DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Xena stuff is the legal property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. This story was inspired by The New Adventures of Robin Hood episode Orphans. Well, actually it was inspired by the episode description on a German videotext and I finished it, like, ten minutes before the episode was aired. Quite frankly, I like my story better.

True Queen
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"So, what did you find out?" Gabrielle asked when Xena returned to their camp.

"The new king said King Peleus and his family are dead," Xena said.

"But he was lying," Gabrielle said, noticing that Xena wasn't convinced.

"Yes."

"What do we do now?"

"We'll go into the palace and do some searching."

"Fine... Xena."

"I see them."

They watched as a group of soldiers approached on their horses. Xena quickly noticed that they weren't interested in them and she sat by the fire.

"Xena?" Gabrielle asked, confused.

"They're not interested in us."

"Oh."

Gabrielle then started to distribute the food she had cooked while Xena was away.

Just as they finished eating, the soldiers came back and they had a bunch of children as prisoners. That caused Gabrielle's adrenaline levels to rise. Xena felt the same way. They both got up and waited for the soldiers to approach.

"Why have you arrested these children?" Gabrielle demanded before Xena could speak.

The commander looked at her derisively and wanted to proceed, but Xena grabbed his horse's reigns.

"She asked you a question," she said.

The man shot her an angry look, but he didn't dare to attack her because he knew who she was.

"The King has ordered their arrest."

"Why?"

"Because he doesn't want urchins wandering around the kingdom, stealing."

"What will happen to them?"

"They will be imprisoned."

"What!!" Gabrielle said.

She was positively pissed off and Xena knew that she was about to knock the man senseless unless she did something about it.

"I'm afraid that is unacceptable," she said. "You will release them or suffer the consequences."

Gabrielle looked at Xena, surprised, she didn't usually give people she was about to pummel a speech.

The soldiers stared at her, surprised.

"Look, Xena," their leader finally spoke, "we're just following orders, we don't want any trouble with you."

"Then let the children go."

"We can't."

"Then we'll take them," Xena said and took her sword.

"Get them!" the commander quickly ordered.

He wanted to take his sword, but Gabrielle's staff sent him into oblivion. Xena let her strike the man. She screamed her war cry and attacked the other soldiers. Gabrielle joined her and they quickly dispatched the soldiers into dreamland.

Xena then searched the commander, took the keys and started to unchain the children, who were scared.

"Thank you," a dirty girl said when they were all unchained.

Gabrielle gave her a warm smile.

"You're welcome. Come, let's get away from here."

"Will you help us?" the girl asked.

"Of course," Gabrielle said and turned to Xena. "Where shall we take them? I mean, we can't take them around with us."

"The Amazon territory is near," Xena said.

"Yes, that's a good idea," Gabrielle agreed.

"Eh, I don't think the Amazons would want to take care of us," the girl objected.

Gabrielle smiled at her.

"Don't worry, they will. And besides, it's only temporary."

"Oh." The girl considered the idea. "Okay."

"Come."

They went to the camp.

"Are you hungry?" Gabrielle asked and looked at the children.

Some of them nodded shyly.

"Yes," the girl said.

Gabrielle rummaged through the saddlebags and found some dried fruit, some olives, some bread and some cheese.

"This will have to do for now."

"Thank you," the girl said as she took the food.

She then evenly distributed it among the children, some of whom were older that she was. Xena observed her thoughtfully.

As they walked toward the border, Xena let the children ride Argo, two at a time. She also observed the girl. She quickly figured out that she wasn't the leader of the group, but that the children obeyed her nonetheless.

Gabrielle noticed the same thing and she knew that the girl was no simple orphan.

They stopped early. The children helped Gabrielle set up a camp and Xena went hunting.

When she returned, the children were listening to Gabrielle, who was telling them a story. Xena couldn't stop from smiling.

Gabrielle stopped when she saw Xena and the children immediately protested.

"Go ahead," Xena told her, "I may be a bad cook, but I can roast rabbits."

Gabrielle smiled and continued her tale.

They moved on pretty late the next morning as the children slept long. Gabrielle didn't mind at all and she prolonged her sleep, letting Xena take care of the breakfast for a change. When they crossed the border, both Xena and Gabrielle scanned the surroundings for signs of Amazon guards. They soon found them and stopped.

"Okay, child..." Gabrielle started when the Amazons suddenly descended from the trees.

Some of the children screamed and Gabrielle noticed that the talkative girl, her name was Amalthea, she had learned, stood protectively in front of the children.

"Don't worry, they won't hurt you," she said and turned back to the Amazons. "Cut that out, Eponin," she chided the leader of the guards, "you're scaring the children."

Eponin took off her mask, a smirk on her face.

"Yes, Queen," she said.

A smirk replaced Gabrielle's stern look.

"Send someone to tell Ephiny to prepare lodging and food for these children. They will be staying in your village until Xena and I figure out what happened to King Peleus and his family."

Eponin nodded and gave one of the Amazons a signal. The Amazon immediately left.

"Return to your duties, we know our way to the village," Gabrielle then said.

"Yes, Queen," Eponin said, replaced her mask and then the Amazons disappeared into the trees again.

Gabrielle turned back to the children.

"Come, the village is near."

Amalthea was the first to move and she encouraged the other children.

Ephiny was already waiting for them when they arrived to the village.

"Hello, Ephiny," Gabrielle said with a warm smile.

"Hello, Gabrielle," Ephiny said, returning the smile. "We have prepared two huts," she then reported and turned to the children. "I assume you want to stay together."

"Yes," Amalthea said.

"Good. Follow me."

Ephiny led the way and Gabrielle and the children followed her. Xena looked around and then went to Solari.

"These are Antiopa and Daphne," Ephiny said when they got to the two Amazons. "You will be staying in these two huts," she continued and pointed at the two huts, "and they will see that you are fed and safe. They will tell you what you can expect of them and what they expect of you." She turned to Gabrielle. "You brought them here so they can be safe?"

"Yes."

"Thought so." She turned back to the children. "You can move about freely, like our own children, but I would appreciate if you didn't leave the village, at least not alone. And I want you to tell someone where you're going. Okay?"

"Yes," Amalthea said. "Thank you."

Ephiny looked at her, her eyebrows slightly lifted, but she didn't comment.

"You're welcome," she said instead. "First Antiopa and Daphne will talk to you and then you can split into two groups. Questions?"

There were none, so Ephiny turned to Gabrielle, a questioning look in her eyes.

"You are safe here," Gabrielle said to the children and gave them all a warm smile. "I will see you later."

Amalthea nodded and Gabrielle and Ephiny left.

"An interesting orphan," Ephiny said when they were out of the children's hearing.

"I don't think she's an orphan, I think she's the daughter of King Peleus."

Ephiny looked at her, surprised.

"Then what is she doing among orphans?"

"I don't know."

The continued quietly for a while.

"What about the boys?" Ephiny asked.

"I'll talk to Amalthea later," Gabrielle said, causing Ephiny to look at her questioningly.

"You think she can handle it?"

"Yes."

Ephiny thought.

"You think highly of her," she then observed.

Gabrielle looked at her and smiled.

"If she were an Amazon Queen, I'd be proud to serve under her," she said.

Ephiny was impressed. Gabrielle was not Amazon born and many Amazon girls could probably defeat her in a fight, but Ephiny learned to trust Gabrielle's judgment of characters and that statement scored a lot of points on Amalthea's behalf.

"I'll tell the girls to stay away from the boys," she said.

"No," Gabrielle said. "They'll disobey you," she explained and smiled. "Some of them have never seen boys before and they need to learn what they are like, that they are not monsters."

"Yes."

Gabrielle nodded.

"Have you any news about King Peleus?"

Ephiny shook her head.

"No."

"Do you know what happened?"

"About two months ago Oberon proclaimed himself the new king. He claimed that King Peleus and his family have all been killed."

"But you don't believe it?"

"We did at first, but we soon realized that he was hiding something. I sent two Amazons to infiltrate his staff and they believe that King Peleus is still alive and hidden somewhere in the palace, but they don't know where. We believe that Oberon imprisoned Peleus, so he could find out where his treasure is."

"What treasure?"

"People claim that there is a great treasure under the palace, but I don't think there is one."

"Why?"

"Because we helped Peleus out a few times when his crops were poor."

"Perhaps he is a miser?"

Ephiny smiled.

"He's anything but. He is very generous and he helps the poor."

"Oh."

"We're getting a report tonight, perhaps we'll know something then."

Gabrielle nodded.

"I'll talk to Amalthea later, perhaps she can help us."

They continued quietly to the Queen's hut, where Xena and Solari awaited them.

"Have you been briefed?" Gabrielle asked Xena.

"Yes. We'll go back tomorrow."

Gabrielle nodded.

"I'll talk to Amalthea later, perhaps she can help us."

Xena nodded.

The afternoon passed slowly and Gabrielle used it to observe how the orphans interacted with the Amazon girls and vice versa. She told Amalthea to tell the boys that Amazon girls have had a different upbringing, that they were warriors and that they should respect that. She also observed Amalthea, who was watching over the other children and also talked to some of the Amazon girls. Gabrielle asked a few what they talked about and she was pleased to learn that Amalthea was trying to learn as much as possible about the Amazons, so she told them to tell Amalthea whatever she wanted to know and she also told Ephiny that.

When the night finally fell, most people stayed in their huts. After the dinner, Gabrielle decided to go to Amalthea and talk to her. She was about to enter the hut where she knew Amalthea was staying, when she noticed that someone was sitting in the grass, staring at the stars. She knew it was Amalthea and she went to her.

"Mind if I sit down?" she asked.

Amalthea shook her head and Gabrielle said.

"I think it's time we talk, queen to queen," Gabrielle said. "Well, queen to future queen," she corrected herself.

Amalthea looked at her, surprised.

"What do you mean?" she asked and Gabrielle felt fear in her voice.

"I know you're no simple orphan," Gabrielle said. "You're a princess, daughter of King Peleus."

"How... How do you know?"

"Your actions betray you. You may behave like an orphan, but you act like a princess." She smiled through the darkness and took Amalthea's hand. "Don't worry, you're safe here. Xena and I will do all we can to find out what happened to your parents, but we need your help."

Amalthea nodded.

"I want you to tell me when was the last time you saw your parents."

Amalthea thought.

"I... I think it was about two months ago," she said and Gabrielle knew she was holding back the tears. "One night my mother came to me with a bag and a rope. She gave me the bag and told me to hide. Then she lowered me with the rope through the window." She paused. "I didn't want to go, but when I saw that someone pulled my mother from the window, I ran away and hid." She paused again. "I was alone for several days and then I found the orphans and they helped me. I have been with them since then."

Gabrielle knew Amalthea wouldn't be able to hold the tears much longer and she put her arm around her.

"Everything is going to be fine," she promised and Amalthea burst into tears.

Gabrielle just held her.

When Amalthea stopped crying, Gabrielle asked her some more questions.

When she returned to the hut, she told Xena and Ephiny what she had learned, which wasn't much, and Ephiny told her what the spies had reported.

"So what do we do?" Gabrielle asked.

"We go to the palace and ask King Oberon."

Gabrielle grinned at the prospect.

"You gonna put the pinch on him?"

Xena grinned back.

"Yes."

"Will we need backup?"

"Maybe. Ephiny said she will send a few warriors with us."

Gabrielle nodded.

They left early next morning and they arrived to the palace around noon. The Amazons contacted their spies and then observed the palace. Gabrielle used the chance to go shopping and Xena didn't argue, it would provide a good cover.

When the night finally fell, the Amazons had already infiltrated the palace and were waiting. Xena and Gabrielle went to King Oberon's quarters and waited for him. The King finally arrived and Xena immediately put the pinch on him.

"I just cut off the flow of blood to your brain," she said in a menacing voice. "You'll be dead in seconds unless I release you. Now, where are King Peleus and Queen Hermia? I know they didn't die and I know they're somewhere in the palace and that you're trying to find where their treasure is." She paused. "Where are they?"

Oberon struggled a little, but he quickly realized that he couldn't do anything about it.

"There is a secret passage behind the throne," he quickly started talking. "You have to pull out the torch holder."

Xena released him and Oberon started to breathe deeply. Xena pulled him up.

"You're coming with us," she said and started for the door.

Gabrielle followed her.

They didn't bother hiding as there weren't may people around. They passed a few guards, but they didn't dare bother them after Xena gave them her don't-mess-with-me-or-you'll-be-sorry look. They quickly got to the throne room and Xena had Oberon pull out the torch holder.

"Watch our backs," Xena told Gabrielle as she pushed Oberon into the opening.

Gabrielle nodded and Xena disappeared after Oberon.

The room was dark at first, but it quickly lit up. Oberon tried to hit her with a spear, but she blocked it and knocked him out. Then she searched him and took his keys. She let him lying and went along the short corridor, which opened into a small room, where King Peleus and his wife were chained to the wall. Xena saw that they had been beaten. King Peleus looked up, but his face remained dark when he saw Xena.

Xena ignored his look and unchained him. Peleus collapsed into her arms and Xena carried him to the table and sat him into one of the chairs. Then she unchained Queen Hermia and also seated her in a chair. Then she went to Gabriele.

"Get the Amazons," she said.

Gabrielle nodded and left and Xena grabbed Oberon and dragged him into the room, where she chained him to the wall. Then she started to examine Peleus and his wife. They had both been beaten, but they had no broken bones or open wounds.

The Amazons quickly arrived and Xena assigned four to carry the King and the Queen.

As they walked through the corridors, they were suddenly attacked. Xena had expected that, but she hoped she wouldn't have to fight.

"Wait, King Peleus is alive!" she called and the soldiers stopped and took a closer look at the two persons the Amazons were carrying. "Oberon had them imprisoned," Xena quickly explained. "I suggest you arrest all those who were closest to Oberon, so that King Peleus might identify those who were involved in the conspiracy."

The soldiers conferred and then their leader turned to Xena.

"We will. I have assigned two soldiers for your escort."

Xena nodded and the soldiers left.

When they arrived to the royal quarters, the Amazons laid the King and the Queen on their bed and started to take care of them, while Xena left to check up on the soldiers. The Amazons undressed both sovereigns and Gabrielle supervised. They cleaned them first and then started to put salve on their bruises and bandage them. Finally, they dressed them in some simple clothes. None of the sovereigns had the power or the will to object as they were undressed by total strangers.

When they were done, Gabrielle caressed them both to get their attention.

"Amalthea is safe," she said and smiled warmly. "She's with the Amazons," she added when they looked at her. "She will come tomorrow."

Hermia smiled weakly and tears started to roll down her cheeks.

"Sleep now," Gabrielle said and turned to the Amazons. "I want two of you to stay here and two outside. I'll send someone to replace you later."

The Amazons nodded and Gabrielle left to find Xena.

"Xena," she said when she found her in the throne room. "Is everything all right?"

Xena nodded.

"They have made the arrests."

"Good. I've taken care of King Peleus and Queen Hermia and I left guards there. Where is... Ah, there she is."

She went to Solari.

"Solari, I left four Amazons at King Peleus quarters as guards," she informed her.

Solari nodded.

"I'll send the replacements later."

Gabrielle nodded and yawned.

"Em, Xena?" she said and went back to her friend. "Have you any idea where we will sleep?"

"I think we can find an empty room near King Peleus' quarters."

"Good," Gabrielle said and yawned again. "Good night."

Xena smiled.

"Wait, I'm coming with you."

Gabrielle nodded absentmindedly.

Gabrielle slept in the next morning and Xena didn't disturb her. She checked on the King and the Queen and on the prisoners and then went to the throne room and waited.

Finally the most senior officer of the guard arrived along with the officer Xena had met the previous night.

"I am Caphis," the senior officer introduced himself. "I am currently in command of the guard."

Xena nodded.

"King Peleus and Queen Hermia are still asleep. They have been beaten, but they will be okay. They might even get up today."

"And Princess Amalthea?"

"My friend will bring her today. I suggest you prepare a cart or something because she is not alone."

The man looked at her, puzzled, but he didn't comment.

"And the Amazons?" he asked instead.

"They will guard the King and the Queen until they identify the conspirators. Then they will leave."

The man nodded, satisfied. Xena knew he hated trusting the lives of his King and Queen into the hands of someone else, but he understood that they were safer with the Amazons.

"Thank you for your help," he said and left.

Xena then returned to King Peleus to change the bandages.

"So, you have changed," Peleus said when Xena began.

"Yes."

"Thank you for helping us," Hermia said and stopped her husband from brooding over things past.

Xena nodded.

"You have no broken bones or open wounds," she informed them. "You can get up any time you feel like it."

They were quiet for a few moments.

"Where is Amalthea?" Hermia then broke the silence.

"She's with the Amazons."

"Amazons?"

"Yes. Gabrielle and I found her with a group of orphans who were arrested by Oberon's men. We freed them and took them to the Amazons."

"Thank you."

Xena nodded.

After she was done, the Amazons brought breakfast.

When Gabrielle finally woke up, her first thought was to go to King Peleus and his wife and change the bandages, but then Xena came and informed her that she had already done that. So she enjoyed the breakfast one of the Amazons had brought.

"There is a cart waiting for you," Xena informed her.

Gabrielle nodded and kept eating. Xena grinned at her.

Before she left, Gabrielle quickly checked up on the King and the Queen and told them she was leaving to get Amalthea. Xena watched through the windows as Gabrielle and two of the Amazons left.

Somewhere around mid morning, Amalthea visited Ephiny, escorted by Daphne.

"Ephiny, she wanted to talk to you."

Ephiny smiled.

"You may go," she said and Daphne left. "So, what can I do for you?"

Amalthea hesitated a bit.

"Two of my friends want to join you," she then said.

Ephiny smiled again.

"They are welcome."

Amalthea was surprised.

"Just like that?"

"Of course. They will be assigned to older warriors and they will take care of them." She smiled. "Tell them to come to me and I will explain everything to them. Then they can stay with you until you return home."

Amalthea's face saddened.

"Don't worry, they'll find your parents," Ephiny said and Amalthea looked at her, surprised.

When Gabrielle arrived several hours later, Ephiny informed her of the two girls and Gabrielle nodded.

"We found the King and the Queen and I've come to get the children."

"Casualties?"

"None."

"Good."

They walked to the two huts assigned to the children. Some of the children spotted Gabrielle and called the others. Gabrielle gave them all a warm smile.

"King Peleus and Queen Hermia are safe and you can return home now."

She smiled at Amalthea, who was crying, happy.

"Have you had lunch yet?"

Amalthea nodded.

"Then we can leave at once. Those of you who have decided to stay come here, the rest go to the cart."

Two girls came to them, both a bit shy, but Gabrielle could see that they were both excited. She gave them both a warm smile.

"Welcome to the Amazons, sisters," she said and turned to Ephiny. "We might come back tomorrow."

Ephiny nodded and Gabrielle went to the cart.

It was late in the afternoon when the cart finally arrived to the palace. Amalthea wanted to run and search for her parents and Gabrielle sent one of the two Amazons with her. She followed them with the rest of the children and the other Amazons as a back guard.

King Peleus and his wife had decided to let the people know they were still alive and also take care of Oberon and his men as soon as possible. Xena had told them about the Amazon spies and the rest of the story and then joined the Amazons in the background and watched the people, making sure no one could harm the King and the Queen. She was the first to hear running. She recognized it as a child's running and she knew that it was Amalthea.

Amalthea stopped for a moment when she reached the throne room and Xena saw that one of the Amazon guards who went with Gabrielle was with her. The Amazon nodded to her and then followed Amalthea through the crowd.

When Amalthea got though the crowd with the Amazon's help, she finally sighted her parents.

"Mommy! Daddy!" she called and ran toward them.

"Amalthea!" her mother said, happy, and spread her arms.

Amalthea ran straight into them and they hugged and cried. The Amazon nodded to Peleus and retreated into the background.

"That will be all for today," the King said and the crowd started to disperse.

While Amalthea gave her parents the quick version of what had happened to her, Gabrielle arrived with the orphans. They stopped at the entrance and Gabrielle looked at Xena questioningly. Xena gave her a smile and Gabrielle knew that everything was okay.

The orphans looked around the throne room, curious and in awe. They had never been inside a palace before and it even scared them a bit. They were all confused when they saw Amalthea sit with two well dressed people with crowns, whom they guessed to be the King and the Queen.

Finally the King and the Queen got up and approached them, both holding their daughter's hand. The children backed off a bit, scared, but the smile on the sovereigns' faces told them that they were in no danger. And besides, Amalthea knew them.

"So, you are my daughter's friends," Peleus said when they got closer. "I want to thank you for taking such good care of her. I promise to take good care of you, perhaps find you a family. But tonight, you will be my guests and you will join me at dinner." He smiled when he saw the children's astonished faces. "First, however, I think it would be good if you got washed up and changed into something better." He turned to one of the servants. "Have them washed up, give them new clothes and assign them rooms."

"Yes, King," the servant said. "Follow me, children."

The children hesitated, but Amalthea calmed them.

"Come, don't be afraid," she said and the children slowly followed her and the servant.

"You will, of course, also be my guests tonight and you will join me at dinner."

Xena nodded.

"You have a fine daughter, King," Gabrielle said. "She will make a great queen one day."

Peleus looked at her, surprised.

"Thank you," he said and Gabrielle smiled.

"Em, I think I could also use some washing before dinner," she declared.

"Of course."

He motioned to another servant.

"Yes, King," the man said. "This way."

Xena and Gabrielle followed him.

"Well, all's well that ends well," Gabrielle said.

"Not to mention that you won't have to worry about the relationship between the Amazons and this kingdom for a long time."

Gabrielle smiled.

"I wish I could improve neighborly relationships with all kingdoms that easily."

Xena smiled.

"One can't have everything."

"Yeah, unfortunately."

The End