“c1″> 

“c1″>"Queen Melosa, please let the council know that I
humbly accept your gift. But I also want you to know and to record
that all in all it is me who always will be in the debt of the
Amazon Nation." Xena cast an almost imperceptible glance
towards Theano. "Thus far my life was marked by a lot of
twists and turns but whenever I made a step in the right direction
it was an Amazon, by birth or by spirit, who was there to help or
trigger my decision. Thank you very much, Queen
Melosa."

“c1″> 

About a
candlemark later, Xena and Gabrielle were sitting quietly in front
of the fireplace. Finally, the young woman couldn’t stand the
silence any longer.

“c1″> 

"I
don’t understand you. Xena, I really don’t. Why
didn’t you accept Queen Melosa’s offer,
why?"

“c1″> 

A sad
smile flickered through Xena’s face but her gaze stayed fixed
in the flames. She slowly turned around, now with an expression of
earnest and grief showing.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"They didn’t know what they were talking
about, Gabrielle. What I did to Queen Cyane and the Northern
Amazons can’t be balanced by what I recently did. It
wouldn’t be right. Please don’t look at me this way.
This isn’t a question of pride but of justice. Begging for
mercy is something I’d willingly do for your sake but
I’m not worthy of mercy. No, please don’t… The
Amazons have every right to ask for my life, my heart, and my soul.
My heart and my soul belong to you, my love, I can only give them
my life – and I gladly will, should they ask it of
me."

“c1″> 

“c1″>Gabrielle couldn’t help the feeling that
Xena’s clear blue eyes were directly piercing her very soul.
She found herself lost in their sincere, unblinking attentiveness,
and resignedly closed her own. Candledrops stretched to eternity
while she gathered the strength to speak.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"How can you stay this calm, Xena?" She
finally asked.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Gabrielle, do you really know what this hut,
Melosa’s gift, is meant to say?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>Continuing on her negative vein the young woman
answered. "I don’t know what you’re talking
about."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"You studied Amazon history and law, their nursery
songs and legends, you should know."

“c1″> 

The
blonde only shrugged her shoulders.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Whatever the jury will decide upon, Gab, they
won’t kill me."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"How can you be so sure?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"This hut is situated in the centre of the village.
Najara only had the privilege to life here because it was the hut
of her birth mother. Traditionally the huts here only are assigned
to warriors or craftswomen who have made proof of exceptional
loyalty to the tribe and the nation. The council’s decision
was based upon the things I recently did but they never will
refrain from it. The trial still may end with a death sentence but
after tonight no one will even attempt to carry it out. It will be
postponed ‘til the day I commit another capital crime or die
in battle or of old age. Our future depends only upon you, Gab, if
you’re able to share your life with someone wearing a
slave’s collar or even with someone sentenced to
death."