In a peaceful meadow under bright blue skies lies a young woman dressed in a short brown skirt, a green top, with a halo of golden hair. She looks as if she is sleeping. Her eyes open and suddenly she sits up.
"Wh .. what ... where .. am I?" she quickly looks around, "Xena?"
Gabrielle gets up then sits back down as a wave of dizziness hits. "Oh .. my head. What in Tartarus happened?" As she sits and tries to let the fuzziness clear, she remembers.
"Hope? I .. me and Hope .. fell into the pit, but how did I get out?" The bard then looks around again, her eyes taking in the meadow and the blue sky. "Oh .. no .. by the gods .. not again. I must be in the Elysian Fields, I .. I must be dead .. again!" She sighs, "Xena?" She whispers, before putting her head in her hands and sobbing.
"I'm sorry, I had to do it, I couldn't let you die, not for my mistake."
Slowly Gabrielle stands up again, this time the dizziness passes quickly. "Now what do I do? Why isn't there anyone else here? Strange." Deciding to see if she can find someone, she sets off.
After walking a short distance, she looks down, "there are roads in The Elysian Fields?" for she is standing in the middle of a well worn road. "Huh ... ok ... maybe but why?" As she starts down the road, "this road seems very familiar."
As she comes over a small rise, she stops and stares, her jaw dropping. "Potidea? No .. it can't be ... in The Elysian Fields ... nah." She shakes her head, rubbing her eyes then looks again, but there in the distance is a small village, "it can't be!"
"Hey! Get out of the middle of the road!"
Gabrielle jumps at the voice, turning, she sees a man on a cart. "Huh? Oh, I'm sorry" she quickly gets out of his way. "Sir, can you tell me what village that is?"
"Potidea, what you a stranger?"
"N .. umm, yes, .. yes I am, I'm a bard"
"Humf .. well I can't stay here all day and chit chat, I got deliveries to make" and with that he sets off.
Gabrielle just stares at the retreating cart.
"Potidea? Maybe the gods set up The Fields to be something from your past or memories. Least that explains why the road looked familiar."
As the blonde girl enters the village, people stop and stare, with shocked looks on their faces.
"What? Why is everyone looking at me like I've got snakes in my hair" she thinks to herself
"Excuse me ... can ..." the bard starts to ask a woman, but the woman quickly runs off. "What is it ... why is everyone scared of me? Hey! It's me, Gabrielle!"
Gabrielle continues down the street and thru the village, starting to get really confused by everyone's reaction as she passes. Some stare, others quickly go inside and slam the doors, and a few even scream.
"A girl can get a real complex here" mumbles the young bard.
She leaves the village and follows a narrow cart path, then she comes upon "home" she whispers.
As she approaches the barn, the door opens and out steps a dark haired girl. Gabrielle collides with the girl, causing both to stumble backwards.
"Lila?"
Lila stares, then starts to scream, but Gabrielle quickly clamps a hand over her sisters mouth.
"Lila, it's me, why are you in The Elysian Fields, has .. has something happened to you?" Gabrielle ask anxiously as she removes her hand.
"Your ... I'm not ... your dead!" Lila stammers as she backs off, afraid to touch this person who looks like her sister.
"I know I'm dead, least I thought I was..now I am not sure" the perplexed bard mumbles.
"You don't know if your dead?" Lila decides to be brave and pinches Gabrielle's arm .. hard.
"Ouch! Hey! What ya do that for!" as the blonde sister rubs her arm.
"Your real? Gab ... oh Gab!" and Lila grabs and hugs her sister, sobbing. "We were told you died, that you fell into some kind of lava pit.''
"Lila .. I did ... I thought I was dead, but now it's making sense, the road, the cart, Potidea, the villagers reactions .... you."
"But how?"
"I don't know, all I remember is falling in with Ho ... just falling and then waking up in a field. I thought it was The Elysian Fields." Gabrielle rubs her temples, straining to remember.
"But Gab! Xena told us .. that you .."
"Wait .. Xena was here? Lila I've got to find her, got to let her know I .. that I am alive"
"Gab, no! We need to tell Mother and Father, they are devastated. Father just sits around and Mother just cries all day." Lila starts to pull her sister toward the house.
"Lila ... wait .... WAIT!" Gabrielle stops, "How..how long have I been dead ... gone?:"
"Almost 2 moons"
"What? But it seems like yesterday."
"Well maybe time stops when your dead, you think?"
The young bard ponders this "Guess so, but if I wasn't dead where was I all that time? I just can't remember anything." Gabrielle then realizes "This means Xena has been alone for that long, I have to find her!"
"Gab, forget about her, your home and your alive. Please, you have to go see Mother and Father."
"Of course I do, but I will not stay. I need to find Xena."
"Alright .. I understand. Xena is your friend. I remember how she was when she stopped to tell us the news and she didn't look good."
"What to do you mean, how did she look?"
"Like she hadn't slept or ate in days, and Gab .. she looked empty inside"
"Oh Xena, I'm so sorry" whispers Gabrielle as she closes her eyes briefly.
"About what?"
"I will tell you later, right now let's go explain to Mother and Father."
With that, the two sisters walked arm in arm toward the house.
Inside, Herodotus sits in a chair, a sad, blank stare on his rugged face. Hecuba comes in from the kitchen, sets the table, dabbing at tears.
The door opens and Lilia enters and goes to her mother. Taking her hands, she motions for Hecuba to sit. "Mama...please sit, I have some wonderful news. Papa? ... PAPA!, listen, someone is here to see you.."
Slowly the door opens further, and Gabrielle steps in. "Mother? .. Father?"
Hecuba cries "Gab .. Gabrielle?" she then gathers her lost daughter in her arms. Herodotus slowly gets up and goes over and touches his daughter. "Gabrielle? Is it really ..."
"Yes Papa, I'm alive" She goes into her father's arms, crying.
"But how ... what .. we were told.."
"I know, and I am so sorry. It's a long story, but I am not dead" Gabrielle takes her parents hands and leads them to the sitting area. "Please can we sit and I will try to explain what happened. Some of this will be hard to understand."
As they all sit, Gabrielle gets back up to start into her story, starting with Britannia, Dahok, Hope, Solan, though she does leave some things out just cause she doesn't want her parents blaming Xena for any of this, nor do they need to know about the rift. As she finishes up, her mother sits with a sad look, then stands and gathers her daughter in her arms once again. "I am sorry you had to endure all that my Daughter, but you seem to have come out of this very strong. I know we were not happy when you first left us to go off with Xena, but you seem to have done well for the most part, and you look well."
"Thanks Mama." Gab turns to look at her father. "Papa? Are you ok"
Herodotus looks up at his daughter, "Your mother is right. You do seem to be a lot happier and though I still am not thrilled with Xena for taking you with her .." Gab starts to protest but her father puts up his hand "let me finish. As I was saying, though I was not happy with Xena, I know you were not happy here. You are a very independent, strong willed girl .... well woman now I guess, and well, can you forgive me for being a stubborn old man?"
"You are not old! ... but there isn't anything to forgive. You were just being a loving and concerned parent. I see that now" The young blonde hugs her father. Just then, a rumbling is heard, and they all look at Gabrielle stomach.
"Well seems SOME things never change ... sounds like some one needs some food" Gabrielle blushes and then all four laugh.
Hecuba gets up to start dinner, both girls go to help out. As they start gathering items for the evening meal, Hecuba indicates to her husband she wants to talk with Gabrielle, alone. Herodotus gets up and ask Lila "Lila, come help me gather some wood."
"Ok papa" Lila and her father head outside.
After a few minutes of silence pass, Hecuba asks "So how soon will you leave us again? I know you want to head out to find Xena"
"Uh..oh yea...I do, I was hoping to leave tomorrow. I know that's kind of soon, but I really need to find her. I have to tell her why I did what I did." Gabrielle gets a pensive look. "Mama, I uh...uhmm..."
"Your in love with her" Hecuba gives her eldest daughter a loving look. Gab just stares.
"Ho..How do you know that" the young bard stammers.
"It's written on your face sweety. In your eyes, your smile when you talk about her" Hecuba pats Gab's cheek.
"Yes, Mama, I am in love with Xena. She doesn't know it. I've only recently realized what my feelings are, just after the incident with the Persian Army. Mama? I am sorry about Perdicus, I did love him, but I never felt like this with him." Gabrielle starts pacing and waving her hands "I don't know what to do but I feel I need to find Xena and tell her. I know she feels the same, I least I hope she feels the same. Even if she doesn't I won't leave her. She is a part of my soul. I just...ah".
Hecuba grabs Gab's shoulder and turns her. "Just find her and tell her what is in your heart. I know we haven't really had a chance to get to know YOUR Xena, but if some of the stories I have been hearing about the two of you, I know you belong together. Now lets get supper ready, we will talk with your father and then tomorrow we will send you off. Only promise me that once you find Xena, both of you will come back and visit your family."
"Oh Mama! It's a promise, thank you" Mother and daughter hug each other.
The next day, the bard starts off, after giving her family hugs and saying goodbye, on to Amphipolis and her quest to find Xena.
Stopping at every village, house, even stopping traveler's on the road, Gabrielle asks about Xena. Most said the same thing, no they hadn't seen her. As dusk approached Gab decided to make camp. Once she had a nice fire going, she takes out the bread and cheese her mother gave her, thoughts start to come forth.
'Xena ... please don't be to far off. I've got to get to you.'
Nibbling on the cheese, she reflects, "remember when we first met, I was so young and naïve but you still let me tag along. Ha! Like I gave you much choice. And what about when I released the Titans, guess I need to ask first, chant later" the blonde bard smiles. "Oh, and I do believe a Amazon Queen beats a Warrior Princess, I just don't want to HAVE to prove it, though .. it may be fun" this said an evil glint in her green eyes.
Finished with supper, she lays down on her bedroll, on her back, looking up at the stars. 'I wonder if your looking up at them too' and with that she falls asleep.
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Walking the night without you
Skies too high without you
Losing my way on silent roads without you
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In a small clearing, leagues away, a lone warrior lays looking up at the stars.
"Gabrielle .. I miss you so much. Even this small ritual is just no fun with out you." As a tear rolls down her cheek, she turns on her side, looking at the bare spot next to her, she succumbs to a restless sleep.
After a quick breakfast, Gab sets off, knowing that Amphipolis is only a couple candle-marks away. As she walks along, she writes some of her stories, quickly getting into them and before she knows it, she has arrived.
'Amphipolis ... Xena'a home' the blond bard smiles. With determination in her steps she makes way toward Xena's mothers Inn.
Inside, Cyrene is wiping down a table, gathering up empty mugs. Hearing the door open, she turns to greet her customer, "Welcome..this table is..." CRASH!! Everyone stops and looks at the innkeeper, the mugs laying at her feet and seeing the shocked look on her face, turn toward the door and the blonde woman standing there.
Gab rushes up, "Cyrene..I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you"
"Gabrielle? Is it really ... but how .. Xena told me you ... were...you died?
"I know, it's hard to explain, not sure myself what happened."
Suddenly, Gabrielle is engulfed in a big hug. "Oh Gabrielle! I am so glad ... Xena.."
"Cyrene, where is Xena? Do you know ... I have to to find her, need to tell her .. but I don't know where to go. When was she here, was she alright?"
"One thing at a time" laughs Xena's mother "same old Gabby." Cyrene hugs the young woman again. "She stopped here just after leaving your family..Gabrielle?! Your family doesn't ..."
Gabrielle puts up her hand "Yes they do, I just came from there."
"Wonderful! Ok, well Xena told me what happened ... everything, Britannia, Chin, Hope ... Solan ..." Cyrene wipes a small tear "Gab, Xena is devastated, I've not seen her like this since Lyceus died. Maybe even worse."
"I know, Lilia, my sister, told me. Xena didn't look good ... empty inside .."
"Yes, that's it .. like part of her soul is missing, worse than before. Gabrielle, when she came to me ... she just broke down, sobbing. I've not seen her cry like that since she was a little girl. That's when she told me everything."
"Oh ... Xena" whispers the bard, "But where is she now? Do you know which direction she was headed? I have GOT to find her."
"She went to see the Amazons. She was headed there next to tell them"
"Of course!! Thank you." Gab hugs Cyrene, "I've got to go, I have to tell her .."
"You NEED to tell her you love her" Cyrene gives Gab a knowing look. Gabrielle looks up at the same blue eyes, and just nods. "Oh come on Gab, I know you are in love with my daughter, just as much as she is in love with you. A blind man could see that" she winks.
Gab just stands with her mouth open, "I didn't think it was that obvious."
Cyrene laughs and hugs Gabrielle, "the way your face lights up and you get that dreamy look, just as Xena does with you, it's been obvious for a while. Anyways, it's late, stay the night, have a good supper, then you can head out tomorrow ... please?"
"Oh .. ok. I guess I am a little hungry" a loud grumble is heard, "Ok .. I'm a lot hungry" the bard laughs.
"Good, then I have a room made up for you, in fact you can stay in Xena's old bedroom. While your eating, lets talk some more." Cyrene steers Gabrielle towards a table.
"Ok, deal. Thanks" Gab hugs Cyrene, and goes and sits, thinking tomorrow she will be one step closer to finding her best friend.
The next morning, we find Gabrielle getting ready to depart. Cyrene hugs the young woman, "Now once you find Xena, you two come back here. You both need a nice long vacation .. ok?"
"Alright, I promise, we will be back soon" laughs Gab, then waving, she turns and heads off toward Amazonia, which she will reach tomorrow.
As the Amazon Princess heads down the road, she scans the shrubbery, listening for any signs of trouble, just as Xena has taught her. But she is also looking for something. "Sure wish I had my staff. Now I know how Xena feels with out her sword or chakram. Naked. Wonder where it is."
Later, at the fall of darkness, a warm campfire is welcome company for the bard, all though she would trade it for the company of a certain Warrior Princess. As she sits and writes in her scrolls (having picked up supplies in Amphipolis) she stops and stares across the fire, almost seeing an image ... almost hearing .... "Never realized how much I would miss that rasping of that stone against the metal. By the gods Xena, this is hard ... but I swear, if it takes me the rest of my life, I will find you. I love you and I need to tell you. Just don't do anything in your grief that will get you killed or ... I'll kill you myself!" Getting up and going to her bedroll, she settles down, once again looking up at the stars, a slight smile on her face as she falls asleep dreaming of her reunion with Xena.
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Long lone streets before me
No voice in the night to warn me
No sound of our songs
To bring you to me
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In a secluded glen, Xena sits, sharpening her sword, even though it doesn't need it since she hadn't used it, it's always been a comforting ritual. But something is missing. She looks across the fire and sighs. "Gabrielle, I really miss that constant scratching of your quill on the scroll. When we first started traveling, it use to annoy me, but now it's been something that I come to realize is part of you and thus I learned to love the sound. Especially when you stop to think of something and your just looking off into another place. I loved watching your face." Xena puts up her sword and heads to the bedroll. Once more as she lays down, she tucks the staff next to her, then sighs again looking up at the stars, "I never thought the silence would be so lonely, I miss your voice." Eventually the warrior would fall into another restless night's sleep.
The next day finds Gabrielle on the road once again. Making good time she is only a league away from the borders of Amazon land. Happy to be able to see Ephiny, Solari and the others, she almost runs into a man standing in her way.
"Ohmmf!! Oh .. sorry" as she sides around him.
"No so fast lil girl" the ruffian grabs her arm, "how about giv'n me yur money and anyting else of values."
"First off, don't call me LITTLE!! Second, if I had anything I wouldn't give it to a ugly brute like you!" Gab tries to jerk her arm back.
"Why you lil B ...OMPHFF." The ruffian doubles over, having had his privates kneed ... hard. As he starts to bend back up, Gabrielle's other knee connects with his jaw, causing him to fly flat on his back.
"Now if your were smart, but then if you were smart you wouldn't be here, anyways, if you WERE smart, you'd stay there, I don't want to hurt you."
The man quickly recovers and makes a grab for the young amazon. "Your dead missy."
But Gabrielle jumps out of his reach, making him fall forward into the dirt. Mad that this brute is delaying her, she finds some inner strength and as he rises she throws a hard punch to his jaw again. This time he stays down, knocked out cold.
"Owww!! That hurts .. " Gab shakes her hand, then looks down. "No one, and I mean NO ONE is going to keep me from finding my warrior!" Leaving the unconscious man in the middle of the road, the bard sets off, determination flashing in her green eyes.
Soon she is just passing the Amazon borders and quickly raises her hands above her head, giving the Amazon peace sign.
Out of the trees jump five amazons, their masks hiding their faces.
"Who are you, your trespassing on Amazon lands .. go back!" shouted the one closest to Gabrielle.
"I must see Ephiny, it's important." Gabrielle turns toward the Amazon.
"How do you know our Queen? ... No!! It can't be!" Giving a signal, two Amazons grab the small blonde's arms. "Who are you? Why do you look like our dead Queen?"
"Dead Queen? Oh ... yea .. um..I take it Xena's been here ... is she still..." but Gab is interrupted by the leader pointing at her.
"Again, I ask you, NO.. I demand you to explain!"
Gabrielle looks closer at the masked eyes, and recognizes them. "Ephinon? Is that you? It's me ... Gabrielle, ... I'm not dead" The bard gives her best smile.
The Amazon leader tilts her mask up, revealing the surprised and shocked look of Ephinon.
"Gab? Your alive? Oh .... My Queen! Please forgive me!" Ephinon and the others drop to their knees and bow before their Queen.
Gabrielle giggles, embarrassed, "Get up, I will explain later, at least I think I can, but tell me, is Xena still here?" Gab looks pleadingly at her friend.
"No, she left soon after she came, that was weeks ago. But I will take you to Ephiny, she can tell you more." Ephinon hugs Gab, "I am so glad your not dead" she laughs.
"Yea me too, I kind of like this living stuff" winks the Amazon Queen.
"Do you think we should send someone ahead to let them know?"
"Nah...lets surprise them." Together, they both giggle as the group moves off toward the Amazon village.
Ephiny is sitting in the Queen's Hut, looking over some scrolls. Outside there is a commotion; it's getting closer. Jumping up, she rushes to the door, opens it, then gasps, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
Gabrielle gives her best Xena impression "You best close that, might let a few flies in."
"Ga...Gab??" stutters Ephiny.
Gab just nods, as tears start to well up. "Yes Ephiny.. it's...OMPF!" Gabrielle finds herself in a tight hug. "Ephiny... I ...can't ...breath."
"Oh..I ..sorry" Ephiny pulls back a little, crying and giving her friend some breathing room. "I can't believe it! What..How...Why.."
Gab holds up her hand "I don't know...I just don't know." Looking at her friend, "Ephiny..Xena, where is she? I've been looking for days"
"She left the day after she came and told us. I tried to persuade her to stay awhile, to grieve, rest..but she just mumbled something about a promise..the greater good. Does that mean anything to you?"
"Yes..yes it does" Gab smiles sadly. " She is trying to keep a promise to me, I made her make. That know matter what happened to me, she was not to go back to her old ways and to always fight for good. But I don't know if she has been able to keep that promise, I haven't heard anything."
"I have" came a voice from the back. A tall blonde woman steps forward. "Excuse me my Queen..uhm..Queen's" she smiles. "I've been to several trading posts in the last moon and have heard several tales of Xena. Since your, uhm..death, apparently she has been helping several villages south of our lands. The villages have had warlord troubles, but Xena took care of it. So I believe she has kept her promise." The woman smiles warmly at Gabrielle.
Gabrielle grasps the woman's arm, "Thank you!" whispers the bard.
Turning to Ephiny, "I have to go find her, she needs me and I've got to tell her..I.. love her."
Ephiny hugs Gabrielle, "I understand." Ephiny nods to Solari, "We will prepare you some food to take."
"Did..Xena leave anything of mine here?"
"Like what...oh..wait..your staff?" Gab nods.
"She has it with her. We tried to get her to leave it with us, since by right of caste.."
"It would go to you" The young Queen finishes.
Ephiny nodded "But she wouldn't let go. Said it was the only thing she had left, besides your scrolls."
Gabrielle looked up, tears in her eyes.
"Yes, she still has those too. So stay the night and tomorrow, me and a small honor guard will escort you to the south border." Ephiny looks hopeful at Gab.
Gab hugs Ephiny "thank you my friend and if there is anything I can ever do for you.."
"Just find Xena, tell her what is in your heart, then when you can return, we will have a celebration for the return of our Queen." winked Ephiny.
"Ok...I...we will, promise"
"Oh.." Ephiny goes to the corner then comes back, "Here...till you get yours back."
"Thank you, I felt kind of lost without mine." Gab looks at the staff.
"It's just a loan, I want it back once you get yours," grins Ephiny.
"Yea I know. I've gotten attached to mine too" winked Gabrielle, "plus mine is...well..mine."
"I understand completely. Now for some food and a good nights rest, c'mon."
"Right behind you"
Later that evening, as Gabrielle is puttering around the Queen's Hut, Ephiny having her stay there while she goes back to her own hut, she picks up the staff that Ephiny loaned her. She walks over to the window, looks out among the stars.
"Xena, I am glad your keeping your promise, thank you. Just please don't get so lost, I am coming for you, just stay focused." Turning, she heads to the sleeping pallet and lays down. Rolling on her side, she drifts off, mumbling "love you."
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Losing my way
Stars send me astray
Walking the night without you
Blind in sight without you
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Later that night at a small campfire, Xena lays restlessly, "Gab, I am so lost, I never thought I would ever feel like this. I have kept my promise but it's so hard not to just give up" her hand grips the staff of her lost friend. The only thing she can find some comfort in her troubled sleep.
At the south border of the Amazon's, a small group bids farewell to their queen. Gabrielle hugs Ephiny, Solari and Ephinon, promising to come back as soon as possible.
Feeling better now that she has a staff in hand, even if it's not her own, 'Soon I will find Xena and get mine back' ponders as she walks down the road.
Thinking about what Ephiny said about Xena not giving up the staff, tears started to come to her green eyes, "Oh Xena..please..please stop running, stay in one place for awhile. For I know your are running, afraid if you rest, you won't be able to continue. Gods! Please just stay in one spot."
Gabrielle spends the next several days traveling, passing through several villages, asking about Xena. She is very pleased to hear Xena has been through and is keeping her promise, either by taking care of ruffians or just helping out with daily life such as digging wells or fixing a roof. She continues on in a south west direction.
Coming upon a split in the road, Gabrielle reads the sign.
CORINTH to the right, ATHENS to the left.
"Well I'd say Corinth, maybe she headed there." So to the right the young bard goes.
About half a day later, Gabrielle enters Corinth. Deciding she needs to take a few days and rest, Gab stops at the Inn. She makes arrangements for a room and to make a few dinars telling stories. The bard heads over and pulls out a chair to start, looking around at the crowd to determine what story she wants to share. Gab starts out with an older story, how Xena and she met Pandora and helped King Gregor. As usual once the blonde girl started weaving her tale, the audience stopped what they were doing and gave her their full attention. Once that story was done, they asked for another and thinking that Xena wasn't here, she would launch into a couple stories to show Xena's fun and also loving side. First she told about one day in their life, how they helped solve two villages problems at one time, by using a flying parchment and a giant. This had the audience roaring with laughter. Then they soon were on the edges of their seats while Xena was fighting the Persian Army, at the same time a few patrons were wiping a few tears due to the interaction between the warrior and her injured friend. Soon as Gabrielle stepped down, she was rewarded with thunderous applause and her tip bag was overflowing. But the biggest reward was when several patrons said how much they enjoyed hearing about how Xena has changed, that she seems to have found her heart.
The tired bard heads up to her room, once there she changes into her sleeping shift then climbs into the comfy bed. As she lays on her back, looking up at the ceiling, sensing that something was going to happen soon.
"Feels like...no...I know I'm getting close to finding you. I can feel it here" she points at her chest. "It's as if my soul is seeking and getting closer to the other half, you Xena. I know we are soulmates, we will be together soon." As Gab slips off to sleep, she whispers "goodnight Xena."
Earlier that evening, Xena is coming upon the same split, but from the Athens side. The very tired and worn out warrior turns to the right toward Altrus, but suddenly Argo stops, looks straight ahead. The golden mare senses something, her nostrils flaring, picking up a very faint scent. Perking up her ears she nickers and starts toward Corinth.
"Argo! What are ya doing, we're going this way" Xena pulls on the reins, shifting Gab's staff in her arms..
Again Argo protests, shaking her head. She starts toward the other direction again.
"ARGO!! No!...we are NOT going to Corinth, now cut it out!". Now normally Xena would of realized the Argo sensed something but in her grief her mind was not on full alert. She thus again, pulls the reins sharply toward the right.
Argo does the only thing she can do, she bucks then rears, knocking Xena off, then heads off toward Corinth.
Picking herself up, Xena bends and picks up Gab's staff and scroll bag, and glares at the retreating mare.
"Alright!! You want to go that way, then go! I'm going this way, you stubborn, four foot daughter of....a mare." Angered she starts off toward Altruis.
Argo in turn goes toward Corinth, the scent getting stronger.
As Xena stops to decide if she should go after Argo "What has gotten into that horse, some friend," then yells "FRIENDS DON'T DUMP FRIENDS!" Then mumbles "least I still have Gabrielle's staff and scrolls, only thing I have left now," she looks at the staff in her hand and shakes her head and continues in the other direction as Argo.
Xena finally heads off the road to find a small clearing and starts a small fire. She isn't hungry so she forgoes hunting, but since her bedroll is still attached to her saddle, she just lays on the ground. She is exhausted, but sleep still evades her. Pulling Gabrielle's scroll bag, she pulls out a scroll. She randomly reads one, then another. She is just in awe how detailed Gabrielle is in her writing. As tears falls, once more looking up at the stars through the trees she quietly speaks, "Gabrielle, I know the dead can hear our thoughts. I told you back in Tripolis you were the most important thing to me. Not only are you that but you are a part of my soul. I remember you once told me about the two halves of a soul. You are my forest. Till you came along, I had no direction, was ready to just give up the fight. I miss you so much, I just wish I could see you one more time, to say I am sorry and that I love you." Finally the warrior drifts off into a listless sleep.
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No song I learn
No way I turn
Brings you closer to me
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The next day, Gabrielle heads to the market place to replenish her scroll supplies, dried meats and fruits. Hours later she is making her way back to the Inn, when she hears the sound of trotting hooves and people yelling and jumping out of the way. The bard turns and looks at the horse coming at her.
"Argo...? ARGO!! Gabrielle breaks out into a grin as Argo stops in front of her. The blond girl wraps her arms around the golden mares neck, "By the gods, I am so glad to see you!" Argo nickers softly.
"I've been looking for you guys for days! But ..wait...where's Xena? Argo? Where is Xena?" Gab looks around anxiously, bring her fingers up to her lips, nibbling nervously.
Argo shakes her head and rolls her eyes.
"Is she here?"
The mare shakes her head again.
Gabrielle starts to look concerned "Is she hurt, is that it?"
Once more Argo shakes her head and nickers softly.
"Oh...no...she isn't...." the blonde bard gasps as she puts hand to her mouth.
Vigorously shaking her head again, Argo looks Gab in the eye.
"Whew...oh..ok..so she is alright then" as Gabrielle gives a sigh of relief.
Soft nickering confirms.
"Can you take me to her? Is she far?"
Argo nods but rolls her eyes again.
"Ok, then let me go get my things and tell the innkeeper I won't need the room for the second night." As Gab starts to turn she says to Argo, "Smart horse."
This gets a neigh out of Argo.
Gabrielle then realizes she has had an audience, she looks at the onlookers, "What? Haven't you seen a person hold a conversation with a horse before?"
The excited bard goes into the inn to gather her things and settle with the innkeeper.
"I'm sorry but I have to go. Argo, Xena's horse found me and is taking me to her" Gab apologizes.
"No worries, go find your warrior" he winks. "But if you ever come back to Corinth, I expect more stories from you" he laughs.
"You got a deal!" yells the blonde as she runs out the door. She quickly puts her things in the saddle bag, ties the staff on, then gathers the reins.
"Ok Argo, you know I have a riding problem."
A laughing nicker.
"Ok..a height problem, so I will try to hang on if you just don't go to fast ok? As much as I want to find Xena, I'd like to get there in one piece." Gab winks at the mare.
Slowly and awkwardly she gets in the saddle, "Lead on Argo, I'm just here for the ride".
And the duo head off.
Xena, after a very uncomfortable night, has decided to head back to find Argo. She decides to take a short cut through the forest towards Corinth, so she heads off to her right into the trees.
"Dumb pony, if it wasn't for the fact I really hate sleeping on a cold hard ground, I would let you come back when your good and ready, but I like my bedroll back, dumb pony." She continues to mumble to herself as she gets deeper into the trees. As she comes to a small stream, she bends down to get a cold drink. Then she senses something to her right. She draws her sword as four, dark clothed men approach her.
"Can I help you boys?" She drawls.
"Yea..you can help us by giving us that sword, stick and what ever else ya got." Says the tallest of the four.
"Oh..you do not want me to do that. I am not in the mood" and with that she yells and flips over the four, coming down in the middle of them. She then uses Gab's staff to whirl around and whack them all in the head. As they all fall over, she then proceeds to jump on one, while continuing to whack the other three in the head again. "Now..I would advise you four to scram. I am tired, and really, really not in a good mood". As she jumps off the leader, they all scramble and fumble to get away from the warrior. Xena bends to pick up her sword to place it back in its scabbard on her back. Looking at the staff, she thinks 'You would be proud of me Gabrielle, I could of just as easily ended their measly lives, but I just didn't feel that anger', she then heads off across the creek.
Gabrielle and Argo are heading back toward the Athens crossroad when Argo stops, and looks toward her left.
"What is it Argo?" The blonde queries the mare.
Argo twitches her ears and senses she should head off into the wooded area. As she starts off, she nods and nickers.
"Are you sure we need to go through the woods? Seems kind of thick through there." Gab questions and looks a bit scared.
The golden mare again, nickers and heads in the new direction.
"Oh well, I guess we do need to look for a place to camp, it will be getting dark soon," with that Gabrielle dismounts, grabs the reins and "Lead on Argo, lead on". The mare and bard head off into the thick woods.
Xena finds a small patch of flat ground in among the thick trees. She finds some rocks to form a small fire pit and gathers wood to start a fire. She sits and eats some berries she had found near the creek, staring into the fire.
Gabrielle and Argo continue to forge thru the dense trees, then Gab stops. She looks around, scanning the trees, then closes her eyes and looks up, sensing something. Her eyes open and she looks at Argo.
"You can sense her too. She closes isn't she Argo." the smile appears on the bard's face. Argo quietly nickers. Together they continue on a invisible path.
Then suddenly, Gabrielle drops the reins. Far off, she sees what looks like a campfire. She walks forward a little then stops. She is drawn to the light, but at the same time worries her senses could be wrong. Then a gentle nudge from behind her pushes her on. She stealthy moves closer.
*****************************************************************************************
Moon so cold without you
Longing to be near
Straining to hear
A song from you
Walking the stars without you
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Xena continues to stare in the fire for awhile, then sighs and looks up at the night sky, even with a full moon, one bright star stands out, twinkling.
"Ah Gab, I know I need to get on with my life, and I know I need to let you go, but I just can't, least not yet. I know I have been pushing myself to exhaustion but it's the only way I seem to be able to get any sleep, I just can't seem to get a grip," once more a deep sigh, "I just feel so alone."
"Your not alone" Gabrielle steps out of the treeline.
Xena looks across the fire, blinks, and sees Gabrielle as she did the first time, "Oh great now I am seeing Gabrielle, this is not good." She blinks again to clear and the image changes to one of Gabrielle just prior to her falling into the pit. Once more Xena blinks and shakes her head but this time the image doesn't change or go away.
The figure moves closer, Xena stands and starts to back up.
"Xena...it's me..Gabrielle"
"No..your just in my head, go away"
"Xena! I'm not dead, I am alive" Gabrielle continues to approach the warrior.
"Ga...Gabrielle?...No..your dead...you can't be..." Xena finally looks at the face that has haunted her for weeks. She wants to believe but she just can't, but then she sees the tears and something inside her makes the decision.
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It's calling through the dark
It's reeling in the heart
The sound of the pipes on the wind
The strains of the song
Carry me along
Sending me dancing again
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"Gabrielle? Oh Gabrielle!!" and the warrior and bard rush into each others arms. "By the gods, it is you! Oh, my sweet Gabrielle" by this time both women are sobbing and hugging, afraid to let the other go in fear that it's just a dream.
"Xena...I...have been looking for weeks"
"Gab...what, how...where"
"I visited every one, trying to find you"
"but I saw you fall..."
"I don't know..."
Finally Gabrielle puts up her hand to stop Xena. "I don't understand myself, and I want to sit and talk about all that's happen since I woke up weeks ago, but..."
Then Gab jumps.
"Ohch!! What...why is everyone pinching me!!" She smacks the warrior on her arm.
"Your real" Xena looks at Gab before grabbing and hugging her again.
"Yea well you will find out how real I am when I smack you with my staff. Hey, by the way where is my staff?"
"Wait, we are having this most wonderful reunion and your asking me about your staff?" Xena gives her best pout.
"Well it was wonderful till you pinched me" grins the bard. Gab then grabs Xena's hand and leads her toward where she came out of the woods.
"Actually I have something of yours." Gabrielle then whistles, and Argo appears out of the trees. Xena breaks out in a grin, then it turns into a sheepish smile as she approaches her beloved mare.
"Argo? What...wait..how did you find her?"
"She found me. I was in Corinth and"
"Wha?? Oh...Argo...you knew didn't you girl, I'm so sorry I didn't trust you" Xena touches the mare, as Argo nickers and nuzzles the warrior.
"Gabrielle, I still don't understand, what happened?"
"I don't know Xena, I was falling and the next thing I woke up laying in a field...but I haven't thought about much cause I have been so busy trying to find you." Gab starts poking Xena in the chest. "You. Are. The. Most. Hardest. Person. To. Find."
Just as Xena grabs the offending finger, a growling sound is heard.
Both look down.
"Oh yea...your Gabrielle alright. I know that growling monster anywhere." Xena looks at her beloved bard with twinkling eyes.
"Ha...yea...well I haven't had anything to eat since this afternoon. You on the other hand look like you haven't eaten in days." Gab looks at Xena sternly. "You haven't been taking care of yourself have you."
"Ah..well..I just wasn't really hungry a lot, I just didn't have the heart I guess."
"Oh Xena...I am sorry. Tell you what we're going to do. You will go find us some fresh meat or fish. I will set up the camp, and get dinner started. Once we have settled my monster, then we can sit and talk. I have a lot to tell ya."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Xena goes over to pick up her weapons, then stoops again to pick up something else, then tossing the item to Gabrielle.
"You might want this."
"Yes!! My staff! Thanks Xena, for keeping it safe. I have this one from Ephiny but it's just not the same." The bard hugs the staff close to her. Xena just grins and heads off to look for game.
A candle-mark later, after having polished off the plump rabbit Xena caught, Gabrielle goes off to the stream to clean up. A short while later, she comes back.
"Ok Warrior Princess, your turn. Go get a bath while I finish up cleaning and getting our stuff out. Now that I am fed, we can have a long talk and I can tell you all about my chasing you across Greece" The bard hands off the soap and a clean towel to Xena, while she grins at the warrior.
"Thanks, I will be back shortly" with that, Xena heads off to the stream.
While Xena is gone, Gab cleans up the camp, sets out the bedrolls next to a log to use a back rest, gets out Xena's sharpening stone, and her own quill and parchment. The bard then sits and relaxes against the log and starts to write the days events in her scroll.
Xena strolls back toward the camp, but stops short of the tree line and just gazes toward the camp. She just watches her beloved bard, the firelight bouncing off the golden locks, the shadows flickering off beautiful face. The blue eyes, blinking back tears, as she gets a overwhelming warmth enveloping around her heart. Slowly she approaches Gabrielle.
Gabrielle senses Xena's approach and looks up, her eyes reflecting the firelight. She sees the look on Xena's face.
"What?"
"I'm just trying to believe this isn't a dream", Xena slowly walks toward Gabrielle, she drops the bundle of soap and wet towels on the ground. The bard drops her quill and scroll as she stands. "It's not a dream Xena".
"Gabrielle, I...", Xena touches the bard's cheek, looking deeply into those beautiful green eyes, seeing what she feels reflected back. Gab brings her hand up to Xena's shoulder, "Xena, I...", Xena puts her finger to those soft lips.."Shhhh..." then slowly lowers her head. The kiss was tentative, gentle, soft, warm, loving.
Then Xena pulls back slightly, then hugs Gabrielle to her and whispers in her bard's ear "I love you Gabrielle, with all my heart"
"Oh Xena, I am so in love with you" mummers Gabrielle against Xena's neck
Both women move closer, twining hands in hair, running hands up and down backs, then just as the kiss deepens, Gabrielle's eyes snap open and she gasps.
"Xena! I remember! I remember what happened! It was Aphrodite! She is the one that saved me!" The blonde bard starts to pace back and forth, her hands at her head. Xena grabs her, and pulls her over to the log.
"Gab, come here and sit, tell me what you remember." Not letting go of Gabrielle's hand, she sits pulling her beloved bard down next to her.
Gab goes into her storytelling mode, "I remember falling, then there was flash of pink. Next thing I am waking up on some bed, then Aphrodite was there and I realized it was one of her temples. She is ranting, saying that Ares betrayed the other gods by siding with Dahok, and that no way was she going to let me die for his stupidity, and ..."
They both start as a flash of pink and sparkles appear, then the Goddess of Love pops out.
"That's right Sweetpea, when Zeus found out about Are's betrayal, he was livid to say the least. And I wasn't about to let Ares mess with ya. I kind of like ya, so when Zeus seen you sacrifice yourself to save Xena, he let me pop you out before any major damage was done, oh and don't worry, Hope didn't make it out. Only thing is I couldn't immediately bring you back to the warrior babe here" The Goddess points at Xena and pops her gum.
"Why couldn't you do that...it would of saved a lot of heart ache on both our accounts"
Aphrodite looks at Xena, "cause first off, Zeus had to find Ares, and punish him, which took a while. Ares knew he was in big trouble and vamoosed. So till Ares was found, Zeus had Artemis put the Gabster here in a sleep, since she is Arty's Chosen one, she has the power to protect the Queen of her Amazons. Zeus didn't feel that you or Gab would be safe till he dealt with his son. Finally, Ares showed up and well, lets just say he won't be bothering you two again. He has been locked up in his temple for the next eon. Oh, he can still be God of War, he just can't leave." Aphrodite winks at the pair.
"Well serves him right, but I still don't understand why you couldn't just pop Gabrielle closer to me."
"Oh, well the distance thing was my idea.....ahck!"
"What?? Are you mental??" Xena growls as she grasps the goddesses flimsy gown.
"Hey..back off Warrior babe!, let me explain. I wanted a little distance between you two cause I knew how you both felt about each other, but both of ya are so stubborn..'Oh..I can't tell her how I feel' 'Oh what if she rejects me...what will I do' 'Oh I don't know if I can loose our friendship if she doesn't love me that way'...give me a break! You two have got a mojo love connection going on. Nothing to do with me either...way beyond me, but I thought this could be a way to make both of you so crazy that you finally do something about it. I just didn't realize you" points at Xena " would run all over Greece. I knew the Gabster here would find you, cause like I said, ya got that invisible connection. Where you go, she goes. Anyways back to popping the Bard back, once I did that, I made sure she would only remember once BOTH of you admitted you loved each other, in that way, and you sealed it with a kiss, and that was a great kiss I'm tell'n ya." Aphrodite winks at both again.
Both Gabrielle and Xena just stare at Aphrodite, then Gabrielle moves toward The Goddess of Love.
"Thank you Aphrodite, for saving me, but...if ...you..*pokes* ever...*pokes* pull that distance thing..*pokes* again..."
"Hey...Alrighty...I get the point. Anyways now that you two are together...I am out of here...you two need some alone time" and with a wink and a snap, The Goddess of Love was gone.
Gabrielle turns to Xena, "she is right. We did keep denying to each other what was in our hearts".
"Yea, but I just didn't, couldn't believe, that you could love an old, rundown, ex-warlord like me".
Slowly, Gab walks toward the warrior.
"You are not an old rundown anything, you are my heart and my soul, and like Aphrodite said, where you go, I go, and right now, it's bedtime for warriors and bards" Taking Xena's hand, she leads her toward their bedrolls. Turning, Gab touches Xena's cheek, then tangles her hand in her hair and draws her down into a deep, passionate kiss. They remain locked in love's embrace, then both slowly lay down, with Gabrielle's head on Xena's shoulder, both still embraced, they look up at the stars.
Gab sighs, "I missed this so much, just being here with you, looking at the stars. I love you Xena.
"I love you too Gabrielle", as Xena tightens her hold on her bard. Soon both fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.
The next morning, as Xena is finishing up putting the bridal on Argo, and Gab puts out the fire, they both keep taking long looks at each other and breaking into grins.
"We ready to head out?"
"Yep! We have lots of places to stop. I promised the Inn Keeper in Corinth, Ephiny, Your Mom, and my parents we would stop and WE keep promises" winked the blonde bard.
"Gabrrreille...it will take us weeks if we stop every place" Xena moans, as she grabs up Argo's lead.
Gab starts down the road, her beloved staff in hand, "Yep, lots of Inns and nice warm, comfy beds...INSIDE..ya know, got lots of making up to do" and with a wink, she turns and heads off.
"Coming????"
Closing her mouth and pulling her eyes away from the bard's swishing backside, she hurries after her beloved Gabrielle, with a smirk, she takes Gab's hand, "Oh..we will be, we will be".
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Come give me your hand tonight
Your star is bright
Your songs are in my heart!
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The End...or maybe just a NEW Beginning.
Thanks for reading, hope you got some good laughs out of it.