"You knew about this?" Gabrielle asked Xena accusingly.

"I suspected — something. From the first time I saw her I knew she wasn't completely blind. And when she told us the Prophesy, you know, about the smoke and all, I began to start putting things together. But I didn't have anything solid, just suspicions and guesses."

"But why didn't you tell me? You could have said something!"

"I told you, Gabrielle, I didn't want you to have to keep secrets from the king. Right or wrong in your mind, I was just trying to protect you."

Just then the Seer gasped again. The pain in her chest had returned. Struggling to speak, she managed to say, "More, there is more. But the pain…."

"I can relieve the pain again, but not as much this time." As the woman nodded, Xena again pressed on the nerve.

"I have one more Prophesy. I have seen the king's heirs, sons and daughters, blonde of hair, with eyes of green, growing strong and tall."

As the pain returned again it became too much, and with an agonizing cry, the Old Seer's heart failed her. With tears in her eyes, Gabrielle covered the wrinkled face with her blanket. Turning to a servant she said, "You will prepare her body for her funeral. Have it done by daybreak tomorrow."

As she turned to Xena for comfort, Xena put one arm around her, then the other, allowing Gabrielle to softly weep into her breast.

As Gabrielle watched the sun slowly set from the window of her bed chamber, she asked, "What do we tell Belos? He already knows of the Seer's death. And he will want to know the results of your interrogation."

"I think we should tell him everything, leaving nothing out."

"Do you think that's wise? He may be angry with you about subjecting his men to such harsh questioning when it was unnecessary. And for not telling him the truth about the conspiracy, or that there was no conspiracy."

"It wasn't completely unnecessary. I still wasn't sure about her involvement. But I was sure about her ability to see. And I had to do something, the king was getting impatient. And to tell you the truth, so was I. And I suspect he will find out the truth eventually anyway. I think it's better to tell him everything now than later. Remember what I said about keeping secrets? This may not be pleasant, but it's the right thing to do."

"So are you telling me there was no assassination plot at all?" King Belos demanded. "That my wife was in no danger the entire time?"

"Yes, My Lord. It appears that is so."

"My feelings about this are very unsettled. Certainly, I am relieved that my wife is in no danger. But this other matter with my men has me upset."

"My Lord, had there been any other way, I would have done it, but as I told you, my suspicions about the old woman were just that. I had no real proof," Xena explained.

"And you?" The king said to Gabrielle, "What do you have to say about this?"

"I have very little to add, except for her last Prophesy. It is one that I sincerely wish to come true, but at the same time, I fear to place my hopes in."

"So what is the this last Prophesy that has caused you such uncertainty?"

"She said that she saw our children, both boys and girls, with blonde hair and green eyes, growing strong. Oh, my Husband, I could not wish for more than that! If it is true, then all of this is worth it, all of it!"

"You heard these words?" he asked Xena.

"Yes, my Lord. And she said the Queen's life would continue into to her 70th year and beyond. So it seems that your kingdom, your legacy will continue."

"Then you are right, Gabrielle. It is worth it. And we will, we must, make sure this Prophesy comes to pass."

"Then perhaps I should find something to do elsewhere," Xena said, winking at Gabrielle. "The future always begins with the present. And there's no time like the present to begin a family."

The End