Discovery, An Awakening II

by Frau Hunter Ash

Disclaimers:  Repeat after me: I don’t own Xena, Gabrielle, Argo - etc etc etc. I am only borrowing them for my own entertainment, and hopefully, yours. This story is written for entertainment only and no copyright infringement is intended. Warning to anyone wanting to sue: don’t bother, it wouldn’t be worth it.

Alt Fiction/Sex: Yup, and it’s between two consenting adults of the same gender. If this is illegal in your state or country, change your laws or move. If this type of story bugs you, leave now, I can only say I hope the sex scene is intense.

Violence/Language: Hmmmm, this does have some hurt and comfort aspects of the main characters. Also, one bad word.

Storyline: This story answers a question put forth in the story "A Visit Home, An Awakening." I hope the story stands alone on its own but you might want to read A Visit Home first. I hadn’t intended on starting a series of stories but, there it is. It happened and I hope you like ‘em.

Gabrielle learns some truths about her past and some surprises.

Feedback: Yes, please! <beg> <beg> Don’t worry, I don’t bite. Wait, that’s not right, I do bite. Okay, I promise not to bite hard.

Revised: June, 2001

             

Gabrielle stood up from the small table in the room and began pacing again, parchment and pen discarded on the table.  She knew it was going to be another sleepless night and it wasn't the first one of the week either. 

Once again she cursed the bandits who were causing all the trouble for her and her mate, her beloved Xena.  The bandits had attempted to take over two villages and Xena had spent her time running back and forth between the villages, building defenses, training the villagers and tracking the bandits for over a week now.

Gabrielle had barely seen Xena in all that time and never overnight.  The bard was beginning to get a little more than irritable from worry and lack of sleep.  She also felt helpless and that made her even more irritable than usual.  No matter how often it happened she just couldn't get used to being left behind when Xena left for battle.

Gabrielle looked out the window at the stars, lost in thought.  It wasn't that she wanted to fight, the bard knew herself well enough to know that she couldn't kill.  It was just being left behind by Xena that was bugging her. 

The reddish blond woman smiled to herself.  How many times had she and Xena fought over this very issue?  How many times had she disobeyed the warrior?  Then she smiled ruefully to herself, how many times had she gotten into trouble because of it?

She had reluctantly agreed to stay out of the way this time.  The bandits were hitting in several places at once and no one knew where they were going to strike next.  Xena hadn't wanted to worry about her and everyone else at the same time.  Adding to the danger was that these bandits were slavers, a chill ran down any woman's spine at the thought of being captured by this lot.

The bard practically flew across the room at the soft knock on the door.  She cautiously opened the door, hand on her staff and looked into the hallway. 

The dark haired warrior had knocked softly on the door and was pleased that it opened almost immediately.  It was late and she was afraid the occupant would be asleep and she didn’t want to go pounding doors down looking for the small figure that opened this door.

She smiled and pulled back the hood of the cloak she was wearing to let the woman see her face.

“Xena!” Gabrielle exclaimed and dragged the warrior through the door.  The bard quickly removed the wet cloak from her tall mate and gasped.  "Oh gods," she muttered.  Gabrielle had seen her mate after battle before but it was always a shock when Xena came in from the field.  The bard's eyes quickly took in the torn leathers, dented metal, and slashed bracer.  She gasped at the vicious looking slash across the warrior’s thigh that was bandaged with what looked like a two day old bandage. Blood was still trickling from a wound on the warrior's sword arm and her left eye was swollen and beginning to turn black and blue.

"Come on, love" Gabrielle coaxed the warrior into a chair and began removing the dented and cut leather armor.  After the smaller woman removed the upper armor, Xena leaned back in the chair.

"Missed you," she said softly, closing her eyes.

"I missed you too, my love." Gabrielle responded, kneeling down before the warrior and began to tug at the knee protectors and laces of the warrior's boots.  With a little more encouragement she got the warrior to stand and was able to remove everything but the leather shift from the tall woman.  Xena barely opened her eyes as she let the bard lead her to the bathing room.

Gabrielle quickly barred the door and pulled the leather off her warrior and gently guided the battered body into the tub.  The bard was frowning as Xena sighed with pleasure at the warm water.  Gabrielle made a mental note to find and thank whoever had the foresight to fill the tub when they saw the warrior come in.  Xena's head dropped forward almost immediately as Gabrielle grabbed a sponge and began rubbing the tired body in front of her.

"Can't let you stay in too long, my love." Gabrielle said softly. "Don't want to open those wounds any more than they are."

"Hmmm," Xena mumbled.

Gabrielle frowned.  It wasn't like Xena to relax this much anywhere except maybe in a barred room in the arms of her bard.  Gabrielle couldn't say that she had ever gotten used to Xena's heightened sense of alertness, brought about by years of being a warrior and a target, but she knew it was in the warrior's nature now and for Xena to drop off like this was unusual and worried the bard.

A knock interrupted her and she carefully unbarred the door to find the Captain of the Guards standing there, helmet in hand, looking about as grime covered as Xena had been.

"I wanted to make sure she made it here. It's over, the bandits have cleared out and both villages are safe.  She rode very hard to get here,” he told the bard.

"Thank the gods, can you send for the healer, she has a bad cut on her leg."

"Of course, I'll get her personally.  Both villages owe you both a great debt." Misenus replied with a smile.

Gabrielle waved off his thanks.  "Don't worry about it, it's what we do."  With an answering grin he was gone and the bard turned back to getting a nearly unconscious Xena out of the tub and dried off.  With another curse about bandits she got the warrior back to their room and into bed.

Within a candlemark the warrior had her leg stitched up and both arm and leg bandaged and was sleeping sounding in the bed.  Gabrielle was worried, Xena hadn’t even awakened when the healer began stitching the leg.  Both Gabrielle and the healer looked at each other and the healer moved up the bed and felt the warrior’s forehead.  The bard was instantly by her side when the young woman swore under her breath.

“What’s wrong?” the bard demanded.

“Fever. It may just be from exhaustion.  Get her to take some of this herb with her tea and get some food and other liquids in her.  Rest is the best thing right now.”

“Then she’ll get rest.” Gabrielle promised and the healer recognized the stubborn set of the bard’s jaw.  The healer knew the fierce reputation of the former Conqueror of Nations but she had a feeling that this smaller woman in front of her was just as stubborn as the warrior.

“Good. No roughness, no fighting, no traveling. Her body needs rest.”

Gabrielle thanked the healer and was surprised when the woman refused payment.  “The village Guard Captain said the village would pay for all your keep and Xena’s care.”

Once the healer left, the bard felt overwhelmingly tired.  It had been a long week for both the warrior and bard.  She pulled off her clothing and changed into her night shift.  With a sigh the bard crawled into the bed next to her warrior and wrapped her arms around the taller woman.  For once Xena slept soundly in the bard's arms instead of the other way around.

Xena woke up and groaned.  Her body hurt everywhere all at once.  With experience of a hundred battles she assessed her condition, feeling the bandages on her leg and arm and bruises everywhere.  She took in her surroundings and was glad to find herself in a solid room with a solid bed.  The warrior sighed; she began remembering making it back to the village and to Gabrielle.

Another moan escaped her lips as she attempted to sit up.  Xena smiled a painful smile when the bard entered the room with a tray in her hands. 

“You shouldn’t be sitting up!” Gabrielle scolded.

“Why not? I’m not out of bed.  I have a feeling you’re not going to let me out.” 

The bard smiled and placed the tray over Xena’s lap and then sat down on the bed beside the warrior.  She frowned and felt the tall woman’s forehead.

“Still a little warm, you are definitely not getting out of bed today.” the bard announced and Xena grinned. 

“Does that mean you’ll be joining me?” she invited and Gabrielle laughed as she suddenly darted out of reach of the warrior.

“None of that, my Princess. The healer said you were to rest and rest you shall have.” Gabrielle giggled at the frustrated look on her mate’s face.

“At least kiss me,” the warrior complained and the bard quickly agreed by removing the tray and lavishing kisses all over the warrior’s face, neck and almost to the warrior’s breasts.  Xena’s breath became rapid and shallow.    

“Keep that up and you won’t get out of this bed either,” she growled and the bard danced out of her reach again.  “Gabrielle,” the warrior threatened.

With a slight shake of her head, the bard moved further away and stood by the bed, trying to catch her breath.

“Nope, rest you will have.”  The small woman couldn't resist an evil grin at her mate.  Then the bard sat down on the bed again, replacing the tray of food, encouraging the warrior to eat.  “Seriously, how bad was it?” she asked and her quick green eyes didn't miss the look of pain that passed over her lover's blue eyes.  Xena's smile disappeared and she looked tired again.

“We lost a lot of good men.  They just wouldn’t give in and it turned brutal at the end.” 

“Brutal?” Gabrielle whispered.

“You don’t want to hear this.” Xena protested. 

Gabrielle felt a wave of love for her mate; Xena was always trying to protect her.  She placed her hand over her warrior’s.

“Yes, I do. You’re wounded, exhausted and probably came very close to being killed several times.  I want to hear that it worked out.”

“It did, but not before they hanged several of our men that they had taken prisoner.  They hanged them right in front of us.”

“Oh gods,” the bard whispered.  Gabriellle was sorry on several levels, she realized.  The young bard closed her eyes as she pictured the scene and felt the overwhelming sorrow that the villagers must have felt.  She was also angry, it was all so damned senseless!  The men who died, their families who watched and for Xena who had to lead those men.  Gabrielle feared what that might have done to her battle scarred warrior's darker side.

“Yes.  We finally broke them.  The remaining leaders will probably face those same ropes when the villagers have tried them.”

“You didn’t.....”

Xena smiled at the unasked question.  “No, I didn’t give into the darkness, even when that happened.”

“I love you, Xena.”

“I love you, my bard.”  Xena suddenly looked frustrated.  “For crying outloud - hand me my pack from last night.  There was a reason I was riding like demons were after me and I fell asleep instead!"

"You were feverish, exhausted and in pain." Gabrielle countered as she handed the warrior the pack with a puzzled look on her face.  She started to ask questions but Xena held up a hand for silence while she rummaged through the pack.  With a worried look she pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to Gabrielle. 

The bard turned over the folded paper several times, it had been sealed with wax but bore no impression in the wax and no writing on the outside.

“A messenger came yesterday with that from your family.  I figured I could move faster than he could after the battle.”

“My family?” the bard whispered.  A look of concern overcame the bard’s lovely features and she unconscious pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes.  Green eyes sought out the blue ones of the warrior.

“You won’t know until you open it, little one.” Xena encouraged, feeling the same dread grip her own heart.  Families like Gabrielle’s didn’t hire messengers for simple letters to relatives.  It had to be important.

With a sigh the bard broke the wax seal and unfolded the parchment. 

The little bard read the writing twice, blinking rapidly.  It wouldn't sink in.  What? 

"No!" she was trying to think.  Father? 

With a cry she threw the parchment down and went to the window, looking out at the rain.  Xena carefully removed her breakfast tray and picked up the parchment.

 

Dearest Gabrielle, Patronius, the healer is writing this for me. I hope this finds you well. I must tell you that your father suffered an accident two days after the Spring Full Moon and is gone.  I do not know if this will reach you in time for the funeral but it would be good of you both to come home for a few days. I love you and you are both welcome.  Lovingly, Hecuba.

 

“Oh gods, Gabrielle, I’m sorry,” the warrior, ignoring the advice of the healer, was out of the bed in an instant and took the bard into her strong arms, letting Gabrielle finally break down and cry. 

The words finally sank in as she felt Xena's arms grab her and turn her around.  She slid into her warrior's arms as the tears began to fall.  With the last bit of confusion and strength she let Xena lead her to the bed and let herself be enveloped into the warrior's strength. She finally let go as she realized the impact of the words her mother had written.

Her father was dead. 

After awhile the tears had slowed down and Xena began to make out words.

“Xena, I was so angry when we left! He thought I didn’t love him!”

“No, little one.” Xena stroked the lovely, reddish blond hair and held her little bard tight against her body. “We talked before we left, he loved you very much.”

Gabrielle was confused.  When they had left Gabrielle's home her father had been in a rage.      

“You talked? After all that shouting and ordering you out? You remember his face when he found out I loved you!”

Xena smiled, she did remember his face.  She also had a pretty good idea what her own face had been like when he had ordered her gone, Gabrielle to stay and challenged the warrior.  Fortunately, Gabrielle had stepped between them and calmed everyone down.  Xena was now grateful she hadn’t thrown him through a window like she had wanted. Gabrielle wasn't sure if her father ever realized how close he had come to being thrown through the closed barn door that day.  Or killed.  

Herdoctus had come to her later and apologized for his behavior and for the way he had treated Gabrielle and Lila growing up.  He was willing to try and change.  Xena cursed his stubbornness now, he hadn’t wanted to approach Gabrielle and tell her that just yet.  Now it was too late to say it himself.

Xena told this and everything else to her bard as she held the younger woman.  The warrior tried to comfort as best she could, she knew Gabrielle both loved and sometimes hated her father.  Herdoctus had been quick to use his fists too many times on his daughters for Xena’s taste and the thought of anyone hitting Gabrielle could bring the warlord back to the surface instantly, but she had tried to be understanding for Gabrielle.

Gabrielle listened, stunned.  Her father apologized for his behavior?

Xena went on to tell her that he admitted he hadn't been a good father sometimes and regretted it.  The warrior also blushed when she told her mate how Herdoctus had questioned Xena about her love for Gabrielle and how he made the warrior promise to make his daughter happy. 

"Why didn't he tell me?" Gabrielle whispered, tears beginning again.

"He was too stubborn.  He thought it was too soon after the fight and he promised to tell you the next time we visited." Xena again held the bard as she began crying again.

Finally, Gabrielle felt like the tears had stopped, at least for awhile.  "I need to see my mother," she whispered.

“Of course, we’ll leave immediately.” 

Gabrielle frowned and sat up on the bed, looking at her mate.  With careful eyes she noted the haggard look of her mate, the thinness, the bruising and the flushed feverish look.  "What are we going to do, you can't travel with those wounds and fever."

“I’m not staying here!” Xena protested right back.  “There’s still bandits out there.” 

“You can’t go right away either!”

Xena began muttering.  Then she threw her drinking cup across the room with a scowl.  She knew Gabrielle was right, her leg was in incredible pain just from crossing the room to the bard and she felt as weak as a newborn. 

“Feel better?” the bard asked with a smile.  Xena scowled as Gabrielle began packing her things.  “I’ll take a horse and you can follow in a couple of days.  It’s a short ride and it’s in the opposite direction of the fighting.” 

“I am not amused!” Xena growled.

Gabrielle felt her heart grow heavy with the thought of leaving Xena, of being separated again so soon and crossed over to the bed.  She reached out and gently stroked Xena's cheek and Xena nuzzled the hand.

“I know, but I need to get to my mother and Lila.  I also have to stop in the next village and see my uncle.  My mother left a parchment for me to read if something happened to either her or my father.”

"Parchment? What about?"

"I don't know, she said it would answer some questions I had growing up and why my father sensed something different about me." Gabrielle moved back to packing.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Xena questioned, her own curiosity awakened.

"I didn't want to think about it. You know how curious I can get, I figured if I forgot about it I might be able to resist wanting to know what it was.  That and I didn't want to think about reading it soon." Gabrielle turned and fought back another round of tears.  To read that parchment meant that her father or mother was dead.

It was too soon!

“For once I need to leave you behind, my love,” the bard said.

The irony was not lost on the warrior, it was usually Xena who left Gabrielle behind at some inn for up to a couple of weeks at a time to settle some war or bandit problem, especially when she needed to move fast.  Gabrielle’s reluctance to ride a horse often meant her staying behind.  The bard continued packing.

“You hate to ride,” Xena mumbled.

“Yes,” Gabrielle agreed simply.

“You’ll be careful?”  Xena’s voice suddenly sounded small and the bard turned from her bags and threw herself into her warrior’s arms, both crying.

Gabrielle did hate traveling by horse.  She hadn't grown up around horses and they made her nervous.  After several disasters with Argo, Xena had finally been able to teach the young bard how to care for Argo but Gabrielle still hadn't gotten used to riding.  Now, as she approached her uncle's home she was feeling it all through her body.  Fortunately the stable owner had given her a very gentle mare and Gabrielle had been grateful during the day's ride.  Now, she just wanted off the horse and a warm bed for the night.

The bard frowned as she stopped the horse outside the door of the house.  It was getting close to dark and there weren't any lamps lit inside and no smoke coming from the fireplace.  Gabrielle dismounted cautiously, staff in hand and ready for any potential trouble.  No one answered her knocks and she entered slowly.

After a quick scan through the house she realized that no one was home and hadn't been all day.  She lit a lamp and went back to the horse and retrieved a piece of blank parchment along with her pen and ink.

She had decided to leave a quick note to her aunt and uncle and continue onto the next village for the night.  She didn't want to impose on her uncle's home without permission.

Xena reluctantly stayed in bed for two days, having promised Gabrielle just that.  That didn’t mean she was happy about it and on the third day she was ready to travel before the sun came up.  Argo, picking up on her master’s energy, stomped her hoof, ready to be going as well.

Misenus met her at the stable door as she mounted Argo.

“Thank you, Xena.  Any time you need anything you just have to ask.  I’ll always be in your debt.”

“Call it even for the healer, Misenus.” she smiled and grabbed his arm in a warrior’s handshake.

The young man shook his head with a grin.  “Can’t call it even yet, warrior. My little sister was one of the women you saved from those bandit slavers when you snuck into their camp by yourself and freed them.  Don’t think that I don’t know what risk you took for that one.”

“We’ll call it even if you don’t tell Gabrielle exactly how many times I risked my neck.” she grinned back.

“Nah, but I agree.  Farewell, Xena.”

Movement caught Gabrielle’s eye as she walked out the door and she instinctively flung her staff up over her head in time to catch a sword blow.  She felt the broken staff catch her cheek and felt blood begin flowing.  She ducked back through the door but it crashed inward before she could bolt it.  She felt the table against her back and grabbed for the lamp as her attacker was framed in the doorway. With a growl she launched the lamp at him and was satisfied but horrified at the same time when the fire caught his clothing.  The man screamed and fell back out of the doorway.  Gabrielle ran to the door to see him rolling on the ground, attempting to put the flames out. 

"Damn you, Gabrielle!" he cried out, batting at the flames.

Gabrielle stood stunned, looking at the man.  A memory flashed to the surface, her wedding.

"Mens?" Perdicus's brother?  "What?"

"You're dead, bitch." he muttered as the last of the flames went out.

Gabrielle looked in his eyes and saw the light of madness in them.  She quickly flashed on several decisions and tore at the necklace around her neck, letting it drop beside the broken staff at her feet.  Then she bounded onto the horse, sending the poor mare flying down the road.

"Gabrielle!" Menestratus screamed after her.

Gabrielle suddenly wished she was on Argo.

Xena made good time and was pleased to be entering Poteidaia by the next evening.  She had taken it easy on Argo and the horse had kept up a good steady pace.  She directed the horse directly to the house where, just four months before, she had discovered the exact nature of Gabrielle’s feelings for the warrior and had wanted to toss Herdoctus out the window.  Fortunately because of the family confrontation, both the bard and warrior had been forced to admit to each other the depth of their feelings and had bonded immediately as mates.

Lila greeted her knock at the door and surprised the warrior by hugging her tightly.  “Whoa, little one.  What’s wrong?”

“We were worried, the messenger said that he had reached you and when you didn’t get here a couple of days ago we began to get worried.” the teenager said, pulling the warrior into the living area of the house where Hecuba rose from her chair and hugged the warrior as well.

“Didn’t Gabrielle tell you I was following behind?” Xena asked.

“Isn’t she with you?” Hecuba whispered.

“What? She left me two days ago.”  Lila grabbed Xena and pulled her over to a chair, noticing the stunned look on the warrior’s face and the heavy limp.

“She’s not here and we’ve had no word.” Hecuba said softly, looking to the warrior for answers.

“She said she was going to stop and see her uncle and then come here for the funeral.” Xena told the two women.  She stood up quickly and winced at the pain in the leg.  “Where does your brother live?”

“Two villages over to the east.  His name is Harpalion and he’s the baker. Hurry, please.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll find her.” Xena promised, heading out the door.

 Lila followed her out. “Let me come with you.” she pleaded.

“No, your mother needs you here and I’ll travel faster alone.”  Xena quickly mounted her horse and leaned down and touched Lila’s hair.  “I’ll find her.” she promised again and urged Argo off at a gallop.

Gabrielle entered the village slowly, leaning over the poor mare.  Both looked and were exhausted.  She had taken the road leading to Poteidaia and then backtracked, as she had learned from Xena, hoping to throw Mens off from her trail.  So far, she hadn't heard him following behind her for a couple of hours.  The bard wasn't going to count on that though, Perdicus' brother was a soldier and hunter.  She was sure he could pick up her trail, if not in the dark then at first light. 

She had kept riding, having to slow down for the poor horse.  The bard spotted the welcome lights of an inn and hitched her horse to a post outside. 

Gabrielle entered the tavern carefully, just as Xena had taught her, she thought. She felt a familiar longing in her heart and soul, a longing and fear.  She really wished Xena was with her.  Even when under attack she was rarely afraid with Xena around, now she was being chased by someone who said they wanted her dead and she was unarmed and without her mate.

Seeing only local farmers and such the bard moved slowly to the bar and smiled a tired smile at the barkeep, a middle aged man getting around on a pair of crutches.

"Can I help you?" he asked. "I have excellent rooms and my cook is wonderful."

"No, thank you. I need to trade my horse, she's done in and I'm in a hurry.  It's very important."

"I'm sorry, young lady, but I don't think so." he frowned.

"The stablemaster?"

"I own the stable too." he seemed to be looking Gabrielle over and frowned again.  "You need a bed, food and rest, not another horse." he commented. 

"You're right but I don't have the time nor the option, thank you. Listen, do you trust the word of Xena?"

"Yes, totally." 

Gabrielle was pleased and surprised, Xena's name could bring a lot of reactions out of people and they weren't usually positive.  She was pleased that she had taken the chance with this man.  She was also determined to change those other opinions of Xena someday.

"I'm a friend and she should be a couple of days behind me. I swear before all the gods that she'll make up any difference in the value of any horse you want to trade me. Please."

The barkeep frowned and then nodded.  He began moving down to the other end of the bar and around it.  He stopped for a moment to talk with a very large woman serving drinks.  Then he joined Gabrielle at the door.

"What demon is after you, girl?" he asked as he looked over her horse and began pulling the saddle and bags off.

"I need to get somewhere quickly."

"Listen, I'm not a fool. You've a cut on your cheek that hasn't been attended to. You've been riding hard for quite awhile, your clothes, hair and horse show it. You're on the run from something or someone."

Gabrielle fought back the tears that threatened to spill out of her eyes.  "Someone wants to hurt me and I'm going somewhere safe."

"Until Xena can find you? Or is it Xena that you've pissed off?" he asked with a grin.

"What? No, nothing like that. She's my friend."

"I'm Timicus," he said, extending his hand.

Gabrielle let her instincts take over and smiled at the man, returning his handshake.  "I'm Gabrielle," she responded.

"The bard that travels with Xena."

"Yes,"

Gabrielle was surprised when the large woman came around the building leading a large horse.  Timicus smiled at the young woman's surprise.

"Xena's a friend of mine, too. You need to travel fast and this guy will do it."

Gabrielle swallowed.  "Okay."

"You should stay, you'll be safe here. My word as Xena's friend that I'll protect you." he said seriously.

"Thank you, Timicus. I don't know if Mens is alone or not, I know he's a bandit and there might be others with him. Where I'm going it would take an army to reach me.  I just have to get there in time."

"All right, I'll watch for Xena and you can trade horses when you come back this way. You'll also find a pack of food on the big guy."

"Timicus, I can't...."
The bar owner held up his hand, cutting off her protests.  "Don't worry about it. You're always welcome here. Orithya, help her onto the horse."

Gabrielle blushed but accepted the larger woman's help up into the saddle.  Timicus reached up to shake her hand again.

"He's a good horse and not stubborn.  Just ride straight there and he'll fly."

"Thank you both."

Gabrielle let the horse have his lead and he began to fly and the young bard felt a ray of hope as she hung on for dear life.

“Where does Harpalion live?” Xena asked in the tavern later that night.  She was dusty from the road and her voice was stern and short. 

“I’m Harpalion, you must be Xena,” a voice said next to her.  The warrior turned and found a middle-aged man standing at the bar.  She could see the family resemblance between him and his sister.

“Yes, is Gabrielle with you?” 

“No, please come to my house, I think I might have something for you.” 

Once inside his simple but well kept house he sent his wife to bed and came back from their bedroom with Gabrielle’s broken staff in his hands.  Xena’s heart sank as she took the pieces in her hands.

“What? How?”

“My wife and I were away to her family for a wedding.  When we returned I found this note,” he handed the warrior a parchment.

“Dearest Uncle Harpalion, sorry to come in while you were gone.  Mother told me about the parchment you had for me if something ever happened to my father or mother.  I don’t know if you heard about my father’s accident but he has died and I came to retrieve the parchment.  I will come back and get it after the funeral, I am going home now. Love, Gabrielle.”

“I found the staff just outside the doorway, that’s what is puzzling me.  The staff and this,” he handed the warrior a necklace of beads, bones and feathers.”  He frowned.  “That’s Amazon, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.  She never made it to Poteidaia.  Something’s wrong and she’s telling me she heading for safety with the Amazons.”

“Find her please, warrior.”

“My word on it, Harpalion.” Xena pledged as she slipped the necklace over her neck.

“Here, take this with you, I know she’d trust you with it.” he said, handing her a small pouch.  “Inside is that parchment and a bottle of something that her mother left with me.”

“Thank you.”  Xena frowned at the pain when she mounted Argo again.  She looked down and saw the bandage on her thigh was bloody.  She cursed under her breath and urged the horse down the road. 

Xena was more than a little worried.  It had to be something very serious for the Bard to be fleeing to the Amazon nation and to miss her father’s funeral.  Especially serious for the bard to put off finding out the answers to a mystery.  Xena smiled to herself, Gabrielle seemed to be born with an innate curiosity that could drive Xena crazy upon occasion.  Keeping secrets from Gabrielle was almost impossible, especially when she got her teeth into a mystery.

Gabrielle allowed the horse to slow down a bit as she approached Amazon territory, beginning to think that she might make it to safety.  She stopped the horse to take a drink from a waterskin when a crossbow bolt shot past her head.  With lightning speed she found herself holding another bolt in her hand, having caught it on instinct.  She looked down the road and saw Menestratus reloading his crossbow.  With a snarl she urged her stallion back into a run and headed across the meadow, heading for Amazon territory, clinging to the horse.

As her horse broke through a line of trees Gabrielle heard a challenging bird cry but didn't stop her horse until she was across a clearing and in another tree line.  She fell off the horse and dashed behind a tree, raising her hands and clasping her wrists together in a sign that she was unarmed.

She heard Menestratus break into the clearing on his horse, looking for her. 

"Stop there or die!" a harsh voice shouted out from the trees.

Gabrielle peeked around the tree and saw the man stop his horse, looking puzzled. With a snarl he began to move the horse forward again only to pull up suddenly when several arrows penetrated the ground in front of the horse.

"You are entering Amazon territory and you are not welcome.  Leave or die." the voice ordered.

"Send the girl out! She's not one of you!" he demanded.

Gabrielle sensed movement and turned to see several Amazons drop from the surrounding trees, weapons at ready.  They went to their knees immediately upon seeing her face. 

The lead border guard spoke, "My Queen, do we kill him?"

"No," Gabrielle glanced back at Menestratus. "Tell him you have granted the bard sanctuary and to leave." she instructed.

The lead border guard shouted that at Menestratus who glared about him, obviously debating whether to risk it. 

"Let me kill him, my Queen." one of the Amazons demanded.

"No, put an arrow over his head. Part his hair." Gabrielle smiled grimly.

The Amazon grinned and took careful aim.  The Amazon Queen had no doubt in the archer's ability, even shooting at a target on a horse shifting on its legs.  Menestratus cursed and turned his horse at a run when the arrow clipped his ear.

The border guard leader turned to her Queen, noting the exhaustion and the cut cheek.  "My Queen, I'll send a runner ahead to announce your return.  Menthia will ride behind you and escort you to the village. I'm going to double the guards on the border."

Gabrielle nodded as one of the guards bounded onto the horse and then helped the bard into the saddle.  By the time they reached the village Gabrielle felt her head dropping forward and the Amazon behind her discreetly put her arms around the small bard, holding onto the reins and keeping her Queen from falling out of the saddle.

Gabrielle was barely aware of reaching the village, hearing anxious and demanding voices.  Not really listening as the runner and her escort told the Regent Ephiny what they knew of Gabrielle's presence there.  She was aware of being helped down off the horse and into someone's arms.

"Xena?" she whispered.

"No, my Queen. I wish she were here to explain this, though."

Gabrielle smiled at Ephiny's voice.  "She's safe." she whispered and closed her eyes again.

In the next village Xena finally got some partial answers from an old friend. 

“Xena?” the older man hobbled out from behind the tavern bar on crutches to shake the warrior’s arm.  “I don’t believe it! How are you? What brings you here?”

“How are you Timicus?” she asked, letting herself be led to the bar.

“Better than you, I think.” he commented, looking her up and down.  Xena merely shrugged.  “Orithya, bring my guest food and port!” he called to the barmaid.

“I don’t have time, Tim.”

“Yes, you do.  When was the last time you ate?” he demanded, pulling a chair up to a table for her.  “And when was the last time someone changed that bandage.  “Orithya, the healing supplies too! And clean water!” he shouted.

“I really don’t have time, I need information if you have it.”

“Then you’ll have it while I change that bandage and you eat.” the barmaid completed the delivery of all the items her boss wanted with several trips and then helped Timicus in changing the bandages.  He whistled when he saw the wound.  With a shake of the head he poured healing herbs on it and followed that with salve.  Xena hissed as he rebandaged the leg while Orithya bandaged the arm.

“That wound is not looking good, warlord.”

“I’m not your warlord anymore, Tim. I’m not anyone’s warlord.” Xena said between bites.

“I know, thank the gods.” Tim grinned.  “I couldn’t afford to lose another leg.”

“Tim, I’m sorry about that.....”

He held up a hand and laughed.  “Enough! We’ve been through this. Losing that leg was the best thing to ever happen.  Got me out of your army and soldiering and into this bar.  I’m married, got four kids, money set aside, good employees and I’m happy.  How about you? I hear you’ve changed.”

“Yes. Tim, I don’t have time, I promise I’ll be back and we’ll catch up.”

“All right, finish eating and tell me between mouthfuls what brings you here.” he sat back in his chair after whispering to his barmaid.

“Have you seen a bard traveling through, probably in a hurry. She’s small, reddish blond hair, small but wiry build.”

“Yes, named Gabrielle.”

“Yes! You’ve seen her?”

“Yes, two days ago.  She came in here and offered to trade her horse for a fresh one.  I wasn’t going to trade but she asked if I trusted your word.  I told I trusted you with my life and she said you’d pay any difference between the animals and that you’d probably be following.  I asked her what devil was after her.  I mean, Xena, she was scared.  Her hair was messed up and she was dusty from the road and she drank two goblets of water real quick like.  She told me to tell you that someone is after her and she’s heading for the Amazons.  I made her grab some food and she was off immediately.”

Xena was nearly frantic but Timicus held up his hand to stop her.  “Finish your food.  It won’t do her any good if you fall out of your saddle.”

The barmaid came back with a pair of saddle bags and handed them to Xena.  “Filled with travel food, my friend.” Tim answered her questioning eyebrows.

"You were always a good man, Tim." Xena stood and winced at the pain and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.  Tim looked concerned and reached forward slowly to feel her forehead as well.

"You're burning up, my friend." he scolded.

"I've got to go, Tim."

"You need rest, you're friend is either safe or dead by now."

"She's not dead, I'd know that.  I've got to get to her as soon as I can." Xena threw the saddlebags over her shoulder.

"Is it true then, warrior?" Tim smiled and Xena hesitated at the door.

"Is what true, friend?"

"That the mighty Conqueror was conquered?" he grinned and then laughed when Xena began blushing.  "Go and come back this way, I want time to meet her."

With a sheepish grin the warrior was back on the road.

The closer Xena got to Amazon territory the better she felt about Gabrielle.  She hadn’t found the bard yet and hopefully that meant she had out rode whoever was after her and Xena was confident in the ability of the Amazon’s to protect their Queen. 

With her arm wounded the warrior wasn’t as fast as normal and it cost her.  Xena found herself coughing in the dust of the road, wincing in pain from the arrow sticking through her shoulder and from landing hard.  With a growl she rolled off the road and drew her sword as she regained her feet.  She was limping heavily and the pain was clouding her eyes.  The warrior barely even caught a glimpse of the butt end of a crossbow before it hit her.

Gabrielle moaned as she opened her eyes, her body felt like it had been under the horse and not on top of it for the last two days.  She raised up on her elbows, looking around and taking in the familiar sight of the Queen's hut.  She sighed with relief, barely remembering making it to the Amazon territory.

Ephiny rose from the chair she had been sitting in and sat on the bed next to her Queen.

"I hope you don't mind me watching over you." the Regent smiled.

"Not at all, my friend." Gabrielle looked around again. "How long was I asleep?"

"Twelve hours." she grinned at the bard's shocked expression.  "I figured from your condition and how tired that horse was that you've been riding hard for at least a day and night."

"That's my second horse." Gabrielle confessed with a smile.  She groaned again as she tried to move.  "This reminds me why I prefer walking,” she complained.

Ephiny grinned and stood up, helping the bard to her feet.  "Get dressed and we'll feed you. You can also tell me what's going on."

Gabrielle did explain from the point of leaving Xena behind in a village and getting attacked at her Uncle's home by her ex-brother in law.  Ephiny looked as puzzled as Gabrielle felt.

They sat down in the eating hall with food.  Gabrielle welcomed the sight of food, having eaten little for several days.  She hadn't been eating well when Xena was gone and she had been on the move and then on the run for days after that.  Ephiny frowned at the sight of her Queen, too tired and too thin, she decided.

"I don't get it," Ephiny complained. "Why would he want you dead?"

"I haven't a clue!" Gabrielle complained right back.  "And I don't know what to do with him!"

"What can we do? If he's determined to kill you then he has to be killed." Ephiny said simply.

"No, you know how I feel about killing."

"Gabrielle, my Queen," Ephiny placed a hand over the bard's. "I know how you feel but it's sometimes not an option. Either we kill him or Xena does."

"Xena, any word from her?"

"Not yet. You said she'd be three days behind you, it'll take her some time to get here."

"Maybe I can talk to him and find out what is going on." Gabrielle suggested. 

"No! I approached his camp last night while you were asleep and asked that very question." Ephiny said slowly.

"And?" Gabrielle demanded, her jaw taking that stubborn set.  She felt really frustrated and irritable.  Much like her warrior, the bard hated not being in control like this.

"He refused to say why he wanted you, only that we should send you out and soon.  I told him that you were under our protection and he wasn't happy about it."

"What in Tartarus could he want?!" Gabrielle snapped.

"I don't know. I've got scouts watching him.  He's staying just outside of our territory, waiting for you."

"I need a bath." Gabrielle muttered.

"And something to hit too, I think." Ephiny grinned and ducked Gabrielle's playful swipe at her head.

"Gods, I wish Xena were here." the bard muttered.

Ephiny watched as her young Queen crossed the common grounds towards the Queen's Hut.  "So do I, Gabrielle. I've got a feeling you two are even closer than ever and that you really need her right now."

Gabrielle, feeling the same, let her tears fall into the bath water.  Crying for her father, her family, her lover, and herself.

She also cursed Menestratus, whatever his reasoning, he was keeping her away from her family, her father's funeral, and her mate.

 

“This is not my week,” the warrior muttered to herself as consciousness began screaming at her.  Once again, her trained mind took over and assessed herself and her surroundings.  She muttered another curse.  The warrior was blindfolded and that always presented extra problems when you didn’t know where you were and you weren’t ever sure when you were being watched.

Xena took several deep breaths and extended her senses.  She felt manacles on her wrists attached to chains; arms outspread, holding her body weight up.  She stood up to relieve the stress on her arms and wrists, especially the wounded shoulder which was feeling like a hot poker was being prodded into the wound right then.  Bird and other animal noises reached her as well as the scent of forest.  She hadn’t been taken far then, she thought.  No sunlight but it was still warm, not night-time yet, that meant she hadn’t been unconscious long.

Personal assessment: head hurt like Tartarus, thanks.  The leg was throbbing and felt swollen and that was not good.  The wrists hurt, of course, but the major pain was the shoulder wound.  Xena moved slightly and it felt like the arrow had been removed but the shoulder wasn’t bandaged.

All in total, the former Warlord summed up: not good.  Manacles would be extremely difficult to get out of, especially blindfolded.  Not bandaging the warriors wounds probably meant her attacker didn’t mean to keep her around.  Kidnappers usually wanted their captives healthy until they got their money.  She didn’t think this one wanted ransom.

“I know you’re there.” Xena said simply. “What do you want?”

Further movement told the warrior that her armor had been removed and so had the dagger between her breasts.  Damn!

“Your death,” a male voice answered, in a simple conversational tone.

“Terrific, stand in line.”

The male laughed and Xena felt him approach from in front of her. Then Xena's head was rocked back and she could taste blood in her mouth and felt it flowing from her nose from the punch she had just received.  'I hate being blindfolded,' she thought to herself again.

“I think I moved to the front when I caught you. Although your wounds probably helped slow you down.”  Xena did scream this time when she felt fingers jammed into her leg wound and quickly bit her lip.

"That's better," the voice approved of the sound.

“Who are you and what do you want?” Xena demanded.  It was hard standing on one leg for any length of time but it hurt too much to put weight on the other leg.  She didn’t want to drop and let her wrists and arms take the weight of her body either, that would set the shoulder bleeding, not to mention the pain.  This was not a good situation, she decided again.

“I told you what I want, your death.”

“What for?  Who are you?”

“I am Menestratus, brother of Perdicus.” 

“Why in all the hells of Tartarus would you be stalking Gabrielle, your sister-in-law?” the warrior demanded and was surprised when her head rocked back and forth from the force of the blow from Menestratus’ fist connecting with her jaw.  The warrior knew if she could see it would be only stars for the moment.  She shook her head and moved her jaw around, testing its movement.  She spit blood at where she had last heard his voice.

“She is no sister of mine!” he hissed, this time in her ear.  She hadn’t heard him move while she was still reeling from the blow.  He was now behind her.  Xena felt the familiar sensation of a blade at her throat. She hadn’t been on the receiving end of that kind of threat often but she knew how a blade felt.

“Because of both of you my brother is dead."

"Gabrielle loved Perdicus."

"And now she loves you.  The only good thing in my life is dead.  She talked him into giving up his sword and your creation, Callisto, killed him.  Gabrielle took something away from me and now I'm going to take something away from her."  While ranting Menestratus left a small and shallow wound along the warrior's throat, just enough to sting and draw blood.

"This isn't going to bring Perdicus back and it won't help you. Listen to yourself, you've become just like Callisto, the one who murdered your brother in cold blood." Xena said calmly.

The warrior gritted her teeth as she took several punches to the small of her back.  The blows managed to knock her leg out from under her and the full weight of her body was snapped up by her wrists, arms and shoulders.  As lightning hot pain shot through her body from her shoulder the darkness claimed the warrior again.

 

Gabrielle was wrapping leather around a new staff when Ephiny ran from between some huts and skidded to a stop in front of her.

"Gabrielle! My Queen,"

Gabrielle quickly stood up and grabbed Ephiny's arm.  "What is it?" she demanded.

Ephiny swallowed visibly and then brought up a familiar shiny object. Gabrielle took it in her hand, staring at it, stunned.

No one else had a chakram like this, no one but her mate.

"Xena?" she whispered.

"Menestratus told the border guard that he has Xena and that you are to meet him in a clearing five marks from here at sundown or she dies." Ephiny said through gritted teeth.

"No," the bard whispered and Ephiny placed a hand on the young woman's arm to steady her.

"Gabrielle, you can't do it." Ephiny growled.

Flashing green eyes met the Regent's. "I won't let her die!" Gabrielle hissed.

"And I won't let either of you die!"

"Then let's get her back." Gabrielle said simply, heading for the main hut.  "Bring the scout and guard leaders in.  I want the best archers we've got ready to leave in half a candlemark."

"Yes, my Queen," Ephiny dashed away to get the instructions out before joining Gabrielle in the hut.

"Hesione," Gabrielle called out to another Amazon as she walked.

"Yes, my Queen!"

"Tell the Healer to be prepared," she ordered.

"Yes, my Queen!"

Gabrielle entered the hut with a curse.  She had been afraid for herself, now she was terrified for her lover.  She knew Xena wouldn't have gone down without a fight, which meant the warrior was probably even more wounded than the last time the bard had seen her.  Gabrielle felt the stirrings of hatred beginning.  She could understand just a touch of that darkness Xena had once fallen into.  She was beginning to hate Menestratus.

 

Gabrielle followed quietly behind the scout.  Traveling with Xena had taught the bard how to walk silently through the forest and through the tree tops.  Having been adopted into the Amazon tribe had furthered her training.  Xena had been pleased whenever they visited the Amazons that Gabrielle had taken every opportunity to train with the women warriors and scouts in addition to her studying of the Amazon scrolls. 

The scout stopped and motioned her Queen forward.  Gabrielle moved cautiously along the large tree branch and glanced into the clearing.  The scout grabbed the bard's arm to steady her as the scout heard a growl from her Queen. 

Gabrielle felt a roaring in her ears and eyes clouded over, seeing red.  Then she shook her head and cleared her vision. 

Chained and blindfolded between two trees was her mate, her lover, and her life.  Gabrielle was close enough to see the bloody wound at the warrior's thigh and the blood seeping from a wound in her shoulder.  She clutched her bow as she saw Menestratus approach Xena and then hit her in the face, sending the warrior's head snapping back and forth.  Gabrielle bit her own lip as Xena's began to bleed.

"How soon is everyone in position?" she whispered to the scout.  The scout sent out several bird calls and received several back. 

"They are in place," she answered.

"Good."

Ephiny joined them. "Everyone is ready, Gabrielle. Let one of the archers take him." she urged.

"He's mine." Gabrielle said flatly.

"Scout, take a position in the next tree." Ephiny ordered and the smaller Amazon scurried through the tree and away.  "Gabrielle, let one of the archers take him. Don't give into this feeling, this is what Xena fights against for you."

Gabrielle felt her muscles begin to relax and the roaring in her ears began to die down.  She lowered her bow and her head.

"You'