The Gift

It had been almost two weeks since Gabrielle had last seen Sithus at the Amazon village. His daughters following behind after him. These thoughts flashed through her mind as she practiced in the dark with her staff. Gabrielle had gotten much more adept with her staff in the past weeks. She saw the terrain around her as if it were daytime even though the night was as black as coal. Her staff was part of her as she moved among the trees as if floating on air. Gabrielle stopped suddenly as she heard the faint footstep in the distance.

 Xena moved through the trees with cat like steps in hopes of catching Gabrielle unaware. She stopped at the clearing expecting to hear her practicing but there was not a sound. A slight tingle went up Xena’s back as she sensed the presence behind her. She turned and found the tip of a staff inches from her face. "Are you trying to sneak up on me Xena?"

 Xena flipped backwards and drew her sword, Gabrielle had disappeared. Xena turned and looked in all directions as best she could in the inky blackness but could not see her friend. She moved through the trees looking for her.

Gabrielle had endeavored to become a better stalker after her encounter with Joxer on that misty night. Her practice was paying off as she slipped through the trees evading Xena. A break in the clouds suddenly changed the darkness of night into a glowing world of shadows. Xena continued to dart from tree to tree trying to find her stealthy friend. Gabrielle stopped as Xena came near, as she moved past the tree Gabrielle tapped her on the feet with her staff. Xena looked down to see the staff across the top of her feet, she looked to the right to see the smiling face of Gabrielle. "I got you this time Xena."

 Xena smiled as Gabrielle arose. "You are getting much better at this Gabrielle, I think I can take you anywhere now." As the two walked back to camp the many times Xena had left or told Gabrielle to stay behind flashed through her head. Never again was she to stay behind.

The fire had dimmed to a faint glow by the time they returned from the woods. Xena placed a log on the fire as the two sat beside each other.

"Are you still thinking of him Gabrielle?" Gabrielle watched the colors dance in the fire in front of her. She pondered the question and wondered if Xena was talking about Perdicus or Sithus.

"You mean Sithus? Yes. I was wondering what he has been doing." Xena could tell that she missed his company as she had, they had both enjoyed the time they had spent with him.

"He is probably teaching Malus new tricks, you know Sithus, full of surprises."

As the clouds slipped past the moon changing the shadow in the woods the pair slept. Gabrielle dreamt of Perdicus as she had many times before. Xena dreamt of a time long ago, before she had taken up the sword in defense of Amphipolis. Visions of her mother and brothers from that time filled her head. A fleeting vision of her father riding along passed as quick as it came. Xena awoke to a bright morning and a nudge from Gabrielle. "Hey sleepy head wake up." The tables had turned, Gabrielle had awoke before Xena and she had slept late as well. "If we are going to check on that story of the people disappearing we need to get going. It will take most of the day to get there." Xena pulled of her blanket and began to gather up her things. The two had nearly finished when a odd wind blew across them.

Appearing before them was a familiar form, Ares. "Well good morning ladies, how are we today?" Xena backed away as Gabrielle gripped her staff.

"What do you want Ares." Xena's voice an unwavering calm in the presence of the God of War.

"And good morning to you Xena. Gabrielle I used to think you a bother but not any longer. I have been watching Sithus teach you, I always liked him!" Xena continued to stare at the pain in her side.

 "What do you want Ares?" Her voice still did not falter.

 Ares looked into her blue eyes. "Why is it you think I want something Xena? I have only come to tell you I had nothing to do with what has been happening." Ares stepped forward and gripped the end of Gabrielle's staff. She did not move as a glow flowed through her staff and into her hands. Before Xena could stop him he disappeared as fast as she moved. The glow disappeared from Gabrielle.

"What was that Xena?"

She looked over her friend. "Are you all right Gabrielle, you feel okay?"

 A slight tingle ran though her fingers and she felt odd. "I am okay I guess, what did Ares just do Xena." Xena saw the pain in her face and could tell she was concerned.

 "You can never tell with Ares, his motives are never clear. Are you sure you are all right? You look fine, probably just a test to see if your will was strong." Gabrielle shook her hands to get back the feeling into her fingers.

 "I wish he had just asked before doing that, it was unnerving. Yes there is just this tingling in my hands."

 Xena patted her on the shoulder. "You are lucky, Ares is not always that friendly." The two gathered up the rest of their things and headed for Dianesia.

As the they rode along something bothered Gabrielle. "What do you think Ares meant when he said he has nothing to do with what was going on?"

 Xena's mind had been considering this question as well. "Ares said he had changed, maybe this is a clue that there is no outside influence involved. What ever is going on we are going to solve it."

Gabrielle still could not rid herself of the odd feeling from the mornings encounter with Ares. Her hands still had that odd tingle in them and every time she touched her staff it seemed as if a spark leapt from it into her hand. What ever it was Xena did not need to know. She could handle this.

 As soon as they arrived in Dianesia they were met by a village elder. "Xena we are glad you have to help us put an end to our troubles." Xena climbed down from Argo as Gabrielle did the same from Thesis. "But you should have not brought her." Xena looked as he pointed at Gabrielle.

 "And why is that! If you have a problem with her than take it up with her."

The village elder moved towards Gabrielle but stopped when he caught her eye. To him Gabrielle's eyes suddenly glowed. "My mistake Xena, she is welcome here as you are. Now come inside and we will tell you what has been happening." Xena found it amusing that his attitude had suddenly changed.

"So what look did you give him Gabrielle. Are getting to be just like me?" Gabrielle tied the reins to a rail.

"All I did was look at him. I don't have that blood chilling stare that you do Xena."

Xena poked her in the ribs. "It's not blood chilling it's effective." The two stepped into the tavern which held only a few people.

At a table sat the elder and a few others. The elder motioned them over as a serving girl brought food and drink to them. "Sit and eat please, you must be tired after your long journey." As they sat Gabrielle dug into the food. Her ravenous appetite had always amused Xena and this time it was no exception. She tore into the food with her hands yet the only one who noticed was Xena. Her attention went from Gabrielle's eating habits to the elder as he sat down and began to speak.

 " Young girls have been disappearing for weeks now without a trace. We have searched all over but we have found no trace of them. The only clue we have are these." The elder pours out a bag of coins onto the table. "When each girl has disappeared the area they were in was searched and a coin was found." Xena counted the coins, eight of them and all of Spartan mint.

Gabrielle continued to eat and drink, she belched suddenly, as the others looked at her they only received a greasy smile as she bit into another chunk of meat. Xena was stunned by her sudden habits in eating but took it as Gabrielle just being hungry as always. "So who do you think is taking the girls?" The elder turned away from Gabrielle's gaze.

 "We have no idea. There are no warlords in the area or monsters that we know of. All we know is that a girl disappears we find a coin."

Gabrielle suddenly slammed her mug on the table. "Girl, more ale over here." Xena shot her a glance. "Gabrielle what are you doing!" Gabrielle slurped the last from the mug and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and belched again. "Oh, excuse me. I'm sorry I have not eaten this well in a long time. Please excuse me." Gabrielle held out her mug for the serving girl to fill.

Xena wondered what had come over her friend. "So can you show us where the girls disappeared?"

The elder was stunned by Gabrielle's manners but did not look in her direction. "Yes we can show you tomorrow if you like. The tavern owner will provide you with rooms."

As the others left Xena slid over to Gabrielle on the bench. "What has come over you Gabrielle! You are behaving like a pig warlord at a feast table."

 Gabrielle tossed a bone onto a pile of others and washed a mouthful of meat down with a gulp from her mug. "Just hungry I guess. So do we have any clues as to who or what is taking the girls?" Xena could not believe the sudden lack of manners she had shown but put it aside as hunger taking over.

"These coins could be a clue. They are Spartan coins and they have been known to take girls but I'm not so sure that is the case here. We will see what we find tomorrow."

 As they were lead upstairs to the rooms Xena noticed how Gabrielle seemed to be more confident, not like she had been after her training. This was different. Gabrielle had an air about her that seemed to say keep out of my way or you will get hurt. Whatever it was Xena did not like it at all. What ever Ares had done it had better not be permanent. The two rooms were across from each other. "Well Xena good night." As she looked to her friend Xena thought she saw Gabrielle's eyes glow in the dark hallway. She stood in the hall as Gabrielle closed the door to her room.

 Gabrielle had lay in bed for hours but she could not sleep. She arose and went downstairs to the bar. There several men were arm wrestling for money, Spartan coins. She got a drink and went to watch. As the last man was defeated the victor called out for any more who would challenge him. Gabrielle emptied her mug and went to the table. "I will." The man looked at her and then the others, they all began to laugh. Gabrielle simply smiled and sat at the table. "What's wrong. Afraid of loosing to a girl!" The man stopped laughing as she placed her arm on the table.

 "Very well girl. What do you have as a prize if you lose? Any dinars?"

Gabrielle thought for a moment. "I don't have any dinars, how about me as a prize." The man looked her over and smiled a sickly smile. "I like the prize." He placed his burly arm on the table and Gabrielle's hand seemed to disappear in his. He gripped her hand in an effort to deliver pain but was met by a surprisingly strong grip. As he looked her over again he did not see the flash of light in her eye. The man waited for the signal to begin and could not wait to claim his prize.

The signal was given to begin and the man expected to simply slam her arm down and win, instead his efforts were stopped by an arm that seemed made of steel that was locked in position on the table. Gabrielle began to squeeze the mans hand and felt a bone crack, she slammed his arm down to the table. As she stood and reached for the money the man grabbed her wrist. " I don't know who you are but you are not taking that money!" Gabrielle looked at the hand, she reached down and pried it from her wrist and then proceeded to hurl the man across the room.

The sound of the man crashing into the wall woke Xena. The shouts from downstairs sounded like trouble. Picking her sword from where it lay beside her she moved to the door and listened. Hearing no one she opened the door and went to the door across the hall and knocked but received no response. The door creaked slightly as she opened it. Xena expected Gabrielle to jump into action when it did. When she did not Xena pushed the door open and looked about the room, no Gabrielle. She snapped her head towards the stairs as another body was heard crashing to the floor.

 Gabrielle had tossed her next attacker onto a table and smashed a pitcher into the head of the next. Another grabbed her from behind and lifted her off her feet. As one more approached she kicked him in the face. The man holding her received a blow to his knees from Gabrielle's feet. He crumpled to the floor in a heap and released his grip. The next man swung a fist that Gabrielle blocked with ease, she caught him in the face with her fist and then slammed her head into his. He fell back onto a chair.

 Xena moved to the stairs and saw a man fall. As she crept farther down she saw Gabrielle punch a man in the face and then head butt him. Her sword nearly fell from her hand. She walked down the stairs as Gabrielle circled the next man. He tried to hit Gabrielle but she easily dodged his efforts. Gabrielle's hands moved quickly and punched into his side. The man crumpled to the floor as Xena approached.

 Gabrielle spun as she heard the footfalls and saw Xena. She relaxed her stance. "Gabrielle what are you doing?" Xena looked at the man laying at her feet. She knew Gabrielle had used a pressure point to bring him down and moved to release what she had done. "So are you having fun or is this something else?"

 Gabrielle picked the coins from the floor. "They were gambling for these. I thought they might be a clue as to who is taking the girls."

Xena looked at the coins in her hand and then to the man who was waking up. Xena sat him upright against a table leg. She went to the bar and picked up pitcher of water to throw on his face. She turned to see Gabrielle touch the man and saw a spark leap from her finger tips. The man awoke with a start. Xena sat the pitcher back on the bar as Gabrielle stood.

 "He's awake Xena."

The man sat there looking at the two of them as Xena approached. He seemed more afraid of Gabrielle than Xena. Xena extended her hand to the man and helped him to his feet and into a chair.

"Gabrielle give me those coins." As she poured them out of her hand a spark leapt between the two. Xena jerked her hand away and the coins fell from her hand. Her suspicions were correct. "Gabrielle how long has this been going on?"

 Gabrielle could tell she was angry by the tone of her voice, she should have told her about what was happening but had not. "Ever since the other day when Ares grabbed my staff. What do you think it is." Xena only looked at her friend and began picking the coins from the floor. "I'm sorry Xena I should have told you about It but I thought it would go away." She placed the coins on the table in front of the man.

 "So tell us where you got these coins." The man only looked at her. "Look if you don't tell me I'm going to let my friend here deal with you. Do you want that?" He looked in terror at the smile that crossed Gabrielle's face. As she stepped forward Xena put a hand up to stop her. "Look you better tell me. There is no telling what she might do."

The color had left the mans face as he continued to look at her mischievous grin and then turned to Xena with a look of terror on his face.

 "I'll tell you anything you want, just keep her away from me." Gabrielle realized the game that Xena was playing and tried to move closer to the man. He recoiled in horror and Xena pushed her away and pointed to a chair. Gabrielle moved away seemingly in a huff. With her farther away he calmed down. "We received them as pay from a man. We never saw him before. All we were told to do is go to spots outside of town and drop them."

Xena contemplated his words. " You were told to drop these coins before the girls disappeared?" The man shook his head. As Xena moved over to where Gabrielle sat the man bolted for the door. Gabrielle scooped a mug from the floor a flung it into the door just before he reached it. He stopped and turned. Gabrielle raised her finger and motioned him back. Even with the fear in his eyes he obeyed. She pointed to the chair which he had been in and he sat down.

As the man sat numbly in the chair Xena looked sternly at her friend. "Gabrielle you should have not kept this from me. If we are going to work together we need to trust each other." Gabrielle only listened and did not speak. "Now I don't know what Ares has done to you or given you but he must have his reasons. So for now try and control yourself shall we." Xena turned to the man. "So you have never seen this man before. Did he pay you before or after you dropped the coins?" His face was still a numb, blank expression. He looked up. "He paid us after we dropped them. We were told to meet him outside of town by the river."

 Xena picked the man from the chair. "You can go now but if you see the man again you come tell me understand! If you don't and I find out then I will turn you over to Gabrielle." The man looked at the grin that crossed her face and ran for the door as Xena released him.

The two made there way back up the stairs Xena placed her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, there was no spark. "Next time tell me what is going on."

 Walking back upstairs to their rooms Gabrielle stopped and turned. "I'm sorry Xena, I should have told you." She reached out her hand to Xena's and again a spark leapt from her hand. "Sorry, what ever this is that Ares has done is in my hands." Xena only shook her hand and went into her room. As Gabrielle did the same she felt a wave of anger flow over her. What had Ares done and why. "Ares! Ares I know you can hear me. I want some answers from you." A sudden flash of light nearly blinded her as the God of War appeared.

 "So little one you don't like my gift! Well fear not for it is not permanent. What I have given you is for a reason, it will disappear when your job is finished." Gabrielle opened her mouth to speak and he stopped her. "You will find out who is taking the girls and you will need what I have given you." He stepped away and disappeared.

Gabrielle was even more frustrated now than before but now she had some answers that would let her sleep.

 The rays of sunlight filtered into the room and onto Xena's face. The light and the sounds of footsteps woke her up. Suddenly the rays of light were gone and then back again. She sat up. Gabrielle was in her room pacing back and forth at the foot of the bed. "Gabrielle what are you doing?"

 Gabrielle waved her hands in the air. "Oh I was waiting for you to wake up and tell you about Ares. He visited me last night you know." Xena tried to speak but Gabrielle continued to speak. "He said this thing was not permanent and that it was for a reason. What could the reason be?" Again Xena tried to speak but Gabrielle still continued to talk. "One time just one time I would like to punch Ares in the nose. Do you know how I feel Xena? Of course you do you know him. I would like a shot at him just once, OK twice. Once for this and the other for that thing he did with you and Callisto, yea two shots right in is smug snout. Come here Ares I want to punch you in the nose!"

 "GABRIELLE!" She stopped pacing as Xena shouted her name. "Will you calm down, stop that pacing and be quite for a moment." Gabrielle stopped her pacing and faced Xena. " Now sit down on the bed and let me see if I can decipher what you just said." Gabrielle sat on the edge of the bed next to her. "So Ares visited you last night told you what you have is not a permanent thing?" Gabrielle opened her mouth and Xena placed her hand over her mouth. "A simple nod will do." Gabrielle shook her head. "All right, he said it was for a reason, did he say what it was?" Gabrielle shook her head no. Xena stood and reached for her armor. "We will go look at the places that those coins were found and see if we can find out anything about this man who paid to have those coins dropped." Xena looked at Gabrielle who still sat on the bed. "You can talk now Gabrielle."

 "Ares said we would find out who was taking the girls and I would need this gift as he called it. I am not sure what he meant by that but I do not think he was lying to me." Xena listened to her friends words and hoped that Ares had told the truth or he would regret it. Xena gathered her things as Gabrielle went to her room to get her things. The two went downstairs and found that everything had been cleaned up from the nights encounter with the men.

 The two sat at a table and food was brought to them without asking. The reason was behind the bar. The man Gabrielle had beaten at arm wrestling was there, he nodded in their direction. Xena nodded back as Gabrielle dug into the food. She looked to her friend and wondered if last night was but a dream to her. "So you remember last night don't you?" Gabrielle nodded as she ate. "I could not believe what I saw you doing down here. Probably Ares influence taking hold." Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders and continued to eat.

 As they left the Inn they were meet by the village elder. "We will show you the places where the girls disappeared after we show you something. This morning another coin was found but no girl is missing." Xena and Gabrielle simply looked at each other and went to get Argo and Thesis from the Inn's stable.

Argo and Thesis had already been readied for their departure. The two friends checked them over and followed the elder out of town.

 Riding along the road neither of them spoke, both alert to their surroundings. Not far from the river they stopped at a clearing. The elder climbed down from his horse and pointed to an undisturbed coin.

"Many people from the village come to this part of the river. A man who had come to fish saw the coin and returned immediately to the village." Xena climbed down from Argo and began to check the surrounding area for signs as Gabrielle inspected the coin. "I must get back to the village to deal with some other matters." He rode away as the two continued to look about.

 Xena moved into the surrounding woods looking for anything that might be a clue. Gabrielle looked across the river to a beautiful field of blue and white flowers on the other side. As she turned back to the matter at hand a man appeared before her. He was dressed in flowing robes and his hair looked as if it were gold. " Hello child, may I ask your name?" Gabrielle took a step back with her staff in hand. The man stepped forward. "I mean you no harm, I only wish to know your name and to perhaps kiss your hand."

 As Gabrielle took another step back Xena stepped from the woods. Seeing the man before her she had an odd feeling. "Gabrielle is everything all right?" The man turned to Xena when she spoke. Seeing her he disappeared. Gabrielle looked around as he did. Xena jogged to her. "Who was that Gabrielle and what did he want?"

Gabrielle was in a bit of a daze. "He wanted to know my name and to kiss my hand. He never said his name." She had an odd feeling when he appeared. She thought nothing of it and was going to drop the thought and then remembered Xena's words. "There is one other thing, I had the strangest feeling when he appeared. My hands began to tingle and they started to get warm, hot even!"

 Xena had a feeling about the man. "I think I know who that was Gabrielle. Lets go back to the village." Argo and Thesis carried the two back to the village at a gallop. Xena needed some answers to important questions.

They found the elder speaking with a group of people as they returned.

Xena took him aside as Gabrielle took Argo and Thesis to the stable. "The girls that were taken, are they all of marrying age?"

 The elder thought for a moment. "Yes I believe they all were of marrying age, two are to be married this month." Xena arched an eyebrow and looked for Gabrielle.

 Brushing Thesis gave Gabrielle a sense of relief, she was happy to have her for it reminded her of all the good things that had happened to her recently. She looked up as Xena entered the stable. "So what did you find out Xena, anything important? Xena was about to speak when shouts were heard outside. The two ran out to see what was going on.

 A women was crying in the arms of a man. The elder pulled away from the crowd that had gathered as Gabrielle and Xena came forward. "A girl went to the river ahead of her mother. She says when she arrived the basket the girl had been carrying was laying on the ground and the girl was gone."

 "We will go look for her. Until we return let no girl of marrying age is to go anywhere alone." The elder nodded and returned to the crowd. "We are going back to the river to do some fishing Gabrielle and your the bait!"

Gabrielle stopped in her tracks upon hearing those words. Xena turned to see her not following. "Relax, I'll explain on the way."

 While riding back to the river Xena explained herself to Gabrielle. "I know who is taking the girls and you are just the bait we need to catch our prey. That man you saw took them and I believe he would have taken you had I not appeared. We are going back to see if he will try for you again."

Gabrielle did not like the idea of being bait but it was better than staying behind. Besides, being bait was dangerous and Xena would not put her in harms way unless she knew the situation was controllable.

 The area at the river was as before. Nothing seemed out of place. "Go back to the edge of the river Gabrielle and I will wait out of sight." Xena led Argo and Thesis into the woods as Gabrielle moved to the waters edge. She looked across again at the beautiful field of flowers. It reminded her of what she had seen the time she had crossed over. Her thoughts then drifted to Perdicus and she knew that he was in a field of flowers like those before her. Her mind filled with a vision of him and his smile.

The vision was broken as a voice spoke behind her. "Hello again little one, you have returned!" Spinning Gabrielle again was faced by the same man as before. She moved to his side to keep from being caught between him and the river. Moving closer he extended his hand. "Please may I know your name?"

Gabrielle backed away. "I will tell you my name if you tell me yours." Xena watched from the edge of the woods waiting for the right moment. Her fingers checked the chakram at her side, in it's place and ready for use.

 "I am known as Apollo little one. Now your name please." The God stepped ever closer to Gabrielle. She again kept her distance.

 "My name is Gabrielle. Are you the one who has been taking the girls from the village?"

 "Ah, Gabrielle such a lovely name. Yes I have been taking the girls but I assure you that no harm has come to them." Apollo moved again within arms reach of Gabrielle.

 When Apollo stepped closer to Gabrielle this was the moment Xena was waiting for, she burst from the trees at a run and headed straight for him. "YIYIYIYIYIYIYI" Seeing her Apollo turned and waited for her to near. As she reached him Apollo simply swatted her away with the back of his hand, sending her flying into a heap. Gabrielle reacted to her friend being struck, she lashed out with her staff.

 The worn fighting staff struck Apollo in the back with great force. As the staff impacted a great flash of crackling blue light came with the blow. Apollo pitched forward to the ground.

 Xena tried to shake the dizziness from her head and looked in Gabrielle's direction. The staff was a blur in her hands as it impacted Apollo. The flash Xena saw made the puzzle complete, Ares had given Gabrielle the gift to fight Apollo.

 Apollo picked himself from the ground and flew into a rage. "You silly girl, I do not know how you did that but it is the last thing you will do!" He lashed out and was again meet by a crackling blue spark from Gabrielle’s staff as it deflected his arm. She stabbed it forward into his midsection.

 Apollo flew backwards several feet onto the hard ground. Gabrielle stepped forward and placed the tip of her staff on his chest. Xena had finally regained her composure and walked up to the two. She watched as a steady flow of blue light flowed from her hands and staff into Apollo.

 The light continued to flow into Apollo, he could not move from where he lay. "I have you where I want you Apollo, return the girls and I will release you." The god could not move from where he lay. He raised his arm and motioned. Nearby nine girls appeared. Xena walked to them as Gabrielle continued to hold Apollo to the ground.

 Xena approached the stunned girls. "You can all go back to Dianesia." They all turned and ran for the village. Xena turned her attention back to Gabrielle and Apollo. The blue light continued to flow from Gabrielle's staff and hands.

 "I think you can release him Gabrielle." Gabrielle looked to her friend and then to Apollo.

 "No I think I will keep him down for a while." Suddenly before her Ares appeared.

"You can let him go Gabrielle, he will not bother you or Xena." Apollo looked up from where he lay.

 "Ares I will get you for this!" Ares only laughed and disappeared. Gabrielle lifted her staff and released him. As the blue light ebbed from him Apollo arose from the ground. "Ares was right, you have nothing to fear from me." He turned and vanished.

 With Apollo gone Gabrielle had a odd feeling wash over her. She fell to the ground. The lingering effects from Ares gift had left her, no longer was there a tingle in her hands. Xena reached down to help her friend up. She was ready for the shocking grip she had received before but none came as Gabrielle grabbed her hand and pulled herself from the ground.

"Well I guess our job here is finished Xena, where are we going next?"

 "Lets go back to the village first and think about it shall we." Xena went to get the horses. Again the sight of the field of flowers made Gabrielle think of Perdicus.

As the two rode into town the were greeted with a joyous celebration. The various families of the returned girls heaped praise and thanks on to Xena and Gabrielle. A great feast was in preparation in honor of the two. "So Xena were do we go next."

 Xena turned to her friend and smiled. "Lets stay here for a few days and relax. Then maybe we will go see what Joxer is up to."

 Gabrielle considered the possibility of relaxing for a while. "I like that idea, besides I owe Joxer for sneaking up on me that night."

 The two walked further into the crowd and joined in the celebration.

 The End

Scott Carpenter (C) February 6 1997