Gabrielle sighed. "That is really a
shame, because we had already made the seating chart."

"You have?"

"Yes, we have. The ceremony will take
place in the temple of course." Xena grunted. "Or maybe
by the lake?" Gabrielle looked over at her soul-mate. Xena
nodded her approval. "And we have placed your seat next to the
healer's hut."

"Healer's hut? I won't be able to
see anything from over there!"

"Gabrielle, you shouldn't tease
Sophia like that, after all she is our friend." Xena placed an
arm over Sophia's shoulder. "Your real seat is over by the
mountains."

"Yeah, the other side of the
mountains."

"Ha-ha you two. Real funny. See what kind
of gift I get the two of you."

Xena went and wrapped her arms around her
love. "You have already given me the best gift I could ever
have or want."

"Oh get a room."

Gabrielle looked at the hut. "We are
already in our room."

"Well then, I guess I better
leave."

Xena walked Sophia out. "Hey Xena, I know
that I don't need to tell you this…"

Xena raised a hand, interrupting her. "I
know, 'Take care of her.' You know I will."

Sophia smirked. "I know."

Hecuba watched in the shadows as Gabrielle and
Lila practiced with their staffs. And even though Lila and her were
mending their relationship, Hecuba had yet to see a sign from her
eldest that she wanted one with her. So she kept watch from a
distance ever since she entered the village. And during these
times, she no longer saw the young girl that she recognized as her
daughter. Gone was the farm girl who played the pan flute and told
stories about adventures; instead stood an accomplished bard and
Queen, a woman who lived adventures as well as told about them.

*And from the looks of it, an accomplished
fighter as well.* The thought made Hecuba shiver. The thought of
her daughter fighting bandits, slavers, and other types of bad guys
did not please her. For years, she blamed Xena for taking away her
daughter. And during the few times that she saw her daughter, she
blamed the Warrior Princess for those changes. But as she watched
her two children hone their skills, she had to admit that Xena
wasn't at fault. *You were just the right person at the right
place and time. She would have taken off eventually. And who could
really blame her?* A sudden screech brought Hecuba out of her
musings.