Silent Nights
by awatcher
As always, any and all comments are welcome.
Chapter 1
"Xena, do we have to go this way?"
"Unless you want to walk through the middle of a war, yeah."
Gabrielle knew Xena was right. They were between Scylla and Charybdis. They had promised to meet Hercules and this _was_ the quicker way. Xena said they would go through Pan's woods, so she'd just have to live with it.
"This isn't _so_ bad," Gabrielle said but she still was constantly looking over her shoulder.
The forest looked like any other. The trees leaves were a beautiful dark shade of green and everywhere was just teeming with wildlife. But, it wasn’t what she saw that made Gabrielle nervous, it was what she might not see. Again, she turned her head to make sure nothing was behind her.
"You know, if you would ride, we could get out of here faster." Xena, though very wary of her surroundings, was amused by how jumpy her friend had gotten since they entered the woods.
"Oh, that would be wonderful. Like just going through these woods isn't scary enough!"
"I didn’t know Argo scared you."
Gabrielle mentally kicked herself.
I can't keep my mouth shut, can I?
Out loud all she said was, "Not really."
"You just said..."
"Shut up and give me a boost, I am NOT scared."
Xena pulled Gabrielle up behind her. A mischievous grin crept up her face. She broke Argo into a gallop and then an all-out run. Gabrielle started feeling dizzy. Her arms tightened around Xena.
How did I do this when I pretended to be Xena? I was focused, I had a mission. Now all I have is foolish pride and that isn't helping.
Suddenly Gabrielle realized Argo had stopped. Xena had half-turned in the saddle and was looking worriedly at Gabrielle.
"Ummm... can I get down now?"
"Uh-huh."
Gabrielle slid down Argo. She kept one hand on the horse for balance.
"You okay?"
Gabrielle nodded weakly. "That wasn't very nice."
Xena shrugged. "I was just teaching you a lesson. Don't let pride get the best of you. In our line of work, it will get you killed."
Gabrielle sighed and started walking. I'll be glad when we're off this stupid land."
"This stupid land belongs to me."
"Pan," stated Xena.
"Correct. What tipped you off? I get no privacy, I tell you. Everywhere I go, I'm recognized. I guess that's just the price for stardom.
"What do you want, Pan?" Xena's patience wore thin.
"Lets see. This is my land, and you're on it. That makes you trespassers. And to top it off, that insolent little twerp insulted my land thereby insulting me."
"I am truly sorry about that. I offer my most humble apologies. I really didn’t mean it. It's been a hard journey. We have a deadline, you see. And, I had just ridden Argo, and riding isn't exactly fun for me. I hate it, actually. I haven't had a decent nights sleep in weeks and not a decent meal in..."
"SHUT UP!" shouted Pan. Gabrielle gasped and suddenly her voice was gone.
"Your friend needs to learn not to talk so much. Only when she learns not to put so much value in the voice will she speak again. Doesn't she know that actions speak louder than words? As for you, Xena, being with her is punishment enough." Pan was silent for a moment. "Somehow, though, I doubt you'd agree with me." Pan then turned to a stunned Gabrielle and smiling remarked, "Silence suits you." With that, Pan vanished.
Chapter 2
"Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle didn’t respond. She was in shock. As long as she could remember she had relied on her voice. It was the one thing she had always done really well.
"Gabrielle!" Xena's hand gripped her friend's shoulders firmly. Gabrielle looked up into Xena's eyes. There, Xena saw pain she hadn't seen since the death of Perdicus. Gabrielle's voice was her life. She was a bard. Without a voice, what was she going to do? Xena thought for a minute.
"Stay here!" Xena ran to Argo and was back with a quill and parchment.
"Now. Talk to me."
Gabrielle took the quill and parchment and wrote furiously. Xena read over Gabrielle's shoulder:
"What am I going to do? I'm the bard remember? I tell stories. Talking is my gift. That's how I get out of trouble, most of the time. You know I don't use my staff if I can help it. It has always been that you use the sword and I use my tongue."
Which can be just as sharp, thought Xena.
"First of all, the question is, what are _we_ going to do?" admonished Xena. Second of all, we have an appointment to keep. We promised Hercules, remember?"
For lack of any better ideas along with the sickening thought that she could only argue on paper, Gabrielle consented.
Gabrielle was tired. Tired of the walking, tired of the silence, and tired of all the frustration she felt.
They still had several days of hard traveling left. Gabrielle had refused to ride.
I am in no mood to be on a horse, she had said. In truth, though, losing her voice had her terrified. If she was forced to ride Argo, Gabrielle didn’t think she would be able to keep her composure. She wouldn't admit it to Xena and she wasn't admitting it to herself, but more than anything else Gabrielle was scared. Talking was her passion. Now, it was gone along with a big piece of her.
Xena was worried about her friend. She knew how much Gabrielle loved to talk. Boy, did she ever know! Under different circumstances, she would be grateful for a relief from the constant chatter. But, this was serious. Still, Xena reminded herself to enjoy the break while she could.
They walked on in silence. Gabrielle couldn’t talk and Xena didn’t know what to say. The bard looked up and saw the sun was directly over head. That meant there was still a lot of traveling time left. So they continued, but they were going at a snail's pace. Gabrielle was stumbling over every rock that crossed her path and her mind was cursing every rock.
"Gabrielle, get up here." Gabrielle made a face but was almost to tired to care. Not having a voice was very draining. Xena hauled Gabrielle up behind her and their pace tripled.
Xena wanted to set camp. They had been riding for what seemed like an eternity. Yet, Gabrielle’s body language made it very clear she wanted to go on.
Gabrielle's gonna regret this later, thought Xena.
They stopped well after dark, going on until Gabrielle practically fell off Argo. Xena wasn't doing that great either, but she had rode nonstop for longer times in her past. She was more concerned about Argo and Gabrielle than herself. She was fatigued, but that was to be expected. Argo looked like she about to topple over. Gabrielle couldn't even stand on her own. With a sigh, Xena put an arm around her friends waist and gently led her to a soft spot to sleep.
"You're stubborn to the point of stupidity sometimes," Xena said under her breath. Gabrielle looked questioningly at Xena silently asking her to repeat what she just said. Xena pretended not to notice.
Maybe this silent thing won't be so bad after all, thought Xena chuckling to herself.
Later, however, her opinion would change.
Gabrielle couldn't sleep but she was too exhausted to move. She longed to hear the sharpening of Xena's sword. She always told Xena it was annoying but somewhere along the way it had become a comfort to her.
It meant everything was safe, she mused.
Gabrielle knew that she had only lost her voice. It wasn't like anyone had died or anything. Those thoughts didn’t help that much, though. She felt a lot more vulnerable now. She longed to feel the comfort and security she felt a week ago.
You know, Gabrielle thought to herself, if it wasn’t me who was cursed I’d have to laugh at the situation. We have a warlord who fights for good and a bard who cant talk. This has to be the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
Xena couldn't sleep either.
Where has the laughter around the campfire gone? When again will I hear Gabrielle tell some story about this king or that hero? Right now, I’d even go for a story about me. Gods! How am I going to stand these silent nights?
Her mind was in turmoil, but all these thoughts Xena kept to herself.
Tomorrow things will be different. I refuse to just accept this. Xena was a woman of action. Tomorrow, she was going to start acting like it.
Chapter 3
"Pan!"
"Hello Apollo. Nice to see you too. So... how've you been?"
"Skip the pleasantries. There is a matter we need to discuss. Immediately."
"Immediately after I speak with him." Artemis stood before Pan, shoving her twin brother aside.
"Pan, you have made a grave mistake."
"Have I now? I don't...Ares! What in Hades is going on here? What have I done to tick off three gods?
"Did I here my name? Oh, by the way, I make it four gods."
"Wow, I must be Greece's most wanted."
"Dead," added Ares.
"You're too kind Ares. Why don't you go back and play in you little wars."
"Do NOT mock me Pan."
"You are a humorless god, Ares. You should get out and live a little."
"What I wouldn't give for hind blood right now."
"Enough with the petty bickering." Artemis had heard enough. "Obviously we are all here to see Pan. Let us hurry up and state our business."
Everyone started talking at once.
"Silence!" shouted Artemis. "Who was here first?"
"I was."
"Very well then, Apollo. Speak your mind."
"That idiot..."
"Hey!"
"Quiet, Pan." Artemis had decided she would have to be the one to take charge.
"As I was saying, that IDIOT silenced one of my favorite bards and I am NOT happy. I want her voice returned. NOW!"
"We seem to want the same thing, my brother. Gabrielle is an Amazon Queen. I don't like other gods messing with my amazons. Have I made myself clear, Pan?"
"Loud and clear."
"Okay Hades, you're next."
"I owe Xena a favor. I want the debt paid off. I want Xena's friend's voice returned."
"Are we all here with the same purpose?" Artemis questioned Ares.
"I don't owe any favors and I don't care about that bard. That fool ruined my plans. I would have gotten the old Xena back if it weren't for his stupid games. Give the girl her voice back, Pan. If I can't have fun, then neither will you."
"I thought we had already established that you don't have fun, Ares."
"That’s enough, Pan." Artemis had resumed charge. "Unless you want to face the wrath of a lot of gods, I suggest you release the curse.
"That could be a problem. You see, I'm not really sure how to get it released."
"What?" This time Apollo spoke. "What do you mean you're not sure?"
"Well, I gave her conditions on getting released so I guess there is a way. I just don't know how she can meet the conditions."
"What exactly did you say?"
"Hmmm...let me see. I said something like she had too put less value in using her voice."
"What in Hades does that mean?" Ares was pacing now, his sword drawn.
"Leave Hades out of it, Ares," Said Hades defensively.
Artemis had been quiet for some time now. While they argued she let her mind ponder on Pan's words. She thought she might have an idea.
"Are you all finished because I might have an idea?" Pan, Hades, and Ares fell silent. Apollo wasn't speaking in the first place.
Though it was just in the preliminary stages, Artemis laid out her plan.
"Just how do you plan to override my curse?"
"I think we have enough gods for one day," commented Apollo.
"Okay. Lets get this over with."
"I take it that means you're in, Ares?" asked Artemis.
"Yes," he growled.
Chapter 4
"Gabrielle, wake up!" This was the third time Xena had called her friend and she was getting slightly annoyed. "I know you can hear me, you are not deaf."
Gabrielle opened her eyes and sat up but made no motion to stand.
"All right, that's it. I'm not going to let you go on feeling sorry for yourself. Here's the plan. First, we're going to straighten some things out. Next, we're going to go to a nearby village and I'm going to have a
message delivered to Hercules telling him we're going to be late. Finally, we're going to try to figure out how to lift this stupid curse. Is this fine with you?"
Gabrielle blinked.
"Great. Lets get started."
Gabrielle blinked again.
"Your enthusiasm is commendable. GET UP." Xena used the tone of voice that a person was crazy not to obey.
Gabrielle scrambled to her feet.
"Now, clean up so we can get started."
Gabrielle did so, then came back and stood in front of Xena as a soldier might; posture erect and at attention.
"You can relax, you know."
Gabrielle loosened up.
"I was thinking. This communicating on paper is really inefficient and expensive."
Gabrielle nodded in agreement.
"I have an idea; hand signals."
Even if Gabrielle could talk she would have been speechless.
"I figured first we would have signs for each letter of the alphabet.
Depending how long your voice is...inactive, we'll come up with signs for words."
Gabrielle lowered her head at the last sentence and her lip started to quiver.
Xena tipped Gabrielle's head up with her finger.
"Gabrielle, we have to face this. There is a chance you won't speak again. I don't want you to give up hope but I don't want you to be in denial either."
Gabrielle regained her composure.
"Lets get started, shall we?"
Gabrielle smiled and nodded.
It took them all day, but they finally came up with a sign for each letter that they both could remember.
Chapter 5
While Gabrielle and Xena were getting their lives straight, the gods had congregated on Mt. Olympus.
"Is this the best we can do? You'd think that with all our power we could just, I don't know, blink her voice back or something."
They had spent all day discussing their options. Actually, it was more like arguing their options.
Artemis originally wanted to test Gabrielle by putting her in a situation she would have the option of talking her way out of or taking action. If she talked, she failed. If she took action, she got her voice back, permanently.
The plan had been chucked, though. It wasn’t a bad plan. If they got it a little more specific it probably would have worked.
Unfortunately, anytime they tried to get the details down, one god would start fighting with another. Surprising Artemis, Ares didn’t have a problem with the plan but Hades and Pan did.
Pan stated, Oh great, I can see it now. Its the Morpheus thing combined with the Horde thing. Gabrielle is met by some tribal people who don’t speak her language. They try to kill her. It’s a killed or be killed situation. She opts to be killed. Hades brings her back...
Uh-uh, no way. I’m not bringing any more people back because of Gabrielle and Xena. I’ve had quite enough of that.
Artemis and Ares tried to convince Hades he wouldn’t have to do anything like that but he wouldn’t listen. Pan only egged Hades on.
Basically, Pan knew it would work and his pride wouldn’t let one of his curses be broken without a fight.
Ares cursed under his breath.
"You are going to be sorry you ever messed with me, Pan. Maybe not today, maybe not this century, but one of these days I am going to HUMILIATE you! "
"Lightning bolts and hinds blood may leave me dead but words will never hurt me."
"The plan would work and you know it! You’ve just twisted it all around so it sounds stupid."
"The problem with you Ares is that you're all brawn and no brain. Your little 'plans' never work. You're a joke," remarked Pan.
"If it wasn't for you I would have MY Xena back." Ares was getting agitated.
"Oh really. What was your plan? I have got to hear this." Pan kept his cool.
Ares started pacing and a grin came to his face. He always became excited when he thought about his 'glorious' Xena.
"It all starts when Xena and the annoying blonde meet Hercules in that village. What's its name? Oh well, it doesn't matter. Hercules and Xena will be frolicking in the fields while the bard goes into the tavern to make a few dinars. A messenger will come rushing up to Hercules. I can see it now, 'Help us Hercules, a monster is terrorizing our village.' I'm supplying the monster, of course.
"Of course," Pan added.
"You know, you're the one who wanted to know this. You could at least look interested." Ares was indignant.
"Looking bored's easier on the eyes," replied Pan.
Ares gave him a disgusted look before continuing the description of his master plan.
"Xena will go flying back to the tavern to get Gabrielle while Hercules starts off to the terrorized town. Meanwhile, Gabrielle will be at the tavern telling stories about the 'wonderful' Xena. In her audience, I will have placed a very bitter old man who hates Xena and all friends of Xena for his own reasons."
"Please don't go into that. Like we haven't heard how 'Xena killed my family' and 'she ruined my life' a thousand times already. Geez, you would think people would get over it."
"Are you finished interrupting me?"
"For now."
"Humph. As I was saying, he hates Xena's friends and will give the girl a fatal wound with his sword. Xena will walk in on her dying friend. Thus enters me, blissfully unaware her precious friend is dying. 'I need a favor!' I'll say. She'll try to shoo me away and then I'll find out, for the first time, of course..."
"Of course."
"Quit that!"
Pan grunted in response.
"I'll find out that her friend is having the life drained out of her. With every second that passes, the girl fades farther and farther away getting closer and closer to the other side. Slowly..."
"I get the picture. Get off it already!"
Ares didn’t respond but he did move on.
"I'll offer to save her life if she'll do me a favor. You see, there's this malicious army of people (if you could even call them people) who worship the god of gore. They have no respect for warfare. They don't understand it's an artform, that it requires grace. These people are a disgrace." Ares was getting quite emotional.
Pan raised his eyebrows.
Ares cleared his throat.
"Anyway, as soon as Xena tastes REAL battle, she'll join me again and these god of gore worshippers will be gone forever. I'll kill two birds with one stone."
"It would never work."
"Go to Hades."
"LEAVE HADES OUT OF IT!" shouted Hades.
"Are you all finished?. We have work to do," Apollo intervened. A moment later, so did something else.
A thunderbolt crashed inches from Pan's face. Pan jumped back, startled.
"It seems a reckless act by a certain god has gotten Mt. Olympus in an uproar." Zeus had arrived.
"Ah geez," whined Pan," are there any gods I didn’t tick off?"
"That's enough, Pan. I'm a busy god. Just to answer your question, Poseidon really couldn't give a flip. But personally, Pan, I'd be more worried about me than the other gods right now."
Pan grimaced.
"Like I said, I'm a busy god. So I'm going to tell you how it is going to work. First, after whatever happens, that's the end of it. It's a one shot deal. I want things back in order around here. Second, Pan, you're powers are suspended until this mess is straightened out. I believe you've done enough as it is. Third, I have the final word on all of this. I will NOT," Zeus' voice thundered, "have chaos reigning. Is that clear and understood?"
All the gods nodded.
Good. I'm a busy god. I have work elsewhere. I suggest you keep in mind that I'll be watching all of you. Oh, by the way, give it up Ares. Xena isn't coming back to you. You're becoming the god of lost causes." Zeus vanished.
Pan stifled a laugh. Ares glared at him.
"I wouldn't laugh. You're on Zeus' bad side. It isn't good to be on his bad side. Gods on his bad side have a way of disappearing, just...like...that."
Ares snapped his fingers.
Pan shut up.
Apollo cleared his throat.
Uh hem. While ya’ll two were busy arguing, Hades, Artemis and I were talking. Here’s what we’ve decided on...
Ares and Pan listened. Ares agreed and nobody really cared what Pan thought.
He was being dragged into the whole thing because no one trusted him enough to leave him by himself. Without Hades on his side, his opinion meant nothing.
Zeus and Athena watched the whole thing from a distance.
So you see, daughter, I cant trust them to play fair. Pan is going to do everything he can to ruin everything and Ares will probably take every opportunity to get his Xena back. Who knows what Apollo, Artemis, and
Hades have planned. This is going to get crazy and as you know, I’m...
A busy god. I know, father. I will keep a watch on them."
Chapter 6
Gabrielle, get up we need to get going.
Why? Gabrielle signed.
I’ve got to get a message to Hercules to tell him well be late, she Xena replied.
Signing wasn’t the same as talking for Gabrielle. She would give it up in a heartbeat for her voice back, but at least she could communicate with Xena without too much inconvenience.
They packed up camp quickly and started toward the village.
After awhile, Xena offered a hand for Gabrielle to ride.
No, signed Gabrielle. She didn’t even spell that word anymore.
She used it so much it had a sign all its own. Many other words got their own signs during the course of the day.
Not only were more words getting signs, but Gabrielle was also getting faster. She was getting to be as fast a signer as she was a talker. Xena was starting to have to struggle to keep up. By the time they reached the village, half of what Xena said in a day consisted of the words, slow down.
The first thing they did when they reached the village was buy a room at the inn.
Its clean for a change, Gabrielle signed.
It looks like its run by an upright family. The father checked us in. I also noticed the mother and a little girl. The girl was acting kind of strange, though. She kept staring at your signing.
Gabrielle shrugged.
Ill be right back, promised Xena. I’m going to see about a message getting sent to Hercules.
Stay here, I guess. Not like I can talk to anyone.
I know, Gabrielle, I know. Xena gave her friend a pat on the shoulder then left the room and shut the door behind her.
A little later there was a knock at the door. Gabrielle assumed it was Xena and opened it. There was the mother and the girl.
Never assume anything, Gabrielle thought to herself. She pointed to her mouth and shook her head.
Oh, I know. I saw you earlier. I was hoping your friend would be here.
Gabrielle cocked her head, confused.
Forgive me. My name is Theana. This is my daughter, Merista. She is mute like you as well as deaf. She’s been very sick most of her life, being deaf was just one of the many complications. She’s been doing better these last few weeks. All the healers say that I should encourage her to use her voice, but I don’t know anymore. She is captivated by your gestures. I wanted to find out more but I think Ill have to wait until your friend comes back.
She seems to understand you.
Gabrielle nodded.
I’ll see you later, then?
Gabrielle nodded again.
Theana and Merista left Gabrielle to be alone again. Gabrielle flopped on the bed and wished Xena would hurry up.
Chapter 7
"Gabrielle?" Xena walked into the room.
"About time you showed up," Gabrielle signed, still on the bed.
"Sorry. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find a messenger in this place."
Gabrielle shrugged.
"I had visitors."
"Really?"
"Yes, knew I was mute too. That girl you talked about earlier, she’s mute and deaf. They want to know more about my signs. Unfortunately, the resident interpreter wasn’t there."
"So sue me," replied Xena.
Xena and Gabrielle turned as they heard a knock on the door.
"I’ll get it," Xena said. She opened the door.
"Hi."
"Hello." Xena motioned for the three people standing at the door to come in.
"I’m Theana. This is my daughter Merista, and my son Napastius."
"My name is Xena and my friend over there is Gabrielle."
"I’m not going to kid around. My child has no way of communicating to anyone and I can’t take it anymore. I would like it if maybe Gabrielle could teach her how to talk with hands. Then, maybe, teach me."
"What is that lady doing, she’s acting weird," commented Napastius pointing to Gabrielle. "Is she stupid or something?"
Xena grabbed the kid by the collar. "My friend was talking to me. Now, apologize to her."
"NO."
Xena tightened her grip.
"Now!" she growled.
"I’m s-s-sorry," he managed to sputter out.
Xena dropped him.
Theana laughed nervously.
"Resamon," she called, "come get our son, PLEASE."
Resamon came and escorted Napastius out. Resamon reappeared at the doorway a few seconds later.
"You know, Xena, I’ve heard about you. I’d be interested in talking with you sometime about it."
"Sometime, maybe," she answered.
Satisfied, Resamon left.
"Gabrielle says she’ll help," Xena told Theana.
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
"She says your welcome."
Chapter 8
Gabrielle and the girl became good friends. Merista was a fast learner and was just about as good as her tutor in the month they had been together. For Gabrielle, it was a relief to be able to talk to more than one person. To her disappointment though, the mother was a slow learner and really only knew the alphabet.
Gabrielle was also frustrated with the fact of being able to communicate well with only a couple of people. She hadn’t told a story since the day she lost her voice. The sparkle in her eyes was gone and her heartwarming smiles were fewer and farther between. Basically, she dedicated all of her time to writing on her scrolls and conversing with Merista. In exchange for Gabrielle’s tutoring, Xena and Gabrielle were given free room and board for as long as they liked.
Many nights went by with Gabrielle staring up at the ceiling, crying silently. She tried to hide it from Xena, but Xena knew. The warrior just didn’t know what to do about it. Xena asked around, as well as visited local priests, but there seemed to be no solution to the curse.
For Xena’s part, she left the village often. Merista’s uncle Sahedon was the local hero. Xena and Sahedon were constantly going out to stop nearby raiders and thieves.
She also had that talk with Resamon.
"You’ve had a glorious past, Xena," he told her.
Xena didn’t respond.
"Are you going to stay in this village for the rest of your life?"
"Is this twenty questions?" asked Xena.
"Well, are you?"
"No."
"So you’re going to leave the mute."
"No, and if you call her that again, there will be another person in this town without the ability to speak."
"Point taken. The world needs you, Xena. You’re wasting your time here. Leave just for a little while. Your FRIEND will still be here when you get back."
"Resamon, dear," Theana called, "I need your help."
"Not now," he answered.
"Yes, now!"
"Perhaps another time, Xena. If you’ll excuse me, I’m needed."
Xena nodded.
‘Leave Gabrielle?’ Xena thought. ‘What in Hades was I thinking?.’ She got up and went to find Sahedon. She had heard about some raiders nearby and he’d probably want to go with her.
He did, of course. He, along with the local militia he had risen, went out with Xena to stop them.
During the middle of the battle, Xena had lost site of Sahedon. While looking for him, Hades appeared.
"Hello, Xena. I don’t have much time but I have something very important to tell you. Apollo may be talking to Gabrielle as we speak. You need to go back to see your friend. Keep in mind though, Xena, all is not as it seems. I cannot say anything more. I must go." Hades vanished.
A few seconds later Sahedon appeared, running toward Xena.
"I have to go back, Sahedon. Something’s going on with Gabrielle."
"Fine. I’ll stay here and clean up. See you later."
Xena took off toward the village.
Chapter 9
Gabrielle was recording on a scroll how to do all the hand signs that had been made up when Apollo appeared.
"Hello, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle stood up. She saw a handsome man with golden-locked hair and brilliant, sparkling blue eyes appear before. With a sigh, she put her forefinger to her lips and shook her head like she had gotten so used to doing every time people started talking to her.
‘Meet a cute guy and I can’t even talk with him,’ she thought.
"I know you can’t speak, Gabrielle. In fact, that’s why I’m here."
Gabrielle blinked.
"My name is Apollo." He bowed elegantly.
‘Never mind,’ Gabrielle thought to herself.
"I know about the curse Pan put on you. If it makes you feel any better, he ticked off a lot of the gods when he did that. Pan will never pull a stunt like this again, I can assure you. You were, uh are a good bard, Gabrielle. That’s where my involvement comes in. Hades is also involved because he owes Xena a favor and, between you and me, I think he really respects her. My twin sister, Artemis, is also involved. You being an Amazon queen and all, she did not take this matter lightly. Some other gods have gotten involved as well and just about all of them have taken interest. Poseidon hasn’t, but I think that’s just because he still has a grudge on you and Xena from that Cecrops thing. I’m getting off the subject, though. I have something very important..."
Xena came rushing through the door. She stopped when she saw Apollo.
"I thought that you were in your chariot during the day, riding across the sky," commented Xena.
"And I suppose you think Zeus throws his own lightening bolts as well? We’re busy gods, Xena. We have other things to do."
"Like putting curses on my friends?" Xena walked over and stood by Gabrielle.
"Pan was wrong to do that. I came here to offer my condolences as well as one other thing."
"And that is?" asked Xena.
"Like I told Gabrielle, Pan ticked off a lot of Gods when he put the curse on the girl. Several of us got together, even Zeus took notice of the situation."
"And?" Xena prompted crossing her arms.
"There’s no way to break the curse."
Gabrielle gasped and stepped back. Xena put a hand on her shoulder to steady her.
"I can’t accept that."
"Well, accept it, Xena," Apollo stated. "However, when you get a lot of gods together, you get a lot of power. Don’t roll your eyes at me, Xena. We can give her one day of speech. Starting tomorrow when she wakes, she will be able to talk again. At the crack of dawn the next day her voice is gone. That is all that can be done. Use your day wisely, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle was in shock. She wasn’t sure how to react to this newest bit of information.
On one hand, she was ecstatic that she would get her voice back, if only for day. On the other hand, if what Apollo said was true, there was no way to beat the curse. After tomorrow, she would be mute forever.
"I’ve got to go now. Apollo bobbed his head to the two mortals, "Xena, Gabrielle," then he was gone.
Xena chewed her lip.
‘This is an awkward silence,’ she thought.
"Wow," Gabrielle signed, "wasn’t expecting this when woke up this morning."
"No kidding," Xena said. "It looks like you have some planning to do. I’m going to see if I can find Sahedon. I left him in a hurry on the battlefield."
"Why?" Gabrielle questioned.
"Because Hades warned me Apollo was coming to see you."
Gabrielle nodded. Xena gave her friend’s hand a quick squeeze then left to find Sahedon.
Chapter 10
"Gabrielle, wake up. It’s dawn."
Gabrielle opened her eyes and saw Xena leaning over her. She looked over at the window and noticed that the sun was just beginning to come up.
"I knew you wouldn’t want to miss a minute of this day," Xena remarked.
Gabrielle laughed. It was the best sound either of them had heard in a long time. Gabrielle leapt out of bed and into Xena’s arms forcing the warrior to take a step back to keep her balance.
"YES. I can talk, Xena!"
"I noticed."
"I’m going to tell stories until I’m blue in the face and hoarse. And, they’re all going to be about you."
Xena rolled her eyes.
"I’m serious, Xena. Do me a favor, don’t even mention signing to me. I’m going to be free of that for one day. Thank the gods, literally."
Xena watched her friend jumping all over the room, more animated then she had seen her since Pan’s woods. The ex-warlord couldn’t help but smile.
The celebration was interrupted by a knock on the door. Xena opened it and Theana calmly strode in.
"Hello Gabrielle, Xena. I have some bad news, I’m afraid." The woman’s hands started to shake but she willed herself to stay calm.
"Merista is very sick. Sicker than she’s ever been. She doesn’t have much longer. That is why I am here. She’s asking for you, Gabrielle. Since you’ve arrived here, she has become full with life that I didn’t even know she possessed. I would also like you to come, Xena. You’re healing skills are remarkable. I don’t know if you can help, but I feel that I must ask."
Xena nodded.
"I’ll be there shortly."
Theana bobbed her head in acknowledgment, then left. Xena shut the door behind her.
Gabrielle started pacing agitatedly. She looked up at the ceiling, sighed and ran her hands through her hair. Her mouth opened and shut several times, but nothing came out. She stood, wiped the palm of her hand over her mouth. The pacing started again, her hands resting on her hips.
"This is weird, Xena. I feel like laughing, crying, and throwing up all at once. I can’t seem to do any of it, though. Guess I just can’t decide which to do first." She rubbed her eyes.
"If you’re going to do the latter, please warn me."
"See, there’s got to be a mistake here," Gabrielle began. "Everything is supposed to go perfectly. I’m supposed to have the day of my life. No one is supposed to get sick or die."
"Things don’t always work out that way." Xena tried to calm her friend. She put a hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder forcing the pacing to stop.
Gabrielle put her hand on top of Xena’s and squeezed.
"They say that the pain and suffering you experience make you appreciate life more. I think I’ve had enough appreciating to last two lifetimes."
Xena blinked, not sure how to respond.
"I’m sorry. Come on. Merista is waiting for us." Gabrielle shrugged off Xena’s hand and took a couple of steps toward the door.
"You don’t have to go. I can sign, almost as well as you. I’ll let you know if anything goes wrong."
Gabrielle turned around and looked sorrowfully into Xena’s eyes.
"You know I can’t do that. She’s asking for me. We both know I have to be there. I could never live with myself otherwise." A single tear slid down Gabrielle’s cheek. She shut her eyes, forcing the aching in her heart to subside. Slowly, she walked out the door, putting on a wide smile in preparation to see Merista. Xena followed closely behind.
Chapter 11
Gabrielle walked into the room to find Merista lying on a bed. The girl was awake, but weak.
"Hello," Gabrielle signed. Gabrielle didn’t speak when she signed as Xena would.
‘There’s no sense in her knowing I can talk,’ thought Gabrielle. ‘It will only make her feel guilty.’
"How you doing?" Gabrielle signed, looking the girl over. Her cheeks, usually full of color, were ghostly pale. Bright, brown eyes were now dull and sunken in and her face showed the slightest bit of tightness from pain, though Merista tried to hide the fact.
"You know me," the girl signed, "always feigning sickness for attention."
"You’ve really got to quit that," Gabrielle signed. "You’ve heard about the boy who cried Cyclops."
"I can’t help it." Merista began coughing violently and it was several minutes before she could sign again.
"The attention is addicting."
"I’m sure," Gabrielle remarked.
Merista’s grinning face turned serious.
"Thank you, Gabrielle, for everything."
"I should be the one thanking you. Until I met you, Xena was the only one I could communicate with and she’s not the best conversationalist. Most of the time, you would think she was the mute one."
"Hey!" Xena said and signed. "I saw that."
"It’s true," Merista signed.
"That’s it, gang up on me."
Gabrielle and Xena, along with the girl’s family, stayed with Merista all day and through the night. Xena did all she could, but she knew that Merista wasn’t going to pull through this one. As dawn approached, Merista started to fade away.
"Good-bye, Gabrielle. Good-bye, everyone." Merista shut her eyes and life left her.
"Xena," Gabrielle started, but whatever she was going to say remains unknown because dawn came and her voice was gone before she could finish.
‘Fitting last word, I suppose.’ Gabrielle trembled, then started to shake.
Xena went to her friend. Taking Gabrielle by the hand, she led her out of the room and into the bard’s for privacy. They sat down on the bed. There, Gabrielle lost it. It was a strange sight.
Gabrielle’s body was wrenching in frustration and mental anguish, tears streamed down her cheeks, but no noise came out. Xena hugged her, rocking her back and forth, her heart going out to her best friend.
It was killing Gabrielle not to be able to speak. Right now, the one thing she wanted to do was to scream, let it all out. That was the one thing she couldn’t do and she couldn’t stand it. Gabrielle was signing furiously. Although she tried, Xena couldn’t keep up. So she just kept rocking her friend.
Eventually, it put Gabrielle to sleep. Gently, Xena laid her friend down. She shook her head, wondering what came next.
Meanwhile, back in Merista’s room, a very different scene was being played out.
Zeus and Apollo appeared. Slowly, each member of Merista’s family morphed into a god.
Merista was first, she became Artemis. Next, Sahedon became Hades. Then, Resamon became Ares and Napastius became Pan.
"I guess we’re all present and accounted for?" asked Ares.
"Not quite," Theana spoke as she turned into Athena.
With the exception of Zeus, all the gods turned, surprised.
"I needed to have someone keep an eye on all of you. I couldn’t do it because, as you know..."
"You’re a busy god," they all finished in unison.
"Now are we all here?" Ares asked.
"Yes," answered Zeus. "And I have come to my decision. Gabrielle will get her voice back. But...I don’t think we need an army of gods to tell them that. So, Ares, go win a war or something. Xena doesn’t care for you too much and you would probably put a damper on the celebration.
Ares cocked his head, grinning. Instantly, there was a flash of light and Ares disappeared.
Zeus began again.
"Artemis, Apollo, you two are not needed either."
"Come on, sister," Apollo spoke. "I can tell when we’re not wanted." The two disappeared.
"Athena," Zeus began, "I have other things to attend to. I’m..."
"A busy god," Athena finished.
"Actually, I was going to say that I’m putting you in charge of explaining everything to the mortals. You can also leave, Hades." Hades nodded then disappeared.
"Finally, I get to Pan," Zeus said, stroking his long, silver beard. "I suppose you have to be the one to lift the curse. As soon as you do so, report back to your woods and I seriously suggest you lay off the cursing."
"Yes, sir."
"Athena, I have one more command for you. The family will remember what has happened. Also, the girl will live a long life. At least, she will not die from the sickness that has plagued her. Tell them Zeus says, ‘Thank you.’ That is all." Zeus disappeared.
"Come on, Pan," ordered Athena.
The two gods disappeared then reappeared in Gabrielle’s room. Gabrielle was asleep though Xena was wide awake, sitting on the bed.
Conclusion
"You may want to wake your friend, Xena," stated Athena.
Xena raised an eyebrow, but made no motion toward Gabrielle.
"It’s good news, Xena. Wake your friend," Athena commanded.
"Gabrielle." Xena tapped the bard’s shoulder. Gabrielle opened her eyes. Seeing Athena and Pan, she sat up immediately.
"Hello, I am Athena. I believe you and Pan have already met?"
Gabrielle nodded, grimacing.
Athena began to speak again.
"As Apollo told you, Pan angered many gods because of what he did. Mt. Olympus was in an uproar for quite a while because of you, Gabrielle. Several gods got together to think of a way to release the curse. You have met a couple of them recently. You saw Hades, Xena. He wasn’t supposed to talk to you, but I decided to let that slide."
Pan began to protest but he immediately quieted at the raise of Athena’s hand.
"Do not argue with me, Pan. Be thankful the gods didn’t chop you up into little pieces when they first heard what you did."
Pan backed away into the corner of the room to sulk.
Athena turned back to Xena and Gabrielle.
"Both of you saw Apollo. Those two gods, along with several others, decided to use a little power and test Gabrielle. She passed with flying colors, I might add. Instead of using the voice that she was given for only one day, Gabrielle decided to be there for Merista. She has proven that she does indeed understand that actions speak louder than words.
Gabrielle signed and Xena interpreted.
"This was all just a part of some plan to get my voice back?"
"Every member of Merista’s family was a god, including Merista. They are all real people, mind you. We just borrowed their bodies for a while. Hades let them stay in the Elysian Fields and visit with some old friends while we were doing this. They will be returned to the living world as soon as I finish here. They will know all that has happened here and the real girl you know as Merista will be cured of her sickness so she will not die. Zeus considers it a way of showing his gratitude."
Again, Xena spoke for Gabrielle.
"So she will no longer be deaf and mute?"
"Yes, she will," Athena answered. "Deafness is not some disease. It is a disability, but it is also just a part of a person. You _can_ live with it. Do not pity Merista. There are many others who need it a lot more than she does." Athena paused.
"I hope you learned from this, Gabrielle. Now, I have other things to attend to. Pan, lift the curse."
Pan waved his hand in compliance.
"Thank you," said Gabrielle grinning from ear to ear.
Pan nodded and disappeared.
Athena gave a quick nod of the head and then she too was gone.
"Well?" Xena asked Gabrielle.
"Well what?"
"Did you learn anything?"
"Yeah. Losing my voice really wasn’t the end of the world as we know it but it taught me to appreciate the fact that I can talk."
"Good." Xena nodded in approval. "Now what?"
"Now, I’m going to tell stories until I’m blue in the face and hoarse and they’re all going to be about you."
Xena rolled her eyes.
"You better watch it or you will lose your voice again. Having not talked for so long your voice will probably give out before your fourth story."
Gabrielle laughed.
"That’s not going to stop me from doing it anyway."
"Somehow, I doubted it would."
(The next morning)
"I really hate it when you’re right," Gabrielle signed to Xena.
"Look on the bright side. You have a way to communicate with me and it’s not permanent."
"Thank goodness," Gabrielle signed. "I have to admit, it was worth it."
"What was?" questioned Xena.
"The storytelling. I had forgotten how much I loved to do it."
"A minute doing what you love is better than years of doing something you don’t."
Gabrielle nodded her head in agreement.
"I plan to do what I love for quite a while yet."
"Oh really?" Xena remarked.
"I’m going to travel with you and tell your story for years to come."
"My story?"
Gabrielle nodded and began to sign again.
"Your life is one big ongoing story that I tell adventure by adventure."
"Whatever you say. For the record, my next adventure is a nap."
"Noted."
The End
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