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.
Swearing alert: There is the use of the F word in this chapter. If swearing offends, please be careful as you read.
There were a lot of people in the bar that night so it was fortunate that it was a fairly sizable accommodation. Some individuals were just spectators, who came to see what Amazons looked like. Some were regulars who would have been there whether Tartarus opened up and spewed into the world. The others were a mix of people came to the inn that night because they were travelers and people who were there for the purpose of wooing the Amazon Queen.
There were several games going on around the room, not all of them subtle. There was a game of knife being played out on the south wall between three Amazons and three male suitors. The bets were being exchanged rapidly (so far the Amazons were ahead). There were some dice and card games and of course a few drinking games. One stalwart Amazon had already out drunk five men. There were two left standing and she seemed as sober as ever. There were several princes among the suitors and a few princesses, they seemed to be vying with each other in social matters, although one set seemed to have been caught up in a game of out gaze each other. Joxer was holding his own in an arm wrestling match, of course it may have been because he was acting as the referee, but still.
Of course, there were those who simply sat apart from all of the going ons, watching, perhaps planning. There were two Amazons who paid no special attention to their surroundings, but rather watched the entrance with careful eyes.
It was noisy, it was busy, and Cyrene kept the mugs filled and the bellies full. (Thank the gods for hired help!) It would have been hard to believe that all that noise could end so abruptly with just a few simple words. Upon her entrance, the two Amazons stood up abruptly and cried out, "Make way for the Queen!" All of the Amazons in the room snapped to attention and turned to face the bard. There were several kicks under the table for those individuals who didn't hasten to show the right amount of respect. The princes bowed, the princesses curtsied. Iolaus shouted, "Hey! Gabrielle!" and waved. Joxer only gasped in amazement, his jaw hanging down and his eyes goggling.
The two guards hopped to it and marched to where Gabrielle stood in a kind of bewildered beauty. She looked every inch the Amazon Queen and her outfit made a striking contrast to her skin, hair and eyes. They escorted her to the makeshift dais that had been prepared, early on, by the Amazons. They stood to either side of Gabrielle as she stepped onto the dais and sat down upon the wooden "throne" (which was really just a simple cushioned straight backed chair). There was a moment of heavy silence in the air, as if everyone was waiting. Gabrielle suddenly realized they were waiting for her. She swallowed quickly and said, "You may continue."
The noise started back up, a bit diluted at first, then as raucous as before. Gabrielle leaned forward into the chair. "Solari, Eponin, what are *you* doing here? Surely you are not here to. . ."
Eponin leaned back and responded, "My queen we were sent to guard you. Ephiny was concerned when she saw the list of suitors for your hand. She thought you might need a little back up."
"Oh."
Solari turned and captured Gabrielle's attention, "Don't worry my queen, we're just here to watch the walls and make sure the children play fair." The Amazon grinned, and received an answering smile in return. Then she pointed casually to two other serious looking Amazons who were doing a whole lot of watching and not much else, "Those are our relief. The tall one is Roen. The tousled looking blonde is Vera. They can be trusted."
Gabrielle sighed, "This is so unnecessary."
Eponin looked sympathetic, "That may be true, my queen, but it is the Amazon law. It has been almost a year and you are in need of a consort. Once the matchmaker was summoned by your mother there was nothing we could do. In three day's time you will have to make a choice. Just be grateful that it doesn't have to be for life."
Gabrielle groaned, but the groan stopped as soon as she heard the door bang open.
Xena stood in the open door way looking like something the cat dragged in. She was bone tired and majorly cranky. What she wanted to do was grab Gabrielle and go take a bath. Instead, she was standing and being gawked at by an unappreciative audience. So she did one of the things she did best. She intimidated. A sneer formed on her mouth, her eyes hardened to icy coldness and suddenly, all that dirt and grime seemed like it had been acquired by some major battle, instead of the mundane (if you could ever call what she did mundane) tasks of the day. The only thing missing was blood. People looked away, which was her intent.
The only one whose eyes stayed plastered to her form was Gabrielle's and they were full of sympathy and worry. Xena stared across the room at her bard. She looked gorgeous. Xena looked down at her dirt encrusted hands and felt a flash of unworthiness. It was time to get cleaned up. She looked again at the bard, whose gaze had never wavered and gave a reassuring grin. Then Xena plastered on the glower again and started marching across the room.
There were those who noticed the exchange of looks with interest. But most were oblivious for various reasons. The Amazon queen almost stood up, but received a warning shake of the head from one of her guards. "You can't." Solari said. "You can't show favorites until the trials are over."
"What?"
"This is a competition Gabrielle, to find the one worthy to be your consort for a year, maybe more if you like the person. You can't show favorites because they all have an equal chance now. Give it a couple of days."
"Fuck that. I never asked for this. Don't you see how tired she is. I don't give a flying," If Gabrielle hadn't been so frustrated her vocabulary choices might have been different, but it had already been a long and tiresome day and her love looked miserable. She didn't care what some old musty Amazon law said about consorts, she was going to. . .
Eponin's eyebrows raised and lowered and she felt a grin spreading on her face. She interrupted quickly, "My queen, you are under the law now, but I'll go see to your favored. If you wish."
There was an intake of breath and almost a sigh of relief, "Oh, would you?" The Amazon guard nodded formally and turned to catch the queen's gaze.
"I would be honored." Then the guard leaned close and whispered into Gabrielle's ear. "If it makes you feel better, she's on the list. We made sure of that." Eponin smiled wickedly in memory. One small threat was all it took to convince Cherise of the error of not including Xena. There was a flicker of an awareness in the back of the guard's mind. Although, come to think of it, it seemed like the matchmaker had almost expected . . .There was more going on here than met the eye. Eponin smiled reassuringly at Gabrielle. "I'm sure things will work out right. You'll see." Then the guard stood up and looked at Solari.
Solari gave the other Amazon a glare, which softened immediately into another grin. "Eponin, you are impossible you know? Go ahead, go break the rules. See if I care."
Eponin grinned in return, "Whose breaking the rules? I'm just going to see an old friend. Better call over Vera."
Solari nodded and made the signal.
Eponin went to see her "friend."
ŠJune 1997