Any comments or mail to:  masque@talonthorne.co.uk (And if you could let me know which story you’re talking about that would be cool as I’ve started to lose track!)

Avator, forever thinking of you.

The sun was setting as Ephiny set out for the Amazon village. She twisted the leather tie between her fingers - a small gift from Phantes as they had said their goodbyes, something to remember him by. She shook her head in disbelief at the turn of events over the last two days. Never would she have thought that she could even speak civilly to a Centaur, let alone be exchanging gifts and arranging to meet again in two nights time. And never would she have thought that she could get used to another Princess.

The young girl was not as bad as Ephiny had first thought, even if she did talk too much, and was far too innocent and what kind of a name was Gabrielle for an Amazon anyway. Still she was compassionate, understanding, open-minded and in truth she was the perfect successor for Terreis.

Movement to her left alerted her and Ephiny quickly took to the trees and moved through the leafy canopy but she found no sign of any life. She was about to drop to the ground when an arm wrapped around her neck and a second restrained her body. She struggled against the solid grip but it was futile, the hold was too strong, in a last effort at escape she threw her body weight forwards and with both her and her attacker off balance they fell to the ground. On impact Ephiny rolled to one side, her attacker rolled in the opposite direction; her sword was drawn and raised by the time she turned to face her opponent and then she lowered it when she recognised, "Solari!" She quickly re-sheathed her weapon when she saw the grinning face of her fellow Amazon.

"You still can’t anticipate attacks from behind. But you’re getting better at getting out of them." Solari massaged her thigh as she limped over to her fair haired friend.

"I’m sorry, but I thought you might be one of Krykus’s men." Ephiny lent her support to her comrade.

"Are we at war with him now? For Artemis sake, I go away for a few days and you change the rules on me. Well that’ll teach me to go and visit my family during hunting season." Solari began limping, though not as pronounced as before, in the general direction of the village, "Come on, let’s get home, I can’t wait to see Terreis." As she said her lovers name the pain in her leg was forgotten and she picked up the pace a little, desperate to get back to her bond-mate. Terreis had been due to accompany her on her visit to her family but diplomatic business had kept Terreis behind, and Solari had travelled non-stop for the last two days, all she could think about was getting back to her Princess.

At the mention of Terreis’s name Ephiny stiffened, knowing that the task of breaking the news to Solari of her lovers death had fallen to her. Subtlety had never been one of Ephiny’s strong points and so the direct approach was her only option. She was about to say something when Solari spoke first.

"So what are you doing so close to Centaur land my friend?" She asked conversationally, she knew that Ephiny was not one for idol small talk but they usually found something to talk about.

"Well, we’re at peace with the Centaurs. I was just coming back from escorting them home." Ephiny lightly touched the leather that was now looped around her belt, drawing strength from it.

"You’re kidding," Solari glanced in Ephiny’s direction and when she saw that Ephiny was serious she smiled, "Did Melosa finally listen to Terreis?"

"Well.... not exactly." Ephiny knew that the moment was getting closer and she was dreading it with every passing second.

"What do you mean? Either she did or she didn’t."

Ephiny stopped walking and grabbed Solari by the wrist, turning the dark haired woman to face her. "Solari, Terreis was killed two days ago and the Centaurs helped us to capture the murderer." Ephiny finished quickly, she watched the different emotions played across Solari’s face; the look of pride for her lover changed to disbelief over her death and then despair of losing her bond-mate and finally turned completely neutral.

Solari removed her arm from Ephiny’s grasp and began walking away. "I need to speak to Melosa." She could sense Ephiny was racing to keep up with her but her only thought was to get back to the village, get back to her life, get back to anything that would connect her with Terreis.

* * *

Solari stalked through the Amazon village towards the Queens hut; she glared at the remnants of a funeral pyre and knew that it could only have been Terreis’s, but she refused to acknowledge it. As she entered the Queens chambers Melosa rose to greet her.

"Welcome home Solari," she stepped towards the Captain of the Royal Guard, "I have some bad news."

"I know about Terreis." Solari informed the Queen through clenched teeth, finally acknowledging the death of her lover herself. Just then Ephiny appeared in the doorway behind Solari and Melosa knew how Solari had discovered the devastating news. "Did she pass on her Rite of Caste?"

"She did." Melsoa confirmed with a slight nod.

"Who has it?" Solari knew that she could never receive the Caste having not been present at Terreis’s death, besides she was Royal Guard not royalty. She was fully expecting to discover that Ephiny was their new Princess, she and Terreis had been the best of friends since childhood, or even Eponin, the most respected warrior in the village. She did not expect the answer that she got.

"An outsider," Melosa began as she moved towards the weapons cupboard in the corner of the room. "A young girl named Gabrielle. I was told that she tried to save Terreis."

"Gabrielle." Solari repeated, knowing that she would never be able to use Gabrielle and Princess together, it would be too painful. "Where is she now? I would like to see her."

"She will not be living among us. She travels with Xena." Melosa explained as she took a sword from its place in the cabinet.

At this revelation Solari lost it, "She travels with a killer and you allow her to be our Princess, to take Terreis’s place."

"Xena is no longer a killer," Ephiny broke in, "and neither is Gabrielle. They helped us to forge the peace treaty with the Centaurs and to find Terreis’s murderer. It would never have been possible without Gabrielle."

"What is she like?" Solari asked quietly.

"She’s a very compassionate young woman, intelligent, warm, caring and a very talented story-teller." Ephiny added with a small chuckle as she remembered listening to the endless tales of Xena’s heroics told to her by the young girl.

"Just like Terreis." Solari sighed. She turned her attention to Melosa and gathered herself, "I will honour Terreis’s last request and when the Princess returns to Amazon land I will fulfil my duties to the best of my ability."

"That’s good to hear Solari." Melosa extended the sword towards Solari, "Gabrielle refused to take the sword, so I believe that you should have it."

The dark haired Amazon took the sword, her hand constricting around the hilt in a white-knuckled grip as she tied to quell her emotions from bursting forth. She stared at the sword for a long moment and then looked at the Queen and was glad for once that Melosa and Terreis did not share a family resemblance - it would have been her undoing.

Melosa guided Solari towards the door, "Go home Solari," she had seen the emotions beginning to show in the woman’s eyes, "Mourn for Terreis, take all the time that you need."

Slowly Solari nodded and left the Queen’s chambers to go to her own. Ephiny was about to follow when she felt Melosa’s palm on her shoulder, stopping her, "Wait."

Once Solari was gone Ephiny returned her attention to the Queen, "Yes, your majesty."

"I want you to look out for her for the next few days. Make sure she ‘s alright, if she needs anything make sure that she gets it. Just be there for her. You were Terreis’s best friend, she’ll need you more than anyone." Melosa had Ephiny by both shoulders, imploring the woman to understand her request.

"Yes my Queen. I understand." Even if the Queen had not ordered her to become Solari’s guardian she would have done it anyway. Terreis had been her closest friend and she knew how much Solari had meant to Terreis and that gave Solari a special place with Ephiny.

* * *

Returning to their hut was the hardest journey she had ever made. She briefly considered staying in the open for the night, even if it was just one more night that she did not have to spend in their bed, knowing that Terreis would never return. She knew that she would have to go inside at some point, but she also knew that so many memories would haunt her there.

A veranda surrounded their hut and as she climbed the steps she trailed her fingers over the railings....

Solari vaulted over the railings and swept Terreis into her arms, "Much more." She sealed her promise with a kiss....

Closing her eyes tightly stopped the tears from falling, she found the door and opened it. The sight that greeted her actually prompted a laugh: an unmade bed. Terreis never did like the household chores, there was just too much of a Princess in her.

After lighting several candles Solari looked around and realised that just about everything had been left exactly as it had been the day that Terreis had died, indirectly that meant that everything was also the way that Solari had left it six days before. She walked over to the writing desk and laid the sword across it and retrieved the Ceremonial mask that had been put there - the only difference in their home. She examined the detail, the feathers, the coloured raffia and with nothing save her memories of her life with Terreis she crossed to the bed and fell asleep.

* * *

Halfway to her own hut Ephiny changed direction and made her way to the hut that Solari had shared with Terreis. After the last few days of the peace negotiations Ephiny had found plenty of time to relax and now found that she was not tired and decided to put her time to better use. At the hut she sat down on the steps and began toying with the piece of leather on her belt. She would be nearby if Solari needed her.

* * *

She lay exhausted across their bed, still fully dressed in her clothes and armour. Although not asleep she feigned it as she felt gentle fingers stroking across her thighs and then the familiar weight settled across her hips as those fingers inched their way over her abdomen. Soft hair brushed across her torso as the body lowered and their lips met briefly.

"I’m glad you’re home baby," Terreis whispered in Solari’s ear and then kissed the irresistible neck of her lover. "I’ve missed you so much," she began kissing a path up Solari’s neck, along her jawline and finally her lips hovered over those of her lover, "Open your eyes baby."

Instantly Solari opened her eyes and looked upon the woman straddling her. The flame red hair framed her face and cascaded over her shoulders, Solari allowed her gaze to wander down the length of her lovers naked body and then back to her face. She immediately found the vibrant blue eyes and she knew she was home, nowhere in the whole world compared to being lost in those eyes, nowhere even came close.

"Come here," Terreis beckoned her lover with a finger, Solari complied by sitting up and buried her face in the wavy red hair, her arms enveloped the desirable body, her hands traced familiar contours. Terreis also wrapped her arms around Solari and then rested her forehead against the dark haired woman's. "Goodbye baby, always remember I love you."

Solari looked into those eyes for what was the last time and then they were gone; her home, her life, her love was ripped away from her. Her arms wrapped around her own body, crushing the ceremonial mask that she held so close to her heart. The scream that came from her lips was from that part of her soul that belonged to Terreis as it was torn from her body.

She awoke covered in a cold sweat, the sheets tangled around her body and the scent of Terreis surrounding her like a shroud. Desperate to escape she heard the sheets tearing as she fought to break free and she bolted from the bed, she staggered to the door and through it before she fell to her knees, "Terries," she screamed as the tears finally came.

Ephiny was kneeling beside her, cradling her body as though she were a child. Solari sank into the embrace, her flailing arms clung tightly to the affection offered to her and she cried into her friends chest, "I should have been here..." she cried over and over.

"There was nothing you could have done." Ephiny told her, "I know it hurts," she soothed as she began a gentle rocking motion. "I’ll be here for you Solari, I’ll always be here." Soon Ephiny was crying aswell.

Dawn was almost upon them when they finally made their way across the village to Ephiny’s hut. There was no way that Solari could sleep in her own bed, her loss was far to fresh. While Solari slept Ephiny kept watch as she knew that she would for as long as Solari needed her to.

To Be Continued....

* * * * *

There you have it. Hope you enjoyed it. Now reply to it.