After positioning Cyrene, Maka went to take care of her other problem. This woman would not live. She had given birth to the impostor queen. She had to die. Maka thought of taking the woman's life herself, but decided that a more inventive way was necessary. In her exploration of the mountain tunnels, Maka had found a river that ran under the rock. Several searches finally revealed a hidden cave, accessible only by going into the river and entering it from beneath. When the moon was at its highest point, the river rose and filled the small cave. Yes, this death would much more painful than a sword, Maka thought to herself. Gabrielle's mother would have the horror of knowing what it was like to drown, a most unpleasant death indeed.

After dismounting from Argo and sending the horse back to a safer place to wait for them, Xena and Gabrielle began their long walk into the ruins. Neither woman spoke of their fears as they worked their way past scenes of long ago battles and long dead skeletons. Twice the sights had been too much for the young queen and she turned to Xena's strong arms for support. The warrior had long, long ago been desensitized to scenes of death and carnage, although if asked she would be forced to admit that the battle of the South Gate had caused her several nightmares in the recent moons. The scenes she looked upon now had no effect on her, except sadness that the woman she loved was affected by them.

Gabrielle was unable to stifle a gasp when she saw Cyrene tied to a hangman's noose. A tall, muscle-bound Amazon stood in front of her, sword pressed up against a thin rope. "Xena..." The bard whispered.

"I see it." She answered grimly. There was no way she could reach the Amazon before the rope could be cut. Even her chakram would be useless in this situation. Even if she cut the noose, the Amazon could still reach her mother and run her through before Xena could get there. There was just too much open space between them for the warrior to be able to surprise the Amazon. "I don't see your mother anywhere."

"No, I don't either." Gabrielle answered quietly. Xena understood the fear and placed a gentle hand on the bard's knee. "Xena, you have to stay here. If she sees you..."

"I know. I'll wait until you distract her, then I'll rescue mother. Be careful, please?" Xena brought her hand up to touch the storyteller's cheek. "I don't want to become a widow, either." She was answered with a gentle kiss.

"I will, you too." Taking a deep breath, Gabrielle adjusted her grip on the staff and stepped out from the protection of the trees.

"Ah, so you did have the nerve to show up, after all. I was beginning to wonder if you were a coward as well as a thief." Maka yelled out as she watched the honey haired woman approach.

"I am not a thief. Who are you?" Gabrielle yelled back, her eyes darting around, looking for signs of traps. Another one of the many skills that Xena had that she was teaching her young lover.

"I am Maka, born of Amazon blood. You have no right to carry the title of Queen." She moved her sword slightly, pointing it more at the approaching woman with the staff than at the helpless old woman behind her.

"I have the right to the title of Queen by Right-Of-Caste given to me by Terreis on her deathbed."

"YOU ARE NOT AN Amazon, WOMAN!!" Maka's fury was evident in her words. "And now you will die for stealing the crown." She moved quickly forward, startling the bard for a split-second before she recovered and brought her staff up to block a crushing blow aimed at her head. The battle was on.

Maka made certain to keep within easy reach of the rope that supported the platform that Cyrene was standing on. The Amazon was certain that Xena was out in the woods somewhere. "Your mother should have taught you better manners than to steal, woman." Maka taunted as the exchanged blows and blocks.

"And your mother should have given you some courage." Gabrielle shot back. "Only a coward kidnaps peoples mothers." She blocked another blow aimed at her midsection. "Where is my mother?" Wood banged against metal. They were still too close to the rope for Xena to make any kind of move. Gabrielle started to back up, away from both the rope and Xena's hiding place, trying to draw Maka. "If you've hurt her, I swear I'll kill you."

Xena's eyebrows went up when she heard the threat. It was against everything that Gabrielle believed in to take a life, yet here she was, promising to do just that.

"I've done nothing to her...yet." Maka taunted. "She's in an underground cave near the edge of the river. Do you want to know what will happen to her when the river rises?"

A look of pure rage came over Gabrielle as she swung at the Amazon with all her might. Maka dodged the blow and brought her sword up, grazing the bard's arm. "First blood, woman. It won't be long before you're both dead." She swung again, only to be blocked by the six foot staff. In her quest to kill the queen, Maka paid little attention to the distance being put between her and the rope.

Lila followed the footprints that led from the biggest building. They led to a tunnel hidden within the mountain. It would have been impossible to find the opening had it not been for the footprints. Once inside, she followed the sound of rushing water until she found the river. Now all she had to do was find the cave. Looking around, she saw a spot where the ground was wet from someone exiting the river. Lila jumped in and started to feel along the river edge, uncertain of which side the cave was on or even if she was in the right area.

Xena watched as Maka advanced on Gabrielle. The Amazon landed blow after blow against Gabrielle's staff. She knew the bard couldn't last much longer. Just a few more steps...

Gabrielle saw Xena out of the corner of her eye and realized what she had to do. She started to back up even more, eventually drawing the Amazon out of reach of the ropes. Xena fired off the chakram and bolted into the clearing, drawing Maka's attention away from Gabrielle. The bard wasted no time in bringing her staff down on the Amazon's head. Maka howled with pain and brought her sword back in a vicious arc, catching Gabrielle on the bottom swell of her right breast. The Amazon took off to intercept the warrior.

The chakram sliced neatly through the rope above Cyrene's neck. The innkeeper's face lit up at the sight of her daughter running toward her. Xena was closer than Maka, but the Amazon threw her sword with all her might at the rope. From the platform to the ground below, the height was enough to seriously injure, if not kill, the old woman. Her hands were still tied behind her back, there would be no way for her to break the fall.

As the sword tore through the rope, Xena vaulted herself forward, spreading herself across the hole. The small platform collapsed, sending Cyrene down onto her daughter's back. "Urgmph." Xena used her forearms and shins to move sideways until they were clear of the hole. She rolled to get her mother, literally, off her back, then jerked into a standing position and took off after the Amazon, who had retrieved her weapon and taken off after Gabrielle.

Her arms felt as heavy as tree limbs from battling Maka. The right side of her shirt was now a bright crimson below the breast. Xena was on them in a flash, sending her sword right through the Amazon's back, stopping only when the hilt finally pressed against flesh. Gabrielle rolled out of the way as Maka fell lifelessly to the ground. Xena saw the blood and immediately moved to Gabrielle's side.

"Don't get up." She pushed on the bard's shoulders, forcing her back down. Tearing open the top at the point where the sword sliced through it, the warrior saw the deep gash. "It's in a fleshy area, you'll be fine. Just lie still." She looked at the graze on the bard's arm. "Not bad at all, just a scratch. It's the other one that needs stitches."

"Hades of a place to get hurt, huh?" Gabrielle's attempt at humor was not lost on her lover. Xena smiled gently at her.

"I have to go check on Mother and get something to put on that wound. Stay put." She turned to head toward Cyrene, who had worked herself into a sitting position.

"Xena!"

"What?"

"Find my mother. I'll be all right." Xena heard the words just as she reached her own mother.

"Mother, I need something to put against Gabrielle's wound."

"Use my apron." Xena nodded in agreement and untied her mother's hands.

"Go see to Gabrielle. I'll go look for her mother. Do you have any idea where the hidden cave could be?"

"All I know is that it has to be behind the building. She brought me out first, then I didn't see her again, so it must be somewhere back there. I'm afraid I don't know any more than that." Xena frowned as she thought about the situation. It was almost completely dark out and the river would be rising soon.

"Mother, go see to Gabrielle." Xena took off around the building. Cyrene moved slowly, letting her back and legs adjust to moving again, as she made her way over to the young queen.

"You're mother will be fine, Gabrielle. Xena will find her, don't worry." Cyrene said soothingly as she pressed a clean part of the apron against the wound. The bard nodded, but said nothing, fear that her voice would betray the fear running though her. The tears in her eyes didn't listen to her head, instead they started to roll down the side of her face. Unable to control it anymore, she started sobbing. "Oh, you poor dear, come here." Cyrene put her arms around Gabrielle's shoulders and let her cry against her. "Shh, it's all right now, child. Hecuba is going to be fine. Xena will find her, shh, don't worry." The innkeeper rocked her gently as she continued to comfort her.

Xena immediately picked up the sets of tracks that led to the hidden opening. She saw several different passageways ahead of her. Uncertain, she listened. Running water. She took off after the sound, only dimly aware of the encroaching darkness. Soon she was in complete blackness, feeling her way along the walls as she moved forward. Her ears picked up on gentle crying. "Lila? Lila, are you in here?"

"Over here." The soft voice answered. Xena followed the voice until she reached the edge of the river. "I can't find it. I've looked and looked." The young woman was crying softly. Xena grabbed her arm to get her attention.

"Lila, get some torches and light the way. After that, get a fire started in here." Xena said as she removed her armor and weapons, save her breast dagger. Lila stared at the river, trying to see through the depths for the elusive tunnel. The warrior shook her arm, hard. "Lila! Go!"

"Torches…fire." The farm girl was snapped out of her slight trance. Xena dove into the river. Lila headed back toward the cave entrance.

Toris thought his heart would break when he saw the tears well up in the young boy’s eyes. Kaleipus moved quickly to take Solon into his arms. The boy lost his resolve and cried the heavy, sobbing cries of a child overwhelmed with emotions. The Centaur held the boy in his arms, rocking him gently as he waited for the precocious boy to regain his composure. Toris watched the scene silently, fully aware of the burning eyes of the Centaur upon him.

Since Maka had brought Gabrielle’s mother in during the low tide, Xena knew the entrance had to be deep along the rocky side. It wasn’t long before the warrior’s hand reached out and was treated to the feeling of more water instead of solid rock. She quickly rose to the surface to relieve her burning lungs and mark her position. Rising out of the water, she took several gulps of air as she removed her dagger and tossed it onto the ground, far enough away from the rising water that it wouldn’t get submerged as the water rose.

The tunnel was not the easiest to navigate through. Xena couldn’t even be sure if this was the right tunnel. She mentally checked her calculations as to how long she could stay down before she would have to turn back for air. When she reached the point of no return, she made the split second decision whether to continue or not. Pushing forward, she pressed even harder, trying to cover as much area as possible before her air ran out.

Lila grabbed as many torches as she could find and lit the path from the cave entrance to the river edge, where she had a small fire going. Standing at the edge, she looked up and down as far as she could see in the dim firelight. No sign of her mother or the warrior. Her thoughts raced between her mother and her sister. Xena made no mention of her sister. Lila wanted to go check on her sister, but didn’t dare move from her vigil.

Xena’s head came up, her lungs burning painfully. The floor of the small cave was already underwater. A quick check around in the darkness told her that no one was in this particular cave. The water was up to her knees. Xena hoped that Hecuba’s cave was higher than this one. She took a moment to restore her breathing to a manageable level, then filled her lungs and dove back in, heading further down the tunnel. She mentally cursed herself for having no knowledge of her enemy’s mind. There was no way of knowing how many of these small pockets existed within the mountain. There wasn’t enough time to explore them all, either.

Xena moved up into yet another empty, dark, pocket. To her lungs dismay and actual panic, the water had completely filled the cave. She forced her way out and made her way back to the previous cavern nearby to replenish her air. She was running out of time.

Hecuba watched in terror as the water continued to rise. With her hands still bound, there was no way she could try to navigate her way out. She was now standing up straight, the water to her chin. Her lip was quivering in personal fear as her teeth chattered from the onset of hypothermia. She had seen nothing but darkness for candlemarks now, almost mad with the absence of light. She heard the sound of splashing, followed by someone fighting for breath. "H-Help!" Her chattering teeth did little to help carry her voice, but it was enough for Xena to hear.

"Keep talking. I’ll come to you." She moved toward the sounds.

"Xena? Oh praise the Gods. Xena." Hecuba said her name almost reverently. She felt the warrior’s strong hand reach out and make contact with her shoulder.

"We don’t have much time, the caves are filling with water quickly. We have to leave, now! Grab hold of my skirt and don’t let go. I’ll pull you along. Hold your breath as long as you can." Xena couldn’t afford to take a rest now to catch her breath. Taking gulps of air, both women moved back under the water.

Lila was in complete tears by the time Cyrene found her. "Who are you?" The innkeeper asked as she reached her.

"Lila."

"Where are they, child?" Xena’s mother decided not to ask how the child got here, for all she knew the sister had come with her daughter and Gabrielle.

"I don’t know. Xena told me to light torches and make the fire. That was at least three candlemarks ago." Lila tore her eyes away from the rising river to look for the first time at Xena’s mother. "Where’s Gabrielle?"

The older woman lowered her gaze as she chose her words carefully. "She’s been hurt." Lila now noticed the blood on Cyrene’s top. "She’s safe right now. I came to see if Xena needed my help."

The time passed with Cyrene alternating between checking Gabrielle and her sister. All three women waited quietly, none choosing to express their fears or concerns. Cyrene had informed Gabrielle of Lila’s presence, and reluctantly, the continued missing status of the loved ones. The bard’s sobs of pain and fear caused her wound to continue to weep blood. Cyrene did the best she could to calm the two sisters down while struggling to keep her own tears in check. Several times she failed, moving somewhere away from both sisters and crying softly in private. These girls needed her to be strong in front of them. Her time for grieving, if necessary, would have to come later.

Kaleipus stoked the fire as Solon sat with Toris on the bed. The man was answering as many of the boy’s questions as possible. After the initial tears, the Centaur had discovered that Solon had suspected the truth ever since he had met Xena the previous year. At the moment, he seemed more interested in finding out all he could from his new-found uncle than he was in discussing the hows and whys of how he came to live the Centaurs.

Gabrielle heard dove calls in the distance. Her weakened calls for help were only heard by the weeping Cyrene, who was leaning against a nearby building, out of the queen’s sight. As fast as her tired legs could take her, Cyrene was at the bard’s side. "Gabrielle, what is it?"

"Run that way." She pointed toward the forest. "Yell for help, there’s Amazons out there. Go!" Gabrielle watched as the old woman moved toward the trees, waving her arms in the dark and yelling as best she could for help. Soon several Amazons appeared from the trees, weapons drawn, looking for a trap. Eponin moved forward and realized that this small woman had to be one of the mothers. Motioning for the warriors to lower their weapons, she approached the woman.

"Where are they?"

"Gabrielle’s hurt." Cyrene pointed over to the fallen queen, noting that several Amazons were already heading that way. "Xena’s…" She stopped speaking and took unexpected comfort in the arms of the strong Amazon. "A cave behind the main building. There’s torches." The tears of a mother in pain soaked into Eponin’s tunic. The Amazon motioned for some warriors to go to the cave. She sent another pair back to get Saras the Healer and some litters. Unbidden tears came to Eponin’s eyes as she held the grieving mother. She made a mental note to go see her mother as soon as they returned to the village and tell her how much she loved her. Taking small steps, she escorted Cyrene back to the small fire near Gabrielle. Two warriors had gone off in search of wood to increase the size of the fire. It was obvious that they weren’t going anywhere until sunrise.

The last cave was filled, giving no chance for the women to alleviate the agonizing pain in their lungs. Xena grimly noted just how far away the river was. She knew she didn’t have enough air to make it, much less the poor woman holding on to her. Twice Hecuba had run out of air and choked on water, forcing Xena to retreat to the nearest cave to let her regain her breath. It may have proven to be a fatal mistake. The warrior’s mind focused on her blue-green eyed lover. Xena pushed on with all of her energy, dragging her lover’s mother with her.

Hecuba started to choke a few strokes from the river edge. Xena forced herself to ignore the woman’s terrified thrashing and moved her hand up the smooth side of the riverbed, feeling for an handhold to propel them up with. She was blessed to find such a grip spot. Wrenching her arm painfully, she jerked their bodies upward.

Never had a breath of air felt so good to Xena. She held Hecuba’s head above water as two Amazons swam over to them. Hecuba coughed up water as she forced air back in her lungs. In the distance, Xena could hear Lila screaming, but her mind wasn’t on this particular woman from Potodeia. Allowing a warrior to help her, Xena made her way to shore. As desperately as she wanted to check on Gabrielle, the energy left her body the moment she reached dry ground. Xena was too weak to protest when an incredibly strong Amazon picked her up and, cradling her, carried her out of the cavern. Realizing that she was being taken to Gabrielle, Xena relaxed and succumbed to exhaustion.

Lila cradled her mother in her arms, rocking her gently. "It’s okay, you’re safe now, Mother. It’s all over…shhh." She stroked her mother’s greying hair gently. They were covered with blankets to dry off and warm up the mother. More logs were added to the fire to generate heat.

In all the excitement, Cyrene had completely forgotten about the blow to her head, which was now throbbing painfully. Reaching up, she felt the heat of infection. Eponin noticed and brought her over to get some immediate attention.

The makeshift camp was broken up into two three sections. One was inside the cavern, keeping watch over Lila and Hecuba. The daughter refused to move her mother, who was now sleeping deeply in her arms. The warriors who also had healing skills were tending to the numerous wounds on the women, including stitching Gabrielle’s gash. As the warrior did the stitching, she silently prayed that they would be small, neat, and even. She didn’t want to leave any unnecessary scars on her beloved queen. The third section was made up of the rest of the warriors, waiting to escort the group back to the village at first light.

Saras and the litters arrived just before daybreak. Lila was the only one able to ride. She took Argo’s reins and gratefully accepted an Amazon’s hand in getting up into the saddle. Looking downward, she understood why Gabrielle walked all the time. The others were all carried, even the mighty warrior princess, who only acquiesced after she tried to walk and found the effort too straining. Every muscle ached from swimming for so long or from holding her breath. She still couldn’t take a deep breath without protest from her chest muscles. Gabrielle was alert and responsive, chatting away with the women that carried her litter, telling them what happened and checking on the condition of all of her loved ones. Both mothers said little, they needed rest after their ordeal. Unlike their traveling daughters, neither woman was used to such physical exertion. It would be a quarter moon or more before they would have the strength to travel back to their homes.

Every woman in the village awaited their arrival. They were met with cheers for their heroism. As exhausted as she was, Xena still found herself deeply embarrassed to have been carried into the village instead of by the power of her own feet. Gabrielle smiled and waved, telling them that she wasn’t as injured as she looked. She didn’t have to look down to know that the right side of her shirt was completely covered with blood. Clean bandages had been put over the wound, but there was nothing else she could cover herself with, so she put her crimson stained shirt back on.

Gabrielle, Hecuba, and Cyrene were taken to Saras’ hut. Xena and Lila went to the palace and went to their rooms, falling asleep the moment they each hit their beds. A messenger was sent to advise Toris of the good news. Two others were each sent to Amphipolis and Potodeia to tell the families.

Gabrielle entered her room quietly, trying hard not to disturb Xena. Quickly undressing, she slipped under the covers. "Hey, you okay?" Xena asked quietly as she rolled over to face her love.

"Yeah, fine. I just needed a few stitches. Oh, good news. My shirt’s ruined." Xena smiled at that news. Oh, how she hated that ugly green thing. Although it did reveal the bard’s tight midriff.

"Maybe I can help you make the next one." Her eyebrow rising slightly.

"I guess you’re feeling better." Gabrielle responded as she playfully swatted the warrior’s arm. She was rewarded with a kiss.

"Mmm, definitely." Xena growled. "But we do need to get some rest." She reached down and stopped the bard’s roving hand. Gabrielle pouted slightly, but withdrew her hand. "How’s my mother? How’s your mother?"

"Cyrene’s fine. She needed a couple of stitches for her head, but other than a few bumps and bruises, she came out of it okay. Mother’s tired, but she’ll be okay." Gabrielle looked deep into the blue eyes. "Thank you." She murmured as she brought her mouth to Xena’s.

"Shh." She returned the kiss. "You would have done the same thing for Cyrene." Gabrielle nodded in agreement. She loved Xena’s mother almost as much as her own. Feeling the tiredness settle in, Gabrielle snuggled up against Xena’s breast and sighed contentedly. More than willing to go back to sleep with the bard against her, Xena wrapped her arms around her and closed her eyes, a serene smile playing about her lips.

"How are you feeling, Mother?" Xena asked as she entered Saras’ hut and moved over to stand beside her bed.

"I’m fine, dear. Just a little worn out from all the excitement." Cyrene tried to sit up, but her daughter’s gentle hands pushed her back down.

"Rest." Xena said as she took her mother’s hand in hers and sat down on the bed next to her. Since Gabrielle opened her heart, the normally reluctantly affectionate warrior found it a little easier to give her mother a tender gesture. Part of her also still felt guilty for her mother being in this predicament in the first place. Only Gabrielle knew how much it tore at the warrior’s heart to see the ones she loved getting hurt because of her.

Cyrene was both surprised and pleased with her daughter’s action. She brought her other hand over and clasped it with Xena’s. "How are you? I was worried to death waiting for you."

"Sore." She stretched her aching back.

"How’s Toris? Gabrielle said he was injured." Xena’s face went stoic at the mention of her brother. She was trying hard not to think about him being with the Centaurs and what he might have learned.

"He’s fine. He should have known not to cross over into Amazon land. He’s lucky to be alive."

"He was trying to save my life. And warn you, I might add." Cyrene chastised her daughter. "I know you two don’t get along as well as I would like you to, but he is still your brother and he put his life in danger to help us." Cyrene settled back on her pillow, satisfied that her point was made. Xena took a deep breath and counted to five before speaking.

"I know that, Mother. He just should have been more careful."

"He’s a farmer, not a warrior, Xena. He wasn’t worried about his safety, all he was concerned about was finding you."

"It’s about time Toris did something to help his family." She mumbled, forgetting that her mother’s hearing was almost as good as hers.

"Xena! That’s not fair. How can you sit there and judge his decisions? After Cortese, he returned home and took up farming. His land feeds half the village. You have no room to judge him. He was all I had left after you left."

"Mother, I…"

"Xena! Stop upsetting her!" Hecuba’s voice piped over from behind a privacy screen. The warrior’s head turned in the direction of the sound and her eyebrow arched above the hairline.

"Thank you, Hecuba." Cyrene said. "Xena, I know how you two feel about each other, but he is family. As soon as you’re able, I expect you to go see him, do you understand?" Xena nodded slightly, just enough to be noticeable.

"Gabrielle and I will go see him tomorrow, if she’s up to it." Xena felt the urge to visit the training grounds and take her frustration out on some sparring partners. "I have to go check on her. I’ll come see you later."

"Bring Gabrielle with you, I’d love to see her."

"Okay." She rose to leave.

"Xena." Hecuba called out. "Lila was in here first thing this morning to see me. You tell Gabrielle that I don’t care if she is the Queen, she had better get over here to see me soon if she knows what’s good for her."

"I’ll give her the message." Xena’s hand was on the door.

"And I expect YOU to come back later and see your mother for more than just a few minutes, young lady." Xena counted to ten, then left to find Gabrielle.

Gabrielle was in the throne room, talking over some recent issues with Ephiny, when Xena stormed in. "We need to talk." She said as she grabbed the queen’s arm and pulled her out of the room.

"Calm down, you look like you’re going to explode." Gabrielle watched as Xena paced back in forth, muttering to herself as she tried to regain control.

"Do you know what she said to me? To ME?"

"Who?"

"Your mother, that’s who! She yelled at me like I was a child!" Xena’s arms waved about in the air in disbelief that someone would dare to speak to her like that.

"Were you acting like a child, Xena?" Gabrielle teased.

"Don’t think you’re not in trouble too, my little queen. Your mother sent me a message for you, too." Xena grinned as she saw Gabrielle’s eyes roll.

"Uh oh. I’m not gonna like it, am I?" The bard put her hands over her face and shook her head. Xena’s grin became wider and she stopped pacing.

"Oh, I don’t think you will. She said that queen or no queen, she expected you to go see her immediately." She chuckled at the groan let out by Gabrielle.

"I bet Lila’s already been to see her."

"First thing this morning." Xena chirped. Gabrielle groaned again before looking at her lover. A horrid thought crossed the bard’s mind. "Xena…"

Xena’s look went from almost playful to concerned when she saw Gabrielle’s expression of dread. "What?"

"You don’t suppose they talked…" Gabrielle was already standing and heading for the door. Xena’s eyes went wide as she thought of the implications of both women talking to each other.

"They were alone in a cell together for a long time." Xena said as she followed Gabrielle out the door.

"If she tells Cyrene about the time I…" Gabrielle stopped and looked at Xena, who was also thinking of embarrassing parts of her childhood.

"Oh gods." They said in unison.