Excellent story. Very well written which one expects from a wonderful writer like Mary Morgan. With so few words she can say so much - make the reader feel so much. And you will feel. A very moving story of hope, loss and pain. You can feel Gabrielle's pain, her resolve, her hope, her disappointment - and then ultimately her joy - somewhat bitter sweet. I recommend anything by Mary Morgan. One of the better writers out there. - Karon Reiter - Jan 6th, 2005   

Oh, this was a wonderful find!! The ending made my breath catch. Read it...you will be grateful you did. - JC - Jan-29-2008   

I've read 3 of Mary's stories so far, and have been enchanted by all of them. Beautiful prose, evocative without being too flowery, very imaginative premises, and amazingly precise and compelling characterizations of Xena and Gabrielle and their relationship. Sometimes the point of view written from is Xena's or Gabrielle's, and sometimes it's that of a third person. Whichever POV it's written from, the chapters and stories are always very insightful. Her vision and depiction of these characters and their relationship make her stories a must read. - Anonymous - Jun-26-2010   

Mary Morgan is an astoundingly good writer. Her stories convey the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle with a depth and melancholy that will sear itself into your consciousness. - Anonymous - Dec-10-2010   

a moving story.. - xtra dog - Feb-28-2014   

BREAKING THE ICEby Mary Morgan From time immemorial human cultures have invested circles and stones (or crystals) with powers of an esoteric nature. Artifacts from ancient times have shown this to be so and ancient Western European cultures believed that stones in a circle had magical, spiritual and healing powers. Mary Morgan's writings reveal her fascination with the subject: circles of stone. In this story one finds all three elements: the alien being is magical, the psychological transformations that occur derive from the spiritual and healing processes. This adventure of the Soulmates is told from the point of view of a woman saved from the sea by settlers in a far northern outpost and subsequently made a virtual slave by them. She was denied common respect so that even her name became what their language signified as Other or *brennen*. During her seven year captivity she had given up hope that her father would come for her so this added to the anger consuming her. At this time when life is barely bearable in the settlement because of a curse on the land Xena and Gabrielle arrive, sent by Bren's father, to take her home. They hear the stories of enforced sacrifices and other misdeeds perpetrated by the settlers that created havoc, guilt and fear. It is Gabrielle who sees the solution which brings about the healing needed by all , not the least of whom is Bren. The ritual that follows takes place primarily at the circle of stones and signals the return of the life-giving sun. The reader's imagination is engaged from the beginning by Morgan's picturesque language describing desolation and horror, a watcher, whom we feel in our bones is alien but in no way resembles ET. Have a read. Another hit from a fertile imagination that consistently awes us with the unusual. - AB - Dec 13th, 2004   

This was a very mysterious, well crafted story that revolves around a young girl who has been taken in by a tribe of people unknown to her, but clothed and fed by them, after rescuing her from a shipwreck when she was a small child. There is bitterness, anger and betrayal in this girl's heart as she lives among a group of people struggling to stay alive in a very harsh and cold environment. Entering into this bleak setting are Xena and Gabrielle, seen through this girl's eyes. What emerges are familiar characters that appear enigmatic, their body language perplexing, and though the reader is accustomed to their relationship, we question their interplay, not knowing their emotional state. It's always satisfying to read such distinct and arresting portrayals along with such an emotionally intriguing story line. A highly recommend reading this and all of Mary Morgan's stories. - kazy - Jan-08-2012   

Xena and Gabrielle are individually challenged in order to save Xena from a dire fate. Each oneÆs challenge is pertinent to a specific characteristic of the two which the reader will recognize. The strong bond between the Bard and Warrior is a recurring theme in this author's work.

Then, there is Andreas who teeters between wanting to help Gabrielle and being unable to, physically and emotionally. There is an ordinariness in his role and in Gabrielle's plight. Their trials show what unscrupulous people will do to those appearing weak and vulnerable. But what both women accomplish is far from ordinary. The beginning of this story will surprise and intrigue you as it did me upon my first reading. Mary MorganÆs stories are worth reading for the beauty of expression and the deep meanings that pepper just about every sentence, paragraph, page. The wonder is that she can include all that in stories of 7-9 pages. A rare skill indeed. AB - Anonymous - Feb 4th, 2005   

Xena and Gabrielle are individually challenged in order to save Xena from a dire fate. Each oneÆs challenge is pertinent to a specific characteristic of the two which the reader will recognize. The strong bond between the Bard and Warrior is a recurring theme in this author's work. Then, there is Andreas who teeters between wanting to help Gabrielle and being unable to, physically and emotionally. There is an ordinariness in his role and in Gabrielle's plight. Their trials show what unscrupulous people will do to those appearing weak and vulnerable. But what both women accomplish is far from ordinary. The beginning of this story will surprise and intrigue you as it did me upon my first reading. Mary MorganÆs stories are worth reading for the beauty of expression and the deep meanings that pepper just about every sentence, paragraph, page. The wonder is that she can include all that in stories of 7-9 pages. A rare skill indeed. Feb 4th, 2005 - AB - Feb 7th, 2005   

Amazing short piece. The author finds that part of humanity that is truly horrific and despicable and holds our bard and her dark warrior up as an enchanting mirror. Masterful. - Rosa - Aug-15-2014   

And that bargain explains why their names are not known to history.Readers who discover this bard learn to expect thoughtful beautifully written, richly imaginative stories about the Bard and Warrior Princess. Mary MorganÆs love of and dedication to the relationship recommends all her stories which are Alternative, by the way. One of her many strengths particularly evident in this one is the skillful use of metaphor to describe the basic nature of the two friends and soulmates. How each experiences and reacts to what happens and how it affects their bond makes this a very satisfying read. I especially like the bit of whimsy in the denouement. The stories are also available in Palm Doc and Palm Reader Format. - Ann - Sep 13th, 2004   

The EnemyThis is a short, fascinating tale of hate, murder and revenge and how Xena and Gabrielle come to the aid of a besieged village with their wits rather than sword, chakram or staff. YouÆll be surprised to see how her weapons become a liability for Xena. So Gabrielle plants an idea and Xena uses it to the detriment of their assailant. She expresses a truth pertinent to today, that there will always be underlings to do the dirty work, followingorders. You can count on Mary Morgan to engage your mind as well as emotions and this story does just that. Highly recommended. - Ann - Sep 2nd, 2004   

I couldn't find the story ("broken link"). I don't know whether that is permanent or just a fluke but The Enemy is still accessible here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20030402045505/http://www.storycorner.org/marymorgan/enemy.htm [Editor's Note: Correct, though we found it at TAOB. 10-6-2009] - M. - Oct-05-2009   

Lovely and poetic prose! Xena, while recovering from the supernatural events depicted, tells Hesiod the most revealing story about why she sometimes pushes Gabrielle away. Great work! - 3creeks - Mar-01-2007   

This is how the series should have ended. In my mind, it is. Mary Morgan's work is truly spellbinding. No one really compares. - Rosa - Aug-15-2014   

Note: This story was written before the Season 5 XWP episode featuring black powder was shown so there is no connection.When Xena hears tell of a mysterious explosion in the neighiborhood she recklessly sets off leaving the Bard behind. The author then describes how tenuous their relationship can be in certain circumstances. Like when Xena is in a righteous mood for murder. Not until she expresses it in words can Gabrielle slip beneath her dark radar, so to speak, and proceed to work on it. How they solve the problem they face, between one another and with the old man, is the crux of the matter. Some may question the ethics of the one solution but then might ask themselves....what would I have done? Once again Mary Morgan shows along with her many other skills her command of pace as the story moves to its remarkable conclusion. Maybe you've guessed by now that this is one of my favorite writers. Ann - Anonymous - Oct 14th, 2004   

Story to be found here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20030404064106/http://www.storycorner.org/marymorgan/powder.htm [Corrected link, though to TAOB. 10-6-2009] - M. - Oct-05-2009   

If you like eerie this story is for you. Morgan's descriptions of unnatural environments evoke a sense of foreboding that add to the atmosphere of evil that Gabrielle and Xena must overcome. To do this Xena must gain the trust of a warlord so she can ingratiate herself into the gang as his second in command. What she doesn't know is she is the pawn. Gabrielle, left behind because of an illness, experiences frightening dreams, so when she is able, starts out to join Xena. On her way, the bard encounters a tragedy, the consequence of which ironically results in their survival but at the expense of the Bard's sense of peace. The closing scene reveals one of Xena's skills that we don't see very often. Reviewed first in October 1999 by Lunacy, this story reveals once again Morgan's understanding of the depth of the Warrior and Bard's connection. Pick any, or better still, all of Mary Morgan's stories for hours of rewarding reading. - Anonymous - Feb 7th, 2005