Copyright: The characters of Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, etc. are owned by MCA/Universal. I only borrowed them for a little while. No infringement was intended. The rest of the story is mine and I hold the copyright to it. Do not use any part of this story without my written permission. I may be contacted at [email protected].

Sex: This story contains scenes of two women making love. <smile> If this offends you, please don’t read my story. There are plenty of other wonderful stories out there.

Violence: There are graphic scenes of violence within this story.

This story won the Second Bard Contest in July 1997

The battered ship rocked back and forth as the relentless waves continued to crash against the sides. The twenty Amazon passengers huddled together below deck, each thinking of their loved ones and praying to their beloved Goddess Artemis to get them home safely.

The seas had been calm as they left the Isle of Lesbos, most visiting family members, some to see the great Sappho, still others just to relax in the hot springs. None suspected that their visit might end up costing them their lives. The ship had just passed the point of no return when the waves started to unexpectedly rise.

Artemis gazed down at the scene in her scrying bowl. "My children.", she cried as she watched the water crash again and again upon the decks of the weakening ship. There was no time to waste. Donning her quiver and one of her silver arrows, she picked up her bow and left her realm.

Just as they were about to give up hope, the passengers were amazed at the sudden calming of the waters around them. Several Amazons, overcome with curiosity and the claustrophobic surroundings, went up on deck. The scene they witnessed would stay with them the rest of their lives.

Sitting astride the mighty Pegasus, Artemis fired her sixth silver arrow into the water surrounding the ship. The last wave heading for the ship lost its energy and the sea finally calmed. From her vantage high in the skies above, she saw several Amazons and ship crew members run up on deck. She was just about to go back to her realm, satisfied that all was safe and well with her beloved Amazons, when the sea rumbled violently. A safe distance from the ship, the watery form of Poseidon rose, dwarfing the once mighty vessel, now barely able to make it to shore.

"Uncle.", Artemis said coolly as she gently stroked the mane of the white flying horse. He aimed his trident at his favorite niece.

"ARTEMIS!", he spoke with a fury that rumbled through the skies. The mortals watching the spectacle cowered at the sound of his voice. "Do you know what you have done?"

"I couldn’t let my Amazons die needlessly!", she shouted back. "There was no need. They prayed to me for help and assistance. How could I deny them?"

"You know better, daughter.", Zeus appeared in the sky above them, the dark form of Hades standing behind him. The mortals all lowered their heads in fear of the gods. "That ship and all aboard were to perish today. Their passage across the river Styx has already been paid for. What you have done by interfering cannot go unpunished."

"Brother, allow me to destroy the ship now, before they can reach land.", Poseidon interrupted. Indeed it would be less than one candlemark before the ship would be beyond any possible danger.

"No!", Zeus roared. "If my daughter is to be punished for her act, then that act must be allowed to continue along its course. Hades, you will have to wait for their souls. Poseidon, provide them safe passage.", he turned his attention back to his daughter, given to him by the beautiful Leto. Artemis presided over childbirths, despite being a virgin, because she caused her mother no pain during her birth. It greatly saddened the ruler of the gods that he had to punish his daughter. "Artemis, you have violated a scared rule amongst gods. I would have expected this from Ares, but certainly not you."

"I did what I felt was right, father. I do not regret my decision. If I had it to do again, my actions would not change.", her light brown eyes flared with self-righteousness and determination.

"You may very well regret your decision, Artemis.", he said solemnly.

All the gods were summoned to Mount Olympus for the special trial. Artemis stood straight, her chin raised, as Zeus read the verdict and punishment.

"Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt and Moon, Virgin caretaker of Childbirth, you are guilty of interfering with the lives of mortals outside of your realm. Had your action been taken on dry land, this tribunal might not have been called. However, your actions resulted in thirty seven lives being taken from Hades. Thirty-seven lives that the Fates must now continue to weave. The fact that most of those lives were your Amazons makes no difference. This indiscretion cannot be taken lightly. My daughter, like your brother Ares, you need to learn what life as a mortal is like.", he reached forward and took her silver bow, quiver, and arrow. "Your punishment is this, Artemis. You will be cast down to the world as a mortal, with all the feelings and sensations that a mortal has. Your bow, arrow, and quiver will be scattered throughout the land. Hermes will give you one clue as to where the first item is hidden. Only when you find that shall you receive any clue as to where the next one is hidden, and so on. You will not be allowed to reenter Mount Olympus nor communicate with any of the gods, until you have either completed your quest or die.", his eyes burned with the seriousness of his statement. "Make no mistake, my daughter, if you die as a mortal, you will be sent to the Elyssian fields for eternity, just as any mortal would."

Artemis lowered her head. Aphrodite and Athena let out small gasps. The severity of the punishment was not expected. Even Ares’ eyes grew wide at the words. He never expected his father to punish one of his daughters so harshly. Artemis looked up her father and her uncles seated at either side of him. "What about my Amazons? Who will watch over them?"

"I will, sister.", Athena stepped forward. "I will protect your Amazons as fiercely as I protect Athens.", her look went straight to Ares. "Your children will be safe, Artemis.", the God of War nodded slightly in defeat. He knew that to defy his father’s favorite daughter could cost him his godhood again.

"Artemis.", Zeus looked down at his daughter. "Your punishment begins now. I grant you only the option of deciding where you wish to appear.", he leveled his thunderbolt at her, already knowing her answer.

"I wish to be with my beloved Amazons."

Ephiny was walking across the grounds when she saw the single thunderbolt coming at her. There was almost no time to think before the bolt struck the ground near the temple. The crackle that accompanied it reverberated throughout the village. The brightness of the lightning bolt caused the Amazon to be blinded for a moment. When her vision returned, she saw a large, burnt out area in front of the temple where the bolt had landed. Lying in the center of the burn spot was a young woman, no more than twenty-five summers. She was dressed in deer skins that were only a few shades darker than her light brown hair. Ephiny ran over toward the fallen woman, all the while yelling instructions to the Amazons that were approaching.

Reaching the unconscious form, Ephiny turned her over to check for injuries. She let out a startled gasp as she recognized the face. She had seen that same face countless times on the statue in the temple. Ephiny suddenly found it hard to breathe as she stared at the face of Artemis.

"Xena, how can you stand there and tell me that this field isn’t pretty?"

"Gabrielle, it’s just flowers. It’s not like it’s a horse or anything.", the warrior replied in a bored tone.

"Not a romantic bone in your body, huh?", all Gabrielle got for an answer was a crooked smirk. "You know, Xena, it wouldn’t hurt for you to try and relax once in a while."

"Oh, you do enough relaxing for the both of us.", the warrior said as she patted her on the shoulder. "Come on, we need to find a safe place to set up camp. There won’t be that many candlemarks of daylight left.", as she walked away, Xena chuckled to herself as she imagined the pout that was most certainly on Gabrielle’s face at the moment.

The fire burned slowly, keeping them warm as they slept. Xena’s eyes opened quickly, her senses alerting her to approaching danger. Gabrielle shifted slightly as her sleeping body tried to get comfortable on the hard ground.

Her hand clamped down on the bard’s mouth as she shook her awake. "Someone’s coming."

Xena was fully dressed and backing up into the trees. Gabrielle pulled her staff up tight against her and pretended to be sleeping.

As the warrior had warned, within moments a horse and rider broke through the clearing. Even in the pale light of early morn, Gabrielle could make out the distinctive garb and markings that signified Amazon. She rose quickly and made a sign of peace as the rider quickly dismounted. The black stallion ambled off to join Argo in a nearby clover bed as Xena came out from the trees. Blue eyes met green as unspoken words were exchanged. There was trouble at the Amazon village.

"Regent Ephiny sent me to find you, my Queen.", the rider said as she gratefully accepted the waterskin from Gabrielle. "Your presence is required immediately."

"What’s the problem this time?", Xena asked as she started to assemble their belongings.

"Artemis is in trouble."

The Amazon, Tylia, told them all she knew, which wasn’t much. "So she just fell from the sky?", Gabrielle questioned as they walked alongside each other. Xena looked down at them from atop Argo. Tylia loosely held the reins to her black horse, allowing it to walk slowly behind them.

"There was a great thunderbolt, as if Zeus himself sent her. By the time I was sent to look for you, she hadn’t woken up yet."

"And Ephiny is sure that it’s Artemis?", Xena asked.

"Ephiny said she looks exactly like the statue." Tylia replied. "I didn’t get a chance to see her."

"Uh huh.", the warrior muttered. Gabrielle shot her a look before turning her attention back to their traveling companion. Xena remained lost in thought for the rest of the ride.

Once they entered the village, they headed straight for the temple, only to be stopped by Ephiny. "She hasn’t moved since we found her three sunrises ago. You two look exhausted. Why don’t you go bathe and rest. We’ll send word if there’s any change."

"Who’s with her now?"

"Taras the healer and Julia the priestess.", Ephiny answered. "Now you two go. I’ll have food sent to your hut. Besides, you certainly don’t want to go see Artemis dressed like that."

Gabrielle looked down at her sweaty, dirty clothes. She nodded her head and followed Xena to the baths. As a royal guard waited outside, the two women quickly undressed and sank into the tub.

"Ahhh, this is sooo nice." Gabrielle purred as she closed her eyes and laid her head back on the edge of the tub. Xena sat across from her, watching through hooded eyes. The bard’s arms were stretched out along the edge, causing her breasts to rise and fall as she breathed.

"Yes it is.", she replied. Xena didn’t even try to think about how long she had been admiring Gabrielle’s body or how long she had desired her young friend. It seemed impossible to believe that the beautiful creature lounging naked in the tub with her was the same frightened girl she had rescued just two summers ago. Gone was the baby fat, replaced with firm muscle that only served to accent her graceful curves. A familiar warmth spread through the warrior’s body as her mind raced with imaginative thoughts of a carnal nature. Xena didn’t know why she put herself through this exquisite torture, the object of her desires scant hands away, yet still unavailable. Her mind carried every image of Gabrielle, every fleeting glance or stolen look. She kept those visions with her, bringing them out only when she was alone. Only then could she release the tensions that were built up inside her while her mind filled with erotic thoughts of her beloved bard.

Deciding that the torture was now too much, Xena quickly washed up and climbed out of the tub. "I’m going to go check on Argo and then get some rest." She said as she pulled on the clean tunic provided by the Amazons.

"Okay, I’ll be there in a little while. I think I’ll wander over to the food hut and see what Maras has to offer." Gabrielle said.

Xena paused to take one more glance at Gabrielle’s naked form before leaving. She knew that Argo would get only a quick brushing before she headed to the hut to deal with her desires alone. As Xena left the bath hut, she smiled as she thought about how frequently such moments of self-indulgence were now necessary. Although modest, Gabrielle revealed herself to Xena often enough to make such moments almost a daily ritual, usually performed while out hunting for dinner.

Several candlemarks later, both women, now rested, headed to the temple. Ephiny was waiting for them. "She woke up briefly and said your name, Gabrielle.", there was no mistaking the shock that appeared on the young queen’s face.

"Me? Artemis called for me?", it was still hard for Gabrielle to accept that as Queen, she was Artemis’ chosen. Of course there were still times when it was hard for the young woman from Potodeia to accept that she was queen of the entire Amazon nation.

"Yes. I think you should go and see her now. She may wake up again soon." Ephiny held the door for Gabrielle as she entered the temple. She tried to hold the door for Xena, but the tall woman reached out with her long arms and grabbed it herself.

Gabrielle sat in a chair next to the pallet in the priestess’ room. Darkness fell slowly as they waited for the goddess to wake up. Artemis moaned softly before opening her eyes. "Ga...", the eyes closed as she fell back into unconsciousness.

"I’m here, Artemis." She reached out and took the goddess’ hand in her own. Xena leaned against the wall as they began their long vigil over the fallen deity.

Apollo’s chariot was just beginning to make its daily ascent when Gabrielle was woken up by Xena’s hand on her shoulder, gently shaking her. "She’s waking up."

"Thanks.", Gabrielle yawned as she sat up and stretched. She gratefully accepted the mug of tea offered by Julia, the priestess. The three women watched as Artemis moved her head from side to side before finally opening her eyes.

"Where...?", her voice, once silvery and smooth, now seemed hoarse and raspy. Xena took the mug from Gabrielle’s hands and offered it to her.

"You’re in your temple, my goddess. The Amazons brought you in here when you fell from the sky.", Julia explained. It took a moment for the confused Artemis to remember and understand.

"I’ve been cast out.", she said softly. Xena’s face remained stoic as the other women’s faces registered their shock at the news. As she sipped the tea, Artemis detailed the events leading to her being banished from the immortal realm. Xena and Julia listened quietly, an act that seemed impossible for the curious bard, who interrupted constantly with questions.

"So do you know what you have to do to regain your godhood?"

Artemis sighed and took another sip of the tea. "My bow, arrows, and quiver have been placed in different locations throughout Greece. I don’t know where they are or what I have to do to get them.", she handed the now empty mug back to Gabrielle. "Hermes will give me a message telling me where I have to go to find the first item."

"My Goddess,", Julia exclaimed. "Surely you aren’t expected to leave the village and look for these items yourself. We have several well-trained warriors who would be honored to...", her words were cut off by Artemis’ outstretched hand.

"I am expected to, Julia." , she smiled gently at the crestfallen look on the priestess’ face. "I will not go alone, my child. I expect Gabrielle to accompany me."

Gabrielle’s face registered shock while Xena maintained her stoic face. The only indication that the warrior had heard the comment was the slight, almost imperceptible narrowing of her eyes. "No.", the blue eyes locked with the brown of Artemis.

"You have no say in the matter, Xena."

"I will not allow Gabrielle to be put in jeopardy.", her tone was firm. "Julia is right, you have plenty of warriors to choose from to help you."

"Xena, can I talk to you for a moment?", without waiting for an answer, Gabrielle grabbed her forearm and pulled her off to a far corner.

"What?", Xena kept her tone low, but made sure it conveyed her annoyance. "Gabrielle, there’s no reason for you to be put in such danger. I have no doubt that the trials that Zeus has set up are going to be more dangerous than any we’ve faced before. I won’t let you put your life in jeopardy like that."

"Let me?", Gabrielle said indignantly. "Let me?", her voice rose slightly. "Xena, you are my best friend, but you don’t control me. I don’t need your permission."

"Gabrielle, that’s not what I meant."

"Of course it is, Xena, or you wouldn’t have said it.", the green eyes flashed with anger and defiance. "I’m going to help her. Whether you choose to or not is up to you.", Gabrielle turned to walk away when Xena’s hand reached out and grabbed her wrist.

"You know I’ll go wherever you do, Gabrielle. I just don’t like it. I hate being used by the Gods."

"Artemis isn’t using us, Xena. She’s asking for help.", she looked down at her wrist and waited for the warrior to release her grip. The two women stared at each other for a moment before Gabrielle moved back to Artemis’ side. Xena waited a moment, then walked over and stood behind the bard, maintaining a protective presence. Julia sat on the opposite side of the bed, casting cool looks at the tall warrior who seemed so disrespectful to her goddess.

"I would be honored to help you, Artemis.", Gabrielle noted the look of relief on the huntress’ face.

"Good, we’ll wait until Hermes delivers the first message. Until then, I would like to walk around and see the village from this new perspective.", just then, Artemis’ stomach gave a rumble that reminded Xena of the bard’s noisy belly. Gabrielle chuckled until she saw the frown on Artemis’ face.

"I think the first place you should visit is the food hut.", the bard said with a smile.

"Why?", she asked. Even Xena almost chuckled at the confused look. Gabrielle smiled gently, putting Artemis at ease.

"You’re hungry. That’s why your stomach growled."

"Oh. I guess there’s a few things I have to get used to." Artemis swung her feet over the edge of the bed and stood up. Only Xena’s quick reflexes kept her from stumbling to the ground.

"I guess walking would be one of those things.", the blue-eyed warrior said wryly. Gabrielle flashed her a look before taking Artemis’ other arm to give support.

"Don’t mind her, Artemis. She’s always like that."

"I know, child."

"Oh yeah, heh heh, I guess you would know that, being a goddess and all." The bard said sheepishly. Artemis smiled and patted the small hand.

Everywhere the three women went, a crowd of loyal Amazons followed, all trying to catch a glimpse of their goddess, as well as their radiant young queen. Ephiny assigned the entire royal guard to encircle and protect the two women, even though she knew that Xena would never allow any harm to come to either of them. Artemis smiled at Ephiny in appreciation of the gesture. They walked around, Gabrielle continuing to lend her arm in support of the huntress as she learned to use her mortal legs. "Everything looks so different from down here.", Artemis commented as she looked around, taking in the new view and sensations.

As they passed the communal flower garden, Artemis let out a gasp of joy. "Gabrielle, can you smell that?" She breathed in deeply. "All those wonderful fragrances.", with the wonderment of a child, Artemis bent down and sniffed a lilac bush. "Oh, so pretty." Gabrielle answered as many questions as she could about the multitude of flowers that made up the garden. A young woman was at the far end of the garden, on her knees, tending to her task with one eye while the other was trained on the mortal version of her goddess. She almost fainted when Artemis spotted her and walked over. "Are you the one responsible for this garden?"

"Y-yes, my goddess." The woman answered as she lowered her head. Artemis put her fingers on the woman’s chin and gently urged her to a standing position.

"You are Milaka, daughter of Rouna. Your garden is very beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me."

"Uh...", the kind words from her goddess as well as the gentle touch were too much for Milaka. She fainted.

Although once a powerful goddess, Artemis was a babe in the woods when it came to the normal day to day activities of mortals. Looking at the long tables filled with food, she had no idea what to eat or how much of it to eat. She decided to follow Gabrielle’s lead and put on her plate whatever she saw the bard place on hers. Xena stood behind her, doing her best not to grin as she watched both plates fill higher and higher. Gabrielle was chattering away, totally oblivious to Artemis’ imitation of her. Of course, no one dared tell the goddess that she was taking too much food. To the amazement of all, Artemis matched Gabrielle bite for bite, swallow for swallow. Several Amazons stopped eating just to watch the spectacle. Xena ignored the goings on and quickly consumed her meal, only to wish she hadn’t. Now finished eating, she was forced to sit there and wait while the other two ate and chatted. Gabrielle was gently grilling the goddess about Mount Olympus, the various gods and goddesses, and anything else she could engage Artemis into talking about. After three full candlemarks of dining and chatting, they finally left the food hut. Maris, the head cook, watched them leave, making a mental note to substantially increase the amount of food put out for the evening meal.

In the evening, Artemis retired to the temple to meditate and rest after a day filled with wonder and excitement. In all her eons as a goddess, she never experienced life through the eyes and body of a mortal. Her senses seemed dulled, somehow, less precise than she was used to. Closing her eyes, she tried to pick up on the thoughts of her Amazons. To her utter dismay, the only sound she heard was an owl hooting to the night sky. Not being able to read mortal’s minds was definitely going to be a disadvantage, she decided. As the new sensation of tiredness swept over her, Artemis thought about the events that led up to her banishment. She slipped into Morpheus’ arms for the first time, her last waking thought was her firm conviction that she had done the right thing by interfering with Poseidon and Hades.

Gabrielle laid awake, listening to the rhythmic scraping of the whetstone against the blade of Xena’s sword. She looked across the room. "Xena, do you think that Zeus was right?"

Xena looked up from her task. "Gabrielle, what Artemis did affected more than just the people on that ship. Her actions will affect future generations. I’m not saying that Zeus was right for banishing her, but I do agree that the gods shouldn’t interfere with the day to day lives of mortals.", she set the sword and stone down and settled under the covers on her pallet. "Get some sleep. I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be a very busy day."

"Good night, Xena."

Long after Gabrielle had fallen asleep, the warrior laid awake, watching her. Xena studied the rhythmic rise and fall of the bard’s chest, her ears tuned to the steady, deep breathing. Quietly slinking from her bed, Xena walked over and knelt down next to her. She gently brushed a loose lock of hair from the soft face. Unable to resist, Xena placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before returning back to her own pallet.

After breakfast, Gabrielle and the royal guard escorted Artemis to the training grounds so she could witness a demonstration from the archers. Xena had volunteered for the hunting party and would be gone for most of the day. Upon arriving at the grounds, the queen and goddess watched as archer after archer showed off her skills with the bow and arrow. When all the archers had completed their display, Artemis stepped forward and silently asked one of the women for her bow.

Stepping into position, the brown haired goddess raised the bow, set the arrow, and let the wooden shaft fly. The point imbedded itself slightly above and to the left of the center of the target. Of course the audience knew better than to say anything. Frowning, Artemis set another arrow into position and pulled back the bowstring. This time the arrow rang true and found the correct mark. She allowed a smile of satisfaction to play across her lips. She handed the bow back to the archer and returned to Gabrielle’s side. "I’m not used to that bow.", she said. The bard nodded and smiled in agreement with the explanation.

Without warning, the wind picked up, then calmed again. Some dust settled in Gabrielle’s eyes, blinding her momentarily. She turned her head and rubbed her eyes. "What’s that?", she said as she noticed a scroll laying on the ground behind Artemis.

"Looks like Hermes has finally paid us a visit.", the goddess said as she picked up the gold scroll. She turned back to face Gabrielle. "I believe the quest is about to begin." Artemis removed the silk band and unfurled the parchment. She looked at it for a moment, a quizzical look coming over her face. Shaking her head slightly, she handed the note to Gabrielle. "I don’t understand it."

Gabrielle took the scroll and read the message aloud. "Look to the nest between the two eggs and you shall find your first trial." Her bard’s eyebrows furrowed as she tried to figure out the riddle. "I don’t get it. Do you have any idea what it could mean?"

"No. The nest between two eggs? It just doesn’t make sense."

The three women set out the next morning. The Amazons provided Artemis with a white mare, bow and arrows, and the necessary supplies for traveling. Xena rode on Argo while Gabrielle walked between the two horses. Xena hadn’t figured out the riddle yet but still insisted that it had to be some sort of a marker for a town or village. Careful scrutinizatoin of all the maps in the Amazon village showed one small village that fit the description, Kiveron, six days north.

"I think we should stop and rest." Artemis said after two candlemarks. Her new-found muscles were beginning to ache from the horse ride.

"Not a chance." Xena said in a bored tone, ignoring the dirty look from Gabrielle. "We won’t stop for at least three more candlemarks."

It was exactly three more candlemarks before Xena finally allowed them to stop. Gabrielle set up the camp while the warrior and huntress went to catch lunch. By the time she had a small fire going and a spit made, the other two women came back with plenty to eat.

"What’s it like? Being a mortal now instead of a goddess, I mean."

"Well, Gabrielle, there are some things that seem the same but there are many things that are different." Artemis replied. The bard sat forward on the edge of the log, thoroughly interested in this rare exchange of information from an actual goddess. "Well, eating is different, for one thing. I find that mortal stomachs seem to constantly need filling."

"Not all mortals, just Gabrielle’s." Xena quipped.

"Don’t mind her, she’s always been a poor conversationalist." The bard said as she shot another look at her best friend. Xena shrugged and went back to polishing off her share of lunch. "Do go on, Artemis."

"I find the need to do other things more frequently too." Her gaze went off to the woods. Gabrielle nodded with understanding. "My muscles ache and my lower back is sore from riding. We could have been there by now if I was allowed to keep Pegasus." She sighed. "Oh well, I guess that’s part of the punishment. Some things seem to be the same. I’m still capable of using a bow and arrow and I still have all my knowledge, although I cannot look into the minds of mortals."

"We need to get going." Xena interrupted.

"Of course." Artemis agreed, pretending not to notice the curt tone in the warrior’s voice. Not being one to hide her feelings, the huntress was unable to keep the hurt look off of her face. Xena had turned to saddle up Argo, but Gabrielle did notice and made a mental note to talk to Artemis later about Xena’s stoic nature and to talk to her warrior about being nicer to the Moon Goddess.