the air and crashed into a tree, sliding down it. The Warrior Princess then kicked the war-horse hard and she broke out back into a gallop. The horse cantering along side the battle, Xena looking in. Gold armor flashed and she pulled on the horse's right rein and Argo turned towards the battle. Xena stood up in the stirrups, her heart raced and she unsheathed her sword. She spotted her soulmate and Okeanos in the middle of the entire battle.

Gabrielle held her staff over her head against the sword. Okeanos released and came at the bard's side, Gabrielle hopped back out of the way. She sucked in her stomach as the tip of the sword breezed by her mid-section. That was to close for comfort. Her staff's end came around and hit the warlord on the shoulders and he yelped. But he was quick to take his opening, his sword swiping at the bard's side and cutting down the length of the bard's left arm.

Gabrielle gritted her teeth and she swung, but it wasn't as powerful as normal, her body still reacting to the new wound. Okeanos brought his hand out and grabbed the staff's end in his hand. It stung but he kicked with his right foot. He got the Queen right in the stomach, so Gabrielle lost her grip on the staff. Okeanos tosses the staff behind him. His sword went under the Queen's chin as she kneeled before him, her right hand over her right boot.

"I may not win this battle Gabrielle, but at least I know I've killed their Queen" Her green eyes narrow.

"At least I'll die knowing my Nation beat your army" Slowly the bard's right hand clasped around cold metal.

"That may be so, but your warrior will be quite upset when she sees you dead" The bard's hand tightened around the hilt of the dagger.

"Maybe she wont have to" His eyes widen then Gabrielle brought up her right hand to throw the dagger it sailed through the air and dug into his left waist. Okeanos faltered and the tip of his sword just swept across the bard's neck, the bard falling on her back, her neck bleeding. The warlord pulled out the dagger from his hip and tossed it to the ground, turning back to the bard. He raised his sword up at the bard, Gabrielle closed her eyes, her heart was pounding out of control. The sound around her was drained out of her world.

A war cry crashed through Gabrielle's world. Time seemed to slow up. Emerald eyes opened again and she saw a tall form behind Okeanos flipping through the air. The warrior almost seemed to slowly land between Okeanos and the Queen, the warlord's sword coming down already. It embedded into the tall warrior's left shoulder, sending the female warrior to one knee over the pain. Xena then reached between her breasts and then time sped up again. The next thing Gabrielle saw was her soulmate's breast dagger going into the warlord's heart. His eyes slowly rolled back up into his head. Xena's voice rung through her world in a low growl.

"Nobody messes with my soulmate"

Time slowing again.

Okeanos still tightly gripped his sword and he began to fall back. The sword coming out of the Warrior Princess's shoulder, the red breast dagger slipping out of his chest, a drop of blood slowly fell. Xena dropped the dagger. He hit the ground with a crash then the dagger met the ground beside Xena's knee. Gabrielle sat up to her knees which seemed to take infinite to do. She watched as Okeanos' grip on his sword relax and the hilt rolled out if his hand, his chest never moving up or down.

Time went back to normal.

Xena quickly turned around.

"Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle threw herself into the kneeling warrior, Xena wrapped her arms around her soulmate and pulled her in. Neither cared how bloody the other was nor how sweaty. They just needed to feel each other in their arms. They hugged for what seemed like a lifetime. Then a loud cheering crashed into their world. Xena lifted her head from the bard's shoulder and looked up. Amazons surrounded them all with the mercenaries directly behind them on horseback. Ephiny hopped off her horse and wedged through the cheering Amazons over to the soulmates in the center of circle.

"Gabrielle?" The bard lifted her head to her soulmate's voice and took a look around.

"We won?" Xena pulled back and looked into emerald eyes.

"Yeah we won" Gabrielle smiled and without expectancy she pulled Xena in for a passionate kiss. Xena melted into the kiss as one hand went to the bard's cheek, one of Gabrielle's hands behind Xena's head. Now the cheering grew as the soulmates continued to kiss. Once the kiss broke the pair rose up to their feet both smiling. The cheering went on with Amazons raising their swords and masks over their heads in triumphant. Ephiny stepped over to her two friends with a huge smile.

"We did it" Gabrielle quickly pulled her Amazon friend in for a hug, Ephiny was surprised.

"Thanks Ephiny" They pulled back and the regent still had her bright smile.

"Anytime" Now the cheering slowly began to turn into a chant.

"Queen Gabrielle! Queen Gabrielle!" Xena stepped up to her soulmate and wrapped an arm over her shoulders, pulled her in and looked down with twinkling blue eyes.

"That's you" The Queen of the Amazons blushed a deep red as she heard everybody yell and chant her name.

~*Part 18*~

Gabrielle stumbled into the hut and Xena shut the door.

"Lets get that gash taken care of" The bard huffed.

"You're the one to talk, you have a sword wound in your shoulder" The warrior shrugged.

"I can wait, you're first" Gabrielle turned to her soulmate and put on her best stern face.

"You're first…Queen's orders" Xena arched an eyebrow and then grinned.

"Alright you win" The bard grinned.

"Sit down and take off your shoulder armor" The warrior nodded and did as she was told. Gabrielle placed her staff against the wall and walked into the washroom. She came back out with a bowl and cloth. Small hands grasped a chair and moved it in front of Xena, Gabrielle then lifted the medical kit up out of the saddlebag and the tossed the cloth into the bowl and lifted up with her free hand. She moved over to the seat and sat in it facing Xena. She dropped the med. kit to the floor then placed the bowl in her lap. "You know you were right" The wet cloth went to Xena's shoulder wound, it stung at first.

"About what?"

"About the dagger" Xena nodded and the bard careful cleaned the wound of the blood and the skin around. "Saved me twice"

"I knew it would, saved my brother a number of times" Gabrielle nodded then she reached to the medical kit pulling out a needle and thread.

"Needs a few stitches" Xena nodded and the bard threaded the needle. "Thanks for letting me burrow it"

"Hmm I want you to keep it" Ivy green eyes looked up from the needle to Xena.

"Xena I couldn't, it was your brother's"

"Even more the reason you should have it" Gabrielle brought up the needle to Xena's shoulder and began to stitch the wound up. The bard noticed her soulmate's jaw tightened up.

"Why would that be even more a reason?

"Because I know Lyceus, if he had known you, he'd want you to have it as would I…as protection" Sometimes the bard just couldn't win.

"He would huh?"

"Yeah" Gabrielle grinned and put in the fourth and final stitch.

"You sure?" Xena responded with a serious tone.

"Positive" Emerald locked with blue.

"Alright" The bard grinned. "Thank you" Xena nodded with a smile. Gabrielle then reached down to retrieve some salve. She carefully began to rub it into her partner's shoulder. "Thanks for stopping Okeanos"

"I'm glad I made it" Gabrielle nodded her head.

"I was pretty scared"

"I felt it" Gabrielle looked to her warrior's eyes then smiled.

"That breast dagger seems to be another lucky dagger huh?" Xena chuckled.

"It's a great dagger, glad you decided to get it so long ago"

"It was only about a year ago from now"

"Was it really?"

"Uh huh" The bard pulled out a wrapped and Xena lifted her arm to let Gabrielle easily wrap it. The small woman then looked to Xena with a devilish grin. "You getting old?" Cobalt eyes narrowed but a grin formed on Xena's lips.

"No, I just can't believe it was only a little more then a year ago" Gabrielle took a deep breath and finished the wrap.

"Yeah sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago huh?" Xena nodded her head and picked up the bowl with the blood stained water. She went into the washroom to pour out the water and retrieve fresh water. She walked back out, sat on the bed and took the bard's left arm and began to clean the blood off.

"That's time for you, either to slow or to fast" After cleaning the wound, Xena added some salve to keep it clean.

"I suppose" Xena grinned then cleaned the cloth in the fresh bowl of water, ringing out the excess water. The warrior's left hand went under the bard's chin and lifted it. The cloth went to the nick at Gabrielle's throat, emerald eyes closing. "Its stings…like a parchment cut"

"Looks like it would" The small woman slightly nodded her head.

"Xena?"

"Hmm?"

"You think we should have the mercenaries stay till tomorrow?" Large hands dropped the wet cloth into the water again and a dab of balsam was rubbed over the small nick.

"For what?"

"Well you know Eph and the other Amazons will want a party over this" Xena averted her fingers from the bard's chin to her own lap.

"Mmm, those feather heads would" The bard arched an eyebrow. "Criostoir would probably like that, get in good with him too" The Queen grinned to her soulmate.

"Figured that, but we owe them big for their help" Xena nodded her head in agreement.

"Be a good idea"

"Hades, we better get back out there Xena" Gabrielle stood up, the feathers from her mask rustled behind her. The warrior also stood up and went to the washroom with the bowl. She came back out empty handed, walked close to the chair at the foot of the bed. Her large hands grasped the top and swung it back beside the table and looked up to her soulmate whom leaned on her staff in front of the door. Xena walked over to her. "They're probably thinking bad things about us right now being in here" The warrior wickedly grinned.

"Let them" The small bard chuckled and opened the door heading out of it, Xena right behind her. As soon as they were out the door, Gabrielle stopped dead in her tracks. "What is it?" Emerald eyes looked to Xena.

"Lysia, by the gods I am such an idiot" The small woman hefted her staff up and broke out into a run to the Healer's Hut. Xena ran along beside. "I can't believe I forgot, damn me" Boots pounded up the steps to the Healers Hut, Gabrielle quickly swinging the door open. Eilis looked up from a bed pallet off to the left. There on the pallet lay a tall brown haired Amazon.

"Queen Gabrielle" The bard rushed over to the side of the pallet and looked to the healer.

"Eilis, how is she?" The healer's eyes dropped.

"Not well I'm afraid Gabrielle" Xena was beside the bard, looking down at her almost look alike.

"Is she…" Eilis shook her head.

"I think she's lost to much blood" Spring eyes looked up to the warrior, Xena looked to her bard. She quickly understood the bard's look and stepped up to the pallet. The Warrior Princess lifted the cloth over the wound, it was stitched cleanly. She noticed how pale Lysia looked, it would be something risky. The door to the hut then abruptly swung open, an Amazon rushing in. Gabrielle looked to the door to see a stricken Teresa.

"Is she?" Teresa stepped up beside the bard.

"No Teresa" The Amazon looked to her Queen, a look of relief washed over her face. Teresa looked back to Lysia on the pallet. Xena shifted up and dropped her head over top of Lysia's chest, she listened to the heart beat. It is weak, the warrior frowned. "Xena is there anything that can be done" She brought her head back up from Lysia's chest and turned to look at her bard.

"There might be" Xena's eyes focussed beyond the bard to the shelf a ways behind her. She quickly stepped between the Queen and Amazon, Eilis watching the scene. The warrior scanned the jars of herbs and medicines, searching for one. Her large hand went up to a jar and Xena pulled the jar off the shelf and came to the pallet again. "Eilis, I need a bowl with a little bit of water" The healer rushed off to gather a bowl, placing a small amount of water and returned. Xena popped the top of the jar off and sprinkled some of the powered into her hand then dropped it into the bowl of water. It quickly diluted in the water, the water changing to a dull white shade. "Eilis lift Lysia's head for me" Eilis shifted to the head of the pallet and slipped her hands under the Amazon's head and sat her up. The warrior slipped some of the herbed water between the Amazon's lips, Lysia subconsciously drinking it. "That's good" The healer gently placed the Amazon down again.

"Xena, what will that do?" Xena lifted the bowl up and handed it to Eilis then the jar. She turned around to face her soulmate.

"Speed up her heart rate hopefully, foxglove. But that's all that can be done" Gabrielle nodded her head then looked to Teresa beside her.

"Teresa you going to stay?" The Amazon looked to the bard with a sadden face.

"Yeah, I think I will" The small blond gave Teresa a one arm hug then smiled to her.

"Hang in there huh?" The Amazon nodded her head and walked over to the pallet beside the laying Lysia. Gabrielle looked up to her soulmate and Xena nodded her head to the door. They started to head out and the Queen looked to the healer and waved, Eilis waving back with a sad face. The soulmates stepped out of the hut and down to the ground, Gabrielle looked to her partner. "Is she going to make it Xena?" Blue eyes averted to the bard.

"I don't think so Gabrielle. As Eilis said, she's lost a lot of blood" The small blond felt a lump in her throat and nodded her head. Xena pulled her lover into a hug then released her.

"We better go find Ephiny" Xena nodded her head in agreement.

Ephiny brought up her right hand to rest on her hip as she smiled to the mercenary. She actually liked the man, pretty nice guy for a mercenary. The regent then noticed the Queen coming at a fast pace behind Criostoir with her tall soulmate right beside her. Criostoir turned to let Gabrielle and her partner stood with himself and the regent.

"Queen Gabrielle" The man lightly bowed his head then looked back up. Then he looked to Xena with a huge smile. "You know I never thought I'd see you again" The female warrior grinned and grasped the mercenaries out stretched arm, shaking arms with him.

"Its good to see you again Criostoir after all these years"

"We had some good times then Xena" The Warrior Princess brought her arms up to cross against her chest.

"That we did" The mercenary smiled then looked to Gabrielle.

"I apologize for arriving late as I did" The bard thought her mouth hit the ground. A mercenary apologizing? She must be dreaming.

"No apology needed Criostoir, I was just happy you made it" The man kept his smile. "And we owe you and your band a huge debt for everything. We'll have the money sent to you as soon as things quiet down" Gabrielle then looked to her regent. "Ephiny, I'm assuming tomorrow will be the big party?" The Amazon grinned devilishly.

"If the Queen wishes one" The bard snorted lightly and rolled her eyes.

"I don't think I have much of a choice in the matter" Ephiny chuckled.

"I don't think you do" Gabrielle nodded her head with a grin.

"Well then I think with your permission Ephiny" The bard looked to Criostoir. "I'd like to invite Criostoir and his men to the festival" The regent smiled and looked to the mercenary and back the Queen up.

"I think that would be great if Criostoir and his men stayed for the day" Criostoir crossed his arms against his chest and looked to the regent and Queen.

"My men would appreciate it, they haven't had a celebration in a long time" Gabrielle smiled.

"Great then we'll have things set up" Ephiny nodded her head in agreement to Gabrielle.

"But we'll have to leave by tomorrow afternoon, my men and I need to be going to another engagement we've been hired for" The Queen and regent both nodded their heads.

"That's fine" Criostoir smiled at the bard's words.

"Well I think I'll be on my way to check on my men" He then looked to the regent. "Nice meeting you Regent Ephiny" The mercenary looked to Gabrielle again. "And its wonderful to meet the Queen of the Amazons, Queen Gabrielle" The bard smiled to him with a nod. Criostoir then looked to Xena. "And Xena, its been to long" The warrior grinned.

"We'll have to catch up with each other then Criostoir" The man nodded his head.

"We will have too" With that said Criostoir began to leave.

"Bye ladies" The mercenary leader then left to take care of his men outside of the village. Gabrielle turned to Ephiny.

"Nice guy huh?" Ephiny nodded.

"He is"

"How are things coming along Ephiny?" The regent crossed her arms against her chest.

"We've gathered all the wounded and dead. There were fifty-seven Amazons killed and twenty three wounded" Gabrielle nodded her head.

"What of Okeanos' army?"

"The one's that live were around a seventy-five, they ran" A deep breath from the regent. "The five hundred twenty-five that were left behind, all dead" The Queen couldn't believe the numbers.

"Mercenaries?"

"Criostoir said none of his men were killed, few wounded"

"And I assume they're making camp out in the forest, southern side?" Ephiny nodded her head in agreement.

"Right now I have Solari and Eponin checking on everybody, getting the dead rounded up. What would you like to be done with Okeanos' men Gabrielle?" The bard took a deep breath and thought, her eyes going down to the ground. An idea came to her and she looked back to Ephiny.

"Lets have them put on pyre's then set on fire going down the Nestus River north of here" Ephiny dropped her one arm off her hips.

"It'll be done"

"Ephiny, you have time now?"

"Yeah I have a half of a candlemark or so"

"Let's go back to my hut and get the money, head over to Criostoir" The regent nodded in agreement. The bard then looked to her soulmate. "Do you want to come Xena?" Blue eyes unfocussed a moment then looked back to the bard.

"No I think I'll check on Argo then help out around here, you two go ahead" Gabrielle nodded and Xena stepped closer to her partner. Leaning down, the warrior captured the bard's lips in a light kiss. She stalked off with a wink. Gabrielle shook her head and looked to Ephiny.

"Better get this done with" The regent nodded and the two women headed to the Queen's hut.

Xena dropped her right hand down to the soft wool, it was a dark navy blue cloak. It had a dirty white wool collar as well. It looked pretty warm. In the warrior's right arm hung a partial wool, partial leather cloak that she hoped would fit her soulmate. Xena hefted the cloak hanging off her right arm and placed it on top of the stack of leathers to the right. Her large hands lifted up the navy cloak and unfolded it in front of her body.

"Hey Xena" The warrior stared at the front of the cloak and looked up to see a curly-blond Amazon.

"How are you Eph?" The regent smiled and took a few steps more into the hut and came up beside Xena.

"Pretty good, nice cloak" Xena nodded her head.

"Yeah, I was wandering if you'd mind Gabrielle and I each taking a cloak?" Ephiny shrugged her shoulders.

"Sure why not, it's going to be a cold one" The warrior nodded her head.

"Yeah that's what I told Gabrielle" Xena took a step back with the navy cloak and turned to the regent while holding the cloak against her body. "Look good?" Ephiny looked to the warrior with a grin.

"It does, your color, dark" Xena grinned. "Long enough too" The warrior chuckled a little.

"You Amazons don't have many long cloaks" The regent arched an eyebrow.

"That's because not many Amazons are as tall as you" Xena smirked back.

"Didn't notice" Xena tossed the navy cloak on the stack of cloaks again and picked up the one she had in mind for her soulmate. She held it against her body for Ephiny to see.

"To small" A dark eyebrow went up.

"Ephiny" The regent looked up from the cloak to the Warrior Princess' face. "It's for Gabrielle" The Amazon laugh for an instant then looked up and down the length of the cloak.

"Yeah, I think it'll go good with Gabrielle's hair" Xena sighed and shook her head.

"I'm more concerned on how warm it is then what it'll look like on her" Ephiny nodded her head.

"Oh it'll be plenty warm, made out of wool and leather" Xena smiled.

"I do have to agree though, her hair will look good with the cloak" The regent grinned to her friend.

"Is that the feminine side of Xena coming out" Xena replied in a low growl.

"No" The Amazon just nodded her head. The warrior then placed the cloak on top of the navy one she intended to keep for herself.

"Speaking of which, Gabrielle did a good job handling the situation" Sky splashed eyes looked up from the cloaks to Ephiny.

"She did"

"Mmm especially considering what she's just been through with Poteidaia" Xena nodded her head and crossed her arms against her chest. "How is she doing with that Xena?" The warrior took a deep breath.

"Gabrielle is handling it better. Gets better as each day passes" Ephiny slightly smiled.

"That's good to hear. When you two plan on leaving?"

"I don't know, I need to talk to Gabrielle about that. My guess tomorrow afternoon or so" Ephiny nodded her left hand going to the table to lean against. "Do you guys have any plans?" Xena smiled.

"Yeah we plan to take a vacation in Amphipolis" The regent now smiled brightly.

"That's great, you both could use one. For how long?" Xena shrugged.

"How ever long, I'd like to stay for Solstice at mother's. See what happens. You'll have to come visit Ephiny when you get a little bored here" The regent laugh.

"I will" Xena then turned to the two cloaks and picked them up.

"Hey Ephiny, why don't you come by tonight and visit with Gabrielle? I'm sure she'd love that before we leave" The regent smiled as Xena turned back to her.

"Sure I'll come by for a candlemark or so. We need to catch up" The warrior snorted lightly.

"On gossip" The Amazon rolled her eyes.

"Well that too. By the way Xena, we plan to have the Amazon pyres tonight" Xena nodded her head then replied.

"Have you heard anything about Lysia?" The regent sighed.

"They don't think she'll make it. Teresa is pretty upset" Cobalt eyes dropped for a heartbeat then looked back up.

"I know, I saw her earlier" She took a deep breath then began to walk past the regent. "I'll talk to you later Eph" The Amazon turned around looking to the warrior by the door.

"Bye Xena" Xena smiled with a raise of her hand and left the hut. Ephiny looked to the table stacked with cloaks, leathers, armor and other items. She then headed out of the hut.

Gabrielle turned around from the table to the door as a tall figure entered the room. She smiled.

"Hey, was wondering where you were" Xena smiled and walked over to her partner.

"Came back from the Material Hut, got us some cloaks" Sea green eyes drifted to the two cloaks in the warrior's arms. Xena lifted up the one for her soulmate and tossed it to her. Gabrielle caught it and held it in out in front of her. She stared at the front of it, it was long probably reach to about her lower shins. It was made of brown leather and white wool. The leather covering in patches from her wrist to her upper arm, her sides, mid-section, then some of the back along with the collar. On the front it held a few buttons, the wool looking warm and almost having a dirty look to it. All the wool and leather was stitched together by black thread. Gabrielle loved it.

"This is great Xena" The warrior smiled to her partner.

"Like it huh?"

"I love the cloak" Gabrielle looked up to spot her soulmate's own cloak. "Yours made out of just wool?" Xena nodded her head then held it out for the bard to see. Xena's cloak was defiantly long, made of completely wool a deep rich navy blue, the collar on the other hand was an off white almost gray. The bard had to grin, it is her soulmate's color. "I like yours too" The Warrior Princess chuckled.

"It'll work" Xena stepped over to the bard and took the Gabrielle's cloak along with her own and placed them by the saddlebags. "You up for a bath?" The bard arched a brown eyebrow.

"I think both of us need it no matter what" Xena chuckled and rose back up to her full height.

"I agree"

The tall female ran her fingers through her wet bangs and sighed. She had on her clean leathers and armor with boots, but had yet to put on her gauntlets or armbands. Gabrielle for her part didn't just toss her Amazon leathers into the bathtub after cleaning herself unlike Xena. Instead she had other plans to have them cleaned up on her own time by a stream or lake. The warrior though after they had their bath, put her armor into the water and cleaned it of all the tarnishing blood, scrubbing it good. Then she hung it up to dry while she put her leathers into the bathtub to clean as well. The bard had to chuckle at her lover's technique, but it worked. Fortunately for Xena she had a spare set of dry leathers to wear with her armor, her wet ones now on a chair drying.

"Gabrielle?" The Amazon Queen strolled out of the washroom, her head down while her fingers worked the laces of her halter-top.

"Yeah?"

"You ready?" Gabrielle looked up with an arched eyebrow.

"No, nor are you" Xena sighed.

"More ready then you I'd say" The bard grinned to her friend.

"Uh huh" The small woman stood in her bare feet in her normal attire, her skirt on and her green halter-top on in the process of being laced up. Xena moved over to the table where she left her weapons, gauntlet and armbands.

"I spoke to Ephiny earlier" Green eyes lifted, small fingers now tying the laces.

"Yeah"

"Uh huh, she said she'd come by tonight to visit before we disappear" The bard's head went up and down.

"Speaking of which when are we leaving?" The bard moved to the foot of the bed where her boots rested on the floor. Xena looked to her soulmate as she slipped on her last armband.

"I figured tomorrow around late afternoon" Gabrielle looked to her left to Xena, her right leg up on the frame of the bed, her hands tying the boots.

"Sounds good to me. I'm ready to be alone a few days with you" Xena grinned to her bard, as her left hand twisted the gauntlet into place on her right wrist.

"Me too" Xena turned to the table again, she lifted up her sword in sheath then looked to her lover again. Her large hands went behind her with the sword, working the clips. "Also I think I've had enough fun with all the leathers and feathers" The bard chuckled her other foot going up to the bed frame.

"I have to agree for once. Don't tell Eph" Xena grinned her right hand moving behind to lift her chakram up from the table. Blue eyes stared at the round weapon in front of her.

"Yeah a vacation will be nice" Gabrielle's left foot hit the floor and she turned to face her partner.

"Solstice will be real nice" The bard looked to the chakram as well. "You realize that is the first time you were in a battle and didn't use your chakram" The chakram lowered and then was clipped to the warrior's side.

"I was just thinking that. There were just to many people anyway" Gabrielle nodded her head. Xena crossed the distance between them and placed her hands to the bard's sides. She lowered her head down close to the Queen's their foreheads almost touching. "Mmm, I've missed our time alone together" One of the bard's hands rested on Xena's hip the other against the muscular stomach. Sparkling spring eyes lifted up to sky splashed intense eyes.

"Me too" The younger woman sighed. "Been one thing after another" The warrior also sighed.

"It has but I promise we have our break now from everything" Gabrielle grinned up to her soulmate.

"Good" Then their lips were sealed together for an instant in time. It lasted for heartbeats, causing emotions and physical sensations to heighten beyond most people's capacity. Once the kiss was ended did they stare into each other's eyes for moments on end, they hearts raced. The soulmates always enjoyed these small moments in their lives together. Soon afterwards they left the hut.

The Queen of the Amazons looked west to see the sun just looking to the horizon, nightfall would come once again. She still had on her normal travelling attire, but she had taken her Amazon Queen mask and slipped it over her head. Off the platform to her right and left stood the remaining Amazons of her tribe, wounded and unwounded alike. Even Criostoir arrived for the funerals. Ephiny stood directly on her right, then Xena to her left, Solari and Eponin were down on the ground with their backs to the Queen. Beside the weapons master and second in command were two torch stands. On the ground a ways ahead were twelve funeral pyres, just about all eleven pyres held above five killed Amazons. Then there was one funeral pyre directly in the center that held one Amazon's body, Lysia. The Queen held herself strong over these saddening numbers.

"The Amazon Nation has defeated the Warlord Okeanos with the needed and thankful help of Criostoir" The Amazon Queen turned her head to the mercenary in the mass of standing Amazons, he was distinguishable. "The Nation thanks you Criostoir and your band for all your help in stopping Okeanos" The mercenary bowed his head to the Queen with a broad smile. The Amazons broke out into a cheer between the mercenary's help and the Queen's words. It was all agreed. Gabrielle then looked back to the pyres, the Amazons all went dead silent. "As all of us know, battles, wars, and fights always come to an end with at least one person dead if not many. Today we lost fifty-eight true Amazon Warriors. Each and every one of them was loved and well known, which is what makes each individual lost Amazon important to this Nation. This Nation may have lost these true Amazon Warriors physical" A deep breath from the Queen. "But we did not lose them in spirit, they will live on forever in our minds, hearts and in each breath we speak of them"

Gabrielle paused for a moment her eyes searching the pyres. "Each of these pyres hold an Amazon that risked their life not just for this Nation but for each and every one of us. I know myself that each Amazon warrior risked her life to protect each and every one of us and this Nation. I want each of you to remember that when it comes to the future. Remember in the future of these Amazons that risked their lives for a Nation, a Nation we will keep in existence because of the lives that went into keeping this Nation together" The Queen paused and watched as twelve archers stepped up to the front and came up along side of the torch stands with arrows. One at a time they began to light their arrow tips then line up in front of the platform. "Let the Amazon Nation now take time to remember these true Amazon Warriors. Remember them and never forget them, they are always apart of this Nation"

The two center archers were facing the Queen, Gabrielle nodded to them. They turned back around and shot the first two arrows, then quick to follow were the other archers right down in a line. The pyres rapidly caught on fire, the breeze helping it along. It was nightfall now. The stars twinkled high above as crystalline jewels would. Hanging low in the western sky was the waning moon. The bard began to step off the platform with Xena and Ephiny right beside her. Her leather boots scuffed on the ground, she shifted closer to the pyres. Gabrielle could feel the heat from the fires on her body, it warped her. Slowly the crowd of Amazon's began to encircle the pyres, some Amazons on their knees praying, others with their heads down or with tears stained eyes staring at the funeral. Xena came up along side of Gabrielle.

"You okay?" Emerald eyes shifted up to Xena then back to the pyres, she responded.

"Yeah I'm fine" They were silent for a few heartbeats, both taking in the scene. Gabrielle then looked to her right in the crowds, she spotted Teresa. The warrior looked to where the bard was to see the Amazon.

"Go to her" The Amazon Queen looked back to Xena with a smile.

"Thanks, I'll be back" The Warrior Princess nodded her head and watched as her soulmate began to shift through the people to the Amazon. Gabrielle watched Teresa as she came her way. The Amazon's face is stained with tears, her right hand up covering her mouth. Occasionally she closed her eyes and more tears trickled out, the fire reflecting off her tanned body and short blond hair. Teresa then turned her head to spot the Queen coming her way, Gabrielle came right to her. The Amazon immediately went in for a hug from the Queen. Gabrielle wrapped both of her arms tightly around Teresa, the Amazon's head going into the other woman's chest. They both stayed like that for a few moments. Teresa then took a deep breath and brought her head back up. "Teresa she's better off now" The Amazon nodded her head as the pair released each other.

"I know, she was in pain" Gabrielle sadly smiled.

"She was and she didn't die in vain" Teresa nodded her head again.

"You know I should have been there with her in the fight" The bard's right hand reached out and rested on the Amazon's left shoulder.

"Don't do that to yourself Teresa, it won't help. It happened, you can't stop something's from happening" Again the Amazon nodded her head. "Teresa, Lysia died the way she wanted to, personally protecting the Queen" Teresa sadly smiled now and Gabrielle pulled her in for another long hug. They released each other again, Gabrielle smiling some to only hope it'd help her friend. "You'll be okay?" The Amazon nodded her head.

"Yes, thank you Gabrielle" The bard nodded her own head.

"You're welcome" The bard's small right hand then moved to rest on Teresa's chest over her heart. "A part of her is inside of you there" A few tears came down the Amazon's cheek, a sad smile.

"Thank you again" The Queen nodded her head with a smile and turned to leave. Teresa looking back to Lysia's funeral pyre. Xena caught sight of her partner coming. Every now and again blue eyes had averted to the Amazon and the bard, then back to the pyres. Xena had quickly realized how much the bard is in this world. Gabrielle came up to stand beside Xena again.

"How is she?" Emerald eyes stayed fixed on the pyres.

"She's defiantly upset, I think she'll be okay" Xena nodded her head. Silence filled the air again but within a few moments Gabrielle broke it. "This sort of thing shouldn't happen" Xena looked to her best friend.

"No they shouldn't" Gabrielle looked up to Xena, eyes locked. "But these are the times" The smaller female's eyes dropped.

"They are unfortunately" Both women shifted their eyes back to the pyres. Then the bard's right hand came up to her bangs pulling them back with her hand still over her head, a lump entered her throat, her eyes began to slightly burn. "Xena?" The warrior's right hand reached over to the bard's hand, Gabrielle tightly gripped the large comforting hand.

"I'm here" Xena wanted to quickly bring the bard into her arms, but held back. Xena knew her soulmate had something to say and work through at this instant. Gabrielle's memories had quickly invaded her mind from a time not so long ago.

"I can still remember it Xena" Now a lump entered the warrior's throat, her muscles tense.

"I know you can" Hot tears trickled out of the bard's eyes, her right hand fell from her head to wrap around her own stomach. Xena briefly squeezed the bard's hands in reassurance.

"Then when I was in the Amazon hut, I can still recall my words of moving on" More tears began to roll down the bard's cheeks.

"Remember me coming back?" Gabrielle slightly nodded her head.

"Yeah I still remember starring into your coffin placing the ambrosia into your mouth, thinking it wouldn't work. But then your eyes slowly opened" Gabrielle then whispered something quietly. " I thought I was in a dream" A sorrowful smile crossed Xena's lips.

"You weren't nor are you now" Xena then turned her body to face her soulmate. "I'm never leaving you Gabrielle" They released hands and Gabrielle was pulled into strong protective arms that always comfort her and helped her to believe. After a number of tears left the bard, the pair faced the pyres again, Gabrielle leaning into Xena with the warrior's embrace still protecting her. For once Gabrielle could look to those funeral pyres without feeling the loss of her soulmate, because it really never happened. The memories now held little power over her. The wounds slowly disappearing. The healing had begun for them both.

~*Part 19*~

Gabrielle broke out laughing, she smiled and lifted her small almost empty mug of wine.

"Gods yes I remember that Eponin" Xena grinned at her soulmate as she looked down to her mug of port, studying it.

"I knew I missed a few things, but this many?" Solari, Ephiny, Teresa, Eponin and Gabrielle all looked to Xena after her words. Slowly blue eyes lifted to them, a big grin on her lips.

"Oh you missed quite a bit Xena" Had been Eponin's response. The five women all sat in front of a fire, music was beating loudly in the background with the Amazons and mercenaries all dancing and celebrating. This group decided to vacant a spot in front of a fire to talk about old memories. The night before was hard at the beginning then the night climax went down as the night wore on. Once the soulmates disappeared to the Queen's hut, Ephiny dropped by for a visit. Xena stayed for awhile then decided to disappear to visit with Criostoir. By the time she had returned the bard was alone in bed writing in her journal. Gabrielle had sat there intensely grinning on the bed, Xena asked why. She quickly found out what Ephiny had told the bard.

Now Xena's eyes looked to the regent and second in command across the fire. Ephiny's left hand is laced together with Solari's their hands resting on the regent's knee. Eponin though sat off to the Queen's left while Teresa was across from the weapons master. Once in awhile Gabrielle had caught Teresa staring at the weapons master, she had to grin at that

"That's what I've heard. I missed Gabrielle's dancing, her staff training, anything else?" Eponin began to grin and looked to Ephiny.

"Eph, remember when you taught Gabrielle how to take down a centaur?" The regent chuckled a little then answered back, Gabrielle though groaned.

"Yeah that was another. I swung by to check up on how well Gabrielle was picking up on the staff work" Xena nodded her head, listening intently. "Once I got there, she said she was getting it and that it was fun" The warrior looked to her soulmate and arched an eyebrow at her.

"Fun?" The bard sighed and shook her head at Xena's question.

"Okay I'll admit I didn't know what to say, I was young. Quickly learned my lesson" The regent was grinning and Eponin finished it, Xena looking to her.

"Well after Gabrielle said that, Ephiny got into her detailed...fun explanation on how to kill a centaur. I still remember Gabrielle's shocked face" Xena chuckled and took another sip of port from her mug. The Queen's face then brighten up and she looked to Ephiny.

"Ephiny, Gods, I just remembered now that we talked about that. Near the end of the battle when Okeanos found me he was on his horse. Well I used that move on his horse" The curly-blond Amazon raised an eyebrow at her.

"You mean the move I showed you on how to kill a centaur?" Gabrielle nodded her head.

"Yeah, I knew I needed to get him off his horse or I'd be dead. My mind flashed back to that memory and I went at the horse's joints. Worked alright"

"I bet it did" The regent chuckled for a second.

"Well it was one of the things that saved my life" Xena looked to her partner with a curious face.

"One of the things huh?" Gabrielle looked up into blue eyes, she grinned.

"One of the things" The Queen then looked to Ephiny, her closes hand went up to rest on the warrior's knee. "Then there is my warrior who constantly saves me" Xena grinned and her right hand went up to the bard's hand on her knee. Xena's long fingers slipping between the bard's fingers.

"I'd say she keeps you out of trouble Gabrielle" The bard looked to the weapons master and retorted.

"Well that too" Ephiny across the way was smirking and decided to get her own statement in.

"Personally, both of you get each other into fixes" Emerald and sapphire eyes looked to the regent. "Personally…that is" Gabrielle looked up to her soulmate.

"Both of us?" Xena looked to her partner and responded.

"Sounds reasonable" Gabrielle nodded with a grin. Teresa then looked to the Queen.

"I was wondering" Everybody turned to look at the now not quiet Amazon. "Well you remember when you first met me Gabrielle?" The bard nodded her head. "When Solari, Lysia, and I were all coming towards you, I sort of noticed Xena had stopped walking abruptly and stiffened up and you ran ahead. What was that all about?" Everybody quickly took note of the bard's face turning bright red to her roots. The warrior squeezed the bard's hand for a moment and replied for Gabrielle.

"Teresa, Gabrielle had told me something a little…shocking. That's all" The Amazon nodded her head to Xena. The bard wasn't as red, but was fairly still red. She'd been caught. Solari's words then cut through the air.

"Xena, do you have any stories about Gabrielle that you'd like to share?" Xena devilishly grinned across to the second in command.

"I have many stories about Gabrielle, but…" Gabrielle was staring up at the warrior. Eponin was grinning at the sight. Solari decided to egg it on.

"Come on Xena, you have to tell us at least one of Gabrielle" Xena chuckled and looked from her soulmate to Solari again.

"Oh no I like keeping them to myself" Ephiny chuckled at that, she could relate. The regent squeezed her lover's hand for a moment, Solari knew what that meant. So the second in command let it go for now. Xena looked down to her soulmate with a smile. "Ready to go?" The bard nodded her head.

"You two going to head out?" The two soulmates looked to the regent, Xena responded.

"Yeah, we should start heading out of here" That said Xena and Gabrielle stood up, leaving their mugs on the ground.

"You both better stop back here before you leave" Xena nodded her head.

"We will" The bard was smiling and the pair headed back to the Queen's Hut to retrieve their stuff.

"Hey girl. Ready to get out of this stall?" The mare nickered and threw her head up and down, her front hoof pawing at the dirt ground. "Yeah me too" The bard chuckled at her soulmate. Sometimes I wonder if they really do talk. "No we don't talk" Wide emerald eyes looked to Xena.

"You…you read my thoughts?" Xena laughed and tightened up the girdle on the horse.

"No, I just know you" Gabrielle grinned and buckled the nosepiece of the face tack. The Queen held the reins and Xena walked around the horse to the front. Gabrielle handed the reins to Xena and opened the stall's door. The two humans and one horse walked out of the stall then out of the stable. They all made a beeline to where Ephiny, Solari, Teresa, and Eponin are sitting by the fire. Gabrielle noticed that Teresa had shifted from across the fire from Eponin to sit beside her now. The sun began its decent in the western sky. Once the soulmates neared, the four Amazons stood up.

"You both better get to Amphipolis for once" The small blond chuckled at her regent's words.

"We'll try Ephiny" Xena then cut in.

"We will Ephiny" Gabrielle grinned up at her soulmate. She liked that.

"Good, maybe Solari and I will stop by for a visit" Teresa looked to the Queen with a hurt look.

"Am I not allowed to come?" The bard smiled and remarked back.

"Of course you can come Teresa" Gabrielle looked Eponin. "And you too Ep. We'll probably be there all winter" All the Amazons nodded their heads, the small bard looking to the regent. "You'll take care of the mercenaries?"

"Its all covered Gabrielle. You and Xena just get out of here before anything else happens" Gabrielle smiled. The Queen then made rounds and hugged everybody and thanking them. Ephiny being the last, the bard whispering something to her. "Thanks for all your help Eph" They released each other from the hug.

"You're welcome my Queen" Then the regent looked to Xena by Argo. All four Amazons each at a time attacked Xena with a hug. The warrior couldn't believe that one. "Xena thank you for your help" The warrior smiled to the regent, their hug was the last one.

"No problem Eph"

"By the way, Solari told me you talked to her. Thank for that too, means a lot to me" The warrior smiled to her Amazon friend.

"Anytime" Gabrielle moved from Solari's side after briefly talking about her relationship with Ephiny. The bard looked to her soulmate and Ephiny.

"Gabrielle" The Amazon Queen looked to the regent. "Take care huh?" The bard smiled with a nod. They went in for another hug.

"I will, take care too. And watch out for Solari, I hear she's nothing but trouble in relationships" The curly-blond Amazon devilishly grinned.

"Oh I'll keep her in line" The bard grinned back.

"I know what you mean" The warrior snorted. The soulmates then turned to leave. Gabrielle turned around and waved to her Amazons. They all waved back with bright smiles. Xena kept walking on with a huge smile and chuckled to herself. The bard turned back around and looked to Xena. "At least we got to sneak out quietly" Xena looked to her soulmate.

"Don't be to sure, we're not through the gates yet" Then in a heartbeat a loud roar of people's yelling erupted through the air. Gabrielle's shoulders slumped, her staff hitting the ground hardier.

"Oh gods, Ephiny didn't?" The soulmates stopped walking and looked back. All the Amazons and mercenaries were looking to them yelling and screaming. Gabrielle spotted her regent in the front with the largest smirk, she could even see the smirk from here. The crowd of Amazons and mercenaries still cheering.

"She did" It came out with a chuckle from the warrior. Gabrielle groaned and the pair turned back around and headed out of the village. The cheering never stopped till they got well into the forest. It was incredible. "Amphipolis?" Gabrielle looked up to her soulmate with a huge smile and replied back with a excited voice.

"Sounds great to me"

"All of winter for a vacation?"

"Gods yes"

"A lot of sleeping in bed?"

"Uh huh"

"A little nutbread?"

"Oh yes"

"Feel like riding?"

"The sooner we get there the better" Xena laughed and hopped up onto Argo. She then took the bard's staff and placed it in the saddle. The warrior then helped her soulmate up behind her. The bard wrapped her arms tightly against Xena's waist. Then the Warrior Princess kicked the war-horse into a gallop. Our heroes disappeared into the woods, headed southwest to Amphipolis. That leaves us with a mind full of wonderment off exactly how their winter goes.