The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
Hecuba, Gabrielle's mother, set the poor bard straight (sort of) at the end of the evening, just as they were preparing to sleep for the night. She said, her voice registering amazement, "Lila?" Her bosom heaved in a fit of laughter, "Darling No! This isn't for Lila. It's for you. The candidates will start arriving tomorrow. We were expecting to have to send you a message, but since you are here, this works out so much better."
Gabrielle lay back on the bed in shock, her eyes open very wide. Hecuba turned to the side, effectively blocking the bard against the wall, and chuckled herself to sleep. This was going to be so rich.
Xena sat on the window ledge with one knee tucked under her chin. She watched the stars make their rounds and counted off the days to the next full moon. A full week. Hopefully by then they would be back at Conera, and she would be able to keep her promise.
She closed her eyes and the stars became a vision of the lovely bard. This travelling companion who had become so much more was more valuable to Xena than any Warlord's treasure. She could almost smell the scent of the bard in the wind. She could almost hear. . .voices in the courtyard below. Xena leaned very carefully and listened.
Cyrene: Now, where would Toris have gotten that idea? Not that it's a bad one.
Cherise: Truthfully, I don't know. Though I was going to have him be one of the candidates.
A bit of rustling scroll.
Cherise: I suppose we could still use him, but I have better ones in mind.
Cyrene (slightly offended): There is nothing wrong with my boy.
Cherise: You are too right, there's not. But do you really want them to tangle?
Cyrene: Oh. . .Oh. .I see your point. Best to avoid that.
Cherise: Dern Tootin. But check this list.
More scroll rustling.
Cyrene: But that's a . . .and that one. . and that. How many women have you got on this list?
Cherise: An even number to the men. We want to provide a fair choice. I had to keep in mind the need for an heir. Even if one wasn't chosen as a permanent partner, well contingency plans never hurt and we are dealing with the law now. I've explained everything to Hecuba.
Cyrene issued a small gasp: Is that who I think it is?
Cherise: Yup.
The sound of feet and voices fading away.
Xena leaned back into her room and closed her eyes in thought. The law? Whose law? Which law? And who was going to making the choices? If Lila wasn't here, yet Hecuba was involved, then the candidate must be. . .Xena opened her eyes and gave voice to the name, "Gabrielle."
Xena began racking her brain, trying to remember any obscure law that might apply to Gabrielle. In her effort to think the issue through, she never thought to ask herself why her own mother would be involved in this whole affair, perhaps because the reason was too outrageous to think about.
The next morning, Joxer was the first of the candidates to arrive.
ŠJune 1997