Disclaimer: The characters of Xena and Gabrielle and others mentioned, belong to
MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement on their rights is intended.
Subtext Disclaimer: This story contains references to a loving relationship between two
consenting adults, who happen to be of the same sex. If this offends you, or you are under
18 years of age, or you reside in an area where this type of material is illegal, read no
more. There is plenty of general fanfic out there for you. Go find it.
Violence Disclaimer: This story contains scenes of graphic violence.
Shock Factor: Let’s just say that Plan D #21 isn’t going to be lucky for
anybody. People are gonna get hurt and possibly worse, so you’ve been warned.
Note: This story is in segments, due to it’s size.
Please send any comments to asdease1@gte.net
Enjoy, I hope.
THE BRIDGE
part four - conclusion
Written by FlyBigD
Feeling something move under her hand, Xena opened her eyes and looked down at T. Seeing
the golden glow, she smiled and looked up to Gabriel, then frowned. The man that
she’d seen only a minute before was undoing what had been done. Faster than he’d
grown up, Junior was getting younger again. The movement under her palm was his hand
getting smaller. "Junior?" Staring in amazement, she watched the clothing he
wore begin to swallow him inside the material. "What’s happening?
Gabrielle?"
Opening her eyes, the bard looked to the warrior, then followed her gaze to her namesake.
"Oh, no. Ungara?"
Turning to the boy, the Ancient’s eyes went wide. Now, no more than ten years of age,
the god was continuing to shrink. "Remove his hand! Break the link."
Grabbing his wrist, Xena tried to pull the boy’s hand off T’s body, but it
wouldn’t budge. "It won’t move."
"Gabriel, let go!" Wrapping her hands next to the warriors, Gabrielle pulled.
"Let go now. That’s enough."
Pouting in childlike concentration, Gabriel held his hand in place.
"Where did he go?" In a tizzy, Aphrodite pulled the leather jacket back, when he
disappeared beneath it’s bulk. "There you are, sweet pea." Relieved, she
let out a sigh. "That was a close one."
Still trying to remove his hand, even as it disappeared inside the sleeve, Xena and
Gabrielle pulled to no avail. Gabriel was not letting go, or the glow wouldn’t let
him go, but either way, in another minute he’d be back to being the baby they’d
delivered earlier.
When he finally did let go, Xena swooped up the baby in her arms and held him close.
Inside the jacket, Junior had his eyes closed and his tiny hands balled up into fists, to
be placed under his chin.
"Xena?" Leaning over, Gabrielle looked inside the jacket as the warrior opened
it up, revealing the baby inside.
"I think he’s okay." Checking him over, she put her hand on his chest and
felt a strong heartbeat. "He’s alive and he’s not getting any smaller
now."
Apparently unfazed by the episode, the Goddess of Love smiled. "Well, of course not.
What did you expect him to do? Crawl back in the womb?" Rolling her eyes, she shook
her head. "Mortals."
"Aphrodite, what do you know that we don’t?" Coming around, the bard moved
Ungara out of the way, so she could take her place by the warrior.
"It’s simple. He only grew up, so he could tell Dahok to piss off."
Shrugging, she held out her hands. "Now he’s back to the way he should be. Gods
can’t just grow up like weeds, ya know. He was still a baby. He was just big. Get
it?" Staring at the surprised faces.
"So, now he’s okay? He’s just a baby again?" Looking down at the baby
in Xena’s arms, she rubbed his sleeping head.
"Yep." Smiling big, she leaned over to take a look. "Sweet pea probably
couldn’t keep up appearances and use his powers on T at the same time. He’ll get
better at it. Yes, you will." Wiggling a finger next to his tiny fists.
Groaning, Xena twisted sideways, handing the baby to Gabrielle. "Take him."
Laying Gabriel in the arms of her wife, she turned back to find the golden glow still in
place and swirling. It’s opaque glimmer blocked any view of the body beneath, so she
tried to ease her hand through it to check on T’s condition and felt a tingling
sensation work it’s way up her arm as she felt for a pulse.
"Xena?" Leaning into the warrior, Gabrielle laid her free hand on her shoulder
and could feel the tingling as well. Drawing her hand back, she held it up, staring at the
light gold sheen on her skin. "What’s it doing?" Glancing to the Goddess of
Love for an answer.
"What it’s supposed to." Shrugging she smiled. "You’re getting
better."
Looking closer, Ungara turned the bard’s face to meet his. "Your burns are
healing."
Feeling her own face, she touched the side that had been scorched by Dahok’s balls of
flame. It was true. Even as her fingers ran over the skin, the pain was dissipating.
"Go get the others." Whispering, she looked at Katai. "Hurry."
On his feet, Katai signaled to his brothers. "Get Ares, Cargan, Bud and the Guards
and bring them over here quickly.
Splitting up into groups, the Ancients went into action. Dropping their weapons, they
moved to their charges and gently picked them up from where they lay, to bring them back.
Handing the baby off once more, Gabrielle gave him to Aphrodite. "Give them some
room."
Nodding, the goddess got up and stepped away with Junior, as did Ungara.
Cognizant of what was going on behind her, Xena kept her hand on T’s shoulder while
the Ancients brought the bodies over. "Alright Ares. I may never see what she sees in
you, but you’ve earned this one. You deserve to see your son grow up." Giving
the bard a quick smile, she put her hand on his chest, feeling the tingling pass through
her body to her other hand. Holding it in place for a long moment, she nodded.
"Okay."
Stepping forward, the Ancients picked Ares up, to move him to the other side of T, while
Cargan was put in his place.
Giving him the same treatment, the warrior closed her eyes as a wave of guilt passed along
with the tingling. He’d given his life to save her’s and she hoped she
wouldn’t have to deliver his dying words to his family. After another long moment,
her eyes opened with a tear running down her cheek and she nodded. Next came the rest of
the Royal Guards. Placed one by one beside her, she laid her hand upon their lifeless
bodies, giving them what everyone hoped was a healing touch. Then came the last of those
who’d fought that day. Almost sobbing, she put her hand on his shoulder, rubbing the
bloodied fur with her fingers.
Cradling his head in her lap, the bard had tears in her eyes as well, while the tiger
struggled to breathe. "Come on, Bud. Your little brother needs you." Stroking
his striped head, she leaned down to whisper in his ear. "I’ll let you chew my
shoes if you get better."
As if hearing the magic words, he opened his eyes, rolling his head sideways to lick her
face. Purring, he closed his eyes again.
"You’re such a good boy." Kissing his head, Gabrielle smiled and sat up.
With that, Xena removed her hand from the tiger and from T. Her own wounds had been healed
in the process and her leg no longer ached from it’s broken bones. Moving to the head
of her friend, she cradled T’s head in her lap and smiled. "Okay, T. We’ve
taken care of everybody else, so you can come back now. It’s time to wake up and live
your life and don’t look at what I did to your bike." Hoping to tempt a response
out of her friend, like the bard had Bud. Smiling, she watched the glow shimmer over her
body and closed her eyes. "Come on, T. Your son needs you. Ares needs you. We all
need you to come back. Nap time is over."
Holding her breath, Aphrodite bit her lip when nothing happened. Then she looked down at
the baby in her arms and got an idea. Unwrapping the leather jacket from around his naked
newborn body, the goddess pulled it away. "Okay, sweet pea. Time to do your
stuff." Coming forward, she dropped the jacket and knelt down. Lifting him gently out
of her arms, she rolled Gabriel over, placing him on his stomach and on T’s chest.
Giving him soft pats, she lifted T’s hand. Feeling the tingling as well, she brought
Mom’s hand up to lay it on her son’s back. "You just hang on to him, okay.
Don’t let him wiggle off." Smiling, she eased her hands away from the baby and
sat back. "If this doesn’t do it, nothing will."
Staring down at the glow, Ungara could barely see the boy beneath it, as it encompassed
his body as well as his mother’s. The eternity began again and he waited for some
sign that the glistening power was working. While he watched, the gold began to twinkle
with small shimmering lights, swirling around in it’s midst.
Watching as well, Gabrielle and Xena saw the lights pick up speed. Swirling around in a
chaotic pattern, they were gathering the glow as they went and grew with each second.
Faster and faster they moved, until they replaced the opaque glow with a golden light that
was almost too bright to look at. Then the chaos coalesced into a vortex of light, pulling
inward and siphoning into Gabriel’s tiny body. When the last of the golden light
disappeared, the girls uncovered their eyes and saw what they had hoped to see with all
their heart.
Blinking away the spots in her eyes, Xena looked down at a healed body, unmarred by battle
and clear of any wounds. T was whole again, but she wasn’t breathing, which the
warrior turned doctor picked up on immediately. Feeling for a pulse again, her fingers
came up with the same result. No pulse. No breathing. "Breathe, T. Just give me one
breath, okay. Come on." Keeping two fingers on the pulse point, she continued to
whisper words of encouragement to her friend. "Come on. I know you’re in there,
somewhere. Come on back, T. There are people here who need you." Closing her eyes
slowly, the warrior placed her other hand on T’s chest, to put forth her indomitable
will and bring the fallen King back to life.
Unhappy at being cold, Gabriel shivered and made a face. Opening his mouth, he let out
some silent cries before he began to sob audibly.
"He’s freezing." Her heart breaking at the sound and his face, Gabrielle
reached for her jacket.
"No." Grabbing her arm, Xena stopped her wife from covering him up. "Let
him cry." Scooting back, she laid T’s head on the ground and bent down to
whisper in her ear. "You hear that, T? Somebody wants you to get that fire going.
Somebody needs that infamous body heat of yours. You better throw some coals in the hold
to get him warm. It’s chilly out here. Are you going to let his little butt get
frostbite?"
Worried for the baby, it was tearing the bard up to sit there and let him cry.
"Xena."
Waving her off, the warrior watched her friend closely. "Just one minute. Just give
her a minute." Letting the boy cry, she hoped the maternal instinct T had shown
earlier would push her back their way. It was their last hope of drawing life back into
the cool body and it was her last chance at getting her best friend to respond.
The minute passed slowly and Gabriel began to protest more. Wiggling as well as a newborn
could, he cried his lungs out, gasping for each breath to turn into a wail.
Between the crying baby and no signs of life from T, Xena closed her eyes, as she began to
feel her hope slipping away. With each sob from the boy, her hands begged for anything she
could cling to. Any movement that would tell her that she’d succeeded, but as he
continued to cry, her last hope died away, to be replaced by an ever expanding sense of
helplessness and loss.
What the warrior was feeling was written all over her face. A minute before, Gabrielle had
seen an expression set in determination, but as the minute passed into two Xena’s
face slowly fell, as her heart began to break. So, without asking again, the bard took the
leather jacket, placing it over her namesake’s tiny body to give some warmth and ease
his suffering. Giving him a gentle rub on his back, she waited another minute before she
silently took him from T’s lifeless grasp, to cradle him against her shoulder.
Patting him gently, she comforted the baby until his sobs slowly subsided into soft
sniffles, while her tears fell unchecked and she watched her wife begin to sob quietly.
Lifting his head and looking around, all Bud could see were crying faces. From Ungara on
down to the youngest Ancient, along with Aphrodite, tears were falling like the
threatening rain from above. Not needing to be told, he knew why they were crying and
placed his paw on the strong arm of his friend. Purring quietly, he scooted off
Gabrielle’s lap to lay his head on T’s shoulder. His eyes open, he stared out at
empty space until something caught his eye. Lifting his head again, he perked up when Ares
fingers began to twitch. Rising further, he saw more movement and rubbed his huge head
against the one resting in sorrow next to his.
Giving him a blind scratch under his neck, Xena felt something plop down on her head.
Still heaving in her pain, she lifted her head slowly, as the large paw slid sideways.
Looking up, the paw guided her to where Ares lay and she stared through watery eyes to see
him begin to sit up. Blinking down a shower of tears, she sat up as well and watched the
God of War roll his head around. "Ares?" Her voice a breathless whisper, the
warrior crawled sideways, coming around the god. Placing a shaking hand on his shoulder,
she completed the circuit to stare into his open eyes. "Ares?"
Feeling like he’d been run over by a wagon, the God of War blinked. An aching body
wasn’t something that he was used to and it took several moments for his mind to move
past the pain and remember who he was, where he was, why he was there and who the woman
staring at him was. "Xena?"
Nodding absently, the warrior cupped his face with her hands. "You’re
alive." Turning her head, her eyes followed the path to find the bard wide-eyed and
awe struck.
His memory coming back quickly, Ares put his hand on Xena’s shoulder, getting her
attention. "Where’s T? Where’s the baby?"
The questions burned a blazing path to her soul and Xena could do no more than look down
at her friend’s body in answer.
Turning his head slowly, the god saw the body beside him. Frowning, he noted it’s
unblemished state and it’s total stillness. Bringing his hand up, he hesitated,
touching her arm, then gradually he brought it down to feel the coolness. Jerking his hand
back, Ares shook his head. "No."
Giving Gabrielle a quick glance, the warrior closed her eyes before turning back to take
Ares’ hand in hers. Lowering both, she pressed his palm on T’s chest, beneath
her hand and held it there when he tried to pull away again. "I’m sorry,
Ares."
"No." Whispering his denial, Ares’ hand stayed put when the warrior’s
retreated and he closed his eyes. The coolness of her skin told the story he didn’t
want to hear. One he’d heard before and was reliving. That day when his world lay
beneath his fingers and a simple touch brought his world shattering down around him. His
heart and soul shackled forever by the master that was no more, and his love gone with
her.
As Ares leaned forward, to lay his head on his hand, Xena put her hand on his back,
feeling the silent tears wracking his body. Looking to the bard once more, she saw his
pain reflected in green eyes that sat above a waterfall of tears. Her loss matched her
wife’s, not only for the empathy she felt for Ares, but for the void forming in her
own heart.
Cradling Junior close, the bard heard rustling behind her, but didn’t need to turn
around to know what was happening. The rest of the recent dead were coming back to life as
Ares had just done. Cargan and his Royal Guards were making their way back to the land of
the living, compliments of Gabriel’s power. Looking down at her namesake, Gabrielle
wiped one of her tears off his sleeping face and got two black eyes opened at her touch.
The one, who’d expended his power to end the battle was back to being a baby again
and didn’t know that what he wanted wasn’t going to happen. He’d tried and
failed, but in the interim, saved the men who’d fought to protect him. Staring down
at his questioning eyes, she smiled a sad smile. "It’s okay, Gabriel. Go back to
sleep. You did your best." Giving him a soft kiss on the forehead, she wrapped the
jacket tightly around his tiny body. Watching his eyes flutter closed again, she lifted
her eyes to Xena’s.
Her devastation complete, the warrior nodded to Gabrielle’s unspoken prompt. Looking
over to Ungara, his eyes were full of tears, as was Aphrodite’s. Pulling in her
strength, she sat up, facing the two gods and nodded. "Let’s get her out of
here."
Getting to her feet, Aphrodite wiped away her tears and sniffed. "I’ll whip up a
wagon."
"No." From his place over the love of his life, Ares whispered and slowly sat
up. "I’ll take her. That’s my job." Removing his hand from T’s
chest, he slid his arms under her body, lifting her off the ground as he stood. Cradling
her body close, he shifted the weight in his arms until her head lolled onto his shoulder.
The he turned away from them, toward the path leading back to the Palace and walked away.
Giving thought to protesting, Xena watched him rise, but kept her silence at the peaceful
look on T’s face resting on his shoulder. Letting her thought go, she got up and took
Gabrielle’s outstretched hand, to help her rise. Holding onto that hand, she wrapped
her arm around the bard’s shoulder, squeezing it gently, then followed Ares down the
path.
So the procession formed, with Ares in the lead, the warrior and bard behind, carrying
T’s son and followed by Ungara, Aphrodite, the rest of the Ancients and lastly, the
newly enlivened Royal Guards. Bud stayed put for a minute, watching them leave, then he
got up, his body healed and took hold of T’s sword with his mouth, pulling it out of
the ground. Dragging it beside his body, he followed the procession into the trees.
**********
Ares carried his heavy burden through the forest, turning left, to take the woman in his
arms not to the place he’d come to call home, but to the Palace of the Ancients.
Walking through the trees, he came to the huge engraved doors, left wide open with the
haste of the resident’s departure. Without a pause, he went up the steps, entering
the long hallway leading to the round room of the Ancients’ gathering place. Moving
past the altar at it’s center, he turned left again, following his memory through the
connecting rooms, until he reached the place he’d never been, yet loathed none the
less. As he approached, the twin marble doors swung open via Ungara’s power and he
carried T into the Hall of Kings, with it’s double row of statues lining the aisle.
Past the faces and carved bodies of her ancestors, he walked, hearing the footsteps
echoing off the darkened walls. Halfway down, T’s statue became visible with
it’s overhead light illuminating the life-sized vision of the woman in his arms. The
face set in an expression of determined confidence, he stared into the twinkling dark
brown eyes. Those eyes, nearly as dark as his own didn’t stare back, or follow his
progress, they merely watched some distant horizon, searching for signs of trouble that
would require her to take action and defend her family, or her empire. Reaching the first
step of the raised platform, which the statue stood upon, a soft grinding sound came from
the wall, as the door to her resting place slid open and the slab emerged from it’s
dark crypt.
Xena and Gabrielle followed Ares up the steps of the platform. Her arm still around the
bard’s shoulder, she guided her wife past the statue and watched the God of War lay
T’s body gently on the slab. Moving to the side, she watched him stand in silence for
a long moment, before he bent down to place a kiss on T’s lips, then take her
lifeless hand in his, to kiss that as well. Her tears, which had paused in their flow
began again, falling as silently as Ares’ and her wife’s.
Another kiss was placed on her hand, as he unlatched the golden Tiger bracelet, sliding it
from around the wrist that had worn it for over two thousand years. The ring came next,
with it’s etched visage of the tiger, somewhere behind him and he slid it off slowly,
then laid her hand beside her. Saying his last goodbyes, Ares kissed her lips once more,
before turning to leave her side and sit on the steps in front of the statue. Seeing
neither the gods or mortals before him, he closed his eyes to their faces, clasping the
emblems of her life in his hand.
Once he moved away, the warrior stepped up alone. Taking the hand he’d held, she
laced her fingers through T’s and let her emotions free to spill forth.
Closing her eyes for a moment, Gabrielle could hear the soft sobs of her wife and opened
her eyes to step forward. Wrapping one arm around Xena’s waist, she held the baby
with the other, pulling both close and resting her head on a strong shoulder. The day that
had started with just a sense of uneasiness many hours before had become her darkest
nightmare. Her friend, one she’d known for what seemed like an eternity was gone once
more and with her, the hope that she’d one day return. Unlike the first time
she’d stood in that spot, Gabrielle could feel this as truly the end. There was no
coming back, no complex puzzle loomed on the horizon to be deciphered in time to bring her
friend back from the dead. No amount of godly blood would breathe life into T. The battle
she’d fought twice had taken it’s toll at last and with it, she’d
sacrificed herself yet again for the people who loved her. The friend, family, hero and
King was to become what she had been in life. A legendary figure that the world never knew
and owed their very existence to. One that would remain the obscure shadow, lurking in the
heart and minds of the people who knew the truth. As she had spent her life, T would be
relegated to the history books for all the generations of Ungarans to treasure as an icon
for what they should strive to be. Strong, faithful, honorable, caring, compassionate and
kind. That is what T was and would always be remembered as. The greatest and last true
King of the Ungara, friend through countless lifetimes, protector of her people and the
world, empress of her domain and the happy go lucky woman with the impish grin.
Xena opened her eyes and looked down at T. Her face was not the serene image associated
with the dead, but more like the statue behind her. The peaceful expression was tempered
with a set determined jaw, a slightly furrowed brow and just the hint of something that
could be a smile. A mixture of emotions to remain forever the lasting image she’d
have to take with her and the one she’d always found the most irritating. That
contradiction in terms that was T. Giving her friend a smile, Xena straightened the fringe
on her headdress, centering the tiger charm just above her eyebrows. Then she ran her
fingers over the soft skin of T’s cheek. The dark tan complexion belied the coolness
that met her touch and it brought home the final remembrance of the first time her friend
had died. That cool, lifeless feel was the last straw to break her heart. Taking a deep
breath, she let it out slowly, then bent down to place a gentle kiss on T’s forehead.
Rising slowly, she stepped to the side and waited for the bard to take her turn at letting
go.
For Gabrielle, the emotions she felt were almost past now. Whether it came from the fact
that she’d cried so much the first time,or that she felt a need to be strong for her
wife, the results were the same. With only a few tears left to shed, she did what the
warrior had done and kissed T’s forehead. Then she had one last duty to preform and
that was to give T’s son one last glimpse of the mother he would never know. Looking
down at his sleeping face, she touched his nose and saw the black orbs come to life.
Giving him a quick smile, she pulled the jacket away from his face and held the baby up in
the crook of her arm. Seeing him look down at her, she smiled and followed his gaze.
"She’ll always be with you Gabriel, remember that. When you look in the mirror
and in here." Placing a finger to his bare chest. "She’ll always be here.
Always." Letting him have a long look, the bard brought him back down and saw a tiny
tear roll out from the corner of his eye. "I know. We’ll all miss her."
Wiping the tear away, she held him close, then joined the warrior.
Wrapping her arm around Gabrielle’s shoulder, Xena led them off the platform to take
their place in front of the statue of T’s father, giving Ares’ shoulder a
squeeze as she passed.
Seeing them sit down, Bud made his way though the crowd to lay down in front of them and
dropped the sword at their feet. Resting his head on the floor, he watched his mentor walk
up the steps.
Ungara came to his King and smiled. "You are my greatest King, Tiegra Empario De Na
Niahte." Leaning down, he kissed her forehead, then rose back up to smile again.
"You were not my most amiable King, but you earned your Crown a thousand times over
and my respect with valor, compassion, strength, blood and love. You have my soul forever
and until eternity passes away, you will stay in my heart. Sleep well, my friend.
You’ve earned your rest and my promise, that only with my death will I ever forget
you." His eye watery again, he leaned down for another kiss, then began to remove
what he’d created. Taking her hand, he turned it over, feeling for the latch on the
gauntlet, then heard it release. Pulling it off gently, he did the same with the other and
removed the six gold daggers from their hiding places. Setting them beside her head, he
stared at the Crown. Still on her stomach, it had been carried along with her body, by
Ares and now glistened in the low light. The last vestige of her birthright, he ran his
fingers over the beveled top edge, then took the golden circlet in both his hands. Lifting
it slowly, he held it for a long moment, suspended above her body. Looking down at her
face, he hesitated taking it away. Shaking his head, he tilted it to give her a sad smile.
"You never wore it, yet you seem so bereft without it. How can I take something from
you that you alone deserve to keep. Your forefathers paid for it with their lives and you
shunned it, yet there is none other who will ever be more worthy to posses it."
Lowering the Crown back to it’s rightful place, he stopped again. From behind him, a
small soft gurgle sounded and he smiled. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the bard with
her hand inside the jacket she cradled. Seeing a tiny hand reach out from the black
material, he watched Gabrielle soothe the troubled child in her arms. Closing his eyes, he
turned back and lifted the Crown again. Taking a deep breath, he moved it away from
T’s body and opened his eyes, placing the circlet with the other things by her head.
"As you wish." He told her softly and nodded with a sigh. "I will pass on
your Crown and hope that someday your son will choose to not wear it, as you did."
Giving her a quick smirk, Ungara picked up what he had removed, then turned away.
Walking down the steps, he nodded to his brothers, letting them take their turn at making
peace with T and moved to where the warrior and bard sat. Waving one finger, he sent his
ensign out of the way and knelt before the pair, placing his load at their feet, beside
the sword Bud had retrieved. And before Xena could open her mouth to protest this action,
he held up his hand. "Just wait before you say anything, because I’ve got
something to say and I’d like to get it out before you start." Looking between
the two female faces, he saw their nod of consent. "Thank you." Lowering his
hand, he sighed and looked down at what he’d brought over. "I know that you will
not claim these as your own and I know why. It’s the same reason you gave the first
time they were presented to you and I understand your feelings." Sighing again, he
looked up at them. "You feel that no one will ever take her place as King and in your
hearts and it’s true. T is irreplaceable as a friend and as a King, but these things
don’t belong to me. They belong to you, whether or not you take the throne. You are
her heirs, along with her son and these are your rightful possessions, not mine. I forged
them for the first King and they have been passed down through the generations to be laid
at your feet. Many people gave their lives to protect these things from those who claimed
them unjustly, as T did herself. She died to keep them from Dahok and it’s my
responsibility to her to make sure they are given to whom they belong. Her life will be
remembered and held high in the history of my people, as you yourselves are now and one
day, her son may choose to claim these as his own, but until and if that happens, they are
yours. Take them with the knowledge and remembrance of what cost they were kept safe and
cherish them with the love you gave their master. We may never see another King like T and
I’m sure that I will never love another one as I did her, but just as my brother
crossed that bridge, so must we. She gave us an immortal lifetime of love, happiness and
joy, and it’s up to us to make sure it is passed on. Her legacy is safe and the
historians will record her deeds in the heroic manner in which they took place, but I
cannot let her memory be tainted by the fact that what she died to protect was gathering
dust in some dark corner. These were forged to aide the King in protecting the world from
evil. Though their power can only be used by a true Tiger King, they can still serve a
purpose and that’s to keep her close to your hearts. You were her life, along with
Ares, but I don’t need to tell you that. Her love shone through with every breath and
nothing will ever fill the void she’s left behind, but you can show your love in
return. Take these things that were hers. Let T live through them and let her son know his
mother by the warmth she left behind. Let him touch them and know who his mother was and
how much he was loved. Take them home, because that is where her heart always was. You
were her world. Keep what she left behind and treasure it, as you treasure her
memory." Smiling sadly, he stood, leaving the objects at their feet and kissed each
one in turn, then placed a soft kiss on Gabriel’s forehead as well. "Be strong,
little one. Grow in your own time and remember that you are loved more than the world
around you." Running his hand over some unruly black hair, he smiled. "I am here
if you need me." Sighing, he stepped back, leaving the couple in silence and moved
back into the shadows to await his brothers’ return.
As the Ancients filed slowly past T’s body, Aphrodite slipped through the line to
kneel in front of her brother. "Okay, Ares. I know that you’re not really here
right now and you probably won’t hear me, because you’re bummed, but I just
wanted to say that I’m proud of you, ya know. You did good out there, Bro. T needed
you and you came through like a champ, so don’t feel like you let her down,
okay?" Taking his hand, she squeezed it and tried to catch is eyes, which were
staring at the ground. Not getting any response, she sighed. "Okay. You take all the
time you need. I’ll be here when you get back." Giving his hand another squeeze,
she kissed his cheek. "Love you, Bro. Come back soon." Leaning their heads
together for a moment, she sat back then stood. Then she took her place at the end of the
long line, behind the Royal Guards and waited for her chance to say goodbye.
**********
As the remaining mourners passed by, T was laid to rest, minus the fanfare reserved for
the King of the Ungara. Unlike her first funeral, she wasn’t accompanied to the Hall
of Kings by the entire Ungaran empire and the people she ruled and cared for were as yet,
unaware of their loss. The ones that had come to welcome her child had been transported
away at the first sign of danger and were waiting news of what had happened. So only the
thirteen Royal Guards were present to represent the millions of Ungara now left without a
King and stood by bearing the burden of sorrow for the entire empire.
Also missing was the ceremony of choice. The time where T should’ve been laid upon
the altar and her sword offered up to her heirs. This had been bypassed when Ares had
carried her past the altar without stopping. Instead of having to choose again, Xena and
Gabrielle had been spared that pain and Ungara had let it happen. He knew their hearts and
that the choice they’d made long ago still held true. They would not claim the Crown
and the throne would remain vacant. There would be no King crowned after T’s body was
sealed inside the tomb today, or possibly ever. As with her first death, T’s body
would be laid to rest and the Ungaran people would be left to fend for themselves. The
only chance for a King lay in Gabrielle’s arms. The baby she cradled was the only
hope for the Crown to be claimed and that hope was unknown. Gabriel was still a mystery,
though he’d given them a glimpse of what might be. He’d shown courage in his
infantile way and made the choice of good over evil relying on his conscience and what he
felt to guide him. It was a good sign, but whether it meant that he’d take his place
on the throne was still undecided.
So, as the last of the Ancients bade their sad farewell and the Guards did the same, it
was left up to the Goddess of Love to delay the inevitable. Stepping forward, she placed
one hand over her heart and the other over T’s. Taking a deep breath, she let it out
as a sigh. "I gonna miss you, T. I know that’s kinda crazy coming from me, but I
am. I got used to having you around, ya know? You were a lot more fun than Ares and you
gave me a shot at helping out, and I liked that. Most people only call me when
somebody’s jilted them, but you made me feel kinda needed. And I know that I screwed
things up sometimes and I’m sorry about that, but thanks for letting me try. It
really means a lot and I’m gonna keep it up, so you won’t have to worry.
I’ll keep an eye on everybody and between me and Ares, I think we can keep blondie
and Xena outta trouble, but I’ll probably have to pull double duty until Ares gets
out of his funk. He’s really really bummed right now, just like everybody else, but I
think it’s gonna take a long time for him to come back, ya know? He’s just way
out there right now." Shaking her head, she smiled sadly. "He really loves you T
and if I didn’t like you so much, I’d be pissed that you snagged him without my
help. Getting that bruiser to fall so hard woulda looked really cool on a
resume’." Drumming her fingers on her chest, she closed her eyes. "But
I’m a big goddess and I’ll get over it." Sighing, she opened her eyes.
"Soon. I’ll get over it soon, I promise and in the mean time, I’ll keep an
eye on him." Sighing, her smile turned sad once more. "Sweet Pea’s gonna
miss you, ya know? It’s not fair that you won’t get to see him grow up the right
way. You did so much to make sure he got here, it’s just not fair for you to have to
go away. It’s not fair." Glancing over her shoulder, she looked at Gabrielle and
smiled. "But I think he’ll get to know ya pretty good. I think the bard will do
her thing." Turning back, she leaned down and whispered. "But don’t worry.
I’ll make sure she only tells him the good stories. Not the ones where you screwed
up, or were late, or anything like that." Giving T’s shoulder a pat, she stood
back up and looked as casual as possible. Turning her back to the people behind her, she
sobered again. "Well, I guess that’s about it. I just wanted to say thanks and
that I’ll miss you. I wish I could make you all better, but I can’t. You just
take your nap and I’ll keep an eye on everything. Bye, T." With that, she leaned
down to place a kiss on T’s forehead. "Sweet dreams." Smiling, she stepped
back, letting her hand slide off T’s arm as she went, then waved before she turned
around. Giving the crowd of men a smile, she walked to where Ares was still sitting and
sat down beside him. Sliding sideways, she rested her head on his shoulder and took his
hand in her’s.
Stepping forward, Ungara stared at the two Olympians, waiting to see if Ares was going to
make a move. When the God of War stayed put, he turned his attention to the girls and
found them looking down as well. Sighing, he gave his ensign a glance, finding Bud laying
peacefully on the floor and showing no signs of wanting to rise. Nodding, he looked up to
the statue of T. "Farewell, my friend. You will be missed." Waving his hand, he
closed his eyes and listened as everyone else did, to the sound of stone against stone, as
the slab slid back inside the tomb. Opening his eyes, he saw Ares’ head hang lower as
the door swung shut, sealing itself with a small rush of air. Lowering his own head, he
stood still for a long moment in the utter silence of the room. Then he turned and started
down the long aisle, passing the statues of every King that had come before. Passing the
semblances of men and women he had known and loved and knowing that he would never again
have to lay a friend to rest in the Hall of Kings.
**********
Their food gone, they still sat in silence trying to figure out if they were going crazy.
Rationalizing every incident, they stared at nothing and let the hands on the clock slip
by unnoticed. It wasn’t until the phone rang that both looked up and at each other,
and for a brief instant they could almost see the same thoughts going on behind shades of
blue and green.
But the moment was lost when the phone rang again and Gabrielle got up to answer it.
Leaving the table, she walked to the phone and picked it up, still somewhat dazed from her
imaginings. "Hello."
"Gabrielle, this is Ares. T wanted me to call to let you know that your room is clean
and that it is Friday in your part of the world, and she’s getting tired of waiting
to hear your lilting tones." He said, amused at the unamused look he was getting from
the woman on the couch.
"Give me the phone." T said and held out her hand. Wiggling her fingers, she
glared at him. "If you make me get up, I’m going to hurt you." Giving the
father of her child a serious stare and a low growl, she got the phone in two heartbeats.
"Ignore him." She told her friend and got silence from the other end.
"Gabrielle?"
As if waking from her worst nightmare, the bard’s eyes grew large. "What did he
say?"
"What he was supposed to saaaay," giving the God of War another glare, "was
that I was wondering if you’d changed your mind about coming tonight and if I should
expect you two in the morning."
Hearing T’s voice and the same words from her nightmare brought the whole thing back
in a flash, like a freight train sized bullet to her soul. Glancing over her shoulder, her
fear was confirmed when she saw the warrior starting to clear the table, just like her
vision. "Oh my god . . . " Her voice a hushed whisper, her arm dropped to her
side, as the phone hit the floor and she could feel the chill taking hold of her body. It
was moving up from her feet, like a frozen tide, trapping her legs. Reaching out, she
tried to get to Xena, but her legs wouldn’t move and as she leaned over, she fell
agonizingly toward the floor. As if in slow motion, she watched her fingers tips just miss
the warrior’s sleeve, then her world grew dark. Screaming in her mind, her words
never sounded in her ears while she continued to fall and her warning was lost, as was her
consciousness when she hit the floor.
**********
The End
Epilogue: To be continued in the next episode, The Messenger.
Thanks for reading.
FlyBigD