"And?"

"Herodotus wanted to be one of Hera's
priests, but she rejected him. That is when he returned to his
family and married your mother. Hera knew what he was capable of,
and she knew that Hecuba was carrying Apollo's child, so she
figured that she wouldn't have to kill the child, Herodotus
would do it for her. She forgot all about you thinking that you
were surely dead." Xena looked into the tear-filled eyes of
her intended. "We both know what Hera is capable of
Gabrielle."

A white sphere of light emanated in their hut.
Gabrielle faced the goddess. "Artemis, get out!"

Artemis crossed her arms. "You are my
Chosen One, and I will speak to my chosen one when I feel like it
is necessary." Artemis glanced over to the Warrior Princess
and that Xena had placed a hand over her chakram. "That
won't be needed Xena. I came by to explain."

"Explain what?" Gabrielle asked.
"In all this time, you never told me."

"I didn't know for sure until
recently."

"You expect me to believe that. It seems
mighty coincidental that Apollo's child also happens to be
Artemis' chosen one as well."

"Gabrielle, I made you my chosen one the
minute you threw your body over Terris, trying to protect her. I
saw your heart and right then and there I made you my chosen one.
It wasn't until the first time you came into my temple that I
saw your face. As soon as I saw your eyes, I suspected. You have
his eyes. I confront him, but he denied having a daughter. My
brother never had lied before to me, so I had no reason to believe
that he wasn't telling me the truth. But he couldn't hide
the truth no longer when I found him in his chariot crying after
Xena and Sophia found you. I asked him what was wrong, and he
finally told me. He also told me that he felt he had made the wrong
decision when he walked away from Hecuba. But please understand
that they both were trying to protect you."

Gabrielle bristled at the mention of her
parents. "I don't need their kind of protection."

"You would be amazed to see what lengths
parents go to in order to protect their children. Achilles was held
over a fire pit, another child was held under icy waters. And
another still was locked in a treasure chest and thrown into the
sea. And every one of Hera's stepchildren were hidden from her,
some didn't know who they were until they were grown; all in
the name of protecting them from Hera's wrath. Unfortunately,
my brother and Hecuba were no different and their fears blinded
them. And none of us realized that Hera already knew."