Frau Hunter Ash
(Aka Dana Cooper-Kjarr)
*Disclaimers
Ownership:
Repeat after me: I don’t own Xena, Gabrielle, etc. I’m borrowing them for entertainment
purposes, please don’t bother to sue me, you wouldn’t even get court costs.
Rating:
R to NC-17 for sex.
Violence:
very low actually, some fangs.
Subtext/Alt Fiction/Sex: the story assumes a loving and sexual relationship between people
of the same gender and of the opposite sex.
If this offends you or is illegal for you then please leave. Come back when you are older, have an open
mind, moved, or changed your laws.
Feedback: always
welcome and responded to!
Storyline: Gabrielle, Xena and family travel to the Black Forest Amazons to face the consequences from their trip to Egypt. The price could be high for an Amazon Queen who fails a blood oath with a Goddess pissed off as well.
The story can stand on its own but it is part of a
series and you might want to catch some of the earlier parts to know exactly
who is whom.
A Visit Home, an Awakening 1 * An Awakening, Discovery, 2 * Amazon Bonding, Awakening 3 * Healing, 4 * Trial of a Roman, 5 * Gladiator, Bard, Warrior, Mother; 6 * Reunited, 7 * Ides of March, 8 * Children of Gods, 9 * Even with Ares, 10 * Settling with Brutus, 11 * Darkness Awakening, 12 * Amazons North, 13 * Amazon Darkness, 14 * The Wild Hunt, 15 * Bard Scrolls, 16 * A God’s Twilight, 17 * Chakram, 18 * Death and Rain, 19 * Beowulf & Grendel, 20 * Night Stalkers, 21, * Blood Darkness, 22 * Aftermath, 23 * Here Comes Trouble, 24 * Northern Scrolls, 25 * Old Problems, 26 * Antony and Cleopatra, 27 * Love’s Return, 28 * Amazon Queen on Trial, 29 *
Part 1
Xena stepped out of the cabin and onto the porch. Hercules glanced back over his shoulder as he leaned against a post and smiled at his half-sister and housemate. Both of them looked out into the yard to watch Gabrielle tossing a ball back and forth to Asher in the green grass.
The warrior bard looked relaxed and peaceful as she played with their son, but Xena knew her wife was worried.
“Is she talking about it?” Hercules asked, as if reading Xena’s mind.
“No, ever since we got word four days ago about the Amazon All-Thing, she’s been quiet,” Xena commented.
“All-Thing. I see the Black Forest Amazons are adapting to the north,” Hercules muttered.
“Yup, an All-Thing,” Xena nodded. “It is a gathering of all the tribes and clans to decide major matters concerning the nation. I can't believe they're using this to put Gabrielle on trial.”
“I still can’t believe they’re willing to do this,” Hercules growled. “After all you’ve both done for them! She went to a cross for them!”
Xena closed her eyes as memories flashed across her mind of Gabrielle’s body being nailed to a t-bar cross in an exchange for her Amazons. Gabrielle died for her Amazons that day and in the end her tribe had still been attacked and almost wiped out by the Romans.
“I know, and the struggles to help them survive,” Xena muttered. “She has food and supplies sent to them every fall.”
“How can they even consider this?” he demanded, trying to keep his voice low.
“Artemis is pushing them into it, I think,” Xena said, leaning against him.
“Want me to talk to Dad?” he asked softly.
“No, he declared that the gods can’t mix in our affairs,” Xena reminded him. “I think Artemis is getting around that by dealing through the Amazons.”
Hercules frowned, obviously unhappy with the situation.
Gabrielle looked up and tried to smile at Xena and Hercules. The bard knew they were worried about her; so was she.
Xena walked down the steps to join her mate and son. Asher grinned and tossed the ball to his tall mom. The warrior mom laughed when she caught it and then hid it behind her back for a moment. He continued giggling when she tossed the ball back to him. Xena grinned at Asher and then sat down next to Gabrielle in the grass. The bard leaned her head on Xena’s shoulder.
“When do we leave?” Gabrielle asked softly as Asher amused himself with the ball, trying to balance it on a pinecone.
“I still say we don’t have to leave,” Xena growled.
“Xena, I’m the Queen of the Black Forest Amazons,” Gabrielle reminded the warrior unnecessarily. “If I don’t go, they’ll declare me guilty of treason and send out assassins.”
“We can handle assassins,” Xena grumbled.
“Our own family? My own sisters?” Gabrielle asked softly.
“No one touches you, damnit!” Xena grumbled. “I won’t let them hurt you.”
“I know, my love,” Gabrielle said wearily. “I didn’t know the risks when I accepted the caste that day but I knew them when I became Queen and fought Velasca to keep it.”
“It’s not right that they’re even doing this!” Xena protested.
“I know. We both know that Artemis is behind it,” Gabrielle said easily. “She’s still upset at me because I didn’t kill Antony.”
“What pisses me off is that she’s not mad because of the blood oath we both swore but because she couldn’t get to Cleo with Antony around,” Xena complained.
“Well, you and I know that’s the reason,” Gabrielle managed to smile slightly. “I’m not sure the Amazons will believe that their patron deity lost it for a human and became petty and jealous.”
“I don’t want you doing this, Gabrielle,” Xena growled.
“I know and I don’t particularly want to face a trial either but I’m going,” the bard said firmly. “You can stay here with Asher….”
“Don’t be ridiculous and don’t finish that sentence!” Xena warned. “I’m your Champion and your Chosen, they face both of us.”
“Then let’s get it over with,” Gabrielle said, ending the conversation.
Later that evening the housemates and child sat around the table after dinner. Iolaus was heating water to give Asher a bath, since the young child had decided that dinner was better suited as a clothing decoration rather than as food.
Gabrielle laughed as she wrestled the boy to the fur in front of the fireplace, both trying for tickle holds.
Iolaus grinned and grabbed Asher up as Hercules poured the water into a basin for Asher’s bath. Xena smiled and joined Gabrielle on the furs.
“Hey, Little One,” the warrior said softly, smiling gently as Gabrielle’s face softened. The bard welcomed Xena’s lips as the warrior wrapped her arms around Gabrielle.
After a few moments of gentle kisses, Gabrielle curled up in Xena’s arms by the fire.
“I remember you promising me something about my body and this fireplace,” Gabrielle teased.
“I remember, when everything went wrong with Antony and Cleo,” Xena whispered.
“Xena,” Gabrielle’s expression changed and Xena placed a finger on her bard’s lips.
“No, serious discussions. Tomorrow, not tonight,” Xena growled. “Asher is spending the night in Herc and Iolaus’ room; we've got the night to ourselves.”
Gabrielle smiled gently and pulled Xena down on top of her as she heard Hercules and Iolaus going down the hall with Asher.
Gabrielle grinned mischievously and surprised Xena by flipping the warrior over and ending up on top. The bard’s hands and lips became quickly insistent as they roamed over what skin she could find. Gabrielle began working at the laces of Xena’s tunic as Xena moaned and pulled Gabrielle’s vest off.
Xena brought a knee up between Gabrielle’s legs, adding some pressure to her mate’s sex, and easing the arousal tension she knew her bard was feeling. Gabrielle moaned and attacked Xena’s mouth with her lips, asking and receiving a welcome to match tongue for tongue with Xena.
The kiss was only broken by the need to breathe as Gabrielle laid her forehead on Xena’s shoulder.
“Gods, Xena,” she muttered, breathing heavily. “Even after all these years, just touching you drives me insane, in moments.”
“I’ll second that,” Xena whispered, pulling at Gabrielle’s belt impatiently. “I want to take all night with you, Gabrielle. To be gentle and explore all of your body with my tongue and fingers, to slowly taste all of you and feel you squirming under me.”
Gabrielle closed her eyes and moaned, her hands tightening unconsciously in Xena’s hair and the fur under them.
“But right now, I want you!” Xena growled, becoming forceful.
“Yes!” Gabrielle agreed, pulling Xena’s tunic off over the warrior's head.
The rest of the clothes were shed without any particular order except what was close at hand.
Gabrielle found herself sitting in Xena’s lap, facing the warrior, as they continued kissing passionately. The bard gasped when she felt Xena’s finger trailing down from her breasts and past her stomach, ending between Gabrielle’s legs. Xena moaned at how wet her mate was for her and bent her head slightly to take one of Gabrielle's nipples into her mouth.
“Oh gods,” Gabrielle moaned, placing her hands on Xena’s shoulders for support as her warrior entered her with two fingers, only to pull out and tease the bard’s clit lightly and then enter her again. “Xena!”
“Yes, lover?” Xena whispered, her voice husky with the warrior’s own arousal.
“Oh gods,” the bard muttered again as Xena’s lips moved to her other breast and a hand switched to the other breast. Yes, the warrior had many skills and that included using both hands almost equally well.
Gabrielle moaned and bit her lip as Xena’s attention to her breasts and sexual lips became a blur and the bard could no longer tell which hand was where until Xena lightly nipped a breast and then the nipple. Gabrielle felt her body jerk in response and cried out as Xena entered her again with three fingers at the same time.
“Xena!” Gabrielle cried as her body tried to match the rhythm her warrior was beginning to set with her fingers. The bard pulled Xena’s head up for an almost desperate kiss, joining them together. Then Gabrielle had to break the kiss to cry out again from the sensations. She gripped Xena’s shoulders as her head snapped back from the sheer force of her orgasm.
Xena increased her thrusts into her bard and added her thumb to caress Gabrielle’s clit. The bard bit her lip to keep from screaming. Xena, her eyelids heavy, adored the sight of her mate in the throes of passion. The warrior still couldn’t believe after all their years together that she was able to bring that look to Gabrielle’s face and body.
Xena felt Gabrielle’s muscles contracting as she almost bucked off Xena’s lap. The warrior gave up teasing Gabrielle’s breasts with one hand and wrapped the arm around her mate, holding Gabrielle in her lap. Xena bent her head slightly and bit Gabrielle’s nipple as she thrust, feeling Gabrielle’s body stiffen and shake with orgasm.
Xena smiled as Gabrielle collapsed against her shoulder, letting the bard regain her energy. The warrior planned for a long night with her mate.
Suddenly a long wail brought both mother’s heads up. Xena chuckled softly as Gabrielle sighed.
“Sounds like someone doesn’t want to go to bed,” Xena commented.
“That makes one of us in the house,” Gabrielle muttered, nuzzling Xena’s neck.
“Herc’s been a dad, he’ll handle Asher,” Xena added, biting down on Gabrielle’s neck in response.
Another long wail of frustration was as effective as throwing ice in the middle of the two women.
“Who goes this time?” Gabrielle muttered, reaching for her tunic.
“You're on top, but I'll go," Xena teased as they tried to disengage themselves from each other. Gabrielle smiled and leaned over Xena for another long kiss.
“Were you ever this difficult?” Gabrielle grinned as Xena reached for her trousers.
“Oh yeah,” Xena nodded. “Mom says I never wanted to sleep, it was always a battle with me. Lycius was different, he wanted to get to sleep to get it over with.”
“Hurry back,” Gabrielle urged.
* * *
The bard was dozing when Xena finally returned and curled up on the furs next to her mate. The warrior smiled as she watched Gabrielle sleeping. Asher was much like both his mothers, Xena reflected. He was better coordinated than most children his age and had Gabrielle’s unrelenting curiosity. Added on top of that was blue green eyes and hair color that couldn’t decide between blonde and dark brown from season to season.
The shock of blonde hair he had been born with was slowly giving way to a deep dark brown but it was too early to tell which parent he was going to take after in height.
Xena thought Asher looked very much like Gabrielle when he was sleeping and would have been surprised to find that Gabrielle thought the same thing about Asher and Xena.
Gabrielle smiled at Xena’s expression as the warrior gently stroked the bard’s cheek.
“I love you too,” she mumbled. “How’s Asher?”
“Teething,” Xena announced. “Another tooth is trying to come through.”
“Add that to his attempting to walk and the bruises on the outside,” Gabrielle smiled.
“Well, he has been moving along holding onto things rather well,” Xena said proudly.
“Yeah, as long as the object wasn’t trying to move as well, like Saminus,” Gabrielle giggled.
The four parents had tried not to laugh at Asher over that one but finally failed. Asher had thought grabbing the large herding dog, Saminus, by the tail was the perfect solution for the awkward time between crawling and learning to stand up and walk. Unfortunately, Saminus hadn’t thought it was the perfect solution and had first tried to get away from Asher.
Uncommon in toddlers, Asher had a pretty good grip. The young boy ended up getting dragged around the table as both dog and child howled. It wasn’t a candle-mark later when Asher tried it again, trying to sneak up on the dog and grabbing two handfuls of fur at Saminus’ neck. The dog, having learned the first time, simply laid down and refused to move, no matter how hard Asher tried to push or urge the dog into moving.
Xena laughed and pulled Gabrielle into her arms.
“He’s going to be walking very soon, he’s already standing on his own when we’re not looking,” she predicted.
“I’m not leaving him behind, Xena,” Gabrielle said softly and firmly.
“I know, I couldn’t do that again,” Xena agreed. “That whole mess with Antony and Cleo was a major mistake. Why in Tartarus do we keep making them lately?”
“Maybe we’re on the wrong path?” Gabrielle suggested.
“What do you mean? We’ve been going along as usual, saving the world, the Amazons and anyone else along the way,” Xena asked.
“Maybe that’s the problem,” Gabrielle mumbled. “Maybe we’re supposed to be parents for awhile and leave the world-saving to the next generation and warriors like Hallvor.”
Xena frowned as Gabrielle drifted into sleep again.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Xena barely got her body curled protectively around Gabrielle and her own stomach protected the next morning when a shout from Asher warned her of his approach.
Gabrielle giggled along with their son as he clambered over them, encouraging them to wake up and pay attention to him. Xena glanced up and saw Hercules and Iolaus smiling at them as the two headed to bank up the fire and start breakfast.
“Good morning,” Herc greeted.
“Hey, Herc,” Gabrielle smiled. Even with the upcoming drama, being with Asher could always make her smile. “Hey, Ash, want some milk?”
Suddenly the boy’s mood changed as fast as lightning and he frowned at his moms. “No!” he said firmly and crossed his arms in defiance. “Ale.”
“Ale?” Xena questioned, “Where in Tartarus did he pick that up?”
“Iolaus is getting ready to keg his winter mead and has been talking about brewing a batch of ale as soon as the weather is warmer,” Gabrielle explained.
“Well, kiddo,” Xena grinned at her stubborn son, “Ale is for adults and idiots. Moms and little boys get milk for breakfast.”
“No!” Asher snapped.
“Terrific, his favorite word lately,” Xena muttered.
“And he can say it in Latin, Greek, German and Finnish,” Gabrielle grinned.
“I’m surprised you haven’t thrown the three Celtic dialects in there,” Xena complained.
Gabrielle laughed and pulled Asher into her arms as she got to her feet. The boy’s mood softened as magically as it had changed and he was laughing, playing with her necklace.
“What do you want to wear today?” she was asking as they disappeared down the hall.
Xena noticed Hercules and Iolaus smiling as they set about the morning chores.
“I’ll go for firewood,” she offered and grabbed her boots by the door. “Gotta feed the livestock too.”
“I’ll join you,” Hercules offered and reached for his coat, already having put his boots on.
The two half-siblings made quick work of the morning duties of feeding the livestock, drawing water from the well and gathering an armload of firewood into Hercules’ arms.
Another two trips and enough firewood was stacking up inside for a couple of days worth of cooking and keeping the small cabin warm.
Xena stood on the porch and looked around at their land as Hercules dropped the last armload of wood and began stacking the wood next to the door.
“You’re not leaving Asher behind this time, are you?” he asked easily.
“No,” Xena said. “I don’t know how we could have taken him with us to Egypt but leaving him behind was a mistake. I know Gabrielle never said anything and neither did I but it drove us both absolutely crazy to be away from him.”
“Well that whole trip was a mistake,” Hercules agreed.
“I know and we’re still paying for it,” Xena complained, rubbing her hands over her arms. It was barely spring in the north and snow still dotted the shadowed places around their land and there were ice chunks in the river at night.
“An All-Thing is usually held in high summer, why are the Amazons rushing this?” Hercules asked.
“I think they’re trying to keep the numbers from the north down,” Xena ventured. “The Black Forest Amazons know that Gabrielle and I are especially well thought of up there. I just wish this wasn’t happening.”
“I know,” Hercules said softly, walking up behind Xena and placing his hands on her shoulder, letting her relax against him, letting some of the tension fade. “Iolaus and I are going with you.”
“No men on Amazon land, remember?”
“We were accepted as your Kumbadas, best males and god-parents to your children,” Hercules reminded her. “We are family and I am the son of a Greek God, they will hear us on this.”
Xena grinned at his stubborn tone and merely nodded.
“You know the Amazons better than I do,” he continued. “Why are they doing this and what could happen?”
“Let’s continue this inside, okay?” Xena suggested.
Once in the cabin, Xena and Hercules found Iolaus setting the morning food on the table and Gabrielle convincing Asher to hand over his latest find, a mouse that he had lured out of a corner with breadcrumbs and was now holding by the tail.
Xena and Hercules bit their lips to keep from laughing as Gabrielle debated with a toddler that was 15 months old.
Gabrielle finally won the round by offering Asher one of his favorite toys in trade for the mouse and Xena and Hercules were finally able to laugh aloud.
“Careful, warrior,” Gabrielle growled as she headed to the door with the mouse. “I’ll slip this into your nightshift.”
Xena could only laugh harder.
After breakfast the adults gathered around the table once the dishes were cleared and Asher was amusing himself by the fireplace with a piece of charcoal and a flat piece of flagstone.
“Hercules was asking me several questions,” Xena began the serious conversation. “One, he asked whether we were leaving Asher behind this time and I told him we weren’t.”
“Nope, not this time,” Gabrielle agreed.
“Second, why are the Amazons doing this?” Xena said, throwing it out there for her mate.
“When Brutus and Marc Antony attacked the Black Forest Amazons and slaughtered them, Xena and I swore a blood oath of vengeance,” Gabrielle reminded the two men.
“I remember, we found them after the attack,” Hercules said softly.
“Eponi came after me a few years later, blaming me for the attack,” Gabrielle continued. “Brutus told her that I betrayed the Amazons to save Xena from the Romans. We settled that and I told her of the blood oath against Brutus and Antony.”
“The Amazons know that we settled with Brutus and that I was there when he died a violent death,” Xena continued for her mate. “They’ve been waiting for us to move against Antony. Pony was driven nearly insane after the attack and I’m not sure ever totally recovered. She watched Ephiny, Solari and the others tortured and crucified and hid under the bodies of her sisters to escape detection.”
“Oh Gods,” Iolaus muttered, glancing over to make sure Asher was still amused and not listening closely.
“You know the rest,” Gabrielle said calmly. “Artemis showed up and demanded we take care of Antony once and for all and zapped us to Egypt to do it.”
“What went wrong in Egypt?” Iolaus asked.
“What went right?” Xena countered bitterly. “We were in an impossible situation. We liked Cleopatra and didn’t want to hurt her and we were supposed to arrange for Antony’s death at the same time. Gabrielle and I observed things and determined that Octavian is the best choice for the Empire and Antony would be a disaster.”
“We still couldn’t kill him without killing Cleopatra,” Gabrielle added. “She loves him so much that she won’t live without him.”
“So you walked away,” Hercules guessed.
“Not quite,” Xena growled, her face darkening. “Gabrielle tried to get us out of there and told Artemis that we couldn’t do it. Artemis attacked Gabrielle and almost killed her.”
“Oh gods,” Iolaus muttered.
“We got Gabrielle out of there with the plans for the upcoming battle at Actium,” Xena continued. “She went to Octavian and I stayed with Antony and Cleo. I convinced Cleo that Antony wasn’t loyal to her and she turned against him during the battle, ensuring Octavian’s eventual victory.”
“Then she went and took Antony back!” Gabrielle complained. “I sent word to the Black Forest Amazons that I would return in spring and renounce my rank of Queen to the tribe. You know the rest.”
“They sent word back that it wouldn’t be enough to renounce your position,” Hercules grumbled.
“Exactly,” Gabrielle nodded. “We’re pretty sure that Artemis has told them her own version of what happened and turned them against me.”
Hercules and Iolaus frowned as they held hands across the table. Iolaus nodded to his mate.
“We’re going with you,” Hercules announced. “We were recognized by your tribe as your Kumbada and your family. They have to at least give us a say in this.”
Gabrielle frowned as she thought about it.
“What about the farm?” she asked.
“Ketli is due back any day now from gathering the wild sheep and cattle with the clan and the ships don’t plan on sailing for another two moons,” Iolaus explained. “He’ll watch the place with a couple of his cousins from Eddval’s clan.”
“I don’t know if they’ll let you in but I’d like you there,” the bard admitted and tried to smile.
“Okay, another question Hercules asked was what can we expect?” Xena continued. “It’ll probably be a combination of a traditional northern All-Thing and Amazon law, I’m guessing.”
Gabrielle nodded, “They have been trying to adapt the northern with their own Greek Amazon heritage. I did a lot of reading when I took over the Queen title and have an idea of what to expect. I’m not sure what mix of Viking they might throw in though.”
The bard hesitated as she gathered her thoughts.
“When we hit Amazon land, I’ll probably be arrested,” Gabrielle reached across the table and grabbed Xena’s hands when the warrior growled her displeasure at that thought. “I’m facing charges of treason, Xena. They’ll likely take my weapons and may even shackle me.”
Hercules and Iolaus were looking unhappy and weren’t surprised that Xena’s blue eyes were flashing with intense anger at the thought of Gabrielle’s own Amazons doing that to her.
“They may or may not let Hercules and Iolaus follow us onto Amazon land and they might demand Xena’s weapons as well,” Gabrielle continued, glancing over to find Asher putting his charcoal down and looking around, his blue-green eyes eagerly seeking new entertainment.
Iolaus jumped up and quickly gathered the boy into his arm, swinging Asher around playfully as the toddler laughed hysterically in delight. Both Moms watched for a moment as Iolaus sat Asher down and they began to rummage through the boy’s toy box for the next item of the day.
“They’ll call a gathering of the Queens or Representatives from all the tribes of the Nation,” Gabrielle continued. “Then they’ll hear evidence and pleas and announce their decision – usually after a day or more of debating. Then we’ll know.”
“What could their decision be?” Hercules asked.
“Well, I’m hoping for acquittal,” Gabrielle quipped and caught Xena’s smirk at Gabrielle’s attempt at lightening the mood. “Actually, I expect to be found guilty since I did fail to kill Antony and failed my blood oath to the memory of my Amazon sisters.”
“Oh gods,” Hercules said, rubbing his hand over his face and beard. “Vengeance never gets us anywhere.”
“That’s something I’m not sure mankind will ever figure out,” Xena commented.
“What could be the punishments?” Hercules asked, knowing that Iolaus was listening closely as he played with the boy.
“Uh, well,” Gabrielle hesitated and heard Xena growling in growing concern. “Death is most likely for breaking such an oath, especially for a Queen,” she said softly.
“Only through me!” Xena promised angrily.
Gabrielle squeezed Xena’s hands. “I know, my love, I know. They’ll be expecting that as my Champion and Consort.”
“How?” Hercules pressed the question.
“Some punishments include: maiming, banishment from the parent tribe, blinding, banishment with no contact with any other Amazon,” Gabrielle explained, almost reciting from memory from the ancient scrolls. “I would be a non-person to all Amazons.”
Xena flinched as Gabrielle’s eyes filled with tears. The warrior knew that Gabrielle had no idea what she was doing the day the bard accepted the “right of caste” from a dying Amazon Princess and Xena had figured it had just been an adventure to Gabrielle. The bard had surprised her though, by accepting the Amazon way of life and all it encompassed and it had gone beyond “playing” at being an Amazon. Somewhere along the line, Gabrielle had become a true Amazon and Queen.
Xena knew that she could live with having Amazons ignore her and refusing to talk or deal with her but the warrior also knew that it would be very painful for Gabrielle. Then Xena thought about it further; could she live knowing that Yakut, Otere and the others of the Northern Amazons couldn’t talk to them either? Xena wasn’t amused with that thought.
“A death sentence could be several ways: poison, shot by arrows, stoned to death, running a gauntlet, being sacrificed on an altar to Artemis or even a blood hunt,” Gabrielle finished.
“Blood hunt?” Hercules questioned.
“A pack of hunters is chosen and the hunted is given a dagger and one candle-mark head start,” Gabrielle explained. “Sometimes the rules are if the hunted gets off Amazon land then they’re declared safe and banished. No one’s ever made it off Amazon land during a hunt.”
“Gabrielle, as your Champion, how much of a role do I get in this?” Xena demanded. “You know there’s no one on earth who could best me in a hunt.”
“I know, my love,” Gabrielle tried to smile. “I doubt even 50 Amazon hunters could take you down. I truly don’t know. Unlike a Challenge, you can’t stand for me in punishment. Whatever they decide, that’s what I have to face.”
“What about challenging Eponi to Queenship?” Xena asked.
“I’m already the Queen and under trial,” Gabrielle muttered. “You can’t challenge her because you’re not an Amazon, not even as my Champion.”
“They are not going to kill you!” Xena repeated.
“We’ll figure a way out of it,” Gabrielle said, trying to reassure her mate and best friends.
Xena continued to look very unhappy.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Traveling with Asher proved to more of a challenge than Gabrielle had faced before. Xena had a little more hands on experience with Sasha but even the warrior admitted that Asher was a handful.
Between his mood swings, curious pointing at everything, and demanding to stay with his normal schedule of feeding and naps, just a few days on the road with the small boy had worn out the family.
The other side of the coin was watching his face light up with delight at new animals coming into sight, new noises sounding in the forests, and as he watched the river rolling by them with fascination. Both Gabrielle and Xena were grateful that he didn’t seem to be afraid of anything: loud noises, the dark, animals; nothing seemed to faze the boy. On the other hand, they were always on guard with him. Having no real sense of fear, they knew he could get in over his head faster than one of Zeus’ lightning bolts.
Xena woke up on the fourth night to find Asher asleep next to her but the spot beyond that empty. She looked around and found Gabrielle sitting by the fire, staring at the flames. The warrior wrapped the furs around Asher and wrapped one around her shoulders as she got up and sat down next to her mate.
“Can’t sleep?”
“No, tomorrow we hit Amazon land,” Gabrielle answered.
“I know,” Xena acknowledged her mate’s nervousness.
“Gabrielle, no matter what happens, we are leaving here to raise our son and spend as much time with Sasha as we can,” Xena promised. “Even if we have to travel all the way to Chin, I am not going to let them harm you.”
“Xena, you know that we may not have a choice,” Gabrielle said wearily. “I accepted all aspects of being an Amazon, even the bad stuff and the responsibilities.”
“I didn’t agree to you being killed, especially not for being unable to kill,” Xena growled.
“I know,” Gabrielle smiled, leaning into Xena’s shoulder.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Xena let Gabrielle take the lead as they got closer to Amazon land and the small group slowed to walking their horses.
Gabrielle stopped her horse and dismounted. She glanced back at Xena for a moment and then moved forward slowly, crossing the invisible marker and raising her hands in the sign of peace among the Amazons. Xena kept one arm wrapped around Asher as she moved her horse forward; raising her hand as well. Hercules and Iolaus, followed their examples.
Almost instantly the area was filled with Amazon guards and scouts, all with weapons drawn.
An Amazon dropped out of the trees, using a rope and slowly walked up to Gabrielle and stood looking at the Queen through a leather and fur mask.
“Eponi,” Gabrielle said calmly, recognizing the Amazon, despite the mask.
Eponi removed the mask and stared at the smaller Amazon. Without warning she backhanded Gabrielle with a short Amazon club, sending the bard flying back into Iolaus’ arm.
Hercules grabbed Xena by the upper arms as the warrior growled.
Gabrielle shook her head as Iolaus helped the bard stand up.
“Gabrielle of the Black Forest Amazons, you are charged with treason,” Eponi said formally.
“She is the Queen of the Black Forest Amazons,” Xena growled, “You’ll treat her with respect until she’s convicted of anything!”
Eponi snarled and raised her club but one of the other Amazons stepped forward and whispered in Pony’s ear. The Regent finally nodded and stepped back.
Gabrielle shook her head again and pulled her sword out slowly and laid it at her feet. She then pulled her sais out and handed them to Hercules and stepped forward to face Pony again.
“What next?” she asked calmly, ignoring her bloody nose.
“Your Consort and Hallvor are right, you are still a Queen,” Eponi snarled. “I over-stepped my bounds. You, your Consort and child will be placed in the Queen’s hut. The males will be cleansed and allowed to enter later today. We expect all the Representatives or Queens from the other tribes to arrive by tomorrow.”
“Alright,” Gabrielle said calmly. “Do you require shackles or a guard?”
Pony’s eyes flashed with anger and she stepped forward a step. Gabrielle’s green eyes were just as hardened and challenging.
Hallvor placed a hand on the Regent’s shoulder, restraining her lover. After a moment Pony calmed down.
“You have come willingly and have surrendered your weapons without demand,” Pony said, again sounding formal. “I don’t think a guard will be necessary.”
“Thank you, Regent,” Gabrielle responded, intentionally using Eponi’s title and then shook her head, mentally scolding herself. “I’m sorry, Eponi. We’re all a little tense. There’s no need to physically or verbally be at each other’s throats.”
Pony frowned at Gabrielle’s attempt to defuse the situation.
“I’ll agree to be civil, Queen Gabrielle,” Eponi responded. “Understand that I am the one who brought the charges against you and demanded a trial.”
“I knew it was you,” Gabrielle nodded. “Doesn’t change anything with me, Pony.”
Eponi looked confused as she turned away from the small group.
Hallvor stepped forward. “Queen Gabrielle,” the Viking tried to smile. “I wish you had stayed home.”
Gabrielle smiled at her friend. “I couldn’t do that any more than you could.”
“I know,” Hallvor smiled and motioned the guards and scouts to keep an eye on Hercules and Iolaus. “Sorry, guys, but you know the rules concerning men.”
“We understand,” Iolaus nodded.
“Xena keeps my weapons,” Gabrielle said firmly.
“Of course, my Queen,” Hallvor nodded as Hercules handed Gabrielle’s sais over to Xena. “Asher? By the gods, he’s grown in the last four moons!”
Xena grinned as she and Gabrielle walked along with Hallvor. They both noticed the Viking limping more than usual.
“He has, he’s almost walking by himself and getting into everything,” Xena smiled.
“How is it going with Eponi and you?” Gabrielle asked the Viking Amazon.
“Not so good,” Hallvor admitted. “We’ve been fighting over this decision, so has all the tribe. Those who know you aren’t in favor of this, Gabrielle.”
“How many are?” Xena asked slowly.
“Enough to make it work,” Hallvor complained. “Pony and I haven’t seen eye to eye on this for weeks. I moved out and I’m staying in a single cabin with several sisters.”
“Hall, don’t let this tear you two apart,” Gabrielle pleaded with her Amazon sister.
“It’s not just that, we’re also having problems - in general,” Hallvor shrugged, attempting to dismiss it but Xena could tell by the Viking’s body language that her old friend was hurting; physically and emotionally.
They continued filling Hallvor in on what had happened over the winter at the farm, especially the exploits of the mighty Asher.
Xena was impressed with her bard as they walked into the Amazon village. Word had preceded them and everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the entrance of their accused Queen.
Gabrielle held her head up and didn’t let any emotion show as Hallvor escorted them to the Queen’s Hut.
It wasn’t until they were inside the wooden cabin that Gabrielle’s shoulders sagged and Xena sat Asher down and took Gabrielle into her arms.
"Oh gods, that was harder than I thought it would be," Gabrielle whispered as Xena gently held and rocked her, comforting her mate.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gabrielle noticed that out of respect, the Queen’s chair was left empty as she took her place at one table and Eponi stood at another as they both faced a row of tables of Queens and Representatives.
The Queen’s seat sat on a platform behind the row of the Queen’s Council.
Xena stood behind Gabrielle as her Champion and Consort. Hallvor stood just behind Eponi.
Gabrielle and Eponi sat down and listened as each Queen and Representatives were introduced, one by one. They numbered twenty in all, including Otere from the Northern Siberian Amazons. Xena spotted Yakut among the crowd and a couple of other Northern Amazons as well and nodded. Yakut wiggled her eyebrows and Xena resisted smiling, maintaining her serious poise as Champion.
Xena knew they wouldn’t get a chance to talk with Otere now that the trial had started but she hoped they would be able to see Yakut and the other friendly faces.
Hallvor stepped forward.
“Before you is Gabrielle, Queen of the Black Forest Amazons,” Hallvor said, addressing the Council. “She was the Queen of the mid-land Greek Amazons until they were attacked and taken prisoner by the Roman, Caesar. Gabrielle moved what remained of the tribe to the Black Forest. Again we were attacked by the Romans and what remains is what we have rebuilt. Queen Gabrielle swore a blood oath of personal vengeance against the two Romans responsible for the second attack, Brutus and Marc Antony. Queen Gabrielle is accused of failing to fulfill that oath when she had the chance and went against the expressed wishes of Artemis, our patron goddess.”
Xena rested a hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder in support.
“Behind Queen Gabrielle is her Champion among the Amazons and in life, Xena,” Hallvor continued. “She is also the Queen’s Consort and accepted as an Amazon in that regard.”
Hallvor pointed towards Eponi. “This is Regent Eponi of the Black Forest Amazons, chosen by Gabrielle as Regent and acting Queen while Gabrielle is away. I am Hallvor, mate to Eponi and Law Speaker for the tribe.”
“Law Speaker?” Xena whispered and Gabrielle shrugged. The Viking continued to surprise them every time they saw her.
“Who brings these charges against your Queen?” one of the Council asked, a woman with fiery red hair and Celtic knotwork of silver adorning her leathers.
“I do,” Eponi said firmly, standing up. “Of my own desires and of the wishes of our patron Goddess, Artemis.”
Gabrielle resisted the urge to jump out of her chair or squeak as a flash of light blinded everyone. A moment later Artemis was standing next to Eponi and the Regent didn’t appear surprised to see the goddess, even if Hallvor fell backwards, landing hard on her rump.
The spectators erupted in shouts, confusion and mumblings. The Council muttered among themselves, as well.
Otere, having met Artemis before, stood up and bowed her head respectfully but Xena noted that the Northern Amazon wasn’t smiling at the sight of the goddess.
“Quiet!” Otere shouted in the agreed upon Germanic. “This is Artemis, known among the Romans as Diana, Goddess of the Hunt and of the Amazons of the south.”
“Not among the Northern or others?” Artemis demanded, her eyes flashing with anger and amusement.
“I speak only for my tribe, you have visited us to help Gabrielle and Xena,” Otere responded slowly. “Gabrielle being your Chosen. Your Greek gods are weak outside of their worship. You are stronger than most but still weak. We have our gods and goddesses and they are strong in our lands.”
Artemis nodded, apparently satisfied with Otere’s answer.
“What do you wish with this Council?” another Queen asked, this one from the high Carpathian mountains.
“I wish to observe and to speak on this matter,” Artemis growled. “Gabrielle was my Chosen for many years and she has betrayed me and the Amazon Nation.”
“I wasn’t aware we had heard the charges or heard Queen Gabrielle’s response,” Otere commented.
Artemis looked as if she was about to lash out at the Northern Queen but nodded after a moment.
“I wish to observe and be heard on this matter,” Artemis amended her statement.
Otere glanced at the other Council members and they nodded.
“You may,” Otere said for the Council and motioned for Artemis to take a seat. The goddess was angered but sat down without a word.
Gabrielle was suddenly very tired and felt Xena squeeze her shoulder again. The bard tried to use the shields she had learned during her spirit travels to block the energy raging around her. The tension was so thick it was almost choking her. Her empathetic abilities were driving her crazy and Gabrielle knew it was just beginning.
“The charges?” the Celtic Queen, Meryl asked.
“Failure to fulfill a blood oath of vengeance for her tribe,” Eponi began. “Disobeying the direct wishes of the Patron Goddess of the Amazons.”
“That’s rather vague,” one of the Council complained. “What were your wishes, Goddess Artemis?”
The goddess stood and looked a little uncomfortable. “I demanded the death of the Roman Marc Antony and arranged to transport Gabrielle and Xena to Egypt to accomplish this.”
“How does that differ from Queen Gabrielle’s blood oath to kill Brutus and Marc Antony?” a Council member questioned.
Artemis glared at the Council for a moment. “I also specified that I wanted Cleopatra alive and that I didn’t care who won the civil war between Antony and Octavian.”
“Was Cleopatra left alive?” Meryl asked.
“Yes,” Artemis said softly.
“I request that the Council consider these charges before Queen Gabrielle replies,” Otere said and the Council nodded. “We will retire and discuss this, everyone stay seated.”
Gabrielle sighed heavily and leaned back into Xena’s arms, not daring to glance at Artemis.
“Oh gods, this is going to be harder than I thought,” she muttered as Xena knelt down beside her.
“We’ll be fine,” Xena said softly. “This is one of the reasons I never set out to conquer a kingdom when I was a warlord, I didn’t want to be a royal and sit through hours of stuff like this.”
“My Xena, has to have the word ‘warrior’ attached to a royal title,” Gabrielle managed a smile and gave a small wave to Yakut and the other Amazons she recognized. “Where’s Asher?”
“With Hercules and Iolaus,” Xena answered. “They won’t be allowed near the place unless called on to testify so they’re watching the tiny terror.”
“I’m worried, Xena,” Gabrielle admitted. “How do I answer the charges?”
“Truthfully, as always from you,” Xena smiled and stood up when they noticed the Council returning.
A Queen from the high mountains of Espanola remained standing as the rest of the Council sat.
“Our decision is thus,” she said in heavily accented Germanic. “Goddess Artemis’ wishes, as stated, were fulfilled and will not be addressed by the Council. In that her wishes were Marc Antony’s death and Cleopatra’s life, the only question is Queen Gabrielle’s failure to kill the Roman. In that Queen Gabrielle’s blood oath was against Antony, we declare Artemis’ wishes the same as the oath. We dismiss the charge of failure to obey the Amazon patron Goddess.”
Artemis was on her feet in an instant and her eyes literally blazed with anger.
Eponi was also on her feet, talking quickly to the Goddess as Xena stepped in front of Gabrielle protectively and instinctively.
“Goddess Artemis,” Meryl called loudly. “If you cannot accept our decision then you are invited to leave.”
“How dare you?” Artemis hissed. “I am a Goddess, mortal!”
“And we are Amazons of all tribes and countries,” Meryl responded. “You demanded your Regent call an All-Thing against her Queen and we are here. You will honor our way of doing things or leave. We do not recognize your authority over the Council.”
“Oh gods,” Gabrielle muttered, she knew Artemis was a heartbeat away from striking all of them.
“You are not the only goddess of Amazons, Greek,” the Spanish Amazon said calmly.
“Artemis, please!” Eponi begged and the goddess reluctantly sat down.
“Queen Gabrielle, the charge is that you failed as an Amazon to fulfill a blood oath of vengeance for the death of your Amazons tribe,” Meryl continued. “Did you take such an oath?”
Gabrielle took a deep breath and stood to face the Council.
“I took that oath,” she acknowledged.
“What was the oath?” Otere questioned.
“’My tribe is dead but the Amazon spirit will never be killed,’” Gabrielle quoted, her eyes unfocusing with memory. “’For Ephiny, Solari, all of them, Brutus and Marc Antony will pay.’”
The Council shifted uneasily.
“This was a blood oath of vengeance?” Revita, the Spanish Queen asked.
“If I may speak, I was there and I know my Consort’s mind when she made that oath,” Xena asked.
“Xena is not exactly known for her truthfulness when it comes to something she wants,” Artemis protested.
“My past is behind me,” Xena growled.
“Would you swear to Artemis that you speak the truth?” a Council member questioned.
“No,” Xena growled. “She has a personal grudge against my mate.”
“To Athena then, the Greek goddess of Truth and Wisdom,” Otere suggested and Xena nodded.
“Yes, I will swear to Athena of the Greeks and to Frigga of the North that I’ll speak the truth,” Xena agreed.
“What was Queen Gabrielle’s intent when she made that oath?” Meryl asked.
“Justice,” Xena answered easily. “She wanted revenge for the slaughter of her tribe, especially the way Ephiny, Solari and some of the others were tortured and crucified but most of all she wanted justice. I questioned her the next day on her intentions and Gabrielle admitted she wasn’t an assassin and couldn’t just hunt Brutus and Antony down and kill them. Hercules and Iolaus, our Kumbadas were there as well and heard both the oath and Gabrielle’s intentions.”
“Queen Gabrielle, did you wish the death of Brutus and Marc Antony?” Meryl pressed the question.
“Yes,” Gabrielle admitted. “I was crucified to save my Amazons and Brutus knew that type of death would drive me insane with grief. I wanted them dead because justice demanded it.”
“Did you have an opportunity to kill the Roman Brutus?” Otere asked.
“Yes, in a way,” Gabrielle answered. “We learned that he and Cassius were facing Octavian and Marc Antony in a civil war. Xena and I were watching the way things were developing, wanting both Antony and Brutus dead made it difficult to choose sides. Brutus, to gain favor with Ares, kidnapped our daughter and forced us to act against him.”
“Ares? What does your daughter have to do with Ares?” Revita demanded.
“She is the child of Xena and Ares, Greek God of War,” Hallvor explained. “She was adopted into the Northern Siberian Amazon tribe as Gabrielle’s daughter.”
“So Brutus died and Marc Antony lived,” Meryl encouraged Gabrielle to continue.
“Yes,” Xena continued the story. “We choose sides with Antony and Octavian. Gabrielle and I agreed that our daughter’s safe return was the first and only concern. If Antony or Brutus could be killed, that would be a bonus. I helped Antony and Octavian during the battle while Gabrielle saved Sasha from behind the lines.”
“And Brutus?” a Council member asked.
“He saw me coming at him and fell on his sword,” Xena said grimly. “I was holding and cursing him as he died.”
Gabrielle could feel the satisfied murmuring from the crowd behind her and several Council members were nodding with satisfaction as well.
“You left Antony alive,” one pointed out.
“Yes, I tricked him and his Generals into taking most of the brunt of the battle but Antony lived. We got away with Sasha before his assassins could kill us,” Xena explained. “The men he sent to kill us turned on him and let us slip away. We chose to protect our daughter before taking our revenge on Antony.”
“Antony tried to assassinate you?” Eponi demanded with a frown.
“Yes, just as I figured he would,” Xena smirked. “It was what the warlord Xena would have done. He knew Gabrielle was an Amazon and we wanted revenge for it but we pledged not to kill him in exchange for his help in getting Sasha back. We got Sasha back and Brutus was killed, Antony was happy and we were satisfied. He still tried to kill us.”
“So you passed up an opportunity to kill him but that is understandable,” Revita nodded. “I assume this isn’t the charge? Brutus died at Philippi ages ago.”
“No, this charge is more recent,” Eponi grumbled. “When I met up with Gabrielle again and demanded to know why she hadn’t avenged her Amazon tribe and hadn’t seen to its resurrection. Gabrielle said she had heard there were no survivors and had helped in bringing about Brutus’ death.”
“What was her explanation about not going after Antony?” a Council member asked.
“Gabrielle was sickened from poisoned grain,” Eponi informed them. “She became ill when trying to save a village from the poison. Xena told me that Antony was in Egypt most of the time and had married Cleopatra and it made moving against him difficult.”
“Xena?” Otere questioned.
“Cleopatra became a friend of ours and she married Antony,” Xena explained. “To destroy Antony, we’d have to destroy Cleopatra.”
“I know something of the politics,” one of the Council members said. “Antony has married Cleopatra, despite his marriage to Octavian’s sister. They have four children together and he adopted Caesarian, the son of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. Antony has been at war with Octavian for years.”
“Eponi, explain your charge,” Otere demanded.
“Xena and Gabrielle were recently given the opportunity by Artemis to complete their blood oath and failed,” Eponi said firmly. “They not only failed to kill Antony but they refused.”
The crowd behind Xena and Gabrielle shifted uneasily.
“Goddess Artemis?” Revita motioned for the Goddess to stand.
“I offered to transport them immediately from their home in the north to Egypt where they could settle things once and for all with Antony,” Artemis said. “Once he was dead, I would transport them back to their home. They agreed and I took them to Egypt.”
“Artemis is forgetting that she was answering a plea from Cleopatra to aid in the battles against Octavian,” Xena growled. “That’s why Antony accepted our presence there; he knew Cleopatra had called on Artemis for help.”
“This is true? Cleopatra asked you to get Xena and Gabrielle to help against Octavian?” Otere demanded.
“Yes,” Artemis snarled.
“Within minutes of meeting with us, Antony demanded an oath that we wouldn’t try to kill him as long as we were guests of his and Cleopatra's, tying our hands against fulfilling the blood oath,” Xena continued. “Gabrielle even admitted to him that she still wanted him dead. If we hadn’t sworn a truce he would have either thrown us overboard or killed us.”
“Artemis demanded that we kill Antony and leave Cleopatra alive and she didn’t care how we did it,” Gabrielle said bitterly. “She also didn’t care that Cleopatra is very much in love with Antony and won’t live without him.”
“May I suggest a break at this point?” Otere asked and the Council nodded. “Good, a candle-mark for the midday meal.”
Gabrielle slumped into Xena’s arms as Artemis zapped out of sight.
Hallvor and Eponi quickly began talking in heated whispers and angry gestures.
“Let’s get something to eat, all of this nonsense is draining,” Xena suggested as they turned to greet Yakut and many other Amazons.