Been made of stones representing each nation or tribe

I want to thank RenPic for temporary use of their characters, and once again my very capable beta reader Sinjen Kai.

Moon7U@aol.com.

Part 2

Of Two Minds:

Gabrielle had remained unconscious for the better part of the day. The warrior kept fervent vigil over her young companion, fearful the gods would return and rip her friend from her arms. "But not without a fight." Xena had determined. It was late in the afternoon when Gabrielle had begun to stir, sitting up crying out for Xena, who was right there gathering the girl into her arms. "I've got you. I've got you, Love." They stayed like that for a long moment before Gabrielle whispered:

"Are you mad at me?" Xena smiled down at the woman's lowered head. With gentle fingers she lifted Gabrielle's chin, causing the girl's head to tilt back so that their eyes met.

"No," was all Xena said. She placed a gentle kiss on the bard's head. Gabrielle sighed with relief and snuggled in closer to the warrior allowing the woman's warmth to comfort her.

"I want to go home, Xena." Gabrielle's eyes teared.

"Potaedia?" Xena's heart skipped a beat; Gabrielle shook her head slowly and Xena felt her heart plummet. "We'll set out for the Amazon's in the morning, if you're up to travelling," she promised the bard. Nodding quietly, the bard graced Xena with a grateful smile and then her eyes were closing again. Worried for a moment, the warrior watched her closely and then determined that her young friend had simply fallen asleep.

Xena retrieved a couple of trail rations from Argo's saddlebag. Normally she would have trapped a few rabbits by now or maybe caught a couple of fish but that would have required leaving the bard alone and Xena was not about to let the young woman out of her line of vision. She kept to her daily ritual of drills but in lieu of the usual long run around the campsite perimeter she gathered up wood for a campfire incase the temperature lowered during the night.

The trail rations consisted of dried meat: that Gabrielle had cured with her own blend of spices, nuts, and berries they always kept on hand, and fruits they picked or bought from the nearest village whenever time and dinars afforded. Gabrielle had taken their assortment of 'goodies' and divvied them out into several healthy portions of rations for when either of them was too sick to be left alone, or when the weather was too treacherous for them to be out and about in it. For Xena this classified as a ration emergency. She gathered a couple of their water bottles and some bowls. She divvied the rations into the bowls then covered the bowls with a cheese cloth to keep the bugs out.

She allowed Argo to wander to a nearby stream for water, after the horse had eaten her fill of the surrounding grass. The warrior kept herself busy taking inventory of their things, repairing leathers that were in constant need of mending, making sure the straps of Argo's saddle were in good shape. Never once did she allow anything to take her attention away from her sleeping companion for too long.

Once the golden Mare returned from the stream, Xena removed the horse's brush from their belongings. The sun had set and there was a slight chill in the air. Before setting to the enjoyable task of brushing down Argo, Xena gathered up some of the firewood she had collected and started a fire a few feet from her still slumbering friend.

She tended to her loyal mare's coat and found Argo's gentle nickering to be soothing as always. Relaxing now, having completed several chores and knowing that once the bard awakened, the girl's need for nourishment would be taken care of. She kept up the steady brushing rhythm against Argo coat, her eyes shifting constantly to her bard. Her expression darkened at how much more innocent Gabrielle looked in sleep.

"Zeus' Bolts!" She expelled softly, drawing the horse's attention with the soft oath. She scratched Argo's nose and sighed, "How in Hades are we supposed to protect our little bard, Old Girl?" As if understanding her mistress' distress, the horse glanced over at the bard and nickered softly, head moving gently side to side. She nuzzled the warrior's cheek gently with the side of her head. "I don't know either." Xena whispered. "This is crazy!" She groused softly. "Gabrielle can't lead an army. What in Tartarus, does she know about waging war?" Her jaws clenched tightly.

"By now, a lot more than you did, during your first battle in Amphipolis." Xena's eyes widened at the all too familiarity of that voice. "After all what did you know about battle, about waging war until you took up the sword to protect your village?"

"That was different!" Xena growled softly.

"You're right," the voice purred. "There's more at stake now than just one little village."

"She's just a girl!" Xena went back to rigorously brushing Argo's coat.

"She's an Amazon Queen!"

"In Title only!"

"You, underestimate her."

"You!" Xena ground out, careful to keep her voice lowered. "I should have done away with you in Morpheus' realm!"

"Face it. Princess. Gabrielle's not a child anymore. She's a woman. A very strong young woman."

"You're right," Xena agreed with her darker self. "She is a woman and a damned good fighter. But Gabrielle, is not a warrior and she never will be." Xena's eyes looked to her young friend and softened with a troubled glint. "It's just not in her," she whispered.

"Give her time," the Conqueror baited with a chuckle.

"This is all just some game to you isn't it? You don't give a damn about her; you never did!" Xena's voice nearly rose at this. You always thought of her as some weak pest holding me back."

"Seems to me, that 'you' are the one who thinks of her as weak."

"I'm not going to allow her to get hurt so you can play war."

"This is war!"

"Well, it's not our war!"

"That's not how the girl feels."

"I am not going to stand by and let them destroy her."

"Damn you! You have so little faith in your friend Xena." The conqueror snarled. "She has a fierce heart!"

"And I'd rather not see that heart impaled by some soldier's sword."

"Why are you acting like this?" the conqueror, seethed. "What are you gonna do?" she taunted. "Take her and hide."

"If that's what it takes, I won't lose her again!" Xena hissed angrily. Her heart clenched painfully at the vision of Gabrielle embracing Hope as the two plummeted to the bottom of the fire pit.

"She's not going to allow that Xena . . . and neither will I."

"You! Xena growled with fury. "You have no say in this matter, Conqueror. Gabrielle is Mine!"

"Can a thing you've never laid claim to, be yours Xena?"

"I just have to make her listen to reason…" Xena's thoughts drifted for a moment. "Show her how stupid and absurd this whole idea is. Gabrielle is smart. She'll see things my way."

"Don't make her choose Xena." The conqueror's voice almost pleading as she echoed Ares' warning. "We'll only lose."

"And what do you care?" Xena growled. "You're only hungry for battle. You crave war like an addict craves his draught."

"You've become weak and pathetic." The conqueror drilled disgustedly. "So blinded by your own fears, you can't see the TRUTH staring you in the face. You CAN'T escape destiny." "

"We make our own destiny."

"We lend destiny a hand. We either work with fate or against her, but when we try to bend fate to our will, she inevitably struggles to right her self."

"Don't you dare preach to me about bending fate, Conqueror." She spat the title out disgustedly.

"Damn you! We can't lose her." The conqueror voice was fading. Don't you . . ."

"I don't intend to lose her."

""Xena." Gabrielle's soft sleep husked voice ended the argument."

"This isn't over, Princess."

"I think it is," Xena spoke with a whisper then quickly put the brush away. She called over her shoulder: "I'm here Gabrielle. Just finished Argo's grooming for the night." She forced a smile to her lips and turned to meet her companion's concerned frown.

"I thought I heard voices." Gabrielle sat up rubbing sleep from her eyes. Xena's eyes widened slightly then she chuckled.

"Just me talking to Argo." Xena relaxed to see the visible signs of strain and fatigue were now absent from the girls face. 'Morpheus has been kind.' She approached as the bard stood to her feet with a quick leap. Gabrielle stretched unused muscles, working the kinks out of stiffened and aching joints. Her tight abdomen flexed and relaxed as firelight played across the bard's bared skin. Xena swallowed unconsciously, her eyes riveted to Gabrielle's well-developed body. The bard rolled her neck gently, letting it slowly fall forward then back until she felt the soft click of realignment. She met Xena's intense scrutiny with a frank gaze. She enjoyed it when Xena watched her. She wasn't going to pretend otherwise. She smiled at Xena genuinely. The warrior embarrassed at having been caught staring, looked away for a moment castigating herself for being so rude. "How do you feel?" She asked hoarsely.

"Like my whole world has been turned inside out." Gabrielle sat down on her bedroll. "Confused, dazed, and scared to death . . . but other than that," she quirked a brow. "I'm good." They both chuckled at the small joke.

"Hungry?"

"Slightly." Gabrielle answered, and then blushed when her stomach protested the understatement loudly. Warrior and bard both laughed loudly at this. Xena joined her companion on the bedroll and engulfed her in a warm embrace.

"I've got just the thing," Xena grinned, then smiled teasingly as she reached for the two bowls and water flasks. "And relax. I didn't cook."

"Bless you." Gabrielle accepted the offered bowl, grateful for the food and that Xena hadn't attempted to cook anything.

They ate in silence. Gabrielle's stomach quieted down with appreciation for the rations. The bard had a feeling that even the warrior's piteous cooking abilities would have been welcomed in the wake of her ravenous hunger. When they had finished the meal, Gabrielle reached for the bowls intending to take them to the stream to wash them, but Xena's panicked voice had stayed her.

"No! Uh we can leave it 'til morning." Xena glanced away blushing furiously. She took a deep breath then turned back to the bard. "Gabrielle, I . . ."

"Xena," Gabrielle cut the warrior off gently. She placed a warm hand on the Xena's left arm bracer. Her eyes pleading for understanding when she spoke again. "I'm not ready to talk about this just yet." Her voice wavered slightly. "Tomorrow, 'k?"

"'K." the warrior fell silent and retrieved her weapons for cleaning, watching out the corner of her eye as the bard gathered her quill and scrolls and moved closer to the fire.

oncern on Olympus:

"Trouble." Ares turned from the scrying glass to look upon his council. Artemis nodded, her features darkening with worry. She had hoped the warrior would come to her senses.

"Why is she being stubborn with this?"

"Fear, uncertainty." Aphrodite sighed. "The same reasons she hasn't admitted her love to Gabrielle yet. Xena assumes responsibility for every bad thing that happens to her and the bard."

"But my Queen is perfectly capable of making her own decisions as well as taking responsibility for her actions!" Artemis thundered angrily. "She's not a child! I would never have allowed a child to take the mask unprepared."

"We all know that." Aphrodite glanced around at the other gods and goddesses who were agreeing with her via affirmative head nods. "And the conqueror knows that. And if she knows then so does Xena on some level."

"But. . ."Ares sighed heavily "As long Xena takes the blame, assume full responsibility for their lives, and keeps herself convinced that the bard is too young, too innocent . . . well then . . ."

"She believes she can control their circumstances, steer their destinies. She can protect her bard and shield her . . ." Artemis' voice softened with understanding. "And the Conqueror?"

"She only has control under extreme duress, hard battle, and a brief period after a battle."

"Umm, the battle lust." Aphrodite shook her head. "I hadn't planned on that aspect of her being attracted to our bard."

"Believe me," Ares began in a flat voice, "It was just as much a shock to me." That brought much needed laughter through out the hall."

"She's our only wild tile."

"The Conqueror's not equipped for the, well . . ." Ares frowned doubtfully, "more sensitive talks."

"She seems to be, where my Queen is concerned," Artemis mused softly.

"Yes," Ares drew out the word dryly. "The little bard seems to have that effect." He frowned then became serious again. "Still the subject at hand is how do we keep those two together, without Xena undermining the bard at every turn?"

Shrugging Artemis matched his frown with her own furrowed brow. "I know Gabrielle. She will doubt her own potential under Xena's critical eye. She thinks a great deal of the Princess' opinion of her, and rightly so . . . But when she realizes the extent of Xena's doubt . . ."

"Yes. Yes. Yes." Ares growled impatiently. "We are all aware of all of this. Xena's perfected the art of undermining another's self confidence. She won't attack head on."

He pinned Artemis with a meaningful look. "What do we do about it?"

Artemis glanced away, refusing to look in Aphrodite's direction. She knew the possible answer. But she didn't like it, for three reasons. First, it could very well backfire. Second, if it did work, there could be irreparable damage. Third, she had no desire to hurt her Chosen in such a way.

"Art this is your department now," Ares spoke calmly. "How do you suppose we go about preparing our Chosen for her destiny? How do we make her strong enough to stand on her own?" Aphrodite looked from Artemis to Ares, an unsettling feeling developing in her gut.

"What would you have done Nephew?" Knowing full well . . . Ares knew the only answer possible. After all, he had done the very thing to the Warrior Princess. They held each other's gazes levelly.

"Isolate her," He answered weightily. "Take away from her anything that might be a crutch. Separate her from what is most important to her, so that she only has herself to rely on, to trust." There was eruption from the other members of the order as voices rose in opposition and others raised in agreement of the suggested course of action.

"Now wait a minute!" Aphrodite piped up anxiously. She stood to her feet staring at her brother and aunt incredulously. "You can't be seriously thinking . . ."

"Dite . . ."

"No!" Aphrodite snarled. "Find another way!" she shook her head adamantly. "You've seen how intertwined their strands are on the skein . . ."

"It's the only way." Artemis frowned slightly. "I don't want to take this course of action. But Xena is not going to listen to reason . . . and Gabrielle needs to learn to stand on her own . . . to take command."

"Do you . . ." Aphrodite's eyes teared. "Come on you guys . . . like do you have any idea what this going to do to her?"

"It won't be forever." Ares argued. "Nothing will separate those two forever. Fate has decreed that."

Aphrodite was reseated, a look of resignation on her face. "I don't like this." She warned. She's going to need her, Art, especially after Hope . . ."

"She'll still have her Amazons, and Ephiny is a good friend." Artemis smiled, thinking of the Regent. She'd always held a special place in the Goddess's heart. In fact if hadn't been for the soul bond between Xena and Gabrielle, Ephiny would have been Artemis' first choice of consort to the Queen. "And there will be Hercules. That will have to be enough."

Aphrodite shook her head sadly. "I hope you know what you are doing."

"So do I . . ."Ares whispered "for all our sakes." He stroked his beard worriedly while Artemis absently fingered the hilt of the sword of war she now wore sheathed at her hip.

"Who do you have in mind?" He looked to his aunt warily. "My first thought, was Discord . . . but this would severely hinder her duty as Justice." She glanced at the goddess in question the pale dark head woman nodded her agreement. As much as she missed her old calling . . . she couldn't render discord and deliver justice at once. And as much as she disliked the bard and her warrior princess, Discord's sense of justice was at odds with this little plan. Artemis turned her attention to the thin and pale, dark curly haired God, donned unattractively in ill-fitting leather. "I think Strife is better suited to the task." At that the young God perked up and opened his mouth to speak. A look from his uncle, Ares silenced him.

Ares nodded his agreement. "Is everything prepared?"

"By the time the Queen and her Warrior get to Amazon territory, everything will be in place for Gabrielle to take her rightful seat on the throne."

"Good."

"I have her armor and weapons prepared." Hephaestus spoke up. "I think you'll be pleased." He then cast a shy smile in his wife's direction. Aphrodite returned the deformed god's smile, her heart lightening under his silent reminder of love. "I love you too Phaesty" she communicated to him telepathically.

"Excellent." Ares slapped the hall table, pleased with the news. " Has anyone found Hercules?"

"Uh yes." Athena spoke up. "I have spoken with him. He travels to Athens with his companion, Iolas, as we speak."

"This meeting is adjourned." He stood and glanced at his nephew. "Strife, come with me."

As the gods began to disburse, Aphrodite glanced into the scrying glass at the bard sleeping safely in the warrior's arms. "I'll protect your heart as best I can Little One."

Riding Towards Destiny:

They double backed it on Argo for most of the trip, with the bard pleading only occasionally to be allowed to walk and stretch her leg muscles. The changing scenery, blooming wildflowers, and unusually shaped trees which normally would have captured the blonde's attention, was passed by without so much as a cursory glance.

The two had yet to encounter any trouble on the road. In fact, Xena noticed, with growing uneasiness they had as yet to encounter anyone on the roads at all. There was a strange stillness settling in the air. Both the bard and warrior felt it, though neither commented upon it. They hadn't spoken much at all since they'd broken camp that morning, nearly a fortnight ago. Awkward silence took up the space between creating a chasm that bard nor warrior felt comfortable enough to cross just yet, each trapped in a web of her own worries and fears.

Xena knew she would have to talk to Gabrielle soon, before things got out of hand. She was hoping to enlist Ephiny's aid in talking some sense into Gabrielle. The Regent was a levelheaded warrior, well schooled in war. Chances were Ephiny could see the ludicrousy behind the Gods' plans. Grudgingly, Xena acknowledged Gabrielle's admiration for the blonde Regent. Gabrielle respected Ephiny's opinion; and the Regent's feelings towards Gabrielle were slightly more than friendly and sisterly for that matter, much to the Warrior Princess's irritation. But for now those feelings were a useful tool, something that gave Xena an edge.

Holding tightly to Xena's waist, Gabrielle kept to her own council, She was worried about the growing distance she'd felt between herself and the warrior. She had always told Xena everything . . . well almost everything. She had expected that upon awakening on the morning they had set out for Scythia, that she would be ready to pour her heart out to the warrior. Share her fears and concerns about Hope's return, and about the possibility of actually going to war. That in itself would have been cause for her to vent . . . and not to forget: having her suspicions about her parentage validated, the procession of gods that had invaded their campsite, and then the overwhelming anxiety of having every single Olympian claiming her as a chosen, well except Hera. Gabrielle had wanted . . . needed to share her feelings and concerns with the warrior.

But upon waking, something about the set of Xena's jaw line and the determination in the warrior's eyes had kept the bard silent. She had felt the possible argument in the atmosphere between them. She knew the warrior and she recognized, that obstinate mode. It was infuriating when Xena got into her "this is the way it is period. I'm right because I said so." moods.

Gabrielle couldn't open up to her when she was in those moods. And as she rode behind the warrior, very aware of the tension radiating from the body she was pressed against, she knew that this was going to get worse. Gabrielle consoled herself with the belief that they would overcome this. She knew well enough, Xena's hatred of the gods constant interference in their lives. Hades! She certainly had reason. Their appearance had always spelled trouble for the duo and this time was no exception. She also knew that once Xena worked through her anger she would be calm enough to reason with.

'I accepted their request.' Gabrielle sighed heavily against the warrior's back. 'And whatever else that means, I can't go back on my word now. Especially knowing that Hope and Dahak are back to cause trouble. Hope's partly my responsibility and this time she has to be stopped for good.' She shivered slightly as she remembered the vision that Ares had shown her: The terror Hope would unleash upon the world if she were allowed to be victorious.

"Cold?" Xena turned slightly in her saddle, concerned when she felt the bard's tremble. There had been a slight temperature drop now that dusk was approaching.

"Just a little." Gabrielle lied softly, pressing her face into Xena's back for security. Xena smiled warmed by the bard's action. No matter how distant they became with one another that had always been able to connect on some level and this was no exception. She laid a hand on an arm wrapped around her waist and gave it a gentle pat.

"We'll be stopping soon. We've been riding Argo pretty hard for the past three days now. I'm sure she could do with an early break for the night." Gabrielle squeezed her affectionately for a brief moment grateful for the early break. "We've made good time. We'll be in Scythia by dusk tomorrow." She smiled weakly, wincing inwardly at the pronouncement.

Gabrielle felt a sense of peace at that offered information. Yet at the same time fear gnawed at the back of her mind. For she knew within her heart, that once she reached her sisters, there would be no turning back. Destiny was just beginning to take shape.

To be continued in part 3

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