Part 4

After the two older women left to help in the kitchen, Ephiny and Solari both went their separate ways as well. Solari to the training field and Ephiny to the Council hut to finalise a few things that hadn't been attended to before her Queen's joining. She had been there for most of the day when Eponin arrived.

"Um, Eph, can I have a word with you? The dark haired warrior asked.

"Sure, Ep, what's on your mind?

"Well, I'm not sure if you've noticed or not, but I've been spending a lot of time with Lila lately."

"Yes, so I've noticed." Ephiny replied. She was trying hard to stifle a giggle as she knew that this wasn't easy for her friend.

Yes, well, earlier today, well, we um, we were, um intimate and um, well, I've asked her to join with me." Eponin managed to get it all out without taking a breath.

Ephiny wasn't quite sure how to react. "She knew that her friend had been spending time with Lila, but this, and they'd been intimate. What would Gabrielle say?" Her mind was racing.

"Ep, how could you?" Ephiny shouted.

This was not the response Eponin had expected. She thought that Ephiny would be happy for her. The Weapon's Master was confused.

"Hang on a minute. I thought you'd be happy for me."

"Eponin, what were you thinking?" Ephiny was pacing now. "This is the Queen's sister we're talking about here. Not some two-bit floozy."

"Two-bit floozy?? Where was this coming from?" Eponin was even more confused now.

"Ephiny, calm down. I love Lila. This is not something either of us is taking lightly. I thought you of all people would want me to find someone else. You know there's been no-one since you."

Eponin's last statement made Ephiny stop in her tracks. 'Of course, Eponin was right. She was happy for Eponin, wasn't she?"

She slumped down in her chair.

"I'm sorry, Eponin. I am happy for you. It's just … " her voice trailed off.

Eponin moved closer and took Ephiny's hands into her own.

"Part of you didn't want me to find someone, did it?" Eponin asked.

Ephiny looked at her best friend and whispered, "No."

"Eph, I love you. I always have and I always will. I know you love me, but you've not been 'in' love with me for a long time now. You're in love with Solari and that is something that I came to terms with a long time ago."

Tears were streaming down the faces of both women now.

"Oh Ep, I am so happy for you, but I think I just got used to the idea of me being there in some way, just in case things with Solari didn't work out, you know what I mean?"

"Yes, Eph, I know what you mean. Like I said, you're in love with Solari and she's so much in love with you. I can't see that changing anytime soon, can you?"

Ephiny shook her head.

"Right then, now dry those tears. It wouldn't look good for anyone to come in here and see two of the Nations best warriors crying, would it?"

Ephiny laughed and jokingly said, "No, that would be something that we would never live down. Plus you've got that stoic warrior reputation thing happening."

"That is quite true." Eponin laughed.

Ephiny turned serious again, "Ep, I really am happy for you. I hope you know that?"

"I do Eph, thank you." Eponin smiled at her best friend. "Now, how about you and I head down to the training field and do some sparing? We haven't done that in a long time."

"Sounds like a good idea to me. Let's go."

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Xena had decided that it was probably best if she left the two sisters alone to talk about Lila's first time. This was something that she really didn't need or want to hear.

As she dressed, she tried to mentally block out what she was hearing, but it wasn't working. She had to get out of the hut and soon.

"Brie, I'm going to head down to the training field and see who's up for a little sparring if that's ok with you?"

Gabrielle had sensed Xena's discomfort as soon as Lila had started her story and had half expected Xena to bolt a lot sooner than now.

"Yes, of course, love." She smiled at her warrior. "Just remember to leave some of them standing." She added with a giggle.

Xena smiled, "But of course." She quickly bent down and gave Gabrielle a sweet kiss. "It will be sun down in a candlemark, so I'll be back soon. I love you."

"And I love you, Xe."

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Xena was happy to see Eponin, Solari and Ephiny on the training field. As she approached the three friends, she thought she might have a little fun with her new sister-in-law's beau.

She put on her best 'warrior's face' and withdrew her sword as she broke out into a run. Eponin turned just in time to see Xena flip and land right in front of her.

Xena's sword was at her throat.

"I think you know why I'm here, Eponin. There's the order of the Queen's sister's innocence to deal with."

Ephiny went to her friend's defence.

"Now wait a minute, Xena. I think that you need to listen to Eponin's side of the story before you come out here threatening her."

"I'm sorry, Eph, but this is between Eponin and me."

Eponin hadn't expected Xena to react like this. "Just what had Lila told Gabrielle. I thought she was happy that we made love. Obviously, she had been wrong. How could she have been so stupid?"

Xena could see the confusion and sadness in Eponin's eyes and immediately felt quite terrible for having pulled this stunt. She lowered her sword.

"I'm sorry, Ep. It's just a joke. Right now, Lila is filling Gabrielle in on all the details of your little rendezvous earlier today and when I saw you here, I thought it would be fun to give you a little tease. I'm sorry."

Ephiny and Solari both released the breaths that they'd been holding.

Xena held out her hand, "Eponin, I'm very happy for you, honest. Can you forgive me for being so stupid?"

Eponin clasped her hand and replied, "Forgive you, sure, but for being stupid, now that I might have a problem with."

The Amazon Regent and her lover burst out laughing at the same time.

Xena couldn't help but laugh as well. She wrapped her arm over Eponin's shoulder and said, "Come on, friend. Let's spar."

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Gabrielle had thought she'd heard it all, but Lila's description of her lovemaking with Eponin had Gabrielle's cheeks turning bright red.

"Lila. I don't need ALL the details. You can leave out some parts, you know." Gabrielle laughingly told her sister.

"But, Gab, it's just that it was the most incredible thing I've ever experienced. I mean, is it ever like that with a man?" Lila questioned.

"I can't answer that, Lila."

Lila stared back at her sister in disbelief. "What do you mean you can't answer that? Didn't you and Perdicus?"

Gabrielle's eyes widened, "Oh my Gods, no! He wanted to, but it was just something that I wasn't comfortable with. I couldn't do it with him because I didn't love him. It just didn't seem right."

"I can understand that.

"So Lila, has Mother met Eponin yet?"

"Oh Gods Gab, no. I-I've not had a chance."

"Well don't you think that it would be a good idea?" Gabrielle questioned her sister.

"I know Eponin won't be on patrol tonight, so I will introduce her to Mother tonight. Do you think she'll like Eponin?"

Gabrielle smiled at her sister. "Of course, what's not to like?"

"Gab, do you think Mother will want to stay here. I don't want her to go back to the farm."

"I was going to ask her what she was going to do now. It just feels so different now that Father is gone."

"I know it does, Gab. Father was so full of life and for it to be cut short. It's only been a sort time, but I miss him so much." Lila was on the verge of tears again as she remembered her father.

"I know you do, Lila. I miss him to. We just have to remember all the good times we spent with him."

"You're right, Gab. Hey, let's go and see what Mother's been up to. I haven't seen her since breakfast."

"Well, you have been somewhat preoccupied if I remember correctly." Gabrielle reminded her sister.

Lila blushed and a small smile formed.

"Yes, I have. Come on, she was going to help out in the kitchen this morning. Maybe they'll know where she is."

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Hecuba and Cyrene had helped out in the kitchen for most of the morning. The cooks had welcomed the help of the two women. They had helped cleaning up the breakfast dishes and then also after the midday meal. The cooks had told them that they could have the rest of the afternoon off, so the two women decided to take a walk down by the river.

Gabrielle had assigned a Royal Guard to follow the two women, and even though there was no danger, the young Amazon Queen had felt better about doing it.

"So, Hecuba, have you decided what you're going to do now?" Cyrene asked.

"I'm not sure. The farm is too much for me to handle by myself and now that Lila has found someone here, I can't imagine her coming home. Have you met this woman she's taken with?"

"I have heard Xena speak of Eponin before and Xena holds her in high regard. I'm sure she'll treat Lila well."

"This has been a very confusing time for me. First my eldest daughter comes home and tells me she's in love and that person is a woman, then Herodotus dies and we come here and now my other daughter is also in love with a woman. Where did I fail? Is this my fault?"

Cyrene took Hecuba's hands into her own. "It's not your fault and you didn't fail, Hecuba. This is how it's meant to be. I love Gabrielle like she was my own daughter. She has bought so much happiness into my daughter's dark life. For that, I will be eternally grateful."

"It's just that I always thought that I'd have grandchildren one day." Hecuba sighed.

"Who says that still can't happen?"

"That's what Gabrielle said."

"Xena loves Gabrielle with all her heart and if Gabrielle wanted to have a child, Xena would do everything in her power to make that happen."

"I know you're right. I can see it in Xena's eyes how much she loves my daughter."

"Is there anything else bothering you."

The Bard's mother sighed again. "It's just what sort of life will she have with Xena. I mean she's a warrior with a dark past. Will they settle here or continue on the road? I only want Gabrielle to be safe. And then there's Lila. She's so young and she says she's met a warrior as well. I only want my children to be safe. Is that too much to ask?" Hecuba's eyes started to well with tears.

Cyrene took the woman into her arms and rubbed her back soothingly.

"Of course it's not. I know that Xena would die protecting Gabrielle and I'm sure that would be the same for Eponin if she has strong feelings for Lila."

The two women pulled apart and Cyrene cupped Hecuba's face in her hand.

"Hecuba, seldom do our children grow up to be who we want them to be. We can only be there for them and support them in their decisions. A long time ago, I turned my back on my own daughter and I regretted that decision for a long time. Now I know that she was set on a path that she wasn't meant to walk and then she was saved from her darkness. She is making a wonderful life for herself with Gabrielle. Be happy for them, you don't have to accept the relationships that your children have, but be happy for them. They have been given to you as a gift from the Gods, never forget that."

"I know you're right, Cyrene. It's still hard, that's all. I mean I still haven't been formally introduced to this Eponin person yet. Part of me thinks that Lila is ashamed of what I'll say. But it won't be like that, I swear." Fresh tears started to fall from her eyes.

Cyrene pulled the woman to her again. "Sssh, it will be alright, you'll see."

The two women hugged each other for some time, until the Royal Guard came forward and mentioned that as it was getting late, it was probably best for them to return to the village, so as to not cause concern to the Queen.

Cyrene and Hecuba walked back hand in hand and decided to head for the Queen's hut to see what their children were up to.

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After breakfast, Joxer had no idea what he was going to do. He was sure his presence wouldn't be welcomed in the kitchen. He also knew he probably wouldn't be welcome to spar with the other Amazons. After all, he was just a bumbling idiot, wasn't he? Although Xena had said he'd improved some, he was still not good enough to hold his own against any of the Amazons. Now that Gabrielle was bonded to Xena, he was sure they wouldn't be interested in hanging around him any more. He had served his purpose, so the only thing left for him to do was to leave. Even the Amazon guard who was supposed to accompany him everywhere had seemingly forgotten about him. "After all, I'm just a man. No-one important. I'm sure they'll not even miss me." He thought to himself.

He quietly and silently made his way back to pick up his belongings and slipped quietly out of the village.

***********************************
Gabrielle and Lila saw their mother walking hand in hand with Cyrene.

The two older women looked like they were involved in a serious discussion as Gabrielle and her sister approached.

"Mother, where have you been?" Lila questioned.

Hecuba raised her head and Lila could plainly see that she had been crying.

"What's wrong, Mother?"

"Nothing, Lila. I'm all right." Hecuba offered.

"You've been crying. Please tell me." Lila asked again.

"Really, Lila. Everything's fine. Just needed a little cry, that's all. There's nothing to worry your pretty little head about." She smiled at her youngest child as she drew her in for a hug.

Gabrielle knew that her mother wasn't telling the truth, but decided not to pursue it for the moment.

"I seem to remember you were going to meet me for lunch. What happened?"

Lila's face immediately went red as she remembered just exactly what she had been doing earlier that day.

"Um, well, um, I was." Lila stammered.

"Oh for goodness sake, Lila. Stop that stammering." Hecuba shouted at her daughter.

Both Gabrielle and Lila were surprised at the tone of their mother's voice.

"I was with Eponin." Lila whispered.

"All day! What on earth could you have been doing that took …. " Hecuba didn't need to finish her sentence.

By the colour of her daughter's cheeks, she realised exactly what her daughter had been doing.

"Lila, how could you? I can understand Gabrielle lying with Xena because they're bonded, but you. I thought you had more sense than that." Her mother yelled.

The three other women couldn't believe the change that had come over Hecuba. Cyrene had thought that she had made progress with their talk. Obviously she was wrong. Gabrielle also thought that her mother was coming round to her way of life. Lila just burst into tears.

"I shared something with Eponin that was so incredibly special and you condemn me for it. Mother, I thought you were happy for me. Did you think this was just a passing phase like everything else? What did I do that was so wrong, Mother. Tell me!" Lila screamed at her mother.

"Lila. That's enough." Gabrielle grabbed her sister. "Maybe you'd better go back to your hut. Cyrene, could you please go with Lila? I'd like to talk to my mother." Gabrielle said in her best authoritative voice.

"Yes, Gabrielle, of course." Cyrene put her arm around the young woman trying to comfort her as they left Gabrielle and Hecuba to talk.

*******************
Xena, Eponin, Ephiny and Solari were heading back from the training field when one of the Royal Guards came running towards them.

"Regent Ephiny. Have you seen Joxer today?"

"No, I haven't since breakfast, why, what's wrong?" Ephiny was immediately concerned.

Xena spoke up. "Come to think of it, I've not seen him either." She turned to Eponin and Solari. "What about you two?"

Both Eponin and Solari shook their heads as well.

"Right then. Let's get moving. He's got to be here somewhere. Xena, can you find Gabrielle and bring her to the Council Hut?" Xena nodded and headed back to her hut to see if Gabrielle was still there. "Solari, round up four of the best trackers we have. Eponin, you find Lila, her mother and Cyrene. They may have some idea as to where he might be. See you all at the Council Hut as soon as possible."

The three Amazons all headed off in different directions, each one wondering what had happened to the loveable, bumbling Joxer.


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Continued in Part 5