Reactions And Resolutions
Chapter 3
by DQiscool
Hercules sighed and wiped the sweat from his brow with his shirt. He had taken his yellow shirt off since he was so hot from the work. He was pleased at his fast work in getting his mother’s house back together so quickly. He looked to his right and watched Iolaus as he drank the water Alcemene offered him. His mother was so kind about the whole thing. Her son had ruined her house and she wasn’t mad in the least. Hercules had apologized to everyone in town and they had also forgiven him. He looked at the house proudly, it looked good. It had only taken him a week to fix it up. He made his way over to his mother and friend. "Thanks again for the help Iolaus," Hercules said.
"No problem," Iolaus replied. "We can start for Amphipolis tomorrow," Iolaus said sincerely. Hercules smiled at his friend in gratitude.
"Let me wash your shirts first," Alcemene offered. "They’re all full of sweat," She added.
"Thanks mom," Hercules said as she handed him a glass of water. "We’ll take you up on that," He added. He and Iolaus handed over their shirts. Alcemene made a face from the smell. Hercules embraced his mother. "You’re covered in sweat!" She exclaimed pulling back. Hercules pulled back and looked at the sky. He was thinking of Xena. He hadn’t told them about his dream and he decided not to. They were both worried about him and he didn’t want to add to it. He excused himself and walked off. He sat on the wall he had built for his mother He remembered making it at the time he first met Xena. He thought that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Deanrea paled in comparison. Well, they were both beautiful in different ways. Deanrea had a sweet innocence about her. She had soft blonde hair gentle green eyes. She was short and almost appeared a child at first glance. She was always bubbling on about something and always cheerful. She never thought ill of anyone. Xena on the other hand was tall and magnificent. There was an air of maturity about her. She was an adult at first glance. She had grown up too soon for her own good. She had dark black hair and was as tall as he was. Her eyes were blue and never had the same appearance. Sometimes they were gentle and soft like a river, but they turned as cold as ice in moments when she was upset or angry. Her high cheekbones accented her face and seemed to make her face glow. She was as courageous as any man and strong as well. She was good at whatever she did and could do so many things. She was a contradiction of herself. She could be ruthless and kill with the touch of her fingers, yet those hands could also heal wounds and sickness. He shook his head trying to clear the memories. He glanced back at his friend and mother and caught them looking at him. He turned back hoping that he could perform the task he planned. "Don’t worry Xena," He said out loud. "I’ll get you back," He added. He then went back to the house to eat.
Meanwhile Xena and Gabrielle had been traveling a week and were about three days from Thebes. Gabrielle was getting saddle sore and couldn’t ride any longer. Xena gave her an herb to rub in and it was helping but she couldn’t ride. Xena was getting tired as well and so was Argo. They made camp once nightfall arrived. Gabrielle made the fire while Xena talked to her faithful mare. "I know you’re tired girl. This is a hard trip on both of us," Xena said stroking the horse’s mane. "I promise that once we find Hercules I’ll let you rest. But, I need to reach him soon. I’m worried that I’m too late. The last time I saw him he promised me that if I ever was in danger he would help me. I know that heart of his and I’ll swear that he’ll blame himself for not being there. He’ll try and bring me back. I have to get to him Argo. Please, hold out a while longer. We’re almost in Thebes. If he’s already left we may have to go further and I won’t push you if you can’t make it girl. Please try. I don’t want to try and trust another horse. I need you," Xena said resting her head against the horse.
"She knows," Gabrielle said coming up from behind Xena. Xena smiled at her friend, silently thanking her for all her help and understanding.
"I know. If Hercules isn’t in Thebes you don’t have to come along you know. I know you’re not used to the vigorous travel. I can go much longer," Xena said sympathetically.
"I’m coming Xena. I just hope I don’t slow you down too much," She replied.
"You won’t. I’m glad you’re with me," Xena added. Xena suddenly jumped at a sound in the woods. Gabrielle looked at her friend confused. It had only been a night hawk yet Xena had been scared.
"You all right?" Gabrielle asked concerned.
"I’m, fine," Xena replied. "Let’s get some sleep. We’ll have a long day ahead of us," She added. Gabrielle nodded in agreement and spread out her bedroll. Xena looked around her nervously. She wanted to show her emotions but was afraid to and didn’t really know how. She then joined her friend and went to sleep. She tossed and turned in her sleep having familiar nightmares. Now they were added to new ones. Caesar and Callisto laughing at her as she had her legs broken on that cross. Killing that soldier in Nikklio’s house. All those faces that she remembered. She remembered the face of every man she ever killed. She remembered what happened after the soldiers in Nikkolio’s house were dead. He stood up and stared at her with such sorrow in his brown eyes. He refused to finish fixing her legs. She had not understood why but spared him for M’Lila’s sake. She had dragged herself over to M’Lila’s limp form and cried one salty tear. Then looked up with pure rage in her eyes. "Ares! I pledge myself to you. I give you my soul and my service for as long as I live!" She had called. She remembered some force go through her and strengthen her. It cleared her mind of all pain and made her want to inflict pain. She laughed maliciously. She suddenly woke up with a jerk at the memory. She remembered that pledge that she made to the God of War and wished she hadn’t. She looked over at her snoring friend grateful that she hadn’t woken up for she would ask for an explanation. She wiped her hand across her brow to find sweat. Her entire body was covered in sweat. She stood up and found a lake to swim in. She had to get rid of the sweat. She somehow thought that if she got rid of it, that she would get rid of all the past with it. She fingered her chackrum, the constant reminder of her past, and that night. She then went back to her sleeping friend and tried to fall asleep. Every noise made her jump. She wished for peace but none came. She hoped that they found Hercules soon. Gabrielle was having nightmares as well. She found herself back at Cirra with Xena. That tree was flying at her friend and Xena got hit and was bleeding. At the hut where Xena’s healer friend lived. She then saw Autolocus trying to explain but not able to. She remembered the feeling of Xena in her body. Even though it was a fight she felt safe. She dreamed that Xena was being taken away again. She knew that a warrior’s life is a fragile and not always long lived one. She had just never thought that anything could happen to Xena. She is the Warrior Princess for Zeus’s sake. Yet she saw Xena die. She woke with a start and glanced at her friend to be sure that she was there. She lovingly brished a strand of the warrior’s raven hair from her face. This woman had become her second sister. She was never going to let Xena die again. She didn’t know how, but she wouldn’t let it happen. She knew that Hercules wouldn’t either. She knew that something was wrong. If only Xena would open up to her. They had been friend’s for over a year now. She had to get her friend to talk. She looked at her friend one last time before rolling onto her back and going back to sleep.
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