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
Finished:June 7th 2000 on Wednesday
Series: The Binding of the Soulmates of Time Story: Seven
If anybody has comments about my story please let me know at:
Part 9
Section 9
~*Part 30*~
"Once all the Nations return this coming spring we'll begin to establish the new Nation."
All the former Queens nodded at the head Queen. But it was Caitriona that spoke up. "What will become of us, the Queens?"
Gabrielle sighed. "I am not totally sure yet but I have plans."
There was now a low murmur between all the former Queens. Nyx looked to Gabrielle whom sat at the head of the table. "What will happen to my sister? She's the princess. Does her caste just getten taken away like it was nothing?"
The Queen opened her mouth but was cut off.
Another former Queen piped in. "Yes? What will happen to our Princesses or our healers?" It was Mairead.
"What about our councils?!"
All the former Queens quickly stood up from their seats around the table. All looking to each other and Gabrielle. All of them yelling and demanding what will happen to whomever. "What about my priestess?" "My second in command?" "Consorts?" "My Nation's traditions?" "Your Nation's traditions? What about my Nation's traditions?" All the former Queens went on with their bickering and demands.
Gabrielle closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her eyes opened again and she had her head hung low and glanced over to Xena.
The warrior sat beside her and gazed over to her. She turned her head to the Amazons and her eyes went hard. She quickly stood up with her wood chair's legs scraping across the wood floor. "Silence!" Xena crossed her arms over her chest.
All the former Queens went dead silent and turned their attention to the deep-angered voice they heard.
Xena's eyes narrowed as her voice came out in a growl. "Now sit down." She uncrossed her arms and placed her hands on the table. She leaned forward slightly to keep the Amazons' attention. "Those are not your Nations any longer." A pause as she saw all the former Queens drop their eyes. "And don't think for a minute Queen Gabrielle has not considered all the things you ask." Xena removed her hands from the table and straightened up to stand tall. "It is not the main concern who has what rank in the new Nation. The concern right now is making it through this coming winter. Is that understood by all?" Her hands went to her hips and she saw all the Amazons nod in understanding. "Good." She carefully pulled her chair forward and sat again.
Gabrielle lifted her chin from her hands that she had laced. She dropped her elbows from her chair's arms and placed her hands in her laps. Her tone however was more soothing. "I understand everybody's concern about their roles." She took a deep breath. "But as Xena said I am more worried about this winter then anything for my Amazons. And right now I am asking all of you to return to my tribes to look after my Amazons. Is that something each of you can handle for me? If not I will be happy to send somebody else to do it in your place."
Every Amazon quickly nodded in positive answer.
The small warrior nodded with a smile. "Good." She then lost her smile. "This winter…" Gabrielle held her left hand over at Xena. "My Consort and myself will be going over the scrolls of the first Nation." She lowered her hand to the chair's arm. "Not only that but I will be figuring out the ranks in my Nation. Figuring the ranks, the rituals, and Amazon laws for the coming Nation." She paused. "But they will not be set in stone until all the Nations have come." Another smile took her lips. "And this is because I would like for each of you to gather up Amazon law, Amazon ritual, Amazon tradition, Amazon history of your Nation, and a list of everybody in your Nation. Is that clear to each of you?"
The former Queens nodded yet Yakut cut in. "And why is this?"
The Amazon Queen smiled. "I'm glad you asked Yakut." She stood up from her chair and held the other Amazons' attention with ease. "I want to know every Nations nook and cranny so that when my new Nation comes together we all feel at home. So that we all feel apart of each other and accept each other. Each Nation holds special elements to them and I do not want to let that go to waste." Gabrielle paused and now she did as Xena did and placed her hands on the table to lean forward. "And yes I still understand your concerns over the roles and ranks in the coming Nation." Her eyes narrowed faintly out of anger. "But what I do not understand is why you have these concerns. Point blank, these concerns piss me off." She stood up from leaning against the table. "It should not matter who gets what rank in this Nation." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I would be more honored to be just an Amazon then the Queen." She smiled warmly. "And do any of you know why?"
All the Queens shook their heads.
"Because the Amazons would not be without them." Gabrielle grinned. "It could be just all of my officers and myself without the Amazons. There wouldn't be enough of us to sail a ship let alone create a Nation." Now her grin shifted to a smile again. "That's why I honor my Amazons more then my officers. Because they make the Nation, the officers don't make the Nation. They just help protect the Nation." She lost her smile quickly. "And each of you better damn well understand that or you will not be apart of my Nation. I will not have any form of corruption in my Nation. So get any sort of staffs out of your asses and realize you're just as equal to the next Amazon. Is that clear as well?"
All the Queens nodded again and now they held a respect to Gabrielle in their eyes.
Gabrielle smiled. "Wonderful." She took a deep breath. "If there are not any questions then you all may leave. And don't forget your duties this winter. I want all of my Amazons gone by tomorrow and preparing to move here on my orders this coming spring. This meeting is over." Gabrielle saw them leaving but spoke up. "Aureus?"
The southern Amazon turned around and glanced over to her Queen. "Yes Queen Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle smiled. "I need to ask you something."
Aureus nodded with a small smile and came up to Xena and Gabrielle. "Yes my Queen?"
"Aureus, what you think of the idea of Amarice becoming an Amazon Princess?" Gabrielle knew Aureus was the former Queen of the south tribe from which Amarice came from.
Aureus's head bobbed up and down. "She'd be good." Her eyes lifted from the floor. "She's a good… person."
Gabrielle's facial expression didn't shift but inside she was filled with wonderment. A good person? She sighed faintly and responded. "Great. Just wanted to get your opinion since she was of your tribe."
The south Amazon nodded. "That's what I figured." She smiled warmly. "But I need to go and get the Amazons from the south tribe together."
The small warrior nodded. "Thanks Aureus."
"Anytime." Aureus turned around and headed out of the hut.
All the former Queens headed directly to the Amazons in the Amazon Camp outside of the village. The former Queens had their duties to full fill and planned on doing it quickly and efficiently.
But this left the Amazon Queen in the meeting room with her Soulmate. Gabrielle turned to her best friend. "Well that was fun." She sighed and dropped her arms. "I hate being a hard ass at times."
Xena grinned up to her partner. "I don't know. I think you like it."
The small warrior raised an eyebrow. "How can you be sure?"
"'Cause I am you."
Gabrielle grinned and shifted to sit in Xena's lap. "You're good."
"I know." Xena took Gabrielle's lips carefully with her own. Once she pulled back her right hand fell on her Soulmate's thigh. "What's the plan now my Queen?"
The small woman quietly laughed. "You can call me your Soulmate."
The warrior grinned. "My Soulmate."
Gabrielle grinned back and placed her hands on Xena's upper arms. She went stern. "I thought I'd talk to Teresa and Amarice about their roles. I figured you'd rather do something else huh?"
"Nope." Xena smiled. "Rather be with you." She lifted her right hand to brush back some of Gabrielle's short hair. "So we can go talk to Amarice and Teresa."
"Xena…"
The older woman furrowed her eyebrows. "Don't need me to come?"
Gabrielle shook her head. "No it's not that. I think I need to talk to Amarice alone." She sighed. "I just have a feeling something isn't right."
Xena nodded. "Because Aureus said she's a good person."
"Yeah, that just bothers me she said that."
The warrior leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to her partner's forehead. "Worried I might intimidate her my Queen?"
The small warrior quietly laughed. "Amarice yes." She then smiled. "How about you talk to Teresa?"
Xena nodded her head. "After that we'll meet up for dinner?"
The Queen grinned and hopped off Xena's lap. "Sounds like a plan Xen."
The older woman stood up with a smile. "Great." She leaned down to capture her Soulmate's lips again. Slowly she rose up again and still had her warm smile. "Let's go."
The younger female nodded, buttoned up her cloak, and moved to the door. The pair left the hut and went their separate ways to find the two Amazons.
Gabrielle walked a ways down the trail and gazed around up into the trees. She knew her Amazons were on patrol and Amarice happened to be on patrol duty.
Suddenly those three patrol Amazons dropped from the trees directly in front of Gabrielle.
The Queen smiled. "Was wondering when you three would show."
The three Amazons all chuckled and reached up to push their masks back. There was Amarice, Aster, and Leon as patrol.
Aster smiled warmly. "We figured if we didn't we'd be in deep centaur crap with the Queen."
The small warrior grinned a little. "Definitely." Now she went serious. "If you and Leon don't mind I would like to steal Amarice for a little while."
Aster gazed over to Leon.
Leon shrugged her shoulders and turned her attention to the Queen. "No problem."
Aster turned her head back to Gabrielle. "Just don't keep her to long." A small grin.
Gabrielle smiled. "I won't." She averted her eyes to rest on Amarice. "Come with me."
Amarice nodded, she quickly noticed how serious Gabrielle was. She knew her friend was in Queen mode and there wasn't room for jokes. So she walked up to Gabrielle in silence.
The small warrior gazed back to her two Amazons. "Thanks Aster and Leon."
"No problem Gabrielle." After her words Aster disappeared into the trees.
Leon looked to Amarice. "Good luck." She now disappeared.
Amarice rolled her eyes then gave her attention to Gabrielle again. "What's up?"
Gabrielle was serious again. "Let's take a walk." She started moving along through the woods with Amarice right beside her. "How've you been Amarice?"
The Amazons lifted her head and smiled to her friend. "Not to bad. Yourself?"
"Good." Gabrielle flashed a smile. "I just got done a meeting with the former Queens."
"Oh yeah?" Amarice grinned. "How'd that go? I bet it was something else."
The Queen laughed quietly. "It was." She sighed. "After it was over I had a small talk with Aureus." Now her hands went behind her back.
Amarice quickly lifted her head to Gabrielle. "About… about what?"
Gabrielle noticed her Amazon's quick interest and reaction. "I asked her if she thought the idea of making you the Amazon Princess was a good one. Whether you would be a good princess or not."
The Amazon's eyes widen and she stopped walking. "Gabrielle, I don't think… well I am not the right person for the job."
Gabrielle nodded a few times. She'd stopped walking too and was still holding her hands behind her back. "Why Amarice?" A knowing smile began to shape on Gabrielle's lips. "Aureus said you were a good… person."
Amarice shook her head. She turned away and walked over to a near tree and turned to face Gabrielle again. "I just wouldn't Gabrielle. Somebody like… Teresa would be better."
The Queen nodded and dropped her hands from behind her back. "The first time I met you I would have never guess you'd turn down something like this." Gabrielle crossed her arms over her chest. "And I believe you owe me an explanation as to why you won't take the caste Amarice. You're turning down a huge honor."
Amarice's right hand came up through her hair and she sighed. "I just can't Gabrielle. It's… it's complicated."
The small warrior sighed and uncrossed her arms. She came up to her Amazon and placed her right hand on Amarice's shoulder. "Amarice. I am asking you as a friend not as your Queen." Her eyes went warm with a smile.
Amarice looked away as her eyes burdened and she found a lump in her throat. "I'm not an Amazon Gabrielle." She turned her head back to her Queen. "I never was."
Gabrielle nodded. "What about your sister, Rodhiya?"
The Amazon nodded. "She's an Amazon."
"How'd this happen?"
Amarice took a deep breath and told her story. "You see, Rodhiya is older then me about… a year and half. When Mom had her she had Rodhiya given an Amazon caste right away." She sighed. "But then Mom died in labor with me. Rodhiya and I were both raised by some friends of Mom's in the tribe. Everybody in the Nation though didn't realize I never received a caste to be an Amazon. Yet I was raised and train as one but I don't have the caste."
The small warrior furrowed her eyebrows. "And why didn't you ever speak to somebody about getting one?"
"Gabrielle, we both know the tone of the southern tribes. They're rough and tough, you can't show weakness. I would have been the laughing stock of the Nation if I said anything. Besides I didn't want to dishonor Rodhiya either." She shook her head. "I just kept hoping nobody would find out about it." A sighed escaped her lips. "I guess Aureus knew."
Gabrielle nodded and squeezed her friend's shoulder then dropped her hand. "Well can I tell you something Amarice?"
The Amazon nodded with no other indication.
"It's all in perspective Amarice. I am very proud of you for sticking it out and not leaving the Amazons just because you don't have a caste. You see there's a difference Amarice. You may not have a caste to say you're an Amazon but you are the purest form of an Amazon." She smiled warmly to her Amazon. "And right now I need you for my Amazon Princess."
Amarice smile sadly. "But I'm not an Amazon."
"In my book you are Amarice, in the Queen's book you are an Amazon. You may not have a scroll with an Amazon caste. But you have the caste inside of yourself." The Queen paused. "When you're the Amazon Princess you'll have the Amazon caste."
The Amazon's smile loss the sadness and went warm. "So would I be able to order Solari around?"
Gabrielle grinned. "Yes."
"Ephiny?"
The small warrior chuckled. "Afraid not."
"Mmm, I'm not sure then." Amarice though went serious. "Princess?"
Gabrielle nodded. "Yes." She waited.
The Amazon took a deep breath and smiled. "I'd love to be your Amazon Princess."
The Queen smiled lovingly. "Thank you." She pulled her friend in for a tight hug.
Amarice returned the force of the hug. After they pulled back Amarice had a smug look. "Do I get to order Xena around?"
Gabrielle released Amarice and narrowed her eyes. "No."
The Amazon laughed. "I guess only you get to huh?"
The Queen said nothing but a huge evil grin streaked across her lips and a sparkle took her eyes.
"Well that look is enough of an answer." Amarice grinned.
Gabrielle quickly went stoic. "Get back to your patrol Amazon."
Amarice chuckled. "Yes my Queen."
The small warrior smiled. "Thanks Amarice. Catch you later."
"Bye Gabrielle and thank you." She leaped to disappear into the trees.
Gabrielle watched her go for a moment. She sighed with a small smile. "She is a mess." Now she started her trek back to the village in hot pursuit for her Soulmate.
Abruptly a huge smile took Teresa's lips. She jumped forward and gave the taller woman a hug. "I can't believe it."
Xena laughed and hugged the Amazon right back. She was taken aback by this hug. "I'm just the messenger Teresa."
The Amazon pulled back with a smile. "Yes but you're still Gabrielle's other half." She shook her head still trying to believe it. "Thank you Xena."
The warrior smiled as she cross her arms over her chest. "Thank Gabrielle." She took a deep breath. "Gabrielle, Ephiny, Masika, and I all decided you as the third in command."
Teresa's right hand went through her hair. "Gods. I can't believe it."
Xena grinned. "Start believing it." Her eyes then lifted from the Amazon to see her Soulmate coming. "Mmm, looks like you'll be able to hear it from the Queen herself."
Teresa followed Xena's gaze to see Gabrielle coming. The Amazon didn't wait and broke off jogging to her Queen and enveloped the Queen in a huge hug.
Gabrielle laughed as she hugged her Amazon back. "I guess you found out huh?"
The Amazon flashed a smile as she released her Queen. "Yes, thank you."
The small warrior shrugged her shoulders. "You earned it Teresa." She started walking towards her Soulmate with Teresa beside her. Gabrielle smiled up to her partner. "Hi."
The Warrior Princess smiled right back. "Hi yourself." She was about to say something else but she heard a yell.
"Gabrielle?"
The small warrior sighed and gazed over to her right to see her regent coming. "Hey Eph."
Ephiny came up to the group. "Been trying to find you."
"You found me Eph."
The regent huffed but went serious. "How'd the meeting go with the Queens?"
Gabrielle smiled. "Xena and I got them under control."
Ephiny raised an eyebrow and glance up to the warrior. She saw Xena grinning so she averted her attention back to Gabrielle. "That must have been interesting."
"Gabrielle?"
The Queen looked beyond her regent to see Solari and Epinion coming, Solari had called her name.
"Hey Solar. What's up?"
The second in command came up with Epinion still at her side. "The other tribes are getting ready to leave tomorrow. I wanted to double check and make sure these were your orders."
Gabrielle's head bobbed up and down. "They are. They should all be out of here by tomorrow." She wanted to add more but had stopped anyway. "Hades I wish I had Amarice here."
Epinion grinned. "I believe that's Reese coming now." The weapons master nodded behind Gabrielle.
The Queen glanced back to see Amarice coming towards them. "Great." She turned her head back to her weapons master. "Reese?"
Epinion grinned. "Short for Amarice."
The small warrior sighed. "Nobody seems to like just their regular names."
Amarice came up to the large group. "What about regular names?"
Solari gazed over to Amarice. "We're discussing your nickname."
Amarice chuckled. "Oh you mean Reese?" She gazed at her Queen. "Rodhiya has called me that since we were kids."
Gabrielle grinned. "Good to know." Her grin disappeared. "Okay since we're all here. I want to make some things known with all of you."
Amarice shifted to stand by side Xena so that she could gaze at her Queen like the rest of the Amazon were doing.
The Queen crossed her arms over her chest. "First of off. Some of you don't know but you will now. Amarice is my Amazon Princess and Teresa is my third in command. Everybody understand?" Gabrielle's Amazons nodded and she continued on. "Second, two things about this winter. First Ephiny…" She turned her attention to her regent. "You are to train Amarice for Amazon Princess."
Ephiny grinned. "Deja-vu."
Gabrielle chuckled. "I think Amarice will be a little easier then what I was."
The regent raised an eyebrow. "I don't know about that Gabrielle."
"Hey!"
Everybody glanced over at Amarice whom had spoke up.
"I am easy to train, it's the red hair."
Everybody chuckled at Amarice.
Gabrielle shook her head with a smile and gazed over to Solari. "Solari, you are to train your third in command alright?"
The second in command grinned. "No problem." She took glimpse over at Teresa. "I hope you'll survive this third in command."
Teresa raised an eyebrow.
"I want my third in command in one piece by the end of the training Solari."
Solari quietly laughed and nodded to Gabrielle. "Yes my Queen." She turned her head to Teresa again. "TC will be fine."
Teresa groaned at the nickname. "Thanks Solar."
The second in command snickered.
Gabrielle quickly cut in before it went any farther. "Okay. Also everybody remember that Teresa and Amarice are unofficial in their roles. The other tribes will not know till this spring. So basically Amarice and Teresa are allowed to command but only here in the Central tribe. Once the Nation is established this spring then we'll make everything official. Is that clear?"
All the Amazons simply nodded.
The Queen uncrossed her arms and placed her hands on her hips. "Second thing this winter are the plans. Tomorrow afternoon Xena and I are leaving." She gazed up to her partner and winked to Xena. Gabrielle glanced back to her officers. "We are planning to go on a vacation first to Amphipolis then to Egypt if you need us. Mid-winter or so we'll return here and Xena and I will be spending the rest of the winter working on the plans for the new Nation." She took a deep breath. "So far the plans are for the former Queens to head back to their tribes and stay there this winter. When spring comes I will have all the tribes come here and we will go into heavy building and expand the village and our territory." She paused for a second. "Is there any questions?"
Ephiny quickly cut in. "Maybe you should go over the other roles for the future Nation."
Gabrielle nodded to her regent. "You're right." Her attention went back to all her Amazons. "The break down of rank and command I already created. First comes the Queen, second is Xena as Consort, third is Ephiny still as the regent." She took a deep breath. "Next is Amarice as Princess, Solari your still second in command, Teresa third in command. Then comes the Queens and this is new. I've made all the Queens lieutenants and they are below rank of commanders." She stopped and averted her eyes directly to Epinion. "Ep you are still weapons master but also fighting master. I'm giving you the option to select any trainers to help you. That is up to you." She sighed and thought for a moment. "Last Masika is going to be the Head Council member. There still are a few other small roles but they're not quite as important right now."
The Amazons nodded but it was Teresa that jumped in. "What about Maired? Is she going to still be the Amazon Priestess?"
Gabrielle smiled. "Yes she is. We'll probably build a large temple." She shook her head. "That won't be till later." Her right hand came up to run through her short hair. "Did I forget anything?" Emerald eyes lifted to Xena and then flickered over to the regent. "Guess not." It was dusk and the Queen took notice of this. "Alright that covers everything. Thanks everybody."
After that everybody in the group decided to head down to dinner. Well the Soulmates stayed behind.
"Ephiny?"
The regent stopped in her tracks after hearing Gabrielle call her name. She glanced at Solari. "Go down there. I'll be there in a second."
The second in command nodded. "See you there." Solari turned towards the direction Amarice, Epinion, and Teresa were going and caught up with them going to dinner.
Ephiny walked over to her Queen.
Gabrielle smiled. "I need you to do me a favor while Xena and I are gone."
The regent reflected the smile back. "Sure."
"Can you put a desk into our hut?"
The Amazon nodded. "Definitely, I'll have the table removed and put a desk in with a few chairs."
"Great. Thanks Ephiny."
The regent nodded. "No problem." She turned to where the gates lay. "I'll see you both at dinner."
"Bye Eph."
"See you Eph." Xena flashed a smile.
Gabrielle watched her Amazon friend go and then turned to Xena.
Xena gazed down at her Soulmate with a warm smile. "Miss me?"
The smaller female chuckled. "Definitely."
The warrior grinned. "Thought so." But she went serious. "How'd it go with Amarice?"
"She didn't have a caste like we thought."
Xena sighed. "Would have never guessed."
Gabrielle nodded. "Neither would I." She lifted her eyes from the dirt ground. "Leaving tomorrow afternoon sound alright with you?"
The older woman grinned. "Personally I'd like to leave now. But."
The Queen sighed. "But I need to shove my lieutenants out the gates with my Amazons and wish them safe travels."
Xena laughed. "Don't sound so excited Gabrielle."
Gabrielle groaned. "I'm very excited." She grinned up to Xena. "I'll be glad to get out of here."
The warrior smiled. "I agree." She took a step closer to Gabrielle. "How you feeling?"
Gabrielle grasped Xena's hips lightly. "Ready for a break just with you."
"Good." Xena's hands moved to wrap around Gabrielle's waist. "Hopefully it'll be peaceful."
"It probably won't be with our luck."
The Warrior Princess grinned as she lowered her head. "Well either way we have Solstice to celebrate."
Gabrielle grinned up to her partner. "Just Solstice? I thought there was something else important too."
Xena brushed her lips over Gabrielle's smooth lips. "Anniversary maybe."
"Definitely." Gabrielle took her Soulmate's lips.
That night led to a huge dinner with all the Amazons of the tribes. But later in the night the Soulmates were both tired but not exceedingly tired so that left them to spend time together in a fashion.
~*Part 31*~
In the morning the Soulmates awoke fairly early but not at the crack of the sun's first light. They'd dressed and packed to leave later in the day. Afterwards the pair migrated down to see off the Amazons of the tribes. Gabrielle knew she'd be seeing them all soon in the spring. She had a lot of work ahead of herself.
The afternoon of the day approached and the Soulmates approached the gates of the Amazon village. And there waiting for them at the gates were Ephiny, Solari, Teresa, Amarice, and Epinion.
The Soulmates knew then there was no way they would be able to leave quietly. So they tied their horses to the gates and talked with the Amazons for a few minutes or so. For in the few minutes the Queen felt the dying urge to leave take her again. So the conversation ended and everybody said goodbye to the Queen and her Consort with hugs.
The five Amazons stood at the gates watching the Soulmates walk down the small road through the Amazon forest with the dawning of the sun's light on them. Watching the Soulmates till they disappeared in the distance of the never-ending road.