The Chosen One II

Chapter 1 - Reunions

Jonus stopped dead in her tracks about two feet from her hut, her eyes wide and mouth open. She blinked, then swallowed, about ready to faint.

Ephiny looked over towards Jonus and smiled. She said something to the person she was speaking with and they both turned and walked towards Jonus's hut. Ephiny continued to speak, but Jonus still couldn't hear anything. All she could see was one figure walking in slow motion. Feet were planted firmly on the ground, sure and confident; the stride calm and determined. But what Jonus truly noticed was the person's face, the mix of joy and sadness held firmly in check. Only the eyes betrayed the true feelings.

With a sudden rush and an almost war cry, Jonus rushed the person, finally grabbing with the tightest hold she ever had. She buried her head in the person's chest, hearing the fast heartbeat and the quickened breathing. She closed her eyes and felt the person around her.

Ephiny gazed over, then quietly left the two people alone.

Jonus felt arms slowly, ever so slowly begin to return the embrace. After a moment, they too, held a tight hold on Jonus.

No one in the village said anything, or stopped to comment. They merely looked at their newest sister and the man who held her, smiled knowingly and continued with their business.

"By the gods, I never thought this would actually happen again," Jonus said into the embroidered vest as she continued to cling to the person. "I...I can't believe it." She stifled back a tear. "You've come back," she whispered.

The person cautiously reached for Jonus's hair, paused, then lightly stroked it. Gods, it felt so good, better than anything imagined. Fingers caressed the light hair, lingering on every strand, then gently pulling it down. The person's eyes closed not letting any other senses intrude on this moment, save for the smell of her hair, still of musk.

"Jonus," he whispered.

"Joxer."

The two lovers held the embrace, neither one wanting to be the first to let go.

"Joxer?"

"Mmm."

"I can't breathe."

"Oh, uh, sorry about that." He quickly pulled away, but not so far that he couldn't still catch her delicious scent, or hold her strong arms. He gazed into her blue eyes and couldn't look away. He was captivated. Gods, how he missed those eyes, her hair, her feel! A smile spread across his face.

"It's really you?" he said, barely able to form the words. He reached a hand out to caress her cheek.

"Yes." She guided his hand, loving every sensation that erupted from her when they touched. Her eyes only communicated what her voice could not say. You, Joxer. I want you. She stepped in closer, lifting her head, reaching forward.

Joxer leaned in, eyes still on Jonus's and was about to...

"Jonus! Hey, Jonus!" Selena said. She ran up to her. "Oh, hey, was I interrupting something?" She looked curiously at Jonus then skeptically at Joxer. She looked back and forth and then the realisation of what was happening finally hit her. Her eyes widnened. "Oh, geez, I'm sorry. I, uh...Zeus it all!" she cursed. She faced Jonus. "Uh, nevermind. I'll tell you later." She quickly ran off.

"Guess the moment's kinda gone," Jonus said with a laugh.

"Yeah."

Both stood in the square, awkwardly wondering what to do. Joxer ran his hands through his hair and looked around nervously. Jonus bit the inside of her lip and kicked at the dirt.

"Are you hungry?" Her eyes lit up.

Joxer thought a moment, then rubbed his stomach. "Uh, yeah."

"Okay, then let's get something."

"Sure." He nodded his head.

Neither one moved, the awkwardness still there.

You're an Amazon now, Jon. Take charge of the situation. With a huff, Jonus grabbed Joxer's hand and led him to the dining hall for a late breakfast. He followed like a little puppy, all the while smiling and feeling as though he made the best decision in the entire world to come back to the Amazons.

"By the gods, Joxer," Jonus said increduously, "when was the last time you had anything to eat?" She watched as he shovelled food into his mouth.

Joxer looked up with child-like eyes, swallowed and cleared his throat. "Oh, well..." He thought a moment. "Probably a day and a half ago."

Jonus's eyes widened. "Why so long?"

He shrugged. "Don't know." The left side of his mouth went up crookedly. Tell her? Yes? No? "Guess I just wanted to get here." He looked into those eyes again and nearly melted away. The concern he saw filled him with joy. She was concerned about him!

Jonus looked away, slightly embarrased. "Well, I wouldn't want you passing out from hunger just to get here," she finally said, locking onto the chocolate brown eyes. An eternity passed between them.

"There you are," Solari said, sitting down next to her friend. "I wondered where you two had run off to." She extended her hand to Joxer, who wiped his hand and clasped her's. "Good to see you again, Joxer. How long you staying this time?"

"I don't know." He looked back at Jonus. "I don't have anywhere to be right now."

"Well, you're certainly welcome to stay with us for as long as you need." She turned to her friend. "Guess what, Jonus?"

"What?"

"It happened!" She waited for a response. And waited.

"What's happened?" Jonus had no clue what Solari was talking about.

Solari nearly exploded with delight. "I went to the temple and the priestess said I was with child! Isn't that wonderful?" Her grin extended from ear to ear. "Tiberius and I are going to have a baby!" She hugged her friend. "I am so excited. Wait until I tell him." She bounced in her seat like a young girl.

"Oh, Solari, that's great news." She smiled at her sister. "I'm happy for you."

"Yeah, me too," Joxer added.

"I have to go, Jonus. I want to tell him as soon as possible." She stood up. "This is so exciting!" She whirled and left the hut.

Joxer looked at Jonus who was still smiling over her friend's good news. He liked how her face looked with that smile, so warm, passionate. He could look at it for the rest of his days. "Who's Tiberius?"

Jonus swiveled on the bench. "Oh, he's one of the men from last ni..." Her face went expressionless. Does he know about the ritual we have? Should I tell him? Can I tell him? Her mind was racing. She wondered how he would react. More importantly, she wondered how he would react to finding out that she had been part of it. Gods, please don't let him hate me!

"Men from when?" Joxer asked.

Jonus swallowed hard. "Last night," she answered slowly. She swallowed again. "It's part of the ritual. Amazons do it every six months or so." She hoped that would be enough to satisfy him.

"Do what?"

She looked into those brown eyes again and realised that he had no idea what she was talking about or what the ritual was. She sighed, resolved to tell him the truth. "Amazons go to the neighbouring village and...they, uh...well...Amazons need some way of ensuring that the nation will continue, so they go to the nearest village and... you know...create more Amazons."

"Oh," Joxer responded, nodding his head. He stopped, his eyes narrowing. "I don't get it."

Jonus let out a brief sigh. "Men. Women. Together..." She added some hand gestures for further emphasis.

Joxer thought on this. Jonus could see the candle flicker over his head as he finally understood what she was saying. "Oh, I get it. Amazons have sex." He leaned back, nodding some more.

"Yeah," Jonus finally said. "They have sex."

Joxer then stopped and looked directly at Jonus. "All Amazons?"

"Yeah. Well, all those old enough anyway." Don't hate me, Joxer. Please.

"Huh," was all Joxer said.

"Come!" an Amazons shouted at no one in particular, sticking her head into the dining hut. "The Queen is here!"

Murmurings spread quickly. "The Queen?" "Gabrielle is here." "Wonder why?"

Jonus looked around her and saw the excitement the news caused. She forgot about Joxer for a moment. Queen Gabrielle was here! She would finally get to meet her! Oh, Artemis, this is truly a great day! She jumped up from the table and grabbed Joxer's hand, dragging him out the door with her. She didn't see the look of dread on his face.

Outside, the Amazons were gathering in the main square around a small blond and a tall brunette clothed in much leather and armour. The blond carried a staff that looked remarkably Amazonian. "I thought she'd be taller," she whispered to Joxer. He didn't say a word. She didn't notice his silence.

"Gabrielle. Xena," Ephiny began, "this is a surprise. Welcome home!" Cheers went up.

"Thanks, Ephiny," Gabrielle answered. "It's good to see you and everyone else again." She smiled and Jonus saw how beautiful she was.

"What brings you to us?"

"We were headed towards Corinth and thought we'd pay a visit." Xena answered.

"Yes, and it's been a long time," Gabrielle added. "A lot's changed since we last met."

Ephiny nodded her head. She'd heard about Hope and Gabrielle's sacrifice through traders and storytellers passing through. She had hoped that Gabrielle would return to find comfort among her sisters. "You'll have plenty of time to fill us in on the details." She put her arm around the bard's shoulder. "But first, let's get you settled in. Xena too." She smiled at the warrior woman, then all three headed towards the main hut reserved for the queen. "Oh, Gabrielle, Xena. I almost forgot to introduce you." They stopped in front of Jonus and Joxer.

"Joxer?" Gabrielle said with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Xena raised an eyebrow, also wondering why the warrior wannabe would be among the Amazons.

"Hello, Gabrielle," he said quietly. Gods, how can I even look at her? She's hurt me so badly. "Xena." His head nodded towards Xena behind Gabrielle. She returned the nod, then looked at her companion.

Ephiny looked back and forth between Gabrielle and Joxer wondering what the hidden messages were, but eventually broke in. "Uh, Gabrielle, I want you to meet our newest sister, Jonus." She smiled and reached an arm out to bring Jonus in closer.

Gabrielle looked at Joxer for a moment longer, then over to Jonus. "Hello, Jonus," she said with a smile. "Nice meeting you."

"This is an honour, my queen," Jonus answered.

Xena rolled her eyes. Gabrielle laughed softly. "Oh, you don't have to call me Queen. Gabrielle's fine."

Jonus widened her smile.

Ephiny pushed them on. "You can meet everyone later. Let's first get you to your quarters." The trio moved on.

"Wow, she is beautiful." She stared at the trio, then up at Joxer. She frowned as she noticed that his face looked sad. "Joxer?" Then Jonus put two and two together. This was the Gabrielle from Joxer's dream. This was the Gabrielle that Joxer was in love with. "Oh," she said quietly, turning away. "Oh."

The sunset sky was a beautiful mix of orange, red and pink. The trees had an orange glow about them and the world seemed to be out of a fantasy created by imaginative bards. The moon was beginning to show itself and would be full this evening. Off in the distance, the lone cry of a wolf was barely heard. The wind rustled through the tops of the trees, but here, on the ground, it hardly made a sound.

Jonus threw a rock into the stream and watched it splash, then disappear as the current erased the ripples. She leaned back against the tree and closed her eyes, letting her thoughts take over. And she thought about many things: the happier times she spent with Artemis in the forest, finding out she had to leave, meeting Joxer for the first time... She bit the inside of her cheek. So much had happened in such a short time, she wondered how she coped with it at all. But those things were not what she was truly thinking about.

No, she thought about Gabrielle.

She thought about all the stories and tales everyone said of her and her travelling companion, the warrior princess, Xena. They had shared so many adventures, suffered throughso many heartaches and turmoil, yet they were the best of friends. Some said their relationship went deeper, that they shared a bond that few ever would. Jonus didn't know how true that was, but she did understand it. She felt it, with Artemis, and, she thought, maybe with Joxer. But she saw him, saw the look in his eyes when he saw her. Jonus wasn't very experienced in matters of the heart, but she knew what was there.

Joxer loved Gabrielle, not her.

And that made her sad.

She had wanted to scream, to run, to hit something, to do anything with the energy she suddenly found herself with. The realisation that the man that she wanted, that she loved, loved another was maddening. She didn't know what to do. So she came here, to the river. A river, she noticed, not unlike the one in the sacred forest.

She never called for Artemis to help her, begging the goddess to make Joxer change his mind. Somehow, that seemed the wrong thing to do. She knew that this problem was her's alone. No one, not Ephiny, nor Solari, nor the huntress could help her.

She brought her knees to her chest and bent her head down. No tears fell; she knew how futile that would have been. She wrapped her arms around her head and just stayed that way. She focused on not thinking about the pain in her heart or the guilt she felt over hating her Queen for making Joxer fall in love with her. How could she hate Gabrielle? The Amazon Queen was a good woman, she knew that. It wasn't her fault that Joxer had fallen in love with her. It failed, though, to soften the pain.

The only good feeling Jonus had at that moment was in knowing that she was an Amazon. That alone gave her strength. I am an Amazon.

Joxer sat on the dirt floor of the hut the Amazons provided him as their guest. He whittled away at a piece of wood that he'd been working on since he saw Gabrielle. Gods, how that name lingered in his mind, echoing softly - Gabrielle...

She still looked as beautiful as she ever did. Her death and resurrection had not changed her appearance one bit. He knew, though, that her soul had been crippled and she had spent the last few months finding ways to restore it. Xena had been there, too, doing everything she could to get her friend back to her. He suspected that their trip here had been less coincidence and more intention.

He shaved off another piece from the wood. He remembered Gabrielle's face when she finally told him about his love for her. She smiled, but he saw beyond that. He saw the pity in her eyes and in her voice when she explained that she had known all along, but chose to ignore it. She said that she needed to find herself before she could give herself to another. He shivered at the memory of her touching his arm, trying to make him understand that she could not be with anyone then. He joked about it, trying to lighten the situation, but he knew he failed. He could see it in her face.

And the funny thing was, for the first time, she knew she was hurting him and felt remorse over it. All the times she had pulled his nose or twisted his ear, she never once apologised or felt any guilt.

Maybe it was better this way, he had tried telling himself. Maybe it's time for me to move on, away from her and Xena. Be on my own again. Those thoughts of then repeated themselves in his head. He had been on his own, and he still felt miserable. Worse, in fact, than when he was abused by Gabrielle. At least then, he had hope. Now, he had nothing.

Xena tried comforting him, but he shook her off. He didn't need her pity, too.

Another shaving came off the carving. He brushed it off his pants and finally noticed what he was carving. Rather, who he was carving an image of. He held it up to get a better view. Yes, it was definitely her - the hair, the eyes, the curve of her lips. He stared a long while at that image, unsure what to make of it. When he started the carving, he had no idea what it would turn out as. The results were mildly surprising, but if he thought about it, they shouldn't have been.

The light was rapidly fading outside, making the hut even darker. Joxer carefully put the statue down, stood up and with renewed determination, strode out. He had to talk to her, lay it all out and risk his heart again. Yet, somehow, he didn't think the same results would occur.

To be continued...

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