Subtext ~ Maintext here but no sex between the characters that I'll write.

Copyright ~ Lets see, Universal and MCA both own Xena, Gabrielle, Draco, Melosa, Solari, Epinion and Argo. I though own Lux, Gelidus, Augeus, Seoirse, and Cacus. So don't take my characters or story line, I'm very protective of them.

Started: April 18th 2000 on Tuesday

Series Two-Meeting in the Midst as One Story-Two

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

redhope@redhope.net

Part 2

Section 2

~*Part 4*~

The small woman took a deep breath as she felt the leather around her chest tighten then loosen as she exhaled. Gabrielle stood on a podium with three Amazons flanking her on each side. She was preparing to become Queen of this tribe. And oddly enough Ephiny had led her to a hut where they dressed her in a set of brown leathers. Ephiny had told her it was tradition for the new Queen to receive a set of leathers with jewelry for formal matters. This was a formal matter at hand.

Off to Gabrielle's right she saw Ephiny walk up onto the podium with a mask and feathers coming off the back. She came up to Gabrielle and carefully handed it to her. Ephiny nodded to the villager and stepped back.

Gabrielle grasped the mask and raised it above her head so that the Amazons could approve. She searched the crowd of Amazons while listening to them all cheer. And then her eyes rested on the warlord who stood out easily.

Xena's eyes warmed to Gabrielle for a moment but she went stoic again.

Gabrielle closed her eyes and slowly lowered the mask.

The mask came down while reflecting the dusk sun off its jewels. Finally the mask locked over the new Queen's head.

Once more the Amazons cheered out as they watched their Queen stand there.

Gabrielle crossed her arms against her chest and stared at the funeral pyres burn.

Xena stood beside her soulmate. She shifted her eyes to her partner then back to the pyres.

"Xena… Draco…" The Queen started shaking her head. "He's going to pay dearly for this."

The warlord stared at the flames. "He will." Now she herself brought her arms against her chest. To Xena's right she had three Amazons standing there, watching over them. They were the warlord's shadows, ordered by Ephiny to follow her around.

Ephiny saw the pair by each other. She made her way over to them but stood beside Gabrielle. "My Queen, dinner has begun."

The villager nodded and turned her attention to the Amazon. "Alright." She then glanced up to her soulmate. "You coming?"

The warlord nodded then gazed down at Gabrielle. "Lead the way."

Ephiny started walking with Gabrielle beside her and Xena on the other side. Behind the three women the three Amazons followed along.

The dinner was rather silent for all the Amazons. Not only had they lost more Amazons but their Queen. They were in a war with a skilled warlord. Then to add on that nobody was comfortable that a warlord was in their village. These entire factors left the Amazons silent and tense. There were a number of whispered conversations about their new Queen and that she allowed a warlord into their village.

By the end of dinner Gabrielle was escorting her soulmate back to her hut. The three Amazon guards followed behind.

Xena came up to the hut and opened the door.

Gabrielle glanced back to the three Amazons. "Wait out here."

The three Amazons nodded.

The Queen entered inside with the warlord and closed the door behind. The villager groaned. "I hate those guards."

Xena had an amused looked. "My shadows? Mmm surprised I only have three."

The younger woman grinned and came up to Xena. "Feel insulted?"

The warlord quietly laughed. "Very." She went serious. "Tomorrow, I am going to head back to our army then to talk to Draco. I want you to get a treaty made up between the Amazons and our army. Okay?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Alright." She paused. "Do you want any Amazons to go with you to Draco's camp?"

"No, I can handle him myself."

"I have no doubt in that Xena. I have doubt that his army will be so nice to you."

Xena grinned for a moment. "Don't worry." She took a deep breath. "Besides I don't want Draco to know I'm with the Amazons."

"True." Gabrielle sighed faintly. "I better go before those shadows think I'm whipping you."

The warlord snicker. "Right." She moved quickly to grasp her soulmate's sides.

The smaller female smiled up to her partner.

Xena smiled back and leaned down to capture Gabrielle's lips. She then pulled back after the kiss. "Sleep well tonight."

"I would if you were there." Gabrielle then shifted to the door. "Xena be careful tomorrow."

The warlord nodded. "Of course."

"And if you see Lux tomorrow-"

"I'll tell him you said 'hi.' Don't worry." Xena smiled.

The Queen quietly laughed. "Thanks, see you tomorrow." She opened the door and soon as she did she noticed her three Amazons right in the doorway. She held back her annoyed look as she shifted through two of the Amazons. Turning back around, Gabrielle looked to the three Amazons. "Make sure you three stay here tonight."

The Amazons nodded to their Queen.

Gabrielle lifted her eyes to the warlord standing in the doorway. Her expression went dark but her eyes were warm. "I don't need a warlord roaming around in my village." Her emerald eyes fell to the Amazons again. "Is that clear?"

Yet again the Amazons nodded with a, "Yes my Queen."

The Queen nodded and she looked up to Xena. She saw Xena wink to her and Gabrielle bit back a grin. And she turned around to walk off in the night to her hut while listening to hear Xena's hut door close.

Gabrielle slept deeply but she soon was shifting out of her dreams. Shifting out of her dreams because she felt a smooth warm hand caress her cheek. Her eyes gradually opened up to stare in the darkness of her hut. She lifted her eyes up to see rich sky blue eyes twinkling down to her. And then a smiled appeared in the darkness. The villager furrowed her eyebrows and felt her eyes adjust to the darkness. "Xena?"

The warlord grinned and leaned forward to place a kiss to her soulmate's forehead. "Hi."

The Queen lifted her head and glanced out the window to not see the moon like she had before she went to bed. "What time is it?"

"About three and half candlemarks since you left my hut."

The young woman lifted her eyes to Xena. "How'd you get by-"

"My shadows fell asleep. You need better guards Queen Gabrielle."

Gabrielle chuckled and smiled. "No I like those guards if they fall asleep."

Xena grinned while she shifted a little on the bed. "I thought so." Leaning down she took Gabrielle's lips in a loving kiss.

The Queen moaned in the kiss and reached for her partner. She began to pull Xena onto the bed.

The warlord grinned and climbed more onto the bed while still kissing her soulmate. The pair soon found themselves together physically. And after that extent of time together they were left in each other's arms still awake.

Gabrielle shut her eyes as she lay on top of her soulmate's body.

Xena lifted her right hand up to brush back some of her partner's hair. "I can't stay."

"I know." The villager hugged Xena tightly. "Gods, I hate this."

The warlord let her fingertips glide up and down the Amazon Queen's smooth back. "Neither do I. But we'll get this… predicament taken care of quickly."

The smaller female opened her eyes and let her lips shape into a grin. "Naturally." She lifted her head but she'd lost that grin. "Thanks for finding me Xena." She sighed. "Was a bit worried I'd be stuck in this village."

The warlord furrowed her eyebrows. "Why would I have not?" She smiled warmly. "I can't leave my partner."

Gabrielle quietly laughed. "I hear you." She lowered her lips to take Xena into a deep kiss.

The Warrior Princess glided her fingertips up to behind Gabrielle's head to make the kiss more intense.

But the Queen pulled back with a sigh. "You better go."

Xena's breath escaped in a low rumble. "Hades." She leaned up and placed a gentle kiss to her soulmate's forehead and she felt Gabrielle roll off her. Slowly Xena stood and shifted around in the dark hut to put her warlord attire back on and hook her weapons on. Turning back to the bed she found Gabrielle rolled up in the blankets. Coming up to the bed the warlord smiled. "Get some sleep huh?"

"Yeah." Gabrielle smiled and then added on, "You better sleep too."

The tall woman grinned. "Of course, what little time there is." She bent forward to gentle kiss Gabrielle. "I'll see you tomorrow." She rose back up with a stoic face and padded over to the door.

"Goodnight Xena."

"Goodnight Gabrielle." The warlord carefully opened the door.

"Hey Xena?"

Xena glanced back to her soulmate. "Yesss?"

"I love you."

A warm smile swept across the warlord's lips. "I love you too." With no other words she slipped out the door into the black night. Closing the door silently behind, the warlord shifted through the darkness to her own hut. Once there she was able to slip past her three sleeping shadows and into her hut, she soon found herself in bed and asleep.

~*Part 5*~

A knock came at the door and Gabrielle stirred.

"Queen Gabrielle?"

The small peasant groaned and rose out of the bed. She quickly found her green halter-top and brown skirt. With quick hands she had them on and was moving to the door as another knock came. Gabrielle grasped the door handle and opened the door. "Morning."

"Good morning my Queen." It was Ephiny.

The Queen opened the door more. "Come in Ephiny."

The Amazon nodded and walked into the hut. She turned around to face the other small female while seeing the door close. "Xena left already."

Gabrielle nodded. "Where was she headed too?"

"She said she was heading back to her army first then to… visit Draco."

"Her words exactly?"

Ephiny nodded. "Pretty much."

Gabrielle nodded and left the Amazon's side to find her leather boots. "Did she say when she'd return here?"

The Amazon watched the Queen put her boots on. "This afternoon or so." She paused as her next words were harsher in tone. "She requested that you better have a treaty prepared or she might find a better offer with Draco."

The Queen chuckled and stood up after tying her boots. "You do realize she was kidding Ephiny?"

The second in command raised an eyebrow. "She could have fooled me."

"She did." Gabrielle turned her head to the Amazon. "Xena is doing that in public to keep up her image." Her breath left her lips in a sigh. "Her and I can't make it look like we know each other."

Ephiny crossed her arms over her chest. "Well she's doing a good job of it."

Gabrielle nodded. "Well… she was half serious by that statement. I do need to get a treaty together. You think you can help me with that?"

"Yes my Queen." The Amazon moved to the door.

The peasant came up to Ephiny and placed her right hand on Ephiny's shoulder. "Ephiny?"

The Amazon turned around as Gabrielle's hand fell from her shoulder.

"Try Gabrielle."

Ephiny's lips formed into a fine smile.

Seoirse let a smile control his lips as he saw his commander reappear out of the woods. "Xena." He bowed his head slightly to the Warrior Princess. He stood at the edge of the camp with two other warriors with him.

Xena slowly walked up to him with her smirk. "It's good to see you Seoirse."

The second in command quietly laughed. "I am glad the feeling is mutual." Yet he went serious now. "How is Gabrielle?"

The warlord grinned. "You mean Queen Gabrielle?"

Seoirse just went bug eyed. "Queen?" It dawned on him. "How did she manage that?"

The warlord still had her grin. "I'll tell you but lets go to your tent first."

The second in command nodded his head. He looked back at the two warriors with him. "Return to your patrol posts."

The two male warriors nodded and walked past Xena and into the woods to continue on patrol. They'd spotted their leader returning from the direction of the Amazon village and reported to Seoirse of her arrival.

Now though, Seoirse and Xena walked into the camp and to his tent. He went in first followed by Xena.

Xena rose back up from ducking in. "It seems Gabrielle does have many skills."

The warrior laughed. "She must if she's Queen of the Amazons now." His arms went against his armor-clad chest. "What has happened?"

The warlord's feral grin took her lips. "Well it seems Draco is in the area."

Once again Seoirse went wide eye. "He must be north."

"He is." The Warrior Princess placed her hands on her hips. "He's trying to enslave the Amazons. Yesterday there was a scrimmage between some of Draco's men and Queen Melosa's Amazons. The Amazons were able to push back Draco's men but…"

"But Melosa was killed." Seoirse grinned. "Ashame. So how did Gabrielle get her caste?"

"That's the interesting part." Xena walked over to the map in center of the tent. "Gabrielle tried to save Melosa from an arrow shot at her. But Gabrielle didn't make it in time and Melosa's request was for Gabrielle to take her caste."

The warrior nodded as he stepped up to the table. "Unusual."

"Very." Xena gazed down at the map. She pointed to the northern portion at the eastern section of Greece. "Draco is somewhere around here."

"Do we have any plans Xena?"

The warlord looked up to her second in command. "Basically right now we are siding with the Amazons." She grinned. "And Draco."

"Details later?"

Xena nodded and straightened up. "Yes. Right now I need to speak with Draco then I'll be back in the Amazon village." She paused as she thought. "When I send word to you make sure the men are ready to go. As soon as I am back we are going to attack. Is that clear?"

Seoirse nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. "What of Gabrielle?"

The warlord shifted to the tent flap. "You let me worry about your other leader. Right now prepare the men."

The second in command nodded. "As you wish Xena."

The warlord nodded and disappeared out of the tent. She then decided to change out of her warlord attire. Xena went into her tent and pulled out her 'warrior' attire. For some reason Gabrielle liked to call it her warrior outfit since it made her less dark. After she was in them and hooked her sword and chakram into place she was heading into the woods again, headed north.

Draco stepped out of his tent and felt a breeze wash over him. That's when he spotted her and he automatically drew his sword. Five of his warriors in the camp followed Draco's example and quickly surrounded the woman. Slowly Draco walked up to where the woman stood as his men moved out of the way. "Well well, I didn't know you were around Xena."

The warlord grinned to Draco as she responded. "I heard you were in the area Draco. Thought I'd drop in for a visit."

Draco laughed deeply. "Well I am honored." He sheathed his sword and went serious. "But you never visit somebody without wanting something." His arms went against his chest. "What brings you here?"

Xena shrugged her shoulders. "I just wanted to talk."

Draco narrowed his eyes at the other warlord. He then gazed at his warriors and nodded.

Draco's five warriors sheathed their swords and left the two warlords.

Draco glanced back to Xena. "Follow me."

The Warrior Princess grinned and walked behind Draco into his tent. "Its been a long time Draco."

The man turned around to face Xena. "The last time we were riding together we left on not… so good terms."

The tall woman nodded. "True." She walked over to a sofa like chair and sat in it. She stared up at Draco.

Draco stood in his black armor with blue cloth, his sword on his right side. "So what is it that you want to… talk about Xena?"

Xena grinned and crossed her legs. "Us."

The man laughed profoundly and walked over to a small table to lift up a handful of cherries from a bowl. "You are funny Xena." He turned around and leaned against the table slightly.

The Warrior Princess still had her grin. "I was never the one to joke Draco."

"True." The man popped in two cherries. "So why don't you tell me what you want Xena."

"I want you and your army." The warlord stood from her sofa and shifted to the table to grab a handful of cherries as well. She turned her head to Draco at her side. "And I know you wouldn't mind my… help." She strolled back to the sofa and sat in it again. She gazed up at Draco again.

Draco grinned as he ate three cherries. "Xena, the last time I had your help I almost didn't have an army."

Xena popped in two cherries and ate them slowly. "That was a long time ago Draco." She smiled. "I have plans to take Greece over and I wouldn't mind a second hand."

"Really?" Draco grinned and shook his head. "I've heard that tale before Xena. You need a new one."

"Do I really?" Xena raised a cherry by its small twig and let it go half in. She began to suck on the cherry. "Well I've heard things."

"And what things might that be?"

The warlord bit the cherry off the vine and ate it. "That you're here to enslave the Amazons. Am I wrong?"

"No, you're perfectly right Xena." Draco reached back to grab more cherries. "How'd you know?"

"I have my… sources." The Warrior Princess began to suck on another cherry. She pulled it away from her lips quickly. "But I wouldn't mind knowing how you plan to enslave over a hundred female warriors with only seventy-five men."

Draco grinned and ate a few cherries. "It won't be to hard Xena. Especially since they lost their Queen."

"Oh really? I've heard different."

The man narrowed his eyes. "She was killed yesterday and her sister was killed at the beginning. There is no one to take the Queen's place."

Xena nodded and ate a cherry. "Well if you say so Draco." She now stood as she popped in the last cherry. "I guess then I am finished here. Good luck stopping the Amazons."

Draco quickly dropped his two remaining cherries in the bowl. He moved to stand in front of Xena. "You're not leaving Xena." He brought his right hand to Xena's right arm.

The female warlord looked to his hand on her arm then back up to Draco. "Move Draco."

The man grinned. "You know something that I don't."

The tall woman grinned. "I do." Then her grin disappeared as her eyes narrowed. "But I can't tell since you seem not interested in my… assistance."

Draco grinned with gleaming eyes. "I was just reminiscing about our past Xena."

"Well you make it apparent that you don't need me." Her next words were in a growl. "So move."

The warlord grasped Xena's sides tightly now. "I never said I didn't want you." He leaned in to take Xena's lips in strong kiss.

Xena grinned in the kiss and was just as forceful. She wrapped her right arm behind Draco's back and her other arm around his waist. But she quickly ended the kiss and took a step back with a grin. "No deal there Draco." She walked over to the table to grab a cherry and turned around to the other warlord.

Draco crossed his arms over his chest. "What you want then Xena?"

"Want?" Xena thoughtfully ate the cherry. "I want men." She grinned after eating the cherry. "I can't conqueror without men Draco. You know that."

Draco came up near the woman but not to close. "Men mean money Xena."

"Exactly." The Warrior Princess grinned. "I help you with the Amazons and I get part of the profit. You walk away with a sack of gold and me with a sack of gold. It's that simple."

"That simple?" The man crossed his arms over his chest. "Nothing is ever that simple with you Xena."

Xena licked her thumb tasting the faint cherry juice. "Then things wouldn't be interesting would they?"

The man grinned. "Very true Xena." He turned around and walked over to his sofa sitting in it with a plop. "So explain to me how you plan to help me."

The female warlord lifted another cherry. "In two days you attack the Amazons and make it look like you're about to lose the battle."

"And that's where you come in?" Draco's hands went to his thighs.

"Exactly." Xena strolled over to the other warlord with the cherry. "You see Draco." She sat beside him on the sofa. "There is a Queen."

The man narrowed his eyes. "That's impossible."

"Is it really? The Amazons need a leader and they selected one." Xena began to suck on the cherry.

"And how do you know?" The warlord turned on the sofa to face the tall woman. "Unless your with them."

Xena grinned and removed the cherry from her mouth. She placed it between the other warlord's lips. "Her name is Gabrielle. She's rather… stupid when it comes to being a leader. She's not even a true Amazon."

Draco bit the cherry off and began to chew it. "And you were able to weasel your way into that village didn't you?"

The Warrior Princess's evil smug look came around. "Of course. Right now they think I am siding with them." Her face dropped. "I could make better use of them selling them to the slavers then with a treaty."

Draco grinned, he brought his right hand to Xena's cheek. "Then we'll capture them together."

Xena brought her right thumb across Draco's lips. "Good." She grinned. "I'll just keep the Amazons and their new Queen thinking I am with them." Leaning towards Draco her lips brushed against his. "In the mean time you get your men ready."

The man's brown eyes gleamed. "Oh they're ready." He leaned in to take Xena's lips in a long kiss.

Xena felt her left knee press between Draco's thighs and she heard him moan in reaction. After they pulled away from the kiss, Draco brought his lips down to the woman's chest placing soft kisses there.

Xena closed her eyes and dropped her head back, her mind was starting to swim and that wasn't on her list of things to do. So she lifted Draco's head and kissed him again but slowly pulled back. "Business first."

The warlord narrowed his eyes. "You never were the one to seal a deal with me."

The tall woman grinned. "No, with you I save the best for last." She stood up and stared down at the grinning Draco. "Have your men ready. I'll send word in two days."

Draco nodded and stood up. "Don't take long Xena. I am… eager to finish this."

"Give me time." Xena took a deep breath. "I need to gain the trust of the Amazons and their Queen."

The warlord took a step closer to the woman. "I'll give you two days. Nothing more. If you're not ready I am still attacking."

"Fair enough." A small grin took the Warrior Princess's lips. "My men are at the south border. You attack from the north mine from the south and we'll trap the Amazons." She turned to the tent flap.

"Perfect." Draco came up behind Xena and brushed back some of her midnight hair from her shoulder. His lips came down to her smooth shoulder. "I'll be ready."

Xena grinned to herself. "Do that." She brought up her right hand to brush against his cheek. She then lowered her hand and walked out of the tent into the cool day. With grace Xena slipped through Draco's camp and into the woods.

Xena quickly weaved through the forest heading south to the Amazon village and once she came near three Amazons dropped to the ground in front of her.

The Amazons drew their swords.

The warlord grinned and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Ah, my shadows. Miss me?"

The three Amazons pushed back their masks. One of them stepped forward with a glare. "Not really." She then turned around towards the village. "Follow us. The Queen is waiting for you."

Xena sighed with her arms going down, she started walking behind the three Amazons into the village. They lead her to the sparring fields and Xena walked past them to gaze at the two people on the sparring field.

It was Gabrielle and Ephiny sparring together.

The warlord narrowed her eyes at the scene. That Amazon was teaching her soulmate how to fight and she felt her anger go up a notch.

The Queen felt her feet get swept out from under her and she crashed hard on her back. She opened her eyes to see Ephiny grinning down at her with the tip of the staff against Gabrielle's throat. "Not bad."

The peasant rolled her eyes. "Right."

The Amazon shrugged her shoulders as her grin left. "Better then last time. You're getting the hang of it." She removed the staff's head from Gabrielle's throat. She then dropped her right hand to Gabrielle in offer.

The Queen took the other woman's hand and was hauled to her feet. Gabrielle had changed clothes that morning, she was now wearing her Queen outfit. In her right hand was the practice staff from the weapons hut.

"Gabrielle, Xena is back."

The peasant looked from Ephiny to her right to see her partner standing there with arms over her chest. And Gabrielle also quickly noticed her soulmate's eyes were flashing slightly. Gabrielle couldn't help but wonder why. "The treaty is in the meeting hut?"

"Yes it is."

The Queen nodded with a sigh. She turned her attention to Ephiny again handing her the staff. "Thanks for the practice." She paused. "Come to the meeting hut after your done putting the staffs away. I'll need your help."

"Alright." Ephiny walked off the sparring field with the staffs.

Gabrielle turned back to her partner and where the three Amazons stood. She walked over with a stoic expression. She came up to Xena with a small smile. "Glad you made it back."

"Of course." The warlord gazed down at her soulmate.

The peasant nodded, she could see a tint of coldness in Xena's eyes. Something was up and she needed to figure out what. "I have a treaty ready."

Xena nodded. "Let's see it then."

The Queen nodded. "Follow me." She led the way with the warlord beside her and the three guards behind.

They went into a hut that was considered the meeting hut. There the council would meet and other such meetings would be held. When they came in, there was a table in the center and a scroll rolled out with a quill in an inkwell.

The three guards came inside and lined up against the wall. Xena walked to one side of the table and Gabrielle was on the other side.

The Queen pointed to the scroll. "Go ahead and go over it."

The warlord nodded and lifted the scroll. She pulled out a chair and sat while reading down the treaty's agreements.

Gabrielle sat herself, waiting.

Then Ephiny walked in and came to sit beside Gabrielle. She gazed over at her Queen and saw her staring at Xena with the look of deep thought. Ephiny turned her head back to the warlord on the other side of the table. She waited.

Xena read the last line and quietly laughed. She tossed the treaty onto the table and lifted her eyes to Gabrielle. "No deal."

"What?" Gabrielle's narrowed her eyes. "What's wrong with it?"

The warlord crossed her arms against her chest and rested back in her chair. "My army is not group of mercenaries." She sighed and held her right hand out to the scroll. "Besides that, I hardly get anything in return. This whole treaty benefits the Amazon Nation and I get nothing."

The Queen sat back in her seat and thought for a moment. "What do you want then?"

Xena brought her hands to rest on the chair's arms. "Supplies."

The Amazon Queen narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. "Never. We do not have enough food for ourselves let alone an army."

"Fine." The warlord abruptly stood up with the chair scraped across the floor. She leaned against the table towards Gabrielle. "No treaty. I don't need the Amazons." She locked eyes with Gabrielle.

That's when the three guards all reached up to unsheathe their swords and started moving.

The Queen quickly raised her hand up and looked sidelong to the three guards.

The three Amazons stopped then backed up against the wall again, resheathing their swords.

The Queen slowly turned her head back to the standing warlord. "Sit down Xena."

"Not until I hearing something that interests me… Queen Gabrielle."

Gabrielle nodded. She knew then that they were really in a fight. "Alright." She slowly stood up and placed her hands on the wood table, she leaned towards the warlord. "Does Amazon weapons interest you?"

Xena straightened her back out as she studied the other woman. She slowly sat down and crossed her legs, she grinned up to Gabrielle. "Yes. I am all ears."

"Good." The Queen sat back down and thought for a second before speaking. "First you and your army help us against Draco now. The second term is you and your army protects our Nation when we need it. In return we give you a supply of weapons and whenever you pass through this area we'll give you any weapons that you might need." Gabrielle grinned a little. "We both know how valuable Amazon weapons are Xena. How well crafted they are."

Xena grinned right back. "They are." Her grin dropped quickly and she narrowed her eyes. "But they are not worth anything if I am to run to the Amazons at their beck and call like a dog." She leaned forward. "I am not a protection service. Is that clear?"

"Crystal."

The warlord smiled with a feral. "Good." She leaned back in her chair. "But the weapons still interest me. Now try to thrill me more with the idea."

Gabrielle sighed and let her thoughts run. She needed an idea. Xena wanted weapons. What did the Amazons lack? Food and protection is about it. Now her mind wondered to the food supply in her army with Xena. Did they have too much food? And wouldn't conquering towns and other warlords bring on a large supply of food? Maybe too much? She began to grin to herself.

"Queen Gabrielle I am waiting. I have better things to do then warm this chair." Xena grinned to the Amazon Queen.

Gabrielle grinned as she came out of her thought. "Alright." She straightened up in her seat. "How about we solve both our problems? You want weapons and my Nation lacks food and protection."

Xena laughed deeply. "You can't let go of that protection idea." She went serious. "I thought I made myself clear with you."

The Queen grinned devilishly. "Maybe you were clear as mud Xena."

"I must have." Xena stood again and moved behind the chair. She rammed it hard against the table. "And if you do not like my rule of no protection then we can not work out anything. That's final." She glared hard at the two women across from the table.

The Amazon Queen relaxed in her seat. "Very well then Xena. Leave." She watched Xena starting to shift to the door. "But do not come crawling to my Nation when you are in need of weapons. We both know how costly good weapons are, especially for an army."

Xena stood in the doorway grasping the door's handle. She was stuck in her tracks at Gabrielle's words. "Then what do you purpose?" She gazed sidelong to the Queen.

"You help us defeat Draco and we give you large supply of weapons to help you on your way."

Xena let go of the handle and walked back to the table, she gazed at her partner. "Go on."

The Amazon Queen smiled as she stared up to her soulmate. "Afterwards, we supply you with weapons on your demand. In return you give us a portion of food from whatever conquests you have."

The warlord narrowed her eyes. "And why would I do that? My army needs to be fed just as much as your Amazons do."

"True." Gabrielle took a deep breath. "But those conquests will bring in tons of food and I know your army can't eat that much. They would be rather fat and lazy then."

The tall woman grinned devilishly and crossed her arms over her chest. "Very good Queen Gabrielle." Her grinned was gone. "And what of the protection terms, this still disgusts me."

The Amazon Queen stood quickly. "Then let me thrill you with that too." She let a smug look come on. "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. You run into a pain in ass of an enemy I'll send Amazon reinforcements. The same goes for us, we have an enemy issue you send reinforcements our way."

Xena grinned and uncrossed her arms. She brought her right hand to the chair in front of her, she started walking to where she sat earlier, her hands touching the chair tops as she went. "And why would I want women for reinforcements?"

Gabrielle watched her partner walk to the other side again. "Amazons, not women."

The warlord got to her chair and she lifted her head to the Queen. "Amazons, what's the difference? They're women none the less and my army is filled with trained men."

Ephiny narrowed her eyes and was about to say something. But she was stopped as a laugh filled the hut.

Gabrielle shook her head after the laugh settled back down. "Really Xena? You can't be serious?" She lost her grin quickly and she went serious. "You of all people should know how well my Amazons are trained. Amazons are skilled warriors, smart, quick, versatile with weapons, and well armed. And the fact that they are women warriors makes it all the better, you are a perfect example of a female warrior." Gabrielle narrowed her eyes. "Don't play games Xena."

The warlord lifted her eyes from staring at the treaty. Her right hand still held her chair's top and she turned her body to face towards her soulmate. She placed her left hand on the head of the chair and let a grin mask her lips. "You thrill me."

The Amazon Queen grinned devilishly. "I know."

Xena suddenly went stoic. "Fix the treaty and I'll sign."

"Very well." The peasant gazed down at Ephiny. "Change it."

The second in command nodded. She stood and took the scroll. "One moment." She left the hut.

Gabrielle raised her eyes to Xena.

The tall woman tapped the chair's wood for a second with her right hand. "You're good at negotiations."

"I have many skills."

Xena straightened up with a serious look. "So I've come to notice Queen Gabrielle." Her eyes shifted to the hut door to see Ephiny come in with a scroll.

The Amazon handed the scroll to Gabrielle first.

The Queen read down the scroll and was nodding her head as she went along. She lifted her head up and handed the scroll to Xena.

The warlord took it and quickly read the terms of the treaty. After she did she raised her head to the Queen. "I only have one concern."

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow in question.

"I would like an expiration date."

"And what do you recommend Xena?"

"Five years."

The Queen's eyes widen. "Then it's not worth signing. Fifteen years."

Xena shook her head. "Never. Eight years."

"That's crazy." Gabrielle shook her head. "Twelve."

The warlord narrowed her eyes and placed the scroll on the table. "Ten years. That or nothing."

"Ten is perfect."

The Warrior Princess smiled sarcastically. "Good." She gazed down at the scroll and held out her right hand. "Quill."

Gabrielle lifted the quill from the inkwell and handed it to her soulmate. She watched Xena right down the expiration date as ten years. Then she studied the warlord signing the treaty.

Xena rose back up and pushed the treaty to the Queen. Then she held out the quill to her partner.

The small woman carefully took the quill and signed the treaty. She placed the quill into the inkwell and let the scroll sit for a second and let it dry. Lifting her emerald eyes to Xena, she grinned. "Let's now discuss the plans on how to stop Draco."

The warlord grinned. "Let's."

The villager reached down and rolled up the scroll. She handed it to Ephiny and turned her head to the Amazon. "Leave us and take the guards."

Ephiny nodded. "As you wish my Queen." She carefully took the scroll. "I'll run this by the council."

Gabrielle nodded. "Thank you." She watched Ephiny walk past. Listening, she heard Ephiny leave with the three guards. The door finally quietly closed.

Xena walked away to the far side of the hut.

The peasant kept her eyes pinned on her soulmate. She stepped away from the table. "What's going on Xena?"

The warlord whirled around with hard eyes. "Nothing."

Gabrielle narrowed her eyes and walked across the long hut to come near Xena. "Do I look stupid Xena? Don't lie to me." She was breathing heavy. "I don't know how or why that sword got stuck up your ass today."

Xena narrowed her eyes. "Try staff." Her arms were against her chest again.

The younger woman studied her soulmate trying to make sense of that statement. It took a second as she stood there with furrowed eyebrows then it dawned on her. "The staff practice. Is that it?"

"No!" Xena looked away then back to her partner with hard eyes. Her voice came out more calm but filled with anger. "It's not the practice it's the fact that there was one." She narrowed her eyes but stalked off to go to a small window at the opposite end of the hut. Her eyes became fixed to the outside world through the window.

Gabrielle studied her soulmate's back for a moment. She let her breath out slowly and lowered her head for a second. What to do… what to say. Raising her head back up she carefully made her way across the hut to stand beside Xena and gaze out the window. "Xena?"

"Yes?"

The Queen swallowed. "I don't want to die any sooner then I need to."

Gradually the warlord turned her head to her partner. "You won't."

"I know." Gabrielle locked eyes with her soulmate. "And I won't if I learn how to fight." She shook her head. "I don't like it as much as you do. But I need to learn Xena, I need to protect myself. I can not be in an army and rule a group of women warriors and not know how to fight." She paused and her voice came out softly. "I can't depend on you to always protect me as well as yourself. It's not right."

Xena turned her head to the window again. She took a deep breath and slowly released it. She thought about her best friend's words. "You're right as much as I hate to admit it."

Gabrielle sadly smiled. "Thank you." She brought her right hand up to grasp Xena's arm.

The warlord uncrossed her arms and turned to Gabrielle. She pulled her soulmate into a tight embrace. "Let me teach you how to fight Gabrielle. I'd prefer it."

The Queen quickly wrapped her arms around her partner, she'd needed this. She shut her eyes as she rested her head against the warlord's chest. "So would I."

Xena smiled in reaction.

The pair stayed like that for a time in silence. Xena let her own anger disappear into nothing.

"Xena?"

"Mmm?"

Gabrielle took a deep breath. "Did you have to work at Draco?" She lifted her head from her partner's chest.

Xena gazed down at her soulmate, her eyes were vulnerable and held an apology in them. "Yes."

The small female nodded. "Come here." She lifted her right hand under Xena's chin and brought her lips down to her own. Gabrielle took Xena's lips in a strong kiss, claiming the warlord's lips as her own.

The warlord went with it because she needed it. When Draco has kissed her it was like a disease swept over her soul and now Gabrielle drove that away. After the kiss, she rested her head against her soulmate's head. "Thank you."

The younger woman grinned a little. "Anytime."

Xena quietly laughed. "Seoirse asked about you."

"Yeah? How was he?"

The warlord wanted to laugh. She felt like she was at some tea party with her soulmate talking about gossip. "He was good. The army is in order."

Gabrielle nodded and smiled a little. "Wanna go over everything?"

Xena nodded. "Yeah, let's sit down."

A large burst of laughter came from inside of the meeting hut and the three guards all looked at each other in question. One Amazon unsheathed her sword and bursted into the meeting hut with the other two Amazons right behind her.

Gabrielle wrapped her arms against her stomach as she tried to stop her laughter. She'd heard the Amazons come in. She took a deep breath and gazed up to the three Amazons.

Xena, herself, took a long breath to calm and she was glancing up at the Amazons with an amused look.

"You three should have came in sooner. I could have been killed." Gabrielle was serious for two seconds but then a huge grin creased her lips.

The three guards glanced at each other in completely confusion. They weren't sure what to make of the entire situation. Xena the known ruthless warlord was resting back in a chair with an amused look and laughing. And then there was their Queen whom was teasing them after having just broke out laughing at something. Was the warlord telling jokes now? They couldn't help but be confused.

Gabrielle chuckled quietly and smiled to her Amazons.

The Amazon that came in first came up to Gabrielle. "We're sorry, we thought something happened."

The Queen shook her head. "Its okay. Xena and I were just… talking. Getting to know each other." She smiled warmly. It was pretty much true. Gabrielle turned her head back to Xena's direction and lifted her right foot to rest on the small open space on Xena's chair. She lifted her head back to the Amazons. "What are your names?"

The first Amazon that stood closes with cold eyes. "I am Velasca."

Gabrielle nodded with a smile, she glanced back to the other Amazon to the right. "Yours?"

"I am Amarice." She had an expressionless face with dark red curly hair. "I just recently came from the south tribe."

Gabrielle nodded. "Well I am glad you came." She then turned her attention to the last Amazon.

This Amazon smiled a bit sheepishly. "Teresa."

The Queen nodded. "It's great to meet you three." She took a deep breath and she noticed the Amazons couldn't help but stare how Gabrielle had one foot propped up on Xena's chair.

Gabrielle turned her head to the warlord. "You hungry?"

Xena nodded.

The Queen gazed up to her Amazons. "They serving dinner soon?"

Velasca quickly answered. "Soon my Queen. Not till dusk."

The peasant frowned. "Really? Always?"

"Yes my Queen."

Gabrielle turned her head to the warlord. "They do that in your army?" She actually really didn't know, she'd always assumed in the army it was at dusk.

Xena chuckled. "No, we have dinner when I want it."

"Really?" The peasant grinned. "I'll have to change the rules around here."

The warlord laughed a little with a grin. "It's much… nicer that way."

The three Amazons stared at the scene. They really just couldn't believe this.

Gabrielle nodded. "I agree. I am the Queen and I can't even eat dinner when I want." She chuckled and smiled warmly. "Well… how about some sparring together before dinner?"

Xena was about to reply but…

"My Queen excuse me but that's plain crazy." Amarice stepped past Velasca. "She a warlord. You can't trust her."

The Queen quickly looked up to Amarice. "Amarice… if I can't trust her to spar then how can I trust her to keep up the treaty?"

The Amazon blinked with no real answer. "She'll hurt you or something my Queen."

Gabrielle nodded. "I understand what you're saying." She gazed back at Xena, studying her. "But I don't think she will since we're in the middle of the Amazon village. Wouldn't be beneficially to her… health."

"Very true Queen Gabrielle."

The Queen smiled at Xena's words but gazed at her three Amazons. "You three will be there anyway." She stood up from the chair.

Xena stood up as well.

The peasant moved to the door and grasped the handle. She glanced back at the three guards. "By the way, call me Gabrielle." She smiled and exited out of the hut.

Xena followed behind with the three Amazons walking out feeling a little frazzled by this. Well there was one Amazon that wasn't frazzled more like a bit anger stricken.

Ephiny saw the sun set low in the west horizon. She made her way to the sparring fields, she heard Gabrielle went this way. But she wasn't ready for the surprise she got when she came to the sparring fields. There in the center of the field was her Queen practicing with a staff against Xena. The Amazon walked up to the three Amazon guards. "What's going on?"

Velasca turned her head to Ephiny. "Our Queen decided to spar against the warlord." Her voice was a little cold.

The second in command shook her head as she stared at the pair sparring. "Hades that's ridiculous."

"Tell me about it." Velasca crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the pair fighting. "We need a real Queen."

Ephiny's eyes narrowed at hearing that. "We do have a real Queen."

Velasca turned her head to Ephiny and studied her. "How you figure?"

Before Ephiny could respond, Amarice did. "Because Gabrielle has Xena's trust." She turned her head to Velasca.

Velasca narrowed her eyes at the younger Amazon. "What would you know of trust Amarice?"

Amarice narrowed her eyes back. "A lot more then you, I bet."

Velasca straightened up and she was about to reprimand this young Amazon.

"Stop you two." Ephiny was glaring at the two Amazons.

Velasca turned her head away from Amarice to stare at the soulmates. "Very well Ephiny."

Ephiny glimpsed back to Teresa. "Go stop the sparring."

Teresa nodded and strolled onto the sparring field up to the warlord and Queen. Once she neared she called out. "Ephiny requests this to be over."

The Amazon Queen did a quick swipe at Xena's feet but missed.

Xena grinned and brought her staff around at her soulmate's side but was parried.

Gabrielle quickly took advantage of time and rammed her staff's butt end forward.

The warlord freed a hand and caught the staff end. "Very good Queen Gabrielle."

"Thanks." The peasant lowered her staff and leaned on it.

The Warrior Princess lowered her staff as well. "Dinner finally?" She grinned at Teresa.

The Amazon raised an eyebrow. "Yes."

Xena smiled and gazed at her partner. "Great. I am starving."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Same here." She turned to Teresa and tossed her staff to her.

The Amazon caught it easily then caught the other one that came from Xena.

"Thanks Teresa."

Teresa nodded at her Queen. "You're welcome Gabrielle." She then walked off to put the staffs away.

The warlord and Queen started walking off. "You're getting the hang of it Gabrielle."

The younger woman smiled up to her soulmate. "Yeah? Great."

Xena smiled back but went stoic as she gazed towards Ephiny, Velasca, and Amarice. She was back in warlord mode once she came up to them.

They all went to dinner after that sparring. And by that night Gabrielle was exhausted, as was Xena. They both went to their separate huts to sleep as best as possible that night. Tomorrow would bring about a day of training before the battle against Draco.

~*Part 6*~

The following day was a rather busy one. Gabrielle had ordered all her Amazons to train for the battle tomorrow. Xena, Gabrielle, and Ephiny on the other hand spent the morning in the meeting hut going over the plans on how to attack Draco.

"No that's stupid."

Ephiny lifted her eyes up from the map to the warlord. "Then what do you suggest?" Her voice was dead cold.

Gabrielle placed her close hand on Ephiny's shoulder. "Calm down Ephiny."

The Amazon glanced at her Queen then back to Xena. "I am perfectly calm."

"Then act it."

The second in command quickly turned her head to the peasant. "I am trying to be. Every time I suggest something…" She held her hand out to the warlord. "She says it's stupid."

The Queen sighed and released her Amazon's shoulder. She glanced at Xena.

The warlord crossed her arms over her chest and then saw Ephiny stare at her. "My apologies Ephiny."

Ephiny blinked. "Thank… thank you." She ran her right hand through her curly hair.

"Now that's settled." Gabrielle lowered her sights to the map again. "What you suggest Xena?"

The warlord focused her attention on the map. She stared at the small dot that was the Amazon village. "Okay our army is here." Her finger fell at a point south of the Amazon village. "Then Draco's army is placed around here." She dragged her index finger up to a spot north of the village. "Are our army has a hundred men." The warlord lifted her eyes to Gabrielle. "Draco has seventy-five men, give or take a few."

Ephiny furrowed her eyebrows. "You counted his men?"

Xena grinned to the Amazon. "Of course." The grin left. "How many Amazons are in this village?"

The second in command took a deep breath as she thought. "Not to many. Around eighty maybe more."

The warlord nodded. "Alright. Any cavalry?"

The Amazon shook her head. "None."

"Hades."

Gabrielle stared at her soulmate. "Is that a problem?"

Xena shook her head. "Not a problem, it'll just make things a little difficult." She straightened back up from leaning over the table.

Ephiny did the same but stared at the map.

The Queen still was bent forward studying the map. "Xena, you told Draco you'd come up from the south right?"

"Yes." Xena raised her eyes to her partner in question but noticed Gabrielle was still looking at the map.

"Why don't we stick to that plan?" Gabrielle glimpsed up to Xena. "I mean we want Draco to think that you're siding with him. If you come up from the south like you said, it'll keep him believing up till that last second."

Xena's head bobbed up and down. "You're right."

Ephiny shook her head. "You're going to need more then that to keep him convinced."

The warlord grinned. "Oh I'll take care of that."

The Amazon raised an eyebrow.

Gabrielle quietly laughed. "What you going to do Xena?"

"I'll just have our men look as if they're charging the Amazons." Xena's grin only broadened. "And yelling his name out."

Ephiny smiled. "Perfect." She was enjoying this amazingly. "Now let's talk Amazon strategy. My thing."

Both soulmates laughed at the Amazon. And the meeting went on now going into finer detail.

The early afternoon soon came and Ephiny's Amazon strategy was being setup by her and a few Amazons in the forest. While they did this, the soulmates were practicing again on a sparring field with other Amazons. Well they were not practicing necessarily, they were going through lessons that Xena taught.

Gabrielle was quickly learning what the warlord was teaching her. She was enjoying it despite she felt a little out of breath. Yet she knew she'd be more out of breath if she hadn't done all the walking those first days she met Xena. And she noticed at the end of the days her muscles were sore. That was mainly due to her constant working out and she knew that soon she'd only gain more muscle and energy. So she kept working at it none stop.

Ephiny came into the village after spending three candlemarks in the forest with ten other Amazons. When she came into the gates she called back to the Amazons. "Thanks you guys."

The ten Amazons called back and went their separate directions.

The second in command headed directly to the sparring fields, where she knew she'd find her Queen. Once she got there, she stood there studying the two soulmates practicing. She could tell Gabrielle was doing a lesson since Xena was talking and they were moving slowly. Ephiny then saw them finish the lesson and go into some sparring against each other.

The Amazon took a deep breath and watched her Queen. She actually liked this woman for some reason. Ephiny couldn't figure out why either. Gabrielle rode with Xena. So why would Ephiny like her? Xena is a disease and has infected Gabrielle.

Ephiny watched the warlord. Watched how she would stop her staff right before it would hit Gabrielle. She saw how Xena was smiling towards the Queen. The Amazon sighed. Maybe she is wrong. Maybe her Queen has infected Xena. Maybe Gabrielle has healed Xena's soul somehow or another.

Ephiny took a long breath and let it escape at a slow rate. She studied Gabrielle one last moment then turned around, she headed directly to her hut.

The soulmates continued to spar for about a quarter of a candlemark. Then they both saw Ephiny coming towards them. In her right hand was a staff with a bird's head on it.

Gabrielle stopped her soulmates staff and held her staff there.

Xena nodded in understanding and lowered her staff.

The Queen dropped her staff's end to the ground, she turned to Ephiny. "How'd it go?"

Ephiny grinned. "The forest is… strategyized."

The peasant chuckled at the Amazon's word. "Good way to put it."

The Amazon smiled for a second then she lowered her eyes to the ground. "Gabrielle?"

"Yes?"

The second in command took a deep breath and looked up. "You're going to need a weapon tomorrow." She averted her eyes to her own bird head staff. "I want you to have my staff."

"Ephiny." Gabrielle shook her head. "No."

The Amazon smiled. "Please." She paused. "The staff like I told you was my first weapon. It saved my life a number of times. I want to know that my Queen has a good staff in her hands to protect her. Please Gabrielle."

Gabrielle sighed very deeply. "Thank you Ephiny."

The Amazon smiled warmly at her Queen.

Gabrielle mirrored the smile and took a step forward to hug her Amazon.

Ephiny was a bit surprised but returned the force of the hug. Once she pulled back she carefully handed the staff to her friend. Her lips pressed together for a second then relaxed. "You can removed the head. I always did in fights because I never want to break it."

The Queen nodded. "Thank you." She gazed at the staff with a smile. Her eyes then came back to her friend.

The Amazon took a deep breath and reached forward to take the practice staff Gabrielle still held. "By the way, if you're hungry I told the cooks to make up something for you."

The peasant's eyes widen. "Really? I'm ready for a break."

Both the Amazon and warlord quietly laughed.

"Lead the way Eph."

The Amazon smiled at the nickname. "Follow me." She turned around and started walking.

Gabrielle and Xena followed behind and so did two guards. Ephiny had decided that day to lower down the guards to two.

"This will be the last lesson I can teach you Gabrielle."

Gabrielle nodded to her partner in the late afternoon sun. "Alright."

Xena sighed. "After this you just have to keep practicing to learn the staff."

"As long as it's with you."

The warlord grinned. "Naturally." She raised her staff.

The Queen did the same with her staff. She'd removed the bird's head that was originally on it.

"Okay first…"

The lesson began for Gabrielle. They were just fine tuning points for her to follow with. The pair had just finished that snack Ephiny had setup for them both. The Queen during the break asked Ephiny if it was possible she could make a speech tonight. The second in command was taken aback by this but said she could and would make the dinner more formal for the speech.

That time for that speech soon arrived. Gabrielle found herself in the food hut in front of all the Amazons. As soon as she came before her Amazons, they all went silent and still.

The Queen smiled and took a deep breath. "I know all of you are interested about what will happen tomorrow, so am I. Tomorrow the Amazons will attack Draco along with the help of Xena." She paused and searched the expressions of the Amazons, none seemed angry about this. "Xena has lived in our village for almost three days now. Each of you have had the chance to watch her and study her. So have I. I hope to gods that you all have let go of any anger, dislike, or prejudice towards her. Because tomorrow I will demand you to trust her because tomorrow we will have her help. I trust her. Do all of you trust this warlord? Do you all trust me?" She paused and let her eyes fall on Xena for a moment.

Xena nodded very faintly at Gabrielle as she relaxed in her seat.

The Queen's eyes warmed to her partner then turned to the Amazons again. "Each of you remember tomorrow what is at stake. Remember what Draco owes to us. What he has taken from you. I, myself, owe Draco Melosa's death. And I believe the rest of you feel this way too along with the rest of your sisters' deaths. Tomorrow the Amazons with the Warrior Princess will destroy Draco!"

All the Amazons filled the hut with their cheers of approval.

Gabrielle sighed in relief at this. She studied her Amazons for a few moments as the cheered. But out of the corner of her eye she caught site of an Amazon entering into the hut. The messenger.

Slowly the Queen left from in front of the Amazons to come to her table. She sat beside Xena.

The warlord was leaning to her right nodding at what the messenger Amazon was telling her. After the Amazon was reporting her message, Xena gazed up to the Amazon.

The Amazon was about to move.

"Wait."

The Amazon halted and turned to Xena again. "Yes?

"What's your name Amazon?" Xena stared up to the middle aged brown hair Amazon.

"The name is Leon." The Amazon had said it with pride.

Xena immediately liked her then so she let her lips shape into a smile. "Thank you Leon."

Leon was stuck in her tracks. "You're welcome." She smiled a little herself then walked away.

The warlord watched her go briefly but sat back in her seat again.

Gabrielle gazed at her soulmate. "What was that about?"

Ephiny sat on the other side of Xena and was listening herself.

The Warrior Princess smiled to her partner. "The army is in order." She reached up to collect a handful of grapes. "Seoirse knows the plans."

Gabrielle nodded as she saw her warlord pop a few grapes in her mouth. "And he knows you'll be there in morning?"

Xena nodded after swallowing the grapes. "Before the crack of dawn and he better have the men ready."

The Queen chuckled. "Perfect." She relaxed back in her seat.

"This better work. That's all I have to say." Ephiny lifted her goblet to drink her wine after speaking.

The warlord turned her head to the Amazon and studied her for a second. Her response came out low. "And your Amazon strategies better work."

The second in command quickly placed the mug down and turned her attention to Xena. "They will."

Xena grinned with a twinkle in her eyes. "And my army will. So suck it up."

Ephiny opened her mouth to say something however she was cut off.

"Kids?"

The warlord and Amazon both gazed at the Queen.

Gabrielle forcefully smiled. "Let's not squabble tonight huh?"

Ephiny's jaw dropped. "Squabble? Hades Xena started this whole thing."

Xena glanced over to the Amazon. "Look Amazon, you said an unnecessary comment." A grin controlled her lips.

The second in command narrowed her eyes. "I don't care if-"

"Am I going to have to sit between you two?" The Queen glared at her second in command and her warlord.

The Amazon leaned towards Gabrielle some. "If you get your… partner to stop with her jibs I'll shut up."

Gabrielle sighed and gazed up to her soulmate.

Xena grinned a little. She sat back in her seat with a calm look.

Ephiny huffed and sat back in her seat. "Thank you."

The warlord snickered. "You're not welcome Amazon."

The second in command closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I will not say anything."

"Mmm the peanut gallery ran out of comments." Xena slowly closed her eyes.

Ephiny opened her eyes fast. "Look warlord, if I get another damn comment from you. We can…" She'd stopped her words when she saw a dark flashing set of green eyes on her.

The warlord opened her eyes and saw her soulmate starring down her Amazon.

Gabrielle took a deep breath to calm her temper. "Will the two of you stop throwing daggers at each other." She huffed and mumbled out, "Gods I feel like a babysitter."

Ephiny grinned. "No, Xena and I were about to get to the part of throwing daggers."

Xena then laughed a little evilly.

The Amazon glanced up to Xena and started to join her in the laugh.

The warlord took a deep breath and stopped her laughs. "I don't mind you Amazon."

"Thanks." Ephiny smiled faintly up to Xena. "You're not bad either warlord."

The Warrior Princess nodded and lifted her right arm up in offer to Ephiny.

The Amazon stared into blue eyes, they held hints of trust and respect. Ephiny smiled warmly and took Xena's forearm in brisk hold.

Xena carefully released the woman's arm and glanced across the table. She spotted two Amazons staring at her and Ephiny. "Who are they?"

The second in command looked across the table. "That's Solari on the right and Epinion on the left."

The warlord nodded. "I remember them now."

"Good." Ephiny gazed up to Xena. "They're my closes friends."

Xena averted her attention down to the Amazon. "Interesting."

The warlord opened the door to her soulmate's hut and she let Gabrielle walk in first. Coming in she quietly closed the door behind. Outside waited the two guards.

Gabrielle moved to sit on the foot of the bed. Her hands fell into her lap and slowly she subconsciously straightened out her brown skirt that she'd bought in Cirra.

Xena stared at her friend for a moment. She crossed the distance to kneel down in front of her. "How you feel?"

"Really nervous Xena."

The older woman nodded. "I know. I was my first time going into battle."

The peasant chuckled. "I bet now you're calm and collective."

The warlord shrugged her shoulders. "Not really. I still get nervous about how things will go. Anything can happen out in the battle field."

"Don't tell me that Xena."

Xena quietly laughed. "You'll do fine." She leaned up to place a kiss to Gabrielle's forehead. "I'll be there."

"Yeah but not at the beginning of the battle."

"I know." The warlord placed her hands on top of her soulmate's. "Have confidence in yourself. Remember all those Amazons are there to protect you as well as fight."

Gabrielle nodded. "Right." She took a deep breath. "I just need to be calm and give orders."

"Exactly." Xena went serious. "And stay behind one of those breastworks till I can get to you. Ephiny will be there by your side to protect you. Trust her and her advice."

The Queen chuckled. "I would think so since you trust her."

The tall woman looked away then back to Gabrielle. "Don't let her know to much." She grinned. "I don't like people knowing I trust them. It goes to their head sometimes."

"Does that include me?"

Xena furrowed her eyebrows. "No Gabrielle." She smiled. "If it's one thing I have learned over time, there are exceptions to the rules."

Gabrielle smiled. "Thanks."

The warlord smiled and leaned in to kiss her soulmate deeply.

Gabrielle brought her right hand to the back of her warlord's head to urge the kiss on more.

The older woman smiled in the kiss and slowly pulled away. She stood up with a sigh. "Come here."

The Queen stood up and wrapped her arms around Xena.

The tall woman enveloped her soulmate in her strong arms. She lowered her chin down onto Gabrielle's head. She held Gabrielle tight because it would be the last time she could hold this version of Gabrielle ever again. Tomorrow she knew her soulmate would experience fighting for the first time. Experience a battle. A battle changes a person, which is what Xena lived by. And only more blood and fighting continues to change people into things they never thought they would be. Wars only changed people dramatically. And soon Xena and Gabrielle would be at war against Greece.

There was only two questions left in the warlord's mind. Why was she allowing this to happen to Gabrielle? Why was she allowing her soulmate to soon fall into this realm of darkness? Those were the two single questions Xena had left to answer to herself. Yet time will soon answer those questions for her. Time only would allow the answers to be seen.

Slowly Xena pulled back. "Get some sleep huh? Tomorrow will be something else."

Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah. Sleep well huh?"

The warlord swallowed, she felt guilt enter her. "Yeah." She leaned forward to kiss this Gabrielle lovingly one last time.

The Queen felt her partner pull back. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah." Xena released her partner and moved to the door. "Go to bed."

Gabrielle grinned. "Yes mother."

The warlord winked and then left the hut. She found her shadows waiting to escort her to her own hut.

Both soulmates were in bed within a quarter of a candlemark. Sleep though for the both of them took a long time to reach. But it did eventually happen.

Gabrielle that night fell to sleep with the thoughts of the battle tomorrow.

Yes the battle, the battle.