Wild Hunt, An Awakening XV

by Frau Hunter Ash

Disclaimers: 

Ownership:  I don’t own Xena, Gabrielle, Hercules, Iolaus or any of the others appearing in the TV show.  Please don’t bother suing me for copyright infringement.  No harm is intended and I don’t have any money.

Subtext/Alt Fiction/Sex:  this story is of people of the same gender involved in loving and sexual relationships as well as people in loving and sexual relationships of the opposite gender.  No graphic sex this time, sorry.  If these types of relationships are illegal where you are or just bug you, then leave.  Come back after you get older, open your mind, move or change your laws.

Violence:  Yes, there is violence in this one with a fight scene and one murder.  It’s not graphic but the content could be disturbing.

Storyline:  Xena, Gabrielle and family have traveled to their adopted Germanic family in the North and get involved with a local mystery involving dark sorcery and ancient legends which just might claim Gabrielle’s soul.

I hope the story can stand on it’s own but since it is part of continuing series, you might want to read some of the ones before this for background information in the Awakening series.

             

Eddval’s wife, Alfhild, couldn’t believe she was hearing a pounding at the door of the long hall.  She saw several of the family members looking up in confusion at the door and then back at her and knew that she wasn’t hearing things if others were hearing it too.

She figured that Eddval must have been returning from the animal hut with his arms full and banging at the door with his foot.  Alfhild grinned and went quickly to the door, her hand resting on the spear kept by the door, just in case.

When the Norsewoman opened the door she could only see a figure in fur and leather holding a bundle in its arms, the face hidden deep in the shadows of a fur hood.  Alfhild could also see a couple of other figures in the blinding snow near the one standing at the door.

“Alfhild, Mistress of this Steading, we seek shelter and welcome,” a voice requested from under the hood, the voice speaking German with an accent placed the owner as a foreigner to the region.

“We know you, stranger?”

“It’s Ylsa and family,” the voice answered.

“Xena!” Alfhild threw open the door and dragged the fur covered person inside and others quickly got to their feet and helped pull the other figures inside out of the blinding storm.

The inhabitants of the Steading acted quickly and efficiently, stripping the wet fur clothing off of the figures, pulling them close to the fires while women dashed back and forth to warm towels and heat water.  The figure in Xena’s arms was revealed to be Gabrielle, barely coherent and nearly frozen.  The only one not suffering from the cold seemed to be Sasha who had been held inside of Solan’s fur clothing and shared his body heat.

Alfhild warmed some water to lukewarm and gently placed Xena’s hands into the water and grimaced as the warrior hissed with the pain.

“What by Hella’s Halls were you thinking?” Alfhild demanded, “traveling in this weather?”

“We didn’t have a choice, Alfhild, how are the others?” the warrior asked as someone knelt at her feet and began cutting away the laces holding the fur around her boots.

Alfhild glanced over and saw Gabrielle shaking her head, toweling the wet hair dry and then reaching out with shaking hands for a mug of lukewarm soup.  A quick look at the young male and female confirmed they were also beginning to snap out of the cold haze.

“Better than you, Ylsa,” Alfhild growled and looked up when the door opened and closed quickly, her husband Eddval Skull Splitter entering the Long Hall.  His sharp blue eyes took in the sight of the household bustling around the visitors and then grinned when he recognized Gabrielle and Xena.

“Brie, Ylsa! By Thor’s beard, you must have the blessing of the gods to have made it through that snow!” he exclaimed in a loud voice at the Greeks, using their adopted Germanic names and dropping the bag of apples he had brought in and hurried over to the warrior.

Xena grinned a lopsided grin.  “I’ve been told a couple of the gods like us,” she agreed.

He frowned as he took in the sight of her hands in the warm water, thawing out.  “How are they, wife?” he asked.

“They’ll live and I think keep all their fingers and toes.  Another mark and I wouldn’t be sure.”

“What were you thinking, Ylsa?” Eddval demanded and was surprised when Xena grinned at him.

“Your wife was just asking the same thing.  We were with the Northern Amazons and planned on visiting you in the spring thaw.  We had to leave early,” Xena said simply.

“Someone from the North let you travel in this mess?” he demanded, his face taking on a look of rage that Xena hadn’t seen before.  She began to wonder how he got his nickname. 

“They didn’t give us a choice,” Gabrielle answered in a tired voice.

“Eddval,” Alfhild looked up at her husband, “arrange bedding for our family. Ylsa, are the young ones mates?”

Xena grinned as she saw Solan and Reija blushing.

“Yes, the Amazon shaman performed a marriage ceremony just before we left.  This is Solan, my son and Reija, his wife.”

Gabrielle grinned as she watched Solan straighten up with obvious pride.  It was the first time that Reija had been called his wife.  Xena joined in the grinning as Reija reached out and took Solan’s hand in hers.

“Welcome to my home, Solan and Reija, Ylsa and Brie are family, therefore you are family.  I assume the little one is Sasha?  She has grown, Ylsa, and is beautiful.” 

The tall Viking knelt down and looked into the blue eyes of the child and grinned.  “Do you remember me, little one?” he asked softly.

“Uncle Eddval,” she answered and crawled up into his strong arms.

Gabrielle watched Xena begin to relax, knowing that her family was now safe.  Xena and Gabrielle both knew that the Norsemen would die protecting their adopted Greek family members.

They hadn’t seen any Amazons trailing them for a couple of days but that wasn’t unexpected; they hadn’t been able to see anything for three days in the blinding snow.  The bard had no idea how Xena had been able to lead them to Eddval’s Steading in the blinding snow, but she was grateful to be in out of the snow.

“After you sleep and eat you must tell us the tale of why you are in the snow, Brie,” Alfhild encouraged, taking the mug of soup from the bard as Gabrielle’s head began to drop forward. 

Gabrielle was barely aware of hands helping her to her feet and over to the sleeping benches against the walls.  Gentle hands and soothing voices helped her under the furs.  The bard did yelp when she felt someone join her in the furs and it wasn’t Xena.

“Do you remember me, Brie?” a voice asked, “I am Askel. Ylsa and you are too cold to share body heat; if you will permit me I will share my body heat with you.  I vow on the blood of my father that you are safe in my arms tonight.”

 
            “Gabrielle,” a voice floated through the haze of Gabrielle’s sleepiness and she opened her eyes slowly to see blue ones looking at her.  She smiled a welcoming smile as she took in Xena squatting next to the bench where the bard was sleeping.

Then a puzzled look crossed the bard’s face and Xena grinned, watching the bard try to gather her thoughts as Gabrielle realized that someone was holding her in bed but Xena was sitting next to her.

The bard yelped and sat up quickly, looking down at the handsome young Viking with his arm still thrown over her, sound asleep.

“It’s okay, I woke up with company this morning too,” Xena grinned at the bard’s blushing face.  “It was a good way to warm us up quickly.”

“I remember, sort of.  How are the kids?” Gabrielle asked as she stood up and pulled a woolen blanket off the bed and wrapped around her shoulders.  She followed Xena to one of the fire pits.

“Still sleeping but good, better shape than we were in.  Solan and Sasha were sharing body heat and Reija was behind everyone else, following a well blazed trail.”

The activity of the Long Hall continued around them, people walking by with various duties and tasks, taking a moment to say good morning and to welcome the Greeks back to their family. 

Gabrielle gratefully took a bowl of porridge and a hunk of bread from one of the women and another handed the warrior the same.  The couple sat down next to the fire and slowly ate, letting their stomachs slowly get accustomed to the idea of being full again.

As they ate Gabrielle noticed Xena shifting her shoulders and rolling them, trying to work out very tired and sore muscles.

“I don’t remember most of yesterday, how did we get here?” the bard asked and her quick eyes noticed the blush on Xena’s face at the question.

“I… uh, I followed a wolf,” the warrior whispered.

Xena’s quick reflexes caught the bowl that Gabrielle dropped just before it hit the floor.  Gabrielle shook her head and took the bowl back, her eyes still wide with astonishment.

“What?” she hissed quietly.

“Hecate told me that the Northern gods have been keeping an eye on us.  It seems that they think Sasha has something to do with their future, Hecate wouldn’t say what.  That’s why the Valkyrie was sent to help me when Sasha was born.” Xena began explaining.

“And the wolf?”

“You know that wolves and ravens are Odin’s, the Norse god, right?”

“Yes, I remember the last time we were here,” Gabrielle nodded.

“Yeah, you probably remember more than I do with that bardic memory of yours,” Xena grinned.  “I’ve had dealings with Odin in the past and I didn’t think we parted on such good company but I took a chance when I saw a wolf in front of us in the snow, waiting patiently.  The wolf led us here.”

“I wish I had been there when Sasha was born,” the bard said wistfully and Xena felt an instant pain in her heart, Gabrielle frowned at the warrior’s expression.  “What is it?”

“You were supposed to be there, Gabrielle,” Xena said painfully. 

“What do you mean?”

“I wasn’t sure I was going to tell you but we promised no secrets between us.  Hecate said that the Valkyrie came to me because you weren’t with me and you were meant to be.  You were supposed to protect me and bond with Sasha from the beginning but you were taken from me.” Xena reached out and took the bowl and cup from the bard’s hands and placed them on the floor and held the bard’s hands in her own.

“The Fates meant for me to be there?” Gabrielle asked softly her eyebrows furrowing in thought and question.

“Yes, that’s what Hecate told me.”

“The reason I wasn’t there was because I was a slave, someone caused that?  It wasn’t random?” Gabrielle’s eyes were beginning to shine with realization and with that came anger.

“No, you were set up to be captured,” Xena felt her eyes filling with tears just thinking about what Gabrielle had gone through at the hands of the Romans; repeated rapes, beatings, lashings, branding, and being forced into gladiator games to fight for her life. 

“Someone took me from you intentionally? Someone put me in that Arena?”

Xena winched at the strength in Gabrielle’s hands as the bard clenched her fists.  The warrior could see the anger settling in the bard’s eyes as the knowledge hit her.

“Yes,” Xena said simply.

“Ares!”

“Yes.”

Gabrielle closed her eyes, her jaw clenched tightly. 

Eddval walked up to the two women and stopped when he saw Gabrielle’s face.  He looked at Xena with an expression of worry.

“She’s about to go into a berserker rage,” Xena grimaced at Gabrielle’s grip.

“Bring her to the door, I’ll grab cloaks for you.  Take her to the barn and let her beat up the post there, they’re very large and she’s very small.” He advised.

Xena grinned as she encouraged the bard to her feet, Gabrielle still with her eyes closed.  The warrior noted the quickened breathing and the trembling muscles. 

“You don’t know Gabrielle when she’s angry,” Xena grinned at Eddval.

The tall Viking looked down at the woman struggling to contain her rage and nodded with a grin.  “I’m not sure I want to, Ylsa,” he agreed.

When Gabrielle’s eyes focused once more, she was breathing heavy, was lightly covered with sweat and her muscles felt like she had just been through a workout.  Looking around from her position of sitting on the dirt floor of a barn, she spotted Xena leaning against a large post, also breathing heavily, sword in hand.

Gabrielle looked down at the sais in her hand and began to blush from the realization she had lost control again.

“Xena?” she whispered.

“It’s okay, Gabrielle,” Xena sheathed her sword and knelt down next to the bard. “I hit you with something rough there.”

“Ares set me up to be a slave,” Gabrielle’s eyes narrowed in anger again but she put the sais away in their boot sheathes. 

“Yes,” Xena said, sitting down on the floor. “Because of it you weren’t there when Sasha was born and it set in motion you ending up on that cross and dying.  Because the gods had to accept your Bacchae side to bring you back, Hecate helped me out in finding you and healing me.”

“I don’t know what I’ll do if I ever see him again, Xena,” Gabrielle stated flatly.

“I know, little one.  I’m not sure I trust my control either.  I haven’t had a chance to work it off and I don’t think this anger will go away.” The warrior reached out and gently stroked Gabrielle’s cheek.  “What happened to you… I will personally castrate him!”

“Xena, do you have any idea why Artemis won’t appear to me?” the bard asked in a soft voice. 

“No, I don’t.  I know the gods can be selfish but I thought she would have come to you when the Amazons were killed,” Xena commented, reaching over for Gabrielle’s fur cloak from the hay bale behind them and putting it around the bard’s shoulders.

“Do you think she’s rejected me because of the Bacchae blood?”

“I hope not, little one.  You’re still the best champion the Amazons have seen and it’s not your fault what Bacchus did to you.”

“Gods, I’m tired of all of this!” Gabrielle complained.  “Think we can get a break for a while?”

“At least another two months!” Xena laughed.  “I don’t think anything or anyone can make it through that snow out there.”

“Good, we need some down time.”

Xena grinned and got to her feet and pulled her mate up into her arms for a long kiss.

“I agree,” Xena whispered. 

After a moment they headed for the door.

“I remembered something, Xena, that I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

“What’s that?” The warrior asked, stopping at the door.

“Now that you know who your father is, are you going to tell Hercules when they get here in the spring?” Gabrielle asked and tried to resist smiling at the look on her mate’s face.  “I mean, Zeus is your father too and you and Hercules got awfully close.”

Xena’s face began to blush profusely.  “You are so in trouble, Gabrielle!” she threatened.

Gabrielle laughed and moved several feet back into the barn.

“He’s going to find out sometime!” she grinned.  “It’s not like you knew who your father was at the time.  Happens all the time with the Greek gods.”

“Gabrielle,” Xena’s voice was a low warning growl.

“And you both are so damned good looking,” Gabrielle giggled and then made a dive for the hay bales as the warrior leaped for her, the bard laughing as she dodged a blushing warrior.

Xena let loose with a war cry and flipped forward into a somersault and landed in front of Gabrielle, cutting off the bard’s intended escape route from behind the hay, and tackled her wife, both laughing as they fell into the hay.

“Xena!” the bard screamed as Xena’s knowing hands sought out the bard’s tickle spots.  “Stop! I give! I give!”

“You promise never to tease me about this again?” the warrior growled.

“Yes, I promise!” Gabrielle gasped around her giggles, still trying to evade the warrior’s hands.

“Okay,” Xena stopped tickling her mate to lean down and kiss her.  The bard instantly responded back into a passionate kiss.

 
            Later that night Gabrielle sat in front of the main fire while the large extended family sat around, drinking mead or cider and listened to the bard tell the tale of their adventures with the Northern Amazons.  Their battles with Alti in the spiritual and physical realm and then of Sasha and Solan being accepted as Gabrielle’s adopted children and accepted into the tribe.

Xena noticed that the bard didn’t expand on her Bacchae condition to the Norsemen and women, the bard just told them that Alti had put her under a spell and caused her to kill the Amazon Queen Arja.  Gabrielle also described her initiation into the tribe but not in great detail and again Xena wasn’t surprised.  The warrior knew that shamanistic journeys could be very difficult to describe and very personal too. 

When Gabrielle got to the part of Solan and Reija’s romance the Northerners grinned, they delighted in love stories, especially doomed couples, the warrior knew from past experience and Gabrielle turned the explanation of what had happened into a bardic tale.  Weaving a story around Solan and Reija falling in love and facing up to the Elder Council, willing to accept any consequence for that love.  The bard told how the Greeks had been forced to leave under the cover of darkness for fear of the power hungry Law Speaker Mattita wanting to kidnap Sasha away from them and kill everyone else.  She didn’t tell them the total reason why Mattita had wanted Sasha that it was because Sasha was the daughter of gods.

Xena felt the room of people shift in their places.  The thought of someone killing them for their children brought growls out of the men and women.  Several warriors fingered their daggers and several mothers reached out to reassure themselves that their own children were at their feet as Gabrielle described leaving in the snow, fighting the ice river and trying to dodge arrows from the Amazon archers intent on taking Sasha from them.

Again the bard left some major details out of the story of their escape, Xena reflected but didn’t blame her mate.  She understood that Gabrielle didn’t want to tell everyone how badly the warrior had been injured and the only reason she was alive was that a Goddess had shown up to heal her.  She also understood that Gabrielle didn’t want the Northerners to know that she had suffered from a massive bacchae attack because of the blood she had lost to her own wounds.

The bard had nearly died because of it.  Only Xena being willing to offer her own blood had saved the bard and turned the darkness in Gabrielle into light by turning it into another connection of their love.

The warrior just hoped the bard was through fighting it and would just accept the cravings as part of her life now and not feel so damned guilty about it.

The bard ended her tale with the Greek family struggling along the rough and storm tossed coastal sea waters to reach the nearby coast and then fighting their way through the snow storm to the Steading of their adopted German family.

After her tale there were many toasts to the gods, the ancestors, the Norns and to the Greek family in honor of their survival and their courage.  By the end of the rounds Xena’s head was fuzzy and she gladly accepted Gabrielle’s hand and let the bard lead her to the sleeping benches.

 
            The family easily settled in for the remaining winter months with their adopted family.  Xena helping with the blacksmith, Gabrielle and Reija filling in with the women with the usual chores, Solan helping with the cooking and Sasha learning the duties of the household as well.

With the slaughter of one a sheep or pig each month, Xena was able to secure some of the blood for Gabrielle.  The warrior also gave her own blood and arousal for Gabrielle’s Bacchae needs each month, the couple keeping that aspect of the bard's nature secret from their Germanic family.

The Spring thaw had just begun when Xena looked up one day at the sound of horses on the road and saw three riders approaching.  She dropped the metal she was working into spearheads into the water bucket and readjusted her sword.  Then the warrior broke into a grin as the riders got closer and she could make out Hercules, Iolaus and their adopted German son, Ketli.

"Ylsa!" Ketli cried and jumped off his horse and rushed forward to hug the warrior.  Others began pouring out of the long houses and barn to greet the other Greeks, Alfhild bringing a drinking horn full of mead to offer as hospitality and thanks of their return.

Hercules grinned at the warm welcome and Iolaus found himself almost lifted off the ground when Eddval and Axel hugged him.

Gabrielle made her way through the crowd to quickly hug the two men and their growing son.

"Gabrielle! Xena! Glad you're here," Iolaus yelled over the noise of a happy crowd.  "We thought we'd beat you here though."

"We've been here for a couple of months now." Xena grinned.

"What, through the snow?!" Hercules demanded.

"Long story and one that Gabrielle will tell again tonight, I'm sure.  Come on, let's get you settled and I'll give you the short version," the warrior offered, removing her leather apron and letting Thorryke, the blacksmith take over the spearhead making.

Walking inside the long hall Xena took the chance to introduce the Greek men and son to her new daughter-in-law, Reija.  Hercules grinned and hugged the young Amazon and Iolaus grinned at her embarrassment over the attention. 

"I don't believe Solan can be old enough," Hercules grinned. 

"Me either," Xena agreed. "Want to know something else?"

Iolaus raised his eyebrows and Hercules narrowed his eyes in amusement.

"What?" he ventured.

"I'm going to be a grandmother," Xena grinned and Reija began blushing even more. 

"No way! That means I'm old enough to be..." Hercules' voice trailed off and Iolaus began laughing at his mate's expression. 

"You just became a mom!" Hercules protested, smiling at Solan and Reija's red faces.

"A few years ago, my friend.  Sasha's now 5 seasons old and Reija is starting on a family right away," the warrior grinned.

"Wow! Congratulations you two!"

"Thanks," Solan grinned.

Gabrielle came up behind the men and hugged them both, stepping between them.

"Heard the news, did you?"
"Yes, grandma!" Iolaus grinned and then tried to squirm away as the bard began tickling him. “Hey! No fair! I've only one arm!"

"Then I'll tie one of mine behind my back, you scamp!" Gabrielle threatened, continuing her assault until they ended up laughing on one of the benches.

Their two taller mates watched with amused smiles while several of the males began wagering on the outcome.  Unfortunately for the gambling happy Vikings the contest ended in a mutual giggle fit and a draw was declared.

Iolaus, also known as Ivar One-Handed among the Vikings, looked up at Xena and Hercules and began laughing again.  Gabrielle looked up and began laughing again as well.

Xena looked at Hercules and shrugged.  Together they moved towards the fires to join Solan and Reija while Gabrielle and Iolaus struggled up off the furs.

Hercules watched Xena’s face as she watched the young couple and grinned.  The warrior noticed his smile and blushed.

“What?” she demanded.

“You all look good, I’m glad to see you.”

 
            “Alfhild! Brie!” Eddval’s voice carried into the long hall late one afternoon, finding both women helping with the cooking.  Everyone looked up with frowns on their faces, the voice had an urgent tone and both women were at the door before anyone else had moved.

“Xena?” Gabrielle muttered as they took in the sight of the hunters returning through the light snow on horses, Xena curled up in Hercules’ arms.  Xena raised her head and looked at her mate with a small smile, trying to reassure the bard.

“I’m alright, just twisted my leg, no big deal,” she said as they rushed up.

Hercules swung his leg over the horse and landed easily on the ground with the warrior in his arms.  “Probably broken and that’ll take awhile to mend,” he frowned.

The demi-god’s frown deepened when he noticed the look exchanged between Gabrielle and Xena.

            “What?” he demanded.

            The other hunters going about unsaddling their horses distracted the trio and Eddval walking up to his wife and the Greeks, his face enraged.

“Husband, what is wrong?” Alfhild asked.

“Someone stole the dogs!” he yelled, causing several hunters to turn quickly and then look away at their headman’s anger.

“How could someone steal your hunting dogs, they only obey you and Vikker?” she asked.

“I don’t know.  We hit a fog bank near the river and they went quiet.  Ylsa found them trapped under a net but quiet, not making any noise,” he tried to explain.

“Then a log came swinging out of the trees, a trap.  I tried to jump out of the way but it caught my leg.  When I looked up the dogs were gone,” Xena finished.

“How?” Gabrielle asked as they began walking towards the long hall.

Hercules waited for Gabrielle to open the door and carried Xena inside.

“I don’t know.  I had that same tingling feeling I get whenever Ares is around,” Xena frowned.

“You don’t think it was him, do you?”

“No, too far north and not his style, besides, why would he want hunting dogs?”

“I don’t know.  Has anything like this ever happened before, Eddval?” Gabrielle asked.

“No, never.”

“Let’s get Xena inside and set the leg,” Hercules insisted.

Once inside the demi-god sat the warrior down in one of the chairs and began examining her leg and knee and then frowned at his friend.

“This leg was broken, I felt the bones,” he stated flatly.

“Gabrielle,” Xena looked up at her mate and Gabrielle merely nodded and kissed Xena quickly.

“I’m going to talk to Eddval and see about this mystery,” the bard stated, moving away.

Hercules waited, sitting down in a chair across from Xena.

“Herc, when you get a broken arm, how fast does it heal?” she asked.

“Very quickly, but not like that, Xena.  I know your mother is a goddess, is this part of your inheritance?” he asked.

“Part of it.  Part of it is who my father is.  Herc, I was born mortal because Cyrene chose to take the child Hecate was carrying and give birth to me.  She is my mother but Hecate is also my mother.  The reason for it was to keep my birth a secret from my true father.”

“Not Ares!?” he protested in a whisper.

“No, not Ares, thank the gods.  My father may not even be aware of my existence and I’d like to keep it that way but because of what Gabrielle and I have been through, certain traits have come up and one of them is quick healing.  A good thing since I was shot through the heart with an arrow escaping from the Amazons.”

“Oh gods,” the demi-god muttered and then looked up into his friend’s eyes.  “It’s Zeus, isn’t it?”

“How did you know?” she asked, also in a whisper.

“Who else would you be afraid to tell me about?” he grinned a rueful smile.  “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him and I don’t think Hera is talking to me either.”

“Herc, I didn’t know until last spring.”

“I know that,” he said reassuringly.  “No one needs to know who your father is.  I take it Gabrielle knows?”

Xena shrugged, “Yeah, can’t keep anything from her.”

“Any surprises about her that you want to hit me with?” he grinned and then lost the smile when Xena didn’t smile back.

“Go grab a horn of something, this could take awhile,” she said.

After a candle-mark the large Greek sat back in his chair with a sigh.  “Part Bacchae, child of Apollo and she died on that damned cross and my brother set her up to be taken as a slave.  That means that Iolaus is crippled because of him, too!” he growled, his eyes flashing brightly.

“Yes,” Xena answered simply, keeping occasional eye contact with Gabrielle. 

“Ares had better hope to stay out of my sight for a very very long time!” he threatened.

“I don’t think he’ll find a welcome from any of us,” Xena agreed.

“You two are handling the Bacchae thing, you said.”

“Yes, now she doesn’t feel so guilty about it, just part of her nature, thankfully.  We don’t tell many about it though.”

“I understand.  May I tell Iolaus?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m letting you know so that if I’m ever away or something, you can help her get through the cravings.”

“I figured that, but one thing…” he hesitated and Xena raised an eyebrow in question.  “I don’t know about helping with the sexual stimulation thing,” he grinned and was rewarded with a playful slap across his arm and a grin from Xena.

Hercules grinned and checked the warrior’s leg again and wasn’t surprised this time to find it merely sprained.  He shook his head and walked over to Gabrielle and quickly hugged the startled Greek and then went outside to find his mate.

Gabrielle walked over to her mate and hugged her. 

“How much did you tell him?” she asked as she sat down in the chair Hercules had been sitting in.

“Everything about Zeus and Hecate and us,” Xena answered, leaning back and closing her eyes, wincing in pain as she moved the leg a bit.

“Just in case you’re not around when the moon hits you want someone who knows what’s going on with me,” Gabrielle stated.

“Yes,” Xena growled around the pain as she tested the movement of the leg.

“I know we talked about it, just feels weird someone else knowing that part of me.”

Xena opened her eyes with a frown but Gabrielle smiled.

 
            Two days later and Eddval was still cursing under his breath about his missing dogs.  The news from other nearby steadings that their dogs were missing too didn’t help his mood any.

Gabrielle approached Alfhild that afternoon.

“Alfhild, could you tell me if there are any myths dealing with hounds or dogs?” the bard asked as the older woman sat carding some of the early wool.

“Yes, there are.  Let’s see, there’s the story of the Fenris Wolf of the gods; the gates of Hella’s Halls being guarded by the fierce dog Garm; and the Wild Hunt,” she responded.

“Okay, the Wild Hunt sounds like the only one that needs more than one dog or wolf in it, right?” Gabrielle said, sitting down and taking up some carding tools as well, the brushes straining the wool into fine material fit for spinning.

“Yes, you’re thinking of the missing hounds?”

“Yes, maybe there’s a connection, maybe not.  Can’t hurt to learn more of your history,” the bard grinned.  “Why would anyone steal hounds if they won’t respond to anyone’s commands but their masters’?” the bard mused.

“To make the steading more open to attack?  Cut down the warning time?” Alfhild ventured.

“Hasn’t Eddval and Axel anticipated that and worked something out?”

“Yes, we weren’t attacked the first night like Eddval suspected we might.” Alfhild frowned.  “Why take dogs that you can’t control?” she echoed.

“What was the Wild Hunt you mentioned?”

“It is an old legend, older than anyone can remember.  Sometimes it happens at Yule, the longest night of the year, sometimes it happens in the Spring, just after the first thaw.  A pack of white hounds, with red ears and eyes of fire, tear through the land spreading fear and terror.  The Huntsman that follows is thought to be Odin or the dark goddess Holda.  Our travel among the Kelti tells us that they also have the same legend.”

“What happens on the Hunt?” Gabrielle asked.

“The Hunt lasts from dark until the twilight of sunrise.  Anyone caught outside are caught up with the pack and must run with them, totally mad and animal, like a berserker.   If they survive the night with the pack they are insane or die of exhaustion with the sunrise.  The other thing that can happen is that the pack tears anyone they find outdoors on these nights to pieces.”

Gabrielle felt her head pounding and everything went gray.

When the bard’s eyes cleared she found herself on the floor and several women were kneeling beside her along with Alfhild, all looking very concerned.  Gabrielle sat up slowly, breathing deeply and trying to clear her head.

“I’m alright.  I’m sorry, just got lightheaded for a moment, I’m okay,” she said repeatedly to questions of concern.  Several hands helped her off the floor and back into her chair.  It was several minutes before everyone else went back to his or her daily chores, leaving the bard with Alfhild again.

The older woman continued to look concerned.

“When I was with the Northern Amazons, I had a vision journey and I saw someone torn to death by a pack of hounds, it startled me when you described it,” Gabrielle answered the unspoken question between them and Alfhild nodded.

“You or Xena?” the Viking woman asked and Gabrielle blushed.

“Both,” she answered softly.

“Only your death or that of your mate would cause such a reaction, I think.”

“Or the kids,” Gabrielle smiled.  Then she looked puzzled.  “I thought Odin was the head god of the Vikings, why would he lead the Wild Hunt of madness?”

Alfhild shrugged, slowly returning to her carding of wool.  “No one knows, maybe it’s necessary for a god to let totally loose a couple of times a year?  Maybe it’s a time of madness that goes along with his wisdom.  No one knows.”

 
            Xena also decided to ask some questions of Eddval and Axel as they watched her working with the blacksmith. 

“Who would benefit from you losing the steading?” she asked Eddval.

“That’s easy, either my kinsmen to the west or the Jarl, the local Lord.” 

“Has he made moves against you?” the warrior asked as she worked the bellows.

“Yes, small skirmishes but we can’t prove anything enough to complain at the All Thing,” Axel answered.

“All Thing, the annual gathering of all the countryside when the laws are recited, complaints heard and judgments decided?” the warrior asked.

“Yes, you remember well!” Eddval grinned.

“I’ve been this way before,” Xena shrugged.

“He wants to expand his land for his own animals but the families surrounding his land are firmly tied to that land and won’t move.” Eddval stated.

“Why steal hounds though?” the warrior mused.  “They’re good for early warning and sometimes in a fight but not that important.”

“The way they disappeared, it wasn’t natural!” Axel grumbled.

“Magic?” the warrior frowned, it wasn’t something that they normally came across in Greece anymore, most of the old magic having been lost to the age of knowledge and learning.  The warrior also knew that there were still some capable of doing things beyond explanation in other lands.

“I would think so,” Axel muttered.

“But why?” Xena frowned.  “Why use the energy to steal hounds that you can’t control?”

“Blood?” Eddval asked softly.

“It would be easier to steal cattle or sheep, that would be blamed on simple raiding,” the warrior contemplated.

“Must be something specific about the hounds,” Axel ventured and they all nodded in agreement.

Not finding any more answers the two Vikings wandered towards the long hall and Xena continued her blacksmithing work, all lost in thought.

Later that night Hercules and Iolaus found the two Greek women comparing notes on what they had learned.  Axel, Eddval and Alfhild joined them, passing drinking horns of mead around the small circle around one of the fire pits.

“Odin wouldn’t need to steal dogs for the Wild Hunt, he already has his own,” Alfhild protested the line of thought beginning among the group and Eddval nodded in agreement. 

“There’s never been mention of dogs going missing before a Hunt.  Odin is a god and doesn’t need to steal our dogs.” Axel agreed.

“Besides, he normally doesn’t pay much attention to what happens to us,” Eddval commented.

“I agree with them, from what I know of Odin, he wouldn’t even pay attention to these specific steadings.” Xena mentioned.

“Is there any way for someone to create their own Wild Hunt?” Gabrielle asked.

“Impossible!” Eddval protested.  “The Wild Hunt is magic, it is of the gods themselves.  No one could have that power or dare use it!”

“What about that magic maker from the South that the Jarl has?” Alfhild asked.

“Woman, you speak gossip!” Eddval scolded.  “Just because he keeps a vitki, a magic user, from the south doesn’t make him evil!”

“Who is this Jarl and who is the southerner you’re talking about?” Hercules asked.

“Jarl Herrodr, the Red,” Eddval answered.

“Also known as Herrodr, Snake in the Mouth,” Axel muttered.

“A southerner, a dark man, came to his Hall and offered his services of magic and foretelling.  He is called Rajal.” Eddval continued.

“If a Wild Hunt came ripping through here, what kind of damage could it do?” Xena asked with a frown.

“Not much, the hounds only attack humans if they are caught outside.  It is said the only protection is to throw yourself down in the middle of a crossroads away from the hounds.  They will run over you but not harm you.” Alfhild answered.

“What if it was different, what could a large pack of dogs do if they attacked?”

The Vikings frowned.  “We could board ourselves inside, even the animals, like we do in full winter.  I don’t see how they could do much injury,” Eddval concluded.

“Did the Jarl lose any dogs? Do you know?” Xena asked.

“No, he didn’t and he didn’t want to hear about any of the steadings losing their dogs either when my cousin went to him for help,” Axel said and spat on the floor.

“What are you thinking, Xena?” Iolaus asked.

“When analyzing attacks, the first question is who would benefit and why.  The only one who seems to be untouched and might have the means is the Jarl.  The why is to wipe out our friends and steal their land.  The how is a puzzle.”

“Maybe his place is too big to lose any dogs?” Iolaus suggested.

“If every town but one in an area is raided, what would you think?” Xena asked.

“I would know where to find the raiders,” Hercules grinned.

“Exactly.  But why the hounds and how does he intend to use them?”

Gabrielle was looking around and Hercules caught Xena doing the same.

“Trying to figure out weaknesses?” he grinned.  Both women nodded.

“The walls are secure and thick, the doors sturdy.  No windows.  I don’t see how dogs could get in.” Xena complained.

Gabrielle frowned.  “Alfhild, you said the hounds of the Wild Hunt were magical.  Could you describe the Hunt?”

“On the night of a storm, riding through the clouds, with the lightning flashing, come the hounds and they are followed by the Huntsman.  He wears deer antlers on his head and carries a long spear, which causes everything to turn cold that he points at.  The dogs are all white with red ears and flashing eyes.”

“Xena, don’t a lot of things travel by air up here, like the Valkyries and now dogs and Huntsmen?”

Immediately everyone looked up at the thatch roofing that was common in the region. 

“The roof!” Eddval exclaimed, causing several people nearby to look up in alarm and then go back to whatever they had been doing.

“The one weakness of the buildings, of all the buildings in the area,” Xena commented and leaned over to ruffle Gabrielle’s hair in appreciation.

“Okay, how do we guard against flying dogs?” Axel complained.

“Make sure they never take off?” Iolaus suggested and everyone grinned.

“First strike,” Hercules agreed.

“He has too many men,” Eddval frowned.

“Okay, we think his sorcerer is using the dogs for magic, take away the dogs and he can’t work the magic,” Gabrielle stated.

“Yes, does the sorcerer do his work in the steading or elsewhere?” Xena asked the Vikings.

“I don’t know, I didn’t pay much attention to the little weasel,” Eddval complained.

“Rajal has his own building that is strong and locked at all times inside the steading,” Alfhild stated and the two Viking men looked startled.  The Viking woman shrugged.  “Women talk to each other.  At the last gathering at Yule I talked with Herrodr’s wife and she was complaining about the smell and noises from the building.”

“Always go to the women for information, nothing escapes them,” Eddval advised.

Alfhild grinned.

“Then we get in there, let the dogs loose and spoil his plans,” Iolaus stated simply.

“Might not be easy, the Jarl’s steading is well guarded by berserker warriors,” Axel commented with a frown, deep in thought.

“We can’t declare a blood feud based on what his pet might be doing,” Eddval agreed.

“Why don’t a few of us sneak in and let the dogs loose or kill them?” Gabrielle suggested.

“Very risky, his building is guarded by magic,” Alfhild advised.

“Draw a diagram of the Steading and let’s work this out,” Hercules suggested.

 
            Solan stopped as he started by Gabrielle in the common yard and smiled.

“Gabby Mom,” he said and she grinned.

“How did you know?” she asked, cutting carrots for the evening meal in the warm afternoon sun.

“That soap you and Mom are fond of.  How’d the planning go last night?” he asked as he squatted down next her stool.

“Dead end.  The Jarl is powerful and his steading well guarded and we can’t be sure of his plans so we can’t accuse him of anything,” she explained.

“What about someone going in and scouting around?”

“That was my thought but everyone is known around here and intermarried.  The scouts would need a good excuse to get into the Steading without being suspected.”

“You and mom aren’t known to the Jarl or his men,” he pointed out.

“I suggested that but Eddval is afraid that the Jarl will have heard of us including descriptions from the last time we were here.”

“Reija isn’t known to any of them,” he said thoughtfully.

“Solan, we couldn’t ask her to go in there!” Gabrielle protested.

“She is a warrior and our family,” he commented, running his hand through his hair.

“There is no way that Xena or I will let either of you risk our grandchild!” Gabrielle said sternly.

“Okay, just a thought,” he said as he rose to his feet and headed towards the long hall.

Gabrielle continued to frown.

 
            The next day Xena frowned at the sound of horses in the distance and set her metalworking aside and looked down the road, shielding her eyes against the sun.

“Ylsa?” the blacksmith asked.

“Horses, lots of them,” she responded, at the same time spotting a lone rider riding fast towards the steading.  “Here comes the sentry.”

The young man leaped off his horse before the animal even stopped and ran up to Eddval, who was just coming out of the barn at the noise.  Axel was approaching from the field with the other Viking men, tools in hand.

“Eddval! Riders from Jarl Herrodr are coming!  They are armed and riding war horses, they are riding down the road and not flanking off,” the teen reported almost breathlessly.

“Good job.  Take a place behind me with your spear,” Eddval ordered.

Xena’s sharp eyes took in several of the men breaking off from the main group as everyone scurried around quickly.  The warrior readjusted her sword and chakram and noticed the blacksmith grabbing a large war hammer.

The warrior saw several of the Viking men positioned around the Steading with bows and several more with short throwing spears.  The rest were standing by Eddval, all armed.

The large group of riders stopped just short of the outer building and two riders moved forward.  They were tall and very big, even bigger than Hercules, Xena thought.  One had blond hair and the other had red hair and a beard.  Judging by the gold decorating the leather covering the chain mail shirt, Xena figured the red haired one to be Jarl Herrodr and the other to be his top soldier. 

“Greetings Eddval Skull Splitter!” The red haired one called, bringing his horse to a stop near the headsman Eddval.

“Greetings, Herrodr the Red. What brings you armed through the countryside?” 

“The steading to the east has been attacked by raiders from the North, a large group attempting to oust your neighbor.  I need as many men and yourself to join me, as fitting your pledge.” 

“Of course, we will meet you on the road in a candle mark,” Eddval agreed.

The Jarl nodded and both riders turned and went back to their large band.  Within moments the group was thundering down the road.

“What pledge, Eddval?” Xena asked as everyone began scattering around the steading.

“I am pledged to help my neighbors and Jarl in time of need, including against any of their enemies.  You are welcome to ride with us or not, Ylsa.”

Xena frowned, “It could be a diversion to get you away from the steading,” she said thoughtfully.

“Yes, but I have no choice,” Eddval frowned and moved towards the long hall.

“Xena!” the warrior looked up to see Gabrielle approaching from the long hall.  The bard quickly moved up to her mate.  “I heard! Are we going with them?”

“I am, you’re staying here.” Xena held up a hand to stop the predictable protests.  “I want you to stay here and keep an eye on Solan and Reija, I want to go and study Herrodr and his men.  This is a good opportunity.”

“Alright, but as long as you promise to be careful!” Gabrielle insisted.

“You bet.” Xena grinned and hugged the bard close.  “I love you too.”

 
            The next day Gabrielle frowned as she went through her morning chores, feeling like something was out of place besides her mate being off to battle without her.  It finally hit the bard and she turned to Alfhild.

“Where’s Solan and Reija?” she asked.

“They went off for a picnic by the river.  I told them they could have the day,” Alfhild grinned.

“That’s good,” the bard turned quickly on her heels and swept Sasha up in her arms.  “Got you!” she grinned at the stalking child as the dark haired imp laughed.  “Let’s go help with the cooking, shall we?”

By late afternoon Gabrielle was frowning again but was trying not to worry.  She knew from experience how time could fly when spending time with your new mate. 

A candle mark before sunset the bard admitted she was worried, even the animals were heading in out of the fields for shelter against the nights that were still cold.

“Alfhild?” Gabrielle began as she approached the Viking woman by the cook fire.

“I know, the men and women working the fields told me Solan and Reija haven’t come back,” the Headwoman frowned.

“I’ve got to look for them!” Gabrielle stated.

“No, you know the weather is for freezing tonight!” Alfhild snapped.  “Reija is a trained warrior, she knows how to find shelter and build a fire.  We will look at first light.”

Gabriele clenched her jaw but Alfhild held her glare so the bard dropped her eyes, knowing the older woman was right.  It was still too cold to be wandering around in the dark in the North.

Most of the night Gabrielle paced in front of the fires with Alfhild sitting with her.

“They didn’t go on a picnic,” the bard muttered.

“Where would they go?” Alfhild questioned.

“Herrodr’s steading, posing as travelers to scout around the sorcerer’s hall.”

“They wouldn’t!” Alfhild protested, brushing away a stray strand of gray hair from her face.

“Yes they would!” Gabrielle grimaced.  “With most of the warriors away it would be a perfect time to try it and none of Herrodr’s people know Solan or Reija.”

“You’re not going to let them!?” Alfhild protested.

“No, I’m not.  It’s too dangerous dealing with unknown magic.”

At dawn Alfhild and Gabrielle made a quick search of the meadow by the river but neither was surprised to find no trace of the teenagers.  The two women quickly turned their horses towards the north, towards Herrodr’s steading and the route the two youngsters mostly likely would have taken, especially with Solan being blind and on foot.

After pushing hard the women found where the two had left the road for the night, seeking shelter in a small grove of trees.  They saw signs where the couple had camped and then left in the morning.  Gabrielle and Alfhild urged their horses on even faster.

 
            Alfhild and Gabrielle jerked their horses to a stop suddenly, both women’s eyes widened at the sight before them on the road.

In the middle of the road was a semi circle of warriors, all dressed in bear fur and long swords, half surrounding the young couple.  What stopped the women was the sight of the bard’s adopted son and daughter-in-law.  The two were suspended in midair by tentacles of what appeared to be smoke, the tendrils leading to the hands of a small man off the side of the road. 

Gabrielle’s eyes narrowed as she got a good glance at the small man, dark, small and foreign.  Obviously the sorcerer of Herrodr and he obviously had powers. 

Solan and Reija looked like they were in incredible pain and unable to move.

“You deal with the soldiers, I’ll take the sorcerer!” Gabrielle ordered, grabbing her sais into her hands as Alfhild readied her spear, several more throwing spears in a holder next to her leg.  “Get the kids!”

Gabrielle let out a war cry and urged her horse forward and launched her sais all in the same moment.  The warrior bard’s face broke into a grin as the sais buried themselves into the tree behind the sorcerer, taking his sleeves with them and pinning him to the tree, breaking the connection to Solan and Reija.

The youngsters fell heavily to the ground just as a spear passed over them and impaled one of the soldiers.  Another spear quickly followed and went through the shoulder of another soldier.  Reija grabbed up one of the swords as the remainder of the warriors slashed at her and Solan and parried two swords at once.

“Solan, stay down!” she shouted, blocking a blow from a sword.

The young Amazon was surprised and grateful when Alfhild charged her horse through the remaining four soldiers while she fought the fifth.  Alfhild glanced over and saw Gabrielle leaping off her horse and heading for the sorcerer with her dagger drawn and turned her attention back to the soldiers.

“Brie! Get the kids and let’s get out of here!” Alfhild called.

The bard turned, seeming to consider the choices of action and turned back for her horse as Alfhild charged her horse through the soldiers again, blocking off spear thrusts with a shield and sword. 

“Gabrielle! Behind you!” Reija shouted as she blocked another sword thrust from the huge Viking she was fighting.

The bard turned quickly and grabbed her sais as they almost impaled her at chest level.  The sorcerer glared and swore in a language that the bard didn’t recognize and raised his hands, beginning to chant.  Gabrielle swore in Greek and rushed for the horse, keeping an eye on the magician’s hands behind her. 

Alfhild ran the warrior that was fighting with Reija through with her sword as she came up behind him on her horse and put the horse between the teenagers and the scattered warriors who were attempting to regroup.

“Solan, get up and hold out your hand, I’m going to pull you up on the horse!” Alfhild yelled and the teen quickly got to his feet and held out his hand.  In a moment he was mounted behind her.  “Go for Brie’s horse!” Alfhild ordered the Amazon as the Viking slashed at a warrior getting too close with a spear.  “Solan, hang on!”

Reija sprinted for the bard’s horse as Gabrielle caught the reins up in her hand.

“Quickly, get on!” Gabrielle ordered the younger Amazon and then mounted behind the young girl, turning the horse back towards Eddval’s steading.

“Let’s go!” Alfhild yelled, turning her horse down the road as well.

“Hold these!” Gabrielle ordered Reija, handing the Amazon her sais as she turned slightly on the horse to keep the sorcerer in sight and see if the warriors had horses.  The bard saw the magician raise one hand to the sky and the other in their direction and then saw darkness.

 
            “Eddval!” Xena called out to the Viking leader after the fourth day.  He turned and held his horse up as she moved up beside him.  “This is a waste of time,” she complained softly, leaning over to keep from shouting at him in the wind along the coast.

“I agree!” he hissed back, “but I’m pledged to ride with Herrodr.”

“We’re chasing ghosts! We’re staying just far enough back from the raiders to keep from catching them and Herrodr is behind it.”

“You and Hercules go back through the friendly steadings and check on things, I have to stay with Herrodr.” He suggested.

“Right!” the warrior turned her horse and made towards the back of the traveling pack of warriors to reach Hercules, wishing she had Argo with her and that her beloved mare was alright back in Greece.

It was only minutes before the Greeks moved off into the tree line and waited until the main body of the warriors was far enough way and then began a hurried trip back towards Eddval’s steading.