"Hey, I'm just doing what the scrolls
said to do."

"Speaking of bonding ceremonies,"
Hecuba looked at her daughter and future daughter-in-law, "are
you two going to settle down here after you are married?"

Gabrielle and Xena looked at each other.
"Well, to tell the truth, we haven't talk about it."
Gabrielle turned back to her mother. "I assumed that we would
be heading back on the road after a while."

Xena quickly interjected, "But we
haven't made any decisions yet."

"Well, whatever they decide they
can't leave for at least three days after the bonding ceremony,
not until the bonding festival is over with." Everyone groaned
as Lila continued with her chatter.

Gabrielle finally stood up. "Lila, why
don't you and Xena continue this conversation. Mom and I have
things to do." The Queen smiled back at Xena as she and Hecuba
made their way out of the food hut. Xena narrowed her eyes at her
love. *You know what they say about paybacks.*

"Oh goody. You and I have so much to talk
about!"

"It is going to have to wait Lila. I have
to train some of the youngsters. See you later." Xena bolted
from the table and food hut.

Sophia rode quickly into the village and
spotted Xena at the training grounds. "Hey Xena." The
ex-guardian dismounted from her steed and embraced Xena's
forearm. "Where is Gabrielle? I need to talk to her."

"With her mother. Hecuba wanted to have a
chat with her."

"Do you know where?”

“They were heading towards the
temple.”

“At Artemis’ temple?"

"Well, that is the only one here."
Xena saw the concern in Sophia's eyes. "What's
wrong?"

"That little trip I took was about
personal business, but not mine. Xena, before Herodotus died, he
told me he wasn't Gabrielle's father. I thought he was
trying to hurt Gabrielle again. But he was telling the truth and
from what you have just told me, I think that Hecuba is about to
break the news to Gabrielle. I tell you the rest on our way to the
temple." Both women mounted unto the equine and rode to the
temple.

As they entered the temple, Gabrielle noticed
that none of the priestesses were around. She turned to Hecuba with
a puzzled look on her face.

"Don't worry. Artemis dismissed the
priestesses earlier so that we could be alone." Hecuba sat
down and looked nervously around the temple.

Gabrielle made her way towards her mother.
"Mom, what's wrong?" She again saw the look of fear
that haunted her mother's eyes. "What are you so scared
of?"