Standard Disclaimer - These characters, most of them, belong to Universal, and Renaissance Pictures, and whoever else has a stake in Xena: Warrior Princess. This is written just in fun, and no copyright infringement was intended.

Violence –Yes, there is violence. Xena has, written into her contract, a clause that requires her to have at least one good, bloody fight every two days or so. Otherwise, all that energy gets pent up, and that's never a good thing. Xena also fights with a sword and a chakram, neither of which is a Nerf Bat. She slices, she dices, and she would probably like Julienne fries.

Subtext - Yes, there be subtext here. This story is based on the premise that it is about two women who are very much in love with each other. There is nothing more than PG-13 action, but there certainly is a lot of that. If love is illegal in your state, move. Now.

Let's see… we used Key Lime Pie last time.. so, I'll say, and if love offends you, then send me your mail address, and I’ll send you some angel food cupcakes with fudge frosting. Because if this kind of love twists your shorts, I really, really, do feel sorry for you.

 Any and all comments are always welcome. You can email them to:

Winter's Ending - Part 2

By Melissa Good

"That looks all right?" The elder questioned, running his callused fingertips over a few words on the agreement between Amphipolis and their neighboring village. "You don't think we're giving too much away?"

Gabrielle studied the page thoughtfully. "No… you aren't using those three fields anyway, right?"

He shook his head. "No.. they've been fallow for three seasons."

"OK, then - and they'll let you have use of that whole tract of forest in return?" The bard took a sip of mulled wine from the cup in front of her, and chewed the tip of her quill. "Does that include stripping for firewood?"

Hadras nodded. "Yes.. I thought that might come in pretty handy this year."

"Looks good to me." Gabrielle smiled, taking in the nods of approval from around the table. "I think I've been through that forest a few times… doesn't it also have a mineral spring?"

Hadras glanced across the table, then back at her. "Does it? Why.. that's great news." Smiles broke out all round. "Thank you, Gabrielle." He gave a satisfied sigh. "That's all then… " Chairs scraped the floor as the councilmembers prepared to leave, an excited hum filling the air. Hadras looked back at Gabrielle. "So.. tell me. How long are we going to be blessed with your presence?"

Gabrielle took a breath, then let it out, on a gentle laugh. "I don't know.. really." She shrugged lightly. "It depends on a lot of things. Maybe through the winter, at any rate."

"Oh ho.." Hadras' eyes glinted, and he chuckled. "That's good news." He thought about that for a minute, then sighed. "Never thought I'd be saying that."

The bard glanced at the table, and traced a bit of the woodgrain with a fingertip, then looked up at him. "She's changed."

Hadras studied her quietly. "No, not really." He put hand up, to forestall her protest. "After Cortese, she became a stranger." His eyes met hers. "The person living here now is the girl I remember growing up. She hasn't changed, she's just come home."

Gabrielle smiled. "You know, I thought so." She laughed a little. "I wish we'd known each other as kids."

Hadras stood, and stretched his stiffened back with a groan. "Ah, Gabrielle.. " He rested a hand on her shoulder. "That would have changed the world." He patted her back, and left, leaving her to reflect quietly on his words.

Changed the world. Her mind turned that thought over, as she leaned on her elbows, and laced her fingers together. I wonder… it sure would have changed my world. She sighed. What would I have become, if I'd had this unconditional support all my life? Would she have gone down that dark path? She pushed herself to her feet and started for the door, still deep in thought. Do I even know we would have been friends?

She thought about that, as she walked across the courtyard agreeably surprised by the continued decent weather. As her boots hit their walk, she decided that yes, they would have been. She could feel it, had felt it the second they'd looked into each other's eyes for the first time and she'd felt.. something. A connection.. as though they'd been friends all along. Right off. And she'd always felt that, even in the worst of times… a gentle tugging on her heart that had somehow gotten her through all the tough times, and the lonely ones. And had brought her here, at last, to this time and this place, and the two of them as they were.

She smiled to herself, and ducked inside, to grasp her staff, change into her practice tunic, and head back towards the inn, where lunch was waiting, and staff practice afterwards.

"Hi mom." She called, as she stuck her head in the kitchen on the way in. "Wow.. that smells great."

"Gabrielle.. get in here." Cyrene laughed, motioning her forwards. "But leave that stick outside."

This got a grin from the bard, who carefully stowed her staff in an unused corner, and moved into the steamy kitchen, where there was a lovely smell coming from whatever it was Cyrene was cooking over the big main fire. As she approached, the innkeeper dipped a portion into a bowl, and handed it to her. "Here… sit. You wanted to hear stories about my daughter as a child, right?" She exchanged grins with Johan, who was seated at the small table, resting his chin on his calloused hands.

Gabrielle grinned fiercely, and took a seat, digging into the bowl of meat and vegetables with enthusiasm. "You bet." She agreed, accepting a thick slice of buttered bread Cyrene handed her. "Thanks." She bit into the slice, and sighed, chewing and swallowing before commenting "Mom, you're going to be my downfall, you know that, right?" She held up the bread and patted her stomach "You're spoiling me pretty bad."

"Nonsense." Cyrene snorted. "With all the energy you put out, you need every bite, so don't give me that." She waved a spoon at her. "I have the same problem with my daughter. Can't feed her enough to keep anything on those bones."

The bard laughed, waving the bread back at her. "Ok.. I surrender." She resumed chewing. "Now.. what's this about a story?"

Johan muffled a chuckled. "Ye're not going to tell her about Sparky then, are you?"

Cyrene grinned.

Gabrielle swallowed her mouthful and glanced from one to the other. "Sparky?"

"Oh.. I'm leaving then." Johan stood and brushed his tunic off. "I"ll not be a party to this. I don't want that one mad at ME." He hurried out, shaking his head.

They looked at each other. "Will she be mad?" Gabrielle asked quietly. "I don’t need to know it then." I’m past that.. I think.

"No." Cyrene responded, just as quietly. "Not if it's you." She smiled. "I don’t think there's anything she'd mind you knowing, is there?"

Gabrielle smiled a little, and glanced down at her bowl, then took a breath and looked back up. "I don't know. I hope not." Then she laughed a little. "For sure not something about when she was a kid.. I've heard.. a lot of stuff about later on."

Cyrene nodded, and slipped more stew into her bowl. "She was quite a.. "

"Handful?" Gabrielle hazarded, with a twinkle.

"Well, yes." The innkeeper admitted, with a chuckle. "Very active, and stubborn."

"Some things just don't change." The bard giggled, biting a piece of carrot in two and chewing it.

They exchanged amused grins. "But she always defended those who needed it.. maybe that's why I was so..dissapointed when she..." Cyrene sat down, and picked a bit of meat from the bubbling pot and chewed on it. "She's told you about Digger?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "No.. "

Cyrene looked startled. "Oh.. well, since she told you about her being… well. The reason she was at the quarry that day was because some of the local lads were chasing a puppy with rocks, you know. And my Xena… " The woman sighed in remembrance. "Chased them off, then chased off after that puppy. She caught him on the edge of the quarry, and one of those kids took the opportunity to play what they thought was a joke." She chuckled a little. "Held onto that thing the whole time she was trapped, and wouldn't let me get rid of him after." She glanced up at Gabrielle, who had stopped eating, and was just looking at her. "Poor thing. A trader's cart ran him down a few years later. I thought… well, anyway." She paused. "Gabrielle?"

The bard put the bowl down, and rested her elbows on her knees. "That fits." She said quietly. "She didn’t get out of the way of that damned landslide because she stopped to rescue Ares."

"Some things just really don't change." Cyrene mused. "Anyway, she was always bringing animals home. Saving them, finding them, you name it." She got up and poured a glass of milk, the walked over and handed it to the bard. "Here." She paused, "Gabrielle?"

The bard shook herself a little, and straightened up. "Sorry." She took the glass and swallowed half it's contents. "Sorry.. I just.. " Was remembering that day. The pain of those first few minutes..when I didn't know.. oh gods.

Cyrene studied her. Now..I know.. I think.. why Xena came back here. She didn't want to do that again to this poor lass. She always was protecting the little ones. "Don't think of it, Gabrielle. It's over." Maybe for good.. maybe my headstrong daughter has finally come to her senses. She gave the bard a gentle rub on the back.

"I know." Gabrielle made an obvious effort, taking several deep breaths, and forcing a smile to her face. "I’m all right." She picked up her bowl again, and started eating. "What was this about a Sparky?"

"Then one morning." Cyrene explained to the bard, slipping more stew into her bowl as she sat entranced. "I didn't hear Sparky crow." She smiled as Gabrielle started eating without paying attention to what she was doing. "So I crept downstairs, to where he liked to sleep, on the bench in the inn. And what do I see?"

"What?" The bard asked, wild with curiosity.

"I see Sparky, with his little eyes bugging out, flapping on the bench, and a little hand wrapped around his neck."

"Oh gods." Gabrielle giggled. "Let me guess."

"Oh yes." Cyrene laughed. "There she was, lying down, comfortable as you please, with her head propped up on one hand, and her other one holding down Sparky. "

Gabrielle closed her eyes, and bit her lip, a very vivid picture of her partner in miniature forming in her mind. Bet she had that same little quirky grin, even then.

"Well, I yelled, and she let him loose, and don't you know that rooster chased her all over the inn?"

"Really?" The bard gasped.

"Oh yeah, pecked her right on the butt, he did, Should have heard her yelling." Cyrene chuckled. "Then he chased her out side, and right into the barn."

"Oh no.." Gabrielle's eyes widened, thinking of Xena, cornered by a rabid rooster.

"Oh yes… " Cyrene nodded vigorously. "There he was, pacing back and forth in front of the door, strutting his feathers, proud as he could be.:"

"And.. what happened?" Gabrielle asked, still giggling.

Cyrene sighed. "Well, next thing I know, the door to the stable bursts open, and our biggest plow horse came charging out, and ran the poor rooster right out of the yard, yelling his head off. With my daughter on the horse's back, of course. "

Gabrielle burst out into gales of laughter. "Oh.. that's Xena all right." Yep.. that's my partner, through and through. "She's always got something up her sleeve." She took a deep breath. "She just hates losing."

"Yes, that I know." Cyrene sighed, still chuckling. "And my gods, could she ride.. even as a child, no horse was off limits to her.. she was so strong, and so without fear… it frightened me sometimes."

"That hasn't changed either." Gabrielle said softly. "Did she have many friends? I know she talks about Lyceus, but…"

Cyrene shook her head. "No.. she was too wild for the girls, and we didn’t have that many anyway, and the boys.. well, goodness… she was forever beating them up. They couldn't take that." She sat down and rested her elbows on her knees. "No, Lyceus was her best friend. He used to follow her everywhere. They were very close." She studied her hands. "When he died.. something in her died too. I… saw it happen, and it almost killed me." Now her eyes found Gabrielle's "I never thought I'd see that side of her again, until she met you."

Gabrielle felt a lump rising in her throat. It was one thing to think you might have made a difference in someone's life. It was quite another thing to be told point blank. "It's a mutual thing, mom. I don't.. like to think about who I'd be.. where I'd be.. without her."

Cyrene rose, and crossed over to her, and put a hand on her chin. "Take care of yourself, Gabrielle. For her sake." The innkeeper's eyes were shadowed. "I fear for her if she ever loses you."

The bard took several breaths before she could answer. "No chance." She bit the inside of her lip hard. "We've got this… deal.. with each other." She stopped, and breathed again. "Where she goes, I go."

Cyrene stared at her for an endless moment, comprehension dawning in her eyes. "But Gabrielle…"

The bard stood, and put her arms around Cyrene. "I know." She whispered in her ear. "But that 's my choice."

They stood hugging each other for a minute, then Gabrielle sighed. "I gotta go do staff practice." She sniffed a little. "They're expecting me."

The innkeeper patted her back, and nodded. "Go on then. Here I was, supposed to be telling you a funny story, and look where we ended up."

Gabrielle smiled. "It was a funny story, and I'm going to have a wonderful time teasing Xena with it. Thanks for telling me."

"Anytime, cutie." Cyrene pinched her cheek lightly. "But don't you be telling that one in the tavern, OK? Or I'll be the one being chased around the stableyard."

The bard laughed. "Oh no.. no no.. that would be a bad idea. Very bad." She turned, then bit her lip. Bad bard. Baaaad bard. No you will NOT tell that story. Nope. Not even to Ephiny. She waved goodbye, and strode through the door. Well.. maybe to Ephiny. Maybe. But not until after Xena gets her for that war horse comment. "Cock a doodle doo.. " She muttered under her breath, drawing a startled stare from Johan.

The girls all looked at her once Ephiny and Cait had ridden off, obviously not knowing what to expect. Xena peered back, not sure herself what to do with them. She observed that the camp had been packed up, but that they'd been in the middle of preparing dinner. "Have you all eaten yet?" She asked cautiously.

They hadn't expected that question. "Ummm.. .. no." Sharra finally said, after glancing at each of her compatriots.

"All right. Do it quick." Xena replied in a no nonsense tone, and quirked an eyebrow at them. She didn't really want to waste the time, but… if they don’t eat, they're not going to make it to Amphipolis. She considered. And besides, it gives me more of a chance to dry out.

"Do you want some?" Lista asked softly, creeping a little closer to her and holding out some of the roast rabbit cautiously.

Wonder what they'd do if I said I only ate mine raw? Xena amused herself with the thought. "No thanks." She let a half smile quirk her lips. "I've got some packed here." Yeah, thanks Gabrielle. You little sneak. Her smile got wider as she unpacked the wrapped bundle in her rucksack, two pocket sandwiches, stuffed with all the things she liked. A gentle look crossed her face, when she realized part of the wrapping was parchment, and had writing on it. Carefully, she unwrapped it, and spread the writing out on her knee, munching the sandwich with one hand, and reading in silence.

Xena read the note a few times, letting her eyes linger over the firm quill strokes with a sense of quiet happiness. Leave it to Gabrielle. So casual, so matter of fact, and every word touched a chord with unerring accuracy. She sighed contentedly, and carefully folded up the note, tucking it inside her pack, then looking up.

Seeing four pairs of very curious eyes watching her every move. Oh… Ares' balls. She realized. What goofy kind of look must I have on my damned face. "Everyone ready?" She managed to keep the no nonsense tone in her voice.

Eyes flicked to each other, and four heads bobbed. "Good. Get your stuff." Xena rose smoothly to her feet, and slung the pack over her shoulders, fastening the straps to hold it out of her way in case she needed to use her sword.

Sharra poked Megan. "She's pretty even when she's drenched, huh?"

The dark haired girl giggled. "Too right." She pulled Sharra's head down close. "You think the note's from the Queen?"

Sharra snorted. "Like.. who else would it be from? Did you see that smile? "

"Ooo.. did I ever." Megan breathed. "Shhh.. Eponin says she can hear like anything.. keep it down."

Xena sighed, and focused her thoughts on the weather, the sky, the damp ground, putting the fire out.. anything to distract her from the soft blush creeping up her neck. Sometimes, I wish I could just turn that wonderful hearing right off. Just.. bap. Like that. "All right, let's go." She motioned them to move ahead of her, and checked one last time to make sure the fire was securely out.

They passed through the forest in silence, Xena ranging from lead to rearguard, flickering around the girls with a deft skill that sent chills down their spines. At one point, she paused, and held up her hand.

In the dark silence of the forest, where the wind moved the leaves overhead with a gentle rustle, and the occasional patter of falling dead ones tickled their senses they stood, waiting, watching the barely seen profile of the warrior turned into the wind, nostrils slightly flared. Ares crouched at her feet, growling.

It came to them in a chill, a dull cough that echoed eerily. They saw Xena's body stiffen, one hand going to her sword hilt, the other motioning them back against a thick tree trunk.

The dim pattern of moonlight hit the trail they were on, and slowly, as though revealing a statue, they saw the inky outline of a large panther crouched and waiting, tail a twitch. Yellow eyes bearing down on them like candles in a dark room.

The snake's whisper of steel on leather, and the moonlight's sharded reflection off a blade that shifted and whirled in Xena's hand, as she lifted her arm, and waited, weapon in attack position, her eyes matching the panther's

Yellow eyes glaring into blue, a dinars flip for which was the wilder, the more feral. Two hunters meeting on a path on a dark night. Then a low guttural growl, as Ares rose out of his own crouch, and his thick ruff lifted, outlining his almost adult sized head. And that made it three hunters.

A moment's deadlocked silence, then the panther flicked its tail, and bowed to good sense, and left the trail in a whisk of black fur and gleaming eyes.

"Easy boy." Xena said quietly to the still growling Ares. "I know you don't like em." She dropped a hand to the wolf's head, and scratched his ears. "Easy now."

"Wow…" Sharra breathed, edging away from the tree and towards Xena. "That was awesome." She looked nervously at Ares. "You guys bluffed it down!"

Xena crouched down slightly so that she was on eye level with the girl, and let her feel the full intensity of her gaze. "I don't bluff." She said quietly. "And neither does he. His family was killed by one of those."

Sharra stared at her, speechless.

"Come on. We're losing time." The warrior motioned them to go on.

Cait struggled to keep Argo on the track, her arms aching from the long hours of riding, supporting Ephiny's weight against the tall mare's neck. The moon above told her it was close to midnight, and as she looked around her heart suddenly lightened.

Rough forest gave way to long familiar fields. She was almost home, and she could almost feel the eyes catching sight of her as she passed what she knew was the first hidden sentry point on the far outskirts of Amphipolis. "Hang in there, OK?" She leaned over Ephiny's still form. "We're close to help." The cold wind cut her to the bone, and she huddled deeper in the saddle, wishing Argo the speed of the gods.

A call rang up, kestrel's cry, and one she could echo and did, and heard it relayed on before her. Need help.. was that one. And now Argo sensed home, and she felt the mare's body respond, quickening her pace as they hit the road that led into the village.

Torches guttered in the wind, and a crowd was gathering in the central courtyard, and eager hands were reaching for the snorting Argo's bridle as Cait pulled her to a halt near the inn. "Have someone near drowned here." She gasped, seeing Johan's worried face. "Need help.. get her inside."

Hands grabbed Ephiny's body, and Cait stood in the stirrups, searching for and finding her quarry. She half slid, half fell off Argo's tall shoulders, and shoved her way heedlessly through the crowd, until she met Gabrielle's tense form, moving towards her halfway through. "It's all right." She said, the instant she was in the bard's hearing, and saw the awful tension in that silent form relax.

"What happened" Gabrielle grabbed her shoulders, glancing over to the form being carried towards her. "Ephiny???" I knew I would have known if it was.. but where…."Where's Xena?"

Cait nodded. "Ephiny fell in the river.. all iced up.. we thought.. and then Xena was there, she broke the ice and saved her. But she was coming on with the head sickness, and Xena said she had to get here… and there were still four of us out there. Xena's bringing them in. "

"Is she.." The bard's voice shook for a minute. "Right.. ok… let's get her inside."

It had been some of the longest candlemarks of her life, between the stark message of Argo's approach, with the nervous news of Xena's absence, until Cait's determined form reached her in the crowd. In her heart, she knew she would have known if something.. bad.. had happened to her partner, but.. it was hard to get her brain to understand that in the middle of a cold night, when she didn't really know what was going on.

She followed Johan and several helpers, who were carrying the Amazon into the inn, as Cyrene held the door. "Into the small back room on this floor." The innkeeper ordered, motioning them with a hand. "Jezzia, get a pot of water on the boil, this girl needs something hot." She put an arm around Cait. "And I'm sure we could all use something too." This was for Gabrielle's benefit, and the bard gave her a quick smile of acknowledgment.

Johan and his crew laid Ephiny down on the sturdy cot in the room Cyrene had indicated, and stepped back, allowing the innkeeper and Gabrielle to move in close.

"Ahh.. damn." Cyrene cursed softly, putting a hand on the Amazon's head. "She's taken a fever." She looked up. "Xena was right to get her here." Her face grew concerned. "But I've no skill in healing.. and Bentas is in the next village."

Gabrielle pushed Ephiny's blond curls back off her head, and sighed at the paleness of her face, hearing the rasping of her breathing. "We need Xena here." She looked up at Cyrene. "She knows what to do for this." She thought a moment, then looked over her shoulder. "Cait?"

"Yes?' The blond girl slid in, and knelt at Gabrielle's side, resting a hand on her arm.

"Which route did they take?" The bard's green eyes fastened on Cait's thin face intently.

"The mountain path, then the riverside one." Cait responded. "She said to tell you that." Like she knew you would ask..

"Right." Gabrielle said, standing and running her fingers through her hair to settle it. "I'm going to meet them half way. "

Cyrene popped up to a standing posture explosively. "Gabrielle! Good gods, girl - we can send people for them. You don’t have to go." What excuse are you going to come up with to justify the need in your eyes to go to her? I can almost feel it, it's that strong.

Gabrielle straightened, and gazed at Ephiny's quiet form. "Right now, I’m ruling the Amazons, mom." She let her eyes raise up to meet Cyrene's. "Those people out there are my responsibility." But she smiled a little. "I don’t mind an escort, though." She saw the look in Cyrene's eyes, and closed her own in acknowledgment. I can't stay away.. I can't, mom.

"I'll go." Came Toris' distinctive voice from the doorway.

They both looked up, surprised. He had been out on a parleying trip up north. Had just gotten back, if his travel-stained garb was any indication. But his face was set, and his eyes were intent, and Gabrielle could, just for an instant, see a flash of something very familiar there. It almost brought a smile to her face. Sometimes.. sometimes, Toris, the blood does run true in you, doesn’t' it? "Thanks." She acknowledged. "Come on.. if I know your sister, she's probably scared those poor kids out of a few years growth by now."

"Hold up." Xena said quietly, knowing her voice would carry to the front of their little group. She'd spotted Megan's second stumble in as many minutes, and knew they needed to take a break. "Let's rest a minute."

Four small forms collapsed to the ground, looking at her with wide, grateful eyes. Xena paced to the front of the line, and selected a tree, dropping to a crouch, then sitting cross legged in front of it. Gods.. it's cold out. Her mind sighed, feeling the icy fingers of air stiffen her slowly drying leathers. Cold was something she could usually ignore, but this.. was getting to her, making her body shiver in reflex, and causing her muscles to cramp with increasing discomfort.

She let her head lean back against the tree, and focused her thoughts on warmth, picturing the fire in their cabin, and Gabrielle's body wrapped comfortingly around her own. It drove the chill back for the moment, and she let herself linger in a foggy daze until her conscience pricked her, and the knowledge of Ephiny's sure distress made her stir, and glance over at her charges.

"Look... I know this isn't easy." She said quietly, as their eyes fastened on her. "But you know we need to get back there, so I can help Ephiny, right?" She let her hand rest on Ares' head, where the wolf was curled up against her thigh. The warmth of his fur felt good against her fingers, and she wished briefly that she'd remembered to bring her heavy cloak.

Nodding heads answered her. "But... it's just that it's so cold, my chest hurts when I breath." Lista timidly explained. "And you walk ever so fast."

Xena sighed inwardly. "Yeah, I know I do." She studied each of them in turn. "But you guys are doing fine."

Sharra inched forward, twisting her hands. "Will Queen Ephiny be all right?"

"How long will it take us to get there?" Lista chimed in.

"What if someone attacks us?" Elianas added, with a grim look.

"I hope so." Xena replied to Sharra. "Depends." That was to Lista. And an eyebrow answered Elianas. "We might not have to walk the whole way."

Megan wriggled forward. "How come?"

Xena grudgingly allowed a grin to quirk across her lips. "Well.. let's just say I have a feeling you'll be seeing another queen of yours pretty soon."

Eyes glanced at each other. "Queen Gabrielle will come out here all by herself?" Megan's eyes grew round. "She's so brave."

That got a real smile from the warrior. "Yes, she is. But I think she'll probably bring a friend or two." Well, this is easier than I thought. "She knows we need to hurry."

"Do you really just travel around together, all over the place?" Elianas asked, leaning forward.

Xena nodded, trying not to smile. "Sure we do."

"You're not scared?" Lista squeaked, to be hit by Sharra immediately.

"Stupid! That's Xena!" Sharra looked at her. "You're not scared of anything are you?"

The blue eyes twinkled. "Only one thing."

Four pairs of eyes widened as if on command. "What?" Megan breathed.

"Queen Gabrielle's temper, if she finds out I've been out in this weather all night with wet clothes on." Xena drawled, lifting herself to her feet, and stretching. "So let's get moving." And she'll be right, because I think I'm gonna pay for this one... She felt a subtle ache in her bones that usually meant nothing good, and sighed inwardly.

They all giggled, and the tension relaxed, the girls now feeling more comfortable with their intimidating shepherd. Now they spoke softly to each other, occasionally directing a question to the silently pacing Xena, shadowed by the equally silent Ares.

"How come you named your dog Ares?" Sharra asked, matching strides with the warrior.

Xena glanced down, and sighed. Boy.. and was that ever the stupidest thing I've done. "Well.. he kind of... " She paused. "I don't know.. he fights all the time, I guess." She finally temporized. "And he's a wolf, not a dog." Easy now, Xena. Remember when Gabrielle first showed up? One thousand questions in one thousand quarter candlemarks? They're just kids.

"Oh." Sharra said, gazing at the trotting Ares. "Where'd you find him?"

Ephiny, you're going to get smacked for this. Xena wrestled her patience into place with difficulty. " His mother was killed by a panther." She answered briefly. "And then he sort of found me."

"Wow." Now Lista had come up on the other side. "So what happened to the panther?"

Xena considered the question. What the Hades. They're Amazons, right? "I strangled it." She muttered.

For small jaws dropped. "No!" Sharra squealed. "Really?"

"Yeah." Xena assured them. "Really."

The all walked along in silence for a minute and Xena thought she might be off the hook, but then she felt a small hand slip in to hers, and she looked down to see Sharra grinning up at her. "Cait was telling us about the rescue at the Centaur Village."

Oh no. Oh.. boy... "She was, huh?" Xena kept her voice neutral. How do I get myself into these things? She let her glance flash ahead, to where the trees were thinning, as the ground sloped down towards the river basin that lead home. "Well, she was there."

"Did you really fly?" Sharra asked, with a twinkle in her eyes. "That's how Cait described it."

Xena glanced up at the stars briefly and sighed. Gabrielle.. where are you when I need you? "Not exactly." The warrior replied shortly. "There was a rise, and I just jumped off it." Fly? Gods.. is that what she thought she saw? Give me a break.

"But you caught the arrow." Megan added, now slipping up on her other side like a worrying ferret.

"Well, yeah. I did do that." Xena allowed, with a slight shrug.

"It could have hit you." Megan persisted, a warm little grin on her face.

"I guess." Xena admitted. "Didn't matter, so long as it didn't hit... " And realized what she was saying a moment too late. "Well, I couldn't let your queen get hurt, right?"

They all stayed silent for a minute, and Xena almost had herself convinced she'd dodged a crossbow bolt when Megan took hold of her other hand and looked up at her, with all the wondering adoration of a child.

"You would have died for her, wouldn't you?" The girl asked, staring up at Xena's shadowed face in awe.

Time stopped for a long instant. Four eyes fastened on her, and Xena knew she was going to have to answer the question. Well.. she didn't have to.. but... there wasn't any real reason not to, because the truth was pretty evident, even to these wide eyed kids. "Yeah." The warrior finally acknowledged. A thousand times over.

"Oh.. wow." Sharra sighed deeply. "That is so awesome. Gabrielle was right.. she said living with you was like living in a fairy tale."

"What?" Xena laughed, glad the darkness neatly covered the powerful blush she felt warming her skin. A fairy tale??? Oh yeah.. right. A nightmare, more like it.

"She said... I mean, someone asked her what it was like, you know?" Sharra chattered on. "When she stayed with us that last time." The girl smiled shyly up at Xena. "And she said it was like living in a fairy tale, with her own private hero. "

Gabrielle... I'm gonna kill you. "I think she was exaggerating a little." Xena shrugged that off with a light chuckle. "We mostly spend a lot of time sleeping on the ground, and getting involved in other people's problems." She glanced down. "Right Ares?"

"Roo!!!" The wolf muttered, pacing at her side. "Grrr."

They all giggled. "Bet she didn't." Megan dared, giving Xena a little mischievous look. "Exaggerate, I mean."

Xena gave her a look, complete with raised eyebrow, but it had little effect. "Well, she did. We have a really tough life most of the time. Don't go getting any romantic ideas."

Four bright smiles, and four sets of sparkling eyes. Xena cursed silently to herself. Ephiny... oh brother am I gonna get you for this. You owe me big time, Amazon.

They broke out into the open, and now the cold moonlight showed then the floodplain, stretching towards the wide ribbon of river that separated them from the dimly seen road. It has been getting steadily colder, now they all breathed plumes of vapor in the air, and the girls kept covering their mouths and noses with one hand. It was well past midnight, and even Xena was beginning to feel a little tired. Hades.. all this winter inactivity isn't doing my stamina any favors, is it. She mused disgustedly to herself, then cocked her head slightly. "Stay here." She said to the girls, and left the trail, heading towards a tall outcropping.

Three steps away, she dropped into a crouch, then sprung up, catching the edge of the outcropping, and pulling herself up, to stand and look out over the flood plain, obviously searching for something.

"Oh..I think I'm in love." Sharra swooned, rolling her eyes. "Is she just it, or what?"

Megan sighed. "I'm right there with you." She sighed dramatically. "She would have died for her.. is that the most romantic thing you've ever heard?"

Elanas leaned in. "And you wanted to know why Queen Gabrielle would rather live with her?? How stupid a question was that?" She giggled. "What would you give to trade places with her for a day?"

Lista sniggered. "A day? I'd be happy with a few candlemarks."

They all giggled, and watched Xena nod to herself, then turn back towards them. "Oh.. check this out.' Megan whispered. "I bet she just jumps off that ledge like it's a porch step."

They held their breaths as the warrior stepped casually off into space, kicking out from the rock, and letting her body lean into a lazy flip that ended her up neatly on her feet.

"Oh.. my gods... that was too cool." Sharra whispered. "How does she do that?"

The warrior loped over, and motioned then to keep going. "Looks like we've got company coming." She informed them with a slight grin. She herded them around the corner of the rock escarpment, and pointed out across the plain, where tiny specks could be barely seen on the moonlit horizon.

"Is that Queen Gabrielle?" Sharra asked, bouncing a little on her toes.

Without thinking, Xena nodded. "Yep." She started to head down the path, when she realized they were all staring at her. "What?"

Megan crept closer. "How do you know that?" She peered past Xena's tall shoulder into the misty distance.

Xena smiled to herself. "I have many skills." She pronounced with satisfaction. "You'll just have to take my word for it."

"Easy boy." Gabrielle patted the horse's restive neck gingerly. "Nice horsie." She felt the animal move under her uneasily, and she sighed. "Let's go, before he gets any ideas, OK?" She remarked to Toris, who was settling his kit, and arranging the reins on the two smaller horses that were riderless. "Toris?"

"Hmm? Oh.. right. Ok." The tall dark haired man agreed, nudging his horse forward. "Let's go."

The bard wrapped her cloak more tightly around her, trying to block out the damp cold air. Y'know, Gabrielle, mom was right. You could have sent someone else out here with a couple of horses. You didn't have to do this yourself. You could be comfortably warm and snug in the inn, slugging down hot soup, and keeping an eye on Ephiny.

She looked out over the misty road, and laughed at herself. But no. This is Xena that's involved, so you have to go out on this damp and nasty night just to make sure she can find her way home all right. Right? Wouldn't have ANYTHING to do with the fact that the woman's been gone less than a day, and you miss her so bad you can't do anything but think about it, right? Nah.

She let her body relax into the horses' motion as much as possible, and shook her head. Oh.. Gabrielle. Do you ever have it bad.. but I guess I can use the excuse that there's no way I'll miss them on the road. Someone else might.. but we could find each other in the dark, in the middle of Tartarus withuot a problem these days. Yeah, that's a good excuse... that's what I'll tell her. "Xena," I"ll say, "I just wanted to make sure you got back as fast as possible, to help poor Ephiny, and I knew I"d be able to find you." Right?

"Gabrielle?" Toris' amused voice floated back to her.

"Huh?" She looked up, to see him half turned on his horse, giving her a strange look.

"What are you mumbling and nodding for?"

"Uh... working on a story.. you know how that is.. we bards have to just practice and practice." Gabrielle answered, glad the darkness covered her blushing.

"Oh." Toris gave her a brisk nod, and turned around. "I hadn't thought about that."

Gabrielle muffled a giggle. Right and then she'll say "Gabrielle, you shouldn't have come out here in this cold." Cause she worries about that a lot.. and I'll say. "Look who's talking, and here's your heavy cloak you forgot to pack this morning." She smoothed the fabric riding across her horse's withers, warming her thighs with it's weight. And she'll give me that look, and then she'll just reach out a hand and touch my cheek, or my shoulder, and I'll throw away the excuses, and admit I just wanted to be near her. That I have this little hollow spot inside me when we're apart that just.. misses her. That wants to see her, and hear her voice, and feel her touch. Scary sometimes, to need something as much as I need that.

The ride was fairly uneventful, down the long road out of the town, and across the fields, hours of riding in relative silence under a full moon, that cast eerie shadows across the colorless stubble in the fields, and outlined the wintering sparse trees in stark emptiness. It got colder as they rode, and Gabrielle tucked her hands, with the reins, inside her cloak, trying to keep them warm. She nudged her mount with a knee, and brought her horse alongside Toris', as they both rode at a rolling canter. "It's so quiet." She remarked, the sounds of their hoofbeats echoing across the landscape.

Toris nodded, and gestured with a jerk of his head. "We'll cross the river there" He glanced up. "Not long for dawn, now."

"Good." The bard chattered. "The sun would be nice."

They went out of their way to cross at a bridge, not wanting to ford the river in this cold, and started up the long, sloping plain that led up to the highlands path into the mountains. Halfway across, Gabrielle felt a smile slip onto her face, and she leaned forward, eyes searching the horizon.

"What?" Toris said, seeing her move. He looked forward, but saw nothing, and glanced back at her. "Do you see something?"

"No." Gabrielle laughed, still looking. Another few minutes of riding, and then she stood unsteadily in her stirrups, and spotted the faintest hint of motion in the distance. "There." She decided not to let go of the saddle to point, but gestured with her head.

Toris also stood, and peered. "Where? I don't see anything." He kept looking. "Oh.. wait. Yeah, I see." He turned and smiled. "Some eyes you got there, Gabrielle."

"Yeah." The bard replied softly. She urged the horse ahead, and heard Toris cluck to his mount to join her, the riderless horses following obediently behind.

The specks grew larger, and now Gabrielle could make out her partner's dark head, and the four smaller forms that were clustered around her like chicks. They continued moving closer, and she could see the half grin on Xena's face, and the blue eyes that swept up and captured hers for a wonderfully long instant.

"Hey." The warrior called, slowing to a halt, and putting her hands on her hips. "Funny meeting you two out here."

Gabrielle kneed her mount forward until she was right up next to her partner, and swung one leg over the horse's withers.

Xena stepped forward and caught her as she slid down, cushioning her fall, and gently setting her on her feet. "What are you doing out here in this weather?"

The bard pulled the cloak down off the horses neck. "Looking for you." She shook out the cloth and stretched up, settling it around Xena's shoulders. "You forgot this." She fastened the neck clasp, and her fingers brushed Xena's collarbone, and froze, as she touched the cold leathers edging out from under her tunic. "Xena." Her voice sharpened, as she felt the chilled flesh underneath. "Don't tell me you wore those all night after jumping in that icy river."

Xena felt a half smile edging her face, and she shot a glance at the avidly watching girls, who giggled. "Told you." She remarked to them, then faced the bard's stern look. "Wasn't sure what we were going to face out here.. didn't want to just have cloth on. Just in case."

Gabrielle expelled a breath, and looked at the girls. "Hi there. Who've we got here?"

Sharra stepped forward shyly. "I'm Sharra, and this is Megan, and Lista, and Elanas."

"I see you already know Gabrielle." Xena said with a grin. "And this, " She pulled the reluctant Toris forward. "is my brother Toris."

"Hi." Toris said, then he laid a hand on Xena's arm. "You all right?" His eyes searched hers, intently.

"Fine." The warrior said. "Let's get going." Carefully not asking about Ephiny until they'd gotten the girls mounted on the spare horses, and she and Gabrielle were standing next to Gabrielle's mount. "How's Eph?" She asked in a low voice, letting her hands settle on Gabrielle's waist.

"Not good." The bard answered softly, then lifted a hand and put the back of it against Xena's forehead. "And why do I have a feeling I'm going to have to worry about both of you?" Damn, Xena… that was really dumb. I know you wanted to make sure you were protected, but… She let the hand drop and rest on the warrior's chest, then tugged her heavy cloak closed and fiddled with the neck clasp again.

The warrior sighed. "Yeah. I know. I'll fight it off, though. Eph was coming down with something before she went in, and she got a lungful of water, I had to pump it out of her." She tried to ignore the chill that was sending shivers through her, glad for the thick covering. "Thanks for bringing this." She patted the cloak.

"Gods, Xena." Gabrielle whispered. "You saved her life. Thank you." Out of sight as they were behind the chestnut, she let herself fall forward and rest gently against Xena's body for a long moment. "I mean that."

That got her a gentle smile. "Glad I was there." She looked up, noting that Toris now had the girls settled and ready to go. "Come on... we've got a long ride back yet." She gathered up ebbing energies, and vaulted up into the saddle of the tall chestnut, then reached down an arm for the bard.

"Thanks." Gabrielle said, as she was lifted up, and settled herself snugly against her partner, wrapping both arms around her and squeezing. "C'mon hero. Let's go home."

"Shh." Xena joked, directing the suddenly completely cooperative horse forward. "Don't spread that around, OK? I had enough problems with this bunch."

"Really?" Now the bard's interest was perked. "Like how?"

"Never mind." Xena muttered, nudging the animal to a faster pace.

"Oh.. no no no..." Came the laughter tinged reply. "Don't give me that stoic routine.. out with it."

"Gabrielle..." On a long sigh. "Later, OK?"

The bard considered the cloth covered back under her cheek and relented. "All right." She edged closer, and wrapped the ends of Xena's cloak around the warrior's body. "Later." They rode on in silence.

The sun was well up by the time they rode into the courtyard, and pulled up in front of the inn where Cyrene and Johan were standing and waiting. Xena pulled the chestnut up, and swung her leg up over the horse's neck, sliding down and turning so her cloak swirled and settled neatly about her.

Gabrielle gazed down, blinking the sleep out of her eyes and regarded her partner with a fond smile. "Know something?"

"Hmm?" Xena responded, laying a hand on her thigh.

"You're the only person I've ever known who could get off a horse in a cloak and make it look graceful." The bard observed. "Everyone else looks like they're trying to dance in a turnip sack."

That got a weary laugh from her partner. "If you say so." Xena turned to greet the approaching Cyrene. "Hi. How's the patient?"

Cyrene nodded at her. "Sleeping now - but that cough's getting worse. I"m glad you're here."

Gabrielle and Xena exchanged concerned looks. "Damn." The warrior sighed, catching the bard as she slid down from the saddle. "All right. Let's go see what we can do."

"Hold it." Gabrielle said, in a firm voice. "Mom said she was sleeping. You've got time to go change."

"Gabrielle..." Xena hesitated, seeing the warning signs flash across the bard's tired face. "OK." She surrendered quietly. She's right... no point in arguing a lost cause. "Come on."

They walked in silence towards the cabin, and didn't speak until the door was closed behind them. "Xena." The bard said, turning toward her and putting a hand on her arm. Look.. I know that was pushy… but someone has to take care of you.. since you seem to forget to do it for yourself sometimes.

A hand unexpectedly cupped her cheek. "Thanks for looking out for me." The warrior said softly. "Your note made my day."

"Oh." The bard blushed. "I forgot I.... uh.. thanks." Her mind wandered off the subject, and she shook her head a little. "Out of those clothes, please."

"Yes, mom." Xena laughed, and pulled the tunic over her head, hanging it on the hook near the door, and began unlacing the leathers, sliding out of them with a sense of relief. They were still clammy, even all these hours later, and the cold chill had been really bothering her.

Gabrielle came over, and wrapped a large fluffy blanket around her, and tugged an arm. "By the fire for a minute." And the warrior let herself be led unresisting, and settled by the banked fire, which Gabrielle stirred with an expert hand. "Stay put. I'll get your clothes."

"Gabrielle, you don't have to.." Xena started, gathering herself to rise.

A hand on her mouth. "Shut up." Then the bard paused. "Gods, I never thought I"d be saying that to you." She smiled. "Just let me fuss, OK? Humor me?" She paused, and let her fingers traced Xena's jawline. "Please?"

"OK." Xena relaxed, absorbing the very welcome warmth as she watched Gabrielle putter about the room. She let her head lean against the hearth, and allowed her mind to drift idly, thinking about what they'd need for Ephiny, and how much herbs they had in stock.

Gabrielle went to the linen press, and pulled out clean clothes for both of them, then let her glance fall on her partner. Gods.. she's half asleep. Her mind chuckled, and she set the clothes down softly, and swung the water pot over the fire, watching the blue eyes follow her lazily around the room.

I could sit down there and snuggle with her.. but we'd both be out in heartbeat. The idea oozed seductively around her defenses though, and she found herself moving towards her partner almost without her conscious permission. She stopped, and sighed, grabbing two mugs and dumping a handful of herbs in each, then settling down on the bearskin to wait for the water to heat.

"Hey." Xena said, taking a breath and releasing it. "How'd the council go?" Dreamily, she watched the firelight paint Gabreille's face in a warm glow, deepening her eyes to honey toned, and catching the fiery highlights in her hair. The nearby heat from the fire was slowly soaking through her, relaxing muscles stiffened from a too long exposure to the cold, and she found herself wanting to just sit here forever, enjoying her partner's simple company.

"What?' Oh.." The bard laughed. "I'd forgotten.. it went fine." She hesitated a bit, looking down at the mug in her hands. "And you were right about Rurik."

"Why?" All of a sudden, every trace of sleepiness was gone from her voice, and Gabrielle looked up into sharp, vividly attentive blue eyes. "What did he do?"

"Shh.." The bard soothed her. "It's all right - I took care of it. I just.. told him to back off." She poured the hot water over the tea, and waited for it to steep, idly mixing a spoonful of honey into each cup. "He was just being stupid. "

"Stupid?" Xena questioned, only slightly mollified. She sat up, and tugged the blanket around her, leaning forward and studying Gabrielle's face. Then realized what she must be sounding like. "I hope you bapped him one."

Gabrielle's hands froze in motion, and she looked up, her expression one of startled pleasure. "Well..I didn't have to, but I threat... " She paused for a long moment, several emotions struggling across her face. "Xena, thank you." She finally sighed.

"For what?" Cane the gentle, knowing question.

"For assuming I could handle my own problems." The bard smiled, and handed her a cup. "Here."

"Thanks." Xena took the cup, and studied her over the rim of it. "And, of course, if he doesn't get the message, then next time he messes with you I"m going to stuff him into the manure bin and scatter him for fertilizer."

"Ooo.. I like that one." The bard giggled. "Can I quote you?"

"Sure." Xena replied, sipping the hot drink appreciatively. "Nice job." She indicated the tea. "Feels really good going down." That was an admission, and Gabrielle realized it.

"Throat hurt?" She asked quietly, putting a gentle hand on Xena's nearby knee.

"A little." The warrior admitted, with a sigh. "I was an idiot, I know. Go ahead and yell at me."

Gabrielle shook her head and sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Whatever it is, will have to wait." The warrior took another swallow, and blinked. "I'd better go check on Ephiny." She stood, and moved to where Gabrielle had left the clothes, and shrugged into a thick woolen shirt and leggings, belting the shirt around her and sitting down to pull on her spare pair of boots.

Gabrielle watched her, then sighed and stood up, moving over and putting a hand on Xena's head again. "You're warm, love."

"Yeah, I know." The answer came back in a low tone. "I'll fight it off." She drained the cup, and stood, stamping her feet to settle the boots in. "You coming along?"

"Dumb question." Gabrielle scoffed, as she drained her own cup, and slipped into a clean shirt.

Cyrene was just coming out of Ephiny's room when they came in, and she waved a spoon at both of them. "Don't' forget to get some breakfast."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes at the innkeeper, and indicated Xena with a shake of her head. "I'll see what I can do."

They entered the room, and Xena crossed to the low cot, dropping to one knee, and gently examining the pale skinned Amazon lying quietly on it. Ephiny had a fairly large bruise on her temple from the ice, and Xena could feel the heat from her body as she turned her face to look at it. "Gabrielle, come here."

"Hmm?" The bard said, at her shoulder.

"How hot does she feel to you?" Xena asked in a low voice.

Gabrielle gave her a look, then reached over and put a hand on the Amazon's forehead. "Pretty hot." She touched Ephiny's arm. "Goosebumps." They could hear the blond woman's breathing, a harsh gurgling that set Gabrielle's nerves on edge, and struck an unpleasant chord of memory. "Sounds bad."

Xena nodded in agreement. "All right.. I'll need hot water.. we'll try to get something down her that will help." The warrior stood and went to her kit, already resting on the small table in the room, and pulled out several different items, laying them out neatly on the surface.

Gabrielle put some water on at the tiny fireplace in the room, and then went back, kneeling next to Ephiny's still form. "Eph?" She said softly, smoothing the hair off the Amazon's forehead. "Come on.. Ephiny??"

Very slowly, a faint fluttering of eyelids said that the Amazon was hearing her. "Eph? It's Gabrielle. Can you open your eyes?"

Another flutter, then the pale eyes blinked dazedly open, and studied her without any real recognition. "Wh.." Another blink, and then the Amazon's brow creased slightly, and comprehension colored her gaze. "Where.."

"Shh." Gabrielle patted her arm. "You're in Amphipolis."

Panic rolled across the Amazon's face. "Kids.." She gasped, then started coughing. Gabrielle grabbed her shoulders, and held on, exchanging a worried look with her partner.

"Easy." The bard murmured, "The girls are fine. Xena brought them here."

Ephiny slumped back onto the bed, breathing hard. "Gods." She whispered.

"I know." Gabrielle replied unhappily. "Just relax. You're going to be ok." She looked up. "Xena's about to give you something really awful to drink, but it'll help."

This got a faint half chuckle from the Amazon. "Sounds right." She coughed weakly.

"Can you get her to sit up, Gabrielle?" Xena knelt next to the bed, and cupped a thick, heavy mug in her hand.

Ephiny's eyes tracked dazedly over. "Lo.. Xena.."

"Hi." The warrior gave her a brief smile. "Gabrielle's right. This tastes lousy, but it'll make you feel better. I promise."

The Amazon nodded groggily. "Think.. owe you.. thanks.."

"Later." Xena waved her off. "We've also got this old war horse thing to discuss."

"Eeep." Ephiny squeaked, a faint grin trying to shape her mouth.

"Yeah, eep to you, too." Xena smiled, and helped Gabrielle to lift Ephiny up, as the bard slipped a supportive arm around the Amazon's shoulders. "Let's get this down you, OK?"

Xena held the cup, and patiently waited until the Amazon managed to choke down most of it. "Good job." She commented, as she rose and walked back over to the table.

"Ugh." Ephiny breathed, her eyes blinking. Another coughing fit racked her, and Gabrielle helped her lie back down after it was over. "Ow."

The bard nodded. "Yeah, I know." She sighed feelingly. "Been there." She pulled the covers up around the blond woman's shoulders, and tucked it neatly around her. "Just try to relax, OK?"

Ephiny nodded. "Sure." Her eyes closed, then opened again. "Need..." A cough interrupted her.

"We'll get word back." Gabrielle correctly interpreted her concern. "I'll go if I have to."

Another nod, and this time the Amazon relaxed into the pillow, stifling several halfhearted coughs before finally drifting off.

The bard slowly shook her head, and stood, flexing muscles stiff from kneeling on the hard floor. "Poor Eph." She walked over, and peered around Xena's shoulder. "What's that?"

"Salve." Xena answered, preoccupied. "For coughing.. to rub on the chest." She flicked a glance at the bard. "I dug up the method for it after you were sick that time, just in case."

Gabrielle leaned her head against the warrior's shoulder. "My hero." She sighed, then dipped a finger into the creamy salve, and brought it to her nose. "Oh.. I kind of like that."

"Eucalyptus." Xena murmured, stirring it around with a small paddle.

"So.. you just kind of rub it on your skin?" Gabrielle asked idly.