My name is Gabrielle, but I am also known as the girl with the dragon tattoo. I cannot see it but I feel it, the indelible mark given to me by a ghost long since faded from my memory, unlike the large serpentine creature with clawed feet which protects me still.
A lover said once to me that my dragons' eyes appeared to watch her, and that she feared to touch it in case it bit her. I laughed of course, she was a silly young thing.
I was a bard, now I am a warrior. I am fierce in combat, deadly with staff, sword and chakram. I travel the world helping people who cannot help themselves, some people fear me, others revere me. I did not choose this way, this way was my destiny.
Tonight though as I sit quietly by my campfire my dragon feels different somehow, maybe it is because I am tired and weary from a long journey. But I cannot sleep, I feel warm yet my skin is cold and slightly damp.
"Gabrielle."
A voice I have not heard in a long time calls softly to me on a gentle breeze. My horse picks up her head from grazing, she heard it too.
"Xena?" I look around but there is only darkness.
I stand though my legs feel strangely weak.
And then suddenly in a shimmer of light she is there standing before me, she is ethereal and so very, very beautiful, her hair is as black as obsidian, her eyes as blue as the Aegean. Her leathers are now white and her armour is silver but she is my Xena.
She smiles softly, and holds out her hand to me. Without hesitation I reach out and take it, it is warm and strong.
"It is time Gabrielle." She says tenderly as her hand gently cups my face, she leans down and places the sweetest kiss upon my lips. "I am here to bring you home."
"You were my dragon." I say finally realising the true nature of the mark I had born all these years.
"Yes my love."
She turns slowly towards the shadows holding onto my hand and I follow her. I glance back at the body curled by the fading fire, and I know now I am finally going home, with Xena, my destiny is complete.
THE END
For Sharron, 1973 to 2011