Subtext ~ Isn't subtext here, it's the real thing here. All maintext. If you can't handle that sorta thing, I feel sorry for you. Just go check out another one of them stories that's general.
Emotional ~ I'll tell y'all this is planned to be emotional. Don't think it'll be like Titanic thing, but it's doing the whole emotional thing.
Copyright ~ Lets see, Universal and MCA both own Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, Dahak, Hope, Joxer, Ephiny, Amarice other Amazons. But I own Masika, Gabrielle's horse Torqueo, Teresa, Aster, Logos, and Rodhiya. So don't take my characters or story line, otherwise you'll have a life worth of bad luck.
Note ~ This is fast forward in the seasons compare to the rest of my stories. I think everybody can figure out relatively where I set it. The only thing is, there's two… three differences to the season I'm on. I think you'll be able to figure them out too, real fast.
Started: March 12th 2000 on Sunday
Series: The Binding of the Soulmates of Time Story: Seven
If anybody has comments about my story please let me know at:
Part 2
Section 2
~*Part 4*~
Ephiny power walked over to the stables after seeing Gabrielle head in. She ducked into the stable and spotted Gabrielle. "Gabrielle, I need to talk to you."
The small warrior turned her head from her stallion to the regent. "Yeah sure what's up Ephiny?"
"The different Nations are having some problems."
Xena came out of her stall next door. Gabrielle continued to finish untacking Torqueo as she listened to Ephiny. "What's the problem?"
The Amazon sighed. "The tribes are quarreling amongst themselves."
The Warrior Princess leaned against the wall of the stable, listening as well.
Gabrielle placed the saddle away, the last item. She looked back to Ephiny. "What they bickering about?"
Ephiny shook her head. "The tribes seem to be calling each other names. Challenging each other left and right about which is better."
The small warrior nodded her head. She stepped out of the stable. "Is that it?"
"W-what?"
Gabrielle went real serious. "Is that the main problem?"
Ephiny nodded her head. "Yes."
The Amazon Queen nodded her head. "And I assume we are not quarreling with any of the tribes?"
The regent shook her head. "No we are not."
Gabrielle nodded her head. "Good." She then took a deep breath. "Ephiny, tell everybody in the Amazon council that tomorrow morning we have a meeting. Bright and early."
Ephiny furrowed her brows. "Okay, what's the plan?"
Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. "We'll both find out tomorrow."
The regent nodded her head. "Okay, I'll take care of the council."
The Queen smiled. "Thanks Eph."
The Amazon nodded her head. "I'll catch you later." She disappeared out of the stable.
Gabrielle looked to Xena. "This is not good."
Xena lifted herself off the stall wall. "No it's not."
"Why you think they would be bickering to each other?"
The warrior shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, if there's any sort of name calling going on. That'll ruffle each other's feathers."
Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah." She looked down to the floor. She then looked back up to Xena. "Hey I need to go find somebody. I'll see you later?"
Xena nodded her head. "Yeah."
The small warrior smiled. "Great. Bye Xena and thanks for the ride."
The warrior watched her friend leave the stables. "No problem bye."
The Queen of the Amazons walked into the hut after knocking.
"Hi Queen Gabrielle."
"Hello Masika. How are you?"
The Amazon smiled. "Quite well. Please sit down."
Gabrielle smiled. "Thanks." She sat down in a seat at Masika's desk. "How have things been?"
The older Amazon nodded. "They've been fine."
The small warrior nodded. She sat straight in her seat. "Masika, I'm assuming you've heard about Xena and I."
The Amazon retorted with a hard tone. "You mean about you both not being together?"
The Queen nodded. "Yes… our not being together?"
Masika nodded her head. "Yes I have Gabrielle, everybody in this Nation knows."
"That's what I figured… can tell."
The Amazon arched an eyebrow. "Why do you ask then?"
Gabrielle crossed her arms against her chest. "I have concerns… that maybe somebody has been spreading rumors that Xena had done all the… wrong doing."
Masika looked away for a moment then back to her Queen. "You do have a right to be concerned."
The Queen nodded her head. "And why?" She leaned forward in her seat.
The head council member sighed. "Because I have been helping those rumors."
Gabrielle nodded her head, she sat back in her seat. "That's what I figured."
"Gabrielle it wouldn't matter if I helped them or not. To tell the truth, this nation is behind you no matter what. Whether they watched you beat Xena or not they would still say it was Xena's fault. She's a new Amazon that they haven't fully accepted." A pause. "Especially when Xena had you tied behind her horse and dragged out of the village."
The Amazon Queen took a deep breath. She closed her eyes then opened them again. "Let me tell you right now Masika, you better stop those rumors. I hurt Xena more then anybody could hurt another." Gabrielle leaned forward to lock eyes with the other woman. "Don't put the burden on Xena's shoulders. I will not have my Amazons looking at her as if she's the evil one, the enemy. She's not." The small warrior sat back in her seat. "I am the enemy here."
Masika stared at Gabrielle. She blinked and didn't know what to really say. "It wouldn't matter."
"Why?"
"Because as you said, they're your Amazons. Not Xena's."
Gabrielle took a deep breath. "Look Masika, stop those rumors and spread the truth. It'll help." She then began to stand up.
"Yes my Queen."
Gabrielle nodded her head and made her way to the door.
"Gabrielle?" It came out low.
The small woman's hands curled around the handle of the door. She looked to Masika. "Yes?"
"Did… did she hurt you a tremendous amount?"
Gabrielle looked away and to the door. "Yes." She then looked back to Masika. "But nothing compared to what I did to her." A pause. "I've made my bed Masika, I need to lie in it."
The Amazon nodded her head sadly. She had no words for that one. "Bye Queen Gabrielle."
The small warrior nodded back as she opened the door. "Goodbye Masika. And thank you for stopping the rumors." Then she was gone.
As soon as Gabrielle left Masika's hut she headed to the food hut. She went inside of the foot hut then made her way back into the kitchen. Once inside, she noticed Amazons cooking away. She mingled through the people, nobody saying anything to her. That's when she spotted it. A huge bowl of fruit.
The small warrior power walked over to the bowl, she snagged two apples from the bowl. Looking around she began to search for something else. Then a cook Amazon came up to her.
"May I help you my Queen?"
Gabrielle grinned. "Yeah actually. I need to borrow a knife."
The Amazon nodded her head. "Sure. Is that it?"
"Mmm, do you have any honey too?"
"Of course. Just follow me."
The cook Amazon lead her through the large kitchen to the back. There were a plethora of drawers, the Amazon opened the top one. She pulled out a small cutting knife and handed it to Gabrielle. "Wait here for a moment and I'll get a jar of honey."
Gabrielle nodded and watched the Amazon disappear for a moment. The cook Amazon then came back with a small jar of honey, she handed it to Gabrielle. The small warrior took it in her right hand and smiled. "Thanks."
"You're welcome my Queen."
"It's just Gabrielle, please. And your name is?"
The Amazon grinned. "Logos."
The Queen nodded her head. "Nice to meet you Logos."
"It's great to final meet up with you too Gabrielle. I'm usually back here all the time."
"Really? Head Chef?"
The Amazon nodded her head. "I am. Let me know anytime if you would desire something. I can definitely help you out Gabrielle."
Gabrielle chuckled. "Don't say that, I'll take full advantage of that."
The cook grinned. "Ah, so one of your weak spots is food?"
The small warrior nodded with a grin. "Quite a big one too."
Logos chuckled. "I know what you mean Gabrielle."
Gabrielle hefted the items in her arms. "I better get out of here. Let you get back to work. Thanks again."
"Anytime my Queen. Take care."
"You too. Bye Logos."
The Amazon cook watched as the Queen began to leave the kitchen. "Bye."
Gabrielle shot a smile back and disappeared out of the kitchen. Then headed right to the stables. As soon as she came in, Torqueo greeted her with a nicker. Gabrielle looked up to him and smiled. "Got your apples and brought an extra bonus."
The stallion threw up his head. He then stomped at the ground and looked up to Gabrielle.
The woman chuckled. She walked over to the stall door, she looked to her right to find a chair. Placing the apples down on it with the jar of honey. Gabrielle then carefully placed the knife down and opened the jar of honey. Lifting it, the honey poured out and went into the cap to fill it almost to the top. The female then grabbed an apple and the knife, she cut it up into a bunch of slices.
Torqueo stomped at the ground again. He then took steps closer to the stall door, hanging his head over it. The stallion looked to Gabrielle and then nudged at her.
"Hold your horses."
The horse huffed at her.
Gabrielle in turn chuckled. She then dipped the apple slices into the cap with the honey. Looking up to the stallion, she handed him a honey coat apple slice at a time. "You know we gotta stay on our feet with Xena and Argo." The horse nickered. The small warrior chuckled. "Right, I mean hoofs."
Torqueo bobbed his head up and down a few times. Gabrielle placed a few more honey apple slivers in her hand. He went at them.
"We may have won that round, but those two are going to race us again." Torqueo brought up his head for a moment then went to the last apple slice in his owner's hand. "Just because we won the battle doesn't mean we won the war."
"You got that right."
The Amazon Queen chuckled at the deep familiar voice. She turned around to see Xena, she smiled. "Hey."
Xena walked up to Gabrielle. "You're going to spoil him rotten."
Gabrielle nodded a few times. "Yup." She cut the last apple in half, she looked to her friend. Gabrielle then tossed it to her partner.
Xena caught it with a grin. She held it up for a second as she spoke. "Thanks, Argo will like it."
The small warrior nod. She then began to slice the other half of the apple up for Torqueo.
Xena though went to the other stall where her mare was. Torqueo the entire time watched the warrior walked to the other stall.
"Torqueo." The horse looked back to Gabrielle after hearing his name. "Its good to share."
The horse huffed and dropped his head over the stall door. He watched his owner dip the apple slices, he lifted his head as she brought them up in the palm of her hand. Torqueo quickly ate them.
By the time the stallion ate the honey apples, Xena came back around. The warrior looked to her right and opened a wood chest. Inside were rags and some medical supplies. She grabbed one of the rags and wiped her hands. Gabrielle turned to her, Xena handed the rag over and Gabrielle wiped her hands, getting the honey off.
"You should probably check his leg."
The small warrior nodded in agreement. "Are there wraps in there?"
Xena nodded as she took the rag back. "Yeah, I'll get you one." She turned back to the wood chest and dropped the rag in. She then found a clean wrap, took it, closed the chest and turned to Gabrielle. She handed it to her small friend.
"Thanks." Gabrielle then opened the stall door, Torqueo automatically took steps back. She then bent down to one knee at his left leg. Slowly the bandage was removed and the wound was revealed. "It's pretty much scabbed over Xena."
The warrior moved into the stall, door still swung open. She bent down next to Gabrielle. Her large hand lightly touched the wound. "Looks good. He'll be fine."
Gabrielle smiled to herself and she began to wrap the new bandage on. "You know he beat Argo with a wounded leg."
"Gabrielle." A deep octave.
The smaller warrior kept wrapping but looked to Xena with an innocent look. "I was just pointing out a fact. That's all."
Xena looked to Gabrielle and arched an eyebrow. "Right."
The younger woman chuckled then grinned. She looked back to the wrap and finished it. She stood up along with Xena. They both walked out of the stall and closed the door behind.
Gabrielle went to the small jar, pour the remaining honey back in the jar. She picked up the knife and jar. Gabrielle went to the wood chest again, she placed the old wrap in on top of the used rag. The honey jar and knife soon found themselves in there as well. She closed the lid and looked up to Xena. "I think I'm going to go find Eph."
The warrior nodded her head. "I'm going to head to the hut. I need to work on my leathers."
The younger woman nodded. "Alright. I'll see you at dinner."
Xena nodded. "Yeah." They began to walk out of the stable. Gabrielle started to walk off. "Gabrielle?"
The small warrior stopped and turned around to Xena. "Yeah?"
"Come by the hut and get me?"
Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah sure, I'll be there."
Xena smiled. "Thanks. Bye." She started walking again in the direction of her and Gabrielle's hut.
"Bye Xena." The Queen turned back around and went stalking for Ephiny.
The small warrior shifted in her seat. She stared down at her food, she didn't feel like much eating. She didn't feel like much of anything right now. Besides that, she was amazed to realize her stomach still hurt from that raider's kick to her stomach. That didn't settle well with her. But she didn't have time to worry about it. Lifting her emerald eyes she saw Xena staring at her.
"You okay?"
Gabrielle nodded her head. "Yeah."
"You're not eating much."
The Queen sighed. "I know, just… not in the mood."
Xena nodded her head. "Hmmm." She didn't say anything after that. The warrior knew something was up. It wasn't like her best friend to not eat. Normally it either was large stress or something physical was going on. Or even a combination of both. One thing was for sure. Xena knew it had to at least be stress. The physical though, she couldn't be sure. She'd have to watch Gabrielle.
The warrior sighed. She brought up both her hands, her right hand pushing her empty plate away. She then clasped her hands together, her elbows on the table. Her chin dropped onto her thumbs, while her lips pressed into her fingers. She studied the people at their bench table.
Ephiny sat beside her on her left, Xena sat at the end. Gabrielle across from her, sitting beside Gabrielle was Solari. Epinion then sat to the right of the second in command. Across from Epinion and left of the regent was Teresa. Down a ways Xena caught sight of two red heads, definitely Amarice with, her sister, Rodhiya.
The small warrior looked from the regent down to the table. She became lost in the conversation. Gabrielle brought her right hand up to rub her forehead for a moment. Her hand went through her hair as she looked back up to her Amazons. She listened a little more, completely lost in the talking. She sighed, shifted some on the bench, and then stood up with her plates and utensils. "I think I'm going to go." Everybody looked up to her. "I'll see you tomorrow Ephiny."
The regent nodded her head. "Bright and early Gabrielle. That's what I told the council members."
The Queen took a deep breath and smiled a little. "Good. See you then." She then looked to her main friends. "Goodnight everybody."
Everybody said goodnight back, except for Xena. Gabrielle left and went to drop off her plate with fork and knife at the dishes table. She then left the hut.
Once she made it out side, she took a deep breath. The cool air cleaned out her lungs of the stuffy air from inside of the food hut. Also it flushed out the scent of food, it had almost made Gabrielle wanted to bring up whatever she had in her stomach. She looked to her left, she started walking that way. Her intent, the sparring field. As soon as she got there, she found it to be dark, no torches. Wasn't pitch black considering the half moon lit the ground.
Looking up she spotted the stars, here there she could see stars. The clouds hid them, in turn the weather was mostly cloudy.
Gabrielle sighed, she sat down on the ground then laid back, her legs crossing at the ankles. She gazed up to the stars, her mind working. Her mind mostly considering her options to find a solution with the other Nations' bickering.
She really couldn't come up with one. A possibility would be to stop the tribes from fighting, have them apologize to each other. Gabrielle bitterly laughed at that one. "They're Amazons, that won't work." She sighed and kept working at the problem. "I could just leave it alone." Another sigh. That wouldn't fall through for sure. She's Artemis' chosen, definitely not. Maybe forcing them to be nice would do something. Oh no, that wouldn't be the smartest thing to do. "Gods, what am I gonna do?"
Emerald eyes closed for a moment, she took a calming breath. Her eyes opened again. She shiver for a moment from the cold air. Her arms came up and her hands went under her head. Then another idea accrued to her. "I could take them over." Gabrielle then laughed at herself. "Yeah right."
"It's a good idea."
The small warrior looked to her right some and spotted her friend. The warrior wore her heavy cloak, in her right arm was Gabrielle's white wool and leather cloak. Gabrielle smiled.
Xena smiled back. "Thought you might need this."
The Queen nodded her head. "Yeah, thanks." She stood up and Xena helped her put it on.
The Warrior Princess then moved to lay down on the ground, Gabrielle followed her same actions.
The younger woman looked to Xena. "So you think that's a good idea huh?"
Xena looked to her. "Yes."
Gabrielle stared at her for a moment, she then looked back up to the night sky. "I couldn't do it."
"You can do anything you want Gabrielle, just have to put your mind to it."
The smaller warrior sighed. Her hands went to her stomach as she thought. As she kept thinking about it, she kept liking the idea. But where could she go with the idea? How could she work the idea? How could she take over all the other tribes without spilling any blood? There is no way. Or is there?
She sighed at the rut she is in. She kept staring at the stars. She'd always believed the stars created dreams and tales. Funny idea… maybe.
Xena looked to her friend. "How have you been feeling?"
"Fine." Gabrielle then looked to her partner. "Why?"
"You don't seem yourself Gabrielle."
Gabrielle looked away, back to the stars. She quietly whispered. "I wouldn't know what that is." She took a deep breath. Her words now came back out in normal tone. "No, I'm just… feeling out of it Xena."
The warrior nodded a little, she now looked back to the night sky. She'd heard what Gabrielle said earlier in response. Taking a deep breath, a reply came. "Well, if it has anything to do with being here. Then maybe we should leave."
Gabrielle quickly looked to her. "What?" A pause. "Why Xena?"
"Because." Xena turned her head to look to the other woman. "I'm not going to stay here for a break if it's going to stress you out. You don't need that."
The Amazon Queen narrowed her eyes a little. "Xena I need to be here. Look at what's going on between the tribes. I'm not going to leave my Amazons to contend to this. Don't forget you're apart of this nation too."
"Gabrielle, don't-"
The small warrior quickly cut her off with an angry tone. "Don't you Xena." She stood up and stared down at Xena. "I will not abandon them. I don't care how stressed I get. This is my Nation, my people, and my… my last home. I'm going to stay here to help them. You can leave if you want to Xena, I don't care." She then walked away from Xena, going to the edge of the sparring field.
Xena closed her eyes. She took a deep breath then stood up. Her eyes drifted over to Gabrielle, she had her back to Xena with her arms crossed against her chest. The warrior walked over to her. "Gabrielle."
The small warrior turned around, her cheeks were slightly glistening, her eyes tinted with redness. "Look I'm sorry Xena. I'm just… I don't know."
The warrior nodded. "Its okay, you had right. I'm just worried about you. I don't like seeing you stressed. If you get stressed Gabrielle, you won't be able to handle this problem between the nations."
Gabrielle nodded her head, she looked up from the ground to Xena. "Yeah well, I don't have much choice right now Xena."
The older woman sighed, she looked away then back to Gabrielle. "I know. Just…"
Gabrielle started shaking her head so Xena had stopped talking. "Xena… I don't wanna talk about this anymore." She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat. She looked away from Xena as she spoke. "You know, I'll just do whatever I need to, I can't worry about anything else." Her eyes then looked up to Xena. "I don't want to talk about this though." A deep breath. "I guess… I can't… I can't handle talking about to many things anymore. You know? It just kind of… it kind of builds on you after awhile. I can't handle talking. I can't." A few tears began to escape. She looked away again as she wiped away at the tears. "Look I'm just going to go back to the hut. I need to get some sleep. I'll… I'll see you there." She then crossed her arms again and walked off, her head down low.
The warrior turned to watch her go. Xena kept watching till Gabrielle disappeared in the darkness. She then closed her eyes, they began to sting. Her right hand came up and pulled her bangs back over head. She kept her hand up like that. "Gods." A shaky breath. "What am I going to do?" Xena brought her hand back to her side as her bangs fell forward. Her eyes opened again and a few tears slipped down her cheeks. "Gods Gabrielle." She closed her eyes again, dropped her head, her arms crossing as more droplets escaped from her eyes. "I'm so sorry I did this to you Gabrielle." Lifting her head she looked to the direction Gabrielle went. Xena took a deep breath to calm herself. She closed her eyes again and found that safety spot hidden in that dark corner of herself. Once her eyes opened again, they were cold. She began to walk back to the hut.
~*Part 5*~
Xena slowly walked into the temple, it glowed with firelight. She quickly spotted Gabrielle in front of a stone altar. She recognized the temple.
Dahak's temple.
Xena noticed a dagger in Gabrielle's hand, it was long and thin. On the ground in front of Gabrielle's feet was another person that looked exactly liked Gabrielle.
Hope.
Xena looked up from Hope to Gabrielle. She walked up to Gabrielle. "Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle's red eyes looked up to Xena. "Xena… why'd you leave me?"
Xena stared into Gabrielle's eyes. "W-what?"
"Why'd you leave me in Dahak's temple? Was killing Caesar more important to you?"
Xena brought up her hands to Gabrielle's shoulders. "No… no."
Gabrielle dropped her head. She stared down at the dagger in her hands. She then noticed Hope's body. "No!" The dagger fell from her hands and landed to the stone temple's floor. Gabrielle fell to her knees beside Hope. She looked up to Xena. "You left me! You betrayed me!"
Xena shook her head. "No…" She bent down to be eye level with Gabrielle. "I didn't leave you."
"Yes you did!" Gabrielle looked up to Xena now. Her eyes now burned with a deep fire, a fire of rage. "You left me in this temple. Then you betrayed Hope and I. How could you?"
"Gabrielle we both know Hope was a-"
"Vessel for Evil?" Gabrielle's eyes narrowed. "Xena the only reason she was evil was because you made her out to be. You never even gave her a chance."
"She killed my son!"
"That is your fault! You left me here to be raped by Dahak! What did you expect?"
"She is a thing Gabrielle."
Gabrielle's eyes narrowed. "I could have said the samething about you! I could be sitting here telling you, you were a vessel for Evil. By the gods Xena you were a warlord and killed thousands of people. Hope hardly did that. People showed you a second chance. But you couldn't even give her one to start with."
"No Gabrielle."
"Yes Xena, and you know it! You killed my daughter! And admit it, you loved it? You enjoyed it?"
"No Gabrielle I didn't." Xena stood up and took a step back.
Gabrielle stood up now, she stepped over Hope. "Yes you did Xena. Admit it!" She pointed a finger at Xena, her eyes narrowing. "I saw that look of utter satisfaction when Hope and her son lay died in that barn. I bet that was the happiest moment in your life!"
Xena shook her head. She took another step back. "Gabrielle, no it wasn't like that at all. I-"
"I felt bad, sad… depressed I had to kill Hope." Gabrielle bitterly laughed. "Right Xena, like I'd believe that. You only know revenge and killing. You know nothing of love!"
"That's not true Gabrielle, you know that."
Gabrielle laughed again with sarcasm. "Do I really? I bet you were faking everything to me. Our love, wasn't real." Gabrielle took another step closer, her body pressed against Xena's. "Tell me Xena, who would you be, would you be me?" Gabrielle took a few steps back, she grinned. "I wanna know, would you be me?" Gabrielle laughed again. "I bet everything between us was fake, even when you were under my skin." Gabrielle's grin went evil as she stepped up to Xena again. "I bet you liked me even more when I was faking it." She only laughed again, took a step back.
"So tell me Xena, would you be me?"
"Would you be me?"
"Would you be me?"
"Would you be me?"
The warrior's eyes shot open, she was staring up to the ceiling of the hut. She took a deep breath to calm herself. She closed her eyes again and took a few deep breaths. Her eyes opened again. She rolled to her right, her back now to Gabrielle on the other side of the bed.
"Would you be me?"
Xena closed her eyes. "Would you be me?" Her eyes closed even tighter. She then took control of her mind, she rammed the thought deep down. Sighing, her eyes loosened some but kept close. Maybe, just maybe she'd go back to sleep.
Gabrielle rolled out of bed, her bare feet hitting the wood floor. Oh yeah, wood for once, not that cold stone floor. She chuckled at her own musing. Walking to the foot of the bed, she found her boots from last night. She quickly put them on and laced them up. On the table were her sais, just where she left them as well. She put them down in their home on her boots. Once she rose back up, she heard her partner's voice.
"Leaving for the meeting?"
Gabrielle looked to Xena as she straightened her back out. "Yeah."
The warrior nodded, she then got out of the bed. She was just in her leathers. "I'll come."
"Xena, you don't need too."
The older woman nodded as she came to the table, her brass armor and bracers there. "No, I'll come. Might need my help."
The smaller warrior nodded her head. That's when she felt uncomfortable, she shifted away from Xena. She went to sit on the end of the bed, waiting.
Xena was use to Gabrielle helping her, but she still managed to put her armor on fast. She came to the foot of the bed near Gabrielle. She slipped into her boots then brought one leg up at a time to the frame of the bed. She tied the laces easily. Her eyes shifted to her friend, Gabrielle was staring at the floor. "Feel like getting something to eat?"
"No." The younger woman then looked to Xena. She saw Xena's eyes weren't warm yet they weren't bitterly cold like they could be. They're are… dull, they contained no emotions. "There's no time."
Xena nodded she dropped her foot and brought up the other one to tie it. "Just have to get a big lunch."
The small woman nodded a little. "Maybe."
The warrior looked away and walked over to her side of the bed. She went to the wall, she lifted her sword and chakram. They quickly found their homes. "Ready?"
The Amazon Queen stood up. "Yup. Let's go."
The warrior nodded. The pair left the hut and made a beeline to the council's hut.
"Queen Gabrielle, I don't know if that's a wise idea."
The Amazon Queen looked away from the council member and looked to her regent, sitting beside her. "Ephiny?"
The regent looked to Gabrielle. "Yes?"
"When was the last time all the Nations were together as one?"
The regent's face went a little surprised. "I… I have no idea Gabrielle."
Gabrielle nodded she then looked up to Xena, the warrior leaning against the wall, listening. "Xena do you know?"
The warrior sighed, she tightened her arms against her chest. "Wasn't during my time Gabrielle. But my guess it was over a hundred and fifty years."
The small warrior nodded. "Thanks." She smiled a little then looked back to the council members. "You see, hardly anybody knows when the tribes were all together last."
That same council member replied back. "Queen Gabrielle, let me get this straight. The only reason as to why you want to bring all the tribes together is so it'll stop the fighting amongst themselves?"
Gabrielle sighed. "No that's not the only reason why. I-"
She was cut off by that council member. "Surely Queen Gabrielle, you don't want us all to come together just so we can have more wilder parties then the ones we have?" Everybody in the council laughed except for one. "Or perhaps the Queen rather-"
Now that annoying council member was stopped by a raised hand. The person whom silenced the council member, looked to her. "You better hold you tongue. I will not take that sort of centaur crap in my council. You will give Queen Gabrielle a chance."
The council member nodded her head. "I apologize Masika." She then looked to Gabrielle. "Queen Gabrielle, I apologize to you as well."
The Queen nodded her head a little, but her eyes still stayed narrow. She then stood up from her seat, pushing her chair back. She grasped the chair and rammed the chair into the table, a boom was heard in the hut. Her hands still tightly grasped the chair. Everybody's eyes were on her and serious now. "Thank you." She took a deep breath. "Now that you've all, with the exception of Masika." She nodded to the head council member, Masika nodded back. Gabrielle then looked back to everybody. "Have had their laugh, lets try to be serious." Releasing the chair she straightened up.
She began to pace back and forth in front of the council. The regent pushed her seat back to be able to see Gabrielle. The Queen stopped and looked to them. "I want the nations together not only to stop this quarreling but to establish the nation again." She took a deep breath. Walking back to the table. "We all know the Amazon's pride, the bickering between the tribes will only get worse. Maybe even start battles up."
"That's crazed."
Gabrielle looked to the person whom spoke in the council. "Is it really? You can't tell me if I stand here and insult you. That you wont stand up and challenge me. Am I wrong?"
All the council members shook their heads.
The small warrior smiled sarcastically. "No I'm not." She put her hands on the table and leaned forward. "So that's my point. One tribe insults another, they'll stand up to the other. Eventually it'll get out of hand. I promise you it will happen if nothing is done about it." She brought her hands off the table and began to pace again. Everybody watched her. Gabrielle stopped and looked to them again. "Once our Nations are together, we can establish the final Nation to survive through time. Otherwise I have a feeling the Amazons will die out."
"The Amazons won't die out."
"Yes they will, not over night or tomorrow or the next day. But in time they will. It's already begun. Look at what Pompey did to us."
"But we defeated him."
Gabrielle nodded. "We did. But will we defeat the next warlord that comes along? Win the next war that comes? We don't know and eventually our luck will run out. Look at what's happened to the once great nation. It was a whole, now it's separated into what? Ten tribes now?" She looked to Ephiny in answer. Ephiny nodded back. Gabrielle looked up to the council. "Ten tribes are left including us. That's nothing compared to what it was. Look at the facts, they're right there." She took steps back to the table, she looked to each and every member. "We will not survive the test of time if we do not do something about. We will not exist if we are not together."
Masika's head was bobbing up and down. She looked up from the table to Gabrielle. "I agree with you Queen Gabrielle. I'm the oldest here in the tribe. I've watched some of the nations fall apart and die out. When I first became an Amazon there were I believe fourteen nations." Masika looked to the other council members. "It will only take a good puff of wind to blow each nation down like a piece of straw. If we are all together, then we will survive better."
Gabrielle nodded at that in agreement, Masika looked back to her. The Amazon Queen looked to all the members again. "We do we have to lose?"
All the members began to nod in agreement. Masika though kept looking at the Queen. "There is just one problem Queen Gabrielle." Masika then brought her right hand up to the table after speaking.
"That is?"
Masika took a deep breath. "How are we going to do it?"
Another council member now spoke up. "That is true my Queen. We all agree, but there is the problem of how to go about it. We can not ask the tribes to come together. There is no way all the Queens will want to give up their castes. Besides that, there'd be the problem of a single Queen. Who'd it be?"
The Amazon Queen nodded her head. She shifted away from the table, she began to pace again. She then grinned to herself and looked to the council. "A fight."
"Excuse me, Queen Gabrielle." Masika sighed and went on. "But we can not spill our own sisters blood for this."
Gabrielle nodded with a smile, she crossed her arms. "I don't mean necessarily a fight. A challenge." She then walked up to the table again. Her back straight as she kept her arms crossed.
"A challenge my Queen?"
The small warrior nodded. She looked to the entire council. "It would be perfect. We send out a challenge to every tribe. All the Queens come with however many Amazons they want. All the Queens will have a fight… challenge to each other. Sort of like a contest that we can hold here. Since we're the tribe that's in the center. We make a few exceptions to the rules. Whichever Queen comes out victorious then is the head Queen. And none of the Nations will be able to refuse the challenges because of tradition." A pause. "Not to mention pride."
All of the head council members looked to each other. Talking lowly to each other.
Masika listened to them talk. She then looked up to Gabrielle with a smile. Gabrielle smiled back and the Amazon looked back to the council.
One of the council members looked away from the group to Gabrielle. "Queen Gabrielle, what would be the exceptions to the rules?" All the members now looked to the Queen.
Gabrielle uncrossed her arms, her hands going to her hips. "The exceptions… the exceptions to the traditional challenge. I think the biggest one we need to have is nobody is allowed to kill. Then I think a second one would be that each Queen could choose her own weapon."
All the council members nodded and began to talk again. Then they started to quiet down and looked to Masika.
"Is it agreed upon?" All the members nodded their heads to Masika. The head council member smiled and looked up to Gabrielle. "Then it's agreed between this council. That Queen Gabrielle and this Nation will issue out challenges to all of the other nations. The challenges in turn will be held here in our tribe."
The Queen of the Amazons smiled. "Great."
All the members nodded and smiled to Gabrielle. They all said goodbye and left, except Masika.
The head council member stood and looked to Gabrielle. "That's quite a dream Gabrielle."
Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders and smiled a little. "We need to make it reality Masika."
Masika nodded her head. "I agree. I do believe it will happen. And hopefully you will become the head Queen." A pause. "I will say off the record from what I know of the other Queens. They're not to brilliant and couldn't match up to you."
The Queen sadly smiled. "Thank you Masika."
The older Amazon shrugged her shoulder. "Nothing to thank, I just hand you the truth. Now then you'll have to excuse me. Busy day."
Gabrielle nodded her head. "Have a good one Masika."
Masika nodded as she made her way to the door, she looked back to Gabrielle. "You to Gabrielle. Good job today." She then left.
The small woman took a deep breath and looked to Ephiny.
The regent stared up to Gabrielle with a huge grin. "That was something else Gabrielle. Where did you come up with all of that?"
Gabrielle chuckled, she ran her hand through her short hair. "I don't know Eph. Right there while I was pacing."
The Amazon chuckled and stood up. "Well that was incredible."
The Queen smiled. "Thanks."
Ephiny then took a step forward and hugged her friend. The regent then released her. "Well I need to get going. How about after lunch we work up on challenge letters?"
Gabrielle nodded. "That sounds good."
The Amazon smiled. "Great, catch you then Gabrielle."
"Bye Eph." She watched till her Amazon friend was gone, she then looked to Xena.
The warrior smiled and shifted off the wall. "Wasn't to bad."
The younger woman chuckled. "Uh huh."
Xena walked up to her partner. "I have to agree with Masika though."
Gabrielle raised an eyebrow at the warrior. "Oh yeah, what was that?"
"You'd be the best Queen."
The small woman sighed. "I don't know Xena. I don't think I could beat them all."
"We'll find out huh?"
"Yup."
"You up for some sparring? I could use some."
Gabrielle nodded then smiled some. "Yeah, I could go for that."
"Your shoulder can handle it?"
Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah, come on."
The two friends left the hut and went to the sparring field. There they practiced. Xena now studied Gabrielle's movement to try and figure out if there was anything physically wrong with her. She did notice that her left arm had a slower reaction time due to the healing wound. The warrior in turn was slower about attacking her friend's left side. Overall though, she could not find anything odd.
About half way through their sparring, a group of Amazons started watching. None of them knew whom to glue their eyes too. They all found both Xena and the Queen quite extraordinary to watch.
"Xena?"
The warrior parried Gabrielle's sai thrust. "Yeah?"
The small warrior spun to put her back to Xena. She lowered her sais to stop a sword blow. She whirled back around to face Xena again. One sai went up to stop Xena's sword coming down. The other sai jabbed forward for the taller woman's stomach. She missed since Xena jumped back. "Is there anyway I can get my enemies sword out their hands with sais?"
Xena jumped as the Queen came at her feet. "Maybe."
Gabrielle rose back up from trying to get at Xena's lower portion. She then leaned to her left as the sword swept pass her. "You think we can find one?"
The warrior took a step back and lowered her sword. "Sure."
Gabrielle smiled and dropped her arms, her sais flickered and went under her wrists. There was a ting as the butt end of the sais hit her bracelets.
Xena tossed her sword up in the air a little and caught it by the blade. She held the handle out to Gabrielle. "Switch."
The Amazon Queen nodded her head. She placed her right sai into her left hand and handed them to Xena. She then took Xena's sword.
The warrior held the warm sais for a second and studied them. She looked up and studied her own sword in Gabrielle's hand. She looked back to the sais and their design. Looking back up she smiled. "Okay, I have an idea. I want you to bring the sword down on me with both hands, tight hold too."
Gabrielle nodded her head. She took a step back and Xena brought the sais up, the tips out. The warrior nodded and the sword came down with quick speed and force. The warrior brought both sais up at the same time and stopped the sword in between the grooves. Xena then split the sais, one going right and the other left with a hard jerk and force.
The sword flew out of Gabrielle's hand and went twisting up into the air. The warrior put the right sai into her left hand and held out her right hand. The sword came down handle first and Xena caught it. She smiled and looked to Gabrielle.
The small warrior's hands went to her hips. "Show that to me again, but slow."
The Warrior Princess nodded her head. She tossed the sword to Gabrielle and she caught it. Gabrielle slowly brought the sword down on Xena.
The warrior put the sais up again. Once the swords met the sais she looked to Gabrielle. "First get the sword between the forks of the sais okay?"
Gabrielle nodded. "I got that."
Xena nodded. "Okay, next have one sais go left then the other right. Make sure it's fast and hard. Don't give your enemy a chance to pull their sword out." Her blue eyes shifted back to the sais. She jerked the sais each way and the sword went sailing again. She caught it as it came down. "And there you go. Wanna try it?"
The Amazon Queen nodded her head. "I better."
Xena grinned and handed back the sais as she took her sword back. "Remember hard jerk left and right. Won't work otherwise."
Gabrielle nodded. "Go ahead."
The warrior nodded and brought her sword down quick at Gabrielle. The Queen brought her sais up and stopped the sword. She then rapidly pulled her one hand left the other right. The sword slipped from Xena's hand and went flying up again. Gabrielle tossed her right sai into her left hand and caught the sword. She twisted the sword in hand and brought it to Xena's throat.
The warrior grinned. "Perfect. One thing."
"Yeah?"
"I wouldn't use the sword."
Gabrielle chuckled. "Right." A pause. "But my enemy wouldn't know that." She dropped the sword and handed it back to Xena. "Okay I think I'm done." Her hands went down with the sais, they went back into the catches on her boots.
The older woman sheathed her sword and looked to Gabrielle. "Good job. You have the hang of those sais."
Gabrielle nodded. "Thanks, they work well."
Xena grinned. "They only work well if the owner knows how to use them."
The small warrior grinned. "Right."
That's when the pair began to walk, they headed towards where the crowd of Amazons are, only ten Amazons or so. Most of them began to leave, only three stayed behind. Gabrielle recognized one as Aster.
"That was really good Gabrielle."
The Queen looked to Aster. "Thanks, had lots of practice."
"I'm sure with those abilities."
Beside the Queen stood Xena. The warrior had narrowed her eyes a little to the Amazon.
Gabrielle took a deep breath and smiled. "Thanks again."
Aster then reached forward with her left hand. Her warm hand grasping Gabrielle's right shoulder. "Hey if you ever have time. I'd love to spar with you."
The small warrior nodded a little. "Maybe we can."
The Amazon smiled. "Great, I'd love it." She squeezed Gabrielle's shoulder then removed her hand. She began to head off. "By Queen Gabrielle."
"Bye Aster."
Gabrielle then began to look up to Xena. The warrior saw this and calmed down, her eyes not being narrow anymore.
"She seems nice huh?"
The Warrior Princess started to walk. "Yup."
Gabrielle walked along with her. "You don't like her huh?"
Xena shrugged her shoulders. "Don't know enough of her to say."
Silence materialize between the partners.
They though went their separate ways once they got into the village again. Gabrielle went to find Ephiny. Xena though, she went some where. Gabrielle had no idea where.
Night had soon came along with it so was dinner. Gabrielle had sat at the table with her closes friends. Xena though, she had no idea where she was. She'd spotted her earlier in the food hut. She just figured the warrior sat some where else for dinner. It bothered Gabrielle, it really did. But then again, she had no right to complain. Xena could do whatever she wanted. Wasn't her place anymore to say.
The small warrior had eaten already and ridden herself of her plates. Now she sat down with a mug of wine. Normally she'd never drink wine, but she was definitely in the mood for it now. She then stood up. "I think I'm going to go find Amarice. I'll stop back later."
Everybody nodded to Gabrielle. She then left the table with her mug. She looked around in the hut for a red head. Oh that didn't take long. She made a beeline across the hut to Amarice, she sat down beside the Amazon.
Amarice looked to the Queen with a smile. "Hey."
Gabrielle smiled. "How are you Amarice? Haven't seen much of you."
The Amazon nodded her head. "Sorry, been busy catch up with my sister."
The Queen nodded. "That's what I figured. How's that going?"
Amarice went to respond.
Xena looked away from her best friend and Amarice and looked back to her mug of ale. She sighed, she didn't feel like much for drinking. She stood up and left the bench, making her way to the dish table and she dropped her mug off.
Teresa then came up beside her. "Hi."
Xena looked to the Amazon. "Hey Teresa."
The Amazon took a deep breath and looked up to her. "Xena, look I'm sorry about the other day. I know I didn't say hi or anything. I'm real sorry about that."
The warrior nodded a little. "Its okay. I'm use to that sort of thing." She smiled some.
Teresa though didn't take it as a joke. "No I'm really sorry Xena. It's just… well there's been a lot of talk about things."
The warrior crossed her arms against her chest. "About what?"
The Amazon took a deep breath. "About you and Gabrielle."
Xena's head bobbed up and down a few times. "What about us?"
"Just stuff Xena. There's just a lot of rumors flying and things."
"I figured that considering pretty much all of the Nation is ignoring me."
"Yeah I know. I was listening to those rumors. That's why I acted like I did early. But I just knew better, that's why I had to apologize."
Xena smiled faintly. "Thanks Teresa."
Teresa smiled back. "Hey yeah, the least I could do. But I need to go."
The Warrior Princess nodded. "Okay. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye Xena."
"Teresa?"
The Amazon looked back to Xena. "Yeah?"
"Are the rumors mainly focused around me?"
Teresa's eyes dropped to the ground. She looked back up. "Yeah, they're just not good."
The warrior nodded her head. "Okay. Thanks again. Bye."
"Goodnight Xena." Teresa then left the hut.
The warrior looked through the food hut, she spotted Gabrielle. She was still talking to Amarice. Xena sighed and left the hut, she headed to her own. That's when she crawled in bed after ridding herself of the armor.
Sleep though didn't take her right away. She'd heard Gabrielle come in about a candlemark later. She just lay there pretending to sleep. Xena didn't sleep till quite later on in the night. Her thoughts were flying through her head to fast to let her sleep. But once she did, she knew she wasn't going to sleep pleasantly.
~*Part 6*~
"Xena why'd you leave me in the temple?" Gabrielle looked up with red eyes.
The warrior took a step back. Now she was in Dahak's temple again. Hope's body wasn't there this time. It was just her, Gabrielle, and the pit.
"I didn't want to Gabrielle, I swear."
"Right Xena, you just wanted to kill Caesar over protecting me."
"It wasn't like that Gabrielle."
"Then how was it Xena?" Gabrielle took steps closer to Xena. "Gods, please tell me the truth then Xena? I sure as Hades don't seem to know huh?"
"Gabrielle-"
"No Xena! You left me here to be raped. You choose the greater good over me. No no I have that wrong." Gabrielle stared at the floor then looked back up to Xena. "You choose your hatred over me. Gods Xena I can't believe that! You bitch!"
Xena's body began to shake, she took steps back, Gabrielle came at her. "Gods no Gabrielle. I never meant for all of that to happen."
"Do you think I believe that Xena? You probably planned it that way."
"You know that's not true Gabrielle!"
Gabrielle took more steps, she pressed her body against Xena's. "Do I really Xena?" She took a deep breath. "I don't trust you, I don't respect you, and you know what else? I don't love you." She repeated it in a whisper. "I don't love you." She took a step back. "I'd rather die then look at you." Her eyes then burned. "I hate you Xena! I hate you!" Her voice now erupted to fill Xena's world. "I hate you! I don't love you!"
"I hate you!"
"I don't love you!"
"I hate you!"
"I don't love you!"
"I hate you!"
"I don't love you!"
Xena shot up in the bed. Her body was shaking all over. She felt beads of sweat go down her body. She looked to her left at Gabrielle. The small woman slept soundlessly. She hadn't heard Xena move. The warrior leaned forward, her hands cupping her face. The warrior took a deep breath.
Her legs swung from the bed, her feet going to the wood floor. Xena got up and began to put her armor on. She had to leave, she needed too.
"I hate you!"
"I don't love you!"
Xena shut her eyes for a moment. She shifted the gauntlet on her arm, her eyes opening again. The warrior went to the foot of the bed and put her boots on. Looking up, she stared at her… friend sleeping. Tears rolled down the warrior's face. She looked away and finished tying her boots. Now she was dressed with her weapons, not sure where to go.
The warrior took a deep breath and quietly went to the door, leaving. It was still night out. She figured it would be dawn in a little more then a candlemark. Her legs carried her to the stables.
Her body the entire time was ridged, her face emotionless. Ephiny had quickly found this out when the warrior brushed by her. Xena had said nothing to the regent, acted as if she wasn't even there. But Ephiny, she'd caught that deep darkness in her friend's eyes. She didn't like it. In turn that made her ease her way to Gabrielle's hut.
Xena though, kept walking to the stables. Torqueo greeted her, Xena smiled sadly and went to Argo's stall. Once she had her mare saddled, she was gone.
Over a half of a candlemark left before the dawn's light comes over the small Amazon village, it was a nasty night. The gray dark clouds had swept in to mask the night sky. Something in the very pit of Gabrielle's stomach told her something wasn't right. Not that she has had that feeling before, yet now it has grown an increasing amount.
She sat on the end of the bed, her boots up on the bed, legs crossed. Her sais had been removed and placed beside herself on the bed. Gabrielle has her elbows propped up on her knees, her hands up cupping her chin. Emerald eyes unfocused and fixed on the wooden floor of the hut.
Xena had left earlier. Gabrielle was not sure of where or exactly when the warrior got up. She just knew the warrior had left for some reason. The Amazon Queen though definitely had her guess as to why. As soon as Gabrielle woke up from her nightmares she changed into her leathers.
But her mind is racing over the past few days. We can only guess as to what exactly it is about. However I can assure you that it all consists of her, Xena and their declining relationship. Something so dark and strong was inside of Gabrielle it threaten to kill her everything. She knew how to destroy it yet she didn't know if she could actually do it. The small warrior understood all of this enigma inside of herself but not even the understanding seem to help her less fear it. Instead as the days passed she grew more and more scared, believing she would never be able to stop this darkness.
A knock at the door was heard and Gabrielle lifted her head. "Come in." A curly-haired Amazon walked in with a strong gate. Gabrielle smiled to her friend. "Hey Eph, how are you?"
The regent smiled a little to her friend. "Pretty good you?"
The small warrior dropped her hands to her lap and shrugged. "Surviving I suppose." Ephiny nodded her head and the Queen went on. "Surprised you're here this early. So formal visit or what?"
The regent grinned some. "Just came to check up on you. See how you're doing way early this morning."
The small warrior nodded her head with a small smile. Ephiny had her eyes locked with the other woman on the bed. She could see the deep sadness hidden within. It clenched even at Ephiny's heart. She wished she could set things straight for her friend, but knew it was up to Gabrielle to settle things.
"Thanks." A pause. "You seen Xena by any chance?"
The Amazon's eyes dropped to the ground for a brief moment, then she looked back up. "Yeah I did."
"What is it Ephiny?"
The regent took a deep breath. "Gabrielle, when I saw her, I said hi to her and she didn't respond. Her eyes were really cold, never seen her like that before."
The warrior leaped off the bed and spun the sais for a moment then inserted them in the catch on the sides of her boots. "Where was she going Ephiny?"
"I believe to take Argo for a run." The bard began to move to the door. "Wait Gabrielle?" The Amazon Queen stopped short of the door and turned to face the regent. Ephiny took a deep breath and continued with a serious voice. "Let a couple of Amazons go with you."
Gabrielle sighed and moved closer to her friend, one hand going to the Amazon's shoulder. "Look Ephiny, I need to go after her alone."
"Gabrielle."
"No Ephiny, she doesn't need a bunch of Amazons hanging around. Okay?"
The regent nodded her head. "Be careful Gabrielle, that weather there is looking real bad."
Gabrielle nodded her head with a small smile, she headed out the door in a rush. With a fluent motion the small warrior made her way to the stables where her horse awaited for her. It was dark out from the clouds hiding the full moon, so torches around the village lit the way.
The Queen entered the stable, going to the stall where her horse was nickering. "Hey boy, I need your help to find Xena."
Torqueo threw his head back and snorted. The small warrior smiled and stepped into the stall. In no time at all, the horse was saddle up and Gabrielle walked him out of the stable. She hopped up into the saddle and grabbed the reins, her boots going into the stirrups. Gabrielle looked up to the dark sky for a moment. It was a sticky air, the kind that comes when a storm is about to hit its brewing beginning now. Gabrielle squeezed the stallion on the sides and that went at a trot out of the village.
Once they hit the woods, Gabrielle sent Torqueo into a gallop. They gallop aimlessly, Gabrielle had no idea where. She began to cry, feeling hopeless. She had no way of finding Xena, or so she thought. That's when it came to Gabrielle. Our connection! Gods please let it still be there.
So she stopped her stallion. Her red eyes closed and she took deep breaths. She focused on that darkness in her that is growing more and more each day. It sarcastically laughed at her. Gabrielle's lip twitched and she listened and studied the darkness. Oh that is her connection with Xena now, darkness. What Gabrielle is feeling so is Xena. And the small warrior knew this.
Her eyes flew open. She sent Torqueo into another gallop, she followed the darkness. It grew stronger, she is getting closer to Xena. She scanned around the woods. It was still dark from the storm clouds, yet it still had not rained. The weather seemed to wait for something.
Looking back ahead Gabrielle spotted a dark huddled form on the ground. The darkness inside engulfed her and she knew it was Xena. Stopping Torqueo, Gabriele almost fell off the horse. Her feet made contact with the ground and Gabrielle went off sprinting to Xena.
The warrior looked up and saw her partner coming. Oh gods how she knew Gabrielle was looking for her. She knew when Gabrielle first got up by the shot of pain she got. She knew when Gabrielle came looking for her because of the desperate hope that filled her.
The small warrior came straight to Xena. She came down on her knees and looked to Xena. The warrior had her head lowered, her hands in front of herself, a dagger in her right hand. The tip of the dagger pressed into Xena's left wrist.
Gabrielle grabbed at Xena's left hand and saw the blood seeping out. She grabbed the dagger from Xena's hand. "Gods no Xena!" She threw the dagger behind herself. She turned back to Xena. "Xena gods."
The warrior looked up to Gabrielle. "Gabrielle, I can't-" She was cut off.
Thunder had erupted in this realm. The sky opened then, rain came hammering down. It swallowed the pair up whole so to speak. It was dark as Indian ink now. They only saw each other through flashes of lightening.
"Xena you can't what?"
The warrior shook her head. "I can't keep going Gabrielle, not like this."
Gabrielle opened her mouth to reply. But she didn't because thunder stopped her. Lightening then flashed. Gabrielle caught sight of the blood flowing off Xena's hand from the rain. The pure rain cleaning the deep cut. Xena felt the sting of her wound.
"Xena, I can't either gods believe me." She took a deep breath. Lightening flashed as she spoke. "Xena, I am hating myself a little more each day. I can not ever forgive myself for what I did to you."
The warrior looked up, her bangs slicked in front of her face. "I've forgiven you for it all Gabrielle."
Thunder rolled. The world lit up then went dark again.
"I know Xena. I've forgiven you too. But we can't seem to forgive ourselves. I know I can't forgive myself. Maybe…" Thunder. "Maybe the answer is to help each other forgive ourselves."
Lightening then thunder. Lightening flashed a few times then stopped. The rain still hammered down on them.
Xena closed her eyes then opened again. "Gabrielle, I'm to scared to be together with you. Gods I don't want to hurt you anymore. I can't do that to you." Tears began to slip.
Gabrielle's eyes stung as the tears rolled down her cheek mixing with the rain. "I know Xena. I feel the same with you. But Xena-" Thunder sounded, Gabrielle ignored it and went on. "Xena you can't tell me you feel like you're slowly dying inside. I know for me as each day fades away so does part of me. I don't know who I am anymore. I just know that the biggest part of me is you." Thunder then lightening. "If I don't have you, then I can't be myself." The ultimate truth finally escaped Gabrielle's lips in a low whisper.
"I can't survive Xena."
The two women locked eyes. Xena was breathing heavy, she could hear Gabrielle as well breathing hard. She heard the pounding of rain. The thunder crackled as the lightening streaked through the sky.
"Gabrielle." Thunder erupted. "Gabrielle, I know I will die without you. Gods, I need you now more then ever." Lightening crackled.
"Xena." Gabrielle smiled sadly. She whispered Xena's name again. "Xena, I'm right here. I've been waiting for you. I can't move without you."
Xena smiled. She brought her right hand up to Gabrielle's cheek. She then leaned in as Gabrielle closed her eyes.
The Soulmates' lips met.
Lightening flashed repeatedly, it never stopped. Once the Soulmates pulled back from their kiss, did the lightening stopped. Thunder soundly loudly in this world. It was echoed through and through.
"I love you Gabrielle."
"I'm beyond in-love with you Xena."
The warrior smiled. "I know, there're are no words to tell how much I love you Gabrielle."
The Soulmates started to cry. They kissed again. The thunder erupted. The lightening flashed over and over as they kissed. The rain softened on their bodies. To the Soulmates it felt utterly good the cool rain, replenishing. The water sliding down their backs, legs, hair, between their faces and interlocked lips.
The long kiss itself was filled with love and forgiveness, each Soulmate trying to hand their soul over to the other. To show complete devotion to the other. They made it a need to please the other. They had to believe again.
The Soulmates pulled away from the kiss, both crying. Xena pulled Gabrielle into her lap. Gabrielle wrapped her legs around the Xena's waist, her small arms around Xena's back. Xena's own arms around Gabrielle's waist. Gabrielle dug her head into her Soulmate's right shoulder, Xena's head going into Gabrielle's hair.
The rain still fell on the Soulmates. The lightening stopped with its thunder. The gray clouds beginning to break up, the light rain continued to fall on the Soulmates of this time. As the clouds dispersed did the dawning begin, the morning sunlight came cutting through the darkness. The warm light of the eastern sun fell on the Soulmates and warmed them to their core.
The Soulmates felt an infinite weight disappear from them. From inside of their souls the weight left, in their hearts, and minds. Gods how that made them cry in each other's arms. They hug so tightly worried that they may separate again.
Their need for each other had grown an unmeasurable extent. To such an extent that no mere language can capture the need, the want, and desire. The indescribably is the soul touching entities. And this pair of Soulmates felt this need, so much that they must cry.
They cry from the need, from the separation, from the happiness. And as we all know, from the pain. The pain that turned into darkness. That darkness that had almost swallowed them both whole. They could have lost each other forever. That was another thing to cry about, they could have lost the other for eternity. They hadn't and felt that burning risk inside now. Beyond glad it didn't happen.
Gabrielle lifted her head from Xena's shoulder. Xena in turn lifting her head. Gabrielle reached down to Xena's left hand, she careful brought the wounded hand to her lips. She placed a warm kiss over the cut.
Xena smiled and leaned in, placing a kiss to Gabrielle's forehead.
The small warrior then placed her head under Xena's chin, she started to cry all over again.
The warrior tightly wrapped her arms around her partner again. "Sshhh, we're okay Gabrielle." Xena rocked both their bodies now.
Gabrielle shivered in the older woman's arms. "Gods, Xena I thought I'd lost you forever."
"No, never Gabrielle." She then looked down to Gabrielle. "I'm not going to leave you."
The Amazon Queen looked up to the warrior. "I couldn't leave you Xena." Her eyes burned her throat hurt. Her body only shook again out of past fear.
Xena held tight as a small smile broke out across her lips. "I know." Lowering her head to Gabrielle's neck, she felt tears stream down.
Gabrielle brought up her right hand behind her Soulmate's head. "We are going to be okay Xena."
They stayed like that for awhile, no time is needed to be told how long. It just was. They had to feel the other all over again.
Xena though lifted her head again. She then removed her right hand from her Soulmate's back. Reaching down to her waist. Gabrielle shifted back in her lap some. Xena then reach into her small hidden pouch in her leathers, she slowly lifted up two rings and necklace in the palm of her hand.
Gabrielle brought up her right hand to her mouth as her eyes widen. "Oh gods Xena." She dropped her hand to grasp the warrior's waist.
Xena smiled. She didn't say anything, didn't need to. She carefully grasped Gabrielle's left hand, bring it up. First she slipped on the thin wedding ring then the engagement ring.
Gabrielle smiled so sadly as she turned her hand a little. The rings greeted her with sparkles and twinkles. She'd missed that weight on her left ring finger so much. Looking back up from them, she saw Xena bringing up the necklace. She dropped her head.
The warrior reached behind Gabrielle and hooked the necklace. It fell to her chest, it was warm. Xena brought her hands to Gabrielle's chest, straightening the charm out.
Gabrielle reached for the charm, she lifted it so slowly. The deep sapphire twinkled up to her. The rain fell into the gem then rushed off, slipping down Gabrielle's hand. Her emerald eyes lifted up to Xena. That's when she shifted her right leg. Leaning forward some the small woman reached to her right boot. She reached into a small hidden pouched on the side of her boot. She lifted out a ring and similar necklace.
Xena had certainly caught this. She felt Gabrielle slip the thick silver and gold wedding band onto her left ring finger. Then the necklace, oh how it felt good to have those weights back on her. She herself lifted the necklace up. The emerald though sparkled to her. Telling her how much it missed being at home around her neck. The warrior smiled down at it. She looked back to Gabrielle.
They both leaned in and captured each other's lips.