The Minstrel

by Del Kaidin

The sun set as it had after many battles for the four figures standing amidst the cheering crowd. A warrioress, a bard, a hero and a warrior, dark and light, friends and more they accepted the last of the villagers thanks. Making their way to the village, the innkeeper greeted them and invited them in.

"Please accept my hospitality for the evening. A room, bath, meal and entertainment for our saviors."

Each of the four was going to decline but for each the man seemed to know what they needed or wanted. "Entertainment?" the bard asked.

"Yes miss. We have a minstrel. Her style is a bit," he paused, "different, but she is quite talented. Some have said she seems to know what songs to sing on any given night."

"Please, Xena. It's been so long since I saw another bard perform."

Xena looked at her friend, she had been sure the meal was what interested the bard more. Looking at the two men with them she asked, "Well?"

"We're all tired and a hot meal, bath, a minstrel and a warm bed sound good to me." Iolaus looked up at his best friend, "Well Herc?"

Two pair of blue eyes met over the heads of their friends. "I think we're outnumbered." He said. "Sir you have four quest. All in need of a bath, food, entertainment and sleep."

"Come in, come in.." He led them into the surprisingly elegant inn. "Laina tell Sylena she is to sing to our saviors tonight, then prepare baths for each of them and the best food and wine and rooms."

The serving girl nodded and ran to do her boss' bidding.

****** Somewhat later ********


Bathed, fed and relaxing in each others company the heroes waited for this minstrel. Then she entered, her green eyes searched the room till her gaze found them. She looked into Xena's first. She tilted her head first left, then right and then nodded. Her gaze next fell on Gabrielle. Green eyes met green eyes, involuntarily the bard shivered as the woman repeated the tilting of the head. Iolaus was next and finally Hercules.

As she stepped onto the stage music seemed to fill the room coming from everywhere and nowhere. Strange melodies and instruments filled the air and then came the minstrels voice:

"There were nights when the winds were so cold
and my body froze in bed if I just listened to them right outside the window
There were days when was so cruel......"


As the song continued Xena and Hercules looked at each other across the table. This song was for them. 'How did she know' their eyes asked each other.

The song grew in power and speed the woman's voice echoing in their heads. Looking at their companions each new that they were not as effected as they were by the words.

Xena's thoughts raced she had felt an erieness when the woman had stared into her eyes, as if she was searching her memories. Reading her entire life, mistakes and all. No judgment had been made, but never the less the woman new her life. What would her next songs touch or more to the point who?

The song finally ended and the next began. Once again when the minstrel's voice joined the mysterious instruments, Xena knew this one also was about her but this time Gabrielle was the other in the song.

"You're the held me up
never let me fall
You're the one who saw me threw it all."


Once again Xena's eyes met one of her friends. In Gabrielle's eyes tears glinted. Gabrielle was entranced, how did this woman know her feelings for Xena ran so deep. How could she know that Xena was her strength? Reaching out her hand grasped her friends beneath the table. Both were transported by the words, memories flowed between them.

As the song ended they once again the four held their collective breaths as a new song began who was this one for.

"When I was young
I never needed anyone....

I don't want to be
All by myself"

Iolaus recognized himself in this one. The magic of the minstrel's voice taking him back to a time before his friendship with Herc. When he had been a petty thief. Then he saw Xena, the song was for both of them. Both had walked alone at one time, not needing anyone.

Who was the next for? The four wondered. Then the woman's voice lifted in song again.

"You're the bravest of hearts
You're the strongest of souls
You're my light in the dark
You're the place I call Home
You can say it's all right
but I know that you're breaking up inside
I see it in your eyes.
Even you face the night
afraid and alone
That's why I'll be there.
When the storm rises up
When the shadows decend
Every beat of my heart
Every day without end
Every second I live
That's the promise I make

The four understood the song was about them. Each would be there for any of the others. As the song continued and grew it renewed their vows of friendship and love. Each would keep the promise the song spoke of. As the song came to it's end they stood and made their way to the stage.

"Where did she go?" They all asked at the same time.

"Who?" The innkeeper asked.

"The minstrel."

"I'm sorry we have no minstrel here tonight. She left the village months ago."

Gabrielle began to argue when, Xena's hand on her shoulder stopped her. She turned to look at her friend when she realized, the inn was different. Gone was the elegant dining room, in it's place was a simple inn.

The four started out the door when a voice stopped them. "Aren't you staying the night? You're rooms are ready. I did promise a bath, a meal and a room to you all."

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