For disclaimers, see part one.

 

Part Three by Jrockit.

 

 

Thalia felt pride as she looked down on the faces of her new Amazon sisters. Now, she was truly a part of them. Xena grinned, full of motherly pride. So was Gabrielle. "Let's celebrate!" The Queen called, and voices cheered.

 

Xena, Gabrielle and Thalia were greeted by Solari and Eponin. "Should I bow my Princess?" Teased Solari.

 

Thalia rolled her eyes. "No, silly." She said, slapping Solari on the shoulder affectionately. Some of the other Amazons came by to greet Thalia good luck, and welcome her warmly as one of their own. Xena smiled and wrapped an arm around her soulmate's waist. Gabrielle leaned back into Xena.

 

"Happy?" Xena whispered.

 

"Yes." Said Gabrielle. "Totally and complete happy."

 

Xena bent down to give her a sweet, long kiss.

 

"Xena!" A familiar voice called out. Xena turned and grinned again, seeing Xenon walking through the village.

 

"Xenon's here." Xena told Gabrielle, who nodded. "I told him to come on over." The tall warrior chuckled. "I think he has a crush on Thalia."

 

Gabrielle chuckled too. "Hello, Xenon." She said warmly, as Ephiny's son walked up to them. "It's nice to see you again."

 

"And you too, Queen Gabrielle." He said. Xena had to smile. Ephiny must've taught him a thing or two about Amazon customs.

 

"Where's...ah..." Xenon moved about... "Thalia?" He asked, alight blush crossing his cheeks.

 

"Over there." Xena motioned with her head. "With her crowd of admirers. She just became a Princess, Xenon." Xena explained to her namesake.

 

Xenon smiled. "That's cool." He said. "I think Thalia would be a great princess, don't you?"

 

"Of course." Gabrielle patted him on the shoulder. "Go enjoy yourself. Queen's orders."

 

Xenon smiled. "Yes, my Queen." He said and trotted off to where the kids were.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, Galendus looked over at the young man with bright blue eyes and a mop of dark blonde hair. "She's been initiated in, Thaleus." Galendus told his friend.

 

"She has?" The young man peered over Galendus' shoulder, squaring his own shoulders with evident pride.

"Good. I knew she would be."

 

Galendus rolled his eyes. "Your mother...she's something when she fights!" He said, impressed. "She about killed me."

 

"The pinch?" Asked Thaleus.

 

Galendus nodded solemnly. "So, when are you going to let her see you? And Thalia?"

 

"Soon." Thaleus promised. "Knowing Thai, she won't believe me...not at first. It's Gabrielle we need to get to. She'll believe." Thaleus' blue eyes were wide and certain. "But she's around all of those other amazons right now..."

 

Ever since Thaleus had come back, he'd been a bit weary of being around people. And, he'd made Galendus SWEAR not to call him by his former name, Solan. OK, sure. He was just glad Solan was back, either way.

 

"What about Xenon? He's a good guy."

 

"Yeah... but... no, not right now. You're the only person that knows." Thaleus stared at his buddy. "Right?"

 

"Right." They both nodded. "Come on, let's try to see if we can talk to Gabrielle."

 

***

 

"Xenon!" Thalia exclaimed happily, as she saw her old friend heading towards her. Did he blush? Thalia wondered, but didn't have time to dwell on it.

 

"Hello, Thai." Xenon greeted as the two friends hugged. "Congrats. Xena just told me the good news--you're a princess. I think Mother would've been pleased."

 

"Do you?" Asked Thalia. "I hope so. I always liked Ephiny." She turned to the small cluster of girls gathered with her. "Guys, this is my friend Xenon." She said. "Xenon, these are my Amazon sisters--Meri, Nike, Tia, and Melophine."

 

"Hello." Xenon greeted. The girls smiled their hellos back at a former Queen's son...and rather handsome son, at that.

 

The Amazons giggled at their group thoughts. "We'll see ya later Thalia!" Came a chorused voice.

 

Xenon lifted an eyebrow. "What was all that about?" He asked her.

 

Thalia shrugged. "With them? Who the heck knows?" She smiled at Xenon. "I'm glad you're here. When was the last time we saw each other?" She asked him.

 

Xenon frowned, not wanting to bring up the painful past. "Uh...when..."

 

When Solan died. She thought with a pang in her heart for her best friend, her twin brother. His death still hurt.

 

"Well...yes." Thalia cleared her throat. "Come on, Xenon. I'll show you around." Thalia smiled up at him. Xenon echoed her smile, following after Thalia

 

***

 

"This is some party, eh Gabrielle?" Asked Xena, looking into her wineskin. She shook the last two droplets out, and they fell on her tongue. Gabrielle didn't know weather or not to scold Xena for getting drunk, or to laugh.

 

"I don't know, Xena." Chuckled the bard. "You see uh...intoxicated."

 

"What?" Xena exclaimed, narrowing her eyes at the bard queen. "Me?" She waved an arm. "Nah...I just...can't walk very straight." Xena burst into laughter, and nearly fell.

 

Gabrielle steadied her lover. "That's it Xena." She encouraged. "We're almost at our hut." As they neared the Queen's hut, Gabrielle and Xena both heard laughter coming out from it.

 

"Looks like Xenon and Thalia are enjoying each other's company." Stated the Queen.

 

Xena raised an eyebrow and tried to look dignified, but failed. Gabrielle doubled over with laughter. Xena rolled her eyes, took a step forward, and fell flat on her face.

 

"Xena!!" Exclaimed Gabrielle, rushing to help the warrior up.

 

"I'm fine, Gab-well." Xena insisted.

 

"Gabwell?" Echoed Gabrielle. "You can't even say my name right, Warrior Princess!"

 

Thalia and Xenon came out of the hut. "Mom, what's wrong?" She asked, seeing Xena flat on the floor.

 

"Oh nothing." Sighed Gabrielle. "Xena just got a little--ok, a lot drunk."

 

Thalia arched an eyebrow. "Wow. I've never seen Mother drunk before."

 

I have. Thought Gabrielle with a silent giggle. Ooooooh, what a fun night that had been!! But, that story wasn't for young ears to hear.

 

"We'll help you carry her in." Offered Thalia. Xenon nodded.

 

"I ain't drunk!" Xena insisted vehemently.

 

"So, that's why I am Gabwell, and you're kissing dirt?" Gabrielle teased Xena.

 

Xena sighed.

 

It took Thalia, Gabrielle and Xenon to help Xena into the house. Thalia and Gabrielle got Xena into the Queen's rooms. Gabrielle managed to get Xena into something more comfortable. It wasn't long before Xena was snoring. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and hugged her daughter goodnight.

 

"Xenon, there's a guest room if you'd like to stay." Offered Gabrielle.

 

"Oh...if no one minds, Gabrielle." He said.

 

"Of course not."

 

Xenon nodded. "Sure then. I'd love to stay. Good night everyone."

 

"Good night Xenon." Both Thalia and Gabrielle echoed. Xenon was shown the guest room. Thalia and Gabrielle paused at the door to Thalia's room.

 

"Goodnight Cutie." Gabrielle said and kissed her daughter. "You did me proud. Both of us--Xena was proud of you too."

Thalia smiled. "I'm glad. I always want to make you two proud." She returned her mother's hug and kiss before entering her room.

 

Gabrielle smiled. It had been a long, fun day. She was glad it was over. Xena is going to get a nasty surprise when she wakes up...Thought Gabrielle, knowing the hangover Xena would have in the morning.

 

"Gabrielle." A voice that was not familiar to her called. "Gabrielle, come here please!"

 

**