Warlord Daze

The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights.

Gabrielle struggled so hard in Xena's arms, that she wrenched herself free a couple of times. A normal time it would have been impossible, but she was wild with fear and grief. Xena knew her bard wasn't physically hurting, but her soul was tearing itself apart. Ares had seen to that. But she could feel the screams through her leather and it broke the warrior's heart. How could this be? How could this happen to *them.* She tried to comfort with soft noises, but they weren't working. Not that she blamed Gabrielle one bit. She could only guess how *she* would react. Probably the nearest cliff or sword if she could figure a way. But. . Gabrielle.. .If the redhead didn't stop Xena would have to apply pressure points and try. .try to bring her back slowly.

"Hush." It was a whisper that sent chills up Xena's spine, but she felt the kindness in the command. Energy sparkled over Gabrielle's form and filled her. The bard quieted instantly in Xena's arms. Her breathing, which before had been composed of hysterical tears and screams, evened to a softness. Gabrielle looked at her lover with somber hazel eyes. Knowledge filled them, though the panic was gone.

"I have no hands," the bard said. There was surprise in her tone, a kind of bizarre wonder. She emphasized the point, sitting up awkwardly in Xena's embrace and looking down at her arms, which tapered off to nothingness, "no hands." Gabrielle swallowed hard, moving her arms, "but I feel them. They should be there, but they're not."

Xena shivered again, this time with a memory of a long gone friend. He'd lost his leg and when he finally came to himself had said something similar. She tried to explain it the way he had, "They're your spirit hands, they ...stay even when the flesh is gone."

"It feels strange Xena, not right. I. ..I don't like it." Gabrielle took in a deep breath, and was gathered once more into her lover's arms. The bard whispered, "What are we going to do?"

For some reason that heartened the warrior. It wasn't, "What am I going to do," but "we." They would figure a way, wouldn't they? They could. . .Xena's practical imaginative mind started working on the details. Some sort of harness, perhaps a hook? No two. .but . .feeling. .she'd miss feeling those hands. .but. . . .If she put two hooks together, maybe three, blunted the edges and . . .somehow made it so it could grasp,. .wires? pulleys? small, they'd have to be very small. . . they could. . .something They would work out something. Hire scribes to write her stories. They already had so many. Xena's words were a promise, "We'll think of something, we'll find a way."

Gabrielle nodded, trusting her partner more than she ever thought possible. A tear slid down the side of her nose. She couldn't help it. "I know. I'm . . .a little scared," Okay a lot, a lot scared. Her whole world had changed, had changed. .But. .Xena said we. She said, "We," which meant she would be there. They would figure a way, and Gabrielle would store her tears for the times when she really needed them. She sniffled, "You're already working on ideas, aren't you." It was a statement really, not a question. She knew Xena.

"I have," Xena spoke gently, caressing her hair, "I have a few in mind. Some possibilities." There had to be a way to make a go of it.

He felt different than the other Gods. There was the spicy buzz that all gods had, but it was tinged with frailty and a wounded kind of darkness which tasted different to her senses. That was the first thing Xena noticed, before she saw him. The second was the smell of metal and fire. It reminded her of a forge.

The God didn't just sparkle into view. He seemed to rise from the ground, followed by flames. His face was stern, his frame tall, his manner dark and fearsome. He limped. He carefully carried a dark rectangular flat box, holding it before him like a small treasure. He knelt besides them, as much as he could, and ended up sitting, rather than kneeling. It was easier on his knee. He looked at Xena with intelligent eyes, "I like how you think, warrior." He placed the box down, between himself and Gabrielle, "Tell me, if someone's leg was weak, perhaps broken, but the rest of the body strong, what would you do?"

Images flashed so quickly through Xena's mind, but they were clear. She'd. ..thought about it before, a long time ago. She licked her lips in thought, distracted and thus missed him opening the box, "I would. . provide support some how, then see if there were ways. .to strengthen the legs."

Hephaestus nodded. Again his voice was gentle, "Why didn't you?" They gazed at each other for heartbeats, and there was a click from the box. The warrior sighed and shifted her gaze away first.

Xena was honest, but understated "I was ..very angry."

"Hmmph, yes, understandable," His hands moved where Gabrielle could not see, "That is the first reaction of many. Anger serves many purposes, as do our wounds" A large hand reached and cupped the bard's face. He didn't smile, "but we must learn to use our experiences wisely, to overcome our blindness to ourselves." Aphrodite knelt behind her spouse, her hand resting comfortably upon his shoulder. Xena had forgotten she was there. Now, Hephaestus smiled. He didn't look at her, but he knew her touch, "Hello, love."

Aphrodite looked into the box. She gasped, "OH they are beautiful."

The god of the forge nodded, "I make all things with you in mind, love, how can it be otherwise?" She kissed him on the cheek, and he leaned towards her lips. She closed her eyes and it seemed as if something wonderful passed between them. He pulled away with a reluctant sigh.

"Gabrielle," How to put this? "I have your hands stored in my home. They will remain fresh. Whe . . ." The other gods present gave him such a look. Hera who was standing behind Xena shook her head ever so slightly. Hephaestus changed his wording, "If. . ." Ares nodded and pressed a finger to his nose, "you ever want . . ." Artemis shifted quietly and knelt besides the forge God, "them, you may come get them."

Gabrielle looked puzzled but nodded her head. "Ohhhkay," she said hesitantly. She didn't see why he would even save them. If they were gone, they were gone. Right? "Sure."

The God of the Forge nodded, "Meanwhile, the Gods have a gift." There was more fiddling behind the lid of the box. His concentration was total, "We can't let one of us suffer when they've done so much."

Xena leapt on that, "Us?" Her voice was sharp. Her grip on his forearm strong, unbreakable.

Hephaestus looked up at her. He blinked, and looked confused, "Pardon?"

Ares' hands fell upon Xena's shoulders, while Hera turned away to hide the wince, "What my brother is saying, Xena. . ." the God of War was careful. Gabrielle looked from Hephaestus to Ares with a curious expression, not understanding, but knowing something was working out. Xena shrugged the God of War off. Ares flexed his hands and brought his hand to his thighs, "Is any of those who've worked against the Sovereign. You know! *Us.*" Xena narrowed her gaze at her father suspiciously. He would have gripped her shoulders again, but instead opened his arms, "Think about it," he sneered.

The warrior pursed her lips and took a deep calming breath. It had been a long, scary day. Maybe she was leaping to conclusions. She nodded, "I understand.

Ares smiled arrogantly, "I knew you would."

"Meanwhile," Artemis interrupted, "Let's do this and not keep Gabrielle waiting. Our champions need to rest and be restored, yes?"

Hera confirmed, "Yes."

"Hephaestus?" Artemis began.

"You and Athena."

"As you wish."

The Goddess of Wisdom appeared besides her virgin sister. "Hail Artemis."

"Hail Athena." She smiled friendly like, "You ready?"

The War Goddess smiled, "Any time you are."

"Would you two quit stalling?" Ares demanded. The Goddesses looked startled at the God who hovered protectively over the bard and Xena. He grimaced at them and risked, placing his hands Xena and Gabrielle's shoulder.

The warrior looked up at her father, wondering. For the first time she didn't feel the pull, the lure. She just felt. . .his. . .concern. She filed it in the back of her mind for review later.

"We weren't stalling," Artemis protested as she bent down to retrieve an item from the glowing box. Athena lifted something also.

The hands were perfect in every way. They looked exactly like hers did and glowed golden pink. There was a metal attachment at the bottom of each, like a band. "Hold your arms out, Gabrielle." Athena said. The bard lifted her arms, looking solemn beyond words.

Athena's smile was grim, but there. She placed the left hand carefully, centering it. Grey eyes comforted, "Wisdom be with you in all you do Gabrielle." The band connected with the skin of Gabrielle's arm and all the glow in the hand filled it. Athena covered the band The bard shouted in pain and surprise, but Goddess held on and held on and held on so tight, as it melded to the bard. She felt the pain with the bard, soothed it, but didn't take it away. Gabrielle cried great rolling tears and gasped, but knew she wasn't alone. Athena let go when the glow was done. About two inches from Gabrielle's wrist there were markings of gold; the only evidence, and that not very obvious.

The bard flexed her hand in wonder. "It feels," she said, amazed. "I can . .feel it. . .Xena." She looked up at her lover and touched the warrior's face. This time she wept in relief. Yes. She felt. "Oh Xena." The bard gave the dark woman a watery smile. "They fixed it." Xena smiled back as genuinely as she could. It was enough. She was amazed, somewhat gratified, and somewhat distrustful, though she would never tell that to the bard.

"Gabrielle," Artemis voice was gentle. The bard looked blankly at her.

"Oh," she exclaimed. She held out her other arm again. Artemis smiled gently.

She was just as careful in the attachment as her sister. She looked at Xena, then spoke quietly, "Wisdom will rule, but trust your instincts. The Freedom of your heart and mind is your greatest gift. Share it. Embrace the wild and its nature will embrace you and carry you in your time of need," She cupped her hand over Gabrielle's wrist, "My Queen." Again there was the glow and the pain of fire melding something to the bard, filling her. It seemed to Xena that Gabrielle screamed louder this time, with more abandon and passion. She recognized that passion and it called to something deep within her.

Gabrielle breathed heavily, deeply, recovering. "Oh gods, oh gods." Her hazel eyes brimmed with unshed tears, but she lifted her hands and shuddered a breath, "Oh Gods." She looked at them as many as she could, trying to put to words her emotions. It took her a minute. She leaned hard into Xena, catching her breath. The warrior held the bard. Xena's cheek pressed against hers. Gabrielle crossed her arms across her chest. Their fingers wrapped together. They closed their eyes together. Then blue flashed upon the gods and Xena spoke for them both.

"Thank you."

Hera knelt and touched the warriors cheek. Xena shivered again, feeling something electric flow through her. "Thank you." Hera's fingertips stroked gently, "We can not thank you enough. Would that we could solve your every problem, but. . ."

Xena shook her head, but never lost contact with the touch, "You don't have to. There are others who need your help more."

"As we can, I promise."

Xena's jaw clenched, but she accepted, "That's all anyone can do. Isn't it."

Hera nodded, "Yes." Then she let her hand drop. "Your warriors need to celebrate Xena. You have won a great victory." She smiled softly, "You will be a legend."

Xena didn't have anything to say to that, but clung to Gabrielle for dear life. As long as she wasn't alone, she could handle it. As long as Gabrielle were with her, she could handle anything.

Hephaestus stood up awkwardly. He looked down at the two lovers and took his Goddess' hand. "When you are done playing hero, come see me. Both of you. You have good ideas. We could work together, I think."

Xena didn't know what to say that either. This time Gabrielle spoke, "Perhaps," she said, "someday."

Hephaestus smiled. "Someday then."

Hera spoke up, "Children, it is time, let's leave the mortals to complete their day." The gods disappeared, one by one, each with a smile and touch for the two women. Ares was the last.

The God of War stepped back as Xena helped Gabrielle to her feet. His daughter turned to face him. He arched an eyebrow, "I'm proud of you, Xena." The warrior opened her mouth to speak, but he held up a hand, "I know you don't need it. And I, " his hand fell to the pommel of his sword, "Don't expect you to thank me for anything." Xena raised her own eyebrow, "But, you give warriors a good name." He grinned wickedly before disappearing, "That's my girl!!"

Xena stood staring into the air for a minute. She felt fingers twine with her own and looked down to where Gabrielle's hand cradled hers. She smiled, "He always did have to have the last say."

Gabrielle laughed, "Yeah well, if you can't do, you talk."

They turned as one and began to walk, "OH? and who's talking?"

"Hey, I'm a bard. That's what I *do.*"

"Uh huh," Xena chuckled, gave Gabrielle's hand a good squeeze, and walked her lover home amid cheers.

-----------------------------------

Jalani took the fruit bowl away and replaced it with another concoction. The honored Warrior Princess grinned and finished her swallow, "I don't know how you do it, Jalani, but this was great. Those apples were perfect, and the strawberries, beyond words. What was that sauce you put over them."

"Yeah, that's what I want to know? It was great, tasted like honey ..and something, but I couldn't figure it." There were murmurs of agreement across the table. Gabrielle grinned at her cousins, her friends and the Amazons who still guarded her.

Jalani twinkled at her Warlord and the Queen, "I have many skills." They looked at her for a heartbeat, then both of them burst out laughing. The cook gave them a quizzical look, then shook her head. She went back to the kitchen and stole quietly into the storeroom. She shut the door behind her.

The hooded figure spoke, "You gave it to them?"

"Yes."

"They ate,"

"Every bite."

There was a sparkling grin.

"Did they notice anything?"

Jalani's figure began to shift and change, "Not a thing. They won't for years."

"Yes."

"They will be mortal until their time ends. Their hair will grow white with age, their bodies will change as any mortals. They will bleed, they will die, then after a time they will live again. And if things go they way they tend to go with those two, I imagine that will happen a couple of times. We'll have to make sure there are good cover stories. We need at least 40 - 50 years of them as mortal heroes."

"We'll let the fates decide that. Death is still death, if they're really immortals. We'll have to make arrangements with Hades. But I can work that." Hera smiled, "He owes us visits you know. Besides, the Elysian fields is a paradise. They could probably use the break before assuming their power. That final time, let's let them meet each other there, hang out for a bit, then when they're ready to move on, claim them." Hestia returned the smile, and Hera looked suddenly concerned, "You mixed that concoction right? There will be no surprises?"

"No evidence of power for years, perhaps centuries."

"WELL it didn't have to be *that* long."

"Look," Hestia said, "Do you trust me or not?"

"I trust you. I trust you. You have been my greatest ally." Hera's voice was soft, "and my most beloved friend," their lips touched and lingered, "Are you sure you want to stay?"

"Colchak is a good man and I love him. He's also a good advisor to Xena and Gabrielle. I'll stay and watch his household, raise his children." The goddess of the hearth looked content.

Hera touched the Goddess' belly, "perhaps have one of your own?" She smiled lovingly, enjoying the touch.

"Perhaps," Hestia smiled back and covered Hera's hands with her own.

"You've done a good job, my friend."

"You chose good champions." Jalani leaned forward, "Though Xena is None to thrilled with the Senates' proposal to make her Empress. I've a feeling she'll run away from the task."

Hera took Hestia's hand in a simple clasp, "She won't run away. First, Ares' Caesar is feeling threatened at Greece' new power. We get his juices flowing and He'll come calling." The goddess clicked her tongue, "They'd make great allies, but Ares mucked that up a long time ago. He should have stopped Caesar from. . ."

"Xena needed the experience. She needed to know what it was like to be frail, to be vulnerable and lame. Even if she didn't handle it well. It allowed for compassion later. You know that. She'd have been smug otherwise. Not that Ares sees it that way. He's got rather a one track mind sometimes."

Hera grimaced and nodded unhappily, "I do wish that son of mine would watch his step with my granddaughter. I keep having visions of their conflict. Not always happy ones."

"Children have to make their own mistakes, even as parents, Hera."

The Goddess sighed, "I know, I know." They lingered over another sweet kiss.

Hestia pulled away, "You never got to second."

"Hmm?"

"Second?"

"Oh, Gabrielle."

Hestia smiled very broadly, "Ah, yes, Gabrielle. She's the one who will convince Xena it's for the greater good, if it is meant to be. She's quite the catalyst, isn't she?"

"With those two working together, the world will change, and the Gods. . ."

"We'll always have a place, no matter what." Hestia changed her form again, returning to that sweet jolly presence she'd become accustomed to. She smiled softly, kissing Hera.

"Yes," Hera said, "In someone's heart, at least. Even if it's just through their stories," Hera let go, "Though I hope for more. Much more. We'll always have a place. And those two. . .will get their reward, eventually."

"When they are ready."

Hera laughed at the joke, "When they're old and grey and had enough of mortality." She touched Hestia's cheek lightly, "Hephaestus is very excited about it. He'll be counting the years."

"As if. You know the muses are quite enamored with Gabrielle. Artemis is sure she has a claim to them both, and Ares and Athena are going to be duking the warrior's placement, nigh unto forever. Thank the Gods for free will, even in us."

"Oh, knowing those two, they'll come up with something uniquely their own. I understand that Aphrodite has been watching them very closely. She says that Gabrielle's got a trick finger or two now. Vibrates in just the right places, if she wants them to." Hestia stared at the Queen of the Gods and laughed.

"Well there's a gift that keeps on giving."

Hera grinned back, "And giving and giving. I'm totally envious of that toy box of theirs. Been trying to convince Hephaestus to duplicate it, but Aphrodite won't let him. She's conducting experiments she said and it was a wedding gift. Apparently wedding gifts are supposed to be unique. And that box is Unique.." Hestia snorted.

"I bet."

Hera turned quickly and asked one last time, " You're sure you got the mixture right?" Hera lifted three sets of wine bottles, and shifted into serving girl mode.

"Positive. I mean," Jalani began escorting Hera out into the kitchen, "Xena's not going to go about suddenly throwing bolts of power for no reason."

Hera blinked, "Well that's true, but still, let's be on the safe side. I'll go and give a booster." She waggled a bottle of wine around, then set the wine bottles on the counter. Hera the serving maid smiled winsomely at a handsome steward.

"You want me to tell Ares to stir up Caesar?" Jalani sprinkled a bit of spice upon the roast, and shook a pan of vegetables. She could smell the aroma and knew the food was close to perfect. Good thing there was plenty of it. Gabrielle was eating as if she tucking away for two. It made Hestia wonder just what was in that toy box.

"Yes, though I hate to do it. They deserve a break. Still, it'll keep her distracted enough till I can get to Chin and tell Kwan Yin not to give up her mortal coil yet. She can control that boy for a little while longer, and Xena will come charging in when she's finished with Caesar. If we play our cards right, the Gods will be alive and well a long long time."

"Well, at least, things will be interesting, these coming years. *NO* one will be able to claim they're bored anymore. Not even Apollo." Jalani grinned at the serving girl. The servants bustled ignorantly but pleasantly around them. Then Hera lifted the lid off a warm pot, stirred, and the licked the spoon.

She smiled a huge grin. "It's delicious, Jalani, simply delicious."

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The End

he rests
he rests
upon a bed of whitegold and green,
the tracks of man's progress behind him,
the wild before.
he rests
he rests
and roams free
at last.

RIP

May 17, 1998

May he wander the fields in hedgie paradise.

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This page was last updated: May 18, 1998

İMAY 1998

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