Subtext ~ Isn't subtext here, it's the real thing here. All maintext. If you can't handle that sorta thing, I feel sorry for you. Just go check out another one of them stories that's general.

Emotional ~ I'll tell y'all this is planned to be emotional. Don't think it'll be like Titanic thing, but it's doing the whole emotional thing.

Copyright ~ Lets see, Universal and MCA both own Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, Dahak, Hope, Joxer, Ephiny, Amarice other Amazons. But I own Masika, Gabrielle's horse Torqueo, Teresa, Aster, Logos, and Rodhiya. So don't take my characters or story line, otherwise you'll have a life worth of bad luck.

Note ~ This is fast forward in the seasons compare to the rest of my stories. I think everybody can figure out relatively where I set it. The only thing is, there's two… three differences to the season I'm on. I think you'll be able to figure them out too, real fast.

Started: March 12th 2000 on Sunday

Series: The Binding of the Soulmates of Time Story: Seven

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

redhope@redhope.net

Part 8

Section 8

~*Part 27*~

Gabrielle walked into the hut and flopped down on the foot of the bed. She lifted her head up to watch her older Soulmate close the door behind.

Xena smiled at her Soulmate and strolled across the hut's floor to bend down in front of Gabrielle. Her large hands came up to rest on the smaller warrior's lap. "I'm proud of you."

The Queen smiled. "Thanks." She sighed and then lost her smile. "Thanks for helping me Xena."

The warrior's eyes dropped but came back up. "It was all you."

"We both know it wasn't."

Xena shrugged her shoulders and her face lit up with a smile again. "Either way Gabrielle, we both know we are each other. Ssso…"

Xena's smile went to Gabrielle's lips. "So I, as in you and I, defeated Mairead." She grinned. "Perfect." She leaned forward to capture Xena's lips.

The older woman lifted her right hand to her partner's cheek, which then snaked back behind Gabrielle's head. But Xena didn't leave it at one kiss, another came just as quickly as the first. Yet a knock came at the door and the warrior groaned. She pulled away but still had her hand behind Gabrielle's head. "Who is it?"

Gabrielle chuckled at her Soulmate.

Xena glanced up to her partner, flashing a smile, then back sidelong to the door.

"It's the AR." A pause but the regent's voice now came out in a teasing tone. "Is it safe to come in?"

The warrior sighed and turned her attention back to her friend. "I might end up killing your regent."

The Queen quietly laughed and bent down to place a kiss to Xena's forehead. "You're not the only one."

Xena shook her head as she huffed. Walking over to the door she opened it to let Ephiny in.

The Amazons came in with a huge smile and gazed over at her Queen. "Well that was something else my Queen." She heard the door slam faintly behind and saw out the corner of her eye Xena sitting down with a stoic expression.

Gabrielle placed her hands on the edge of the bed. "It was. I didn't think I'd beat Mairead." She stretched her legs out in front with her arms pushing against the bed. "But…" Her eyes lifted up to Ephiny as she relaxed again. "Couldn't let her be the head Queen."

The regent smirked. "So I noticed."

The Queen crossed her arms. "So are we having a big celebration tonight?"

Ephiny placed her hands on her hips. "If the Queen wishes it, yes."

"Let me think about it Eph."

The Amazon raised an eyebrow. "My Queen, I have to intervene and advice that if you don't, it would be the first horrific act the new Queen does."

Gabrielle laughed. "Mmm, then you're saying it's not really my choice."

"Pretty much." Ephiny then smiled after her grin. "When would you like to start it?"

"How about we make the dinner formal Eph? I want to do a speech tonight. Then after that the celebration can start."

A low mumble then was made. "There goes a quiet evening."

Gabrielle gazed over at her Soulmate who had said that. She grinned to Xena. "Don't worry. I've got us covered." For emphasis she winked to Xena.

The warrior grinned at her partner then went stoic again.

The smaller warrior looked up to Ephiny. "Do we have enough… supplies for such a large… celebration tonight?"

The Amazon chuckled. "Of course, I prepared us for this."

Gabrielle let out a groan. "Why doesn't that surprise me Eph?"

"I don't know." Ephiny then took a deep breath. "But I need to go." She took a few steps closer to Gabrielle. "I just came by to congratulate you my Queen."

"Thank you Ephiny." Gabrielle then stood up from the bed.

The Amazon pulled her friend in for a huge hug. "I knew you'd do it." She pulled back but still held her friend.

The small warrior sighed. "I had to wonder though."

"You may have but nobody else did Gabrielle. You'll be the perfect Queen for the Nations and Amazons." Ephiny smiled then released her friend. She walked over to the door opening it a crack. Her eyes lowered to Xena in the chair. "I never thanked you for not slaughtering Mairead out there."

Xena chuckled. "She should be thanking me." Her eyes flashed for a second then went normal.

"I know." Ephiny grinned. "See you Xena."

"Bye Eph."

The regent looked over to Gabrielle. "Bye Gabrielle."

"Bye Eph."

The Amazon smiled then began to leave but stopped halfway out the door. "By the way, a… few Amazons might stop by my Queen." After saying that Ephiny quickly closed the door behind.

"A few Amazons?" Gabrielle's face dropped and she glanced over at Xena.

The warrior sighed and drummed her fingers on her chair's arm. "I won't say anything."

Gabrielle let a small smile take her lips. She walked over to her partner and placed her right hand under Xena's chin. Gradually she lifted the warrior's head. Her small smile now went more loving as her emerald eyes began to sparkle deeply. "I love you Xena."

Xena's sky whisked eyes went very warm and began to twinkle. Her lips then mirrored Gabrielle's same loving smile. "I love you Gabrielle."

Gabrielle now leaned down to seal her lips with Xena's lips. The kiss was long and held their soul in it. And once they pulled back yet another knock came.

The Queen lowered her hand from Xena's chin and walked over to the door. She grasped the handle and glimpsed back at Xena. "Ready for this?"

Xena grinned devilishly. "No, just go."

Gabrielle chuckled and was about to open the door as another knock came.

"Gabrielle?"

The small warrior stopped herself from opening the door and turned her head back to her warrior.

"Let me know if you'd like me to help them out the door."

Gabrielle grinned. "Don't worry I will." She turned back to the door and opened it.

Numerous Amazons then came flooding into the hut, one by one. There was Solari, Epinion, Amarice, Teresa, and Masika.

The Queen sighed with a smile. "What brings you five?"

Solari smiled back. "Thought we'd come by to congratulate the new Queen."

The small warrior smiled to her Amazons. "Thank you." She then went serious. "And thank you everybody for being ready to protect me out there."

Epinion cut in quickly. "Gabrielle, I do believe you don't have to thank us." She paused. "All of your Amazons were about to commit treason for you. We all know you are the rightful Queen."

Gabrielle nodded. "I'm not sure… where my Amazons see this but I trust it."

Amarice added on to that. "Do that." She grinned. "I'm just glad we didn't get stuck under Mairead's reign."

The Queen smirked back. "So I've heard Amarice."

Amarice chuckled.

"What we doing about the new Nation Gabrielle?"

The Queen gazed over at Teresa to answer her. "I'm not sure yet." She then nodded to herself. "But there're going to be changes."

After Gabrielle's words the Amazons and the Queen talked for a few minutes or so. They all chuckled about different parts of the challenge. Some tried to urge Gabrielle to tell them what she'd said to Mairead out on the sparring field. But the Queen refused to divulge and said it didn't matter.

Then within five minutes Gabrielle stopped the conversation to gaze over at Solari. "Solari, can I talk to you for a second outside?"

The second in command nodded.

Gabrielle turned her head to Xena and mouthed to her, 'get rid of them.' She saw Xena faintly nod in answer and the small warrior glanced over at her other Amazons. "Keep Xena busy for me."

All the Amazons chuckled.

Xena who had been silent just grinned.

Solari and Gabrielle on the other hand walked out of the hut closing the door behind quietly.

"What's up?"

The Queen smiled and answered. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Sure anything." Solari smiled and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I need you to get some food and bedrolls with blankets together in two sets of saddlebags."

"For how many days?"

Gabrielle smiled. "Just for a day."

"Okay, then what?"

The Queen grinned and crossed her arms now. "Tonight about a candlemark after the party starts can you have Argo and Torqueo saddled up and waiting?"

Solari's lips shaped into a grin as she started liking this. "Oh sure. Want them in the stables?"

"No no." Gabrielle shook her head and her eyes dropped to the ground. "Have them tied to a tree outside in the Amazon woods."

The second in command chuckled. "No problem. Where in the woods?"

"Leave them at the south side of the village. Okay?"

"No problem. Anything else?"

"Actually yes." Gabrielle's eyes lifted back up. "I also need you to go find Maired and ask her if it's possible for Xena and I to renew our vows."

The Amazon began to smile very warmly. "You both are going to renew your vows? That's great."

Gabrielle chuckled. "I'm not sure yet Solari. I haven't asked Xena. So…"

Solari shook her head. "Xena will agree."

The Queen nodded. "I know." She then sighed. "Make sure you let Eph know to about it. But tell her not to get her feathers to ruffle about it. It's just an idea being tossed around right now."

Solari nodded her head. "No problem. Is that it?"

Gabrielle nodded. "That's it. Think you can do it all?"

"Definitely." Solari then went serious. "So, saddle up Argo and Torqueo and leave them in the south woods. Then talk to Maired about renewing vows and mention it to Eph. Got it."

"Great. Thanks Solari."

"Anytime." The Amazon then stepped forward to give her Queen a hug. "Congratulations."

"Thank you Solari."

Solari nodded with a smile. "I better go and you better save Xena from your other Amazons."

Gabrielle grinned. "I better. I'll see you later."

"See you Gabrielle." Solari then turned around and started heading off.

The small warrior turned to the door and opened it coming back in. When she came in she watched Xena cross her right leg over her left and gaze up at the four remaining Amazons with a huge grin. Gabrielle looked over at her Amazons, they were all silent and Amarice was bug-eyed. She quickly shifted her attention to Xena with an arched eyebrow in question.

Xena glanced up to her best friend. "Hi."

Gabrielle crossed her arms over her chest. "So what was the topic of conversation while I was gone?"

The warrior's eyes went to the Amazons in question.

Amarice turned her head to Gabrielle and peeped out, "Nothing." She blinked.

The Queen nodded and touched her back molars with her tongue. She tried so hard to bite back that huge grin.

Epinion turned her head to Teresa. "I think we better leave."

Teresa nodded and looked to the weapons master and mumbled out, "Good idea."

The two Amazons including Amarice shifted to the door as Gabrielle shifted out of the way.

"Bye Gabrielle and Xena."

The two warriors looked to the leaving Amazons and responded, "Bye." After they left, there was one remaining Amazon.

Gabrielle looked to Masika.

The Council Member smiled to her Queen. "I have to say I was a bit worried that your dream might have not come true." She let out a sigh. "But I'm glad I was proven wrong."

The small warrior smiled. "Thanks Masika."

The Amazon nodded. "No thanks, it was the truth." She looked down to the floor as she walked over to Gabrielle. Lifting her head, her expression was serious. "I know that the Nations and Amazons are safe in your hands as Queen." She paused to let a smile take her lips. "I wish you had been my daughter."

A warm smile came from Gabrielle. "It's never to late to start."

Masika quietly laughed. "Very true." She took a step forward and hugged the Queen.

Gabrielle hugged the older Amazon tightly back.

Pulling back, Masika still had her smile. "Glorious job my Queen. And I need to go."

The Queen nodded. "I'll talk to you soon Masika."

"Of course." Masika turned her head to Xena. "And you before I go."

The warrior looked up with hard eyes, a certain protection in them.

Masika crossed her arms over her chest. "We both started with a dislike to each other. And I apologize because I know I brought it on." She took a deep breath. "I'd like to try again."

Xena nodded and let her eyes warm slightly. "Thank you."

The Council Member nodded back. "And thank you." She looked back to Gabrielle. "Bye." She glanced over at Xena. "To the both of you." Going over to the door, Masika made her exit.

Gabrielle let the door closed and waited for a moment. Her eyes then drifted over to Xena. "I need to write that down Xena."

The warrior laughed then smiled to her partner. "Even I do."

The smaller woman grinned and padded over to her Soulmate. "Oh no, I will. I was the bard, remember?"

Xena reached up to Gabrielle's hips and pulled her down into her lap. "Speaking of which. When are you going to get back into bard mode?"

The Queen sighed and dropped her eye contact. "I don't know if I will." Her eyes came up again. "Xena I'm a warrior now."

"Yes, but you are also a Queen, a best friend, Amazon, Soulmate… Would you like me to keep going?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "No." Her hands lifted up from her lap to go to the necklace around Xena's neck. She started to adjust it to perfectly fit against her partner's neck as she spoke. "I don't know if I want to do it again." She carefully released the charm in the center of the warrior's chest. Her eyes came back up to Xena. "Seems like an old side of myself."

Xena nodded. "I can understand that." She paused figuring her words right. "But do you still yearn to write?"

The younger woman's hands move to grasp the other female's sides. "Yes."

"Do you still have a passion?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Always have."

The warrior smiled. "Well it's up to you." She shrugged her shoulders. "Just was hoping you'd retain that part of yourself. I always loved it."

Gabrielle smiled and slightly laughed as her eyes fell.

Xena raised her right hand to bring it under her Soulmate's chin. She gazed into Gabrielle's deep sparkling green eyes. "Love anything about you."

That's when Gabrielle leaned into take her Soulmate's lips in a deep kiss. And after the kiss she leaned into Xena to hug her.

The warrior wrapped her arms tightly around her partner.

"Maybe I'll try again."

Xena smiled. "Good. I know you've missed it."

Now the smaller woman smiled. "I have." A silence for a moment. "You're good."

The warrior chuckled. "I know." She slowly let her breath out. "But… my Queen I think it's about time to go see your Nation."

Gabrielle groaned. "This job is already starting to get to me."

Xena laughed. "It'll only be for four or so candlemarks."

"Xena."

The older woman chuckled and leaned back some to kiss Gabrielle's head. "Let me know if you want to leave."

"Oh count on it." Gabrielle's lips took on a devilish grin that Xena never saw. She quickly wiped it away and sat up. "But yeah, we better go."

Xena nodded and leaned up to place a gentle kiss on her partner's lips. "Come on."

The Queen sighed and stood up from her Soulmate's lap. The pair then ambled over to the door and left quickly.

Gabrielle slowly raised her head up to stare at all the Amazons before her. They all were standing below the podium gathered around to hear their Queen's words. She could easily pick out the Queens in the mass of Amazons. Off to her right she spotted Ephiny and Xena standing together and watching over Gabrielle.

The Queen of the Amazons took a deep breath and smiled to her Amazons. There were to many of them to count.

All the Amazons now went silent as seeing their Queen wait for them. A low usher was made and then it became dead silent. Over six hundred Amazons went silent for their new Queen.

Now Gabrielle felt a small breeze pick up as it brushed her hair. She took a deep breath and began her speech. "Today, this is not an everyday. At least not for the Amazons and their Nations. All of us have watched these numerous challenges take place between the Queens and it slowly broke down to two Queens. I have been the one to come out as the winner. But I can tell you I am not the winner. These challenges were not a contest which almost seem to be that way. This is matter of the Amazon Destiny."

Now Gabrielle paused to lift her arms and cross them over her chest. "There was fighting between our Nations. And my first act as the new Queen I will tell you deals with this. I will not take any sort of fighting or bickering in my Nation. Because we should not be fighting between ourselves. Each Amazon Nation was created for the same reason. I do not care whether my Amazon knows the ways of fishing, knows trade, or how to fight. I do not care if my Amazon comes from the north, south, west, east, or Chin. I do not care if my Amazon is a priestess or a shamanness. I do not care because that is not what makes an Amazon. What makes an Amazon is trueness of heart, of love for another, and selflessness. We are no longer broken fragments of what was, we are so much more. We are not just tribes of women, warriors, fighters, farmers, traders, priestesses, Queens, archers, and fishermen. We are a family. We are a family of sisters, mothers, and daughters. And there is no other such Nation in this world like ours. That is the difference of our Nation. That is what makes this Nation so special."

The Queen took a long breath and lowered her head then raised it back up with a conviction in her eyes. "I am the Queen and I am your chosen. I will tell you the destiny of the Amazons. Tell you the Amazon Destiny. I promise to this new Nation, to the old Nations, the first Nation, our ancestors, and to Artemis that I will not let this new Nation rest asunder. We will not rest asunder. This new Nation all of us will establish. This new Nation will last for all time."

Yet another pause as the Queen put her thoughts together. "This is a new age for the Amazons. The sun set on the Amazons so long ago. We have survived the night and waited for the light. The dawning of a new era has shined over the Amazons. And the night may fall upon the Amazons someday when I am gone. But I will come back to bring my Amazons out of the night and into the rising sun's light. Time will never bring about the death of the Amazon."

Gabrielle stopped as she gazed over her Amazons. "Amazons. Women. Nation. Warriors. Family. These are the things we are. And something trivial as time will never destroy us as it tried for so long. The only thing that now remains is for all of us to become as one. To forget about what Nation we came from, for it does not matter here. Now we must stand together and embrace the Amazon Destiny!"

The dusk air only filled with an ear shattering cheer after the Queen of the Amazons spoke.

Gabrielle smiled to her Amazons and nodded while still standing on the podium before her Nation. Then off to her right she saw Ephiny starting to move. The regent held a mask in her hands and Gabrielle never caught it earlier.

Ephiny slowly made her way up onto the podium with this mask. The setting sun's light gleamed off the mask for the mask was coat with gold and in the center of the forehead of the mask was a gleaming diamond cut emerald.

The Queen dropped her arms and turned towards Ephiny. She felt herself actually shake after seeing this mask. Never had she'd seen a gold mask nor heard of it.

The regent came up to Gabrielle and soon as she did the cheering died out. "Queen Gabrielle of the Central Nation. Your right of caste as Queen of the Central Nation has been removed. Now you are given the special caste as Queen of all the Amazons and Nations. And you are given the caste as the Chosen. Represent us well, as we know you will."

Gabrielle smiled and nodded.

Ephiny raised the mask high in the air.

Every last Amazon cheered in authorization to place it on their new Queen.

Ephiny smiled as she saw Gabrielle lower her head.

Gabrielle felt the mask carefully slip over her head and fit with perfection. She gradually raised her head with the mask reflecting the sun.

The Amazons broke out cheering yet again.

The regent smiled at her Queen and then gazed down to where Xena stood and she saw Solari right behind her. Her eyes locked with Solari and nodded to her.

Solari nodded back. She came to stand next to Xena. "Xena follow me."

The warrior looked down at the second in command with a confused look. But she followed Solari up to the podium and walked on. Xena then caught in the Amazon's hands a mask of gold as well.

Solari escort Xena to stand beside her Soulmate. Then she shifted to stand beside Ephiny and handed the regent the golden mask.

Ephiny carefully took it and gazed up to Xena. "Xena, former Consort to Queen Gabrielle. The Amazons have recognized you as part of this Nation again as an Amazon. You have the heart of an Amazon. We do not only recognize you as an Amazon once more but as Queen Gabrielle's consort. Do you wish to take this position as consort again?"

Xena smiled warmly. "Yes, forever."

Ephiny smiled. "Then the caste is given to you with open arms from the Amazons. Remember the duties that come with being the Queen's consort. But realize as well, as Queen Gabrielle does, you are not only receiving caste as Amazon and Consort but also as the Chosen. Represents us well, as we know you will."

Xena nodded and lowered her head.

Ephiny raised the golden mask to receive a cheer of authorization to place it upon Xena's head. It was done, the regent carefully placed the golden mask with the diamond cut sapphire over Xena's head.

The warrior gradually lifted her head to Ephiny.

The regent smiled warmly as she gazed at her two friends, she then faintly nodded towards the crowd to them.

The Queen of the Amazons walked over to the edge of the podium and crossed her arms against her chest.

The Consort of the Queen shift to stand directly behind the Queen. She lifted her hands to grasp the Queen's sides in ownership.

Nothing but shouts and cheers of approval and happiness filled the air for a minute. Ephiny then walked to one side of the Soulmates and Solari the other side. Ephiny bent down to one knee with her head bowed, Solari did next. Then the Soulmates watched each Amazon slowly bend down to one knee with lowered heads.

The only Amazons not kneeling were the former Queens. And each Queen came forward to the podium and lined up. Queen Nyx at the far right drew her sword and held it up towards the Soulmates then twisted it to embed in the ground and she kneeled with a bowed head. Queen Mairead stood next to Nyx and followed her example. Then Queen Caitriona then the next Queen till it came to Yakut at the end.

Gabrielle felt a certain special power fill her, it charged her. And she knew her Soulmate felt it because it flowed through their soul. They held the Amazon Destiny in their hands together.

Xena carefully grasped the gold mask over her head and pulled it off hearing the feathers ruffle from the movement. She turned the mask so she could look at the front. It was made of gold and the design of Greek immortality was carved into the gold face. In the forehead Xena saw the sapphire twinkle up to her. She smiled and gazed over at her Soulmate.

Gabrielle lifted her eyes from her own mask. "Something else huh?"

The warrior nodded. "I was surprised."

The younger woman chuckled. "The both of us." She ambled over to the bed to gingerly place the gold mask down on the bed.

Xena came up and did the same placing it right next to Gabrielle's.

"Mmm, we better head back down there for the celebration huh?"

The warrior nodded. "Yup."

Gabrielle chuckled and turned to her partner. "It won't be that bad."

Xena raised an eyebrow.

The smaller female grinned. "Trust me huh? I promise. You'll like the… celebration."

That warm smile took Xena's lips. "I do." She lowered her head. "Trust you with everything of me." She claimed Gabrielle's lips.

When they pulled back Gabrielle grinned up to her best friend. "The feeling is mutual."

Xena quietly laughed. "Good."

The Queen reached and grasped her Soulmate's hand and intertwined their fingers. "Let's go."

The warrior nodded as she started moving to the door with her Soulmate.

They left the hut and walked down to the celebration hand in hand. The celebration was nothing but loud, wild, and filled with wine and food. It was a celebration bash.

Gabrielle and Xena never seem to budge from each other's sides. Now they sat on the ground with numerous Amazons all talking. The Soulmates had just finished their dinners and decided to relax with their friends. It was dark now in the world around. But the Amazon Village was lit by a number of fires located here and there. Music was filling the air with the laughter of a mass of Amazons.

Gabrielle just started laughing over a small joke from Teresa. She then calmed down as she sat cross-legged on the ground. Her eyes lifted up and she saw Solari across the area looking directly at her.

Solari grinned and faintly nodded to her left.

The small warrior faintly nodded back and watched Solari disappear off in that direction. Gabrielle then decided she wanted to get a drink. She then turned her head to Xena and placed her hand on the warrior's closest leg. Gabrielle squeezed her Soulmate's knee then stood up. "Be right back." She said it to everybody but Xena.

Ephiny furrowed her eyebrows and looked to Xena. "Where's she going?"

Xena grinned. "To get something to drink."

The regent's expression dropped. "How'd you know… I don't wanna know actually."

The warrior chuckled, as did the other Amazons in the group.

Gabrielle came up to the drink table.

Solari came up to her side.

"What's up Solari?"

The second in command grinned as she gazed at her friend. "Everything is ready. I just placed Argo and Torqueo at the southern section of the forest. Just follow the south trail and you won't miss them."

The Queen lifted a mug of wine that was only half filled. "Perfect. How far of a walk?"

"Only about five minutes down the trail."

"Great. Thanks Solari."

Solari nodded. "Oh, I talked to Maired."

"What did she say?"

"She said there is no problem and would do it whenever you'd like to start the ceremony. And she wanted to know why you didn't ask sooner."

Gabrielle laughed as she pulled the mug away from her lips. "Maired." She shook her head with a smile. "Did you mention to Eph about it?"

"Not yet… I'll tell her tomorrow."

The small warrior nodded. "Great. Okay I think I'm going to go get my warrior."

Solari grinned. "Well I don't have to tell you to have a goodnight."

"Thanks Solari." The Queen sighed. "I know yours will be good too."

The Amazon devilishly grinned now. "Of course. Speaking of which I think I'll find my regent."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Let's go."

Solari laughed and they both started walking back to the group of Amazons.

Xena lifted her head up as she saw Solari and her partner reappear into the group. She smiled up to her Soulmate.

Gabrielle smiled back and sat down beside her.

Solari walked across to sit down beside Ephiny. "Hi."

The regent flashed her second in command a warm smile. "Missed you."

Solari smiled warmly now. "I know the feeling."

Ephiny chuckled and gazed back around at the Amazons.

Now the conversation started back up between the large group of Amazons. In the group were Amarice and her sister, Yakut, Ephiny, Solari, Epinion, Teresa, Aster, Leon, Caitriona, Gloria, Laetus, surprisingly Mairead, and a few other Amazons.

Once Gabrielle finished her mug of wine she placed it to the ground. She glanced at Xena to see her listening to the others. She smiled to herself then gazed back to the group of friends. The conversation just ended and she decided this was the right time. "I think Xena and I are going to leave you all."

All the Amazons turned their attention to Gabrielle.

"Have plans my Queen?"

The small warrior glared at her regent for a second then answered. "Yes." She stood up and waited for Xena to stand before speaking. "Make sure this celebration goes on all night Eph."

The regent laughed. "No problem there."

Gabrielle crossed her arms. "But makes sure we have a little wine left over."

Solari piped in. "Can't guarantee that."

The Queen rolled her eyes. "Doesn't surprise me." She then smiled. "Make sure everybody has a good time." Her eyes then mainly focused on her regent. "Xena and I will be up and about here by late morning or so."

Ephiny arched an eyebrow in question.

Gabrielle chuckled. "Goodnight everybody."

Xena smiled to the Amazons. "Goodnight."

All the Amazons called back with, "Goodnight."

The Soulmates then left the celebration area and once they did Gabrielle stopped walking and turned to her partner.

The warrior stopped as well. "What's up with us leaving early?"

Gabrielle shrugged. "I could get a headache anytime."

Xena shook her head with a laugh. "True."

"Mmm I know." She then reached forward to take Xena's hands. "Come on, follow me."

A raised eyebrow from Xena. "What you up to?"

"Well if you come with me, you'll find out."

Xena laughed with a smile. "How couldn't I?"

"Then come on." Gabrielle started to walk with Xena right behind her and her hands behind her back holding Xena's hands. She led them out of the village into the woods. Then searching around she found the trail that led the south section of the woods. She released Xena's hands and grinned up to her. "Just follow me." She winked and broke off running.

Xena watched her Soulmate go for a second then she grinned. She sprinted after her partner and came to run beside Gabrielle.

Gabrielle followed the trail and was thankful for the full moon tonight. Then she rounded a bend and directly ahead she spotted Torqueo and Argo standing together in the moon's light in a small clearing. She stopped running.

Xena stopped as well and stared at the horses. "Gabrielle?"

The Queen grinned. "Thought we… would have our own sort of celebration." She smiled up to her Soulmate.

The warrior smiled as she glanced down to her best friend. "You're good."

"I know." The small warrior ambled over to the horses with Xena. "I know this perfect spot we can go to as well."

Xena smiled. "Of course." She came up to Argo's reins and untied them. She easily mounted the warhorse. Turning her head to the right she saw her Soulmate on Torqueo. "So where to?"

Gabrielle turned her horse to the right. "This way." She led them into the woods. "Here we go." She kicked Torqueo into a gallop.

The warrior sent her mare into a gallop as well right beside Torqueo.

Gabrielle gazed over at her partner. "Gods this is great!" She then laughed out of excitement.

Xena laughed in happiness and turned her head in the darkness to Gabrielle. "Perfect."

The smaller warrior smiled and turned her head forward to watch where she went. She felt so alive right now. The pair rode ahead and within a quarter of a candlemark they came to a stream with a sparkling green grass clearing. It hadn't been clutter with the falling leaves.

Gabrielle sighed as she lay on her back staring up at the stars. "Not a bad day."

Xena quietly laughed. "Not at all."

"Busy I have to say."

"Very true." Xena brought her hands under her head as she studied the stars. They were lying on the ground beside the stream. They hadn't star gazed in nature like this for to long.

The Queen sighed again contently. She suddenly rolled to her right to place her upper body on top of Xena's. Her arms crossed over the warrior's chest and she rested her chin on her hands.

Xena smiled and brought her hands from under her head to rest on Gabrielle. "So tell me how you put all of this together."

Gabrielle chuckled. "I have my ways."

"Uh huh." The warrior's right hand came up to run through Gabrielle's short hair. "Mind sharing?"

The small warrior grinned. "Not at all. I asked Solari to saddle up Argo and Torqueo and pack the saddles with food for a day. Then I told her to leave them on the south side of the forest."

"Ah, so that's what the 'drink' was about huh?"

"You caught me." The small woman then chuckled. She lowered her head down on her hands.

"Thanks for doing this Gabrielle." Xena paused. "I wasn't to excited about a night of talking to the Amazons."

Gabrielle laughed. "I agree. I didn't want to either. That's the one requirement we both failed."

Xena now started to laugh. "With flying colors."

"Mmm." Gabrielle lifted her head up again. "I also asked Solari to talk to Maired about something."

The warrior's right hand came down to rest on her Soulmate's hands. "What was that about?"

"Well she asked Maired if it was possible for you and I to renew our vows. And well… I didn't say we would and that I had to ask you first."

Xena responded and smiled. "We should have done it sooner."

Gabrielle started to laugh at those ironic words. "Oh gods, Maired said the same thing."

"Mmm, smart priestess."

The Queen shook her head with a smile. "So you want to do it?"

Xena nodded. "Love to." Her thumb rubbed against Gabrielle's knuckles. "Ritual?"

Gabrielle sighed. "Yup, another one."

The older woman grinned. "I'm getting use to it."

"Yeah." The small woman shook her head. "We're being ritualized."

Xena wrinkled her nose for a second. "We are."

Gabrielle leaned closer to her Soulmate. "Normal not our style."

"No. So why we doing it?"

"I don't know." Gabrielle chuckled a little. "But I really don't care."

"Mmm neither do I for once."

The Queen smirked. "I'll write that down too."

"Funny Gabrielle." Xena then gave a smug look.

"Wasn't trying to be." Gabrielle then finished the distance and took her Soulmate's lips in a strong kiss.

The warrior's hands moved down to grasp her friend's sides. She lifted Gabrielle onto her body as the kiss kept going. And the kiss soon developed into more that night.

~*Part 28*~

Xena reached up with her right hand to pull the fur more over her Soulmate's body that lay on hers. She then felt a smile spread across her Soulmate's lips that pressed into her neck. "Morning."

Gabrielle quietly mumbled out a, "Morning." But she didn't open her eyes.

The warrior tightened her arms more around her friend as their bare bodies kept each other warm under the furs. Her head turned to the eastern world and she saw the sun had just peaked over the horizon.

"Dawn?"

Xena turned her head back to close her eyes. "Yeah."

"Let's go back to sleep."

The taller woman lifted her head slightly place a kiss on Gabrielle's head. "Tired huh?"

Gabrielle chuckled. "Yeah." She contently released her next breath. "Yesterday wore me out."

"Mmm, which part about yesterday?"

The small warrior snickered now. "Well it wasn't the fighting part."

"Ooh, I see now."

The Queen's lips shaped into a grin. "You agree?"

Xena's lips took on a grin as well. "Definitely." She then took a deep breath. "Go back to sleep huh?"

Gabrielle tightened her arms around her Soulmate. "See you there."

Xena smiled to herself and then let her body slip into a sound sleep with her partner.

Gabrielle slowly felt herself come out of her dream with Xena. But she knew her Soulmate was still faintly sleeping. So she kept her eyes shut but carefully moved her right hand between her body and Xena's as she lay on the warrior. Her hand snaked down Xena's soft stomach to her lower abdomen.

"Gabrielle."

The younger woman grinned and stopped her movement since she felt her partner's breathing pick up. "Hi." Her eyes then gradually opened and she lifted her head up to gazed down at Xena.

The warrior's dark eyes opened up and locked with her friend's. "Starting something."

The Queen shrugged her shoulders. "No, just helping you to wake up."

"Uh huh." Xena released Gabrielle's side and brought her hand behind her partner's head to bring her in for a strong kiss.

Once it ended Gabrielle pushed herself up more and lowered her head back down to kiss her Soulmate. She felt her body press hard against Xena's body as they kissed.

"Gabrielle." The warrior tried to talk in the middle of the long kiss. "It's late morning."

The small warrior pulled back from the kiss. "I'm the Queen, they can deal." Slowly her right hand came up her Soulmate's soft stomach to her sides near her breast.

Xena shut her eyes in reaction. "Won't argue."

Gabrielle grinned. "Good." She leaned down close to Xena and let her lips brush against her warrior's. "My Soulmate comes before anything else."

Xena's right hand came behind Gabrielle's head again to finish the distance and begin a passionate kiss. And yet again the Soulmates fell into their touch and soul's love.

Gabrielle packed the last fur and closed up the saddlebag on Torqueo's rump. She held her hands on the saddlebag and at a random moment a random memory filtered back to her.

Xena closed up her saddlebag and turned her head to the right to see her best friend frozen where she stood in action. She knew Gabrielle was thinking about something and it wasn't a pleasant thing by the look on her small warrior's face.

The warrior patted Argo's side and quietly came up behind her Soulmate. Very carefully Xena's arms circled around Gabrielle in protection from her memory. Xena carefully whispered her Soulmate's name. "Gabrielle?"

The Queen shook her head and dropped her hands from the saddlebag. "Sorry."

"What was the memory?"

The small warrior's eyes still had a bit of confusion in them as she gazed up at Xena. "I just started remembering Illusia." She shook her head. "Gods, I'm sorry. I shouldn't…." Her eyes shut.

Xena sighed a little unhappily. "We still both haven't gotten over it."

Gabrielle lifted her eyes back up to Xena. "No." Her right hand came up to run through her short hair then fall down to Xena's hands that held her. "I can't. I just… I just can't forget what I did to you. Gods." Her teeth clenched while she turned her head a way. "And I can never understand why." She shook her head and looked up to her warrior again. "I can't figure out why I did it all. Why it happened."

"Gabrielle it just happened the way it did." Xena took a long breath. "I let myself fall back into my hatred for Caesar in Britannia and that led you need to trust somebody else. Khrafstar planned it that way Gabrielle and he played his pawns perfectly. It has nothing to do with what you do wrong or not."

"Wait." Gabrielle locked eyes directly with her partner. "You're making it sound like it was your fault and Hades if I'm going to let you think it was Xena. You're right Khrafstar did set it all up, everything. He played off of us both. He played off your hatred and he played off my blind trust." She sighed. "He just happened to be there in the right place at the right time to catch us both off guard." Her words then came out in a growl. "The bastard."

"There is real no fault Gabrielle." Xena saw her Soulmate raise her head to her again. "We both learned lessons from it all."

Gabrielle laughed unhappily. "To many at once." Her next words came out of thought. "Ever day I thank Solan for Illusia and every day I apologize to him for Hope."

"You hold Hope's actions as your responsibility when it wasn't Gabrielle."

Gabrielle's eyes began to burn faintly. "Xena how can you say that? I brought her into this world Xena."

"Dahak created her Gabrielle. The only thing she had of you was her body, nothing else."

The small warrior nodded. "That was it." She shook her head. "I still remember before we went into Dahak's temple and she came to me in the woods. She asked me to be her mother again." A sigh. "A part of me was so close to saying yes. I felt like I still owed her something but then when she touched my cheek this anger erupted in me. I never hated somebody so much other then her."

"I know." Xena's eyes unfocused for a moment while she spoke. "I remember how hollow your eyes were when you came back. I couldn't help but wonder why and I figured it out quickly." Now an old dream came back to Xena with a sickening smack.

Gabrielle's eyes narrowed. "I could have said the samething about you! I could be sitting here telling you, you were a vessel for Evil. By the gods Xena you were a warlord and killed thousands of people. Hope hardly did that. People showed you a second chance. But you couldn't even give her one to start with."

"No Gabrielle."

"Yes Xena, and you know it! You killed my daughter! And admit it, you loved it? You enjoyed it?"

"No Gabrielle I didn't." Xena stood up and took a step back. Gabrielle stood up now, she stepped over Hope. "Yes you did Xena. Admit it!" She pointed a finger at Xena, her eyes narrowing. "I saw that look of utter satisfaction when Hope and her son lay died in that barn. I bet that was the happiest moment in your life!"

Xena shut her eyes tightly against her memory of the dream.

Gabrielle reached up with her right hand to carefully caress her partner's right cheek. "What memory?"

The warrior opened her eyes that were filled with horror. "Old memory of a dream." She shook her head to let herself go stoic. "Gabrielle, I did enjoy killing Hope."

The small warrior nodded as she let a sad smile control her lips. "I did too." Her eyes dropped. "As bad as that sounds for both of us." Emerald eyes lifted back up. "She almost destroyed us Xena. I couldn't let that go. I couldn't let her get away with killing Solon, destroying my dream of a child, threatening Cyrene, hurting you, and ruin my relationship with you. Never. I wanted her to know how it felt to have her dreams shattered and a loved one killed." She paused as her eyes went a little hard. "Xena, nobody hurts you and if they do they better run from me."

"I know." Xena pulled her Soulmate in closer. "I was angry at Hope for the same things and wanted her to pay." She paused. "But what made me the angriest was how she destroyed your dreams of a daughter. I saw that look of love when she was first born and I knew she'd only damn you. I never got so angry before."

Gabrielle nodded and she rested her head against her friend's chest. "She really was my hope."

The warrior held her Soulmate tightly. "Would you ever want to have a child again?" Xena gazed down at Gabrielle.

The younger woman looked up to Xena. "Really, I don't know." She shook her head for a moment. "I'd be so scared the child would be like Hope. As if Dahak still infects me."

"He doesn't Gabrielle. That I know."

Gabrielle smiled to Xena then lost her smile after a moment. "I wouldn't mind knowing I can have a normal child." She sadly smiled. "Motherhood." She chuckled. "That would be something else between us."

Xena grinned a little herself. "Oh it would be."

The Queen laughed and quickly glanced up to Xena. "Why we even talking about this?" She shook her head. "We can't anyway."

The warrior shrugged her shoulders. "Crazier things have happened to us."

The smaller woman rolled her eyes and shifted out of Xena's arms. "True." She lifted her shoulders up as she walked to Torqueo to grab his reins. "You know only bacchae, dryads, you swimming to the underworld…"

Xena grinned as she crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her partner's back.

Gabrielle rapidly turned around to face her friend with the reins in her hands. "Me being a bacchae, giants, my ugly grandson and look alike daughter, Velasca was an experience along with Callisto, Angels, huge flying birds, Hercules, Prometheus…"

The warrior glanced over at her horse and raised her hand up as a grin took her lips over her Soulmate's raving.

Argo looked at her owner and then walked over to her.

Xena reached up and took the reins. "Don't forget the Titans."

"Oh gods yes! The Titans, I think that was my favorite." Gabrielle chuckled. "Oh Cecrops, Troy!" Gabrielle threw her arms up. "Am I missing anything?"

"The horde."

"Oh how could I forget that? Then there was always India with all of that hocus-pocus. Karma, time traveling, and Alti." Gabrielle started walking with Torqueo to her left and Xena to her right and Argo to Xena's right. They all began their trek back to the Amazon village. "We can't omit Ares's little schemes to get you back."

The Warrior Princess laughed. "Definitely not." She glanced over at her smaller warrior. "The body switching with Callisto."

Gabrielle quickly looked over to Xena. "Gods I hated that." She then laughed. "Hey nothing is impossible with us huh?" She then snickered. "Think we can switch bodies someday?"

Xena started to laugh. "Gabrielle be careful with what you just said."

The Queen laughed herself. "Oh come on it would be a fun experience to wake up in your body tomorrow. See what it's like up there."

The warrior rolled her eyes. "Funny. And I'd see what it's like from down there."

Gabrielle snickered. "It's great from view from down here." She walked closer to Xena and bumped her. "So crazy things have happened to us." She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe I will be mysteriously pregnant tomorrow." A laugh quickly followed Gabrielle's words.

Xena joined her in the laugh as they kept walking back to the village. The warrior then evil grinned after she calmed down from laughing. "The jinn."

Gabrielle laughed. "I don't know what issues Najara had for hearing voices in her head."

Xena snickered. "She had quite a few if she's hearing voices."

"So we noticed." The small warrior then closed her eyes as she walked. "Oh yeah I hear jinn too." Her eyes opened again.

The older woman quickly grabbed Gabrielle's right arm. "What they say?"

"Uhh they say… I love Xena." The Queen grinned over at her Soulmate. "Gee, it doesn't take jinn to tell me that."

The taller woman shook her head. "Gods, we're bad."

Gabrielle chuckled happily. "But it feels good to laugh at it all."

Xena nodded at that. "It does." She grinned over to her friend as she ambled through the woods. "Anything else you'd like to share about our adventures."

"Yes." Gabrielle turned her head to Xena again. "This is just between you and I." Her face was very serious.

The warrior raised an eyebrow in question.

"Khrafstar … he was so ugly! He made centaur shit look good."

Xena broke out laughing. "I think he looked better then the Destroyer."

Gabrielle's nose wrinkled up. "That is a mug only a mother could love."

The two Soulmates kept at it for the rest of the walk to the village. Their laughter could be heard all the way to the village that early afternoon.

"Oh I got it Xena, it's bound to happen. We'll be frozen in ice tombs for twenty-five years…"

Gabrielle dropped the quill and leaned back in her chair. "The spring, it's the best time."

Ephiny nodded her head in agreement. "I agree."

The small warrior looked to Xena.

The warrior nodded. "Agreed."

The Queen glanced over to Masika. "You Masika?"

The Council Member also nodded. "Definitely the spring."

Gabrielle smiled. "Great, it's the spring then that all the Nations come here." She relaxed in the chair as she stared at the scroll on Ephiny's desk. It was early evening and Gabrielle decided to call a quiet meeting between herself, Ephiny, Xena, and Masika. They were all inside of Ephiny's hut having just finished a dinner together and now working on the future plans for the Nation.

Masika cross her legs. "What's next on the list?"

The Queen thought for a moment. "Roles, we need to figure out ranks and roles."

Ephiny grinned. "Obviously you're Queen."

Gabrielle slowly averted her eyes to her regent. "Naturally." She grinned but went serious quickly. Reaching up she took the scroll off the table with the quill. She placed it in her lap, she wrote down Queen then her own name. "Okay next in rank I want consort." She looked up to her friends. "Agreed?"

Both Masika and Ephiny nodded rather fast.

Gabrielle grinned inwardly then lifted her eyes to her Soulmate. "Xena?"

Xena looked at her partner, her eyes shifted away, and back to Gabrielle.

"I'll take that as a yes." The Queen wrote down next consort and Xena's name. She sighed. "Next will be regent."

Ephiny quickly cut in. "Definitely."

The small warrior quietly laughed as she went about writing next rank of regent. "Next would be second in command."

"Wait Gabrielle."

The Queen lifted her eyes to Ephiny in question.

"What about an Amazon Princess?"

Gabrielle sighed and sat back in her seat. "Doesn't the Amazon Princess have to be my sister or daughter?"

Ephiny shook her head. "Not necessarily. Perfect example was you and Melosa."

The Queen nodded her head a few times. "I'm not sure. What if… just… hypothetical. I choose an Amazon Princess now and then later I have a daughter and I want to make her the Amazon Princess?"

Masika quickly answered. "You could do two of things Gabrielle. Either you could take the caste away from the Amazon Princess at the time and give it to your daughter. Or you could wait until you retire as Queen and give your daughter the caste."

Gabrielle nodded and considered the routes. "Hold on. If I handed my daughter my caste would that make her Queen or Princess?" She gazed at Masika.

"Both Gabrielle." Ephiny explained herself when her Queen turned her head to her. "If the Princess at the time is younger then your daughter then your daughter would be Queen. But if the Princess is older then your daughter, she'll be Queen. Then there's always the details of a regent."

The small warrior nodded. "I think I got it."

The regent nodded. "I can dig up the scrolls on it for you."

"Yes, actually this coming winter I wouldn't mind taking the Amazon scrolls to read."

Masika's eyes widen. "Gabrielle, that's a lot of scrolls."

The Queen chuckled. "Then I'll know Amazon well."

The older Amazon grinned and nodded. "As the Queen wishes."

Gabrielle smiled then rested in her seat again. "But there is still the question on an Amazon Princess."

"Amarice."

The Queen turned her head to her Soulmate. "Amarice?"

Xena nodded. "She would be perfect for Amazon Princess." She turned her attention to Gabrielle.

The small warrior lifted the quill as the feather tip brushed across her lips. "That's an interesting idea." She nodded a few times.

Ephiny crossed her arms against her chest. "I don't think she's a little… inexperienced for the role Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle grinned to the regent. "Did you think I was?"

The regent shut her eyes with a grin. "Caught me." Her eyes opened again.

"The question isn't about inexperience here. It's a question of whether Amarice has the heart for the role."

The Amazon Queen nodded at Masika's words. "It is." She then smiled. "And she does definitely since she's traveled with Xena and I."

Ephiny quietly laughed. "I knew it was a good idea sending her off with you two."

Xena glimpsed over to the regent. "I never thanked you for that Eph." She grinned.

The regent chuckled. "Well I knew you'd whip her into shape Xena."

Gabrielle snickered to herself but stopped and went stern. "Okay, so Amarice for Amazon Princess yes?"

"Well what do you think Gabrielle?"

The Queen responded to Ephiny. "Definitely yes, she'd be good once she understands her duties."

The regent nodded. "I agree."

Masika smiled. "Same here."

"Xena?" The small warrior peered up to her partner.

The warrior nodded. "Of course."

Gabrielle quickly jot down Amazon Princess and Amarice beside it. "Okay second in command next."

"Gabrielle, we need to consider the Queens before we get any lower on the pole."

The Queen nodded at her Soulmate's words. "You're right. They wouldn't be happy to become low ranking Amazons from Queens." She sat back in the chair, dropping the quill on the scroll, and laced her hands to let them rest on the scrolls. "Any suggestions?"

Ephiny spoke out of thought. "Could make them commanders."

Gabrielle nodded as she stared at the scroll and the list of rank she'd created so far and she'd like to create.

"No." Xena shook her head and lifted her head up. "That's to many commanders and to much power for certain ones."

"Then what's your suggestion Xena?" The Queen looked up to Xena in question.

"Lieutenants." Xena's head bobbed up and down. "Technically in armies a lieutenant is one rank below a commander."

"Nine lieutenants." Gabrielle took a deep breath. "How Amazons are there grand total Ephiny?"

"Well… there're around six hundred… maybe six hundred fifty here now. Plus the Amazons remaining at the Amazon Nations. Probably somewhere around nine hundred Gabrielle."

The Queen nodded. "Perfect nine lieutenants and nine hundred Amazons. I like that." She gazed up to her best friend. "Lieutenants are lower rank then commanders?"

Xena nodded. "Yes."

The Queen smiled. "Perfect. Before I put that down, I would like to keep Solari as my second in command. She does a great job of it. Everybody agree?" Everybody nodded and Gabrielle smiled. "Great." She jotted down Solari's name with second in command. "I also wouldn't mind a third in command and I was thinking about Teresa for the role."

Ephiny nodded her head. "I agree with that. She'd make a good commander."

"That's what I thought." Gabrielle took a deep breath. "She's quiet but that's okay. She knows how to get along with people really well and knows her stuff. And Teresa is well respected among my Amazons."

Xena's lips creased into a smile. "She would be a perfect third in command."

Gabrielle glanced at Masika. "Masika?"

The Head Council Member smiled. "Agreed."

The Queen smiled and began to write down Teresa's name with third in command and also wrote down the Queens' names with lieutenant. As she did this she spoke aloud. "Let's just go over other roles." She finished writing and leaned forward with the quill to tip it with ink from the ink well. "The head council member..." She smiled and glanced over at Masika. "Will not change."

Masika lowered her head for a quick second then raised it again. "Thank you."

Gabrielle nodded. "Any disagreements?"

"Nope." Ephiny shook her head. "Masika is the best."

"Not at all." Xena crossed her legs at the ankles as she watched her Soulmate write down Masika's role.

"Side note for you three on the council." Gabrielle raised her head. "I would like to take the head council members from each nation and place them in the new council. I'd hate to bump off the other council members but… they're just minor. I think it'll be the best to have the head council member from each different nation when the new government is established this coming spring."

Everybody nodded their heads in agreement.

Gabrielle sighed. "Okay… just a few more." She quietly laughed and then went on.

The four women all stayed inside of the hut discussing a few more roles and terms for another candlemark. Then near the end of it all Gabrielle was rolling up her scroll.

Ephiny took a long breath. "Anything else Gabrielle?"

The Queen shook her head as she placed the quill back on Ephiny's desk. "I don't thinks so." She leaned back in her chair. "I'll talk to Teresa, Epinion, Amarice, whoever else about their roles. Technically right now all these roles are unofficial till this spring. Once we set the government up and everything is settle we'll go through the normal rituals to make everything official." Gabrielle tapped one end of the scroll against her leg. "And tomorrow I'll speak to the other Queens and tell them basically what's going on."

Masika nodded. "Great. Nothing else?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "Not that I can think of now. Thank you for coming by Masika."

The elder Amazon smiled. "Quite welcome but I must head to bed." She stood up and stretched her legs. "Have a good evening everybody."

"Goodnight Masika." The small warrior watched Masika head to the door.

"Night Masika." Ephiny smiled to the other Amazon.

"Goodnight Masika." The warrior nodded to the head council member.

"Bye." Masika then left closing the door quietly behind.

Gabrielle turned her head away from the door to Ephiny. "Did Solari talk to you?"

The regent crossed her arms over her chest. "About renewing your vows?" She smiled. "Yes."

The Queen smiled. "When can we do it?"

"As soon as you would like."

Gabrielle looked up to her Soulmate.

Xena lowered her eyes to Gabrielle and studied her partner's eyes for a second then glanced to Ephiny. "Tomorrow morning."

Ephiny furrowed her eyebrows. "How do you two…" She stopped herself and shook her head.

Gabrielle was staring at Ephiny with a grin. She reached over with her left hand and patted her friend's knee. "Don't ask Eph because we can't even explain it to ourselves."

The Amazon sighed. "I won't." But now she smiled. "Tomorrow morning sounds perfect. I'll talk to Maired about it and get it setup. Late morning?"

The warrior nodded. "That's perfect." She paused. "Gabrielle and I won't be helped with getting… dressed?" She heard a snicker from her smaller Soulmate.

Ephiny sighed. "No, don't worry."

Gabrielle suddenly stood. "Great, thanks Eph."

"Somebody is a little tired of being here." The regent smirked up to her Queen.

Xena now stood. "She isn't the only one." Her hands came forward to grasp her Soulmate's sides.

The regent shook her head. "Goodnight you two."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Sleep well Eph."

"You too." Ephiny stood up and smiled.

"Goodnight Ephiny." Xena smiled and released her partner's sides.

"See you tomorrow Xena."

The warrior grinned. "Count on it."

Gabrielle ambled over to the door with Xena right behind. They went out the door and heard their Amazon friend say, "Bye." But they kept walking once they closed the door.

The Warrior Princess reached to Gabrielle's right hand and laced their hands together. "Tired?"

The smaller woman nodded. 'That wore me out. Thanks for putting up with it."

Xena nodded. "No problem, just hard seats is my only complaint."

"No doubt." Gabrielle stiffened a yawn. "I think you and I should have leather seats."

The warrior laughed with a smile. "Right."

The Queen shrugged her shoulders. "One can dream."

Xena pulled her Soulmate closer to her body as they neared their hut. "Speaking of which."

Gabrielle nodded. "Let's do some dreaming together."

But before they even slipped into their dreamscape together they relaxed. Relaxed in a hot bath for a half of a candlemark. The Soulmates went directly to bed afterwards that night. Tomorrow would be another busy day for them.

~*Part 29*~

Xena rolled out of bed first then Gabrielle did. The small warrior gathered up her clothes and strolled into the washroom.

The warrior however went to a chair and picked up her leathers and slipped into them. As soon as she did a knock was at the door. The older woman shifted to the door and opened it. She stood in the opening of the door to peer outside. "Morning Maired."

The priestess gazed up at the Warrior Princess with a warm smile. "I stopped by because of the vows being renewed."

Xena nodded. "Ephiny talked to you?"

"Yes she did. She said you and Gabrielle would like to do them this morning."

"If we can Maired."

Maired smiled. "Of course you can. The arrangements have been made." Her smile fell and she went serious. "The ritual will be held in Artemis's temple and you may only have three witnesses. The process will take around a candlemark and half."

The warrior nodded and retorted. "When would you like us over there?"

"As soon as possible Xena."

"Okay great. I'll let Gabrielle know and we'll be over there soon."

The priestess nodded. "Wonderful, I'll see you both then."

"Thank you Maired. Goodbye."

"Bye Xena." Maired strolled off with her robe slightly flowing in the air behind her.

The warrior quietly closed the door and as soon as she did Gabrielle came out of the washroom. Xena gazed over at her with a smile.

"Three witnesses Xena?"

"Yes." The warrior padded over to the table and lifted her brass armor to put on.

The Queen adjusted the leather strap on her right shoulder having just put it on after her skirt. Gabrielle then grabbed her boots and began to put them on. "Who do you think we should have? Ephiny?"

Xena hooked the brass armor over her left shoulder. "Yes." She hooked her right armor strap. "Maybe Amarice."

Gabrielle nodded and lifted her right boot to tie. "Solari or Epinion?" She sighed. "That's a toss up."

The warrior finished strapping her armor on and began to put her boots on. "Maybe Solari."

The smaller woman nodded. "But we've known Epinion longer."

Xena sighed as she tied her last boot. "It is a toss up." Her foot came down to the ground after being on the chair. "Maybe the thing to do is not have anybody." She reached to her sword with her fingers wrapping around the sheath but hesitated to lift the sword.

"Maybe you're right." Gabrielle's right foot connected with the wood floor. She turned to her Soulmate having not heard a response. She saw her partner stuck in action about taking her sword so she came up behind Xena. Gabrielle's left hand came forward to rest on Xena's right hand on the sword. "You don't want to take it?" She gazed up to her friend.

Xena nodded. "It's not right." Her eyes fell on Gabrielle. "When we were married I should have never had my weapons." She shook her head and released the sword and instead she took Gabrielle's hand.

The small warrior nodded. "You're right." She unwilling released her Soulmate's hand. She leaned down and grasped the hilts of her sais. Raising back up, Gabrielle twirled them then slammed the tips into the table holding them for a moment. She let go of the handles and watched the sais fall on top of Xena's sword and chakram with a cling. "Love is a weapon." Her left hand came over to take her Soulmate's hand again.

Xena stared at the weapons for a moment with narrow eyes. But her eyes warmed as they averted to Gabrielle. "Let's go."

Gabrielle smiled with a nod.

The Soulmates first went to eat rather quickly in the food hut, then found themselves in Artemis's temple with Maired.

The priestess raised her head once she heard the doors to her temple close. "Welcome my Queen and Consort."

Gabrielle smiled to her priestess. "Good morning Maired."

Maired bowed her head slightly as she watched the Soulmates walk through the temple to meet her on a stone alter. She brought her head up. "Please come here and we'll begin."

The Soulmates smiled and still held their hands and came onto the stone alter with Maired standing in front of them.

The Amazon sighed unhappily. "I am afraid I will have to ask you both to release hands and hold your hands behind her backs for a moment. Also please face each other."

The Soulmates did as they were told. They faced each other and released hands. Gabrielle's hands went behind her back and Xena followed her example.

"No witness I presume?"

The Queen shook her head. "None. This is something that never needs witnesses."

The priestess smiled warmly. "The first Queen and Consort to realize this." She turned around to a small stand that held cold embers. Behind the stand was a huge gold laced statue of Artemis looking over the temple. The priestess pulled out a small pouch from her robe and sprinkled some mysterious powered over the embers and a fire came to life. The fire's light spread up and down the gold statue of Artemis almost bringing her to life. The pouch went back into its home as Maired turned around to the Soulmates.

Xena stared directly into her Soulmate's eyes.

Gabrielle stared directly into her Soulmate's eyes.

The priestess smiled. "Now we begin." She took a deep breath. "Queen and Consort, Consort and Queen. They are seen as one, complete. These two go through trials and tribulations through their days together. And one of those many trials or tribulations may tear them apart to only make them Queen and Consort again. But yet the Queen and Consort heal themselves then each other. Once the two candles' flames are relit then their melting wax mix together. And in this the Queen and Consort become one again." Maired now raised both her hands and glanced first to her Queen.

Gabrielle seemed to understand and she raised her left hand and carefully rested her palm in Maired's right hand.

The priestess turned her head to Xena and nodded to her.

Xena lifted up her right hand to rest in Maired's other hand.

Maired smiled and closed her eyes as her next words seem to flow from her lips in a dream. "Lao Ma, Ming T'ien, Caesar, Khrafstar, Dahak, Hope, Solan, and Illusia. These are the people. Jealousy, betrayal, distrust, hatred, rage, pain, forgiveness, and then finally love. These are the emotions. The strength of Soulmates and the spiritual love. This is what was learned." The priestess opened her eyes slowly and gazed at the Soulmates to see both of their cheeks streaked with tears but they were smiling. "Your soul and love were never separated from each other as were your emotions, bodies, thoughts, and dreams were."

The priestess stopped and took a deep breath. "This is not a ritual for renewing vows between Queen and Consort. For renewing vows is something so much smaller then what the purpose of this ritual is. This is Artemis's ritual of the binding of Soulmates."

Maired closed her eyes once more. "Artemis, these are your Chosen, this is the Queen and Consort, this is Gabrielle and Xena, and these are the Soulmates of time. Their love is immeasurable for all. And now has come the time where they ask to be seen as one before you. Grant them their deepest desires."

The priestess kept her eyes tightly closed and she moved her hands together with the Soulmates' hands still in her palms.

The Soulmates eyes have been locked since the beginning. The Soulmates now felt their fingertips touch and an energy seem to burst in their fingertips then flow through their bodies.

Maired opened her eyes again but now they were crystal white. "As the Chosen of me your lives are protected. As the Soulmates of time you have the strongest love ever known. As the Soulmates with the strongest love you can grant your deepest desires at will together. And now your desire is to become Queen and Consort of mine. I recognize my Queen and Consort as one again and forever. And in that this is the binding of the Soulmates of time for eternity." She shut her eyes slowly as her following words were light in air. "Always remember two things Soulmates. Remember your soul you share knows of no time. And remember what you desire together will be yours, never forget this Soulmates." Maired opened her eyes again to the Soulmates, they were normal now.

That energy burst inside of the Soulmates now quickly shot to their hearts in collection then disappeared.

The priestess smiled. "Now comes the last part. This is the part that begins the binding." She moved the Soulmates' hands together and nodded to them both.

Xena took her Soulmate's hand.

Gabrielle took her Soulmate's hand.

Maired kept her warm smile and continued on. "Never break your hands. Never move your lips to each other. Never break eye contact. You both will remain in this temple for a candlemark. You may sit and you may find an alternate route to a form of talking. But remember your hands do not break apart, no sound or movement passes your lips, and your eye contact does not break." She lowered her hands from the Soulmates' hands. "In that candlemark go through the days together. The day you met, the day you married, the day you almost lost each other, the day death almost tore you apart, the day forgiveness hit you, the day hatred raked at your soul, the day the light came, and so on. I will return in a candlemark Soulmates." Now she walked to her right past the Soulmates. Slowly Maired walked down the center of the temple and went out the large wood doors. She closed the doors behind quietly.

Gabrielle smiled lovingly to her partner.

The warrior smiled back to her smaller warrior.

The Queen sighed. Great, we can't talk. How we going to get around this? She felt her partner squeeze her hand and she came out of her thoughts.

Xena grinned a little knowing her friend had been thinking. She pulled her hand that was locked with Gabrielle's down then back up.

Gabrielle nodded her head knowing what Xena meant by that.

Together they easily sat down together on the cool stone altar. Then without even asking each other they took laced their other hands together.

The small warrior wanted to chuckle at their situation but held back. They'd been in worse problems before and they couldn't get around this one. Wait, this isn't even a problem. For Gabrielle it was not being able to talk to her best friend. She sighed a little again. Okay we can talk from our lips. Maired said there was another route.

Xena saw her Soulmate thinking deeply about the communication or lack there of. But she only began to think of what to do herself. Alternate route to a form of talking? I hate riddles. She kept thinking and went to what Maired said earlier and it quickly came to her. What you desire together will be yours. That's the answer. Xena took a deep breath and began to let a certain desire fill her.

Gabrielle knew her warrior had an idea, she just had to figure it out herself. What else did Maired say that has Xena thinking? There's got to be something. Stupid riddles. Oh gods! What you desire together will be yours-. Maybe just maybe… I desire to speak to Xena mentally, that's it. A sigh. Xena I wish you could hear me, please do.

Gabrielle, you ask and you shall receive. The warrior grinned to her partner.

Gabrielle's eyes widen. -Xena?

The one and only. The warrior smirked at Gabrielle but squeezed Gabrielle's hands.

I can't believe this, you're in my head.

Hey! Who says you're not in my head?

Gabrielle grinned to her partner then smiled warmly. In each other's heads?

Exactly. Xena smiled to Gabrielle. Well you'll have to make sure you write this down too huh?

Gods, yes. This is insane Xena.

You're complaining Gabrielle?

The small warrior grinned. Oh no. It's just… well.

Different and not quite normal?

Exactly.

Xena smiled now. Well we are not the normal pair of girlfriends.

Gabrielle bit her lower lip to keep from laughing. Xena, don't make me laugh, gods.

Don't worry, we both were about to break the ritual. Xena released her lower lip after she felt the urge to laugh leave her.

Okay, I can work with this Xena.

The older woman grinned. Same here.

So Maired said we should talk about our days together. Gee where should we start?

The beginning always works.

Gabrielle shook her head a little with a small grin. Good idea. She took a deep breath. The grove, you still remember that day?

Yes of course. Xena smiled to her partner. My life has changed since then. Now a grin took her lips. I can still see you in the grove and back talking Draco's men.

The Queen started to grin. Yes, the naive little me.

Gabrielle.

Oh come on Xena. We both know I was naïve. I was till… gods two and half years later.

It was not two and half years Gabrielle.

The small warrior raised an eyebrow. Then when?

Right after my death Gabrielle and you became Queen. I felt it in you.

Gabrielle sighed. I see it as after we got through all the turmoil of Dahak and Hope. After Illusia.

The taller woman furrowed her eyebrows together. You can't think that Gabrielle.

Xena you have to admit all the things I did with Hope and Ming T'ien were immature.

No, it was out of jealousy.

The small warrior shook her head. Either way it was immature and naïve of me.

The warrior's hands tighten more around Gabrielle's hands. Listen, you were jealous over something you had complete right to be jealous. If I had been you I'd done the samething Gabrielle. She sighed. I was never angry at you for what you did. I was happier then anything, alright? A smile took Xena's lips

The Queen smiled faintly. I was just never happy over what I did.

I know but you were not naïve or immature over that even more so since I say so. Now the older woman's smile shaped into a grin.

The small warrior grinned back. Especially when you don't think so. A bit of a sigh. Remember the first time we kissed?

Xena raised an eyebrow. Which time? When I was in my body or in the dreamscape thing?

Gabrielle shook her head faintly. The dreamscape of course.

Oh yes, I definitely remember. It was so romantic.

Xena! The Queen held back a laugh. So we both were a little…

Shy would be the word.

Gabrielle nodded to her Soulmate. Shy and then some maybe.

So why didn't you ask me sooner about why I kissed you in that dreamscape Gabrielle?

The small warrior's eyes widen. You're kidding me right Xena?

Nnno.

The younger woman grinned. Okay I'm sure I would just asked you after you came back to life why you kissed me. I'd be looked at like I had four heads. I can see it now. 'Xena why'd you kiss me?' Then I get this look like I was crazy and you'd answer with something like. 'Gabrielle I have no idea what you're talking about. Have you been eating drugged nutbread?'

The warrior smirked. I guess I am a little different compared to then huh?

Gabrielle arched an eyebrow.

The Soulmates continued on talking together through a rather… different means. This went on for over a quarter of candlemark. They talked about everything in their lives together. Going over the bad things and the good things together. Flipping through their feelings from so long ago and now today together. And by the last few minutes of the time in the temple they were discussing recent things.

I was having the worst nightmares. Gabrielle shook her head. They can tell you a lot.

Xena nodded. I know. I could tell you were having nightmares.

I wasn't the only one. For emphasis the Queen raised an eyebrow at her partner.

The warrior grinned. Yes, I was having my own… lovely dreams.

Gabrielle grinned for a moment then went serious. Xena what if this happens again? It took us… a year and half to get over everything.

Xena's head bobbed up and down. But it was worth that wait. Gabrielle either way we have to wait out the darkness, whether it's together or separate. Either way when the light comes I'll be there beside you.

At first the Queen didn't respond. Xena?

Yeah?

It's not going to happen between us again. Gabrielle's eyes had so much promise in them. I won't let it nor will you, I can feel that. A loving smile swept across her lips. Can't you feel it Xena? She squeezed Xena's hands tightly. We're Soulmates with the strongest force in our control. That's the key Xena. We're not on the paths of warriors or the way of the warrior.

A smile took Xena's lips as she finished the declaration. We're on the way of Soulmates.

Exactly.

Xena nodded with her warm smile. And in us both realizing that we can do as we will.

We can finally forgive ourselves because it would be forgiving each other.

The warrior grinned a little. Perfect. She began to lean towards Gabrielle.

Gabrielle met her halfway.

The Soulmates' lips sealed together in something so indescribable. And as they kissed that burst of energy came back to life and rushed through their bodies and passed through their locks lips and mixed together in both their bodies. Then they slowly pulled back from each other with warm eyes.

"Well it looks like your candlemark went well."

The Soulmates grinned to each other after hearing the priestess voice.

Maired walked up to the altar and but did not climb the few stairs onto the altar. She gazed directly at the Soulmates. "Stand up but keep your hands together."

The Soulmates nodded and carefully stood up but still gazed at each other. If they were suppose to break eye contact it wasn't going to happen.

"Now then, the ritual is over. Your half soul has finally been binded together for a time without time." She then smile to the Soulmates. "And do not forget Artemis's words." Maired turned towards the temple doors and walked through the temple to the doors. She opened them and called back. "And you may speak aloud again." She grinned to herself and opened the door, exited, and closed the doors behind.

Gabrielle smiled to her warrior. "Well, that went well."

Xena smiled right back. "Definitely." She leaned towards her partner and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "We better go."

The Queen sighed. "Yeah, have things to do."

Both the Soulmates turned their heads towards the golden statue of Artemis that stood tall. The fire altar stand still burned with the wild yellow and orange flames.

Xena turned her head back to her Soulmate. "Let's go."

Gabrielle gazed back to Xena and nodded.

They released one hand but kept their other locked hands together. Slowly they walked off the altar and once they did the flame that had been burning yellow and orange sparked into a deep red shade.

The pair heard the snap of the fire and gazed back.

Gabrielle furrowed her eyebrows as she stared at the red flame. "Why red?"

Xena studied the red flame and then slowly smiled. "Red… love." She turned her head to Gabrielle.

The small warrior smiled and turned her attention to Xena. "Makes perfect sense." She grinned and started walking again with Xena.

They opened up the doors of the temple as the light of the sun came shining down on them. Walking out, the doors were quietly closed behind.

The red flame only glowed stronger.

Xena and Gabrielle kept walking deciding to head to their hut first to pick up their cloaks.

"Something is different Xena."

The warrior smiled as she squeezed Gabrielle's hand then loosened her hold. "I know."

Gabrielle glanced up to her partner. "I'm glad we did that. I feel like…"

Xena chuckled. "Don't try to describe it. You'll never be able too."

The Queen quietly laughed. "True." She smiled up to her best friend. "I love you Xena."

"I love you Gabrielle." Xena stopped and turned to her partner.

The small warrior smiled and placed her free hand on Xena's hip.

Xena smiled back and brought her free hand behind Gabrielle's head. She lowered her head and claimed Gabrielle's lips.

The Soulmates stood in the middle of the Amazon Village kissing. They received all sorts of grins from the passing Amazons. Especially one Amazon.

Ephiny started walking towards the pair.

Xena pulled back from the kiss and leaned her forehead against Gabrielle's. "Your regent is coming right up behind you."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "Don't stop kissing me because of that."

The warrior grinned. "Wasn't planning to." She leaned in to gentle kiss Gabrielle then a second gentle kiss. The third kiss Xena made passionate and long.

The regent came up near the pair. She crossed her arms against her chest knowing they were kissing to annoy her. So she coughed with a grin and spoke loudly. "Don't let me interrupt anything… Soulmates."

Gabrielle started to laugh in this kiss that she lost count of.

Xena grinned and leaned her head against Gabrielle's again. "I think Maired has been talking."

"Really." The Queen kissed Xena lightly then turned to Ephiny but she leaned against her warrior. "What's up Eph?"

"Nothing much." The Amazon was still grinning. "No witnesses huh?"

"Nope." The small warrior crossed her arms over her chest. "Didn't need any."

Ephiny nodded. "No you didn't." She furrowed her eyebrows. "Hold on a moment." She took five steps back and studied the Soulmates. "Oh I know it was bad before but now it's worse."

Both Soulmates raised an eyebrow in question.

The regent laughed and walked up to them again. "You both were glowing before but now your more like a glow of a wild fire."

Gabrielle grinned. "I'll take that as a good thing."

Ephiny smiled. "It is. Solar and I have discussed that before."

The Queen quickly looked up to Xena.

Xena gazed down at her partner.

They both said it at the same time. "Solar?"

The Amazon's face dropped right then. "Oh no."

Gabrielle stood up from leaning against Xena and crossed her arms against her chest. "Solar… as in Solari?"

Ephiny shook her head. "No… no no." She started to turn a deep red.

The Queen laughed a little and looked up to Xena. "Solari is never gonna live this down."

The warrior grinned evilly. "Oh no."

Ephiny groaned. "Oh gods she's gonna kill me." Her right hand came up to run through her hair.

Gabrielle off to her right saw her second in command then. "There she is now." She looked straight at Solari and yelled over to her. "Hey Solar!"

The second in command stopped dead in her tracks and her eyes narrowed. She jogged over to the small group and looked directly at the regent. "Ephiny, why did they just call me Solar?"

The regent lifted her head up. "Slip of the lips." She smiled sheepishly.

Solari sighed for a few seconds.

Gabrielle grinned and nudged Xena.

The warrior nodded.

The pair quickly shuffled off with a few chuckles.

Ephiny grinned. "I'll make it up to you Solari."

The second in command raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms against her chest. "You know they'll never let that go?" She grinned. "You definitely owe me." She walked off. "I'll see you tonight Eph."

The regent grinned a little. "Count on it."

After that, the Soulmates went to their hut. Gathered up their cloaks and went for some lunch. That afternoon though lead to a meeting between the Queen of the Amazons, her Consort, and the former Queens.