The goddess listened as Ephiny told her chosen about the young girl "No, it's too soon for her to know" the goddess said to herself "Hades, we need to talk now".

Hades appeared "I know, this child needs to be protected" he paused "Xena knows Gabrielle has the arrows" he paused "Now we have no choice but to tell her about this child"

"She can't be healed before . . . it was part of our deal she would only be healed with my blessing" The one thing Artemis feared the most was breaking a promise and now she had no choice but to break the promise she made to both Xena and her chosen.

Xena would no longer be healed when they see each other again and that time would be in hours not weeks. Now she had to tell Xena what had to be done today.


Xena and Artemis walked in the desert of the Amazon underworld.

"Xena what would you do if I freed you without my blessing?" The goddess asked

"Your blessing to be with Gabrielle is why I'm doing this, for her happiness" Xena answered "The Northern Amazons" she whispered to herself, "No I would not go, I have to make this right."

"What if I allowed you to see and talk to Gabrielle? Tell her everything and I mean everything" she stopped walking.

"Goddess I'll do anything you ask of me to have your blessing." Xena paused "Even if it means losing her."

"What if you lose her, then what?" the Goddess kept pushing. She wanted to know how committed Xena was to save her Northern Amazons.

"I give my life to you until they are free" Xena answered "Then I would say goodbye to my mother and go to Hades."

"Hades, interesting. Ares will try to stop you" the goddess chimed in and started walking again.

Xena put out her hand to stop her "Artemis, Gabrielle changed my heart forever, I may be his chosen, but I will never serve him again." She paused knowing what she was about to say would hurt Gabrielle if she found out "Even if my death is Ares' price."

Hades appeared on Xena's other side. "I heard that. Xena, part of our price is that you live with or without Gabrielle." Hades said "Father will deal with Ares" he continued "Start a simple life in Amphipolis . . ."

Artemis stopped him "Hades she does not know about that." Xena looked confused. "So, no matter what happens you would save them?"

"You have my word. They will be free; I will give them all my love for Gabrielle until they are free." It was the sincerest Xena could be. "I'll even confess to the council, at the same time as Gabrielle."

"The council has no idea it was you, Xena. Only Gabrielle needs to know that." She looked Xena in the eyes "They will only know that someone has paid for it."

Artemis and Hades looked at each other. "She's convinced me." He said. "tell her."

"Me too" the Goddess began "You must tell Gabrielle everything. Today!" Xena stopped dead in her tracks as her heart nearly stopped. "As you know she knows about the arrows. What you do not know is they have been delivered by a young girl, and Argo." Xena listened as her head dropped to her chest.

"Argo?" Xena questioned "and a child?"

"Yes Argo. Gabrielle is heading to Amphipolis to find her. She is coming to my temple first. You MUST tell her what you have done." Artemis paused. "because of our deal I cannot let her see you healed"

Her head shot up. "But you said . . ." Hades cut her off.

"Xena, you still do not have her blessing." Put his hand gently on the goddess' face "If we want to protect . . ."

"Hades don't" Artemis interjected "we both know what will happen" Xena looked between the two of them as she continued "Xena because of the child you are free."

Xena could see they had no choice. "I understand, only with the truth can this child be protected." Xena paused "Will she see me before or after I am cleaned up?" the tears in Artemis' eyes told the answer "pain and all?" Artemis nodded "Gods. Please, prepare her, do not let her be surprised. Please" Xena pleaded.

"I have to, what I'm about to do is exactly the opposite of what I told her a short time ago" she continued in a whisper "I wish Ephiny had not mentioned the girl" She looked to Hades "Get her ready, be kind to her." And she vanished.

"After everything I've done . . . kindness is the last thing I deserve." She looked to Hades "Don't 'be kind'"

"I know what you've done, and you do deserve this one kindness and it is the Goddess' orders" he said back. "Now lay down." he commanded.

She gave him a stern look but obeyed she started to speak but his powers surrounded her in a glow and Xena let out a long scream of pain before she passed out.