___
Gabrielle groaned and covered her face with her hands. "Now's not a good time, Aphrodite."
"Oh please, I'm feeling major bummer vibes from my best bard and her warrior babe. What happened, you two have a fight?"
"Something like that," Gabrielle groaned again, shaking her head.
Aphrodite joined Gabrielle on the fallen log that she was sitting on. "Come on, I hate to see you down. Maybe talking it out will help."
Gabrielle looked up, meeting Love's eyes. "Three years. You think by now she'd stop treating me like I was five years old. Can you believe it, she actually sent me on a side mission just to keep me away from the action."
"I'm sure she just wanted to make sure you were safe?"
"That's just it," Gabrielle interrupted. "I can take care of myself. I don't need to be coddled or protected. You know I spent the last three days sitting in a tavern waiting for her to show up while she went after the Warlord Garius?"
"Garius? Ew? like totally gross! That guy is major trouble, smelly too."
"Was major trouble," Gabrielle responded, rolling her eyes. "I just don't understand why Xena keeps treating me like a kid. For once I wish that Xena could just appreciate me for me, and realize that I've grown up."
"Hmmmm? Maybe I can help."
"Oh no," Gabrielle quickly shook her head. "Please don't. Let me handle this."
"Of course, you're the perfect one to handle this. Don't worry about a thing, Gabrielle," Aphrodite explained as she reached over and kissed the bard's forehead.
Gabrielle was caught off guard by the sudden gesture, but before she could react, she felt her vision blur and her eye lids become very heavy. She tried to fight it, tried to argue, but her tongue wouldn't obey. No longer able to keep her eyes open, she was forced to surrender to the call of Morpheus, and slipped into a deep sleep.
Aphrodite smiled as she helped the bard gently to the ground. "You want Xena to appreciate you and see you for the grown woman that you are? Well little bard, you are about to get your wish."
Xena had been searching for the last half hour. It was getting dark and she was concerned that Gabrielle hadn't returned to camp. She realized that Gabrielle had been upset with her, but she saw no reason to apologize for her actions. Garius was just too dangerous. If he would have gotten close to Gabrielle, she knew he would have killed her. He was the type to kill first and ask questions later. If he had any inkling that Gabrielle meant anything to her, it would have only made the bard a target.
Xena continued to follow Gabrielle's trail until it ended at a small brook. There she saw a fallen tree, with Gabrielle's staff propped up against it. She could also see the top of her bag on the other side of the log.
"Gabrielle?" the warrior called out, before stopping abruptly and seeing a small form on the ground. She suddenly got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, for where she expected to find Gabrielle; there was a young child instead. Moving closer to the small figure, Xena squatted down and studied her. She figured the child was about five or six, but the most intriguing part was that the child looked very much like Gabrielle, including identical mini-copies of her green top and brown skirt. It was as if Gabrielle had shrunk - clothes and all. "No, this can't be?" Xena started before she was suddenly cut off by bright green eyes.
A high pitched scream cut through woods, causing birds to take flight, and Xena to suddenly loose her balance and fall backwards onto her backside. The child suddenly scooted back, until she hit the log and then screamed a second time.
"Hey, it's ok. I'm not going to hurt you," Xena said softly as she regained her balance and knelt down in front on the child. The child stared wide eyed at her and Xena got the feeling that the little girl might try to run. Taking a chance Xena tried again, "Gabrielle? Do you know who I am?"
The little girl blinked. "How? how do you know my name?"
"I'm your friend. I know a lot about you."
"Do you know where my mommy and daddy are?"
Xena nodded. "Sure, they are safe and at home in Potidaea."
"Will you take me to them?"
"Just calm down, now. You don't need to worry. I'll take care of you." Gabrielle's lip started to tremble and Xena could tell that she was about to cry. "Hey now, it's ok. Potidaea is a long way away. If you want me too, I'll take you home."
"Promise?"
"Sure I do," Xena nodded, immediately regretting the promise. If this really was her Gabrielle, the last place she'd want to take her was back to her parents. She watched the little girl for a moment, reassured as Gabrielle's position shifted and Xena realized that she was no longer a flight risk. She then frowned responding to the one that she saw on Gabrielle's face. "What's the matter, why the frown?"
"You said you are my friend, but I don't remember you. What's your name?"
Xena sighed, this was worse than she thought. "Xena, my name is Xena."
"Xena?" Gabrielle slowly repeated. "I'm hungry."
Xena watched the little girl sleep as she ran her whet stone along her sword in smooth even strokes. She wasn't sure what to make of the day's events. Gabrielle had undergone a mysterious transformation, but she had no idea how or why. After everything she'd seen and been through, she didn't think anything could surprise her anymore, but this certainly had. She smelt the interference of a god, but she didn't know which one, and really had no idea where to start looking.
Gabrielle had fallen asleep shortly after dinner. They had talked a bit, but the little bard seemed to know less about what happened then Xena did. There was a part of Xena that was telling her that this might be some sort of tick or trap, but she had to admit, besides the lack of memories and a shorter than usual stature, the little girl was an incredibly convincing Gabrielle. Even at a younger age, her behavioral patterns, mannerisms, and even the cute little gestures, like when she wrinkled her nose when she was concentrating, was all perfect.
Gabrielle suddenly shifted in her sleep and whimpered. Xena's arm froze in mid-stroke, her full attention on the little bard. When Gabrielle cried out, Xena put her sword down and went over to her side. She sat down next to her and gently stroked Gabrielle's hair. With her touch Gabrielle seemed to settle down, whatever nightmare had been plaguing her forgotten.
Gabrielle shifted again, rolling over and throwing her arm over Xena's leg. She grabbed ahold and hugged it like close to her like a cherished stuffed animal. Xena tensed, not sure what to do. She sat for a moment before she tried to wiggle out of the grasp, but stopped when she was met with green eyes and a frown.
"Hey, it's ok," Xena whispered. "You were just having a nightmare."
Gabrielle half sat up, letting go of the warrior's leg. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"Don't worry about it. Go back to sleep."
Gabrielle lay back down. Xena waited for several minutes, letting the child get settled and again grow quiet, before she got up and went back over to where she had left her sword.
"Xena?"
"I thought you were asleep," Xena answered, looking back over her shoulder.
"I'm scared."
Xena picked up her sword and returned to the little bard's side. "How about I lie down next to you? I'm getting tired anyways."
Gabrielle nodded, scooting over to allow the warrior enough room to join her under the blanket. Xena didn't say anything as she settled in, laying on her back. Gabrielle was facing her on her side, eyes now wide open and studying the warrior.
Xena glanced down, seeing hesitation in the girl's eyes. "C'mere," she invited, motioning Gabrielle closer. Gabrielle flashed a grin before she scooted up, settling her head on the leather clad chest, and wrapping her arm around Xena's waist. Resting her own arm securely around the child, Xena bent her head and kissed the girl gently on the forehead. "Night, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle felt a sudden sense of familiarity as the warrior's lips met her forehead. She didn't quite understand it, but it was warm and comforting. Feeling both secure and safe, she let out a satisfied sigh before responding, "Night, Xena," and closing her eyes.
Little Bard: Chapter 2
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Xena initially tried to comfort her, but eventually left her to her tears while she tried not to burn the rabbit too badly. Despite Gabrielle's tears, in the warrior's eyes, the rabbit was still fortunate, for although Gabrielle refused to eat her friend, the tears had caused the little bard to cease her wanderings and stay at least stay in one spot.
After dealing with the rabbit catastrophe, it took Xena while, but she managed to finish packing up their camp. She hated to admit it, but Gabrielle had the packing down to a science, and without the bard's help she had trouble getting everything to fit back into Argo's saddlebags. She was relieved when the battle with the bags was finally finished, but then she'd progressed on to another battle -which was unfortunately proving much more challenging. She was now trying to convince the little girl to get up onto Argo.
"Come on, Gabrielle. I won't let you fall, I promise."
"No way, I don't wanna ride that horse. He's too tall."
"She is a she, and Argo is not too tall. You're just small," Xena augured back.
Gabrielle frowned, looking up at Argo and then back at the warrior. "How can you tell?"
Xena wrinkled her brow. "How can I tell what?"
"That Argo is a girl."
"Well?" Xena stammered for a moment. "It's just? well I just know."
"Oh," Gabrielle replied, pausing for a long moment and looking thoughtful. "She's still too tall."
"Fine," Xena gave in with a sigh of frustration. "We'll walk. But you have to keep up, and I don't want to hear any complaining that your feet hurt."
"Ok," Gabrielle replied, happy that the warrior had given into her.
The first couple of hours were uneventful. It was a beautiful spring day, just warm enough that the gentle breeze that occasionally blew through made it just about perfect. Xena was pleased that Gabrielle was able to keep up with her, although keep up probably wasn't the right term. The child seemed to jump, skip, run, and hop in every direction besides the one that the warrior wanted to go in.
The little Gabrielle had also retained some of her adult habits and seemed to have an insatiable need to talk. In a way it was worse with the little one though, because while the older version would just ramble on, the little one would ask question after question, and then expect Xena to answer. Xena swore that she had heard her name more times in the last two hours then she had in the last two months.
"Xena? Xena?" Gabrielle asked, pulling the warrior from her thoughts.
"Gabrielle, why don't you try being quiet for a while?"
The little girl frowned. "But Xena?"
"I said it was time to be quiet," Xena returned a little harsher then she intended.
Gabrielle stopped in the middle of the road. Her lip started to quiver, and her eyes glossed over with tears. Xena took a few steps before she realized the little girl had stopped. With a sigh, she let go of Argo's reins and back tracked to the girl's position. She then squatted down so she was at eye level with the little girl.
"Gabrielle, I'm sorry I snapped at you. Now, what is it? What did you want to tell me?"
Gabrielle looked down at the ground, and sniffled. Mumbling, she answered, "I had to use the bushes."
"Oh, well go ahead. I'll wait for you."
Gabrielle shook her head. "I don't have to anymore."
"What do you mean??" Xena asked before her eyes discovered a wet puddle in the ground between the girl's boots. She looked up to the sky, as if in a silent prayer for strength, before she engaged Gabrielle again. "Come on, honey," she said offering her hand. "Let's get you cleaned up."
Xena's eyes followed Gabrielle as she skipped from one side of the path to the other. The girl seemed fascinated with everything she saw. Her wide-eyed and carefree antics reminded Xena of a simpler time, and Xena couldn't help but smile at the innocent enthusiasm. In a way it also made Xena reminiscent of their first few days and weeks of traveling together. It seemed so long ago; that the young girl that had asked to travel with her.
"Hey, Gabrielle, I know of a pond with a nice little waterfall not too far from here. How about we call it an early day, and camp there tonight?"
"Ok," Gabrielle called back. She had picked up a large stick and was using it to bat at low lying branches and the occasional pine-cone.
Xena ducked as a pine-cone soared past her head. "Hey, watch it," she warned.
The little bard stopped and turned, planting the end of the stick on the ground and leaning slightly against it. "Sorry, Xena."
Looking very much like her adult counterpart with her staff, Xena's eyes flashed to the staff, which was now secured to Argo's saddle. She blinked and willed the tears away that were suddenly threatening to come to the surface. She missed her Gabrielle, and although she was totally taken by this smaller version, it just wasn't the same. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to bury the emotion so she wouldn't alarm the little bard.
"Come on, ya trouble maker. Maybe we could even go for a swim."
"Swim?" Gabrielle asked nervously.
Xena suddenly remembered that Gabrielle told her she didn't learn to swim until she was a teenager, and even then didn't get proficient at it until after she'd started traveling with Xena. Well that was going to change. Being on the road demanded a few necessary skills, swimming being one of them.
"Yes, swim," Xena repeated. She scooped up the child, causing a fit of giggles as she tickled her. She then placed her on her shoulder, realizing that if she didn't pick up the pace they'd never have time for a lesson before dusk.
^^--^8^--^^
It was getting late. The sun had set over an hour ago and it was now fully dark. Gabrielle stared into the fire as she picked at the fish that Xena had cooked. She's been hungry enough to choke down some of it, but most of it was inedible.
Xena watched her as she choked down another piece herself. "Cooking has never been one of my strong suits," she apologized. "There is a town not too far from here. Tomorrow we'll get something better."
Gabrielle nodded, as she set her fish aside. She then tried to stifle a yawn. Playing in the water had been fun, but it had also made her very tired.
"Looks like you should get some sleep," Xena casually commented.
Gabrielle shook her head. "I'm not tired."
"Un-huh," Xena returned, scrapping the remains of fish into the fire, and then doing the same for Gabrielle's plate. "Well I'm tired. If you're not, will you at least lie next to me and keep me company?"
"Ok, Xena," Gabrielle agreed, stifling another yawn. She watched as Xena took the plates down to the edge of the pond and rinsed them off.
When the warrior returned she unclipped her breast plate, laying it and her sword and chakram next to where she was going to lay down. She removed her left bracer, and was struggling with the ties on the right one when she felt a small hand on her wrist. "Let me help?" Gabrielle asked.
Xena nodded, and Gabrielle made quick work of the ties, before slipping the bracer off. "Thanks. You know, you usually help me with that. I forgot how tricky it was to untie that with one hand," Xena commented.
"I do?"
"Yep. You help with a lot of things. You're a good friend."
Gabrielle smiled. "I like to help."
Xena spread out the furs and Gabrielle gladly accepted her invitation to join her, cuddling up next to Xena, like she had the previous night. Xena lay down and began to gently rub Gabrielle's back, encouraging her to relax, and hopefully fall asleep. A few minutes passed, and Gabrielle's breathing became slower and repetitious. Xena soon closed her own eyes, welcoming the rest.
"Xena?"
The warrior's eyes flew back open.
"Will you tell me a story?"
"I'm not much for telling stories," Xena explained. "And besides, it's late. We should sleep."
"Please, Xena?"
Xena sighed, never being able to resist when Gabrielle asked her to anything in that pleading tone of voice. "Alright, what did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking, maybe if you told me more. Like about your arm-guard thing. Maybe it would help me remember."
"My bracer," Xena corrected. "You want to know more, like about how you help me?" Xena felt Gabrielle nod, her head bobbing back and forth across her chest. "Well ok, I suppose. First off, you help me by keeping me company, and you make me laugh. You help me make good choices, and you help me help other people. Mostly though, I think you help me by just being my friend, and that makes me happy."
"I'm glad I make you happy," Gabrielle answered. She was then quiet for a long time, making Xena wonder if she'd fallen asleep. "How come I'm with you and not with my mom and dad?" Gabrielle suddenly asked.
Xena sighed. "That's a very long and complicated story, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle sat up, her face very serious. "Did you take me from them?"
"What?" Xena sat up as well. "Of course not. It's complicated, but I didn't kidnap you. In fact, you begged to come with me. You even ran away from home to be with me."
Gabrielle wrinkled her nose. "I ran away?"
"Yes, and I tried to bring you back, but you told me that if I did you'd run away again. I didn't want you getting hurt, so eventually I agreed to let you travel with me. And that's when we became friends."
"Oh," the little girl replied. "Were they mad that I ran away?"
"Your parents? Well, they weren't too happy about it at first. Your dad especially didn't like me very much, but they came to respect your decision, and are very proud of you and of the work we do."
"That we help people?"
"Yes," Xena agreed. "Now, that's enough talk. It's time to sleep."
Gabrielle nodded, and settled back down next to Xena. She was quiet for a long moment once again before she asked, "Xena?"
"Yes, Gabrielle?"
"I'm glad I followed you," Gabrielle yawned, interrupting her sentence, "Even if I follow you into trouble. Cuz that is what friends do."
Xena didn't immediately respond. Her eyes were suddenly wide open. The little bard's words eerily reminiscent of the conversation they shared the very first day they spent together. After a long moment Xena tilted her head and kissed the top of Gabrielle's. "Night, Gabrielle."
"Night," Gabrielle returned her voice mumbling as sleep started to claim her. Like the night before, she once again felt safe and secure in Xena's arms. The warrior's words echoed in her mind, and she vowed that tomorrow things would be different. She would try very hard to help, just like Xena said.
^^--^8^--^^
Little Bard: Chapter 3
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It was an hour or so after sunrise when Xena was awoken by the snap of twig. She took a moment focusing on her surroundings and realized that they were being surrounded. She counted five, no six armed men within a few feet of her. She also realized that she didn't feel Gabrielle's head on her chest. She hoped that the child had just moved over and was still close.
Xena subtly gripped the handle of her sword, and then suddenly brought it up to deflect a blow that was aimed at her head. In an instant she was on her feet. She disarmed the first man, before knocking him out with a single shot to the head. She then kicked two others out of the way, and was circling with a forth when she took a second to check on Gabrielle. She felt a panic rise when she realized that the blankets were empty, and Gabrielle was nowhere to be seen.
She parried a blow as she scanned the clearing, looking for the little girl. The man found a sudden advantage in her distraction and managed to get a slice across her left shoulder. Xena hissed in pain, bringing her attention back to the man in front of her. She quickly disarmed him and soon he was sleeping just as peacefully as his comrade.
Turning she faced the remaining four men. They looked at each other nervously, each taking a step back, as Xena laughed and twirled her sword in a flourish. One man finally broke from the pack and took a step closer. She grabbed him and with three quick pokes he was rendered useless as he knelt on the ground in agony.
Xena looked back up at the other three. "Boo!" she taunted them and then smirked as all three turned tail and ran. Bringing her attention back to the man under her pinch, she gave him the low down. "I just cut off the flow of blood to your brain. You have about thirty seconds before you die a very painful death."
The man sputtered as Xena circled him once, before stopping in front of him again. "Where is the little girl that was with me?"
"We didn't see any girl," he answered, struggling as the pressure from the pinch caused a trickle of blood to flow from his nose.
Xena studied him for a moment before warning, "Ten seconds."
"Please," the man returned, "I swear, you were alone."
Xena turned her back on the man, visually doing a more careful sweep of the clearing. Still seeing no trace, she scanned the area around the bedroll and discovered a small footprint.
"I don't want to die," the man begged.
Xena turned back toward the man and released the pinch. The man doubled over, gasping for breath. "Don't be here when I get back," she warned. "And make sure you take your friends with you."
Xena checked on the footprint studying more closely. It looked clean, and didn't seem to be distressed by being hurried or marred, as if the child had been forced away. She soon discovered several more prints, which gave her a direction. She started off after the bard, only pausing for a moment to grab Gabrielle's boots, which the child had neglected to put on before she left.
It only took a few minutes for Xena to follow the girl's trail. She was about a quarter mile away from camp when she saw a bush rattle and Gabrielle emerge from it. Xena sighed in relief seeing the little girl unharmed, but then felt a well of anger rise at the worry she'd put her through.
"Gabrielle!"
"Xena!" Gabrielle echoed, seemly obvious to the warrior's worry as she waved and then scrambled not to drop the handful of berries that she had collected.
"What are you doing?" Xena pressed, putting her hands on her hips for emphasis.
Gabrielle froze, her eyes going wide and her lips -which were freshly stained with red berry juice -turned into a frown. "Oh, Xena! You're hurt." Gabrielle crossed to over to where the warrior was standing. Pulling on Xena's arm, she forced Xena to bend so that she was eye level to the cut.
"What? Aw?" Xena returned, as Gabrielle pulled down on her arm. She'd been so focused on finding Gabrielle she'd forgotten about the injury.
"Ohhh, does it hurt? What happened?"
"A little. It's just a scratch. And don't change the subject," Xena scolded.
"What subject?" Gabrielle asked. "Did you scrape your arm on a bush? See that dark green bush over there with the yellow flowers? It has these thorns on it. It poked me on my hand. See?" Gabrielle held her palm so that the warrior could inspect it. "It hurt, but I didn't cry?"
"Gabrielle," Xena tried to interrupt.
Gabrielle looked down at her injured palm, waiting a beat before continuing. "?I was brave." She smiled. "It bleeded, but I sucked on it until it stopped. Yours is bigger. You should clean it, 'fore it gets inf..."
"Gabrielle!" Xena snapped, suddenly stunning the girl into silence. "Enough. My arm is fine, and the subject is you! What are you doing out here, all by yourself? I was worried about you. I didn't know where you were."
"I'm sorry, Xena," Gabrielle frowned. "I didn't want to wake you. I just wanted to help by finding some breakfast. I was hungry?" she explained looking down at the fruit cupped in her other hand, before adding mournfully, "I just couldn't eat any more fish."
Xena suddenly averted her eyes and bit her lip, trying very hard no tot laugh at the forlorn look on the little girl's face. "You know something, Gabrielle? I don't think I could stand to eat any more fish either."
Gabrielle looked back up and smiled. "Good, cuz these berries are delicious."
"Un-huh, and just how did you know they were safe to eat?" Xena asked. She picked up one of berries, easily identifying it as a wild cherry. "You could have gotten sick."
Gabrielle pulled away, rolling her eyes. "I know better than to eat poisonous fruit, I remember at least that much." Getting a disproving look, Gabrielle elaborated, "I saw some birds eating them. They wouldn't if they were bad to eat."
Xena raised an eyebrow at the description, her heart fluttering at the possibility. "Do you remember? What do you remember, Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle wrinkled her brow. She hadn't really thought about it when she said it, but now that she focused on her words a hazy memory suddenly surfaced. "I? I? remember you telling me that. Right after we met. We'd only been traveling for a few days? and I found this bush with these dark purple berries. I ate a handful of them, and then spent the next two days running from brush to bush."
Xena smiled, both at her own memory and at the fact that Gabrielle actually remembered something. It was a start, and proof that the little girl before her wasn't just a younger version of her best friend. Her Gabrielle was still in there somewhere.
"Anyways," Gabrielle continued, wondering what the odd look the warrior was giving her was about. "I was bringing these back to you," she continued as she offered the handful up to Xena.
Xena smiled once again, and sampled one of the cherries. "You're right, they are good." She then squatted down so she was at eye level with the little bard, letting her voice drop into a more serious tone. "Gabrielle, I can't tell you how happy I am that you remembered about the berries, but you know what? That doesn't change the fact that you left camp. I was worried about you, and when I don't know where you are, I can't keep you safe. This can't happen again. You understand that right?"
Gabrielle slowly nodded, suddenly having a hard time making eye contact. "Am I in trouble?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xena sighed, realizing that Gabrielle's sudden status as a child had changed the dynamic of their relationship. "You really scared me, Gabrielle. You know, I have half a mind to give you a good swat," she threatened."
Gabrielle responded with a sniffle, trying to hold back tears. "I'm sorry, Xena."
Xena shook her head. She could no longer consider Gabrielle an equal but at the same time, she couldn't bring herself to treat the bard as anything but. She reached out, raising the bard's chin with two fingers, and forcing her to meet her eyes once again. "Hey now, you've always been very good at learning from your mistakes, and not repeating them. Think you can remember that? Not to wander off again?"
Gabrielle nodded.
"Good," Xena agreed. She then guided Gabrielle over to a large boulder, where she sat the child down and began to help her put on her boots. "You know, I know you don't remember, so today, you and I are going to have a long talk. I think it's important to remind you about our rules, and how we keep each other safe."
"I keep you safe?"
"When we work as a team, we help keep each other safe. Part of that is I need to know where you are, so I'm not distracted looking for you, or worrying about you, like I was today."
Gabrielle bit her lip as her eye's traced over the cut on Xena's arm. "It's my fault you got hurt, isn't it?"
Xena opened her mouth to argue, but then realized that the bard was right. It wasn't exactly the girl's fault, as she hadn't been holding the sword that cut her, but if Xena hadn't been looking for her it might not have happened. "It's just a scratch. We both made a mistake. You shouldn't have left, and I should have reminded you about our rules earlier."
Gabrielle frowned, seemly unconvinced by Xena's words.
Xena finished tying off the laces on the second boot before taking a seat next to her bard. She then echoed Gabrielle's frown, realizing that the bard might need a little encouragement to accept the point she was trying to make. "You know, if you insist, I suppose I could punish you." The warrior paused, allowing her words to sink in and watching Gabrielle shift uneasily. "But since we were both at fault, I guess it's only fair that we should both be punished."
Gabrielle wrinkled her brow, and looked up at Xena, faintly recognizing a sparkle of mischief in the warrior's eyes.
"I was planning on making it to an inn tonight, getting a good dinner. But we could just stick around here. I could cook us fish again?"
"No? no," Gabrielle quickly jumped up. "As long as you've learned you lesson, I think I've learned mine."
"You're sure?"
"Oh yeah," Gabrielle agreed, nodding her head in earnest. "Actually, I have a great idea. Think if we rode Argo, we could get there by lunch?"
"I think that is a wonderful idea," Xena agreed, smiling as she suddenly recognizing that the bard had just solved another problem for her. She was eager to put as must distance between them, and the men who had attacked her as possible. She offered a hand to the little bard. "Let's go then, you can help me pack up camp."
"Ok," Gabrielle agreed, happily accepting Xena's hand.