Amazon
Queen on Trial, An Awakening XXIX
Frau Hunter Ash
(Aka Dana Cooper-Kjarr)
“Queen Gabrielle, you and Xena were in Egypt to kill Antony,” Meryl recapped. “Please continue.”
“The more I talked with Cleopatra the more convinced I was that there was no way to kill or destroy Antony without taking Cleo down with him. I couldn’t kill him because of our truce and I discovered I couldn’t destroy him without killing Cleo,” Gabrielle continued. “She was our friend, a fellow Queen, a mother and a woman who loves her mate. To kill Antony under those conditions was impossible for me.”
The Council frowned.
“There are times when a Queen is called to kill for the good of the tribe, do you reject that?” one of the Council asked.
“No, but I never relished it and always tried to find another way,” Gabrielle responded softly.
“If I may speak on this?” a voice asked and everyone turned to see an aged Amazon walk forward between the benches of spectators.
“You are?” Otere asked.
“Byblos, former Law Speaker for the Southern Amazons under Queen Melosa, Queen Gabrielle and Regent Ephiny,” Byblos said.
“Speak, please,” a Council member urged.
“Queen Gabrielle was poisoned by the Roman delegates at her wedding to the Consort Xena and nearly died,” Byblos began. “It was more than a miracle that she lived. It was most painful, some of the worst torture that has ever been thrust upon an Amazon. One of the assassins was captured alive. For days before the trial Gabrielle argued with Ephiny and the Council about other alternatives to a possible death sentence for the Roman.”
“After nearly dying, she was willing to let him live?” a Council member asked.
“Yes,” Byblos nodded. “Gabrielle was dedicated to finding ways of peace rather than war and blood. When it came time for his judgment, the Queen agreed with the death penalty as was her duty and she witnessed the punishment – with her eyes closed and a heavy heart.”
“Queen Gabrielle, could you ever betray a friend, even for the good of the tribe?” Meryl questioned.
“No,” Gabrielle responded easily. “I asked Artemis to release us from the mission and she refused. I tried to explain that I couldn’t do this and live with myself. I couldn’t destroy a friend, even out of vengeance for Ephiny and the others. I wanted to go home to my newborn son.”
“What was Artemis’ response?” Otere asked.
“Is that relevant?” Eponi demanded, jumping to her feet. “The Council has already stated that Gabrielle’s disobedience isn’t at question here.”
“I’m curious,” Otere admitted. “Goddess Artemis agreed to help Queen Cleopatra by taking Xena and Gabrielle to Egypt and order Xena and Gabrielle to kill Antony, no matter what the costs. Is that correct?”
“Yes, your Highness,” Xena agreed, beginning to be hopeful that they might actually get out of this in one piece.
“So Artemis was willing to betray Cleopatra’s petition for help and to demand that Queen Gabrielle betray a friend just to kill Antony?” Otere pressed, ignoring Artemis’ dagger-throwing eyes.
“Yes, Queen Otere,” Xena nodded.
“To judge a Queen guilty of betraying a tribe,” Revita was frowning. “I want to know more about the Queen. Are there those here who would speak of Queen Gabrielle?”
Artemis suddenly shouted in anger as bright lights filled the area, sending everyone scrambling backwards.
“How dare you show up here?” Artemis shouted as Apollo, Aphrodite and Freya appeared in the center of the meeting space.
Apollo quickly held up his hands above his head in the sign of peace.
“High Council,” Xena quickly stepped forward. “This is the Greek god Apollo, God of the Sun, of Healing, and of the Arts. This is the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty. This is Freya, Northern Goddess of Love, Seidhr Magick and the Forest.”
“I apologize for my abrupt entrance and not properly petitioning for entrance on Amazon land,” Apollo said formerly. “I ask forgiveness from the High Council so that I may speak on behalf of my daughter.”
“Daughter?” Revita squeaked.
“She is my daughter,” Apollo nodded.
Glances passed back and forth as Aphrodite glared at Artemis.
“You are accepted, God Apollo,” one said finally. “Do you agree to abide by our decisions here?”
Apollo frowned and glanced at Gabrielle and Xena.
“We know how protective parents can be over their children,” one Council member said calmly. “Being a god, we ask for your word that you’ll abide and not interfere.”
Apollo continued to frown, “She’s my daughter and a favorite.”
“Oh agree already, cousin!” Aphrodite urged. “Let’s get this over with so they can go home.”
“Gabrielle?” Apollo questioned.
“It’s alright, Father,” she said softly. “I knew the possibilities when I came here.”
“That speaks for itself,” he said gently and turned to the Council. “I agree.”
“Then the gods shall be heard from concerning this,” Otere declared. "Have the other witnesses sent for as well."
For the next three candle-marks, Apollo, Aphrodite, Freya, Yakut, Hercules, and Xena talked about Gabrielle’s character and her reign as Queen. They talked about the bard’s gentle nature, her reluctance to kill, even after becoming a gladiator. The gods spoke of her destiny to pull Xena out of the darkness and away from Ares and, therefore, saving the world. Hercules talked of Gabrielle’s struggles to come to grips with herself after her forced gladiatorial training and killing. Freya told those gathered of Gabrielle’s willing sacrifice of her life force to save Xena, knowing it meant her death. Yakut told of the nightmare struggle against Alti and how Gabrielle fought for the Northern Siberian Amazons, risking life and soul even though the Northerners weren’t her original tribe.
Xena spoke of Gabrielle’s undying love for the Amazons and how shattered she had been when they had received word the tribe had been killed. Xena especially spoke of Gabrielle’s inability to kill in cold blood and described the recent battle with Draco. Everyone was enraptured by the warrior’s description of the battle and Gabrielle’s inability to kill Draco, even after he had nearly killed her.
Finally, Xena described Antony’s attempted rape and how Sasha and Gabrielle had stopped him in time. Gabrielle poised over him with her sai and still being unable to kill him.
“You’re saying that she didn’t kill him after he beat you and tried to rape you? Even after he killed her Amazons?” Revita demanded.
“I asked her not to,” Xena explained. “I never wanted Gabrielle to follow the same path of blood that I was on until Hercules helped me and I met Gabrielle. She was a moment away from killing him until I asked her not to kill him because of Cleo.”
“Why did you stop her?” Otere asked.
Xena knew she was on unsteady ground. One of the worst crimes against an Amazon was rape, it always called for a death sentence and Xena had stopped an Amazon from killing a rapist. A rapist who had attempted to rape a Queen’s mate.
“I knew we could fulfill our goal of destroying Antony without killing him and destroying Cleopatra in the process,” Xena said.
“Explain,” Otere demanded.
“I knew with the brutal attack on me, I could convince Cleopatra that Antony was unfaithful and timed it to approach her during a critical point in the sea battle the next day,” Xena explained. “She realized the truth about Antony and turned away from him during the battle. She left the battlefield and pulled her ships along with her. Antony saw her flagship leaving and he followed her.”
“I had heard that Antony deserted the field of battle and was disgraced,” the same Council member who had spoken on the politics and goings on around Rome spoke. “He followed Cleopatra and caught up with her on land, didn’t he?”
“We found out later that he had,” Xena nodded. “We left as soon as it was clear that Antony had lost the battle. I knew that Octavian would win the day and would press the victory.”
“How does that fulfill your oath?” Meryl demanded.
“Gabrielle and I helped destroy Antony just as if we put a sword through his chest,” Xena said firmly. “He’s now a drunk, his men think he’s a coward and are deserting nightly to Octavian’s troops. Cleo doesn’t trust him and they are on the run. Within the year Egypt will fall to Octavian and both Cleo and Antony will be dead.”
“I thought you wanted Cleopatra to live,” Otere asked.
“We do but her choice is Antony and she’ll follow him in death,” Gabrielle said. “I failed myself; by destroying Antony we destroyed a friend and a fellow Queen. That’s what I’m guilty of.”
“So, you claim that you have fulfilled your oath in that Marc Antony is as good as dead by your hands?” Revita questioned.
“I would say that,” Xena agreed.
“Are there any others who would speak?” Otere asked.
“I would speak,” Artemis said. “Gabrielle was my Chosen on Earth and she made me proud for years, even with the taint of Bacchus clouding her.”
“Oh you bitch,” Xena muttered.
“I have never held that against her, even when it interfered with her in the North, almost costing Gabrielle her soul and Xena her soul and life,” Artemis continued.
“Bacchus?” Meryl asked.
“Bacchus is the God of Wine, Vine and Bacchae,” the Carpathian Queen explained. “He is well known for his drunken orgies, seasonal celebrations that can be deadly and the Bacchae are vampyre.”
“Vampyre?” the Celt asked.
“Blood sucking females that are totally under his control and power,” the Carpathian Queen continued. “They are doomed to forever seek out the blood of humans and will turn other females into Bacchae.”
“How is Gabrielle connected with Bacchus?” Revita demanded.
“What does this have to do with Antony?” Xena demanded.
“Everyone has talked of her leadership qualities, her personality and her character,” Meryl pointed out. “Does this affect her life and has it interfered with her duties?”
“Gabrielle was bitten and became a half-bacchae one Harvest,” Artemis explained and Xena growled. “She turned Xena into a half-bacchae as well, almost costing Xena her soul. They managed to kill Bacchus, for a time. It was brought to life later that Gabrielle had tasted two drops of Bacchus’ blood, the requirement to becoming a full Bacchae. It affects her to this day.”
“How so?” a Council member demanded as Gabrielle’s head dropped.
“Once a month she feeds on rare meat, almost raw,” Artemis continued as Gabrielle blushed. “During the time of the full moon she drinks blood. Sometimes animal blood is enough but sometimes it has to be human.”
The crowd behind them erupted and the Council began talking among itself.
Xena stood behind Gabrielle’s chair and wrapped her arms around her bard. She could feel Gabrielle holding back sobs.
Finally Otere stood up and banged a goblet on the table in front of her.
“Enough! This isn’t a fish market where we haggle over local gossip!” she shouted. “Yakut, Shaman of the Northern Siberian Amazons, step forth and speak on this!”
“Yes, my Queen,” Yakut agreed readily. “We of the Siberian Amazons have known of Gabrielle’s Bacchae nature for awhile now. At first it was just a few of us, myself and the Queen included. We had no problem with it. Her need for blood is handled in private between Queen Gabrielle and her mate.”
“Has it interfered?” a Council member demanded.
“I’m not sure if I would use that term,” Yakut frowned. “It has been used against her as a weakness, just like it is being used today.”
Artemis glared but kept silent.
“It also helped when our tribe was attacked by umpir, what you call vampires,” Yakut continued. “Queen Gabrielle was able to use her Bacchae side to defeat the head vampire and bring peace between the vampires and the tribe. Without her help we would have all fallen to the vampires and would have become monsters.”
“Are you saying that Gabrielle is a monster?” Meryl questioned.
“No, she has a condition that demands she takes something from her mate that Xena gives willingly,” Yakut countered. “She has suffered with this but has adapted fairly well, again showing a strength of character that surpasses many of us.”
“Regent Eponi, did you know about this?” Otere asked, watching Eponi shift uncomfortably in her chair and Hallvor looking at her feet.
Pony hesitated. “Yes,” she finally admitted. “I learned about it when we were traveling together. Gabrielle and Xena were keeping it quiet but something… there was an emergency in the camp and I saw the marks on Xena’s neck and the blood on Gabrielle’s lips.”
Several Council members looked revolted and Xena growled at the murmurs of disgust from the spectators, she hugged Gabrielle tighter.
“Did you demand that she give up her rank as Queen because of it?” Otere asked.
“No,” Pony had to admit. “I told her that if Artemis accepted her then I didn’t have a problem with it.”
“Queen Gabrielle, did Artemis tell you that she accepted this part of you and still accepted you as her Chosen?” Meryl asked softly.
Gabrielle’s green eyes were filled with tears as she tried to raise her head. She couldn’t even look at Artemis.
“Yes, many times,” Gabrielle said softly. “She said she was proud of how I handled it.”
Otere nodded for a moment and glared at Artemis.
“Then I suggest to the Council that this part of Gabrielle’s character not be called into question since her own patron Goddess accepted it, her Regent accepted it, her mate accepts it and aids the Queen in her struggles, and the Siberian Amazons as a tribe accept it,” Otere said and Xena was relieved when several Council members nodded in agreement.
“Does anyone else wish to speak?” one of them asked and no one stepped forward.
“Regent Eponi,” Meryl began. “You have brought this charge and you have heard all there is to be said on the matter. Do you revoke your charge?”
Eponi frowned and Hallvor leaned forward to whisper fiercely in the Regent’s ear. Pony turned and looked at Artemis and flinched at the anger she saw in the goddess’ eyes.
Eponi hesitated. “We have heard that Gabrielle had Marc Antony defenseless after he assaulted her mate, a Consort to the Queen, and she let him go. Queen Gabrielle had sworn a blood oath to kill him and she let him live, dishonoring the memories of Ephiny, Solari, and the countless other Amazons that died at his hands. I hold to the charge.”
“Damn you,” Xena muttered under her breath.
Hallvor pulled back away from her mate and glared at Artemis.
“The Council will retire to discuss the charge and the evidence,” Meryl declared. “We will meet everyone when a decision has been met.”
The rest of those assembled stood still while the Council left to go to the meeting hall and the god and goddesses disappeared. Eponi turned to Hallvor, a pleading expression on her face but the Viking shook her hand off and leaned heavily on a crutch.
The Viking Amazon’s face was pained as Eponi begged quietly with her but Hallvor shook her head and turned away from her mate and Regent.
“That doesn’t look good,” Xena commented as she held Gabrielle from behind.
“No, it doesn’t,” Gabrielle agreed.
“Why didn’t you bring up Artemis trying to get Cleo into bed?” Xena asked as Yakut and the others walked towards them and Gabrielle wiped away tears from Artemis’ betrayal.
“Once the Council declared that part of the charge invalid, there was no point,” Gabrielle shrugged. “They could see she’s got an agenda of some kind. I think they’ll deal fairly with the facts.”
“Gods, I am tired after that and I want to see Asher,” Xena declared as Yakut hugged Gabrielle and then Xena.
"Good to see you, Yakut," Xena smiled and Gabrielle tried.
"Thank you, Yakut," Gabrielle said softly.
"Nothing to thank me for, I spoke the truth," Yakut smiled broadly. "You are accepted among us, we don't care how much you nibble on Xena's neck."
Gabrielle blushed as Xena laughed, the tension easing somewhat.
The friends had a lot to catch up on since their last visit to the Northern tribe, and Xena wanted to get Gabrielle’s mind off the Bacchae thing. Their friends weren’t treating the bard any differently but Xena had caught several curious glances and some looks of disgust from unknown Amazons and didn’t want Gabrielle noticing.
The warrior wasn’t surprised when Gabrielle tossed and turned with nightmares during the night after a late evening with Yakut and other Northern Amazons.
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The arguing inside the meeting hall continued for two long and stressful days as Gabrielle paced and Xena sulleningly sharpened her sword.
Finally, the Council sent word to everyone that a decision of sorts had been reached and to assemble on the third day at mid-day.
Yakut and her mate, Karita, tried to keep Gabrielle and Xena busy until that time but it was an uphill battle.
Hercules and Iolaus were confined to the guest hut and reluctantly took Asher from his mothers.
Gabrielle was too nervous to even accept a hug from her two housemates.
“Xena?” Hercules asked softly as he hugged his half-sister.
“I’m not going to let them hurt her,” Xena confirmed Hercules’ suspicions. “I’ll challenge every member of the Council if I have to.”
“Let out one of your yells,” Hercules advised. “I think Apollo is hovering around with Aphrodite, unseen.”
“Aphrodite?” Xena asked.
“She likes the both of you and is totally pissed off at Artemis,” Hercules grinned as Iolaus smirked. “Seems Aphrodite and Artemis are occasionally an item until Arte went and fell for Cleopatra.”
“The gods and goddesses are worse than most humans I know,” Xena complained softly.
“Usually caught acting like spoiled brats,” Hercules agreed. “You know Gabrielle won’t agree to a rescue, no matter what they decide.”
“I know and it might cost me a relationship but I won’t let them kill her,” Xena vowed.
“Xena,” Hercules said softly.
“Just get her and Asher out if I can’t,” Xena urged and the demi-god nodded.
Xena trotted to catch up with Gabrielle and Yakut as they walked towards the meeting area.
“Xena, promise me that you won’t interfere,” Gabrielle insisted.
“No, I can’t promise that and you know it,” Xena growled and Gabrielle nodded wearily.
Xena noticed that Otere wasn’t among the Council when they returned to their seats and looked around for her northern friend. She spotted the Queen coming in behind the rest of the Queens and standing behind the Council.
Xena growled and she felt Gabrielle’s hand reach behind her to touch Xena.
“I see,” Gabrielle said softly. “What does it mean?”
“I don’t know but I don’t like it,” Xena whispered back.
Meryl stood and the crowd quieted down.
“May the record note that Goddess Artemis is absent, as are the other deities that have attended this trial,” she said formally. “Also absent from this part are the visitors Hercules and Iolaus, invited male kin and friends of Queen Gabrielle.”
“Queen Gabrielle,” Revita said firmly and Gabrielle rose slowly. “We have debated for days and have come the conclusion that there is no ‘just’ decision in this matter. It has been determined that, technically, you are guilty of failing to complete your blood oath of vengeance for the death of your tribe members.”
Xena placed a hand on Gabrielle’s shoulders, her other hand resting on her chakram.
“Coming to this decision has been most difficult and I must state for the record that the decision was not unanimous,” the Spaniard said, glancing back at Otere. “We acknowledge that several of the northern Amazon tribes refuse to agree to this vote.”
“Having been found guilty, we will now retire and debate the sentence,” Meryl declared and Xena growled as Amazon guards approached her mate. “Queen Gabrielle will be kept under guard in the Isolation Hut.”
“She’s still a Queen!” Xena protested.
“Yes, that’s why she isn’t being chained,” Revita said softly.
“Xena, don’t fight this!” Gabrielle urged but her eyes showed her anxiety.
The warrior pulled Gabrielle into her arms and held her tightly. Xena glared at the guards as Gabrielle began to pull out of her arms.
“She gets one bruise and I’ll have your heads,” Xena promised and she saw the Amazons hesitate a moment before motioning Gabrielle to walk ahead of them.
Yakut and Karita, her mate, came up on either side of the warrior, a gentle hand on each arm as Gabrielle walked away, a little unsteady on her feet.
The Council stood and moved once again towards the Meeting Hall. Otere was frowning, along with several other Queens and representatives from the Northern tribes.
She shrugged as they followed the rest of the Council.
* * *
Xena paced restlessly as everyone hovered around the meeting area. The warrior refused to talk to anyone as the Council debated her mate’s fate. Yakut and Karita let her pace.
“Gods, I can’t stand waiting!” Xena shouted.
“I know,” Yakut said calmly. “I wonder what is going on with Otere and our northern sisters?”
“Got me,” Karita mumbled.
“Xena,” Yakut began, “I don’t think they’ll call for a death penalty.”
“They won’t like it if they do,” Xena growled. “They should have let me stay with her. Do you know what tonight is?”
Yakut and Karita looked puzzled when Yakut’s eyes suddenly widened and she turned pale. “Oh sweet Goddess Akko, it’s a full moon. Has she been holding it off with rare meat? Animal blood?”
“No, she’s been so worried about this trial she’s barely been eating,” Xena growled. “She went last night without it and by tonight she’ll be hurting.”
“We can request that you visit her,” Karita suggested.
“No,” Yakut said thoughtfully. “I’m betting that Eponi and Artemis arranged this to use the Bacchae thing against Gabrielle. What happens if she doesn’t get the blood she needs by the third night?”
“Gods, it’s like someone who has become dependent on a hallucination herb or alcohol,” Xena said slowly.
“What will she look and act like two mornings from now?” Yakut questioned.
“She’ll be shaking uncontrollably, her eyes will probably be yellow, her fangs may even be showing. Gabrielle will hardly be able to speak or concentrate,” Xena explained, closing her eyes against the torment of describing the potential pain of her mate.
“Not the picture of an efficient Queen willing to die for their tribe,” Yakut commented bitterly.
“You think Artemis would go this far?” Xena asked. “Gabrielle was her Chosen for years; they almost died for each other.”
“I don’t understand your gods and goddesses,” Yakut admitted. “Could she be capable of doing this to her Chosen and one of her Queens?”
“Well, I’d vote a huge ‘no’ normally,” a voice joined them and Xena spun with her chakram at ready and glared at the figures standing just in the shadows of the hut.
Aphrodite, Cupid and Apollo stepped into the light of the lanterns and fire.
“’Dite,” Xena acknowledged them with a nod. “Spill what you know.”
“Look tall, dark and gorgeous,” Aphrodite grinned, brushing a hand over her perfect hair. “It wasn’t my place to talk about this; it’s not something Arte like wants to get around to the other gods.”
“Xena,” Apollo said calmly, “Please sit, there are reasons for Artemis’ reactions but it can’t come to light and Gabrielle would agree.”
“Why would she agree with Artemis getting away with all of this?” Xena demanded.
“Because it’s for the good of the Amazon Nation,” Cupid said calmly.
“Someone had better start explaining,” Xena threatened as Yakut and Karita sat quietly, wondering if they should leave the Greeks to themselves but the gods did say it involved the Nation.
“You know Artemis fell for Cleopatra, right?” Aphrodite began as they all sat down around the central fire. Karita got up and opened the door slightly, keeping an eye on the guards outside. She nodded for the Greek Goddess of Love to continue. “Well, it turned into something, actually.”
“You mean Artemis hooked up with Cleopatra?” Xena asked. “I thought she was loyal to Antony even though he played around.”
“Totally loyal to Antony,” Aphrodite agreed. “She would, like, do anything he wanted.”
Xena’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “No way, Cleo wouldn’t dare!”
Cupid nodded, his face grim. “Cleopatra took Artemis to bed several times, driving poor Aunt Artemis insane with lust. The rumors and legends of Cleopatra’s prowess in bed are very true. I’m surprised she didn’t make a play for Gabrielle.”
“Go on,” Xena demanded.
“Cleopatra had Artemis in bed and out of her mind and Antony joined in,” Cupid said calmly.
Xena closed her eyes and fought against the revulsion her own memories were crowding her with. She knew what Antony was capable of and how far he would go, she just hadn’t expected Cleopatra to cooperate in any of it.
“He… Artemis?” she stammered.
Aphrodite was no longer smiling and Cupid was staring at the fire.
“Gods and Goddess can’t be hurt by mortals, right?” Cupid asked bitterly. “When we mate with humans, we let part of our godhood down. In a way we become part mortal for a short time so our god-energy doesn’t destroy our human mate.”
“Antony hurt Artemis,” Aphrodite finished. “Not by physically raping her but by humiliating her. Cleo chose Antony over her in bed and then demonstrated how much she preferred the male over a Goddess. He took her repeatedly in front of Arte. Cupid and I heard her weeping and found her.”
Xena watched as mother and son looked miserable at revealing what had happened. "Why didn't she zap him? Or leave?"
"Cleo had..uh..," Cupid hesitated. "You know that Hebrew story of Samson's weakness with his hair?"
Xena nodded, confused.
"Each of the Gods has a token or a symbol that we have to have with us to maintain our power, it's a physical connection to our godhood," he explained.
"Ares and his sword," Xena nodded, remembering the hassles she had gone through in Callisto's body when Ares lost his sword and godhood.
"Exactly, Cleo tricked Arte's token away from her and taunted her with it while Antony was having sex with her," Aphrodite growled. "She couldn't leave and he would hit her whenever she tried to get out of the bed."
“She begged pleaded with us until we swore that we’d never tell any of the other Olympians,” Cupid explained. “We had to agree, she was out of her mind with grief, guilt and pain.”
“So, she was using Gabrielle to get revenge on Antony for her own attack and Cleopatra’s betrayal?” Yakut asked, wanting to clarify things.
“Yes, she’s still out of her mind with what happened,” Aphrodite continued. “The stupid love-sick wench thinks that Cleo might take her back if Antony is dead.”
“Hasn’t she figured out that Cleo only wants Antony?” Xena complained.
“She’s beginning to,” Apollo nodded. “I became involved because they needed me to heal Artemis after the beating. She was too ashamed to let Athena know what happened.”
“Why didn’t she just zap Antony afterwards? Or send her dogs after him and run him into the ground?” Xena asked.
“She was afraid the truth would get out,” Cupid said. “There’s already that legend of that huntsman seeing her naked and Artemis ripping him apart with her dogs.”
“Think about it, gorgeous,” Aphrodite urged. “The Virgin Goddess of the Amazons being sexually bested by a man and beaten, not good for the rep, especially her being naked and all.”
“She’s the victim of a rape, whether Antony touched her not; it was an emotional rape!” Xena protested with a growl. “She wasn’t at fault!”
“No, but she didn’t fight back with Cleopatra being there and she didn’t take revenge later,” Apollo pointed out. “Artemis is afraid that her Amazons will lose faith in her and it would damage the Nation.”
“And you agree?” Xena growled.
“Actually,” Apollo hesitated. “I like the Amazons, no matter how they typically feel about males and male gods. I especially like them since one of my favorite daughters is an Amazon and, yes, I do understand Artemis’ thinking.”
“Times are changing, Xena,” Cupid added. “You’ve seen part of it. I’m now Eros and Mom is Venus and Artemis is Diana. It’s just a name change and some new minor gods and goddesses added with the Romans but it’s not the ending of the change.”
“Poor Apollo over there is almost helpless in the north,” Aphrodite continued explaining. “He’s a sun god and they have a sun goddess. You already know how we lose strength outside our realm of worshippers.”
“Some of you are hoping to survive the transitions that time will bring about,” Yakut reasoned.
“You are cute under all that leather and fur,” Aphrodite grinned. “What is it with you Amazons and leather? Not that I’m complaining much, I do like my women butch at times but…”
“Dite!” Xena snapped.
“What was the question?” Aphrodite asked sweetly. “Oh right, yes, we want to survive, of course, and not fall the way of the Titans. Cupid and I figure we’ll get by, the world always needs love and there’ll always be a god of War.”
“Artemis is hoping to spread her influence to the other regions, mostly through the women and the Amazons, specifically,” Cupid added.
“She’s worried that a beaten, non-virgin Goddess of the Amazons won’t be as appealing,” Xena reasoned, her voice bitter. “Doesn’t she realize how many women suffer through that? Artemis could be someone they turn to in their grief, Gabrielle included.”
“We know that but she won’t listen to reason right now and transferred her anger onto Gabrielle,” Apollo said.
“Okay, that explains her motivation and lack of sanity,” Xena growled. “What do we do about it?”
“Well, we can’t come out publicly with it,” Cupid frowned. “But maybe we can lessen the damage she’s doing.”
“What do you suggest?” Yakut asked.
“Aphrodite is going to talk with the Council behind closed doors and remind them that Gabrielle was willing to die for them, even putting herself in a position to be crucified for her Amazons,” Cupid began.
“I’ll tell them just enough so they understand Artemis’ motivations a little better,” Aphrodite said. “We’ll also let them know that your fates aren’t decided here and there’s more than just the Greek gods involved in your futures.”
“Terrific,” Xena mumbled. “Do we ever get a break? I mean it, that mess with Antony and Cleopatra just topped off a very bad run and we just want some peace and quiet and raise Asher.”
“We’ll see what we can work out in the future,” Apollo promised. “Right now, let’s just get the two of you through this. First step is for Aphrodite to crash their debate, second step is to get you to Gabrielle so she’ll be in top shape when the Council reconvenes.”
“You’ll take me to her?” Xena asked hopefully.
“You two are like some of our best work,” Aphrodite said with a smile. “Can’t have that messed up because of tall, dark, and gruesome Bacchus.”
“Your friends can keep an eye out for the guards here, I’ll cast a spell over the guards at the Isolation Hut so that they don’t see or hear anything,” Cupid grinned. “And Mom will go and talk with the Council.”
“How bad is she?” Xena asked with a frown.
“Lack of sleep, lack of blood from the meat, the high stress, being found guilty,” Apollo rattled off. “It’s added up quickly for my daughter. She’s hurting badly and doesn’t feel she can ask for animal blood from the guards.”
“Let’s do it,” Xena growled.
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The warrior found her bard curled up on the small cot provided in the plain and empty one-room cabin. Gabrielle was shaking and sweating at the same time. Xena whimpered at the sight of the bard’s half open and unseeing yellow eyes as the warrior knelt next to her mate.
Apollo had been right, the combined factors of the last few days had hit the bard hard and intensified the Bacchae craving.
“Gabrielle?” Xena said softly, placing a hand slowly and carefully on the bard’s arm but didn’t get a response. “Gabrielle!” the warrior said more firmly. “Come on, baby. Come on, snap out of this.”
Xena pulled her breast dagger out and barely winced as she cut her forearm. She held it against Gabrielle’s mouth. At first the bard didn’t respond and Xena was very worried. Then Gabrielle growled and latched her mouth around the wound and began to drink deeply.
Xena moved up onto the cot until she was half holding Gabrielle in her arms as her mate drank from her. The warrior felt her body jerking with the blood loss and the eroticism that always hit her whenever Gabrielle fed from her.
The warrior began to feel a little lightheaded when she noticed Gabrielle pulling back from her arm.
“Xena?” Gabrielle’s voice was confused and Xena shifted so Gabrielle could look at her, half lying in the warrior’s lap.
“I’m here, Little One,” Xena said softly as she bent down to kiss her mate.
Gabrielle moaned as Xena’s tongue danced over her fangs, accepting the taste of her own blood in Gabrielle’s mouth. Gabrielle reached behind Xena’s head and the warrior could feel that Gabrielle was still trembling.
Gabrielle pulled back with a smile. “Must remember to breathe,” she mumbled, laying her head against Xena’s chest as her Champion held her close. “How did you do this and is anybody hurt?”
Xena laughed softly, stroking Gabrielle’s hair.
“No one got hurt trying to stop me,” Xena reassured her mate. “Your father, Aphrodite and Cupid are helping us tonight.”
“Why and how?”
“They know that Artemis isn’t her normal self, they like us, and Cupid cast a spell on your guards so they won’t hear a thing tonight,” Xena explained quickly.
Xena felt her heart skip a beat when Gabrielle opened her eyes and they were still Bacchae yellow.
“They knew,” she whispered.
“Apollo knew the cravings were bad because of this mess,” Xena nodded.
The warrior could see Gabrielle’s muscles twitching and could feel her shaking hands.
“You’re not gonna hurt me, Gabrielle,” Xena reassured her mate and helped the bard sit upright. Xena stood up and quickly began removing her armor as Gabrielle’s breath quickened at the sight of her half naked mate.
Xena let her leather shift drop and saw Gabrielle’s muscles tensing, as if ready to spring. The warrior stepped in front of Gabrielle and grabbed the bard’s hands as her wife reached for her.
“Let me,” Xena said softly, moving Gabrielle’s hands to rest on the bed. Gabrielle moaned in frustration as Xena’s hands reached for the ties holding her top. Both relished the times they could visit the Amazons and Gabrielle could go back to her preferred manner of dressing, which was very little on top, a simple skirt and shorts below. The bard didn’t have to worry about the scars across her back causing her to be mistaken for a runaway slave as they had before among the Amazons.
Xena let the top fall away from Gabrielle’s full breasts with a sigh of arousal. She saw Gabrielle’s hands clench at the blanket she was sitting on. The warrior knew Gabrielle was hanging onto control by just a thread and felt an impish impulse to push it. Xena was well aware that when Gabrielle was this aroused by the Bacchae craving and need for sex with it, that it was going to be a very hard ride and welcomed it. They had both been pent up after the last two years of mishaps and bad adventures and Xena had to admit it had affected them.
“Time to come back to me, Little One,” she whispered, pushing Gabrielle down onto the cot and quickly removed the rest of Gabrielle’s clothing. The bard was almost panting as she gripped the blanket, trying to let Xena control the seduction.
Xena leaned her naked body over Gabrielle’s, letting her nipples lightly touch Gabrielle’s, rubbing over them.
“Oh gods!” Gabrielle cried out, her back arching. “Xena!”
“Now, Gabrielle!” Xena hissed and lowered her body down to touch her frenzied Bacchae.
Gabrielle growled and flipped Xena over onto her back, the bard’s lips attacking Xena’s, almost hard enough to bruise. The bard surprised her mate by pulling back after a moment and resting on an elbow as she looked down in Xena’s eyes. The yellow eyes of a Bacchae Gabrielle were always disturbing but Xena saw not only the Bacchae insanity but love flowing from them.
“I love you, Xena,” Gabrielle whispered. “Never anyone but you.”
“I know,” Xena said softly, reaching up to caress the bard’s check. “Let go and come to me.”
Gabrielle closed her eyes with a whimper and when she opened them again, Xena’s eyes widened at the sight of Gabrielle’s fangs extending.
“Yes,” Xena said calmly and thrust a leg between Gabrielle’s, discovering how aroused the Amazon Queen was, pulling a moan from Gabrielle.
The bard growled as Xena’s hands went to the bare skin of Gabrielle’s neck and trailed down, pulling her wife closer to her. Gabrielle whimpered as her hands began dancing all over Xena’s body, tweaking the warrior’s nipples, squeezing her breasts, playing in the dark curls between Xena’s legs. Her hands were always moving and sending lightning bolts of arousal through the warrior until Xena was breathing heavily and clinging to the bard.
“Gabrielle, please!” Xena pleaded and screamed as Gabrielle entered her roughly with several fingers and sank her fangs into Xena’s neck. Xena felt her back arch up into Gabrielle as her fingernails clawed at her mate’s back. The warrior’s body connected with the Bacchae eroticism and thrust against Gabrielle’s fingers.
Gabrielle whimpered around her fangs, her own body so connected to Xena’s arousal that she couldn’t tell which energy was coming from where and didn’t care. She pulled back from Xena’s neck as the warrior bucked against her, grabbing at the bedframe for some sense of support.
Gabrielle slowly worked her way down Xena’s body, stopping for what seemed an eternity at the warrior’s breasts, teasing them with her tongue and lightly scrapping her fangs over the nipples, getting more noises from her warrior.
When she reached between Xena’s legs, Gabrielle felt her control slipping again. The taste of Xena’s blood had calmed her for a moment but the scent of arousal threatened to overwhelm her. Gabrielle let her tongue play along her fingers as they kept up their rhythm of entering, stretching, teasing and almost pulling out of her lover. Her tongue moved up and Xena almost thrashed off the small cot as Gabrielle’s tongue found her clit and Xena screamed with a minor release.
Gabrielle felt Xena quickly hit the high waves or approaching orgasm again as she kept up the pressure of tongue and fingers.
“Gabrielle!” Xena begged.
The Amazon Queen rocked her fingers and felt them curling inside her lover. Xena’s eyes almost rolled back into her head as Gabrielle’s hand settled inside her body, filling her. Both mates waited a moment as Xena’s body adjusted to the sensation and the orgasm began building beyond control as the warrior’s body shook and began to buck again.
Xena screamed once more as Gabrielle’s fangs sank into her body and Gabrielle’s tongue danced over her clit and lapped at her blood at the same time.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Karita jumped and Yakut dropped her cup of tea as another scream sounded in the darkness of the Amazon village.
“Good gods,” Karita grinned. “Are they always like that?”
“You were away most of the times they visited us,” Yakut grinned.
“And the other times we were all a little busy fighting vampires and Alti,” Karita grinned. “I am very glad those guards are deaf tonight.”
“Me too,” Yakut smiled back at her mate, contemplating how long it had been since she had made her own mate scream like that. Maybe after the Council’s decision, Yakut thought, we should take a few days going home.
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“Xena!” Gabrielle cried out as her mate moved the bard onto her knees and thrust into her. The warrior saw her mate’s eyes turning yellow again and nodded. Xena felt her own body jerking as Gabrielle’s fangs sank into her wrist and she thrust her fingers and body against her mate.
Within moments the bard was curled around Xena’s wrist and whimpering as Xena brought her to orgasm again and again until both collapsed onto the cot. Xena wrapped her arms around Gabrielle’s body, a hand gently wiping away tears from her mate’s face.
“Xena,” Gabrielle whispered.
“Shhh,” Xena whispered back. “No more saying ‘I’m sorry’ for anything in the past. It’s over, it’s done! I love you and I will always love you.”
“What are Aphrodite, Cupid and Apollo planning?” Gabrielle asked in a sleepy voice.
“Aphrodite is pointing out that Artemis hasn’t been herself lately and to take that into consideration,” Xena mumbled. “She didn’t want to bring it up in front of everyone so she’s approaching them now. Cupid is keeping the guards out of here tonight and Apollo is making sure Artemis doesn’t show up.”
“For once I kinda like them helping,” Gabrielle smiled and drifted off to sleep in her warrior’s arms.
“Yeah, well,” Xena growled. “Alright, I don’t mind them helping out this time.”