Castlewarming Chapters 161-170
by Hercules Forum Collective
Chapter 161
by Lyrical and Aquillea
Lyrical was about to retort to this comment when....
suddenly she pulled away from Hercules and became very serious. She felt
herself being pulled by a current of emotion that she imagined could take
her someplace beautiful, but she knew it could take her someplace ugly
"How much of my past did Aphrodite tell you?" she asked.
"All of it I thought," answered Hercules, sensitive to the sudden change in
her mood.
"Did she tell you about the night Arnon threw me out of the house?"
"Well, tell isn't exactly the right word. But she revealed to me how....
cruelly," his voice took on an edginess, ".... he treated you. And yes, I
was aware that he threw you out." Then the son of Zeus grew quietly sad,
asking, "why, is there more?"
"Oh yes, a lot more." said Lyrical staring down at the cool dark grass
looking for peace and strength. Finding neither she turned back to the
kind, blue eyes of the man before her and thought, perhaps, what she sought
was there. "I really need to tell you about it. This is something I have
never told anyone else, ever. I think I need to get it out…. let go of it….
But I don't think I...." She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment before
continuing. "I need your promise that this stays between us. Promise?"
"Yes," was all Hercules said.
Lyrical nodded, and staring out at some distant, far off place, told him
the story of the day her spirit had died.
"A group of my fiancé's friends were making fun of me, nothing unusual
about that. But then Arnon asked me why I thought he had never...." She
took a deep breath and continued, "....taken me to his bed. He said that I
probably thought it was to keep that night special.... Then he laughed in
my face." A tear began to roll down her cheek as she recalled the man
saying he would rather take a corpse to bed, "because it would have more
life than I would and would look better as well."
Hercules was so astonished by the brutality of the words that he could not
even summon up any anger. His heart was breaking as he reached out to brush
away her tears. "You don't have to...." he whispered hoarsely.
But she crossed her arms and took another deep breath hoping to steady
herself, then continued.
One of the vile man's friends had shouted out, 'lets see if that's true,'
and Arnon's hands had been upon her, tearing at her clothes. "Something in
me snapped," said Lyrical, "and I kicked him hard in the groin....
scratched his face pretty badly. He grabbed me by the hair and backhanded
me." She winced recalling how she had sailed across the room and hit the
opposite wall. "Then Arnon just picked me up and bodily tossed me out the
door."
The beautiful blond Amazon paused for a few moments and Hercules wondered
if she had finished her story. Lyrical pondered the question as well. She
had not told him everything of course and she feared doing so would be
unwise. But she had begun pouring her heart out to him; it seemed more
unwise to stop.
It had been raining that night and she had landed in some mud in the
street. She wandered purposefully yet not knowing where she was going. Some
how she had found herself atop the cliffs near Corinth. Hercules barely
breathed now as the woman continued on, "I stood on the edge of the cliff
and then I informed....not asked.... not prayed to…. but informed Hades
that I was coming and he had best make room for me." The next instant she
had been falling. "As I went through the air, I felt free for the first
time in my life. Then I blacked out."
The anguished demi-god drew in a breath sharply and closed his eyes. But
the images that came to him were so wrenching it was better to have his
eyes open.
Lyrical summoned up the courage to look directly at the son of Zeus. It was
especially important for him to hear this next part. "It was your sister,
Aphrodite, who came to me.... who caught me.... who did all in her power to
heal me." She remembered hearing the goddess speaking although she had been
unable to open her eyes.
The storyteller shook her head slightly, still somewhat amazed after all
this time. Once again she her eyes turned misty. "She told me that she
couldn't loose the best friend she ever had. That I was the only one who
ever really liked her for who she really was. Not because she was a
goddess… not because of what she could do for me…. but simply liked her for
her." Then Lyrical paused for effect to ensure that Hercules understood
what a precious gift his sister could be.
"Aphrodite went on to tell me there were others who needed me as well.
That's when I awoke and she took me to the Amazon Forum camp to watch over
the children. The rest you know."
The story completed, Lyrical found herself drained and more than a little
apprehensive about Hercules' reaction to her tale. She hardly dared to look
at him for fear of what might be reflected from his eyes, pity perhaps or
worse, rejection. Her need to know the truth proved stronger than her
desire to hide from it and she tuned to face the man once again.
A mixture of emotions possessed him, threatening to spill forth from his
eyes. He shared her suffering and her restored hope. But the anger that
Lyrical had never allowed herself to own began to fill him up for the both
of them. Anger towards Arnon for all of the hurt and pain he had caused
this loving and generous soul. Anger to at a world that could produce such
monsters that would seek out fragile goodness and beauty only wanting to
destroy it.
When she looked into the hero's eyes and saw the anger there Lyrical gently
took his hand in one of hers and with the other touched his cheek.
"Hercules," she said in a quiet but strong voice, "that is all in the past.
I only told you so that maybe you could understand me a little better and
know what I have been through. I trust you with my life and now I am
trusting you with my heart."
"I'll guard it with my life," he replied. "Your heart is my heart... I... I
love you."
......"I'll guard it with my life," he replied. "Your heart is my
heart..... I.. I..love you."
Arnon had made Lyrical feel unworthy of love, but now she was beginning to
see she was rich with it. She'd had Aphrodite's love and then the Amazons'
love. Now, it seemed she had Hercules' love as well. A part of Lyrical
wanted desperately to say 'I love you too, more than I ever thought
possible.' Another part of her held back, still slightly afraid of her
feelings.
Lyrical's eyes filled with tears, she struggled to find words, but Hercules
raised his fingers to her lips to quiet her. His voice was soft & full of
emotion. "I know your past makes it difficult to respond. If you don't feel
the same, I understand. If you do and can't say it, show me."
She looked hard to find some sort of betrayal in him, some clue that this
was merely a diversion for him. Surely she could not mean as much to him as
he did to her. As hard as she tried, she could not find anything in his
face or his past actions that would even remotely hint that he was toying
with her. He quietly watched her as she began the inner battle with
herself. After only moments, it seemed she had made up her mind to trust
him. She moved her body closer to him. He pulled her even closer as he
stroked her hair. Her heart raced and her breath grew quick and shallow.
She left it to him to take the lead, but her paused just long enough to
give her the chance to change her mind.
Her hurtful past made the mind hesitant but her heart was willing and her
body leaned into his.
His lips brushed her neck like the petal of a rose and lingered as she
tilted her head back to allow him full access to it. Then he lightly laid
his strong yet gentle hand on her cheek and turned her face to him. His
lips were soft, yet strong, & demanding.
Lyrical loved the taste of the sweet wine they had drunk only moments ago
lingering on his lips.
He carried her from the chairs they had been sitting on to the soft bed of
grass Aphrodite had made for her earlier, his lips never leaving hers. He
set her down upon the makeshift bed & lied down next to her. He ran his
hands along her back ever so gently while matching her body to his.
Lyrical was experiencing sensations no man had ever before stirred up. The
longing for more was driving her insane, but he was insistent upon taking
his time.
His lips wandered from hers to the side of her face, her ear, down her
neck. He was slowly making his way down her body, kissing every inch of
her.
The intensity of it all was shocking to Lyrical, as was her reaction, for
kiss after kiss of his, she also returned. And, she hungered for more!
The Demi- God and Goddess spent their passion, leaving them both exhausted,
and they fell asleep in each other's arms, beneath the rising sun.
As Maddie and Arkie continued their search for Autolycus, Maddie noticed
the almost deadly silence that suddenly surrounded them. She stopped short
and listened.
"What are you doing?" Arkie asked.
"Listening," Maddie said, her voice just above a whisper.
"To what? I don't hear anything," said Arkie.
"Yes, that's just the problem. No birds, no animals, no nothing. It's dawn,
this meadow should be full of sound. To trot out a cliche, it's too quiet."
replied Maddie.
As if to answer her concerns, a huge fireball flew across the meadow and
landed several feet away. Maddie grabbed Arkie and pulled her to the
shelter of a nearby tree.
"W-w-w-hat w-w-w-as . . ." stammered Arkie.
"That?" Maddie replied. "Gods at play. And from the looks of it we're in
the crossfire. Just what I was afraid of, it's Discord!"
"That's a person?" asked Arkie.
"Only if we really lower our standards on who we consider a rational being
to be." Maddie continued. "Auto and I have had some run ins with her.
Unfortunately we have nothing to defend ourselves with."
"I still have my whip!" Arkie offered.
"Yes, but by the time you're close enough to use it, you'll be fried. As
much as I hate it, I think our best course is retreat and reinforcement."
"Too bad you won't be able to pull that off," said a rather familiar
masculine voice. "I'd like to see you crawl away from here."
"Strife," said Maddie in an almost casual way. "Gee, so nice to see you
again! You know what I'd really like to see?" she asked as she edged slowly
closer.
"No, what?"
"Ah, this!" Maddie yelled as she slammed a boot tip into his shin,
following it with a knee to the stomach and a right to the jaw. Arkie
followed with a quick left as Strife flew in her direction.
"That should do for the moment but we gotta get out of here," said Maddie.
They turned to see Discord across the meadow readying one of her patented
fireballs.
"Take my hand," Maddie said, rather calmly.
"What are you going to do?" Arkie asked.
"We're going to see if this thing really works," Maddie replied. Arkie took
Maddie's hand as Maddie removed the Chronos stone from her pocket. With a
flash of light the two of them disappeared. Just then, the grass below
their feet moments ago dissolved under Discord's well placed fireball.
Maddie grabbed Arkie’s arm, fear widening her eyes. She had never seen
anything like this before. There really were wagons that drove themselves
and much faster than even the fastest horse. As a bright red one zoomed
past, Maddie step down into the sunken road to stare after it as Arkie
jerked her back up on the curb.
“You can’t do that here!” Arkie yelled at her, more in fright that anger.
“I’m sorry I yelled Maddie, but don’t ever step out into the street.
“The street is hard...and silver colored. And, look!” the Amazon sputtered
as she stared up at a blinking department store sign. “The crystals make
the signs glow and blink!” Arkie sighed when she realized Maddie was
probably in more danger here than Arkie had been in Maddie’s world. About
that time, the roar of a jet engine was heard and Maddie crouched
into an attack stance.
“Is that a dragon?”
“No,” Arkie fought not to smile. “It’s an airplane. A flying machine...like
Daedulus made, except it’s made out of metal, not feathers and wax.”
All Maddie could do was stare at the flying machine and the smoke trailing
from behind it.
“Where are we?”
“I’m not sure,” Arkie admitted nervously. “But it’s an English speaking
country since I can read all the signs. What was the last thought you had
before we used the stone?”
“That nobody better mess with my Amazon sisters and our friends because we
want our legend to live on.”
Arkie gulped. Her eyes darted around. Then she realized there was a very
distinct accent to the speech of the people walking around them. Surely
not. Couldn't be.
“Look!” Maddie exclaimed, elbowing Arkie in the ribs to make sure she was
paying attention.
“That man in the funny clothes...he looks like...like...Hercules!”
Arkie suddenly realized where they were. She was paralyzed with confusion
for a few moments, but quickly came out of it when she realized two women
snickering as they walked past. “Can you believe these Hercules fans? Look
at that woman’s clothes,” one of the women laughed.
“Ah, Maddie. The only one with funny clothes on right now is you. Take a
look around.” Maddie surveyed the area quickly and wilted. Everyone was
dressed differently than she...much differently.
Arkie nudged Maddie with a desperate urgency. “Come on, let’s get out of
here.”
Despite trying to drag the Amazon away from the approaching figure, Arkie
was certain they would'’t be able to evade the inevitable. “But Herc is
coming...” Maddie protested, Arkie now tugging on the stunned Maddie with
all her might.
“Come on, Maddie,” Arkie pleaded.
“Why?”
“Because he’s just going to...” Arkie croaked.
Maddie finally planted her feet and refused to move, much in the same
manner a certain former donkey was capable of doing.
“I’m not moving.”
“I was afraid of that,” Arkie mumbled, waiting for the coming explosion.
“Hey, she’s perfect,” the shorter man effused to the muscular,
golden-haired man beside him. “And she already has the costume. We've got
to do something to replace the Amazon’s in this week’s episode. I can’t let
that Santa Monica plague delay production any longer.”
“Rob,” Kevin replied, between gritted teeth. “I don’t think it would be a
good idea.”
“You just want more time off to travel,” Rob teased, noticing Kevin had
come back an hour ago from a extended weekend break looking as if he had
had the time of his life.
“Actually, travel is starting to hold little appeal for me,” Kevin shot
back, eyeing the errant Arkie and startled Maddie. “That woman is starting
to get on my nerves,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Hercules!” Maddie hollered and yanked away to leap into the arms of the
unsurprised man.
“Hey, you’re dressed like Arkie, except for the shirt, of course. Is
Lyrical here?”
“Lyrical?” Rob asked, grinning in expectation. “Was that the name for your
weekend?”
“Shut-up!” Kevin grumbled to Rob as he gently released Maddie and smiled at
the woman. Arkie stood, wanting badly to dash for safety from his wrath but
not about to leave her Amazon friend unattended in the future.
“Excuse me a moment,” Kevin said to Rob as he guided Maddie toward the
wincing Arkie.
Once out of earshot, he leveled his steely blue eyes on the woman. “What do
you think you’re doing? This is crazy! You can’t stay here!”
“Neither can you,” Maddie reminded him. “We have a battle coming up.”
“Arkie,” Kevin’s voice left no doubt as to how upset he was.
“Hey! What are you so mad about?” Maddie demanded, not liking his tone with
her friend, but also taking the opportunity to examine him in these
form-fitting blue pants and tight shirt.
“You both have to go back now, before history is changed,” Kevin commanded.
“And don’t take anything from the future back with you. It could prove to
be dangerous in the wrong hands.”
“Maddie,” Arkie instructed softly. “I think you better go back without me.
It’s probably better that way.”
“I will NOT! How about if I go back and get all my Amazon sisters and we'll
just set you straight,” Maddie stated as she pointed an accusing finger in
Kevin’s face. “Don’t!” Kevin admonished, almost pleading.
“But I think it’s a great idea!” Rob grinned having joined the threesome.
“Do all of them have costumes like yours?”
" Look, Rob, I really think you ought to concentrate on casting the parts
with actors who are in the union," said Kevin as he walked Rob away from
the two ladies.
"Well, maybe you're right, but that one is a real looker and the costume is
a knockout!" Rob said.
"I promise I'll find out where she got the costume, just give me a few
minutes and in the mean time, go on over to casting and see what you can
find out, ok? said Kevin.
The entire time Kevin was talking to Rob he kept him moving farther and
farther away from the two unexpected visitors. In the mean time, Maddie was
telling Arkie " I think we should go back and get the rest of the forum
sisters and show that Hercules what Amazons are really made of."
"I don't think that is such a good idea," said Arkie. " I mean after all,
we still have the warlords to contend with and they are going to need as
many people as possible to fight that battle, don't you think?"
"Well, you do have a point there," said Maddie, " It really wouldn't be
fair to run out on Xena and all of those villagers."
Just as she finished saying that, Kevin came back to join the two women. "
Just how did you both get here, if that isn't to much to ask?" he said,
looking straight at Arkie.
"I didn't have anything to do with us landing here, honest I didn't," cried
Arkie.
"Allow me to show you just how we got here," said Maddie.
Kevin's eyes opened to twice their size when he saw what Maddie pulled out
of her skirt." Is that what I think it is?" he asked cautiously.
"If you mean is it the Chronos Stone yes it is. Arkie and I just kept
Discord and Strife from walking away with it, to do who knows what, to who
knows who!" Maddie said angrily,
" Now if you don't mind, we would like to get out of here. Any suggestions
on where we can go to accomplish this *without causing any problems for
you?" she added sarcastically.
"You can come with me and go back, alone. Arkie is now back in the time she
is supposed to be in , and I won't have her gallivanting back and forth in
time." Kevin said firmly.
"Oh no you don't buster," said Arkie, " I may be back in my own time but
this is a far cry from where I started and I have no money, no passport, no
formal ID and, no way to get home! I'm going back. Besides, I have a battle
to fight with my new Amazon Sisters and I won't let them down."
" There you have it, Hercules! Arkie goes back with me or I go back and
bring every Amazon, Hunter, god, and demi-god I can find, and land them
right in your lap." said Maddie with the biggest grin Kevin had ever seen
on anyone's face.
"Ok, ok, you win. We can go over here in the woods and you can use the
Stone to get back, but promise me this, please?" he asked, " Once you do
get back, take that Stone to Hades and make sure he keeps it this time."
"It's a deal," said Arkie. The whole time Kevin was talking the three of
them were entering the woods. Just as Maddie took the Chronos Stone out of
its hiding place, to use it to go back to the Amazon Camp, who should come
down the path but...
"Joxer! Watch out!" Greensleeves screamed as a huge fireball flew past his
head. He ducked and rolled away from it, landing at her feet. "Wow! That
was fun, wasn't it?" he grimaced. "We don't have time to discuss it right
now, Joxie. Something very strange is happening."
They had gone out into the woods to investigate the battle between Discord
and Strife and, before they knew what was happening, they were caught up in
the middle of it. Godly fireballs were bursting all around them and it was
beginning to look as if there was no way out. But, suddenly, greensleeves
saw Maddie and Arkie up ahead. As she watched with amazed eyes the Chronos
stone lit up the surrounding area. Wave upon wave of time distortion
rippled through the air, moving the leaves in the trees and bending the
tender blades of grass. Then, in a flash of blinding light, she and Joxer
were transported to a new and strange place.
As she looked around greensleeves remembered some of the things their
future friend Arkie had told them about. That had to be where they were. In
the future, Arkie's future. Someone, perhaps Discord, had altered the
Chronos Stone so that it was more powerful. Its large energy field had
taken her and Joxer along with the others. A shiver ran down greensleeves's
spine. That could only mean one thing. Discord and Strife were here, too.
May the Gods have mercy on us, she thought. And on this future world, too.
With those two here all Hades could break loose.
Joxer looked around with a puzzled frown. "Hey, where are we, greenie? I
don't like this." Greensleeves took Joxer's hand and started walking
towards the bright lights up ahead. "I don't like it either, Joxer, but, I
don't think we're in Amazon land anymore." No truer words could be said.
Inside the tent with Phaeleon the pain was almost unbearable. Eeyoraus
could feel every bit of it and had to calm him down some for her own sanity
as much as his.
She reached out and took his shivering, dirty hands into hers that were
soft and warm.She instinctively knew he would not reject her. For a long
while she sat with the boy just holding his hands with her head lowered,
not yet wanting to meet his tragic eyes.
Finally, when she had calmed enough herself to sound believable, she raised
her eyes to his and said, "My friends and I will help them."
" But I heard what she said...what Xena said...she..."Eeyoraus slipped a
hand from his and gently laid a finger across his lips.
" She will find a way. She will do every possible thing. She will do
impossible things. You are in the midst of great love. Warriors on the side
of good have the strongest love there is. They sacrifice themselves
willingly...wantfully for others. There is no greater love."she told the
distraught young man in her gentlest tone.
" How will love stop a warlord.I don't understand."the youth whimpered.
"You don't have to understand. You just have to believe. Love is the
greatest power there is...and you do believe don't you, Phaeleon?"she
coaxed.
"I still don't see how love can have any effect on that monster who has my
family.But I want to believe you. I do want to."His heart was beginning to
slow it's racing and Eeyoraus knew she was winning.
" The love my sisters and I have for each other, for good people,and the
love King Iphicles has for the triumph of those people,and the love
Xena...and I have for you will have a very direct effect on him." She
smiled just a little. "We're not going to try to convert him to good."
Phaeleon almost smiled himself."I see." A light came on in his tortured
black eyes." I think I do understand you."
"As I said, you just have to believe. And you do have to believe. You are
your families lifeline now. If you give up there will be no hope. Your love
has brought you here where help is and by being brave and loving them
enough to risk your life to come here, it will be you, Phaeleon, who saves
them with your love."
A spark of fight came back to the boy. "I do believe. We will save them!"
The personification of love knew that this may not be what the fates had in
store. But Eeyoraus also, knew that without his faith the boys family truly
had no hope, even though she could feel that as they spoke others we're
making plans to sacrifice themselves to save Phaeleon's family. without his
faith in their self sacrificing love the reason for it did not exist.
Ares & Angel had left Lyrical & Hercules at the meadow once again. They
materialized in a place that was unknown, but somehow familiar to Angel.
"Where are we?" she turned to Ares & asked. "I thought we were going to
meet up with Kendaa & the others?"
Ares turned to her & touched her cheek. "You look worn out. You looked like
you needed a diversion, so I brought us here" he motioned to the clearing
they were in.
"But, where is here?" she inquired. She grew irritated that Ares should
presume to know what she needed. Her voice reflected this as she continued
"I can rest later Ares, we have a war to get back to."
"One question at a time" he laughed at her irritation. He pulled her into
his arms "don't you remember this clearing, this is where we were after
you, my brother, & your sisters stopped Dahok from killing me. As for the
war, it'll last until we get back, & the others won't miss us, any more
than Lyrical & Herc will. At least not for awhile." He leaned down and
kissed her, not giving her the opportunity to object.
She knew if she didn't break away from him soon, it would be a long time
before they returned to the others. On the other hand, she was tired, & she could use the rest. Rest, yeah right, not if he continued to kiss her
like this she thought. Well, he did know how to make her forget the world,
especially when he was touching her the way he was now. She made her
decision, the war could wait, Ares wouldn't. She prayed that her Amazon
sisters & her sister Destiny would forgive her for being weak.
Ares was kissing her intensely now, aware of the inner battle she waged
with her conscience. He too prayed, not for forgiveness, but for the
outcome that would benefit them both.
Once he sensed her decision was to stay, he moaned his approval & continued
his quest for pleasure.
"Greenie?" Arkie asked as she watched Greensleeves and Joxer approach. "Is
that really you?" Hercules let out a quiet, desperate moan as the invasion
from the past continued. "Thank the gods we found you!" Greenie cried. "I
thought we'd be lost here forever. Gee, Hercules, how did you get here? I
thought you were with Lyrical. And what's with the clothes?"
"But how did you get here, Greenie?" asked Maddie.
The sound level from the woods began to grow as everyone attempted to speak
at the same time. Confusion reigned until Hercules broke it with a bellowed
"Quiet!"
All was silence.
"I have no time to explain what I'm doing, or where you are and I'm not
going to try," he began. "I just know that you're all going back right now
so . ."
"But we can't go yet!" Greensleeves replied.
"Why not?" Hercules asked with forced calm.
"Because we think Discord and Strife are here with us," Joxer finished.
"Hey, we didn't bring them! I think that stone took every living creature
in the meadow with it.
"We could be looking at ten thousand year old birds and bunnies here, just
dropping out of the sky!" said Arkie.
Maddie suddenly looked pale. "Ten thousand years?" she repeated.
"Yep," Arkie said.
"Well, this is just great, ju-u-u-st great," Hercules stated. "I don't need
those two running around. The gods only know what trouble they'll make. And
I've got a taping to finish. I need to try and sort this out. I want you
all to go to my trailer and wait for me. Don't go anywhere else, don't
touch anything." "And you . ." he said directly to Maddie.
"Yes?" Maddie replied.
"Don't go anywhere near Rob! Just what I need, a real Amazon taking out
stuntmen with a warstaff."
"One question," Maddie asked in reply. "What's a trailer?"
* * *
Near the edge of the woods a dark figure in black leather watched the
little group intently. The god of war chuckled to himself. "How delicious
is this? My little brother brought his visiting Amazons to the set. This
opportunity is priceless! Now, how to make the most of it?"
Eeyoraus mussed Phaeleon's dark curly hair. "You just stay here and try to
rest up. I'll see if I can find out what the plan is." She left the tent
with ulterior motives, also, in mind.
" Now to see that Kendaa and the king don't waste there true feelings.
People...umph...and they call donkeys stubborn. Some may think it
mettlesome interference, but there is a war going on here and lives will be
lost. Too much of a pity to totally miss being loved by the one made for
you , if only for a while. No, I can't let that happen." she spoke only to
herself as had become habit over the years.
She soon spied King Iphicles leaning against a tree , talking to Xena and a
few of his men. Just out of earshot, Kendaa was debriefing Aquillea, still.
" Um-hum...excuse me, oh Most Entirely Royal One, But I must speak to you
of a matter of great urgency." Aphrodite's granddaughter interrupted in a
self-assured tone not unlike the goddess herself.
"What could you possibly have to say that would be of use to me?" Iphicles
demanded his royalty not withstanding.
'OOOooooh...well...It's a private matter of much use to you , your All Too
Highness.'
"A peasant girl with the nerve to speak to me and in such a manner."He
looked her up and down."This could , indeed, be interesting.' The real
Iphicles showed through in his smile.
"Are all men like that?"the new woman thought. Well, duh!"she answered
herself. "Peasant!?!' Eeyoraus had forgotten about the torn , mud-colored
clothing she wore. "When this is all over, I simply must find some things
with a little color."she observed.
"Listen you! One thing I have never been is a peasant ,(not that there's
anything wrong with that).I come from a rather majestic bloodline
myself!" The donkey until yesterday bragged." but there is no time to
discuss backgrounds."And she certainly didn't want to go there.
" Come here with me then." Iphicles motioned the precocious redhead away
from the amused spectators.
When they were safely out of range she began again her life's calling,
"Iphy...may I call you Iphy? Sure I can.Anyway, Iphy,the woman destined to
be yours is near, right here in this camp and I am called to point these
things out to stubborn humans who refuse to see for themselves."
"Interesting ,yes." he said as he reached to lift her face towards his and
look into her golden eyes." Just how near is she?"
"Down, boy!" Eeyoraus squealed as she jumped backward. "You know I don't
speak of myself!"
"Yes, I guess. I have noticed that you seem to be forming an attachment to
one of my generals."
" That I am..um..I think, but back to your woman. How intense are your
feelings for my leader.?"
"KENDAA?!? That WOMAN?!? She drives me mad...She makes me ...."
"Exactly! Passion takes many forms and often one leads to another."
"You are out of your mind! That woman....'
Eeyoraus piped in again. "That woman is one you find truly admirable. She's
strong, fearless, intelligent, competent. Not unlike yourself." she
flattered."and you know you find her attractive, all those worthy qualities and she's very beautiful. How much in the heat of argument have you
wanted to grab her and kiss her as madly as you oppose her?"
Cupid's spitfire of a daughter's words began to sink in past Iphy's
slightly shaky ego to his heart and beyond.He started to actually blush a
regal blush, lowered his head, sheepishly lifted his eyes to this strange
messenger of the heart and said, " You're right. I have had that thought."
"Uh,yeah, I know.And so has she. Trust me. I'm really good at this.Now,
you stay put. Kendaa will be coming for you soon."
" Then what do I do?" the king asked, wondering to himself why he felt so
compelled to obey.
" Ha! I think you'll figure it out." Eeyoraus winked and then she was gone.
She approached Kendaa and Aquillea who were now discussing plans with Xena.
Kendaa turned to her and spoke, saying,"Ah, good! Does this mean you're
finished with Iphicles? He does have a job to do, you know?" Eeyoraus
delighted in the undercurrent of jealousy in her leaders tone.
" Yes. He's ready to see you now." E! replied. The three other women
started off to where Iphicles stood partially hidden by the trees. "NO!"
Eeyoraus shouted."He needs to speak to Kendaa alone for a moment. He wants
to...uh...uh...apologize."
"As well he should! Finally realized his place I guess.' Kendaa said smugly
"What are you up to?" Aquillea inquired of Eeyoraus
" The family business " came the quick retort.
Aquillea looked at her friend, half smiling, half grimacing, "Just can't
help yourself, can you?"
"That, my friend, is not within my powers" Eeyoraus giggled back.
"Well, I'd say your making up for lost time." The dark Amazon smiled.
Kendaa boldly approached Iphicles, "I've heard you want to ..."
Before she could finish she found herself being swept up into his arms,
wildly, desperately kissed. She resisted but for a moment, then willingly
melted into the realization of her private fantasy.They kissed with every
bit of the fire and passion with which they had argued just hours before,
devouring each other in fulfillment of their long suppressed desire.
Whispers of "I love you" came between moans of ecstasy and with every gasp
for air.Their fervor crescendoed to near climactic proportions blocking out
all surroundings until muffled laughter and the clearing of throats
suddenly broke though.
The startled couple quickly broke free of each other and turned to see Xena
standing there, arms folded across her chest, rolling her eyes,her usually
sarcastic expression intensified. Aquillea tried to look disgusted, but
could not suppress the giggle that came from seeing another sister fall
'victim' of Eeyoraus' gift.
"Excuse us, you two, but there is a war going on here and we thought you
may want to be involved with some of the battle planning." Xena acerbically
expressed.
"Strategy!" King Iphy stood royally erect and tried to appear to be
involved with the subject.
"Yes. Strategy. " Kendaa choked while attempting to smooth her wildly
tousled hair.
Behind the nearby brush, Eeyoraus grinned at her latest triumph and sat
cross-legged and quiet to hear the plans so she could return and reassure
the boy.
