Gabrielle giggled as Xena rolled her eyes.
"Thanks for the suggestions. But if I were you, I wouldn't
worry. Lila is very excited and wants the ceremony to take place as
soon as possible."

"Well, it seems Amazonia will be
celebrating our bonding for at least a month. Isn't there a way
we can just come in for the ceremony and leave right after
it?" Both began laughing as they made their way to their
hut.

Hecuba heard the laughter and steeled herself
in front of the Queen's hut as she thought back to the events
that began her day: Apollo appearing in her hut, telling her about
Sophia's confrontation with Hera and the aftermath. But the
most important issue was Artemis. Artemis thought it was imperative
that Gabrielle knows the truth so that she could protect herself
from Hera. Artemis and Apollo didn't trust Hera and her words
about change, and frankly Hecuba couldn't disagree with them.
Artemis demanded that Hecuba tell Gabrielle. "I'll
give you until tomorrow night to tell her. If you don't tell
her, then I will."

Gabrielle looked up and saw her mother sitting
in front of the hut, fear and sadness evident on the older
woman's face. "Wonder what is wrong?"

Hecuba watched as Xena and Gabrielle
approached. She saw them holding hands and realized that the rumors
that she had heard were true. But instead of being upset, Hecuba
was happy. During her time in Amazonia, Hecuba saw the sly glances
and smiles between the two. She had seen how happy her daughter was
when Xena was near and vice versa; and she realized Xena and her
daughter had something that she never had with Herodotus. *For once
in my life, I'm going to do whatever it takes to make you happy
while I still can.* Hecuba looked at her daughter, *Because once
you find out the truth, you will probably throw me out of this
village.*

"Mom, is everything okay?"

Hecuba gave her daughter a weak smile as she
stood up. "Gabrielle, we need to talk, there are some things I
need to tell you."

Hecuba placed her hands upon Gabrielle's
shoulders. "How about tomorrow afternoon, at the
temple?"

"Do you want to talk now?"

Hecuba shook her head. "No." After
she gave Gabrielle a gentle squeeze, she turned to face Xena.
"I know that I haven't always treated you with kindness
and respect and I want to apologize. I also want to thank you Xena
for you have made my little girl happy, and she deserves all the
happiness in the world." Hecuba began walking away from the
couple.