I've had a good life. Not an easy one, mind you, but a good one. Most days when I climb the hill to the village, and I can see the sun just starting to peek out to greet us all, I feel like a young girl again. I was so full of energy. I dreamed of adventure, of excitement in my dull life.

Be careful what you dream of.

Not that I would take any of it away; I couldn't, and be who I am. Even with all the evil that I've encountered, with all the mistakes I've made, my life would not have been as rich without the pain. My sorrow made the joy all the sweeter - my mistakes, the accomplishments greater.

Be careful what you dream of.

You must be strong. Find strength in yourself, from your friends, through your pain. Remember that there is always a clear sky around the next bend in the road, there is always a flower growing amongst the weeds, there is always a good heart in the darkest of souls. Continue on the road, make it to the next bend, sort through the weeds, help bring forth the good heart; for in the end there is peace, there is beauty, there is joy.

Take those first steps. Live. Learn.

"Xena!" The young woman took a few hurried steps toward the rapidly departing figure. "Wait!" She grabbed her friend's arm and pulled her around to face her. Xena's cool eyes flashed. The woman's full of juxtapositions.

"Gabrielle." Her eyes slowly moved down to where Gabrielle's fingers bit into her flesh. Gabrielle instinctively loosened her grip.

"Xena, why are you leaving?" She couldn't understand it; this woman was a warrior. Xena had seen more horror, met with more hate and fear than anyone Gabrielle had known. Why was she running from a few drunken braggarts? Not that she minded her friend turning away from a senseless tavern brawl, but it was unlike her to slink away. Slink away? Not Xena. A battle of words with the warrior could be more agonizing than a slice of her chakram.

She slid her hand down and linked her fingers with those of Xena. "What's wrong?"

"Noth--" She lifted her head and briefly met Gabrielle's worried eyes before quickly looking away. "Today is the day that Solon was born."

Gabrielle's heart sank. She had spoken the words so softly. "Xena..." She tightened the grip on Xena's hand. All the guilt and pain flooded to the surface, tears welling in her eyes, but she knew she had to swallow her own feelings and help her friend. "I'm sorry." Those simple words broke through her resolve and the tears began to fall. "I'm so sorry."

Xena reached forward and gently brushed some of the tears away. "I know, Gabrielle."

She brought her free hand up and placed it on Xena's, which still rested against her face. "I don't know what to say." Gabrielle gave an uneasy laugh and lowered her head.

Xena smiled and laid her head against Gabrielle's. "That is something, isn't it?" The sun wrapped its last rays around the couple as they stood holding one another. "We should go back in. We need to get our rest if we're going to make it to Midea before midday tomorrow."

Gabrielle pulled away slightly, just enough to see Xena's face. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I just--" She stepped back. "I'll be fine. Come on, I have a few choice words for those pigs."

"Xena..." Gabrielle fell in step beside her.

"Teutamos, more water. I said, more water!"

She awoke to the sounds of the busy tavern and the warmth of the sun's rays playing lazily on her face. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she sat up and dropped her legs over the edge of the bed. Glancing over her shoulder, she confirmed what she had already sensed; Xena was gone. Gabrielle tried not to read too much into her early departure; Argo needed tending before they continued their journey to Midea, that was all.

Alikea was actually getting married. Gabrielle began to slowly pull the brush through her hair. Alikea. It seemed so long ago. In her mind she was still a young girl. If they hadn't been near enough to hear her cries, where would she be now? Not getting married. She remembered her as they saw her that day struggling up the trunk of the tree, nearly making it into the safety of the branches before the rough hand of the bandit grabbed her by the ankle, pulling her down the jagged bark.

"Help! Leave me alone! No...no..."

A dark haired girl flung a small foot past the grasping hand of the man who stood at the tree's base. His makeshift armor was riddled with marks of previous battles, most likely won with little effort.

He was a giant of a man, thick with muscles and weathered by long years spent terrorizing one person or another, most probably. "You'll soon learn not to make such a fuss little one," he said. The girl was startled into stillness by his voice, which was as worn as his exterior. He grabbed her foot, easily working his other hand up her leg to gain purchase, and pulled the girl closer to him. The whoosh of Xena's chakram filled the air, but flew with such speed that the bandit had little time to react.

Xena had put a quick end to that scenario. The dull witted brute might have been able to capture a child, but he was no match for Xena and her chakram.

The girl clung to the tree, too frightened to leave its sheltering branches.

"It's all right," Gabrielle coaxed again. "We won't hurt you. Xena will take care of you. Nothing bad will happen with her around."

The girl loosened her death grip and asked, "How'd you learn to do that?"

"Practice," Xena said. She turned and picked the lifeless man up and threw him over the saddle of his horse.

Gabrielle rolled her eyes for the benefit of the child. "She's not big on small talk. Come down and I'll tell you a story," she bribed.

"I'm too big for stories."

"No one's ever too big for a good story."

The girl looked at her, a frown of indecision on her face. "Okay, but it has to have a happy ending." With that she twisted to face the tree and easily climbed down, landing with a bounce on the ground. She watched as Xena gathered the reins of the two horses and turned to continue along the road. "She's not a bad guy, is she?"

"No," Gabrielle answered. "In fact she's quite the hero. She battles the gods themselves."

"I'm Alikea," she interrupted.

The bard's face softened. "I'm Gabrielle. What about your story?"

Alikea answered with a blank look that suddenly turned sad. "Oh," she said softly. "My parents were killed in a raid on our village. Only a few of us survived. I left," she said matter-of-factly.

"You left. End of story?"

"I'm not just a kid."

"No. But it's hard being alone," she said. The girl's shoulders fell slightly and Gabrielle quickly put her arm around them. "We'll make sure you get somewhere safe. We're going to Argos. How does that sound?"

"Like my kind of town."

Gabrielle hoped Alikea hadn't lost that spark she had as a child. So many things could happen to change a person, in just a short time. The week with Alikea had been a turning point in Gabrielle's early travels with the warrior. She'd witnessed a softness in her friend that she hadn't seen before. They had both seen a bit of themselves in the girl's independent spirit. Leaving her at the temple in the care of the priestesses once they had arrived in Argos had been hard, but Alikea had seemed to like it there and looked forward to helping with the day-to-day running of the temple. And she had. Alikea had gotten word to them, when she could, through the priestesses that traveled to the other temples. She had become an excellent student and had begun to teach others as well. Then the word came of her betrothal and a new life in another town. Three years and so much had changed.

Finishing with her hair, Gabrielle stood and pulled her blonde mane back into a loose knot before walking to the basin. She scooped up the water letting it run down her face more than was necessary. After dabbing at her damp face, she stood there a moment, arms braced against the table, head hung low.

Solon. Her son. Her sun. My fault. All my fault.

She reached up and roughly pulled her hair loose, then quickly worked it into a more manageable style. With a sigh, Gabrielle reached downand looped her arm through the worn strap of her pack. She stepped forward and tugged at the heavy door. With a forced smile pushing the thoughts from her mind, she left the emptiness of the room behind.

[ Clang, clink. Clang, clink ]

The day was young, but the stablehand was already covered in dirt and sweat. He seemed distracted by the warrior woman's presence, occasionally lifting his eyes from the task before him and watching her quietly brushing the palomino. He appeared entranced by her rhythmic movements, but with a shake of his head moved past the dark figure and into the small back room as Gabrielle walked in through the open doors.

"Xena. It's a beautiful morning!" She carried a half-eaten apple in one hand, but casually handed it over to the horse as she neared her.

"You two have developed quite the rapport," Xena said dryly looking at her over the horse's saddle, which she was securing.

"We understand each other a little better now. Don't we?" She stroked the mare's mane, but stepped away slightly when the horse swung her head back. She caught Xena's half-smile and reaffirmed, "...a little."

Setting the straps firmly on the saddlebag, Xena sounded a short whistle and walked through the stable doors, both blondes followed.

"Did you eat?"

"Yes, I ate."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Gabrielle. I'm sure."

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you know. If..."

The workings of the stablehand grew faint as the two friends followed along the curve of the path leading out of town and into the rising sun.

They walked in silence for the better part of the morning. The valley they were traveling through was magnificent, lush and emerald green; the day was clear; the sky a perfect cerulean blue. The mountains rose in the distance breaking through what clouds there were ahead of them. Athens was behind those mountains and beyond the sea, bustling with a different kind of life: trading, entertainment, politics... everything. Everything but what lay around them, and that was everything. City life had always called to her, but as Gabrielle breathed in the sweet air of the countryside, she couldn't imagine wanting anything else.

"It is beautiful."

Gabrielle turned to Xena, her jaw dropped in mock amazement.

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't even. I can appreciate beauty."

Gabrielle's eyes danced mischievously as her smile widened. "Of course you can."

A terrible clanging sound interrupted their playful exchange. Xena tensed, and Gabrielle gripped her staff more firmly, but the noise had a familiar ring to it. They turned toward each other. "Joxer?" Then turned to look over their shoulders and back again. "Joxer." They were momentarily blinded as the sunlight bounced off his impossible helmet.

"Well, at least he shows me a little respect."

"I show you a little respect...a little."

Struggling for breath, Joxer finally reached them. "Hi...guys." Even in this state he managed a goofy grin Gabrielle's way. With all the panting, he seemed more like a puppy dog than ever.

"Do you need some water?"

"Uh-uh, Gabby. I just need a second...Boy, you guys are fast!"

With a final gulp of air, he stood up and looked at Gabrielle briefly before pinning his eyes on Xena. "I've been after you guys since I met up with Hercules and Iolaus in Argos. They said you were headed this way for a wedding or something. When I heard that, I knew you'd be going to Mycenae afterward for the festival." With a quick look to Gabrielle he added, "Right?"

"Uh, yeah, we're going." Gabrielle shot a questioning look at Xena who raised a brow before turning back to Joxer. Xena's expression softened."You're more than welcome to join us."

The ever-clumsy warrior-in-training beamed. "Thanks, guys!" He stepped between them as the women turned to continue on their journey.

The sun reached its apex overhead throwing its beams down upon them as Joxer began to recount his latest adventures. His voice boomed out over the valley mixing with the laughter and groaning of his friends who had to duck occasionally to avoid his wildly gesturing arms.

Despite a rather glum start, and one too many nose tweakings, it promised to be a good day for everyone.

"No, Joxer. Up, up." Grabbing his wrist, Xena raised his arm in front of his face, emphasizing her point with a few quick, but solid blows of her sword against his.

Gabrielle sidestepped the pair. She'd grown accustomed to their impromptu lessons and merely avoided any adverse contact during their drills.

"Joxer the Headless, dropped his arm, a bloody mess," she sung softly as she passed them.

Xena turned her head slightly toward the bard. "Sprain any ankles lately?"

Joxer lowered his sword. "Did I miss something?"

"No, Joxer," Xena assured, continuing her instruction as they walked behind Gabrielle. "Just remember to keep..."

[Sprain any ankles lately?]

Xena was actually trying to compare the two of them? At least she had been able to learn, and she acknowledged her shortcomings. Or did she? Did the bard feel threatened by Xena's relationship with the struggling "warrior"?

She dug her staff deeper into the soft, fertile earth. Midea had been a blur in the distance for the last half of an hour; it wouldn't be much longer now. Squinting, she tried to bring into view the outline of the wall and the town itself nestled against the mountainside.

"Ohhh! I get it. So..."

She sighed. Concentrating on what lay before her wasn't keeping her mind off of what was transpiring directly behind her. Could she actually be jealous of Joxer?

No
No.

She threw a look backward at the dark heads lowered close to one another, both staring intently at the other. She shook her head.

No.
Yes.
A little.

She groaned inwardly. Jealous of Joxer. What next?

"Okay, we're almost there, why don't we pick it up some?" Petty, childish, but also effective. As Xena drew up next to her and Joxer stepped in on her left, she felt better. Much better.

The beast loomed over them; teeth bared, flesh-rending claws unsheathed, taut muscles aching for release. And crouched at a short distance was its near twin. They were flanked, a beast on either side.

"Pretty nasty, huh?" Joxer had placed his hand on her shoulder as he leaned in to get a better look, but as she turned to look at him, he quickly removed it as if her skin had become a bed of hot coals. He stepped away as his eyes wandered over to the first table in the agora. She was amazed that he could be such a hit with Meg and her girls; he could be so awkward around Xena and herself.

She took one last look at the statues before passing through the gate. So realistic, it looked as if the lions would spring from their perches high up on the wall and tear through the crowd within. They weren't on as grand a scale as in Mycenae, she noted, but still, they were impressive.

She watched as Xena moved along, weaving in and out amongst the gaily dressed people.

"I didn't realize Alikea's wedding would be such an event," Xena said over her shoulder.

"Well, obviously, the children and their families have taken to her."

"Obviously."

"How do you guys know this girl, Alikea?" Joxer asked after catching up with them.

"We helped rid her of a troublesome admirer."

"Fought off another slaver?" Joxer interpreted Xena's remark.

"You got it," Gabrielle confirmed.

"Ah-huh."

"Xena?" The shout carried itself out over the heads of the people in the nearly filled agora.

The trio turned to the left to see a boy of about eleven or twelve years moving swiftly down the terraces. He stopped in front of Xena, slightly out of breath, but more from excitement than exertion. "You are Xena?" Part question, part statement, he waited eagerly for her reply.

"Yes, I am Xena, and who are you?" Her voice and posture changed subtly, an edge of darkness and strength winding its way around her.

The boy rocked back on his heels, his eyes grew even wider. "I'm Ceyx," he answered quickly.

Gabrielle smiled. Xena was incredible; you have to give the fans what they want, after all.

"And..." she urged him on flatly.

"And...Oh, and Alikea wanted me to keep an eye out for you. I spotted you outside the gates, but getting through all those people..." He gestured around them, the tone of his voice implying that Xena, experienced in keeping watch herself, would of course understand the problem that people with their important duties had.

Xena clasped a hand on his shoulder. "You did a fine job. Excellent work, Ceyx."

He tried sticking his small chest up even further than it was already extended, but mostly he beamed with pride.

Relaxing slightly, the proper image having been established, Xena asked, "Are you to take us to her?"

"Yes," he looked toward Joxer, "but he can't come. I'm allowed, but I'm an exception."

"I see. Joxer?"

"That's okay. You guys go ahead, that's stuff for-- uhm, friends." His eyes darted around the busy plaza. "I'll just hang out down here and meet up with you after the processional." Gabrielle lost sight of him as he dove into the crowd. He looked relieved having just been spared from the agony of what he obviously considered "girl stuff."

Joxer.

She turned to follow Xena and Ceyx up to where Alikea waited. At first glance, what she saw startled her: the way the sun shone off his sandy hair; the way Xena's arm stretched easily across his shoulders; he was about the same size, the same shape. At first glance, she had seen Solon. She began to ascend the terraces, and for the second time in the same day, she forced a smile in hopes of pushing away the suffocating guilt that threatened to mar what should be a joyful, lighthearted day.

"You made it!" Alikea twisted around eliciting a small admonishment from the woman who was standing over her tying flowers into the girl's long, ebony hair.

"Oh, Ula. I'm sorry." She shifted back around and raised her voice slightly. "I'm so glad you came."

Gabrielle entered first, dropping her pack in the corner before striding over to the window seat. "How could we miss such an important day in your life?"

And she had made a good life for herself here in Midea, if her surroundings were any indication. It was a small room, but it was bright and filled with little touches that showed she was loved: a coverlet embroidered with the same small, pale blue flowers that now adorned her hair, obviously her favorite; crude little dolls fashioned from wood and bits of old fabric, gifts from her students from the look of them; dried flowers laid in bunches everywhere, moments in time kept alive by their presence.

Being careful not to interfere with the preparations, Gabrielle leaned forward to touch a hand to Alikea's arm in lieu of an embrace. Turning to Xena she asked, "She looks beautiful, doesn't she, Xena?"

Xena stood by the door as if afraid to intrude or unsure of what to do. Anyone could see this wasn't exactly her forte. "Your impending marriage must agree with you," she offered with a slight smile as she stepped further into the room.

It certainly appeared that way. Alikea's brown eyes sparkled, the joy spilling over and softening her rather awkward features. All brides are beautiful, Gabrielle thought. She'd felt that way as well once; it had been one of the best feelings in her life. She sighed softly. The gods were obviously set on filling her day with memories.

"Thank you," Alikea blushed at the compliment and her smile deepened. "I have so much to tell you both. Oh, but I'm being rude. I should introduce you. This is Ula, my dearest friend here in Midea." She raised her head a bit to indicate the woman behind her.

"Hello." Ula turned to face them and smiled as her fingers continued working the flowers. She was a striking woman for someone of her size - small, but shapely. Her saffron robe was the perfect accent to her tanned skin and auburn hair. "There's no need to introduce them," she said down to the girl. "I know all about you." She nodded her head first at the tall warrior, "Xena," then at the bard, "Gabrielle. She's been fretting over your arrival for days." She lowered her eyes to look at her creation. "There. I think that'll do."

Ula placed her hands on Alikea's shoulders guiding her gently forward to stand so they could see the full effect. She had grown over the past few years so that now she stood nearly a head taller than Gabrielle. Her intricately folded chiton of the palest blue fell gently down her legs, stopping just above her ankles.

"Oh Alikea! You're getting married." Gabrielle stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the girl, holding her tightly.

"I know," she whispered into Gabrielle's hair.

As Gabrielle drew back, Xena's hand came forward and brushed at Alikea's hair, briefly touching a delicate flower. "Softies, the both of you," she murmured.

"And you're not, is that right?" Ula asked from behind them.

Xena brought her hand back quickly. "Yes."

"Yes, you are? Or, yes, you aren't? Gabrielle teased.

"Leave her be, Gabrielle," Alikea laughed. "You two are still at it."

"Yes and I can't seem to shake her."

Gabrielle responded by playfully shoving her shoulder into Xena's arm on her way to grab Alikea's hand. She pulled the girl back with her as she sat down by the window. "Now, tell us everything we missed. Everything," she encouraged.

Xena moved quietly to the bed, lifting up her scabbard and placing it close to her as she sat down.

"I can't tell a story like you, Gabrielle."

"Well, give me the basic story, and I'll write it up for you on your very own scroll. That'll be my gift to you both; the story of how you fell in love." Her hands came to rest over her heart, her mind already putting together the untold tale.

"Well, the beginning isn't very romantic," Alikea admitted. "We met in a stable."

"A stable." She dropped her hands as her imaginings clunked to a stop.

"Yes," she laughed, "Ceyx, who you've already met - he's Ula's son. Well, he was my first student. After I had a proper school started with a dozen or so of the other children, Ceyx thought he could get away with anything, since we are friends as well. He used to go down to the stables when he was supposed to be in class. He still does. He loves horses, and he really does like to help. He'd do all sorts of little chores down there. Well, it became a regular occurrence, my having to go down and tear him from Zarek's side. Zarek, he's my fiancé. At first, I didn't like him very much, the circumstances as they were. He wasn't much to look at either, covered in dirt and sweat - big and scruffy. Well, he cleans up very nice."

"That he does," Ula agreed from the bed where she now sat next to Xena. "I don't know why he insists on working that stable himself."

Alikea smiled shyly. "He is wonderful. He's so kind, and he has a very gentle spirit. I think that's why he works so well with the horses. He's very calming." She lowered her head and smiled. "We started taking walks together inside the town wall, up toward the theatre, and outside, along the mountain trails. He brings me flowers every day." Her last words were barely audible. Her eyes seemed far off, as if she were remembering all those times together.

At that moment a man's voice was heard outside the door. It opened a crack and Ceyx's head appeared in the small space. "It's time," he hissed, eyes wide.

Gabrielle turned to look out the window. The day had slowly darkened to night.

Alikea stood and nervously smoothed at wrinkles that weren't there. She looked to Ula anxiously.

"You're lovely, child," she assured. "Come now. We'll gather the gifts."

Alikea nodded her head silently as Ula headed for the door. "Well?" The woman stopped short of the hall and faced Xena and Gabrielle.

The friends exchanged a quizzical look before standing.

"They know, don't they?"

"Know what?" they asked in unison.

"I want you to walk with Ula, Spyros, and Ceyx as my family. You are my family." She seemed uncertain as to how they would respond.

"Of course! Oh, Alikea, we'd be honored. It's--"

"Don't start again, Gabrielle." Xena headed for the door asking Ula, "Just how many gifts are there?"

"Xena." Gabrielle followed on her heels.

"She's only kidding, Gabrielle!" Alikea called out after them.

Continue >>>