II

Outside the tavern, Gabrielle paced back and forth. She was torn between trying to hide for safety, and offering some sort of assistance to Apollis. What could she do? She had no weapon, nor would she know how to use one if she did. She could call for guards, but Apollis may be the one they decide to take to prison. Relief flooded over her when she saw Xena making her way through the crowd of people who had gathered outside the tavern, each of them eager to see who would be the victor.

“Thank the Gods!” Gabrielle exclaimed as she ran over to Xena. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“What happened?” Xena asked, as she set her bags down on the ground.

“A man came into the tavern looking for Apollis. Everyone was told to leave… I wanted to help, but I didn’t know what to do. This is entirely my fault. If not for me, then Apollis would never have….”

Before Gabrielle could finish, loud cheers filled the street. Gabrielle and Xena turned quickly to see the man who had came for vengeance emerge from the tavern and raise his hands in triumph.

“My friends!” The man broadcasted, “My brother’s murder has been avenged! I have restored his honor!” Again cheers roared throughout the street.

“No!” Gabrielle shouted as she ran into the tavern. Xena quickly followed behind her. “Apollis! No!” Gabrielle rushed to Apollis who was lying lifeless on the floor, surrounded by a pool of blood. Tears streamed down her face as she lifted his head, “How can this be?”

Xena kneeled down on the other side of Apollis. Her eyes darted back and forth as she tried to comprehend what had happened.

“I’m so sorry.” Gabrielle placed her hand on Apollis’ chest.

“Be at peace now, my dear friend.” Xena spoke softly as she shook off her emotions and stood to her feet.

Gabrielle slowly stood to her feet as well, “You must despise me.” Gabrielle wiped at her tears, “I can’t blame you.”

“I do not despise you, Gabrielle. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Gabrielle glanced down at the body once more, “What do we do?”

“We take him to Greece, for his funeral.”

Gabrielle covered her hand with her mouth, “I can’t believe this. This is so horrible…”

“We cannot sleep here tonight.” Xena interrupted. “It’s not safe. We must leave. Now.”

Gabrielle shut up immediately, and nodded her head that she understood.

Xena used Apollis’ own blanket to cover his body and two guards helped her lift him onto his horse. Gabrielle climbed up behind Xena; they immediately departed Jerusalem. They rode for several hours. By nightfall, Gabrielle was exhausted and could barely hold herself up on the horse. The ride had been drenched in silence, making it even harder to stay awake. She caught herself resting her head on Xena’s shoulders and dozing off several times.

“Whoa.” Xena commanded the horse as they finally came to a stop. “We can rest here.” She announced as she helped Gabrielle off the back of the horse, and then jumped off herself. “Do you know how to make a fire?”

“Of course.”

“Good. I’ll gather firewood. You set up camp.”

“All right.”

Gabrielle wasn’t sure what to do, or what was okay for her to do, so she began with building a small fire. Then she took their water skins down to a nearby river and filled them. When she returned, Xena had three large piles of wood ready for burning.

“My, you’re quick.” Gabrielle admired.

“Here, you can use this for now.” Xena handed Gabrielle a bedroll.

“Do you not have one for yourself?” Gabrielle inquired.

Xena shook her head; “It doesn’t get that cold around these parts. I’ll be fine.”

“I couldn’t.” Gabrielle attempted to hand the bedroll back to Xena, “You’ve been too kind to me as it is; if anyone deserves to sleep in the cold tonight, it’s me.”

“I can purchase a new bedroll in the next town.”

Gabrielle was silent for a few moments, “At least let me share with you.” The words came out awkward and shaky.

“Thank you, but I’ll be fine. I plan to stay awake most of the night anyway. Wolves may consider my friend here a prime midnight snack.”

Gabrielle spread the bedroll out on the ground and snuggled underneath it. It had a very attractive aroma; the same aroma she had caught whiff of when riding behind Xena. It was a blend of leather and soap; a rather clean smell for a warrior, even if she was female.

“Good night.” Gabrielle turned towards the fire for warmth, and closed her eyes.

“Good night.” Xena repeated as she threw a few more pieces of wood onto the fire and attempted to make herself comfortable as she leaned against a rotting log.

Gabrielle had been asleep no longer than a couple of hours, when her eyes slowly opened and she rose from her bedroll. Xena was shuttering uncontrollably as she strived to warm herself by the fire.

“You’re freezing.” Gabrielle spoke tenderly, yet with assertion.

“Just a tad colder than I expected.” Xena held eye contact with the flames.

“Please, come here.” Gabrielle positioned herself over to the far side of the bedroll, “There’s room for two.”

Xena finally let her pride collapse; her icy skin brushed against Gabrielle’s warm body as she burrowed under the blanket. Gabrielle rolled over on her side, facing Xena, allowing them both more room. Xena turned her back to Gabrielle and faced the fire. At first, Gabrielle felt neglected, but the feeling quickly vanished when she told herself she was being utterly ridiculous.

The next morning, Gabrielle awoke to the sound of Xena packing up camp. She hadn’t even felt her leave the bedroll. Xena noticed Gabrielle was awake, but said nothing as she continued packing. Gabrielle got up from the bedroll and packed it tightly, placing it back on the horse where it belonged. Xena poured water on the embers of the fire to ensure its life was drained.

“If you are hungry, I have fruit in my bag.” Xena offered. “You can eat while we ride.” Xena mounted her horse and then pulled Gabrielle up behind her. “What is the name of your village?”

“Potidaea.”

“Perfect. We are close to Potidaea.” Xena stated matter-of-factly. “We can be there in a about three more days. It’s on the border of Greece, so it won’t be much longer.”

“I have no real desire to return to my village.” Gabrielle’s response was a sad one. “Potidaea had just been ransacked by a warlord when the merchant came along and gathered all the young women. My mother had recently given birth to a little boy.” Gabrielle momentarily paused before continuing, “She was weak from labor when the warlord took them both.”

“A warlord took your mother and newborn brother?” Xena questioned, seeking clarification.

“Yes. He kept commenting on what a fine pair they would make for him. I suppose he was in search of a wife and child.” Gabrielle sighed, “I tell myself that they are safe, because he wanted them for his own benefit.”

“That is most likely true.” Xena agreed. “He may have seen an opportunity to raise the boy as his own, and shape him into some sort of an heir.” Xena marveled at how well Gabrielle was able to talk about such a horrific subject matter.

“I was kidnapped months ago. I didn’t think it was possible, but the pain has slowly dulled away. My main concern became staying alive and escaping from the merchant. I prayed to the Gods that someone with a kind heart would purchase me so that I would at least be free of that evil merchant. I had given up hope, and then Apollis appeared.” Gabrielle’s voiced softened and lowered as she spoke her last sentence.

“And your father? What of him?”

“Dead.” Gabrielle replied. “He passed away before my mother even knew she was with child. He was old, much older than my mother.” With a very soft and inviting voice, Gabrielle asked, “What about your past? I know so little about you.”

“My past isn’t really anything to talk about.” Xena simply replied.

“I told you about my history. It’s only fair that you share a little in return.” Gabrielle coaxed.

“I have nothing worth sharing.” Xena remarked steadily, her eyes gazing ahead on the road.

“Come now, is it really that satisfying to hide yourself from the world? Do you not yearn for a friend with whom you can confide in; a soul mate that can share your burdens along with your pleasures?” Gabrielle shook her head, “From the very moment I met you, I asked myself how someone could possibly be so alluring and, yet, so distant; so mysterious.”

“I am not mysterious.” Xena refined, “Simply because I choose not to expose myself to others, a stranger no less, does not make me alluring, it ensures that I am on my own.”

“Then it is mysterious why you would ever want to be lonesome.” Gabrielle concluded.

“I never said I wanted to be lonesome.”

“Good.” Gabrielle smirked, “I’m glad you agree.”

Xena turned her head quickly to face Gabrielle, “Agree to what?”

“That you need a friend.”

“I have friends.” Xena’s tone was defensive. “I’m heading to Greece to return one of them now.” She added.

“Yes, I know.” Gabrielle’s sympathy was obvious in reference to Apollis, but she wanted to avoid that subject, at least for the time being. “I don’t mind traveling. I rather like it. You do a lot of traveling, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You roam villages and cities, helping those who need it most?”

“Look, if you’re insinuating what I think you are…”

“I’m excellent at writing.” Gabrielle boasted. “I could record your travels and endeavors and secure your spot in history. Your legend.”

“Gabrielle, stop.” Xena’s demeanor suddenly took on a more forceful nature. “I appreciate the offer, but I do not desire to have my travels and endeavors recorded.”

“Fine. I can write other things for you. I’m good with fiction. Or I can write letters for you. Are you a fan of poetry? I’m a bit rusty, but with some devoted practice I could easily find my muse, especially if I’m traveling alongside someone as inspirational as yourself.”

“I’m dropping you off in Potidaea.” Xena affirmed.

Gabrielle let out a heavy sigh, “You’re much more stubborn than I had anticipated.”

“So are you.” Xena quipped.

“A perfect match, wouldn’t you think?” Gabrielle raised one of her eyebrows.

“It seems to me, that you are the one who doesn’t want to be lonesome. You are the one that is desperate for a companion.”

“Maybe, I am.” Gabrielle admitted. “At least I’m not afraid to acknowledge it.”

“It is dangerous by my side, Gabrielle. You do not understand what you are asking.”

“I’m quite aware of what I am asking. I have nothing in Potidaea. And it obviously wasn’t very safe there either, was it? At least allow me to travel with you until you take Apollis home. I want to pay my last respects.”

“All right.” Xena finally agreed. “You can travel with me until Sparta, but then, you go your own way. I’m not going to be responsible for you after that.”

“Apollis is from Sparta? I should have known.” Gabrielle glanced back at the body strapped across the horse and then back to Xena, “Where are you from?”

“Here and there.” Xena answered.

“Amazing, you can’t even directly answer a simple question. You’ve truly turned being mysterious into an art form.”

“Rhodes.” Xena mumbled. “I was born in Rhodes, but my father traveled all across Greece selling goods and supplies to armies, guards, warlords, anyone with money. We moved from village to village; city to city. I eventually ended up in Amphipolis with my mother for a short while, and then I took off on my own after that.”

“That must have been tough as a child; never having one place to call home.”

“I enjoyed it,” replied Xena, “all of Greece is my home.”

“Well, that’s the most optimistic thing you’ve said since I’ve met you.” Gabrielle teased. There was a short pause between them. “So, when was the last time you had a conversation this long with someone?” she asked, half playfully, half serious.

“Never.” Xena confessed. “But you don’t give a person much of an option.”

A smile flashed across Gabrielle’s face. She felt accomplished and satisfied. She decided to end the conversation for a while and allow Xena her much wanted silence. She leaned back and enjoyed the scenery around them, as they trotted closer and closer to the border of Greece.