Frau Hunter Ash
(Aka Dana Cooper-Kjarr)
*Disclaimers
Ownership: Repeat after me: I don’t own Xena,
Gabrielle, etc. I’m borrowing them for
entertainment purposes, please don’t bother to sue me, you wouldn’t even get
court costs.
Rating: R
to NC-17 for sex.
Violence/Sex: Light actually. Sex = Strong R to NC-17
Subtext/Alt
Fiction/Sex: the story assumes a loving
and sexual relationship between people of the same gender and of the opposite
sex. If this offends you or is illegal
for you then please leave. Come back
when you are older, have an open mind, moved, or changed your laws.
Feedback: always welcome and responded to!
Storyline: Asher and Virgil have grown and have been asked to go on a special assignment for their Viking clan. Things are always complicated when it comes to Rome, Xena and Gabrielle. Old demons come back to haunt them both.
The
story can stand on its own but it is part of a series and you might want to
catch some of the earlier parts to know exactly who is who.
A Visit Home, an Awakening 1 * An Awakening, Discovery, 2 * Amazon Bonding, Awakening 3 * Healing, 4 * Trial of a Roman, 5 * Gladiator, Bard, Warrior, Mother; 6 * Reunited, 7 * Ides of March, 8 * Children of Gods, 9 * Even with Ares, 10 * Settling with Brutus, 11 * Darkness Awakening, 12 * Amazons North, 13 * Amazon Darkness, 14 * The Wild Hunt, 15 * Bard Scrolls, 16 * A God’s Twilight, 17 * Chakram, 18 * Death and Rain, 19 * Beowulf & Grendel, 20 * Night Stalkers, 21, * Blood Darkness, 22 * Aftermath, 23 * Here Comes Trouble, 24 * Northern Scrolls, 25 * Old Problems, 26 * Antony and Cleopatra, 27 * Love’s Return, 28 * Amazon Queen on Trial, 29 * Way of the Valkryie, 30 * Scrolls from Rome, 31 *
Part 1
Personal scrolls of Gabrielle of Germania.
< The boys are now 16 and 14, Virgil almost 15, and down south in Greece with Meg. I hate it when the boys are gone. Even though it has become fairly routine, I still hate it. The small cabin seems empty without their big heavy feet tromping through the place.
< At the same time I relish the closeness I get with Xena during the absence of the foster brothers. Hercules spends a lot of time during the winter at the small hunting cabin, manning the trap lines and missing Iolaus, giving Xena and me many long winter nights in front of the fireplace. >
<As I'm writing this, I'm smiling. I wonder if anyone would believe how gentle and romantic my warrior can be? Everyone knows of her passion and ferocity and probably reason that it carries over into the bed but I doubt many of them would believe a gentle and loving Xena.
< It does surprise me, though, that Xena has yet to show more signs of her typical footloose nature. She goes out in the Fall and Spring to run the trap line and to do some hunting. That usually takes a few days and she never seems restless or unhappy with all the years we've spent here. It's nice to have a home, healthy children, and a loving mate.
< Xena surprised me yesterday by returning home early from the trap line. It's springtime and she said the flowers and the newness in the air made her miss me. She can be such a romantic mush! She had ran into some traders at Eddval’s Steading and bought a beautiful silver chain with a silver wolf’s head, the eyes made of blood amber. It’s so beautiful and I know she traded some of her best furs for it.
< Then she took me for a ride on that wild war horse of hers. Slasher, what a name! I think the Vikings and their affection for naming everything is rubbing off on Xena. I have my own horse, of course, but she insisted on me riding with her. I figured she was up to something when she further insisted that I ride in front of her.
< I know my warrior and the heat was almost radiating off her. We rode further into the woods and I realized after half a candle mark that we were headed to the hunting cabin. I leaned back into her and let her arms wrap around me, so much like old times. I sighed as she began to nuzzle my neck.>
“Tell me,” Gabrielle insisted.
“Tell you what?” Xena purred, nibbling on Gabrielle’s ear lobe. “That you’re incredibly sexy, that I can never get enough of you?”
Xena grinned as Gabrielle’s body jerked when her hands traveled to the bard’s breasts and began loving them through the tunic.
“Oh gods,” Gabrielle muttered, gripping the saddle horn. “Tell me about the fight.”
Xena’s hands and lips stopped moving and she drew back slightly. “What fight?” she asked slowly.
“The one you got into coming home,” Gabrielle said with a grin, twisting so she could look in Xena’s eyes. “You’re aroused with battle lust, your bracer has two new slashes and I can smell blood.”
Xena shook her head. “You know me too well, Little One.”
“Yes,” Gabrielle said softly, leaning and twisting around to kiss her warrior.
Xena hugged her mate as Gabrielle turned to the front again.
“Some bandits saw me trading for the necklace and followed me on the road,” Xena explained. “There were five of them.”
“Oh Tartarus, I thought you might have actually gotten in a fight,” Gabrielle teased.
“Well, it was fun,” Xena admitted. “I bloodied their noses, took their weapons which I threw in the river and sent them back towards the Steading with no trousers.”
Gabrielle laughed until Xena had to hold her up in the saddle. “No trousers? They’ll have a devil of a time explaining how they all lost their trousers!”
“Yup and their weapons,” Xena grinned and lowered her lips to Gabrielle’s neck again. “It also got my blood going, I guess.”
“Oh, I’m not complaining, warrior,” Gabrielle said, her voice husky with rising desire.
* * *
“Mom!”
Xena looked up from her anvil with a grin. Asher and Virgil slid off their horses, dashed over to the tall woman and lifted her into the air between them.
“Scoundrels! Put me down!” she shouted with a laugh.
“Ash, Virgil!”
The tall Greeks put Xena down and turned in time to grab Gabrielle up in their arms.
Gabrielle laughed and hugged both of them. Both moms made them step back in order to look the young men over critically as they grinned.
Asher was a little taller than Gabrielle but not as tall as Xena and his hair had gone dark brown again. His beard was reddish and his blue-green eyes danced with a mischief that reminded Xena of Gabrielle when she was playful. His body revealed a strength that made him look older than his 16 years. Both mothers thought their son looked very much like a Viking.
Virgil looked a bit like his father, Gabrielle thought, her throat tightening with emotion. He had a shock of black hair that was as unruly as Joxer’s had been and the bluest eyes. The young man was lanky but with a natural grace. He was clean-shaven and looked slightly out of place in the Viking clothing.
Xena set aside the metal she was working on and banked the fire pit. Together the family headed for the cabin.
“Where’s Uncle?” Asher asked of Hercules.
“He’s off with the first of the raiding parties,” Gabrielle explained. “Some renegade Romans stole some cattle and took some horses.”
“There’ll be trouble on the borders,” Virgil nodded.
“Always is,” Xena shrugged.
“Augustus wants to open a new program along the borders and into Germania to reduce the tension,” Asher commented as he and Virgil took off their cloaks and hung them on pegs by the door.
“What now?” Xena asked.
“I still can’t get used to calling Octavian Caesar,” Gabrielle complained.
“I know,” Asher nodded, sitting down at the table as Xena grabbed up a keg of ale and Gabrielle set about preparing dinner. “It’s become a title instead of a name. Must be hard to separate that when you knew the man.”
“Yes,” Gabrielle nodded, watching an expected scowl cross Xena’s face at the mention of Caesar. Just the thought of the Emperor could get a growl out of her.
“What’s the plan?” Xena asked, bringing the conversation back around.
“To exchange warriors with some of the northern tribes,” Virgil began explaining. “They serve four years with a Roman legion, learning Roman ways and teaching the Romans Germanic customs and ways of thinking. The Roman warriors will serve with the tribes, learning and teaching the same.”
“Cultural exchange?” Gabrielle frowned. “I’m not sure how easily either side can adapt to each other.”
“You’ve done well,” Virgil pointed out.
“We aren’t warriors anymore and we were never Roman,” Xena growled.
Gabrielle’s eyes narrowed as she watched the subtle glances and exchanges of expression from the young men.
“What’s gives, you two?” she asked.
“Well, uh…” Asher stammered.
Virgil suddenly thought his wooden mug was very interesting and Xena began to glare.
“Why did you two bring this up? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of wanting to be Romans!” she snapped.
“Mom, I know how you both feel about Romans,” Asher began but Xena cut him off.
“You have no idea how we feel about Romans,” she growled. “Gabrielle died on a Roman cross and the Greek Amazons were almost wiped out by them. If you want to know what else happened to your mother, go ask your Roman friends about what they do to Germanic women they capture and sell into slavery.”
Gabrielle winced and lowered her head. It wasn’t something they had talked about with Asher and Virgil. Talking about surviving sexual assault, slavery, torture and gladiator training wasn’t something Gabrielle ever wanted to go over with her sons.
Xena quickly crossed the room and wrapped her arms around her mate, glaring at her son and foster son. "I'm sorry, love," she whispered. "I didn't mean to say that."
"I know, it just hurts," Gabrielle whispered back.
“Aunt Xena, that’s what we’re trying to prevent,” Virgil said softly. “Axel and Eddval asked us to volunteer for this.”
Xena nodded slightly, understanding better. “Learn Roman ways and learn how to defeat them when they get too aggressive,” she muttered.
“Yes,” Asher agreed.
“So your first loyalty is to the north?” Xena questioned with a frown, unsure how she felt about anything right then and Xena hated feeling confused.
“We’ve been raised Viking and Greek, not Roman,” Asher said calmly.
“There is no Greece anymore,” Xena countered. “It’s part of the Roman Empire.”
“I’m your son first, Viking second and Greek after that,” Asher said.
“I’m the son of Joxer and Meg, foster son of Xena and Gabrielle, I’m Greek,” Virgil said. “Raised part Viking. Rome is not my love.”
“I still don’t like it,” Xena grumbled.
Gabrielle turned out of Xena’s arms and faced the two young men. “Octavian is a decent Emperor and the Empire is peaceful,” she said thoughtfully.
“Don’t tell you’re thinking of agreeing to this,” Xena growled, holding Gabrielle from behind.
“Would we have much choice?” Gabrielle commented. “They are considered grown, in both lands.”
Xena grumbled behind her.
“Do we send them out with the raiding parties or on a raiding ship with our Viking kin or do we let them go and play soldier in the Roman army?” Gabrielle pondered.
“Oh hell, now I know how my mother felt!” Xena muttered.
“At least we’re not sending them off to war,” Gabrielle pointed out. “How does Meg feel about this?”
Virgil grinned a boyish smile that reminded both Gabrielle and Xena of his father, his blue eyes much like Meg’s.
“She, uh, kinda went berserk,” Virgil admitted with a sheepish grin. Asher smiled and ducked his head, remembering his foster mother’s rage and ranting.
“Meg began throwing mugs at us until we dived out a back window of the inn,” Ash added and Virgil smacked his foster brother’s arm.
“Good thing they were wooden mugs,” Virgil admitted. “She eventually agreed though as long as you both agree.”
“Terrific,” Xena growled and went back to turn the meat roasting on a spit over the fire.
“How long would be your service?” Gabrielle asked, trying not to let her natural feelings of protectiveness as a mother interfere with looking at the problem.
“Four years,” Asher said slowly, flinching when Xena threw a wooden spoon across the room in anger.
“Or until Eddval calls us back to the tribe,” Virgil added. “It’s not exactly like joining the Roman army. We have the choice to leave the Roman service if we’re needed back home. Same for the Romans who will be spending time up here.”
“We’ll think about it,” Gabrielle said slowly. “Why don’t you two see to your horses while we fix dinner.”
The youths quickly grabbed the opportunity to get out of sight from their angry warrior mother.
Gabrielle leaned on her elbow on the table, chin in hand as she frowned unhappily. “I’m not ready for this,” she admitted.
“You sure sounded ready for it,” Xena growled.
Gabrielle raised her eyebrows in surprise and in her own irritation. “Don’t get mad at me because they want to go off and be men before we’re ready,” Gabrielle said calmly.
“I know, I know,” Xena growled. The warrior wanted to hit something badly. She jumped as Gabrielle’s arms wrapped around her ribs from behind. She leaned back into Gabrielle’s embrace.
“Why don’t you go out and work off some of that?” Gabrielle suggested.
“You don’t mind?” Xena asked, the relief evident in her voice even though she tried to hide it.
“No, my love. I understand,” Gabrielle said, holding her warrior tightly. “I’m going to finish dinner and then I’ll work some of it off.”
“Okay, I think we need some wood chopped,” Xena said thoughtfully, her voice almost a growl. “Want to spar later?”
“Yes, and then I want to spar in the bedroom, my lover,” Gabrielle grinned, spinning Xena around for a passionate kiss that left the warrior breathless and off balance.
Xena grinned as she hugged Gabrielle.
“You always know how to defuse my anger, don’t you?” she whispered.
“Yup, now go work it out mentally and physically,” Gabrielle suggested.
++++++++
Asher looked around the barn door cautiously when he heard the familiar sound of an axe splitting wood and saw his Xena Mom taking out her frustrations on the wood. His mother was sideways from him and didn’t spot Asher as he ducked back into the barn.
Virgil looked at his foster brother’s face and smirked.
“Aunt Xena not handling this well?”
“She's taking it out with an axe,” Asher nodded in agreement.
“At least she isn’t coming after us with it!” Virgil teased, throwing himself onto a hay bale. “Think they’ll agree?”
“Yeah, eventually,” Asher said, sitting down on a hay bale near Virgil. “It’s something that Mom might understand. I don’t know about Mama, though.”
“What was Aunt Xena talking about? I’ve heard that Aunt Gabrielle was a gladiator but they’ve never told us the story,” Virgil asked.
“Uncle Hercules told me when we talked about Iolaus’ injuries once,” Asher said thoughtfully. “Mama and Iolaus were attacked on the road by Roman soldiers. Iolaus was crippled and left for dead and Mama was sold into slavery as a German. She ended up in a gladiator school. You know the rest.”
“Yeah, they were separated while Aunt Xena was pregnant and Gabrielle became a gladiator and fought herself out of the Arena,” Virgil nodded.
“Yes, she was scarred from lashings, branded as a slave, forced to wear a collar and raped repeatedly,” Asher added with a saddened expression and watched his younger brother grow pale.
“I’d never do that to a woman,” Virgil declared firmly.
“Me either,” Asher agreed. “Uncle Herk says a good lover doesn’t have to. That’s not sex, he says.”
“What does he mean?”
“Raping a woman isn’t about sex, its power,” Asher explained. He and Virgil had talked about sex often, especially over the last couple of years as their bodies changed and demanded new attention.
“I understand that, the thought of it makes me sick,” Virgil nodded. “I can’t even think of Aunt Gabrielle going through that, my stomach turns over.”
“Me too,” Asher said softly.
“Is it safe to go back inside?” Virgil asked as Asher got up and looked outside again.
“Nope, let’s go out the back and around,” Asher suggested.
++++++++++++++
“Goddamn Romans!” Xena growled, swinging the axe over her head, splitting another log. She positioned another piece of wood on the chopping block. “Caesars!” Another block split with a crack.
“Emperors!” Another block cracked and Xena growled at the knot that caught her axe. The wood didn’t resist her for long. “Gods and Queens!”
Xena growled and leaned on the axe handle, setting the head on the chopping block. She and Gabrielle had experienced some good years on the farm. Years of relative peace, just minor skirmishes with raiders, rival clans, and roving Romans. Nothing major.
The warrior wondered if the rest of the world thought them dead by now.
Xena couldn't believe her son and foster son wanted to go to the last place she would ever want either of them to be, into the hands of Romans. Even if it wasn’t as a prisoner or enemy, what would going through the rigorous training of a Legionnaire do to them? Xena knew if she and Gabrielle agreed to this that they would send off two boys and get back men. The question was if they would get back typical Roman soldiers.
Xena knew this day would come but she never expected them to head further South. The warrior had dreaded this, living among Vikings meant it was very likely that her sons would grow up to be warriors and go out on raids or even exploration with their adopted Viking kinsmen. Life in the north was hard, shorter as well.
Countering that was the need to live outside of Roman influences, at least until the world forgot about them, including Mars.
Xena moved the axe and sat down on the chopping block, her ears picking up the sounds of the boys climbing out the back of the barn. She smiled ruefully, that would be something to work on with them: moving quietly.
The warrior missed her Mom and she missed Solan. Xena had been very pleased when her first born had chose not to be a warrior. Xena never wanted that to claim him like it did his father and had almost cost his mother’s life and soul.
Xena growled, it had cost her soul for so many years. Because of a Roman. No, Xena mentally corrected. “I was on that path when Caesar found me, he just intensified it and pushed me towards a course of revenge,” she said to the dog as he padded up to her.
“Cortez started it and he was Greek,” Xena continued, stroking the dog’s head and rubbing his ears. “Caesar could have been Egyptian, Viking or even Celtic.”
Xena’s frown deepened. “Okay, maybe not all Romans are bad but I still don’t like soldiers and Emperors. Even Octavian is power hungry and all Romans are dangerous when it comes to power.”
The warrior stood up and headed for the house. She still hadn’t made up her mind how she felt about the boys choosing this path but she was a little calmer.
+++++++++++++
Gabrielle smiled when Xena entered the cabin and headed to their room to clean up for dinner. The boys were more subdued in their conversation than usual and overly helpful in assisting with the final preparations of dinner.
“Uncle!” Asher yelled, jumping to his feet when the door opened and Hercules stepped inside.
“Hey!” the Greek demi-god shouted back and grasped Asher’s forearm in his, unlike the usual hugs of a father to adopted son. Xena noticed and frowned slightly as her half-brother accepted her son as grown.
Virgil didn’t settle for a hand grip though, he decided he still liked hugs from his foster father and grabbed Hercules in a bear hug that brought a grin out of the demi-god.
Hercules noticed Xena’s quiet manner and frown and quickly looked to Gabrielle for answers but the bard shook her head. The large male settled in for dinner to wait patiently for answers about the obvious tension between everyone.
Gabrielle wasn’t surprised that once the conversation started and the boys explained their plans that Hercules wasn’t any more enthusiastic about it than Gabrielle was but not as firm in his refusal as Xena.
The discussion turned into an argument and back to discussion again until late in the evening when Gabrielle finally called a halt to it and demanded that everyone go to bed to sleep on it.
Xena paced restlessly in their bedroom as Gabrielle got ready for bed. She knew Gabrielle was watching her and waiting but Xena wasn’t about to explode and get into a fight with her love, nor was she going to give in easily either.
“Damnit! You still tense up whenever you see a Roman uniform and then have nightmares for days!” Xena finally growled, throwing herself onto the bed.
“Yes,” Gabrielle agreed calmly and climbed onto the bed beside Xena. “And you still have nightmares about my crucifixion.”
Xena was startled and felt her body jump. “How did you know?”
“My crucifixion, the Bacchanalia, or finding me dead from Grendel,” Gabrielle shrugged. “Does it matter? You have nightmares of losing me and I have the same ones about you. I dream of you hanging there after Grendel beat you to death, you in chains as I hung on that cross, hanging by your wrists when my ex-brother in law had you. I dream of being raped and of losing you.”
“I missed you and almost went insane while you were gone,” Xena admitted,
pulling Gabrielle into her arms. "I miss Solan too."
“Me too,” Gabrielle said softly, gently nuzzling Xena’s neck as the warrior’s body began to relax slightly. “It also haunts me that we don’t know what happened to Kiryk. A small little boy tossed somewhere at Callisto’s whim.”
“Our grandson,” Xena said thoughtfully. “I’ve tried to figure out Callisto’s twisted thinking and can’t come up with anything new. It’s been so long, he’s almost a man now like Ash and Virgil. We wouldn’t even know him.”
“Only if we check behind every young man’s ear for that birthmark of his,” Gabrielle smiled ruefully. “I can just see you lining every male from every village up and pinning their ears back.”
“I can’t believe he’s gone; Solan, Mom, Iolaus,” Xena whispered, feeling familiar tears springing to her eyes. “I miss them all.”
“I know but they live on in our hearts, my love,” Gabrielle felt her own tears beginning to fall. “I can still see Joxer in that goofy armor of his when we first met.”
Xena smiled, Virgil’s father had been such a clumsy oaf but with a heart bigger than Mt. Olympus. “Trying to impress Callisto by kidnapping you.”
“And then the man he finally grew into,” Gabrielle commented, lost in her memories. “He was a good man.”
“Yes, and he loved you and Meg very much,” Xena said softly, her hand gently stroking Gabrielle’s arm.
“So many losses over the years, Xena,” Gabrielle whispered.
“I know and it will just continue,” Xena said flatly. “The downside of being born from gods, we outlive our family and friends.”
“How could we ever face it if something happened to Asher or Vigil?” Gabrielle asked, her voice fearful. “Sasha is among the gods but even that isn’t totally without danger.”
“The same way we did with Solan,” Xena said gently. “We go on. Mom always said that a parent should never outlive their children. I really didn’t understand that until I saw that arrow sticking out of Solan’s chest. A part of you dies with them.”
“I remember,” Gabrielle muttered. “It was like time stood still, like a dream.”
Gabrielle snuggled closer in Xena’s arms. “Do you think that’s something we would ever get used to if we live long enough?” Gabrielle asked with a frown.
“No,” Xena answered after a moment of thought. “If I ever do, kill me. I would hate to live long enough to where death means nothing, especially the death of a friend or child.”
“With Rome constantly needing conquests, the boys could be heading for trouble,” Gabrielle continued to frown.
“I know,” Xena joined Gabrielle in the frowning. “We could hope that as cultural exchange soldiers that they’ll be kept in Rome or something.”
“I would hate for them to die for Rome!” Gabrielle suddenly hissed, one hand absently scratching at the scars on her wrists.
Xena didn’t say anything but she noticed the unconscious emotional pain coming through her mate and so held Gabrielle closer.
“I would hate for them to die for anything,” Xena commented and nuzzled Gabrielle’s hair as the bard broke into the tears of a mother facing a growing son, a son possibly going off to war.
Hercules glanced up as Xena padded into the living space of the cabin and sat down beside him. The demi-god unfolded his blanket and wrapped it and his arm around his half-sister as they watched the fire.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he finally said and Xena didn’t know if he was asking or stating.
“Gabrielle finally fell asleep after a good cry,” Xena commented with a shake of her head.
“We have to let them go,” Hercules said unhappily.
“I know, I just don’t like it,” Xena grumbled.
“Me either,” Hercules agreed. “I keep seeing Iolaus when we found him, half drowned, frozen and nearly dead. All he could think of was finding Gabrielle.”
“I know, I keep having flashes of the Roman soldiers pounding those nails through Gabrielle’s wrists and then her screams,” Xena said softly. “What if they want Ash and Virgil to become like that? Like I was?”
“Is that what frightens you?” Hercules asked gently. “That Ash will turn to a dark path like you did for awhile?”
“Awhile?” Xena snapped, sitting up. “Years, Herc, years. Yeah, that scares me and the thought of them becoming full Romans scares me. The thought of them dying under a Roman banner scares me and the thought of them going to war against their northern cousins scares me. It all scares me and I don’t like being scared.”
“Me either,” he agreed. “I still can’t believe Iolaus is gone even after all this time. It’s like I’ll reach out and he’ll be there.”
“I know,” Xena leaned back into Hercules’ arms. “I miss his laugh.”
“We’ll miss them all eventually,” the demi-god said bitterly. “I think that’s one reason the Olympians stay clear of humans, mostly. Compared to eternity, normal humans have such a short life span, especially when taken early by war, accident or illness. It hurts, so they detach themselves and surround themselves with each other, never growing older, never getting sick and never dying.”
“I can understand that a little now,” Xena agreed.
“How am I supposed to go on for eternity without him?” Hercules complained. “I believe he was my mate and now he’s gone.”
“His soul will return to you in another,” Xena suggested.
Hercules nodded, not convinced.
“We’ve raised Asher and Virgil to be good men with a strong sense of honor,” he commented after several moments. “They weren’t raised Roman so they won’t be blind in devotion to Her. If pushed, their Viking honor will win out, I think.”
Both of them were silent for a few moments.
“Any idea when Sasha's coming home for a visit?”
“Probably any moment now,” Xena said with a grin. “She always knows when Virgil and Asher are home and shows up.”
“Would be good to see her too,” he agreed.
“How am I supposed to let them go?” Xena whispered, tears filling her eyes.
“Like any other mother or father, with a smile, a bundle of food, some hidden coin and a lot of tears after they’re out of sight,” he suggested.
“When in Tartarus did the kids grow up?” Xena muttered.
“When we weren’t looking,” Hercules grinned.
* * *
The next two weeks went by too quickly for the family. Just as Xena had predicted, Sasha had appeared for breakfast the next morning. Gabrielle had been delighted with the strand of amber pieces Sasha brought her and Xena's grin had been almost feral when her daughter presented her with a brand new sword, just like the one the warrior had been carrying for years but had almost worn down.
Sasha next gave her Uncle a new cloak that had been woven by Frigga to hold off the cold. For Asher and Virgil there were new Viking long knives called saxs.
Xena had taken out her frustration on the woodpile that day when Asher and Virgil admitted that, if they agreed to the cultural exchange, they could only stay two weeks. Gabrielle had taken to the thick forest in a run and Xena had attacked the wood until there was a stack large enough to see the small steading through a month.
Gabrielle came back resigned to the fact her son and foster son were leaving. Xena had brooded for two more days. Not even Gabrielle could pull her mate out of her mood.
Xena glanced up from the bank of the river and growled, turning her attention back to going through exercises with her new sword. Sasha smiled and sat down on the grass, watching her mother with open admiration.
"Gonna tell me I have to let them go?" Xena growled.
"Nope, Gabrielle is whacking the demons out of several trees with a staff and then she's going to impale them with those sais of hers, I think," Sasha grinned. "I thought you might like to spar a little."
Xena, knowing her daughter was more than an equal match for her, nodded.
* * *
Xena's mood wasn't much better the day warriors from the major steadings arrived for Asher and Virgil but she kept it to herself. She and Gabrielle managed to say goodbye to the two youths without embarrassing them in front of the older warriors.
When the warriors rode out of sight, Gabrielle turned in Xena's arms, letting her tears fall. Xena felt her own emotions shutting down. Both Hercules and Sasha recognized the warrior's tightening jaw muscles and weren't surprised when Gabrielle backed out of Xena's arms, gently stroked her wife's cheek for a moment and then nodded.
"Go," Gabrielle said softly as Xena stood rigid, emotions playing across her face in a struggle. "It's okay, go."
Xena whimpered softly and was gone into the tree line in a flash.
"Gabrielle?" Hercules asked as she wiped at the tears.
"You know Xena," she said simply. "She needs some space."
"What about you?" he asked, frowning that Xena would leave while Gabrielle was hurting.
"She'll come in tonight, sneak into bed behind me and hold me while I cry," Gabrielle answered. "She did the same thing when Sasha left."
Hercules wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"I'll cook dinner," Sasha offered as Gabrielle glanced towards the woods.
* * *
< Mothers Brie and Ylsa, Uncle Herkvar; - I hope understand the use of your Northern names.
< We both hope this finds you well and happy. We also hope you understand our decision to do this.
< Virgil and I are doing well. I must admit that the training is harder than I ever thought. The Roman officers and trainers are hard and treat us almost as captives instead of trainees but the other soldiers accept us easily. It helps that we aren't the only "barbarians" from the north here. We've kept our classical side to ourselves, not even letting some of the Romans know that we speak some of the more civilized languages. It's come in handy at times. Thanks Mum Brie for that suggestion.
< Virgil is actually getting some meat on those skinny bones of his. I think he'll always be lean but he's losing some of that awkward boy stage. Me, I'm doing okay with the training. My fellow soldiers in training are amazed that we can read and write and have asked me to write letters home to families almost every night. I'm thinking of hiring my services out. Major laugh there.
< We haven't had any time off in these first six months, so we haven't gotten into too much trouble. Because of our youth and Northern origins, they've assigned us to the Praetorian Guard, probably serving guard duty for some minor Senator or something. We'll be assigned in another six months. The Emperor likes having Northerners for his guards because of our known loyalty and fierceness in battle.
< We won't be able to make it North for a visit any time soon. We will be able to visit Mom Meg though this winter for a couple of weeks.
< How is the farm this year? Hope we can get a scroll from you. We are with the Legion assigned to Rome. Your loving sons, Asher and Virgil. >
***
Gabrielle wiped a tear away as she handed the scroll over to Xena and Hercules.
"They sound good," she said softly.
"Yeah," Xena agreed, reaching out to hold Gabrielle's hand. "They grow so damned quick, even when you're watching them."
"Yes," Gabrielle nodded, moving to sit next to her mate, letting Xena wrap an arm around her shoulders. "I love you, Xena."
***
< Virgil and Asher of Gemania; thanks you very much for your scroll, it was a most welcome surprise, just in time for the Summer harvest. Things are well here, your Uncle managed to break his leg during a boar hunt; he will be fine but grumpy.
< Ylsa is off spending time with your sister and her patrons. I'm spending the time preparing the food for the coming winter months. There's always more work to be done around the steading, as you know. I think your Ylsa mom is getting a little restless without you scamps to keep her busy during the summer months. I must admit that I am missing you terribly but I do understand the need to strike out on your own and forge your own path. I was only a little older than you when I snuck off in the night to follow my dream and Ylsa. I'm glad that you trusted us enough to talk with us about your decision and didn't have to run off in the night as I did.
< You know my history with the Romans and soldiers, please be careful and always keep your heads. You already have our hearts with you. Love always, your mother Brie >
***
Gabrielle knew that Asher and Virgil would read between the lines and know that Xena was off with Sasha, Odin and Freya, solving some sort of feud that was about to get out of hand. She didn't want to worry the boys but she wanted to be honest with them at the same time. They were off becoming men and soldiers, after all.
The bard was more than pleased that Asher and Virgil were writing to them and Meg. She also rejoiced at their intelligence and writing skills.
Gabrielle hated staying around the cabin with Xena gone but someone had to stay and keep the preparations for winter going and look after Hercules with his broken leg. The bard hadn't revealed how bad the break had been to Asher and Virgil but she knew they'd figure it out if it laid up a demi-god with rapid healing abilities.
In reality, Hercules had almost lost the leg when a boar had snapped a spear and managed to reach the Greek with its massive tusks, ripping into his leg deep from knee to groin, almost taking his manhood with most of his blood.
Xena's nerve pinch had slowed the bleeding but the bone had been broken badly and the muscles ripped. Even with his rapid healing abilities it was going to take at least two weeks before he could walk without crutches.
Hercules, watching the bard seal the scroll with a heavy sigh.
"Xena will be home soon," he commented.
"Yes, Odin said it wouldn't take too long to settle everything," Gabrielle nodded.
"I'm glad he called on Xena," Hercules said easily.
"Yeah, southern Germanic tribes with a good mixture of former Romans," Gabrielle said thoughtfully. "Odin thinks Xena will have insight into the Romans that he doesn't."
"It's a sound move," Hercules agreed. "But I miss her too."
Gabrielle said a quick prayer to Frigga and Freya for the safe return of her mate as she settled into an evening with her best friend.
* * *