XWP - Awakenings 3 - 07/16/2020

Amazon Bonding, An Awakening III

by Ms. Hunter Ash

ripperbard7@yahoo.com

frost29@post.com

Disclaimers:  Once again, let us recite the bard classic statement: I don’t own Xena, Gabrielle, Hercules, etc etc etc. This story is written for entertainment purposes, not for money, and no copyright infringement is intended. 

Subtext/Alt Fiction/Sex: Yup. This story contains a loving and sexual relationship between consenting adults of the same gender. Rating: R

Violence: Hmmm, very little. Probably even less than your usual TV episode.

Storyline: This is the third story in my Awakening set. As I said before, I didn’t intend on writing sequels but it worked out that way and who knows where these will end up. I hope that each story stands on it’s own but you might want to read "Discovery, An Awakening II" before this one.

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A candlemark later and Gabrielle was in clean clothes and sitting with Ephiny while she and several Amazon elders ran down a list of visiting delegates and small details about them.  After another candlemark the bard found herself rubbing her eyes and neck, lack of sleep and politics were giving her a headache.  She glanced over and saw Iolaus nodding off in the corner, almost about to fall off his stool.

She reached out and threw an unlit candle at him and tried to keep from laughing as he fell off the stool backwards, hit his head in the corner and slid down the wall.  The Kumbada looked up at his responsibility and grinned.

“Go on, get out of here.  Ephiny and I will be talking for a bit longer.” Gabrielle ordered and the man quickly scurried out of the hut, his escort right behind him.

Ephiny grinned along with her Queen and elders.  She had to admit that Hercules and Iolaus were good friends to the Queen and her Champion and Ephiny had to like them for that.

“Ephiny, remind our escorts that they should be like shadows, I want the delegates to be comfortable.  The more comfortable someone is the more they talk,” the bard grinned.

“Yes, my Queen,” Ephiny grinned back.  Over the seasons of being Queen, even an absent Queen, Gabrielle had impressed the life long Amazon.  At first Ephiny had resisted the small woman, she hadn’t been trained as an Amazon, she wasn’t Amazon royalty and here the outsider was her Queen.  Ephiny had come to respect Xena as a warrior and Gabrielle as an intelligent young woman who was up to the challenge of the office of Queen.  Ephiny pitted anyone who underestimated her Queen on any level.        

“Did Rome send a delegation?” Gabrielle asked, almost holding her breath.

“Yes, my Queen.  A squad of Praetorian guards, led by Brutus of Rome,” one of the elders answered.

“Thank the gods that Caesar didn’t decide to come,” Gabrielle breathed a sigh of relief.  Just the sight of a Roman uniform would probably send her warrior reaching for her weapons, the bard knew.

That was one point Gabrielle didn’t think she’d ever get Xena to let up on, the warrior’s hatred for Caesar.  The bard knew that the Roman had betrayed Xena’s trust, love (or was it lust) and had the warrior crucified and her legs broken on a cross.  Gabrielle knew that was something Xena wasn’t likely to get over until Caesar was dead and she knew the warrior was hoping it would be at her hand.

“Ephiny, have someone keep an eye on them. Xena’s not known for rational thinking when it comes to Romans.”

“Yes, my Queen,” The Regent called an attendant over and whispered to the young girl who was off out the door with a dash.

“I take it Xena doesn’t care for Caesar?” one of the elders asked with a smile.

“No, if Caesar were here we’d have to tie her to a bed to keep her from wringing his neck,” Gabrielle smiled back.

Xena had reluctantly separated from her mate for the first part of the morning.  All the warrior had to do for the morning was bathe and get dressed for the long day in front of them.  Gabrielle, on the other hand, had to bathe, get dressed and once again go over with Ephiny, and some of the Amazons versed in politics, which delegates were coming and little details about their dealings with the Amazons and with each other. 

Xena grinned, hopefully Ephiny would take pity on her little bard and have something brought in for the Amazon Queen to eat while studying the politics and politicians.  Xena felt the bruise at her neck and felt herself blushing remembering exactly how she had gotten that bruise that night and why the little bard had missed breakfast, a rarity, indeed.

Xena’s thoughts were abruptly shattered into stunned silence when a Roman stepped in front of her.  His Amazon guard on alert, watching his every movement.

“Brutus?” she whispered, hand instinctively reaching for her chakram.  The Roman held up his hands to show he was unarmed.

“Easy, Xena. I’m a guest here,” he smiled and pointed to his escort who also had her hand on her sword.  “They don’t let us have weapons here, remember?”

“I didn’t know who they were sending from Rome or if anyone would even come to the wedding,” Xena commented simply.  The Roman fell into step beside her and his escort behind them.

“I got the lucky duty. I’m here with a small Cohort of Praetorian Guards from Caesar,” he grinned at her expression and the darkening of her eyes.  “I see his name still gets a reaction out of you.”

“Caesar.....” the warrior began in a low growl.

“Pax, Xena.  I didn’t come to trade insults or threats about Caesar. I’m here to offer Rome’s official congratulations on the Amazon Queen’s wedding,” he continued as they entered the eating hut and followed her along the food table.  A quick look around told Xena that several delegates and their parties had arrived all ready and were sitting around, eating and eyeing each other.  The energy in the place was stifling.  Not actually wishing to leave Brutus, Xena led them to a table near some of her favorite Amazon warriors.

“Tell me, warrior.  Do you know the Queen?” Brutus asked as he bit into one of the celebration cakes being offered.

“Yes, I’ve known her for some time.  I’m good friends with a large number of this tribe,” Xena answered carefully and Brutus merely acknowledge with a nod.

“Why do they keep her identity a secret?”

Normally Xena would suspect that the Roman was trying to get information out of her but she knew that almost every delegate in the room would be asking that question sometime during the next few hours. 

“The Amazons adopted that policy awhile back.  Sometimes the Queen moves and travels outside the territory and it makes it easier and safer if no one knows who she is,” Xena answered, biting into her own food, careful to seem unconcerned about the questioning.

“But you know her,” Brutus observed.

“Brutus,” Xena warned, eyes flashing.

The Roman laughed.  “No, I’m not asking you to tell, warrior. Just baiting you. I personally hate these functions.  Everyone tripping over themselves to be noticed and out intrigue each other.  I hate politics.”

“I thought Rome was politics,” Xena smiled and the Roman shrugged.

“Comes with the territory,” he agreed.  He looked around and then back to the warrior.  “Where’s your friend, Gabrielle?”

“She’s around, why?”

“I’d like to see her,” Brutus shrugged when he noticed Xena’s questioning look.  “She’s nice and it’s not often we get to meet nice people, don’t you agree?”

Xena had to laugh at that in agreement.

“She’s so unusual,” he continued.  “She travels with you and yet she’s.... hmmm, what words to use?”

“She’s like the light of the sun compared to the darkness we live in?” Xena offered and was actually pleased when the Roman grinned.

“Exactly! Now don’t get pushed out of shape, warrior.  I know how protective you are of her, I mean no harm to her.”

“I think I believe you, Brutus,” Xena countered.  “Because if you did, you wouldn’t live long.”

“I know that. What is she up to?”

“She’s helping with the preparations.  Gabrielle was adopted into the tribe a couple of seasons ago.”

“Really?! The Amazons don’t take in adult females often,” he whistled.  “Tell me, do you know if the Amazon Queen is marrying a man or woman?” he changed the subject.

“Female.”

“Thought so, then it’s probably not a political marriage,” he nodded to himself.

“No politics involved at all,” Xena smiled.

“Good, that answers one of the questions that everyone coming today will have. You know how these damned petty tyrants get,” he complained, waving his hand around to indicate the majority of the room.  “Afraid that one might marry into a more powerful family, everyone has been buzzing about this all morning.  Since no outsiders know who the Queen is they have no idea who she’s marrying.  They’re all afraid that the wedding couple will come out and they’ll find one of their worst enemies is marrying into a very small but powerful nation.”

“Can’t they figure that out by noting who’s here and who isn’t?” she grinned.

“Nope, some have only sent delegates, others are here themselves, but not talking.  To them, it could be any of them. I’m the only one not in consideration!” he grinned.

“Why is that?”

“You know Caesar would never let me marry someone that powerful and you know damned well that he’d never marry an Amazon. You scare him enough, as it is.”

Xena’s eyes flashed again.  “Good, let’s keep it that way.”

Brutus laughed.  “He may be my friend but I have the feeling that you two will settle this one day and I don’t think I want to be around when you do.”

“Is Caesar anyone’s friend?” Xena countered.

Brutus lost his smile and held up his hand. “Xena, let’s not get into this, please. I was enjoying breakfast.”

Xena allowed her eyes to soften.  “You’re right, Brutus. Pax,” the warrior stood up to go and Brutus held up his hand again.

“Xena, you’re well known here.  Can you do something about this damned shadow of mine.  Gives me the creeps to have someone half a step away from plunging a dagger in my back and I’m unarmed.  I’m not here to hurt anyone,” Brutus complained.

“Sorry, Brutus,” Xena grinned, rising to her feet.  “Even Hercules gets an escort.”

“You don’t,” he grumbled.

“I’m female,” she grinned even wider.

“Why do I get the feeling that you’d be more of a danger to their, uh, feminine natures than I would?”

Xena felt a blush coming to her face and was considering throwing the Roman through the wall.  He grinned and then laughed.  “Nice bruise, warrior,” and he rose himself to take his dishes to the cleaning room.

Xena felt the blush complete itself and willed herself not to touch the bruise on her neck that she knew he was talking about.  Xena knew that it would be obvious to anyone seeing her that day how she had spent the night.  She found herself almost uttering a prayer that no one would figure out with whom she had spent the night with outside of the Amazons and her family. 

After another candlemark Gabrielle called a halt to the session.  She knew she had absorbed about all the information she could at that point.  Ephiny grinned as the elders left and pointed to a cot alongside one of the walls.

“Grab some rest, I’m going to find out what the delegates have been talking about and send you some food.  Seems my Queen missed breakfast this morning,” Ephiny teased.

Gabrielle smiled in return and rubbed her eyes, looking at the cot longingly.

“Go on, I’ll be back in half a candlemark, you can get some energy back before dressing for the ceremony.”

Gabrielle sank onto the cot with a sigh and was asleep instantly.

Xena suddenly felt tired.  When she was a Warlord she was accustomed to everyone around her being a threat and being threatened.  It came with the territory, as Brutus had said.  Trusting no one was the best advice anyone could give a Warlord.  Xena’s eyes narrowed in thought as she carried her dishes to the cleaning room.  She didn’t even notice the kitchen help thank her for carrying the dishes in. 

Xena remembered when she had trusted someone in those days.  She had ended up on a cross.  She especially remembered Caesar’s face and voice when he had ordered her legs broken and then left her to die.  It had taken years for her to trust anyone. 

Xena, still deep in her memories, walked across the common yard towards the bathing hut.  The first person she had ever really trusted after that was Gabrielle.  With a smile the warrior remembered how she had fought against that, too, and how she had fought against her feelings about the little bard.

“Xena!”

The warrior’s head came up at the voice and smiled when she saw Ephiny heading her way.  The Regent looked tired and hurried. 

“Glad I found you.  You were with Brutus, what did he ask?” Ephiny got right to the point.

“Basically, if I knew who the Queen was, who she was marrying and if I’d tell him,” Xena grinned.  “The other stuff was how terrific Gabrielle is and Caesar is his friend.”

Ephiny almost dropped her mouth open.  “He talked about Gabrielle and you let him live?”

“Must be getting soft,” Xena agreed with a smile. “Everyone is interested in the identity of the Queen, of course.  They’re also dying to know whom she is marrying.  Seems the delegates are all afraid it’s a political marriage and one of them might end up with more power than the others through marriage.”

Ephiny nodded.  “That’s what our escorts have been reporting.  We’ve caught two delegate members trying to give their escorts the slip and spy on the wedding hut.  Fortunately, they were caught and our Queen isn’t there right now.”

Xena noticed how they were both using the title and not the name of the Amazon Queen while in the open.  The warrior had the feeling that they would be doing that for the rest of the day.

Ephiny shook her head. “I’ll be glad when this part of it is over.  I hate having all these people here!” she growled.

“Especially the men?” Xena teased and Ephiny glared at her.

“What did you tell Brutus?”

“The truth.  I know who the Queen is and who she’s marrying, and that I wasn’t going to tell him.  I did tell him that it wasn’t a political marriage, it was to a female and no power was involved,” Xena answered, continuing along with Ephiny towards the bathing hut.

“Good, let’s hope they all figure that out soon enough. Go bathe and get dressed.  Stay close to the main huts and I’ll send for you when it’s time to get ready for the wedding ceremony and reception,” Ephiny started to move away.

“Ephiny, how in Hades are you going to keep the Queen’s identity a secret? She’s not exactly unknown to some of the delegates.”

“The wedding couple will both be in ceremonial clothing, masked and neither of them are going to say a word,” Ephiny grinned.

“The Queen not say a word? I want to see you pull that one off!”

Ephiny laughed and trotted away.

Xena found Hercules and Iolaus sparring with some of the Amazon warriors in the training yard and stopped to watch.  The warrior was pleased with the Amazons, they had actually worked up a sweat on the demi-god. Iolaus was breathing very hard and looked like he had been on the wrong end of several blows.

The smaller man spotted Xena and held up his hand to stop the session for himself.  With a warrior’s handshake to his sparring mates, he grinned and walked over to Xena, leaning against the fence, watching Hercules with her.

“Hey,” he said simply.

“Hey, how’s the Queen?”

“Got a headache, I think. She took mercy on me and let me out of that damned hut. We’re about to go clean up, it’s getting about time for the royal stuff.”

“Yup. You looked good out there,” she commented.

“Yeah, sitting on my tail, mostly,” he laughed.  “These warriors are good.”

“Yes, they are.  Let’s hope it stays peaceful today.”

“No sign of Ares, Caesar stayed home, might work out,” Iolaus grinned.

Xena spotted a runner signaling to her and quickly hugged the small man over the fence.  “Got to run, I think the Queen would like to see me.”

“See ya around the tables.”

Gabrielle became aware of the body next to her, lightly running a finger up her thigh and under her skirt.  The smell of leather was reassuring to the bard and she snuggled into the arm under her. 

A frown crossed the bard’s face just as a hand reached her sex.  Gabrielle opened her eyes.

“Ares!” without a thought she shoved the god right off the cot, dropping him on his tailbone next to the bed.  She quickly swung upright and, again without thinking, tackled the warrior, hitting him up each side of his head while he threw up his forearms to block her blows.  He finally grabbed her arms and threw her back onto the cot and stood up, holding up a warning hand to keep her sitting down.

“Hey, can’t blame a guy for trying!” he protested.

Gabrielle could feel that her face was an extreme shade of red.  “What do you want?!” she hissed, regretting that her staff was by the door, all the way across the room.

“Just a friendly discussion,” he smiled, holding up his hands in a gesture of peace.  Gabrielle’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“What do you want all ready?”

“What would make you happy?” Ares asked, sitting down on the edge of the table.

“What?” Gabrielle looked puzzled.

“What would it take to make you leave Xena?”

“Oh gods, you have got to be kidding! When will you ever give up?” she demanded.

“Never and I have a long life ahead of me. Why don’t you give up? You know the darkness in her is mine and that she’ll eventually go back to it.”

“Never! Why don’t you just leave before Hercules adds some more bruises?” Gabrielle snapped.

“Careful, or I’ll add some more to yours,” he hissed.

“Try it!” the bard tensed her muscles for a spring, not intending on being surprised again.  “Artemis is probably really pissed at you right now.”

“She’s always pissed at me. I’m not giving up, you know,” Gabrielle blinked, staring at where he had been.

“Oh gods, why can’t that god get a life other than us?” she muttered.

Within minutes, Xena found herself in her mate’s arms, losing herself and her surroundings totally.  The two finally broke apart when Ephiny coughed to get their attention.

“Sorry, you two, but you need to get dressed,” Xena grinned and noticed her bard blushing.  “Your families are already dressed and, to keep everyone safe, both mothers and Lila are in masks and Amazon clothing.  No outsiders will know they aren’t Amazons.  Solan is with Hercules and Iolaus and no outsider knows who or where he comes from.”

“Thank you, Ephiny,” Xena said simply.

“Get dressed and I’ll send an escort for you both.  Remember, Hercules and Iolaus will do the speaking for both of you.  Too many people know the two of you throughout Greece, and several kingdoms outside of that.  It wouldn’t be hard to figure out who the small blond and a tall dark haired warrior getting married are if they hear your voices or if you wear your traditional weapons.”

Xena reluctantly stepped out of her mates’ arms and loosened her chakram and handed it to Ephiny and then her sword.

“Brutus knows I’m here and I’m sure several other delegates also recognized me, won’t they miss me and put things together?” Xena asked.

“I’m going to have one my tall warriors dressed in your armor and your weapons with a mask and cloak on.  Hopefully, they’ll figure it’s you. We’ll keep her away from most everyone, especially the delegates.”

Xena frowned at the sight of her weapons moving away from her, but sighed and began tugging at her armor. 

“Let me do that, my warrior,” Gabrielle grinned, and began the familiar task of helping Xena out of her leather armor.  She reached up and kissed the back of the warrior’s neck, and probably would have kissed more and longer if Ephiny hadn’t growled.

Gabrielle hurried, with a blush that only matched Xena’s.

“You two!” Ephiny complained with a smile. 

Xena hated royal functions.  It was one thing that she had liked about being a Warlord. She could do away with all the fluff stuff and get right to business when she wanted to.  Now, she felt trapped, and she was sure that Gabrielle probably felt the same.

They had been brought in from opposite sides of the yard by armed escorts, knelt before Ephiny at the altar, and had suffered through the speech required of the Regent.  Ephiny had spoiled everyone’s suspense, by stating that the wedding couple’s identity would not be revealed to the outside world.  Xena had resisted jumping to her feet instinctively at the rumbling of the crowd.  Ephiny had insisted on silence, stating that the protection of their Queen was more important than anything else.

To help relieve the situation, Ephiny had stated that the marriage was a love bonding and not a political one.  Knowing that most of the delegates and royalty in the crowd probably wouldn’t know a loving relationship if it bit them, she emphasized that this was a wedding and not a political battleground. 

Most of the grumbling settled down when it was announced that the wedding couple would not be exchanging lands or political/royal offices.  They were told, the Queen’s mate, who was already her Chosen Champion, was becoming her Consort.  Ephiny explained that this role had privilege, but no political power, in the Amazon nation.

By this point Xena was getting quite tired of kneeling.  Her hand reached out and found Gabrielle’s hand seeking hers as well.  She leaned her head over onto the bard’s for a moment in reassurance.  She knew Gabrielle couldn’t see her attempt to smile because of the mask but trusted that her mate could feel the love pouring from her.  The bard squeezed her hand in return.

Xena had been impressed with their ceremonial clothing.  The feather and leather masks effectively covered the entire face, even the eyes were difficult to see and the feathers continued over the head and down the back, hiding even the hair.

Xena had been concerned about her height and noticeable black hair.  She was easily recognized, especially since a large number of the outsiders had seen her before.  She was a little more reassured when she knew that the only thing really noticeable about her was her height.  Even her manner of walk wasn’t totally unusual among the nation of warrior women.

Ephiny then turned to the couple and raised her hands over their heads.  The Shamaness approached and walked around the couple, carrying a bowl of smoldering incense and spread the smoke over them.  Then she sprinkled several drops of spring water over them.  Then she disappeared back into the trees.

Ephiny motioned the two Kumbadas forward and Hercules stepped next to Xena and Iolaus next to Gabrielle.  Together the men reached out and grabbed the crowns off the altar and placed them on the heads of the wedding couple and then exchanged them three times before leaving them.  Then the two men helped the women to their feet.

Both Xena and Gabrielle drew their ceremonial swords and handed them to their Kumbadas.  Hercules and Iolaus held the swords up to Ephiny and then turned to the crowd and held them aloft.

“These sword represent the power of the warrior and the spirit of our tribe members.  Together this couple have expressed the desire to enter into a bonding,” Ephiny spoke ritually.

Hercules stepped in front of Xena and knelt before Gabrielle, holding the sword aloft over his head in his hands and bowed his head.

“It is the wish of your Champion, Queen of the Amazons, to be wed to you and become your Consort.  She pledges her life, her heart, her soul and her love to you.  To symbolize this, she offers you her sword,” he spoke loudly.

The Queen leaned forward and took the sword from his hands and held it aloft, over her head.

“The Queen accepts this token of love, this pledge of loyalty, honor and trust,” Iolaus spoke and Gabrielle sheathed the sword at her own belt.  Hercules stood and moved back beside Xena. 

Iolaus stepped in front of Xena and repeated Hercules’ movement.  “Healer, Shaman and warrior, it is the wish of the Queen of the Amazons to become your mate and to take you as Consort.  She pledges her life, her heart, her soul and her love to you.  To symbolize this, she offers you her sword,” he also spoke loudly.

Xena leaned forward, took the sword from his hands, and held it aloft, over her head.

“The Consort accepts this token of love, this pledge of loyalty, honor and trust,” Hercules spoke and Xena sheathed the sword at her own belt.  Iolaus stood and moved back beside Gabrielle.

Xena again was impressed with Ephiny’s planning.  By using the titles of ‘healer’ and ‘shaman’ before her traditional one of ‘warrior,’ the Regent was hoping that it would be more difficult for the outsiders to identify the Warrior Princess.  Not many knew her roles in life as healer and shaman.

Xena found herself holding her breath for a moment when Ephiny invoked and sacrificed to the gods, wondering if they were going to make a second appearance.  She finally began breathing when it was apparent that they weren’t.  Gabrielle grabbed and squeezed the warrior’s hand again.  Xena grinned under the mask, knowing the bard was thinking the same thing.  The night before had been exciting enough with a large number of the Gods and Goddesses showing up to personally bless the marriage of the bard and warrior.  And then Ares had shown up later to protest the bonding.

Xena reflected that not many of them had slept much.

As Ephiny chanted her prayers Xena found her thoughts drifting to the night before.  Ares getting pounded into the trees by Hercules, Solan admitting he knew that Xena was his mother, and then the bliss of her lover’s arms.  It had been quite a night.

Finally the prayers were over and the couple held up their arms to show their bonding bracelets to the crowd.

“Last night, this couple was joined in a bonding ceremony of the Amazons and were blessed by the gods. Let it be known, that our Queen has taken a Consort.”

The Amazons let out a shout of celebration and the other members of the crowd began clapping.  Hercules and Iolaus escorted the two women to the wedding table, leading them around it three times and then sat on either side of the couple.  Solan had looked to Cyrene for an explanation of the table thing but she merely shrugged.

“Another three thing,” he whispered to himself.

For the next candlemark the couple shook hands with each delegate and their party members, accepting their congratulations.  Hercules and Iolaus voicing their acceptance.

Finally everyone was allowed to begin eating.  Then came the toasting and it seemed to the wedding couple that every single person, especially the delegates, had to get a toast in and didn’t want to be outdone by the others. 

Both Xena and Gabrielle were actually grateful after awhile for the masks, it hid their boredom, frustration, and finally their weariness.

After the toasting and the meal the wedding party was delighted when the Amazon drummers and singers took up the pace and a large number of Amazons leaped into the center of the yard and began dancing and leaping about.  Traditional Greek dances were also included and quite a number of the delegates joined in the celebration.  Then the area cleared and the wedding couple stood up, escorted by their Kumbada to the dance area.  The drummers took up a beat that was akin to a heartbeat and which both women found very erotic and inticing.  The Kumbada bowed and moved away from the couple as they began their courtship dance.

Xena wasn’t much for public dancing but she knew her little bard delighted in it.  The warrior found this dance different.  She wasn’t sure if it was wine she had been drinking, the sensual beat or the masks hiding their identities and lending an air of anonymity, but she was enjoying the dance.  Gabrielle was obviously enjoying it as well and Xena found herself totally flushed with a heat that began in her loins and quickly traveled throughout her body as the Queen moved in close to her mate, bodies almost touching and then moved away, moving to the beat.  Xena almost groaned in response.      

Xena found her body responding and matching Gabrielle’s moves until they moved as one, each dancing and teasing, drawing the other into the other’s space and world.  Gabrielle spun around and fell back, letting her lover’s arms wrap around her, catching her and protecting her.  Their bodies continued moving with the beat and Xena suddenly wished they didn’t have the masks on, she wanted to nuzzle Gabrielle’s reddish blond hair and nibble at her neck very badly right then.  By the way Gabrielle’s head arched back into her lover’s breasts, the warrior knew the Queen was wishing the same thing.  So did everyone else.

Xena resisted the urge to move her hands in either direction over the bard’s body but it was a challenge.  Then Gabrielle grabbed one of her hands and spun out of the warrior’s arms and then back into them, holding her lover close as the drums slowed to a stop.  The two women held each other for what seemed an eternity, each looking deep in the other’s eyes through the masks.

Cheers, howls and whistles from the Amazons and guests brought the couple back to reality and they bowed to everyone, acknowledging the end of the dance.

The crowd began filling the dance area again as the couple started moving back towards the feast table.  Several delegates and Amazons stopping them along the way to congratulate them again and wish them the best.  Xena grinned under the mask, somehow Gabrielle hadn’t spoken a word yet.

Xena was surprised when Gabrielle, still holding her hand, stopped before they reached the table.  Xena turned and suddenly wished she could see the bard’s face.  The smaller woman was standing near the table and Xena couldn’t see Gabrielle’s eyes because of the mask.  She was about to break her silence when Gabrielle crumbled to the ground.

Brutus, standing very near the couple, started to rush and bend over the fallen woman when a voice stopped him.

“Touch her and die,” the taller of the wedding couple threatened.

“Everyone stand still or die where you stand!” a shout went up over the beginning commotion.

Xena, bending next to Gabrielle, looked up and saw Ephiny standing on the feast table, sword in hand.  Xena glanced around and saw the area ringed with Amazon archers, each with arrow ready.

“Consort, your Queen to the healer’s hut!” Ephiny ordered as Xena gathered the small woman in her arms.  She quickly moved through the parting crowd with Hercules and Iolaus following, swords drawn.

Once in the healer’s hut Xena quickly tore her mask off and removed Gabrielle’s.  She hissed when she saw the bard’s face. 

Gabrielle was covered in sweat but was deadly pale and cool to the touch.  Xena’s face showed her terror as the healer entered the hut, followed by Ephiny.  Together the healer and warrior examined the unconscious Queen while the Regent looked on, a look of concern and fury on her face.

Gabrielle’s eyes fluttered open but seemed unfocused. “Xena?”

“I’m here, Gabrielle. Can you tell us what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. Everything started spinning and then went black. Everything’s fuzzy.” Gabrielle closed her eyes again.

“Gabrielle! Stay with me!” Xena begged, rubbing the bard’s hand.

Gabrielle opened her eyes again but was having trouble keeping them open.

The healer reached out and touched the warrior and motioned for Ephiny to move closer.  She held up the bard’s hand so they could both see a slight scratch across the back of the bard’s hand, red streaks beginning up the woman’s arm.

“Poison.” she announced simply.

“What kind? Can you tell?” Xena asked, turning back to find Gabrielle had closed her eyes again.

“No, not yet. Think, both of you, who had contact with her?”

“Oh Tartarus!” Ephiny cursed, “Everyone! They all shook your hands!”

“Ephiny, get back there and have everyone searched, there must be a needle in a glove or something.”

“Right. They won’t be happy and this might just cause a war but I’m going to find that son of a bacchae!” Ephiny was out the door in a flash.  Xena caught a glimpse of Hercules, Iolaus and several Amazon warriors standing outside the hut, weapons drawn.

The warrior wasn’t surprised when both families came barging into the hut.  Hercules closed the door behind them.

“Xena?” Hecuba pleaded as she knelt beside her daughter.

“We don’t know. We think she was poisoned.”

“No,” the mother whispered, stroking the bard’s forehead.

“Mom?” Gabrielle whispered and managed to open her eyes.

“I’m here, so is Lila.” Hecuba tried to smile.

“Xena,” Gabrielle attempted to sit up but the warrior held her back down.

“I’m here, my love.”

“Is the healer here?” Gabrielle whispered, trying to keep her eyes open.

“Yes,” the warrior answered.

“It’s beginning to hurt. It feels like my veins are on fire, spreading to every muscle.  The stomach is starting to hurt too,” the bard described.  Xena looked to the healer who shook her head.

“I don’t know yet.  We need to know what they used or if they have the antidote with them.”

Xena’s eyes narrowed.  “Hercules!” she called.

The demi-god opened the door.  “Find out if Ephiny has found anything.  Poison!”

He was gone without a word.

Xena cried out as Gabrielle’s body suddenly arched, pain racking her face.  Her fists grabbed the blanket under her and she whimpered with pain, biting down hard on her lip.  After a moment it passed and she collapsed back onto the cot.

“Warrior, something that attacks the nerves and muscles. I don’t have an antidote here.  You’re looking for something foreign to this region,” the healer told Xena.

“It’ll take time for everyone to be searched.  Hecuba, stay with her.  I’m going to see if I can find some answers.” Xena knew she didn’t have to instruct the mother to stay by her daughter.  Hecuba’s jaw took on that familiar stubbornness that Xena knew from her mate and the woman nodded. 

“Xena, your mask, your identity.” the healer pointed out.

Xena stopped and thought for a moment.  “Damn! As Xena I could probably terrify some answers out of someone but that might lead to more danger later.”

“The danger is now, Xena.” Hecuba said softly.

“Yes,” Xena agreed and stepped out of the hut without her mask on and trotted to the reception area.  On the way she spotted her double and quickly grabbed the Amazon.  “My weapons,” she instructed and the woman quickly surrendered them to the tall warrior.

Xena began strapping her sword on as she continued towards the delegates, surrounded by Amazons and being methodically searched by them before being allowed to return to the shade of the trees.

Xena ran up and joined Ephiny who took in Xena’s weapons and lack of mask quickly and then nodded in understanding.

Xena jumped up on the feast table and heard several gasps of recognition as the crowd took in her wedding clothes and her identity.

“Most of you know me. For those who haven’t seen me before, I’m Xena and I’m really pissed off.”  Everyone went quiet.  “My mate has been poisoned and I want the antidote and I want it now. My mate is also the Queen of the Amazons, so you also have them to deal with.  If you give up the antidote or the name of the poison now, you’ll have three hours head start before they come after you.  If not, then not even the gods will save you from me or them.” she said simply and waited.

Both she and Ephiny watched the crowd shift uneasily, each looking at each other but not wanting to meet each other’s eyes.  Xena’s eyes narrowed.  “Ephiny, start with the ones who would have the most to gain by a war with the Amazons and work from there.  Did anyone leave the area or the territory just after the wedding?”

“I’ll find out.” Ephiny promised and moved away.  Hercules caught up with Xena as she jumped down from the table. 

“So far nothing.” he said simply.

“How good are they searching?” Xena asked, watching the delegates try to move away from her.

Hercules grinned a grim smile. “Not even a gem smuggler could get past them.”

A runner approached the warrior and went to one knee.  “Consort, Regent Ephiny says that four members of the Roman party left immediately after the receiving.”

“Brutus!” Xena yelled loudly and everyone and everything went quiet.  The crowd parted and left the Roman and three of his men standing in the center of the yard.

Brutus raised his chin in defiance as the warrior and Hercules approached.  Xena saw Ephiny running from another direction towards them.  With a growl she lifted the Roman off his feet.

“What did you use?” she demanded.

“Not my doing, warrior!” he said through gritted teeth.

“Brutus, four of your men are on the run and the Queen is poisoned, what am I supposed to think?” the warrior dropped him and knocked his feet out from under him.  His three men started to move forward in a protective stance when they found several Amazon warriors had swords at their throats.  The men held still.

“Tell me, damnit!”

“I didn’t do it!” he insisted.

“Hercules, bring him! Amazons, hold them!” the Consort instructed and began moving quickly towards the Healer’s hut. 

Inside the hut Xena found her armor on a chair and Hecuba in a chair next to the bard.  The healer was mixing herbs in a mortar bowl.  She shook her head discouragingly.

Hercules dragged a reluctant Brutus through the door with Ephiny right behind them.  The Roman went pale when he saw the Queen of the Amazons on the cot, thrashing and sweating in pain. 

“Gabrielle?” he whispered.

“Yes,” Xena answered. “Now what poison did you use?”

“Xena, I swear to all the gods, I had nothing to do with this!” Hercules grabbed him by the collar and lifted the Roman off his feet again.  “You know I would never harm Gabrielle!”

“You didn’t know it was her when she was poisoned!” Xena shouted back.

“I do now and I still swear that I didn’t do it!”

“Who are the men that ran?” Xena demanded.

“They were personally assigned to me by Caesar.”

Xena’s eyes narrowed and began flashing.  “Caesar?”

“Yes, Xena, I swear I didn’t know!”

“Put him down, Hercules.” the demi-god obeyed, still holding onto the Roman’s collar.  “Do you have any idea what I am going to do to you if Gabrielle dies?” Xena whispered, coming in close to him.

“Xena, I didn’t know and I didn’t have a hand in this.” he pleaded.

“Which direction would they go?” she demanded.

“Not towards Rome. Caesar said something about Egypt to one of them.” Brutus answered.

“If you’re lying to me or if you’re wrong, I’ll turn you over to the Amazons.  Gabrielle is their Queen, do you think they’ll be gentle with you?” Xena promised.

“Xena, let me ride with you.  I can approach them and get the antidote or the name of the poison before you could.”

“No, you’ll slip away the first chance you get.” Xena shook her head and removed her tunic, turning her back to the Roman and grabbing her leather shift.  She quickly began putting on her familiar armor.

“No, I swear I won’t. I want to save Gabrielle, you know I do.”

“You’re also a Roman and Rome comes first.  Caesar has decided that the Queen of the Amazons would be a better ally if she’s dead.  You serve Caesar.”

“I serve Rome first and I don’t agree with this move. Let me help!”

“Xena, we must move!” Ephiny insisted.

“All right, but no weapons.”

Xena quickly went over to her mate’s side and fought back tears as the bard’s body once again arched in unbearable pain.  When she collapsed again on the cot the healer shook her head. 

“These herbs may slow it down but you must hurry, her body is being torn apart. She’s all ready lost all of her stomach contents and she can’t take much more of the pain.”

“Hecuba, I’ll most as fast as I can!” Xena promised, looking in the tear filled eyes of the mother and Lila.

“I know, Xena. I’ll pray.”