Reactions And Resolutions
Chapters 9-11
by DQiscool
Chapter 9
Cyrene just stood there for a moment staring her mouth open. "Good," A voice said quietly. Hercules moved to clobber the man when someone else did it for him. Hercules looked down at the unconscious man and then turned to look at the assailant. The young man glared holes in the unconscious man’s head.
"How dare you say that about my sister!" He yelled.
"Sister?" Iolaus asked. The fuming man turned to face the two strangers.
"Yes," He replied quietly. He then moved to help his mother sit down. She was still in shock.
"Xena said she had a brother, but he was killed, that’s what... changed her," Hercules said finding the right word.
"That was Lyceus, our younger brother, I’m Toris her older brother," The man replied, extending his arm to greet the two men. He grasped wrists with first Hercules then Iolaus. Toris looked around the room at the smug people. "Get out," He breathed quietly. The people took one look at the furious Toris and then at the other two men, poised like Cobra’s, ready to strike for their Warrior Princess and ran. Hercules turned to look the young man over. He had long brown hair, about shoulder length and deep piercing blue eyes. He was tall, not like his sister but taller than most, Hercules could see the resemblance at a glance too. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it sooner. "Can you help me get her upstairs?" Toris asked.
Hercules merely nodded and lifted the woman into his arms. The three men went upstairs and Hercules deposited Cyrene on her bed. Suddenly she began to shake and thrash about. "No!" She screamed. "What are you doing to my daughter?" She asked wildly. Hercules was confused and then looked into her eyes. She wasn’t talking about now, she was talking about before. He could see her eyes staring blankly, she wasn’t there. Toris was trying to figure out what was going on. "Please! Don’t touch her!" Cyrene yelled. "Please!" She said. "Xena!" She yelled. "My baby girl," She said quietly. She moved wildly. "I won’t let you hurt her!" She yelled. She then passed out from exhaustion. Toris’s face showed pain and shock at the same time. Suddenly he couldn’t take it any more. He started to fall to the ground, not pass out just fell. But, Hercules caught him before he hit the floor and helped him sit.
"I can’t believe she relived all that," Toris said starting to breathe again.
"What?" Hercules asked confused.
"Gods! This is so much at once. Not just her death but now old memories and pain," He breathed. "She’s really dead?" He asked.
"Yes," Iolaus said.
"But I’m bringing her back. I’m going to call in a favor from my Uncle Hades, I’ll get her back," Hercules said.
"Anything I can do to help?" Toris asked.
‘No, I’m afraid not, just take care of your mother until I get her back," Hercules said.
"I’ll help," Iolaus added.
"I’ll be leaving tomorrow afternoon, now explain what mother was ranting about?" Hercules asked.
"It was a long time ago," Toris began. He looked at the two men and realized that he wasn’t about to get out of having the conversation. "I was about twelve, Xena was nine, and Lyceus was about seven. We were all at home, Mom was busy in the kitchen and I was teasing Xena because she was already developing and I said how gawky she was. Suddenly a man burst through the door. Mom ran out of the kitchen and came behind us. He held a sword in his hands. More men followed and grabbed everyone. Xena stood there defiant while the rest of us screamed. Something in her eyes attracted him I guess. He motioned towards her and she was flung to the floor. Mother started screaming as he fell all over her. I remember screaming along with her for him to stop. Lyceus couldn’t speak. It was over in minutes, he knocked her unconscious and then they all left. Xena didn’t wake up for two whole days. Those were the worst days of my life. It was after she was well that she started learning to fight, Lyceus followed. Something had changed in her. She had always been so innocent, so sweet, yet strong. Now her eyes were filled with rage and even emptiness at times. We all felt so ashamed at not being able to protect her so we let her learn, Lyceus was the most protective of all. He wouldn’t let her out of his sight. When those men were about to attack, Xena stood up to them, but I didn’t, remembering my last encounter with men with swords. I didn’t learn until Mother told me that one of the men Xena had killed was the one that had raped her. I wanted to have been there but was too scared. I...." Toris trailed off, buried tears came to the surface. Iolaus placed a comforting hand on the young man’s shoulder but Hercules just stood there. Images of Xena being treated that way. A deep hate began to well inside of him. He may not have known her, but once he did he should have known! She hadn’t told him about this. He was so confused. Suddenly he remembered one of the men having said something about Xena before. He stalked out of the room ready to kill the man. He had to find that man, somehow he knew if he could just end his life, his own pain would end with it. Toris and Iolaus watched him go and then Cyrene began to stir.
Meanwhile, Xena and Gabrielle were taking every shortcut Xena knew. Normally you had to take detours but they were going straight at lightning speed. After a while Gabrielle decided to walk, having gotten saddle sore. "How long until we get there?" Gabrielle asked.
"If we continue at this pace and don’t sleep at night, we could make it by really late tonight," Xena replied. "But Hercules could already be in Hades by now," Gabrielle said confused.
"No, he doesn’t know this route. I created it," Xena replied. Gabrielle was about to question it but suddenly tripped. When Gabrielle didn’t rise immediately Xena practically flew off her horse and landed at her friend’s side. "Are you all right?" Xena asked.
"Fine," Gabrielle said, attempting to stand but failing miserably.
‘No you’re not," Xena scolded. She placed her hand on her friend’s forehead but pulled away from the heat. "You’re on fire!" Xena exclaimed. "Why didn’t you tell me?" Xena asked.
"We have to get to Hercules," Gabrielle breathed. Xena almost laughed at the girl’s low regard for her own well-being. She had been with the girl too long, Gabrielle was starting to resemble her, and that would only get her killed, just as it had killed her. She stood and went to her saddle bags to retrieve some herbs.
"I’m going to brew these into a tea," Xena said calmly.
"All right," Gabrielle breathed. Xena started the fire and within minutes Gabrielle could smell the tea. She couldn’t believe it, Xena’s medicines always smelled foul but this smelled sweet. She prepared for the awful taste but was amazed at how wonderful the warm liquid was. "Ahh.." Gabrielle sighed. It warmed her body completely where she was having chills, and cooled her where she was overheated. She looked at Xena confused. "This is great," She said.
"Yes, that kind is," Xena said. "You only have a fever, luckily nothing too serious, but if you ever keep anything like this from me again, never mind about dying from a disease, I’ll kill you myself," Xena threatened. Gabrielle could tell that Xena wasn’t kidding and nodded in consent. "Good," Xena breathed relieved. Gabrielle turned away for a moment and Xena grimaced in pain. Her shoulder was still hurting. She risked at glance at it. It seemed all right but to her experienced eyes she could tell that something was wrong. It hadn’t healed properly and should be fine by now. She gritted her teeth and turned to face Gabrielle.
‘Looks like we won’t reach Amphipolis until tomorrow," Gabrielle said apologetically.
"Gabrielle, everything will be all right, I promise," Xena said. Gabrielle managed a smile and then laid down for some sleep. Both women knew that it was a promise that Xena might not be able to keep.
Chapter 10
Cyrene turned to the two men and then started to cry. Iolaus and Toris were at her side in a moment. "My baby," She said.
"She’s dead," Iolaus said quietly. "I won’t go into details, Gabrielle will tell it better, but Hercules is going to bring her back," Iolaus assured her.
"No," Cyrene said.
"Of course he will mother," Toris said.
"I mean, no she’s not dead," Cyrene repeated. The two men exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Hercules walked through the path that villagers cleared for him, afraid to step in his way. His path was set and he was staring at Filaman. He had said ‘good riddance’ Xena. Now Hercules seemed set on making him pay. Somehow, the man managed not to notice Hercules coming until he found himself flying through the air and crashing through a roof. He fell to the ground and was amazed that he could actually stand. He realized that it wouldn’t last long because Hercules was on his way towards him. He found himself dangling from Hercules’s fist at least two feet above the ground by his collar. "You said something about Xena," Hercules said loudly.
"Yes.. I’m sorry," He managed.
"That wasn’t very nice," Hercules said.
"I’m sorry," The man repeated. Hercules merely laughed and threw the man to the ground. He circled around laughing.
"Sorry! Sorry! You say something that disrespectful about the woman I love and expect it to all go away after just saying sorry?" Hercules asked. "Xena, the perfect woman?" He asked. "No," He said menacingly. He started towards the man but was interrupted again by Iolaus. "Get out of here Iolaus!" Hercules yelled.
"I can’t let you do this Hercules," His friend said, repeating the all too familiar phrase. Hercules just wanted to hit some more. He hadn’t gotten it all out yet.
"He insulted Xena, he deserves to pay," Hercules said, still facing the cowering man.
"With his life?" Iolaus asked. "Is this what Xena would want? I thought you taught her not to kill. What, are you just going to turn into who she was? What would she think?" Iolaus asked. Hercules just stood there torn, Iolaus was beginning to make sense, but there was a part of him that didn’t want him to.
"I’m avenging her," Hercules replied.
"By killing him? He had nothing to do with her death," Iolaus said. Hercules turned towards Iolaus, confusion all over his face, and shame. He had been under control, but learning what happened to Xena when she was young made him snap. "He’s not the one who hurt her while she was young either," Iolaus added gently.
"But, I have to do something," Hercules said helplessly.
"Talk to her mother," Iolaus said.
"She needs you and you need her," Iolaus replied. Hercules cast one last look at the man and then started slowly to Cyrene. Iolaus remained behind a moment and spoke to the man. "You ever say something like that about Xena again, and I won’t stop him," He warned. Iolaus then walked away to catch up with Hercules. Hercules walked into the inn and found Cyrene still lying on the bed, Toris at her side.
"Toris, I’d like to talk to Cyrene alone if that’s all right," Hercules said. Toris merely nodded and left, glanced at his mother before closing the door and finding Iolaus downstairs.
"She’s really dead isn’t she?" Cyrene asked.
"Yes," Hercules replied. Cyrene pulled herself into a sitting position and Hercules adjusted her pillows for her. She pulled him to sit beside her on the bed.
"And you feel responsible," She said.
"I should have been there," Hercules said.
"And how were you supposed to know?" She asked. He just looked at her. "Xena wouldn’t want anyone’s protection, I learned that the hard way," She said.
"You mean when she was little," He said.
"How do you know that?" She asked.
"You were remembering, it and talked about it in your sleep," He replied slightly embarrassed.
"Oh," she said quietly. "Yes that, and when Lyceus died, Xena wouldn’t accept anyone’s comfort. She came back here after she first met you. But she wouldn’t stay, she had to find forgiveness from the world. She didn’t want any help and would have fought to be alone. I’m surprised Gabrielle broke down my daughter’s barriers," She said. Hercules smiled. "So, back to the present, you are planning on getting her back?" Cyrene asked.
"Yes," He replied.
"Then what?" she asked.
"I haven’t planned that far yet, all I care about is getting her back.," He said.
"Maybe you should plan ahead," Cyrene replied. "Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get some sleep, I’ve had quite a shock, but I’m sure that you’ll fix everything. But, I really would like to be alone," She said. Hercules nodded and left, thinking about Cyrene’s suggestion. He snuck out the back and went for a walk in the woods just to think.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle coughed and then pushed Xena’s tea away. "Xena, I’m fine, it was just a cough. We really have to get going," She said trying to stand but fell from dizziness.
"Yea we’ll float there, maybe we’ll leave tomorrow, right now you need rest," Xena said. Gabrielle groaned but after receiving one of Xena’s piercing looks immediately laid down and was asleep in moments. She snored peacefully and Xena brushed a strand of her honey blonde hair from her face. "Sleep well," Xena said. She then stood and began to pace around the fire. She paced and paced back and forth, until she wore a path in the ground. She couldn’t help laughing at her nervousness. Gabrielle would be fine but would she? With the delay, could she reach Hercules in time? Suddenly a white owl flew over head and just stared at her as it landed. Xena wished she could be that owl, flying free, not a care. But she was that owl once, a predator, a killer who cared for none but herself. She shook her head, Gabrielle would sure like to hear that one. She suddenly flinched in pain and looked down at her arm. It was a strange pick color, healing, but something was wrong. She didn’t know what, but it was really beginning to bother her. She sat down at the fire and just stared into the flames for a while. Gabrielle and her problems seemed miles away. Suddenly it was as if a voice was speaking to her, asking where she was. She tried to reply, I’m here, but wasn’t heard. She then turned and laid down and fell asleep. She began to dream immediately. There were two shadowed figures standing in front of her with their arms stretched towards her. Something drew her towards both figures, but there were two separate paths. One was rocky, hilly, fiery. The other was simple, just a path, no hardships. She smiled and started down the path with the obstacles, but was hurt by the flame and ran to the other. The figure at the end of the difficult path stepped out of the shadows, and Hercules stood there, crying. He then vanished and she tried to run to him, but the second shadow had his arms around her. She turned to see who he was and he slowly became visible. There stood Ares, laughing as he kissed her lips harshly. She screamed and then woke up, sweating. Gabrielle shook her and held her.
"You’re crying," Gabrielle said, stating the obvious. Xena started to tell her the dream, but stopped, she turned away from her friend ashamed.
"Get some sleep," She said. "I’ll be fine. Gabrielle shrugged and went back to sleep. Xena was too afraid to go to sleep, so she just sat there rocking back and forth, hugging her knees to her chest. She almost laughed at herself. Who would have thought that the Warrior Princess would have a sleepless night because of a bad dream. She just sat there, watching the flame until it died, but didn’t move to revive it. She just sat there, rocking.
Chapter 11
Hercules paced back and forth in the woods. He stopped when he realized that he had been doing a lot of that lately. He noticed a boulder and sat down, resting his chin in his hands. He almost wanted to talk to his father, but wasn’t that desperate. What to do, what to do? Cyrene had a good point. All he knew was that he wanted her alive. He hadn’t planned past that, what if she wanted to stay dead, what if she was happy where she was? What if she found love down there in Hades world? Should he let her stay or bring her back anyways, could he force her to leave? No, if she was happy there, he’d stay there with her. All right, now, if she agrees to come back, then what? Should he tell her his feelings, should he hide them? He realized how many things there were that he hadn’t thought about, so many different reactions, so many different responses. All that he knew was that he loved her, but was that enough? He had never doubted himself before, but for the first time, he found himself questioning his own logic. He just sat there for hours thinking, and thinking. Finally a smile came to his face. He had made his decision, gone over every possible outcome, and now he was ready to go. He just had to say goodbye to some people first, there was the possibility of him not coming back. He found Iolaus and Toris in the inn, Cyrene sat at a corner table and smiled when he entered.
"Have you decided?" She asked. He nodded. "Good," She said. She then stood and went up to her room, having all that she needed, he would be with Xena, wherever she wanted to be. That meant that Xena would be happy, so she was happy.
"So, what are you going to do?" Iolaus asked.
"I’m going to be with Xena," Hercules replied. "Wherever she wants to be. If she wants to stay there, I’ll stay, if she wants to come back, I’ll bring her back," Hercules replied.
"But you could die," Toris said shocked.
"I can’t live without her, Toris," Hercules replied.
"I know Hercules, I hope she is willing to come back, for everyone’s sake," Iolaus said calmly.
"Let me come with you," Toris said suddenly. Both men turned to look at Xena’s brother, not knowing what to say.
"What!?" They both exclaimed.
"I want to go with you," Toris said.
"Toris, you wouldn’t make it, the lake is too deep, you’d die on the way down, I can’t be watching out for you. You have a life here, don’t throw it away. Xena knows that you love her," Hercules explained.
"I feel so powerless," Toris said sitting down. "I never got the chance to do anything for her," He said.
"You will by staying here. You’ll live for her," Hercules replied. He suddenly wondered if that applied to him, but shook the thought away. "I’ve got to go, if Gabrielle gets here, tell her that I’m either going to be dead with Xena, or alive with Xena," he said. The two men waved as Hercules left for the lake.
Meanwhile, Xena and Gabrielle pushed on as hard as they could, trying to reach Amphipolis in time. They couldn’t move very fast though, Gabrielle wasn’t that great at riding and she couldn’t walk. Xena sat behind her to keep her on the horse, not trusting her grip. Finally, she could see Amphipolis on the horizon, she and Gabrielle almost flew towards the village. People looked at Xena like they were seeing a ghost, some screamed and went into their homes. "Guess he’s been here!" Gabrielle called back over her shoulder. They reached the inn as quickly as possibly and Xena helped Gabrielle in. She spotted Iolaus and Toris and the two men’s faces went white.
"Did he already get you?" Toris asked, embracing his sister.
"Where is Hercules?" She asked pulling back.
"He went to the lake to bring you back," Iolaus replied catching Gabrielle as she began to fall.
"Great" Xena yelled. "Get her some herbs, she’s sick, I have to go find him. She’ll explain everything," Xena called as she left. Gabrielle smiled at the men and Cyrene flew down the stairs. Gabrielle made her way to the woman.
‘Xena’s not dead,’ She said.
"I know," Cyrene replied. Gabrielle then passed out. The men rushed to her side as she fell to the floor and carried her upstairs to take care of her. Xena was in too much of a hurry to worry about Gabrielle. She knew the way to the lake like she knew her chakram. Argo was tiring and not moving as quickly as she would have wanted.
Hercules was poised to dive when he heard a thrashing sound coming towards him. He stopped for a brief moment before getting ready to dive again. But the scream of a familiar voice stopped him "Hercules! Don’t!" Xena yelled. He turned and saw her sitting on her horse. She quickly dismounted and sent Argo back. "I’m not dead," She said. He merely stood there, confused and bewildered.
"You’re not Xena," He said.
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