Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

She watched them, standing safely out of sight, the flames from the funeral pyre illuminating their sorrow, so evident on their faces, more noticeable on the younger blonde.
 
Amarice started to walk by, apparently not seeing her, until she reached and touched the young Amazon, who jumped. “Oh, it’s you…I don’t know if I’m going to get used to seeing you, considering…why aren’t you talking to Xena…and Gabrielle?” Amarice asked, the latter’s name spoken with something close to disgust, unlike the respect and awe evident when she spoke the name of the Warrior Princess. “Did you find Xenan and tell him?”
 
She looked at Amarice with a stern gaze. “If it wasn’t for Gabrielle, the Amazons would have been killed in a war with Tyldus and his centaurs. You would do well to remember that when your respect for the true Queen of the Amazons is in a sorry state. Did not Ephiny teach you anything?”
 
Amarice lowered her head and started examining her boots in response to the rebuke. “You know what I mean…you should be the Queen…you should have spoken up. It’s what she would have wanted.” she muttered.
 
“I am full aware of what Ephiny wanted, as you well know. She was an Amazon to the end. She wanted the Nation to go on, and she knew Gabrielle would pick the right one to bring that about. Why do you think I sent you to go find her? Besides, I feel my place is no longer here…and it seems you feel the same way. And yes, Xenan knows. He will be here soon to get his mother’s things.”
 
“Tell you what, you protest the mask being given to someone else, and I’ll stay here.” Amarice offers, not wanting to have to put up with Gabrielle, even though it would mean giving up a chance to travel and learn with the most famous warrior of the Amazon Nation, even though Xena technically wasn’t an Amazon.
 
She turned away from Amarice, but not before telling her to start packing if she was gonna to leave with Gabrielle and Xena. When Amarice’s attempts to get her to say something else failed, she did finally go to pack some things. The woman stayed there, watching the Warrior and Amazon Princess/Queen watch the flames die out. She didn’t know how long she stood there until the new Queen came to her side. Chilapa seemed a bit uncomfortable, and she had a sneaking suspicion why.
 
“Don’t worry Chilapa, I don’t want to be Queen. You’ll make a great one. Just remember what Gabrielle said about doing what Ephiny would have done. She’s right. But if you still feel you need to make it up to me somehow, invite Xena and Gabrielle to stay tonight…we need a feast.”  I’ll talk to them then…there was much that needed to be said, she thought before continuing. “Ephiny would not have wanted us to mourn her death. And with morale still down from the recent war, a celebration is just what we need to get things on the right track again. It can be for your coronation. Oh and Xenan will be here soon to get his mother’s things.” she said, then went to the Queen’s hut, to gather Ephiny’s belongings.
 
She stopped at the doorway, hit by a sudden wave of grief…she hadn’t really let herself grieve, since there was so much to do since the patrol had returned with Ephiny’s body, still slightly warm to the touch. First she had Amarice go get Gabrielle and Xena, then they had to turn back Pompey’s men during another attack, then Xena and Gabrielle arrived, so she could go tell Xenan and the centaur community the news about his mother. Now she didn’t have any thing to do to keep her mind off recent events.
 
It was not fair! After everything that happened over the years, to have things basically back where they started…she shrugged the despairing thoughts off, instead looking around and deciding what Xenan would want. The rest would be buried with Ephiny, per the ancient custom. All of it would have been burned with Ephiny on the pyre, but she interceded, knowing that Xenan might want some of his mother’s things, and the others deferred to her opinion, allowing a slight change. The things Xenan didn’t want would be burned separately, then buried with their Queen. There had been so many Queens and changes over the years, she hardly recognized anything. But all the changes were for the better, thanks to Ephiny.
 
She sighed, hearing some cheering and such outside. She was surprised to see that the feast was already in progress. She must have been in the Queen’s hut longer than she thought. She spotted Xena and Gabrielle almost right away, thanks to the respectful space the sisters had given them, not encroaching at all, though Amarice was edging on it. Gabrielle was trying to enjoy the impromptu celebration, but there was still a shadow of sorrow in her face. Xena looked a bit out of her element, but was focusing her attention on her companion, the concern on her face, and the tender way she put her hand on the bard’s so….so…touching beyond words, considering it was the Warrior Princess. But love had amazing powers, as she well knew.
 
She started to head in their direction, but smelled the aromas of the food cooking, and realized she hadn’t eaten anything yet, so she went to get some meat and drink first, then approached the silent pair. She went in front of them and sat down. Shock registered on both their faces, and they immediately stood up. Then confusion and hope shone almost tangibly on Gabrielle’s face, due to the courtesy of the bonfire, while suspicion and something else a bit darker appeared on the Warrior Princess’s.
 
She smiled gently. “Sit down, it’s alright, I get that reaction a lot. No, I’m not Ephiny, I’m her twin sister. My name is Corana.”

Chapter Text

 Gabrielle sat down with a thud, understandably stunned. Xena stayed standing, a bit of the suspicion leaving her face.
 
“Pretty unbelievable, huh?” Amarice said, enjoying Gabrielle’s reaction. “Don’t worry, the shock takes a while to wear off. Though real Amazons would barely even be surprised. It’s part of our training.”
 
“Oh so when you nearly jumped to the moon earlier today, that was just acting?” Corana responded. Then she sighed… hopefully traveling with Gabrielle and Xena would be teach Amarice a few things.
 
“She never mentioned having a blood sister, let alone a twin one.” Gabrielle managed to get out.
 
Corana smiled again. “I’m not surprised. It’s a long story, which I’ll get to soon enough. For now, let’s just leave it at Ephiny not knowing if she still had a sister. Right now I want to eat this food. I’m so very hungry.”
 
With that, she started on her plate, while Xena and Gabrielle stayed where they are, not moving a muscle, except to look at each other, trying to cope with the unexpected news. Amarice stood there watching them. When all Corana had left was her drink, she was amused at the statues in front of her.
 
“It’s getting a bit chilly out here.” she remarked, noticing the huge bonfire was going out. “Let’s go to the Queen’s hut. It seems like an appropriate place, and protected.” Standing up, she made a bee-line for the hut and beckoned the others to follow her. Judging from the expressions on their faces, the others felt the same way as Corana did about being in what would always be Ephiny’s hut to them.
 
“Sit down, make yourselves comfortable, it’s gonna be a long story. Once everyone had situated themselves, and she was next to the fireplace to keep warm, she started her narrative.
 
“Our mother was Melora. When we asked about our father, we were told he was a simple farmer. Our mother never wanted to talk about the past.  All we knew about her history was that she wasn’t born an Amazon. She had run away from somewhere, and. the Amazons found her unconscious in their territory, half-starved and apparently beaten recently. The tribe was in a sorry state. Lorna, the Queen then, had just been killed in a battle, and her daughter Dora, who was pregnant at the time, now had to be Queen. She took Melora in. The healer who tended my mother discovered she was also pregnant. Dora and our mother became partners. Melora was the name she took when she was fully initiated into the tribe. It stood for Me Love Dora. They gave birth on the same day, the Summer Solstice. Dora’s first daughter was named a variation of our mother’s name, Melosa. The S stood for Soulmates. Our mother told us that as babies, if Ephiny and I weren’t right next to each other, we would cry until we were reunited. Melosa and Terreis were similarly close, even though they were years apart.”

“Our childhood was that of typical Amazon children, lessons and training. Ephiny was the stronger of us, and was very protective of me. That’s not say we got along perfectly…I was always jealous of her getting the curls of the family and me getting stuck with straight hair. Anyways, knowing that we didn’t have a Amazon bloodline, Ephiny always had a need to prove herself a true Amazon. I was the social one, she always preferred being alone. Unless the company was me, that is. Well, with the exception of Melosa and Terreis. The four of us spent a lot of time together, courtesy of our mothers.” Corana paused briefly at the memories, and examined her audience. Amarice was trying not to look interested, but she obviously was. Gabrielle had found a scroll and was writing down notes. Xena was glancing outside, and Corana noticed how late it was. She stood up.
 
“It’s late, you guys can get some sleep, and I’ll finish my story in the morning. Amarice will show you where the guest hut is.” she said, then proceeded to gather some blankets and prepare the cot. They left, Amarice protesting, resulting in Xena and Gabrielle basically man-handling her out the door. As she lay on the cot, Corana was again hit by a wave of grief, realizing that her sister was now forever sleeping. But it was not time to think of such things, it was time to sleep. She closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep.

Chapter Text

She dreamed of her past that night, scenes from the accumulated years of her life coming back to her.  Intercut with them were images of Ephiny in her youth, smiling with her hand outstretched. After the eighth time, Corana went to try and reach out her hand to grasp her sister’s, but just as she saw her hand reach Ephiny’s, she woke up. It took her a moment to get her bearings. For a moment, she thought she was back in…well, she wasn’t. She needed to wash up and get some breakfast. Then find the new trio of Xena, Gabrielle, and Amarice. Wherever Xena and Gabrielle were, Amarice was bound to be there too.

Corana cleaned herself up, went to get some food, and found Gabrielle and Amarice at the mess hall. The bard invited her to their table. As soon as Corana sat down, Gabrielle plied her with questions about the past. Corana held up her hand and asked where Xena was.
 
“She’s out hunting.” Amarice answered first, in a sulky tone. Corana nodded, guessing that Amarice was told to stay put.

“Well, I should probably start where I left off. Where was I? Oh yes…well, if Ephiny and I weren’t together, we usually were with Melosa and Terreis. We always associated with the one who was most like our twin. I with Melosa, Ephiny with Terreis. Melosa and I used to spend time talking to each other when we were out foraging for food, as Ephiny and Terreis did. Rather Terreis and I did most of the talking. Melosa was often troubled about having to be Queen someday. Our mothers had high expectations for her. Ephiny was a bit jealous of the attention Melosa got, and Melosa was jealous of the freedom Ephiny had. There was always some friction between them. Quite a few times, Terreis and I were hard put to keep the peace. What you’ve done for Xena is remarkable, Gabrielle.” Corana nodded to her, and patted her hand. “The Amazon nation owes you much.”
 
Gabrielle blushed at the compliments. “I didn’t do anything anyone else couldn’t have done.” Feeling a bit uncomfortable with the gratitude in Corana’s gaze, the bard focused on her food, only to have her concentration broken by her awareness of her partner’s presence. She looked up and saw Xena approaching the table. She had a couple rabbits in her hands, and her bow was slung over her shoulder, with the arrows on her back. Xena immediately picked up the tension and the slight color on Gabrielle’s face. Corana’s hand was near her bard’s. Amarice was bored as usual and picking at her food.

“Everything ok?” the Warrior Princess asked Gabrielle. She smiled up at Xena.
 
“Of course. Corana was just telling us more of her story. Looks like you had a good time.” Gabrielle nodded at the rabbits.
 
“Well, would have been better if that buck hadn't gotten scared off. Where should I take these, Corana?” Xena asked.
 
Before she could answer, Amarice did. “I’ll show you, Xena. Follow me.” She jumped up and did some man-handling of her own, showing Xena the way.
 
Corana smiled. “Amarice reminds me a bit of Ephiny in her youth. Always ready to help the best warriors of our tribe, in the hopes of learning from them. I’m sure you remember my sister’s need to prove herself.”
 
Gabrielle nodded. “Tell me more about growing up here. And what about Solari and Eponin…did you know them too?”
 
“Oh yes. They were found as babies by a scout team, two seasons apart...it’s ironic…Solari’s Amazon life began how it ended.” Corana shook her head, not wanting to think of that. “As part of their Royal training, Melosa and Terreis were given the job of helping them out. And that meant Ephiny and I helped them out quite a bit as well. Ephiny didn’t mind. I think she felt a kinship with them, since they too were adopted by the tribe. All of us had lessons and training at the same time. Terreis and I excelled at the lessons, but at the weapons training, the others excelled. Oh, Terreis and I could hold our own, but that was about it.  Then came that day…” she was about to finish, but Xena and Amarice returned. Gabrielle beckoned for them to sit down.

“Corana was just going to tell me about some big event.” the bard explained, and gestured for her to continue.
 
“As I was saying,” she started out, after everyone was situated. “One day… Ephiny and I were about 14 years old at the time. There was a bad storm in the works. Everyone was securing supplies and personal items. Then the village was attacked. The children were sent to the caves for protection. It was hard to find the way there, with the wind and rain going full blast.”

“On the way, a couple of men attacked us. We divided our efforts. Melosa and Ephiny took the bigger of them, and Terreis and I took the other one, to give Eponin and Solari time to lead the other children to the safety of the caves. Terreis and I subdued our opponent, and waited for Melosa and Ephiny to hurry up and finish theirs. Somehow, he had gotten Melosa in a chokehold, and she was struggling for air. Ephiny tried to get him to let go, but he just kicked her into a tree. Next thing I knew, Terreis had taken out her boot dagger and thrown it into his back. We all stood there motionless as he turned to face Terreis. She looked stunned. He lunged for her, but then fell down and laid still. Ephiny went up to him and kicked him to be sure he was dead. He groaned and tried to move his head up, but he only got it up for a second to look a final time at Terreis, who had still not moved. Then his head went down and that was it. The other one was gone, having regained consciousness and run away, apparently.”
 
“Melosa shook Terreis, calling her name.  It wasn’t until a bolt of lightning knocked off a branch that landed a few feet away from her that she regained her senses, and then she lost it. First kills are never easy.” Corana turned a compassionate and understanding gaze on Gabrielle and Xena. “Ephiny always spoke very highly of both of you.”
 
A pained look crossed Gabrielle’s face and she excused herself from the table, almost running out the door.
 
“Way to go, Amarice.” Xena said,  shooting a dark look at Amarice before going after the bard.

Chapter Text

“What did I say?” Amarice asked.
 
Corana sighed. “Ephiny never told you?”
 
“Told me what?”
 
Corana sighed again. “When Xena helped Boadicea against Caesar in Brittania, Gabrielle was tricked by Dahak’s followers into her first kill.”
 
“Dahak? You mean…” Amarice says.
 
“Yes, that Dahak. And not only did Gabrielle shed her first blood, but it allowed her to be impregnated with his child, whom she named Hope. She was so out of balance, she needed something to believe in. So she put all her faith in Hope’s goodness, but Xena was not so sure. To save her daughter’s life, Gabrielle sent her in a basket down the river.” Corana took a deep breath before continuing. “Then Hope freed Callisto from the lava pit she and Velasca were trapped in, and they came to the centaur colony where peace negotiations were going on. Ephiny had brought Xenan there, as part of his education. Xena and Gabrielle were there too…it became quite a reunion. Not a pleasant one though. Hope first killed Kaliepus, the centaur Xena chose to raise her son, Solan. Then Hope tricked Gabrielle into taking her to where Solan was hidden. Xena found his body, and Gabrielle was shattered. She knew the truth, and knew the only way out of it. She poisoned her own daughter, and Xena took care of Callisto.”

“Gabrielle poisoned her own daughter?” Amarice was speechless... somewhat.
 
”Yes, and she wanted to take her own life as well, to end the pain. But her code wouldn’t let her, or as I was told Xena once called it, the ‘core of her goodness’.  There was now a chasm between Xena and Gabrielle. Ares convinced Xena to take revenge on Gabrielle, and she started to, coming here to get Gabrielle. She fought the Amazons, breaking Ephiny’s arm and taking Gabrielle courtesy of a horse drag. But Xena and Gabrielle worked through it, and mended the rift between them. That wasn’t the end of Hope though. She was yet to cause more trouble between them, and Callisto too.”
 
“Wait, if Xena did all those things to the tribe, why is she still welcomed here?”
 
“Because we understood her pain, and knew that it wasn’t really her doing those things, it was her maddening grief and Ares’ manipulation. Thanks to the recent losses of many of our tribe, all the sisters now know the same devastation that Xena, and Gabrielle, went through.  Don’t you still want revenge on Brutus for killing Ephiny? Would you blame Xena for, in her grief and despair, wanting revenge on the only other one left that was involved in it, and who Ares manipulated her into blaming? The Amazon Nation can not afford to hold grudges. It serves no purpose, except to weaken us.”
 
“Come, we must find Xena and Gabrielle.” Corana stood up, gesturing for Amarice to do the same. “You need to apologize to her.”

“Apologize?” Amarice exclaimed. “But…”
 
Corana didn’t give her a chance to finish. “You reminded her of the darkest moments of her life, and you did it while taunting her. Hope is not something Gabrielle likes to reminded of. It reminds her of her failure, not only as someone who fought for justice and peace, but also as a mother. But for Xena’s intercession, Joxer, Gabrielle’s family, not to mention every person alive, would have been Hope’s victims.” Corana walked out of the mess hall, Amarice following her.
 
“Joxer? Who’s he?”
 
“A friend of theirs. He has helped them many times. He’s gone up against Callisto, Hope, and many others, for Xena and Gabrielle. No one is more loyal to them, save Argo.” Corana surveyed the village, for a sign of where they went. She saw Peta, one of the oldest Amazons in the tribe, sitting in a chair, mending some clothes. She had been around since before Dora’s birth, and had served Lorna. “Peta, did you see Gabrielle or Xena come by?” Corana asked.

Peta looked surprised. “Huh? Why do you want to know about Xena? She’s trouble. Not to be trusted. Heard about her. Bloodthirsty. Killed some of the Northern Amazons. Don’t need her sort around here. Newcomers cause trouble.”
 
Corana sighed. Peta often had trouble living in the present. “Peta, did you see Gabrielle come by? A short blonde in a gold outfit?”
 
“That one followed by the dark-haired woman? Went to the stables. Haven’t seen them around here. What is this tribe coming to?”
 
“Thank you Peta.” Corana said.
 
Peta just kept on rambling. ”Never should have let that Melora in. I warned Dora, I did. I was right, I was. But did she thank me? No. I’ve got half a mind to leave. If I knew Dora didn’t need me so much, I would. Promised her mother I’d take care of her.”
 
Corana ignored her comments and started walking to the stables, Amarice right behind her.
 
“What was Peta talking about? Why didn’t she think your mother should be admitted into the tribe?” the young Amazon asked.

“I’ll explain it later, Amarice. Right now, we’ve got to find Xena and Gabrielle.” Corana reached the stables and almost ran into Xena who came out abruptly. “Is Gabrielle alright?” she asked the Warrior Princess. At Xena’s curt nod, she turned to Amarice. “Now go in and apologize.”
 
Amarice started to protest, but Xena’s look and Corana’s push encouraged her.  Corana then turned to the Warrior Princess. “I didn’t want to do this when Gabrielle was around.” she said, then took Xena’s arm and led her a few paces away from the stable, and brought out a toy. It was the toy lamb that Senticles had made, the one Xena gave to Gabrielle as a Solstice gift, and which Gabrielle gave to Hope. Xena’s reaction was instantaneous. She brought out her sword and oriented it on Corana.
 
“Where did you get that?” the Warrior Princess asked, or rather demanded to know.

Chapter Text

Corana didn’t even blink. “Ephiny found this a few weeks ago, and wanted to get your decision on what to do with it. She told me the whole story, and she figured you would probably want it burned, but she wanted to be sure.”
 
“She’s right, burn it.” Xena said, and puts her sword away as Gabrielle and Amarice come out. Gabrielle noticed the lamb right away and another flash of pain, this time mixed with regret and shock, passed over her face.
 
“Is that…” the bard couldn’t finish her sentence. Corana nodded. Gabrielle looked between Corana and Xena, and she noticed that something about Ephiny’s sister reminded her of Xena, but also of the girl she herself had once been, the girl she hoped her daughter would have been. Xena looked upset that she had seen the lamb. She briefly smiled. Xena still had protecting her as the top priority. “I want to keep it.” As Xena opened her mouth to protest, Gabrielle put her hand on her companion’s arm. “It was my Solstice gift from you. That alone makes it worth *everything*  to me.” Xena relaxes at that sentence, and gives a shrug suggesting that her bard is just being herself, but the way Xena briefly squeezes Gabrielle’s hand before as she takes it off her arm says otherwise.
 
“Why are you guys getting all kooky over a stupid la…” The looks from Corana and Xena stop Amarice from finishing her sentence. The young Amazon looks down at her boots and starts kicking the ground.
 
Corana hands Gabrielle the lamb. “Why don’t we go bathe in the lake? I think we could all use a good cleaning.”
 
“Will you explain what Peta was talking about if we do?” Amarice asks.
 
Xena perks up at the name. “Peta’s still alive?”

Gabrielle looks up at Xena. “Who’s Peta? Do you know her?”
 
Amarice stares in disbelief at Gabrielle and opens her mouth, then she looks at Xena and Corana and closes it. “Will you explain what Peta was talking about?” she asks Corana.
 
Xena looks down at Gabrielle. “Peta’s the oldest living Amazon. She was….”
 
“A healer who delivered most of the Amazons in this tribe, as well as Dora herself.” Corana smoothly finished. She knew Xena was about to mention Peta being Cyane’s mother, but she wasn’t about to allow Xena to guilt-trip herself if she could help it. “Her own daughter went to a different tribe after a fight with Dora many years ago, and Peta stayed here.”
 
“Oh…” Gabrielle remarked. Corana could tell the bard knew something else was going on but had decided to let it go for now.

“So about that dip in the lake?” Corana asks once again.
 
“That might be a good idea.” Gabrielle says, looking at her partner, for confirmation/permission, as well as an inquiry as to what Peta means to the Warrior Princess.
           
“Up to you, I got my bath earlier.” Xena responds.
           
Gabrielle sighed in exasperation. “Xena, a couple days ago is way past earlier. Now I am sick of having to smell you. You’re gonna clean up and you’re gonna do it now, you hear me?!” The bard proceeds to *encourage*  the Warrior Princess down the path to the lake.
           
Corana laughs while watching the retreating figures, then gestures to Amarice. “Come on, let’s go follow that pair and get stink-free ourselves.”
           
“You are gonna tell me what Peta was talking about, right?” the young Amazon persists as they walk to the lake.
           
“That depends. You gonna tell me more about your tribe?” Corana responds. With that, she and Amarice continue in silence.
 
By the time they get there, Xena and Gabrielle are engaged in a water fight, with Xena clearly the winner, judging from how dry her hair was compared to Gabrielle’s.
 
“There you guys are!” Gabrielle exclaimed, spying them. “What took you so long?”
 
“Just enjoying the walk and remembering all the times I’ve been down this path.” Corana responds while Amarice starts taking her outfit off.

Xena turned her head to look at Amarice and Corana on the shore, and as soon as she did, Gabrielle hit her with a decent splash. “Alright that’s it, you’re gonna get it now…” the Warrior Princess exclaims with a growl as the bard yelps and tries to find a place to hide, but she couldn’t swim fast enough before Xena catches and dunks her.