by Bel-wah
Belwah82@aol.com

Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle and any other characters featured in the actual TV series are copyrighted to MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures while the rest of the story and other characters are my own.

Ooooh! How could she do this to me? I thought we were partners, equal in every way, but no. Her oh-so-wise warrior princess self just took off and left me here, like some piece of excess baggage she didn’t want to carry along. Why, the very arrogance of that woman, thinking she knows what’s best for us both!

"I need to make sure that the pass to Kastri is clear, Gabrielle," she’d said to me this morning. "If the fighting has reached there, we’ll have to double back around Marinos - it could take days! Otherwise, I’ll come back and--"

"You’re not leaving me behind, Xena... are you?" I refused to believe she would, not after all we’d been through, but the stony look on her face was already giving me my answer.

"I need to move fast; Argo can’t take us both, and you know it!" She’d turned from me then, and began to tie off her bedroll at the horse’s saddle.

"No..." I choked back my anger.

Xena could be so infuriating! She’d made up her mind, that was clear, and nothing I could do or say would change it. As if I had any words for her now. No, the cold detachment of her argument had robbed me of my ability to debate her, and instead I felt tears of frustration spring to my eyes. Suddenly, I was a little girl again, being hurried off to bed by my mother, shut away in my dark room, alone. Below-stairs, I could hear the laughter and celebrating of my family: aunts, uncles, cousins, while I lay punished. Guilty of no crime other than that of my childhood. ‘You’re too young, Gabrielle. Off to bed with you now!’

"It could be too dangerous for you, Gabrielle," Xena had stopped fussing with Argo, and faced me with a strange look in her bottomless blue eyes.

So now we get down to it. I’d thought as much. She didn’t think I could handle it, handle myself, if things got rough.

"How dare you," I swore, "after what we’ve been through these past few years! Haven’t I proven anything to you?"

Xena shook her head and, for a moment, I thought I saw a look cross her face - was it worry? Regret? With Xena, who knew. She moved close to me and placed her hands on my shoulders.

"You’ve got nothing to prove," she insisted. "This is about me. I couldn’t go through... I - I can’t risk..."

"Say it, Xena," and my voice was hard. "You don’t think I’m up for the job. Fine. If that’s how you feel, then I wouldn’t want to go with you anyway!" I spun out of her grasp, and stalked off a few paces. I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of seeing how hurt I was.

"Wait for me here, by the lake, Gabrielle."

I refused to turn around, but I was surprised to hear how tired her voice sounded now, before she’d even begun her journey.

"I should be back in just a couple of days, I promise."

There was silence, for a moment, and then I could hear the crunching of her footsteps against the ground as she walked away from me. Argo neighed softly as Xena mounted her, and my heart nearly burst when I heard the squeak of the leather as she adjusted herself in the saddle, signaling her imminent departure.

"Just what I am supposed to do here, anyway?" I slightly turned my head and gruffly tossed the words off over my shoulder.

"Do what you do best... you could write - make up a story?" she suggested, and my bristling sigh was the only answer I would give her.

"See you in a few days," she said, and then she added, simply, "Wait for me."

There was the tap of her boots lightly heeling Argo, and with a "yah!" she galloped off down the road to Kastri.

Finally, my defenses crumbled, and suddenly I could not bear the thought of her leaving without gazing upon her one more time. I turned to look after her, and saw the sunlight glimmering off the hilt of her sword, her dark tresses flying in the wind... the ease with which she kept her seat on the big war-horse. I allowed my tears to flow freely at last. Of course I would wait for her, I thought. My heart left me no choice.

**********

Once upon a time...

Ugh! Can’t I think of anything more original than that? I lay my quill across a nearly empty piece of parchment, and place both atop my travel bag. The sun has already begun to ease itself towards the hills in the west, where I know Kastri lies. Xena has been gone for hours now, and it’s taken me that long to settle down and get a grip on my emotions. I’m still angry with her; she hasn’t heard the last of this.

I glance around the area Xena selected for our rendezvous, and I must admit it: she has chosen well. There is a small lake not far away - the pale, deep blueness of its waters do not remind me of Xena’s eyes - and we are surrounded by a ring of trees and forest growth that shields this secret place from all but the most prying of passersby.

We stocked up on supplies in the last village, and now I know why. Xena must’ve known even then about the trouble up ahead, and planned accordingly. I feel the flush of anger rush to my face, as I consider how bloody prepared she is all the time.... never caught unawares... and I fight it. It will do me no good to start ranting for a second time this day. After all, there’s no-one around to hear.

It will be time soon to gather up firewood for the evening, but perhaps I can put a few more words to parchment before then, preventing the day from being a total waste. I pick up my quill once more, concentrating, but I stop. There is a slight motion to my left... near the lake. I smile when I see my companion: a large deer stares back at me, eyes black as coal, senses on full alert. An unusual white blaze on its chest stands out against cinnamon fur, and its plush velvet nose quivers at me as if ascertaining whether I’m a friend or foe.

‘Foe’ it decides, and it kicks its way back into the forest. Figures. Seems like everybody’s leaving me today. Now... let’s try this again.

Not too bad, I think, and I chew on the tip of my feather, not bad at all.

**********

There are just a few ghostly wisps of a cloud skipping across the moonlit sky, and a slight shiver runs through me. I toss two more branches on the fire. It burns brightly; I’m pleased with the job I did constructing it. Xena wouldn’t have taken nearly so long, I know, but I like to think that what I lack in quickness I make up for in quality. The chill begins to fade.

I am comfortably full from a meal of barley stew I did not particularly relish eating; somehow, I realize, the simple food I cook seems to taste just a bit better when it’s shared over good company and warm conversation.

The harsh call of a nearby night-bird startles me into a breathless freeze, but I hastily recover. Darn it, I’ve been alone before, why am I so jumpy? I force the heat of embarrassment from my cheeks, and why should I feel that way, anyhow? No one’s around to see me.

I sit down by the fire, pulling my bag of scrolls close, and I lean back for a moment and gaze up at the sparkling indigo of the night sky. And I wonder where Xena is, right now. What is she thinking, and is she safe?

When she rode away from me this morning, I was so angry with her I could barely think straight. My pride was in full flower, that was for certain, and so I’d refused to even bid her good-bye. I’d shown her, hadn’t I?

I try to swallow away the lump that has formed in my throat, and I pick up my quill.

What’s that? My heart quickens at the sound of - footsteps? - in the darkened wood. My staff lies nearby and I slowly reach over and grasp it, keeping my eyes all the while focused in the direction where I heard the noise. The barley stew is doing flip-flops in my stomach right now.

"Who’s there?" I can’t help but call out, and I feel quite satisfied at the strong, unwavering tone in my voice. I’m not some little girl lost in the forest; easy prey for men of bad intentions.

"You!" I release a great gust of air. It is the deer from this afternoon - I can see the distinctive white marking on its chest. It holds me in its gaze, staring at me from the edge of the wood, just beyond the circle of light thrown by my fire. Maybe it’s the shadows playing tricks on me, but the deer seems even larger than I recall; it’s crazy, but the simple presence of it makes me feel a little better.

"Thought I scared you away!" I say. The deer blinks at me but stays put. "Suit yourself." Oh, great. Just great. If Xena could see me now, talking to a dumb animal. Well hey, I rationalize, it’s not like she’s never had a conversation or two with Argo! I’m satisfied with that thought, and return to my parchment.

I stop writing, and put down my quill. The flames of the fire are dying, and I have neither the energy nor the desire to build it up again. The deer has left me, retreating back to the forest from whence it came. There is a tightness that grips my chest, it will not release me; an ache in my gut that I cannot shake.

I am alone.

Well, it’s been quite a boring day, waiting around for the return of the warrior princess. All right... let me rephrase that. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Well... actually, it wasn’t too bad at all! I had a nice walk around the lake after breakfast. Most of the shoreline is soft and sandy, but there are a few sections where a tumble of rocks rise up from the water, creating a sharpened ledge perfect for sunning or swimming. If one were inclined to do so. I am not.

I practiced with my staff right through lunch; I didn’t realize how the time had gotten away from me until my stomach rumbled! Solari and Ephiny would be proud to see how proficient I’ve become. To think, when I was just starting out, I boinked myself on the head with this Amazon weapon!

I’d sat down and had a light meal of salted beef, and considered that I wasn’t really missing Xena too much on such a productive day. Only a few times had I thought I heard Argo’s hoof-beats approach. My friend Demeter... oh... did I mention - I’ve named my deer friend Demeter? I know it’s silly, but I couldn’t go on talking to him without giving him a name! And ‘Demeter’ was convenient!

Anyway, Demeter came by while I was eating lunch, and he was at his boldest yet! I tossed him a bit of the beef, and at first he shied away, nearly plunging back into the forest. But I spoke softly to him, coaxing him out, letting him know he need not fear me, and back he came. He licked at the meat tentatively at first, then he took it in his mouth, tossing it upwards, finally swallowing it in one great gulp. Success!

Demeter is gone now. He’s probably gone back to tell all his friends about the free lunch he had! The position of the white-hot sun overhead tells me that it’s late afternoon, and the perspiration from my exertions this day cause my clothing to stick uncomfortably to my skin. I think maybe I will have that swim after all. But before I do, I want to make use of this daylight while I can...

How Dulcia worried over her Demeter, and each day and night she prayed to every god she knew to petition for his safe return. King Memnos shared in his daughter’s concern, but he knew that so courageous a warrior as Demeter would rather die for freedom’s sake than live under the rule of tyranny.

Do I want to do this? My feather hesitates in the air above my parchment. Awww.... why not! I feel inspired.

... after Demeter departed, she noticed a young deer grazing on the wild grasses that grew along the line where the forest met the shore. It was a beautiful thing, with sad dark eyes and a white blaze on its chest. It took no mind of her, calmly chewing on the soft grass, and, truth be known, Dulcia did not mind its company.

Whoa - what am I doing here? I blow a puff of air on my parchment to dry it off. I don’t care. It’s my story. And right now, I’m going for that swim.

**********

"Gabrielle.... You know, if I could do it all over again, I’d take the southern route!"

Through the misty haze of my deepest, shaded memories, I can hear so clearly Xena’s words of apology and regret.

"I’m SO sorry..."

She thought I couldn’t hear her, and even now she thinks I never did, yet I remember it all, with a calm, focused clarity unlike any I have ever known before. Yes, Xena’s words come back to me, through that thin veil which shields our lives in the present from that which may come after. I hovered near that passage for a time, I know, and scared Xena to within an inch of her life.

I made the decision long ago to travel with her, to wherever the fortunes and the fates might lead us. To share in the life we chose for ourselves, and to be responsible for the consequences of those choices. I know Xena blames herself for what happened to me in Thessaly, taking me into a war zone. But for me, the horror of those few days was a learning experience I’ll never forget.

I worked side-by-side with Xena, saving soldiers’ lives - regardless of whose side they fought on - watching her breathe a blaze of life back into those who before had shown only the tiniest of sparks. And we lost some, too. For death’s hands reach far and wide, and we know not on whose heart at last her favor rests. Never before had I felt so close to Xena, as I did during those days. It was like a battle to her, fighting for each life, and I know how hard she fought to reclaim mine. I thanked her, afterwards, for what she did, and I wonder now at how she struggles; she will never forgive herself for what happened, and yet there is nothing to forgive.

So maybe Xena was worried about taking me into a place where there was fighting, I consider. If she thought it might get rough at Kastri... well, I still don’t like it, but I suppose I understand. Even so, how does she think it makes me feel to watch her ride off into battle, into the unknown, not knowing when or if she’ll return?

No, she will come back. And as I gaze into the campfire, I can almost see her face flickering before me. She promised me she would return. And Xena keeps her promises.

"Xena will be back tomorrow, Demeter." I say to my silent companion. He’d sniffed his nose at a wedge of cheese I’d tossed his way earlier, when he first emerged at the edge of the thicket. Not interested. I did have some of the salted beef left, but darn it, that was going to be my breakfast. He’ll have to wait until then.

I idly chew on a last bit of bread; I thought I would be ravenous this evening, after my day’s activities, but no. My appetite has deserted me, for now. It occurs to me that I should think about setting a snare or two; perhaps I will tomorrow.

It’s been two days.

"We’ll set a snare after breakfast, Demeter, and have a nice rabbit stew ready for Xena."

Demeter snorts softly, and I shoot him a sidelong glance. "You do like rabbit stew, don’t you?" I laugh aloud as he rears up slightly and takes off back into the forest. "Guess not."

I stretch my arms out overhead, releasing some of the muscle tension from my busy day, and I think of the Demeter who lives on my parchment, and his love - Dulcia - and I wonder what will become of them.

Demeter and his army traveled to the west, to where King Memnos’ lands bordered against the evil warlord’s. It was here that Nadra had done the most damage, and like all wicked men, he fought to take over that which did not belong to him; in this case, the kingdom of Memnos itself.

I don’t think I can write anymore just now. I’m feeling... tired. I open my bedroll and lie down. In the brilliantly clear night, it’s easy for me to pick out the constellations: there’s Ares, the rat, and Orion. I listen to the silence. After a time, I squeeze my eyes tightly shut, and force my body to relax. As exhausted as I feel, I can already sense it - sleep will not come easily to me this night. And I am afraid of what I might dream.

Schrufft! There it is again! There’s a noise nearby and it’s startled me awake. Normally, I could sleep through a troop of Persians marching through, or so Xena says, but I never did fall into a deep sleep last night. In a reflex move, I reach for my staff and do a quick inventory of the campsite. It’s not quite dawn. There is a faint, orange luminescence in the eastern sky; I can see it through the curtain of trees that surrounds me. The fire is nothing but a pile of faintly glowing embers, and there, standing in its ebbing light, is Demeter.

"Demeter, what are you doing?" I breathe a sigh of relief that it’s only him.

Demeter is already way ahead of me in the breakfast department; I see he’s somehow worked opened my travel bag that contains our supplies, and is helping himself to the salted beef.

"Noooo!" I groan, and he falters in his task, pawing at the dirt and then backing away a few paces. "Now what am I going to eat?" I question him, but he doesn’t seem inclined to answer me.

I get up out of my bedroll, and feel the cool of the pre-dawn air on my skin. "Look at what you’ve done!" I complain, but my tone is not an angry one. I re-pack and stow away the food, more carefully this time, and tie it off in a nearby tree.

Aaah well... the beef is already ruined, so I might as well let him finish it, I think. I pick up the remainder of the unfortunate cow, and sit down on a flattened stone near the fire. I loosely arrange one of my furs up around my shoulders to ward off the chill I still feel.

"C’mere boy!" and I beckon him with the meat. But Demeter is wary now - where has the rest of the food gone?

"Sssshhh..." I say, "It’s okay... I won’t hurt you... are you hungry?" I waggle the food in front of him. I can see the desire in his eyes, he’s already had a taste or two of this treat, and wants more. He takes a step towards me, making a soft, snuffling sound.

"That’s it... good boy..." I encourage him, speaking to him gently, and closer, closer he comes, until finally he nips at the meat in my hand and quickly backs away. I do not flinch, I show no fear, and I continue to hold the meat out steadily. Demeter returns, more confidently this time, and leans in for a small bite of the beef. I can feel the gentle tug as he takes it from me.

"Good... good boy!" I praise him, and soon, I find that Demeter and I are both eating breakfast, and sharing spirited conversation. Well... at least he’s a good listener. Wait until Xena hears about this!

**********

The kingdom was safe, and for that, the people rejoiced. But all Dulcia knew was sorrow and loneliness. Each day, after Demeter’s death, she traveled to the lake-shore, dreaming of the love she knew would never return. She tortured herself, grieving over the life together they would never share. And she cried a flood of tears that threatened to drown the very lake itself.

"Well... well... well! What have we here?!!"

I drop my quill to the ground beside me, and my heart leaps into my mouth. Two swarthy-looking men have somehow crept close to the camp, and are now nearly upon me. Zeus! If only I hadn’t been so involved in my writing on this warm morning, I might’ve heard them sooner!

"Hi there!" I say, trying to sound indifferent. "Just passing through?" I slowly reach my hand behind me, groping for my staff. At least, I think it’s still behind me.

"Yeah... we’re just passing through all right, missy..." one man says, giving his partner a sidelong grin, and I can see that he’s missing a few teeth. Ugh.

"...and we’ll be on our way, as soon as we get what we came for!" They both move closer to me, their dirty, stubby hands reaching out.

There! I feel my staff.

"WAIT!" I shout, leaping to my feet and swinging my staff around to a level position in front of me. "You’d better back off, or someone’s going to get hurt!" I’m secretly pleased at just how intimidating I sound.

The ruffians hesitate, apprising the threat I pose to them. They look doubtful, initially, and then wordlessly decide that two against one - that one being a girl - are still pretty good odds. "Somebody is gonna get hurt," the bolder of the two - my toothless friend - sneers, "but it’s not gonna be US!"

"NO!" I take a step backwards. "You don’t want to mess with me," I say. "My friend is just over there in the woods," I motion behind me, "and she’ll be back any minute. Perhaps you’ve heard of her: Xena, the Warrior Princess?" A wary look passes between them. "And let me tell you," I laugh, "she slept on a rock last night and is in one really bad mood!"

"She’s bluffing!" Toothy says to his buddy, and they turn on me again.

"Try me! Oh Zeeeenaaa!" I call out. Uh-oh, I’ve really gotten myself into a jam. Now would be a good time for Xena to reappear, but my heart begins to sink as reality sets in.

Suddenly, there is a great crashing sound from the woods behind me. What the--

"XENA!!!" Toothy screeches. "Let’s get out of here!" And he nearly tramples his partner in his zeal to escape.

"Out of my way - you--!" his friend gives him a shove.

I release a hoarse laugh as I watch the two trip away, their feet working furiously beneath them.

"Good timing, Xe--" And I turn to welcome back my friend, who stands there straight and tall, chest heaving, nostrils flared in anger. Eyes big and dark-- dark? Yes, for my savior is Demeter.

"Oh, it’s you!" I say, slightly crestfallen. He looks at me curiously, as if to determine if I’m okay, and then he stomps off back into the woods. It is only then that I start to tremble; I can’t tell whether I’m laughing or crying. "Thanks, Demeter," I shake my head and look towards the west - towards Kastri.

**********

I don’t know why I let those two brigands bother me; I’ve been out-of-sorts since Demeter chased them away. I’m sure, if it had come down to it, that I could’ve handled them. It’s late-afternoon now, and I don’t feel like walking, I don’t feel like swimming, I don’t feel like eating, and my stupid quill keeps gobbing up the inkwell. Darn it! WHAT is keeping Xena?!

I turn an eye to the sky and see we’ve only a few more hours of daylight left, and as the sun slowly starts to slip to the west, my heart sinks too. It’s not like Xena to be overdue, without sending word. Something must be wrong. What if there was fighting at the pass? What if---? I shudder at the thought of what ill wind might have befallen her.

Once before - no twice - I thought Xena had left me and crossed over. The last time was by far the worst. That great gulf of emptiness I felt, knowing that the better half of my soul had been ripped from me - I don’t know if I could bear it again. There are things worse than death, like living without the one you love. And I know a little bit about both.

I haven’t seen Demeter in a while, and I wonder: where is he? Well, I’ll try to finish this story while there’s still some daylight left. I never did set those snares today, but at least I can show Xena what a productive bard I’ve been while she was gone. After all, this ‘story’ thing was her idea. Now... where was I before those creeps interrupted me?

Oh - okay. I hope Demeter gets his wish. In fact, I’m going to make sure of it!

My nose twitches a couple of times before my mind registers what I smell. I pause in my scribbling, and sniff at the late afternoon air. It carries on it the faint scent of a campfire. Not too close, yet not so far away that I can’t detect it. I’m sure it’s not those men from earlier; they’re bound to be long gone, by the looks of abject fear I’d seen on their faces. Even when she’s miles away, Xena has that effect on people! I smile.

Curiosity overcomes my guardedness, and I put my writing things away. I sling my travel bag with our valuables in it over my shoulder just in case; best not to leave it unattended, and I pick up my staff and head off in the direction the winds are coming from. If Xena returns while I’m away, then she’ll just have to wait for me. In a hesitant gesture of hopefulness, I turn back and quickly scrawl her a note on a piece of parchment: "Gone to visit the neighbors. Back soon. G."

I hear the voices of several men as I approach. I’ve been walking for 10 or 15 minutes now, along the road to Kastri, in fact, and the smells of a cook-fire have gotten stronger.

I round a bend in the road, and there, in plain view, are a group of soldiers up ahead. They’ve made a small camp off to the side, in a natural open glade. With some relief, I can tell by their uniforms they are a detachment of Athenian soldiers.

"Hello!" I greet them with a slight wave.

"Hello ma’am," a soldier who appears to be their leader approaches me. It’s apparent that these men have seen battle recently; they’re slightly the worse for the wear, bruised and bloodied. Yet there is an air of elation that courses among them, I can sense it. Today was a good day for fighting.

"Where do you travel from?" I ask.

"Kastri," the leader tells me.

I swallow hard. "What happened there?"

"We won, didn’t we boys?" and he turns around to acknowledge the cheers from his men gathered at the campfire. "We’re heading back to Marinos for some rest and relaxation!" He grins, and then a look of concern passes over his face. "Listen, miss. You’re not traveling alone, are you?" And he looks past me, searching.

"No," I say. "I - I’m waiting for a friend of mine. Perhaps you’ve seen her: Xena of Amphipolis?" The conversation around the campfire quiets, and the men look at each other, and then at me, with solemn appreciation and wonder.

"Xena..." their leader says and there’s a distant look in his eye, remembering.

"Yes - have you seen her?" Yes or no, I fear equally whichever answer he might give me.

"Did we ever - she was magnificent! Without her the pass - and the battle - surely would’ve been lost."

I laugh awkwardly. "That’s Xena - always sticking her nose in if she thinks she can help!" I hold onto my staff with both hands, trying to steady them. "Where is she now?"

The leader returns from his reverie. "I don’t rightly know, miss." Sympathy skips across his face. "I lost sight of her at the pass... didn’t see her after that. I - I’m sure she’s okay." The doubt in his voice is plain.

"What about the other men from the pass?" I try to remain calm. "Are any of them here?" I try and push past him.

"I’m sorry..." he says softly, and he grips my arm, stopping me. "The battle at the pass was fierce - your friend led the first wave in, and there were no survivors from it that we’ve come across..."

"No... NO!" My heart starts to pound. "It can’t be. I’ve got to find her!" And I try to pull away from the soldier. To Tartarus with what Xena said about my waiting for her! She can’t do this to me - not again. I won’t let her! I wrench out of the man’s grasp.

"No - wait - don’t go off alone!" He calls after me. "It’ll be dark soon - stay here and have something to eat!" I’m passing by their campfire now, and one of the men offers me piece of meat on a spit.

In an instant, I take it all in. There’s more of the meat cooking over the fire. It’s venison. Behind the men, tautly stretched between two branches, is a cinnamon hide with a white blaze in front.

I feel ill. "What’s that?"

"Deer!" a soldier cheerily replies. "And it won’t get any fresher!" He waves the sickening flesh in front of me. "We just killed it. It was the craziest thing, the way it stood there... it didn’t even try to get away..."

A pounding siren in my head drowns out the rest of his words, and I press onward, stumbling down the road to Kastri. I fight off the numbness, the raw fear that snakes its way around my heart and my mind. My breath comes in hitching spurts. Xena needs me. If she can’t come to me, then I shall go to her.

The sun has closed out another day; a golden-violet hue paints the western sky ahead of me, and behind me the cobalt cloak of twilight threatens to enshroud me all too soon. I’m not sure how far ahead Kastri is, and I don’t care. I will keep walking through the night, if I have to. I know Xena would do the same for me.

I ignore the tears that stain my face, and I push away any thought about what harm might have befallen Xena, for I irrationally fear that by even thinking the worst, I will give credence to it, make it a reality. Poor Demeter... and a sob catches in my throat. I’m sure it’s all my fault, that if I hadn’t tried to tame him, he wouldn’t have been caught by the soldiers.

I know that life and death are the foundations upon which nature flourishes and grows... it is the way of things. I can’t blame the soldiers, though I want to. And I feel a flare of anger at Demeter. Why did he let himself get killed? Why didn’t he run away when he had the chance?

I trip over a root on the road, and I curse at it. Oh, why did Xena go off without me? I drive my staff into the ground with each step I take.

She tries to protect me by leaving me behind, tries to keep me safe from harm, but doesn’t she realize that I’d gladly choose to perish at her side... rather than die the thousand deaths I live when I’m away from her?

I feel it before I hear it, the vibration of hooves upon the ground; I hear it before I see it, the steady cadence of the horse’s canter. And at last I dare myself to raise my eyes; I gaze down the road and then I see it, the horse and the rider, bathed in a faint backlit glow from the far horizon. It is her.

And as she approaches, my last reserves of composure shatter, and I can’t say anything for the tears I cry. "Oh Xena..." I manage to get out between my choking sobs. Gods, how embarrassing this is, when I wanted to be so strong for her!

"Gabrielle!" she cries, leaping off of Argo before the horse has even slowed to a stop. "Are you all right?"

She rubs her hands up and down my arms, and then holds me out from her, looking for signs of injury. Of course, what a sight I must look! I wish I could take away the worry from her eyes. "I - I’m fine!" I squeak. "Are you?"

"I’m okay!" she says, but I can see the bloodied rag of a bandage she has around her upper left arm. Fortunately, other than that ugly wound and a few smaller cuts and bruises, my warrior seems otherwise in one piece. I start a new wave of weeping, thanking the gods for answering my prayers.

"What’s the matter?" she asks, drawing me close and stroking my hair.

"I was just... worried about you, that’s all."

We hold each other for a time, until Xena finally ends the embrace. "C’mon," she says, and Argo whickers restlessly. "Let’s get out of here." I watch the warrior easily swing up into the saddle, and she reaches a strong arm down to me. A wry smile crinkles across her dusty, dirtied face.

"This time," she says, "you’re riding with me."

**********

"What are you writing?"

I place my quill down at the sound of her low, rumbling voice, and I smile. We have returned to the designated place of our rendezvous; in a sense it is fitting: Xena promised she would return here, and she has. We both have cleaned up, and I insisted on putting a fresh strip of cloth on the angry red streak that cuts across her arm. A gift she received from a Persian, she said.

"A new story," I answer her. "After all, it was your idea!" and she returns my smile.

Things were quiet over dinner: stale bread and cheese again, due to my lack of industriousness in the snare department. Xena didn’t seem to want to talk too much about what had happened at Kastri, and that was fine with me. I’d already imagined the fighting quite well enough on my own, thank you. It was enough for her to know that I cared - and I could feel that she did know it. And although I was overjoyed to have her by my side once again, my heart was still heavy with the stark, sudden loss of my Demeter. How could I ever begin to explain this to Xena? I knew she was baffled at my reactions this evening. Thankfully, I’ve regained some of my self-control that was lacking earlier.

When our meal was done, I resolved to finish my story, and Xena moved to sit on a nearby log. There, she produced her whetstone, and began to sharpen her sword. It was a sound that soothed me, centered me, as it did Xena; more quickly than I’d anticipated, I reconciled Demeter and Dulcia in my own way - forever.

"I’d like to hear it," she says, returning her attention to the blade.

"Soon," I reply, and I hope she cannot hear the catch in my voice. I don’t feel confident that I can get through the story now without bawling my eyes out. It’s too soon. And what would Xena think?

"Gabrielle..."

I look up, only to be captured by her brilliant blue eyes. It’s too late, I know it. She can tell something’s wrong. Why is it that she can see into my very soul, and know how I feel, when so often I cannot begin to fathom her?

She replaces her sword in its scabbard, and begins to move towards me.

"Xena I--" We both pause to look towards the edge of the wood, where there’s a rustle of leaves and branches. A small, cinnamon head pokes its way out of the thicket, and curiously takes us in.

"Ohhh..." I can’t believe it... it’s a miniature Demeter, with the same white blaze on its chest. No longer a fawn, yet not quite full grown, it gives us the once over. Then, with an impatient snort, it bounds back into the forest.

"Cute," Xena says. "Not much more than yearling, I think."

How Xena got next to me so quickly I do not know, perhaps because I was blinded by my weeping. Zeus! Will my well of tears never run dry? Xena must think I’m a basket case.

"Sshhh... what is it Gabrielle?" I can hear the anxiety in her voice as her warm arms enfold me.

"Xena... I was so worried... I thought I’d lost you forever!!" There, it was out.

"What?" Xena is incredulous. "I promised you I’d be back!"

I embrace my warrior in a hold so tight that I think I surely must be crushing the life out of her. I breathe in deeply the spicy, leathered scent of her, and I feel the gently defined muscles of a body I know better than my own. I need her now, right now, more than I ever have, and when her lips find mine, I can tell she needs me too.

"I thought you were going to read me your story?" A teasing smile tugs at the corner of her mouth, as she eases me down onto a hastily thrown blanket.

"Let me show you instead," I breathe, and then I am lost in her.

The End.

Comments welcomed at: Belwah82@aol.com

11/16/98

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