Great Story. Wasn't sure when i first started reading if this was going to work at all. But the way you keep to the characters and the myths and legends behind the whole fantasy side of it totally work. it gripped me from start to finish. i spent all night reading until my eyes decided to quit on me, then first thing when i woke i was back into the ten chapters left. i do hope you continue and take this to the second level of the story. Pure genius in the way you combine myth and storytelling. The way you write creates a scene in the mind, perfect tapestry of vision. The scene where Gabrielle is mocked and confronted by her dead lover mounted in the great hall, was one of the most agonizing to read, yet at the same time held beauty in the picture created. Your words create paintings. Well Done! thank you for sharing your hobby. x

Great story :) im hooked, whens the second book?

Ahhh! I can't stop grinning! This chapter was so full of cuteness! DX Seeing Demetrius and Thaleia together and being so open about their new relationship in front of Iona (even if they didn't have a choice because she walked in on them). It feels like the'y're so right for each other. I'm s glad Demetrius didn't remain oblivious forever...the dummy! XD Iona was just funny this chapter. The way she just came out with it and decided to bring the others into it because they were curious about Xena and Gabby was just hilarious to read. I could just imagine her eyes all wide, an excited smile on her face...ah. It's like being back at high school XD LOL
The little bit with Gabrielle and the bird was just lovely, and it also painted a really symbolic image about wildness, control, trust and love. The way the bird just sits there, unafraid of Gabby in her were-form was just awesome. Had to smile when she tried to call him back over and he wouldn't budge :) The little were-kiss was unexpected, but it was still kinda hot and sweet at the same time. Gabrielle's fears are unfounded...especially with Xena. Xena wants her to feel comfortable with both her forms and herself, mentally. Gabrielle is still lacking confidence...poor thing. They all love you, woman! XD

Okay, so I think I just about died with laughter when Ceto came in, saw the spent Gabrielle and asked Xena who was on top. I was at the gym, so you can imagine how embarrassed I felt when I all of a sudden burst out laughing on the treadmill. I think I made a few people uncomfortable DX Anyway! This was a really good chapter. It shows the inner conflicts Gabrielle is still dealing with and we have a little more insight into her past relationship with Adrienne - the bitch! XP It's nice to see that Gabby and Xena feel comfortable around each other enough now that they can play with innuendo, so the little playful conversations between them are cute and funny to read. I love just how casual and cozy they feel around each other. The little talk about Gabby getting her "Winter coat" was fun to read too. I sometimes forget that Gabby is a werewolf so when she mentions her coat, I'm like, "...oh yeah. Winter fur!" XD It's little touches like that that just make this story magical :)

It's understandable that Gabrielle will be feeling a little scared. To her, everything must be moving so quickly. Confessing to seeing ghosts openly, the Imperial Council, Adrienne, having another lover that she truly loves and now the prospect of marriage. It's enough to make anyone nervous. It was really sweet how she was worrying about giving Xena money when in truth, all she wants is Gabrielle by her side. The fur things was a really nice touch, both as a gift and symbolizing Gabrielle's "gold" and worth to Xena. Now she can have a part of her with her all the time :3 So sweet.
Aww man...I just knew things were gonna go bad for Jacinda's family. I hope things will work out for them. I liked seeing them interact as a family. It was so cute. You built the tension up nicely I think when Baastian and his grunts appeared at the house. I just keep wishing they get out or at least take down a few with them before they fall! D:

Aw, I love how cute Demetrius and Thaleia are as a couple. They're like teenagers in a relationship! Hehe but I'm happy for them. They both need each other. Though Thaleia is wise beyond her years, it will be good to have someone whose a little world wary enough to keep her grounded, and it's good for Demetrius to have someone to love again. After everything he has done I think he has punished himself enough. That void he has been dealing with will be filled again, but with love this time :D
As for Xena and Gabrielle? Wow...I am so glad that they're..."sorting things out" ;) It was really cute to see things develop at the beginning of the chapter. It was easy to see that Xena was absolutely taken with the bird. She couldn't stop playing with it. Just like a child who'd gotten their favourite toy :D Then they grow up...and get another "toy" ;) lol But seriously I'm glad Gabrielle has finally allowed her heart to love again and accept someone else in. It will be hard to get over the bad experiences in her past relationships - if you can count Adrienne as a relationship - but it will be good for her to be cherished with love and kisses, as I know Xena will bestow them on her. I love these two so much and how you've written them. Lovelovelovelovelove!

Awwww! I don't have the words to describe how cute and touching that moment when Gabrielle gave Xena one of her carved birds was to me. It was so sweet and cute and I was grinning stupidly because I know it was something that Xena had wanted, or wanted to be important enough to receive one - and now she is lol The little inscription on the inside of the wings was just genius. Not only does it add to the bird and its significance, but it also puts into words how much Xena has done for Gabrielle and say it, even when Gabrielle doesn't have the confidence to say it herself. That was a really touching moment :3 Aw!
Oh dear, things are really turning to crap back in the city. I think the fact that werewolves are seeing Gabrielle for what she is, their rightful king, it's scaring the council and they're really grasping at straws now. Though that happened to Jacinda, she was honorable and lovable. She had a strong following so I can guess that if it gets out what the council has done, they will have an uprising from their own people in due time. That ought to have them running scared with their tails between their legs (no pun intended!) ;) Awesome chapter, Silver. I loved it :D

Ut-oh, it seems as if Hesperos just put the nail in his own coffin. If he keeps making stupid moved like that Gabrielle won't need an army; his own people will take care of him.

I also wanted to comment on the gift that Gabrielle gave Xena. A truly tender moment and I'm glad that she and Xena are bonding and feeling so safe with each other. Gabrielle deserves that, and so does Xena.

Powerful chapter. I felt so sad for Gabrielle and her painful past, but I was also glad that Xena understood and seems to know exactly what to say. I also thought it was cool that Xena took Gabrielle to bed w/ her while she was still in werewolf form, it just totally is telling of how accepting Xena is of Gabrielle. Really a beautiful thing :)

Aw that was such a sweet ending to a bitter chapter.
I wondered when the whole subject of Gabrielle seeing Cyrene would pop up again. It was such an important piece in the past chapters that I thought it would be important to Gabrielle, especially since Cyrene helped her when she was feeling her worst. When Gabrielle admitted that she sees ghosts, and Xena admitted that Cyrene was her mother, it felt to me as if there was another line both had crossed. These were facts that both characters held as the truth, but had either not told anyone (Xena), or people did not believe them (Gabrielle). For each of them to tell the other and react the way they did just cemented their relationship. It feels more real and you can feel the bond that had already formed growing stronger :)
The flashback of the werewolf Gabrielle talked to was both interesting and distressing. I really felt bad for her, but I could understand the ghost's POV of it all. She's scared, but he had died and wanted someone to communicate with. I thought it was nice of him to try and make her feel better by reassuring her that he didn't suffer much before he died. Then Adrienne came...ooh, I so hate her. Poor Gabby. That woman has no frickin scruples!
The little part at the end where Xena wanted to lay with Gabby, even in her werewolf form just made a big smile stretch across my face. I couldn't help but feel happy for them. I can't wait to read the next chappy :3 Good work!

I was a bit hesitant, as Phrixus was about what Gabby was going to do to the scroll. I mean, what if it had been destroyed? DX Ahh! But sometimes you've got to take risks haven't you, and that's exactly what Gabby did, and in doing so she discovered the truth about the scroll, the myth and the scroll back with the imperial council. Phrixus's reaction was hilarious with the bucket at the ready. Could just imagine it. It's what *I* would do LOL Speaking about Phrixus, it was great to read more about his past. It's so sad though what happened to him and his family, but I'm glad that he didn't let it define him and he came back a better person...after his revenge, of course :O lol
Ah Demetrius...you idiot! DX Just when I thought things were going to go right, he had to go and come to his own conclusions instead of listening! Sometimes I wish I could smack characters so they'd understand lol It was very brave of Thaleia to go to the barracks, stand up to a scary looking Milo and then face Demetrius to tell him what she needed to tell him. No doubt being turned away that way would knock her confidence a bit though. Can't help but feel real sorry for her, but I actually feel bad for Demetrius too. He's obviously slack when it comes to love DX lol Loved it :)

Aw man this was such a touching and moving chapter in my opinion. It was interesting to hear about the grinding jaw that the werewolves used, and reading about how it all started between Gabrielle and Adrienne really made me feel for Gabrielle. She was still hurt over the death of Damokles and Adrienne was using that - and her feelings against her. I was more impressed and profoundly satisfied when Xena steeped into a supportive role in helping Gabrielle to accept what she's done and try and move past it by telling her to cry. Reading about them two together in such an important position really touched me and it felt good to see Gabrielle finally let herself cry. People think that crying is a sign of weakness, but it takes strength to cry because you truly acknowledge something, and Gabrielle finally did. She's acknowledging the change. Though she's done some horrible thing in her past because she was ordered to, saving those children just shows how much of the true Gabby lies beneath the fur (no pun intended) ;) lol Awesome chapter. Love catching up on these at the gym! lol

ok.. two things. One the burning scroll was way cool. Once in a while I see an idea that is unique and very well played out. Nice job with that.

Second thing.. short and not too sweet.. Demetrius.. opps.. lol . I'm sure he'll figure things out sooner or later ;).

Very emotional chapter. I could really feel for Gabrielle, yet you can tell deep down she only wanted to help. Going into battle and saving children rather than killing innocents is something very true to her soul. Sure she's done some horrible things, but I glad that this part of her survived.

I also liked Xena being so decisive and supportive. I liked the speech about crying and that it doesn't show weakness, but that one has a heart. Very good advice.

Great opening paragraphs. Kinda sets you up for what’s coming. It’s still strange seeing Joxer as the baddie because I’m not used to it, but giving him this new edge is really smart and unexpected. It was a great idea. Though he is dark in this story, he still has a caring side to him, and that side comes out when he is talking to Leah. It’s clear that he really does care about her, and after what she has been through, it seems they all need healing in one way or another. Awesome tactic making us care about the baddies ;) lol. There’s a spy in the palace, but I’m still trying to work out who it is. I think I may have an idea of who it is, but I’ll have to wait until the end, or the sequel to find out, eh? Lol Can’t wait to see what happens when it all comes to a head. He wants his face to face fight, and I have a feeling that he’ll get it soon.
It was nice of Fedora to say what she did to Gabrielle, reassuring her that she belongs with them and they all love her. It should reaffirm some of the things Xena has been trying to tell her for ages but Gabrielle wouldn’t believe. Fedora really has become somewhat of a mother figure to Gabrielle, and Thaleia her sister. It feels natural and real, and should offer the stability in her life she has been missing. After Xena kissed Gabrielle, the shock in Gabby is understandable. She still isn’t used to having a relationship where she isn’t abused, so Xena is going to take it slow for her. Just shows how much she loves her to do anything she cane to make her feel comfortable again and happy :) Awesome chapter!