Sacrifices
by ProudWarrioress

DISCLAIMERS and COPYRIGHT INFORMATION:

For those of you who know me from the Pub, my handle there is XWPWarrioress. I am a restaurant manager living in Indiana. I wish to thank everyone who encouraged me to finish this story, you were all VERY persuasive! This is my first attempt at fan fiction, so be kind. This story contains scenes describing graphic violence. If you are offended by this, please stop reading now. The characters Xena, Gabrielle, and Argo belong to Universal and MCA, the rest of this is all mine. Thanks for reading and enjoy. "Sacrifices" Copyright (c) 1997 by JA Gafeller, ProudWarrioress, Indianapolis, Indiana. This story may not be sold and may be archived only with direct permission of the author. Any archive must carry this entire copyright statement.

PART I: THE CAPTURE

It had been several hours since they had fought and defeated Tolmec's army outside Appolonia, and yet the cries of the dying still rang in their ears. It had been a particularly bloody battle with neither side able to claim absolute victory. In the end, it had been Xena and the leaders from both sides working together to broker an uneasy peace. Neither Xena nor Gabrielle felt that it was enough. But now it was over, done. Except for the memories of what they had seen.

Xena gazed over her shoulder to look at her companion. Gabrielle had been unusually quiet along the road away from Appolonia, away from the battlefield.

She has seen so much. Perhaps too much, thought Xena sullenly, feeling guilty. And not for the first time, Xena wondered if Gabrielle might not be better off without her. But as quickly as the thought entered her mind, Xena pushed aside, turning her attention back to the road ahead. No. She's here, with me, because this is where she wants to be. Where I need her. Still, Xena wished there was something she could do to lighten Gabrielle's mood. Then she realized exactly where they were along the road and had an idea.

"We can make camp up ahead. I know of a nice spot not too far." Xena said, turning to see the bard's reaction. Gabrielle merely nodded her assent, her lack of a verbal response concerning Xena even more.

The two women made their way to a small clearing surrounded by enormous trees, the sound of a babbling brook greeted their ears. The clearing was covered with a soft blanket of tiny blossoms of blue, vibrant green, and deep purple that seemed to catch the rays of the setting sun in their petals, the remnants of a long dead campfire inhabiting the center of the clearing. Xena had always loved the quiet serenity of this place and made it a point to stop here whenever she could. This was the first time she and Gabrielle had traveled this way together and she hoped the calm and peace of the small valley could bring some solace to her friend after the events of the last few days.

The last few weeks, actually. Xena murmured to herself. So much had happened to Gabrielle; she had lost her husband, Perdicus, to the madwoman Callisto and then nearly lost her blood innocence in her need for revenge. In the end, Gabrielle had to deal with Xena being trapped in Callisto's body; the body of the one person Gabrielle could truly say she hated, the woman who had stolen her happiness and her innocence. Then she had to deal with my death. Xena thought ruefully. I can't imagine how hard that must've been on her. Xena shook her head slightly to relieve her reverie, turning back to the task at hand.

As they went about setting up the camp, Xena couldn't help but feel sorry for her friend, but also proud of her at the same time. Even after all that she had been through, she still had the courage to go on, when most others would have simply given up.

"Gabrielle, I've been thinking." Xena began slowly.

Gabrielle looked up from her chores, "About what?"

Xena stared deep into the depths of the green eyes that faced her and was shocked to see how weary and old Gabrielle suddenly appeared. Xena silently berated herself for not noticing her companions' exhaustion before now.

"I was thinking," continued Xena, "that maybe we should take a break for a while. You know, relax for a few days." Xena stopped, waiting patiently for Gabrielle's reply.

Gabrielle lowered her head. After a few moments, she looked up to see Xena's eyes still intently on her.

"I think I could really use a break right now. Thanks. That sounds good." Gabrielle replied simply, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, relief showing in her eyes. "This is such a peaceful spot." Gabrielle observed quietly.

Xena saw the look of relief on her friends face. "My thoughts exactly." she replied. "I used to stop here on my way to and from Appolonia. This place always seemed to help me to relax, to focus."

The two finished setting up the camp in silence, but a weight seemed to have been lifted from Gabrielle's shoulders, and the bard visibly relaxed, inwardly thankful for an opportunity to rest. I know Xena is worried about me. I'm just tired. Maybe after I've rested here for a few days I will be able to talk to her about everything. I just need to get it straight in my head first, Gabrielle said to herself.

Xena set out to snare some game for dinner and returned a short while later with their meal. Gabrielle already had a fire going and set about helping Xena to prepare supper. The silence within the camp had begun to unnerve Xena, but she did nothing to break it. Gabrielle will talk to me when she is ready, I just have to be patient, Xena thought, doubt and worry still lingering in the corner of her mind.

After their meal, Xena began her evening ritual, sharpening her sword and caring for Argo. Gabrielle was sitting listlessly, staring into the fire when Xena returned from Argo's rubdown.

"Why don't you get some sleep. Tomorrow I'll take you to a waterfall not far downstream from here." Xena suggested quietly.

"There's a waterfall nearby?" asked Gabrielle.

"Yeah. A nice quiet place to spend the day."

"Sounds good. See you in the morning, Xena." said Gabrielle, as she spread her bedroll out on the ground near the fire.

"Sleep well, Gabrielle." said Xena, settling herself in for the night. She allowed her gaze to wander over Gabrielle's sleeping form, worry again foremost in her mind. "I'm here for you Gabrielle. Whenever you need me, I'll be here." Xena whispered, reaching out to lightly move a lock of errant red-gold hair from Gabrielle's forehead. Her hand lingered softly on the bards' head for a few moments more before she withdrew and settled in for sleep, the night sounds unable to penetrate Xena's inner turmoil.

The next morning dawned clear and warm and Xena rose early to greet it. She had not slept well the previous night, but it was not the nightmares that interfered. Xena's mind was occupied with thoughts of Gabrielle and how to draw her out of the shell she had sealed around herself since Perdicus' death. Try as she might, the warrioress could think of no way to reach out to her friend, except to be there for her, and that was the hardest thing for her to do. Inaction was not in Xena's nature, especially when it came to someone she cared about, but in this case, she simply had to let Gabrielle come to her.

Xena slowly rose from her bedroll and reached for the water skin. She glanced over at her sleeping friend, considering whether or not to wake her. No. She's sleeping so peacefully. She needs the rest. Xena thought to herself as she took the now empty water skin to the stream to refill it.

But Gabrielle's sleep was far from peaceful. She had lain awake for hours after Xena had drifted off, unable to get the images of her dreams out of her mind. Gabrielle had been plagued by horrible dreams ever since Xena's death. But the dreams were not just of Xena, but of Perdicus as well. Dreams of Callisto running her sword to the hilt into Perdicus' unprotected body, and the look of fear and sorrow in his eyes as he looked into hers for the last time, then flashes of herself lighting his funeral pyre. Then her dream would shift and she would once again be kneeling over Xena's lifeless body, sobs racking her slight frame. In the next moment she was standing on the dias, ordering the Amazon warriors before her to light Xena's pyre.

Over and over, the visages would come to her throughout the night. In the morning she would awaken more exhausted than before, each night the struggle to bring herself to go to sleep became more intense. Once Gabrielle had finally drifted off, it was nearly dawn, and she knew Xena would be there to wake her soon. The sooner the better, thought Gabrielle, as sleep finally took her, at least that way the dreams will be brief. But Xena had not awakened Gabrielle that morning and the dreams again came to her unbidden, sending Gabrielle once more into a sea of despair.

When Xena returned to the camp, Gabrielle was tossing and turning, the nightmare taking hold of her, filling her yet again with the terrible memories. Xena immediately dropped to her knees at Gabrielle's side as she moaned and cried out unintelligibly. Xena carefully reached out and took hold of the young bard's shoulder and shook her gently.

"Gabrielle? Gabrielle, come on wake up." Xena said. When Gabrielle did not open her eyes, Xena became more insistent. Taking both Gabrielle's shoulders in her hands, she shook her harder. "Gabrielle! Wake up!" Xena called much more forcefully. "Wake up!"

At the sound of Xena's voice calling to her, Gabrielle awoke suddenly, gasping. Looking around wildly, as if unsure where she was, Gabrielle's eyes met Xena's. Xena was taken aback by what she saw; fear, despair, but also rage. Rage that seemed to be kept barely under control.

"Gabrielle? It's all right. You just had a bad dream." Xena said soothingly, taking Gabrielle into her arms. Gabrielle tried to slow her breathing as the memories of the nightmare slowly faded. She gently, but forcefully, pushed Xena away, not wanting to be touched by anyone, even Xena.

"What is it?" Xena asked, concern showing on her face.

Gabrielle looked up into those steel blue eyes and saw the worry reflected in them.

"I...I'm o.k. It was just a dream." Gabrielle lied.

"Gabrielle, let me help you. Talk to me." Hurt now evident in Xena's voice.

Gabrielle hating shutting her friend out, pushing her away, lying to her.

"I'm sorry Xena. Just give me some time. I promise I'll come to you when I'm ready, o.k.?" Gabrielle said, unable to look at her friend, unwilling to see the hurt on her face.

"I'm here whenever you're ready." Xena said finally. She stood reluctantly and returned to where she had dropped the water skin at the edge of the camp. Xena bent to retrieve it and then turned back to Gabrielle. "I'll always be here for you, Gabrielle. You know that, right?"

Gabrielle looked up, "I know."

Gabrielle tried to slow the wild beating of her heart, taking slow deep breaths. Eventually, she was able to push the memory of her nightmare to the corner of her mind where she kept it locked away when she was awake. Gabrielle knew that soon she would have to unlock that secret place and face the demons that lurked there. Otherwise the memories and emotions they evoked would build until finally they would burst forth and overwhelm her. But knowing what needed to be done and actually doing it were two very different things, and Gabrielle simply could not bring herself to deal with that dark side of her soul just yet.

Xena prepared breakfast in silence, her thoughts in turmoil. How long has Gabrielle been having these dreams? she asked herself. And why didn't I notice? Maybe because I never expected to see her troubled by nightmares. Well, I've been patient long enough. I've got to get her to talk to me. She's drawn the pain and the sorrow from me, it's time I did the same for her, whether she wants me to or not.

Xena, her mind now decided on a course of action, returned to the meal. Gabrielle had risen from her bedroll and began to tidy up the camp, eager for something, anything to do to occupy herself. Otherwise she feared she may not be able to keep the emotions coursing through her soul at bay much longer. She could feel the grief and anger that brewed just beneath the surface, barely under control. Gabrielle consciously attempted to calm herself. She knew Xena was worried about her; she also knew that sooner or later Xena would get too impatient and force the truth of her dreams from her.

Gabrielle glanced over at her friend, wondering not for the first time why she could not bring herself to tell Xena what she was feeling. Gabrielle knew that Xena would understand what she was going through. The simple fact of the matter was that Gabrielle had convinced herself that if she simply ignored the dreams and feelings, that eventually they would go away. Xena was back now, everything was back to normal, right? But the dreams had just gotten worse.

Xena and Gabrielle ate a meager breakfast in relative silence, neither feeling much like talking. Xena resolved to take Gabrielle to the waterfall a short distance away. The area there was so peaceful and tranquil that she hoped the setting would help to draw Gabrielle out of herself so that they could talk. Gods, Xena murmured to herself, I never thought I would be asking for Gabrielle to talk. But she's been so quiet. Xena let the thought trail off. Mentally shaking herself, Xena turned to Gabrielle.

"How about going with me to the waterfall I mentioned?" Xena asked, half afraid the bard would say no.

Gabrielle flinched inwardly at the sound of Xena's voice, afraid she would again begin to press her about her dreams. Relief washed over her when she realized Xena was going to leave that particular topic alone, at least for now.

"Sure, that sounds fine." Gabrielle replied simply, forcing a small smile.

Xena and Gabrielle finished cleaning up from breakfast and then headed south, down river from the camp. They walked for perhaps half an hour before the sound of rushing waters met their ears. Rounding a small outcropping, Xena led Gabrielle onto a small alcove looking out over the most beautiful sight Gabrielle had ever seen. The waterfall towered above them, seeming to reach the sky, it's waters rumbled down to a small, tranquil pool below. The alcove in which they stood was covered in a fine down of soft grass and fragile blooms of yellow and red. All around them were the manifestations of life and peace. Gabrielle took it all in, not daring to breathe lest she shatter the illusion. Xena turned to gaze at the young bard. Seeing the look of wonder and awe, Xena decided to remain still for a moment longer to allow Gabrielle to experience the wonder that she herself felt everytime she visited this place.

After several moments, Xena broke the spell. Laying a hand on Gabrielle's arm, she gestured to a small gnarled tree near the edge of the pool. Gabrielle nodded slightly and allowed Xena to lead the way. The two reclined at the base of the tree, each leaning against its trunk, lost in her own thoughts.

Gabrielle had not felt this kind of contentment in many months. The memories of her dreams seemed miles away and without consequence. All that mattered was the here and now, and now she was at peace. Xena was here at her side, no one was threatening them at the moment, no one desperately needed their help, no worries. The beauty and serenity of this place infused Gabrielle with a new sense of strength and focus and for that she silently thanked her friend. Gabrielle turned slightly to glimpse Xena out of the corner of her eye and knew it was time to tell her of all the things she had been feeling. But how to begin? Where should I start? Gabrielle took a deep breath and let it out. You can't keep this inside forever, Gabrielle chastised herself, so just do it.

"Xena?" Gabrielle began.

"Hmm." Xena answered, never opening her eyes.

"You asked me before, about my dreams." Gabrielle replied. "I think I'm ready to tell you about them now."

Xena opened her eyes and turned to look at her best friend, concern flashed across her features briefly to be replaced almost immediately by relief. Xena said nothing, merely waited for Gabrielle to begin.

Gabrielle's eyes dropped to her hands lying in her lap.

"Ever since you died, I've been having nightmares." Gabrielle began. "Nightmares about you....and Perdicus. About how you each died, and I could do nothing." Gabrielle paused, the pain rushing back like an old friend, nearly forgotten. "Every night the dreams are the same. I see you die, and Perdicus, but I can only stand by and watch. I hold you in my arms and watch you both slip away...." a sob caught in Gabrielle's throat. Xena reached out to her and took Gabrielle's hand in her own.

"Gabrielle, it's all right." Xena said softly as she reached out to stop the tear that threatened to slide down Gabrielle's cheek. A small smile reached Gabrielle's eyes as she marveled at how tender Xena could be.

Gabrielle took a breath and continued, "I felt so helpless, like I let you both die." Xena opened her mouth to protest, but Gabrielle silenced her with a wave. "No Xena, please, let me finish. I felt so lost without you, when Ephiny offered to give you an Amazon funeral it seemed like the right thing to do. In my dreams I could see myself ordering the pyre to be lit and the sadness would take me again, like it was all happening for the first time." Gabrielle turned to look at the Warrioress. Xena's face was a mask of sadness, and an ache for what Gabrielle had been through, knowing that she was partly responsible for her friend's pain.

"After the grief passes, comes the anger." Gabrielle's face darkened, "Anger at myself for not being able you save you, either of you. Anger at those who caused your deaths, Callisto, the warrior priest. Xena, I've never felt that kind of rage before. I wake up every day feeling the anger rushing through me. One day I'm afraid it will carry me away ." Gabrielle looked deep into Xena's eyes and saw understanding reflected in them. Understanding coupled with love.

"I thought that when you came back, the dreams would get better, but they haven't. Xena, I'm afraid to go to sleep at night. I don't want to relive it again, over and over." Gabrielle finished, feeling relieved after her confession.

At first Xena was unsure how to respond. She knew exactly what Gabrielle was feeling, but she had not been able to fight the rage and grief and anger. Xena had given in to those feelings and it had cost her dearly. Now she looked across the years to another who was faced with the same choices she once had to make, and she was determined to help her to make the right decisions.

"Gabrielle...," Xena began, "I'm so sorry," but Gabrielle waived her off.

"Xena, you have nothing to be sorry about. It's not your fault."

"Gabrielle, you can't give in. You can't let the anger take you." Xena said, memories of her own grief and rage filling her mind. "That path leads only to a darkness that you may never see the end of."

"I know, Xena." Gabrielle replied simply. She peered intently into the deep blue eyes that silently regarded her. "Telling you about the dreams has helped. I'm feeling a little better, really."

The two women allowed the silence to stretch between them. Gabrielle felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Simply acknowledging the emotions that battled within her brought her a sense of victory over them, and she knew that she would eventually be able to live with her private demons, just as Xena did.

They spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the tranquillity of the pool; it was not until nearly dusk that they decided to return to their camp. As they approached the edge of the clearing, Xena suddenly tensed.

Gabrielle sensed the change in her friend, "Xena? What is it?"

Xena simply held up a hand for silence, her eyes scanning the trees surrounding them. She slowly drew her sword from its scabbard, motioning Gabrielle to circle around the far side of the camp. "Stay back until I signal."

Gabrielle began to protest, but Xena quickly quelled her. "Gabrielle, you're unarmed. You left your staff in camp this morning, remember?" Gabrielle let her gaze drop. "I want you to circle around and check on Argo for me, OK? Someone's out there. And I'm going to find out who."

Gabrielle nodded, and quietly moved off into the shadows of the trees. Xena watched her for a moment, then moved to get a closer look at the camp. As she drew near, she spotted 5 men hidden among the trees that surrounded the clearing. It appeared as if they were waiting for the two women to return.

The men were spaced nearly evenly around the campsite, so Xena decided on the direct approach. She stole close enough to the camp so as to be able to see clearly the men surrounding it. Voicing her battle cry, Xena vaulted into the center of camp, her eyes alight with the thrill of battle.

The soldiers were stunned momentarily, but recovered at a bark from their commander to attack. They rushed in simultaneously, hoping to overwhelm the warrioress. Xena merely smiled as each man met her and was repelled. Xena's sword cut through the attacks as if they were mild annoyances, leaving a bloody path in its wake. In moments, two of her attackers lay unmoving at Xena's feet.

Gabrielle had managed to move unseen to the edge of the clearing and now waited for an opportunity to steal in and regain her staff. She watched as Xena expertly dispatched the soldiers, one by one. It was not until the remaining three soldiers rushed in from three different directions that Gabrielle noticed movement in the trees. A sixth man had been hidden among the low scrub and now circled around to get behind the Warrior Princess. Gabrielle's breath caught in her throat when she realized that Xena had not seen the lurker, and was now too involved with the other three to protect herself from his attack.

Gabrielle never hesitated. She left the protection of the shadows and darted into the camp, heading straight for the Amazon staff she had left laying near her bedroll. As her hand closed around the smooth wood, Gabrielle turned to seek out the warrior she had seen lurking in the shadows. Xena and the men she battled had not yet noticed Gabrielle's presence in the camp, but the sixth man had seen her. Gabrielle sensed him closing behind her at the last possible moment and side stepped to avoid the sword that was arching toward her head. She brought up her staff in a viscious circle that caught the soldier unawares as it struck his sword arm. He was stunned by the ferocity of Gabrielle's attack, but recovered quickly to lunge at her again.

By now, Xena was aware of the battle being fought at her back, but could do nothing to help her friend. The three she was engaged with were obviously the better trained of the small company, and not as easily defeated. Xena's blade slashed and parried, blocking the blows that seemed to come from all directions at once. Xena allowed her reflexes to take over as she battled, her blade seemingly moving of its own accord. Cut, slash, parry, Xena moved as gracefully as a dancer; a dancer in a choreography with death.

Gabrielle for her part was holding her own fairly well. She had been able to land several blows, but none had much effect on the man facing her and she was being steadily forced back by his assault. Her attacker, however, was merely toying with the girl, looking for an opportunity to overpower her. He knew the penalty for killing the girl before she was delivered to his master would be his own neck. The ferocity of the attack was beginning to wear Gabrielle down; it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to keep her footing. Suddenly she stumbled and the soldier had the opening he had been waiting for. Gabrielle saw the blow coming and knew she would never be able to block it. Whispering a small prayer, she waited for the inevitable. At the last possible moment, the soldier changed the course of the blade and struck Gabrielle in the temple. A cry escaped her lips as the pommel connected with her head, then silence as she fell lifelessly to the ground.

Xena's head snapped around at the sound of Gabrielle's cry of pain and she saw the bard's body lying motionless on the ground. It was her lapse in concentration that allowed one of the soldiers to land a blow with the flat of his blade that stunned the warrioress. Another blow to her head by the man behind her, and Xena was left in a heap, dazedly shaking her head.

"Leave her!" shouted the man who now stood over Gabrielle, "this one's the one we came for."

Xena heard the order through the fog that had settled in her brain and she shook her head again to attempt to clear it. Her arms and legs felt like they had leaden weights attached to them, she could barely move them. In the waning light of the setting sun, Xena watched helplessly as the men lifted Gabrielle onto a horse and melted into the trees. The last thought that went through her mind as consciousness finally left her was whether or not Gabrielle was even still alive.

PART II: THE ORDEAL

Gabrielle awakened slowly, the pounding in her head becoming worse each time she dared to move. She opened her eyes gently, willing the pain to a corner of her mind so that she might get a look at her surroundings. As she tried to focus her eyes, she became aware that her arms had been shackled above her head by thick chains attached to the wall. Her arms ached from the battle and lack of circulation, but she didn't think that anything was broken. Gabrielle turned her attention to the cell. She could see, but just barely, the only light emanating from a small, barred window high on the door. The only furnishings were a small bucket in one corner and various chains and manacles attached to the walls at odd intervals. Gabrielle shuddered to think what her captors would do with them.

The next sensation that assaulted her was the smell. Gabrielle had visited enough battlefields in her travels with Xena to know what death smelled like, and the small cell reeked of it. The smell of fear, blood, and death mingling together was enough to turn Gabrielle's stomach, and she desperately tried to put it out of her mind, afraid that the feelings of fear would overwhelm her. Her mind drifted to Xena, the last she had seen of the warrioress she had been battling three of the men who had attacked their camp. Now she had no idea where she was. The fact that Gabrielle was now in the hands of those men suggested that Xena had not been able to prevent it. That thought filled Gabrielle with sorrow. She knew Xena would never willingly let anyone take her so that left only two options, Xena was either wounded or dead.

A sudden noise in the hallway startled Gabrielle and she turned to see the door pushed ajar and a man of ominous size fill the doorway. He stood a good 3 inches taller than Xena and was dressed entirely in black. He wore a cold stare upon his face, his eyes hard. He carried little with him; in one hand a short whip, in the other a bucket. Gabrielle was filled with terror at just the sight of him, but found her voice and attempted to speak.

"Where am I? How dare you keep me here like this!" she spat, anger coloring her voice. Her jailer merely stared. He set the bucket down and then moved over to where she was chained and began to loosen the restraints. Gabrielle felt a wave of relief. Thank the gods, they're letting me go. She thought to herself. I knew it was all just a mistake. But her relief suddenly became horror when he hauled her unceremoniously to her feet and reached for the manacles dangling above her head. Her captor calmly secured Gabrielle's hands so that her feet barely touched the floor.

"Hey! What're you doing?!" Gabrielle demanded. The man merely regarded her silently before reaching up to rip her shirt in half. He then stepped out into the middle of the floor. As he drew back the whip, Gabrielle suddenly realized there would be no talking her way out of this one. As the whip made contact with her unprotected back Gabrielle stifled a cry, tears springing to her eyes. The whip was drawn back and then set loose upon her body time and time again until she could no longer remain silent. Her cries echoed down the long corridors, but there was no one to hear.

Gabrielle had no idea how long this went on, only that suddenly it was over, and she was being released from her bonds. She was in agony from the repeated lashings, her back criss-crossed with the tell tale welts left by the whip, her tears still hot upon her cheeks. Once free of the restraints, she slid to the floor, her strength gone. Her jailer did not return her to the chains lower to the ground, but by now she no longer cared. Mercifully, her consciousness fled as the door to the cell closed with a resounding boom.

Xena awakened shortly before dawn. As her eyes slowly came open, she at first did not remember where she was. Xena raised her head to get her bearings, as she did, her gaze fell upon the two men she killed the night before. Suddenly the events of the past night came back to her in a rush.

"Gabrielle?" Xena called futility, knowing even as she spoke her name, there could be no response. Xena painfully regained her feet, searching for any sign as to where they may have taken Gabrielle. Fear tickled at the corners of her mind, but Xena roughly pushed it away. No, she thought to herself, I'll find her! I must.

Xena shook her head to clear it and began a methodical search of the camp and surrounding trees. When she returned to the remnants of the campfire, she had found four distinct trails leading away from the clearing, each traveling in a different direction. Xena began to pack up their belongings moving quickly and efficiently, frustration etched into her features. She knew the abductors were deliberately trying to confuse their trail, and they were doing a good job of it. Xena could easily distinguish the separate tracks, but the ground was too hard to tell which of the four may have been carrying an extra person.

Xena knew she had lost precious time during the night, but she also knew blindly charging into the forest would do Gabrielle no good. Xena finished packing her belongings and turned to where Gabrielle's sleeping place had been. Her bedroll lay in disarray, her staff discarded on the ground nearby. Xena stooped to pick up the Amazon staff, guilt threatening to overwhelm her as she ran her hands over its smooth surface.

"I'm coming Gabrielle, just hold on." Xena vowed quietly, not allowing herself to even imagine that Gabrielle may already be dead. Xena shook herself, fear and guilt replaced by rock hard determination. She finished packing Argo's saddlebags and quickly mounted the mare. Xena chose one of the trails at random and spurred Argo to a slow trot as the sun began to break above the horizon.

Gabrielle awakened to a splash of cold water being thrown into her face. She coughed and sputtered as she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze meeting the man in black she had come to know so well the night before. Fear overwhelmed her and her heart began to beat wildly as he reached down to haul her to her feet. With a fierce grip on her arms, the guard turned Gabrielle to face the door to her cell. It was then that she realized another was there, standing in the doorway, seemingly unwilling to enter any further. He was not dressed as a soldier or guard but rather as nobility, his violet robes covered in an ornate gold pattern.

"Well, well, young one. Enjoying your stay?" He asked sarcastically, his manner and voice belying years of education and privilege.

At first Gabrielle found it difficult to find her voice, when she did her response was barely more than a whisper. "What do you want with me?"

"With you? Not much really. It's the Warrior Princess I'm interested in." the nobleman replied. Seeing the questioning look on Gabrielle's face he continued, "Six years ago her army tore through this land, burning, looting, destroying."

Gabrielle had heard similar tales before and she thought she knew the end to this one.

"So you want to pay her back for what she did to your land, right?" Gabrielle asked, finding her strength.

"No, no, little one. You see, I could care less. No the Warrior Princess is going to pay for what she did to my son. He led our army against Xena and her band of murderers. But Xena's spys betrayed my son and he was captured. We found his body several days later. He had been tortured to death." Gabrielle could see the sadness briefly reflected in the kings eyes, only to be replaced by a coldness that ould frightened her.

"I have been waiting these six long years for this opportunity. When I heard the warrior woman no longer traveled with her army, I knew my chance had come. But when she arrived in our lands with you, I couldn't believe my luck!" the king exclaimed, evil manifested in his face. "Now, finally! I have my chance to repay the Warrior Princess in kind. I'm sorry you are made to suffer this way, but that's the price you will have to pay for traveling with that woman." the king spat, his hatred for Xena coloring his voice.

The reality of her situation hit Gabrielle hard. This man before her intended to have her tortured to death, and then no doubt would leave her body somewhere Xena would be sure to find it. The thought of what was to come made Gabrielle sick with fear. She didn't want to die. Not here, not like this.

"You may continue, Dioclese." the King said simply and with that, turned on his heel and strode down the corridor, his footfalls echoing through the deserted hallways. Dioclese pulled Gabrielle toward the manacles, and once again shackled her wrists above her head.

"Please, you don't have to do this!" Gabrielle pleaded. Dioclese simply stared in response, never uttering a sound. He slowly stepped away from her and uncurled the whip at his waist.

"No! Please!" Gabrielle cried as he drew back his arm and set loose the whip upon her body yet again.

The king paused at the foot of the staircase leading to the upper levels of the castle. Upon hearing the screams of the girl's torture, a smile slowly crept over his features. He was going to enjoy this immensely, he thought as he continued up the stairs, savoring the sounds of agony echoing in his ears.

Xena had exhausted two of the paths leading away from the camp, realizing after a time that they lead nowhere, merely meandering through the dense forest. It had taken the better part of a day and a half before she struck out on the third course leading north. Xena was spent, her strength nearing its limits, but she refused to stop her search to rest, even for an hour; fear driving her relentlessly forward.

It wasn't long before Xena recognized there was something familiar about the country in which she now traveled. She knew she had been there before, and probably with her army. As she finally broke through the trees, she found herself in the outskirts of a simple village. It was nearing mid-day and the town was alive with activity. Xena allowed herself to look about the village, taking in its sights and sounds; as she did so she noticed the castle for the first time. Set high upon a hill, overlooking the valley, the castle appeared formidable. Looking upon its weathered stone walls and parapets, Xena suddenly remembered the castle and the village.

Six years was a long time, and time heals all wounds. But Xena knew all too well, some wounds never heal. Her eyes narrowed as the realization of just who had captured Gabrielle hit her. Without a backward glance, Xena retreated back into the cloak of the trees, knowing what she had to do, praying it wasn't already too late.

PART III: GENESIS

Gabrielle prayed for the release of unconsciousness, but each time it seemed she would be granted relief from the pain, Dioclese would throw another cup full of water into her face to rouse her. Just when she knew she couldn't take another moment of this torture, she thought of Xena. She knew that she was alive, and trying to get to her, the king's revenge would have little effect if Xena was dead. Just the thought that Xena would be coming for her gave her the strength to endure. But it was also more; Gabrielle knew that so long as she lived, the king will have failed in his plan and she feared what might happen to Xena if he succeeded. She knew in her heart of hearts that she held a part of Xena's soul, a trust she did not take lightly.

LASH! The whip burned its path across her body. She long since stopped flinching when the whip made contact with her back, now thinking only of survival. Survival for herself and for Xena. She felt the blackness coming to claim her yet again, silently pleading that her torturer allow it to take her this time. As the edges of her vision began to grow dim, Gabrielle felt a pull in the dark reaches of her mind. The longing of the rage and hatred she thought to have put to rest in that peaceful glade forcing its way to the surface yet again. This time she would not stop it; did not even try. Gabrielle used the hate, anger, rage as a weapon against the agony she was forced to endure. She would use whatever was necessary to survive, even the darkest regions of her own soul. She only hoped that she would not lose herself entirely to the darkness.

Gabrielle's eyes slowly slid closed even as the whip danced across her back, her legs, and she faded from consciousness. Dioclese knew how far to push, and when to stop. The key to torture was to not only destroy the body, but also the mind and the will. He would allow her a respite, for now. Dioclese loosened the manacles that bound Gabrielle to the wall and uncaringly let her body slide to the ground. Without another thought, he turned and strode from the room.

Xena's backtrack through the forest surrounding the small village took most of the day, and as twilight fell she had reached the outer walls of the castle. The last time she visited King Antonius' realm she had an army at her back, now she had only herself. During the battle fought those many years ago, she had learned that several of Antonius' soldiers had managed to secret themselves out of the castle to attempt an infiltration of her camp. The assassins had been unsuccessful, but she had learned the location of their secret entrance and had used that information to defeat the palace defenses. It had led into the lower regions of the castle, very near the dungeons where she suspected Gabrielle was being held. She only prayed the hidden entrance still existed.

Xena slowly worked her way closer to the castle walls, wary of the patrolling guards upon the parapets. When she had drawn as close as she dared, Xena concealed herself within the cover of the shadows to wait for full dark. Her mind drifted back to when she had first met Gabrielle. Gods, she had been annoying! And at first Xena herself didn't know why she kept the girl by her side. It wasn't until the priests of Morpheus had kidnapped Gabrielle intending to sacrifice her to their god that Xena truly realized how important Gabrielle had become to her. She had faced her own nightmares to rescue the girl, and she would gladly do it again. A slight shake of her head relieved the memories and Xena looked about, deciding that it was now or never. It was pitch black leading up to the castle, the only light cast by the torches above. If she was careful, the soldiers standing watch would never know she had been there until it was too late.

Moving from her concealment, Xena kept to the shadows. As she neared the hidden doorway, she realized that something looked different. Darting between the low bushes that disguised the door, she saw that the entry had long since been barred from ever being used again. Heavy beams of oak had been placed cross-wise to block any entrance. Xena's heart sank. If she was forced to fight her way into the fortress, the chances of her being able to find Gabrielle and making it back out again were slim at best. She was good, but not that good. No, the only way was through this door. Xena drew closer to inspect the portal, running her hands over the beams blocking her path. It appeared that they had been pounded into place and held here with large steel spikes, but that had been six years ago. Time and the elements had taken their toll and Xena could feel the wood around the spikes had become soft and pealed away easily.

Feeling a wave of hope, Xena drew her dagger and began the arduous task of loosening the beams from the spikes that held them into place. Xena worked as quickly and quietly as possible, knowing that every moment brought her closer to daylight and discovery by the soldiers above. If she had not gained entry by morning, she knew she would have to leave Gabrielle inside for another day.

Gabrielle thrashed about on the cold stone floor, the nightmare taking hold of the young girl. She could see him coming for her, his leering face, the stench of the room filling her nostrils. Dioclese' face mere inches from hers as he drew back the whip yet again. She attempted to cry out in fear, but no sound issued from her lips. Gabrielle had never been so terrified in her life, not even in the forests of Thessilay. Just as the whip was about to make contact with her unprotected body yet again, Gabrielle jerked awake, the taste of her fear still lingering in her mouth. But now there was something else, cold fury. Fury at those who had taken her freedom, stolen her innocence. Fury at herself for allowing herself to be captured, fury at Xena for allowing it.

The door to her cell burst open, but Gabrielle seemed to barely notice. She knew who was there without looking, knew what would be coming, knew the pain. But now she had a weapon. The rage served her well; the cold hardness it brought blocked out the cruel hands that reached for her, blocked the pain, blocked any emotions other than hatred. The darkness Gabrielle had sensed within herself now overwhelmed her. Any semblance of the young, innocent bard disappeared piece by piece with each blow that rained down upon her. She was no longer Gabrielle the Amazon Queen, she had become something much darker. She cried out now, not in pain or fear, but in furor. It was a feral sound, primitive in its origins, the will to survive. The sound reverberated throughout the passageways, reaching the ears of those outside the castle walls.

Xena paused in her task, listening to the cry that reached her ears and sent chills down her spine. She had heard similar cries uttered by men as they were beaten to death, tortured at her hand or the hands of her men. Only the exceptionally strong willed had howled that way. It was then that she would know they had been consumed by the hate and rage leaving nothing of the former self behind. Then that sound had invigorated her, now it terrified her. With renewed energy, Xena heaved on the final beam barring the entrance, using brute strength fueled by her emotions to remove the obstacle in her path. The beam gave way with a groan, falling heavily into her arms. She laid it aside as quietly as she could looking to see if any had heard the sound. She then turned and entered the darkened passage.

Xena herself had led the squad that had breached the castle defenses six years ago. She could only hope that her memory served her well now. Drawing her sword from its scabbard, she worked her way in the direction she thought would lead her to the cells that housed the prisoners. The screams that had chilled her soul before were now gone, silence ruling in their absence. Xena cautiously rounded the final corner that led to the prisoner cell blocks. Two guards had been posted at the top of the stairwell; they appeared bored with their present assignment and were talking in hushed tones. She knew she had found the right passage, Antonius was not a fool. He had to know that she would come, and would not waste two men to guard an empty cell block.

Stealth her ally, Xena moved silently down the corridor, careful to remain in the shadows as much as possible. The first man to drop never even had time to draw his weapon before he was felled by a lethal slash from Xena's sword. The second guard was startled by the sudden death of his comrade, but still managed to draw his sword. Xena disarmed him with a single blow so powerful it sent his weapon clattering to the floor. Fear was reflected in his eyes, but to his credit he did not beg for his life. The tip of Xena's sword nestled in the hollow of his throat, the soldier waited patiently for the final blow.

Coldness reflected in Xena's eyes as she held the man's life in her hands. With blinding speed, her sword arm dropped and her precise fingers found the pressure points she had used so often in the past. The soldier fell to his knees, gasping.

"I've just cut off the blood to your brain. You'll be dead in seconds unless you cooperate." Xena said harshly. "Where's the girl?"

The soldier felt the edges of his vision darken as he gasped for breath and he knew the warrior woman spoke the truth.

"There..." he croaked, motioning to the stairwell. Xena glanced down the flight of stairs and made a quick decision. She reached out and released the soldier from her touch and hauled him to his feet.

"Show me." Xena breathed, keeping her sword to his back, "If anyone tries to stop us, you're the first to die." The soldier nodded dumbly as Xena shoved him roughly down the darkened stairwell.

The flight of stairs led to a long, narrow corridor that stretched for about 100 feet and then turned a corner. There were approximately ten cells on this corridor, any of which could be Gabrielle's. Xena and her captive encountered no others in the hallway and they made their way slowly through the dimly lit passage. A sound reached Xena's ears that seemed to emanate from the last cell on the block, a sound she knew all too well. The sound of torture; the sound of a whip. Each time the whip cracked, Xena's pace increased as she propelled her captive along the passage, fear clutching at her heart. The soldier knew enough to keep his mouth shut, knowing he would be dead before any sound escaped his lips.

Xena approached the door to the cell, the sound of the whip coming unmistakably from inside. Xena reached out to grasp the shoulder of the man in front of her. She turned him around so that he was facing her and forced him against the far wall, her sword at his throat. She brought her fingers to her lips demanding his silence, then faster than he could follow used her skill at pressure points to render him unconscious. He slid to the floor without a sound.

Xena then turned her attention to the cell door. The lock hung open, the door merely pulled closed. Xena eased open the latch, hoping that whomever was within would be too occupied to notice the door. As the latch was freed from its housing, Xena stepped back and kicked the door open with all her might. The sight that greeted her was enough to stop the Warrior Princess cold.

Gabrielle stood, her arms chained over her head, her feet barely touching the ground, her back, legs, and arms a bloody mass, her face turned away, hidden from view. Over her stood an enormous man, dressed entirely in black, poised to unleash his weapon of torture yet again. His head jerked at the sound of the door crashing open, the look on the face of the warrioress enough to freeze him where he stood. Never before had he seen such rage as that which was reflected in Xena's face. She took in the scene and simply reacted. Dioclese never had time to draw his weapon before Xena's sword pierced him through the chest. He was dead before his body hit the ground.

Xena was shaking, the ease of the kill doing nothing to still the feelings of anger coursing through her, demanding revenge for what they had done to her Gabrielle. She fought to calm herself, turning her attention to Gabrielle. The bard seemed unaware that the beatings had ceased, her head still turned away. Xena snatched the keys that hung from Dioclese' belt and turned to release Gabrielle from her bonds. At Xena's touch, Gabrielle started and twisted to face her friend. What Xena saw in the young woman's face staggered her. She was Gabrielle, but yet at the same time she wasn't Gabrielle. Horror flooded through the warrioress. Gabrielle had been twisted by her rage into someone barely recognizable to Xena, a perversion of her former self. Realization struck Xena like a blow. The screams she had heard had been Gabrielle. The thought of what had driven the bard to her present state sickened Xena like no battle, no amount of carnage ever had.

"Gabrielle?" Xena asked hesitantly.

The young woman merely stared at her, the coldness of the stare caused Xena's blood to run like ice in her veins. All of the beauty and vibrancy Xena had come to know was gone and in its place was left a hatred and anger Xena knew all too well. It was like looking into a mirror of her former self. Gabrielle continued her cold stare, her features etched as if carved from stone.

"Gabrielle, it's me, Xena..." she began gently, looking for some spark that her friend was still there, hidden beneath the mask. Xena reached again for the chains that bound her friend, this time Gabrielle made no move to pull away. Xena eased the bard's arms free of the chains and moved to support her, an arm wrapped around the smaller woman's waist. Gabrielle's eyes never left Xena's face, her gaze hard and unemotional.

"Gabrielle?" Xena asked uncertainly. "It's ok. I'm going to get us out of here. You're safe now." Xena said soothingly.

The tone of the warrior's voice seemed to awaken the woman buried deep beneath the mask now so firmly in place. Xena saw a softness briefly return to those green eyes and was relieved. Gabrielle was still there, her Gabrielle, no matter how twisted by hate. The one she loved was still there, buried deep. So long as she could still see that spark in Gabrielle's eyes, Xena had hope she could bring her back from the darkness. But now they had to flee.

Gabrielle let herself be led from the cell and back toward the staircase that led to freedom. Xena's voice had awakened her as if from a nightmare, but the demons had been released. All the hate, grief, and rage she had fought to control now washed through her out of control, and the small part of her that had managed to remain untouched by the darkness feared she might never be able to capture her demons now that they had been set free.

Xena half carried Gabrielle up to the top of the stairs and out the narrow passageway that led outside, amazed the bard was still able to walk. Xena closed her mind to the vision of Gabrielle chained and broken, the fury carved into her face. She would deal with that after she knew they were safe, after she knew Gabrielle was safe. It was still pitch black as they exited through the hidden doorway and slipped silently into the trees beyond.

PART IV: THE PATH TOWARD THE LIGHT

Xena pushed Argo through the rest of the night and part of the next morning, wanting to put as much distance between them and Antonius' men as possible. By now the king had discovered Gabrielle's disappearance, and after anticipating his revenge for six long years, was not likely to give up easily. His soldiers were sure to be pursuing them even now. Xena allowed herself a moment to look upon the face of the woman cradled in her powerful arms. Gabrielle slept fitfully, seemingly at war with herself and her nightmare. She had lost consciousness shortly after they had reached Argo, her strength finally at its end. Xena had held her close, the proximity of their bodies having a calming effect at first. Now, however, Gabrielle's slight body was rigid as her mind was trapped within the world of her nightmare and there was little Xena could do to comfort her.

The guilt again bubbled to the surface of Xena's psyche, taunting her. She savored the feeling briefly before willing it from her mind. Now was not the time for self pity, not when Gabrielle needed her. Xena had seen the darkness reflected in the eyes of the bard, and it had terrified her more than any threat to her own life. The one thing Xena knew she could not bear would be the loss of her friend, but yet it was that very fact that now stared her in the eye. Gabrielle was alive, and that was something to be treasured; but the Gabrielle she had come to know, to trust, and yes, to love may be gone forever, lost to the monster that once ruled Xena's own soul.

Was this to be the punishment wrought by the gods for her misdeeds? To watch as one she loved was consumed as she had been? NO! She would not let it happen! Her Gabrielle was still there, buried deep; she had seen it, back in that dank cell. A small spark still burned, she just had to find a way to bring it to life so that it might cast its light once again in Gabrielle's soul, before the dark extinguished it completely.

Breaking through the edge of the forest, Xena was greeted by a familiar sight. A small glade opened before them surrounded on two sides by imposing cliffs. The sheer rock walls formed a natural defense narrowing the avenues of approach to simply north and south. There were no other ways in or out, and no way to reach to the far side without passing through the center. From here she would be able to see an attack coming and would have a better chance of mounting a defense. The rock walls hid many caves and depressions, nearly invisible to the naked eye, unless you knew exactly where to look. It was here, early in the battle with Antonius, that Xena had ambushed an entire division of the kings' best men and had slaughtered them to a man. She knew Antonius would remember it and its secrets. She only hoped the memory of what had happened the last time he had met her in battle here would keep him from searching the area too soon.

It was among these caves and depressions that Xena intended to secret herself and her charge until Gabrielle had recovered enough to travel again. Xena entertained thoughts of exactly how she would make Antonius pay for what he had done to Gabrielle, but was wise enough to know that eventually he would seek her out and then she could meet him on ground of her choosing. Until then, her only concern was the young woman before her.

Xena brought Argo to a stop directly in front of a rather ordinary looking shrub, but looks could be deceiving. Xena eased from the saddle, careful not to jar Gabrielle unnecessarily as she drew the girl down with her. Xena cradled the bard in her arms as she would a small child, precious and vulnerable. She then turned and slipped between the reaching limbs of the shrub to the waiting dimness of the cavern beyond. In the soft light, Xena searched for a dry spot to lay Gabrielle, then returned to Argo to retrieve their supplies.

Xena hurriedly built a small fire and arranged a bedroll for Gabrielle. It was not until she had made Gabrielle comfortable that she withdrew her healing provisions. She heated enough water to cleanse the bards' terrible wounds and pulled out a soft cloth with which to clean the injuries. Gabrielle's nightmares had subsided for a time, and she now rested quietly. Xena gently rolled Gabrielle onto her side so that she might get a better look at the extent of her injuries. Xena cringed at the sight of the criss crossed lash marks that marred Gabrielle's small body from her thighs and calves to her arms and back. Tears sprang unbidden to her eyes as she worked to clean away the blood and dirt from the wounds. Xena wiped roughly at the tears with the back of her hand, not ready to give in to her emotions. She worked slowly and carefully, not wanting to wake the sleeping bard, but needing to tend the wounds thoroughly so as to prevent any infection. With the discovery of each new mark, each new injury, Xena's fury and anguish grew. Oh yes, Antonius would pay! He would pay for each lesion that would now forever scar Gabrielle's body and mind. He would pay many times over, Xena swore silently to herself, seething with a rage barely under control.

When she had finished meticulously cleansing the bard's wounds, Xena reached for the wine skin and a clean cloth. Wetting the cloth with the disinfecting alcohol, she gently swabbed the bard's back, arms and legs, wincing each time she felt Gabrielle's muscles contract in pain even through her exhausted sleep. Upon completion of her task, Xena tenderly covered Gabrielle with a blanket from the saddlebags her hand lingering over Gabrielle's face, tracing a gentle line across her cheek. Gazing into her companions' sleeping face, she felt the emotions she had fought to keep at bay suddenly overwhelm her and she found herself shaking.

"I'm sorry Gabrielle.....so sorry...." Xena trailed off softly, her voice stumbling on the feelings now lodged in her throat, a single tear making its way down her cheek. This time Xena made no effort to stop it. Sitting beside her friend, her soul, Xena wept quietly, her knees drawn to her chin. The thought of the torture and agony Gabrielle had been forced to endure was more than the warrioress could bear. The grief and pain poured forth, unhindered by pride or ego. But Xena did not weep as others might. She was still the Warrior Princess, she was still in control and Xena wept almost willfully, purging herself of the emotions so that she might move past them, knowing that in order to draw Gabrielle back from the darkness, she had to first come to terms with her own sense of grief and loss. Gabrielle had been sacrificed to revenge and hate just as surely as if she had died within the castle walls. A part of her soul had died, and with it part of Xena died. The warrioress only prayed that the light could yet be revived. And with the redemption of the light, perhaps a rebirth of the girls' gentle soul. That hope was tenuous at best, but Xena clung to it as if her own soul depended on it.

Xena prayed then, as she only rarely did, as she had only done with any feeling once before. She prayed to any god who might listen; she prayed for strength. Strength to face the darkness now before her, strength to face a life devoid of the light she had become used to, light that had become her beacon, leading her through life. She prayed for strength to return to Gabrielle that which had been cruelly taken from her, not knowing how, only knowing that she must try. Finally she prayed for Gabrielle, that she might find the will to beat back the demons Xena knew to be raging within her friend, fighting to destroy what remained of the light, fighting to conquer yet another innocent soul.

As the last of her tears dried, Xena lay back on the ground next to the young woman. Physically exhausted and emotionally spent, Xena fell into a restless sleep. Suddenly she was once again outside the castle walls working her way past the barred entryway, the sounds of Gabrielle's screams echoing within her mind, relentlessly, over and over. The feral cries touching a chord deep within the Warrior Princess she had hoped buried forever. Within her dream, her own darkness now had a mate and it longed to be freed to join her.

In a blinding FLASH, Xena felt herself being drawn from the nightmare to a place of infinite calm.

"Xena." An ethereal voice called. "I am here. And I have heard your prayers."

Xena searched for the source of the reassuring voice. "Who are you?"

"You have known me throughout your life, yet you did not know it. I am the Goddess of the Hunt, Protectress of Women, Patron to my Sister Amazons." Came the voice in reply.

"Artemis." Xena breathed.

"Yes." The goddess answered simply. "I have watched you, Xena. You and the young one. I am pleased. You champion those who cannot stand for themselves and you have served the Amazons well. You both have."

Xena reacted to the goddess' words with mixed feelings of mistrust and fear. Artemis seemed to be able to read Xena's thoughts.

"Do not fear Xena, you called and I have come. Gabrielle is favored in my sight, she took up the mantle of Protector and Leader for the Amazons when they needed it most, and showed them the way. Now Ephiny leads the Amazons with Gabrielle's vision of peace. They have become stronger for it. And now I wish to repay my sister Amazon for her gift."

Xena's eyes widened, hope sprang anew within her heart. "You mean, you can take all of this from her? As if it never was?"

The Goddess' eyes fell slightly. "Nothing is ever that simple warrioress. What was taken can be restored, but there is a price to be paid."

Xena's heart leapt for joy. Here was one who could return her Gabrielle! She did not care what the price, any price was worth the return of the light in Gabrielle's eyes.

"Know this Xena, the price is high, and may not be paid without careful thought to its consequences."

"I would give my life for her." Xena replied confidently.

"Yes, but would you give the lives of hundreds of others, simply for her."

Confusion now tore through Xena's mind. Why did the gods always have to be so mysterious?!

Reading the look on the Warrior Princess' face, the Goddess continued, "There is an ancient Amazon ritual long since forgotten. A ritual to cleanse the mind, spirit, and soul. The darkness that has invaded Gabrielle can be driven out, but it will not die. It will seek a new home, a new soul."

Realization suddenly hit Xena like a slap in the face. Her eyes met Artemis' and held them.

"You prayed for strength, warrioress. Do you have the strength to bear her burden as well as your own? Do not answer too quickly. If you are wrong, the darkness that dwells within your own soul could become more powerful than ever."

Xena contemplated the Goddess' words. She would gladly accept the rage that threatened Gabrielle, gladly accept the burden. But she knew all too well what her own dark side was capable of, what she could become. Could she release that woman to reek havoc yet again? Could Gabrielle live with the knowledge that it had been her rage that had driven Xena back into darkness? Her thoughts in turmoil, Xena heard Artemis' voice as if through a fog.

"Consider well, Xena, but do not delay. Once Gabrielle's light has been extinguished, there can be no turning back. If you decide to accept the price, this sacrifice of yourself, come to me by the end of the next moon, I'll be waiting at my temple outside Athens. Only you can show Gabrielle the path toward the light. You have traveled that path before, now you must be the beacon. But do not undertake the journey lightly, Xena."

Xena awakened with a start, quickly looking over at the figure still resting beside her. Was it a dream? she asked herself. No, it had been too real. Artemis had given her what she had asked for, the chance to save Gabrielle from herself and a life filled with anger and sorrow. Now she had only to pay the price, but was it too much, even for her iron will? Xena was being asked to sacrifice a measure of her own hard won self worth and possibly her own soul in order to restore Gabrielle's. Xena knew Gabrielle may never again be the woman she once was. No one could be touched by the darkness and not be forever changed. But the reward was well worth the sacrifice being asked of her, she decided. Xena knew how to deal with the darkness; it had been a part of her for a long time, an eternity it seemed. She was confident she could control it, as she had in the past and would continue to do in the future. As soon as Gabrielle was able to travel, they would set out for Artemis' temple on the outskirts of Athens.

PART V: THE JOURNEY

Xena was unable to sleep after her encounter with the Goddess, but forced herself to rest, knowing she would need all her strength to endure the coming days. Gabrielle continued to sleep next to her, seemingly free of her dreams, for now. Xena was aware of how difficult it would be when Gabrielle did awake, not knowing who her friend was anymore. The darkness had nearly consumed Gabrielle entirely, and Xena was well aware how close she had come to losing the bard completely to her darker self. The concern foremost in her mind at that moment was that she had yet to hear the storyteller utter a single word.

Gabrielle had enjoyed a dreamless sleep, for a time, but inevitably the nightmares had returned. She fought against their reappearance, but to no avail. She returned to that night when it had all changed, when she had first heard them speak to her. Gabrielle saw herself a captive in the dank cell once more. All she could see was Dioclese' arm, his hand curled around that hideous whip. Again and again she relived the pain the weapon had inflicted upon her, each time telling herself, Xena's coming, she'll be here soon. But the reassurances soon failed to comfort as the agony became unbearable. Gabrielle called to the warrioress, and was answered by the demons now lurking in her soul, waiting to be embraced.

"She's not coming for you!" the voices hissed. "She has abandoned you! We are all you have left now. We are your salvation!"

"Who are you?" Gabrielle asked.

"We are that which you tried to deny. You wanted to lock us away but now we are FREE!" the voices proclaimed. "We are the darker side of you, bard. And we are all you have left! There is no other."

Gabrielle's mind reeled. Where was Xena? Why did she not come for her? She couldn't believe that Xena would truly abandon her to this torture. But where was she! The demon voices answered her unspoken question.

"Forget the warrior woman! She is gone, but we are here! Trust in us. We will not desert you." the voices assured. "We can protect you. With us, there is no more pain. With us you can be strong!"

Gabrielle found herself wanting to believe, wanting to accept the voices. Gabrielle in a moment of decision reached out to the voices and allowed them to encompass her, rejoicing in the feeling of protection they lent to her. Suddenly the pain fell away like a cloak, and she knew only rest. As she lay in the arms of the specters, they quietly spoke in her ear.

"With us you will never again know suffering. We can be your weapons! Use us!"

"How?" Gabrielle asked. "What are you?"

"We are the dark. We are hate! We are rage! We are fury!" the voices answered, their voices rising to a crescendo. Gabrielle's true and pure soul recoiled as the names of her protectors were spoken, but another side of her welcomed them into her heart. It was a side of her that had grown tired of the suffering, tired of losing those she loved. Tired of the emotional hills and valleys, tired of it all and yearning for it to end. The demons promised it would end, and it was that dark side of her that now took control. The purity that still dwelt within her fought against the dark, but was too weak to repel the invaders. The light that had shone in Gabrielle's soul now retreated to the smallest corners of her mind to await their opportunity to reemerge. The pure could feel the press of the dark against its defenses, drawing ever closer, and struggled to keep the light from disappearing all together, but could feel that it was just a matter of time before all was lost.

Xena glanced over at her friend. For a moment it had seemed that perhaps the nightmares had returned, but just as suddenly as it had begun, Gabrielle quieted again returning to her deep slumber, a small smile playing at her lips. Xena saw the smile, but rather than reassuring her, it chilled her soul.

It was well past daybreak when Xena saw Gabrielle begin to stir. Xena moved to her side, wanting Gabrielle to see a familiar face when she first awoke, hoping to spare her any feelings of fear or disorientation at her unaccustomed surroundings. As she tentatively opened her eyes, Gabrielle had expected to see the now familiar dark walls of her cell. What greeted her eyes was the expectant face of the Warrior Princess. Gabrielle drew back, not trusting her eyes.

Xena saw the young woman's reaction and instinctively reached out to comfort her.

"Gabrielle, it's all right. You're safe now. It's over." Xena soothed. At the touch on her arm, Gabrielle pulled away, a coldness reflected in her eyes.

"Xena? Is it really you?" Gabrielle asked skeptically.

Xena was visibly shaken by the bard's reaction to her touch and the look in her eyes, but recovered quickly. "Yes, Gabrielle, it's me."

Gabrielle attempted to sit up, wincing in pain. Reaching out to help, Xena stopped short, not wanting to upset Gabrielle further by touching her again.

"Just lie back, Gabrielle. You're still hurt." Xena reached for the water skin lying nearby. She held it out tentatively, "Here, Gabrielle, drink."

Gabrielle accepted the skin, only then realizing how thirsty she was. She drank deeply, and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, returned the skin to Xena.

"Thanks." Gabrielle said simply, her eyes belying the feelings that burned just beneath the surface. The look was not lost on the warrioress.

"What is it, Gabrielle? What's wrong?" Xena asked, afraid she already knew the answer. The bluntness of the reply shocked her.

"Where were you?" Gabrielle half screamed, ignoring her pain to sit up and face Xena. "Why did you just let them take me?"

"Gabrielle...I...I tried...." Xena stuttered.

"Do you know what they did to me?" Gabrielle asked, the hate and furor bursting forth, lending her strength. "You just left me there!"

But Xena would not be defeated so easily. She saw this as yet another battle, but one with far greater consequences than any other she had ever fought. The warrioress emerged then, prepared to battle the forces of darkness for possession of Gabrielle's soul.

"Listen to me! I would never just leave you, Gabrielle. You must believe that!" Xena shouted, unsheathing her verbal sword. "You are my life, Gabrielle. I know you're confused, but I'm here, and I'll always be here."

"Oh no, Xena, I'm not confused. I've never been more sure of myself. You abandoned me!"

"Gabrielle, that isn't you talking! It's the hate and the anger! I should know! Those demons once ruled my soul, and I won't let them take you!" Xena parried.

"You're too late, Xena. You were able to defeat those monsters once before, when Perdicas died. But that was then. I was weak, now they make me strong!" Gabrielle asserted, the demons mounting an attack. "I'll never be hurt that way again, Xena, never!" Gabrielle spat.

"No, it's not too late. I saw that spark, Gabrielle. I know there is something of you left. And the strength you feel is an illusion. Your strength is still there Gabrielle! Use it! The love is there and it *is* the most powerful force on earth, Gabrielle! You showed me that." Xena countered, mounting an attack of her own.

Gabrielle felt the last vestiges of purity coming forth to join in Xena's struggle for control and the demons were momentarily halted in their assault. Xena saw the struggle taking place and it lent her strength. Xena pressed her attack, taking advantage of the chink in the armor of the darkness.

"Gabrielle, you must believe me, I have been where you are now. There is no strength in the dark, there is no protection except that which comes from love. Let that be your strength. Let me be your strength." Xena's verbal strike having the desired effect.

Gabrielle could feel the light growing brighter with each of the blows Xena leveled at her darker half. She felt herself wanting to believe her, wanting to accept her love. But the demons would not be silenced.

"She left you!" they cried. "We are your true allies!"

Xena witnessed the war being fought within her friend, and leveled the crushing blow.

"Don't you give up, Gabrielle! You've never once given up on me, and I won't let you give up on yourself! Love can save you, Gabrielle! My love! I love you more than my own life! That is the reality and the truth! Grab onto it!" Xena knew her foe had been wounded, but was not yet vanquished.

Gabrielle felt the power of Xena's words, the power of her love and reached out to take that power and strength into her heart. It was then that the light struck upon the opportunity and burst forth, overtaking the dark. The light was shining once again, but the dark still lurked, not yet gone.

"Xena?" Gabrielle asked weakly, the exertion tiring her quickly.

"I know Gabrielle, I know." Xena said quietly reaching out to cradle her, feeling the sobs that now coursed through Gabrielle's body.

"I don't want to give up, Xena." Gabrielle said in a small voice, so very much like a frightened child.

Xena rocked her gently, shaking with relief at the first battle won. But the war was far from over, now they had to reach the temple. The first victory had been an important one, however. If the demons had prevailed, Xena doubted that there would have been any hope for Gabrielle.

"Gabrielle, I know you're strong enough to get through this. And I'm here with you." Xena hesitated, wanting to tell her of the Goddess, but unsure of how much she should reveal to the girl. "I know of someone who can help."

Gabrielle pulled away slightly, a questioning look on her face. Xena told her briefly of her encounter with Artemis in her dreams the night before, but left out the price that had been demanded of her for Gabrielle's redemption.

"As soon as you're well enough to travel, we'll leave for Athens." Xena said, gently laying Gabrielle back onto the bedroll. "Rest now while I get us something to eat, all right?"

Gabrielle nodded, weariness seeping into her, closing her eyes. Xena was as exhausted as if she had battled ten men, but her battle was over for now. She spent the rest of the morning preparing their meal and scouting the area to look for any signs of pursuit. Finding none, she returned to the secret cavern to tend to Gabrielle. She cleaned Gabrielle's wounds and made her as comfortable as possible, prepared to wait until Gabrielle was physically strong enough to make the journey.

But her spiritual journey was nearly half over. Gabrielle had come a long way that morning out of the darkness and back into the light. The hardest battle was yet to come, but Xena was sure of the young woman's strength of will, confident she would be able to defeat her demons once and for all.

It was two days later that Xena and Gabrielle set out from the glade, heading toward Athens. Xena had sensed Antonius drawing closer, knowing he would follow them, but that was of little consequence at the moment. She only needed to keep ahead of him and his men. Xena would deal with him once she knew Gabrielle would be safe.

The four day journey to the temple was uneventful. Gabrielle still suffered from the nightmares, both old and new. But each time she awoke shaking in fear and anger, there would be Xena, a rock of stability for her to cling to, unmovable in her strength and love. Gabrielle held onto that love, knowing that if she were to let it go she risked the very survival of her soul.

Upon reaching the temple mid way through the fourth day, Xena and Gabrielle made their way inside, where Xena prepared the traditional sacrifice demanded by the Goddess. They then sat down to wait. It was nearly dark when they were startled by a brilliant flash. When their eyes had adjusted, Artemis stood before them. Dressed in traditional Amazon garb, Artemis approached Gabrielle, extending her hands. Gabrielle accepted them a little fearfully.

"Do not fear me my sister. I have come to help." The Protectress of Women said gently. She then turned to Xena, "Are you prepared to make the sacrifice, Xena? Are you prepared to pay the price?"

Xena nodded, "I am ready."

Gabrielle turned sharply to face the warrioress. "What sacrifice, Xena?"

Xena said nothing in reply, but simply stared deep into the beautiful green eyes that now regarded her worriedly.

"Don't worry, Gabrielle." the Warrior Princess said finally, "Everything is going to be fine."

But Gabrielle was not so sure, a fear suddenly taking hold of her. A fear that she may now gain everything back and more, or lose it all, forever.

PART IV: THE SACRIFICE

Gabrielle saw the look on Xena's face, and knew she wasn't going to like the response she was about to hear. She voiced the question again.

"Xena, answer me," the bard began calmly, "what sacrifice?"

Xena saw the determination in the eyes that regarded her. Her decision had already been made, she was not about to turn back, but Gabrielle had a right to know what was at stake.

"Gabrielle, Artemis has offered to help you, but everything comes at a price."

"Why do I have the feeling I'm not going to like this." Gabrielle said, her fear growing.

Xena took a deep breath, steeling herself for the argument she saw coming.

"Gabrielle, the feelings you have, the demons, I told you before there is a way to rid you of them. But they cannot be destroyed." Xena stopped, looking to Artemis. The Protectress of Women took up where Xena had left off.

"Gabrielle, this ritual you will undergo merely draws the dark from you, but it will look to reside elsewhere. In order for this to work, someone must willingly accept the dark from you."

Gabrielle suddenly understood.

"You have to take my demons, my hate and rage, don't you, Xena."

"Yes." Xena answered simply.

"No! Xena I won't let you. I won't let you do it!" Gabrielle objected vehemently, looking to Artemis for help.

"It is not my decision to make or influence, my sister. This is Xena's path, her decision."

Gabrielle turned back to Xena, but the warrioress interrupted her before she could protest.

"Gabrielle, my mind is made up. This is the only way. You deserve better than to have to live with this. I won't let you live with it, as I have, if there's anything I can do about it."

Gabrielle studied the Warrior Princess closely. She saw the hard set of her jaw, her body tensed as if awaiting a blow, and knew she was fighting a hopeless battle. Xena wasn't about to give in, but Gabrielle tried once more to sway her mind.

"Xena, just think about this for a minute, ok? Have you considered what this could do to *you*? I mean, what if this awakens some of your own demons."

Gabrielle had touched on the one reservation Xena herself still held. But she felt, deep down to the very core of who she really was, that she could bear the burden for both of them.

"Gabrielle, I've dealt with those feelings and demons for a long time. I conquered them before and now I'm in control, not them. I can handle it." Xena stated confidently. "Please, let me do this for you."

Gabrielle's arguments died on her lips at hearing the proud woman's words. She trusted Xena, but more importantly she trusted in herself. She would stand by her friend and if called upon, would help Xena to control the rage as she had in the past. Gabrielle nodded slightly, "Ok, ok Xena."

The two faced the Goddess who turned to lead them up the narrow stairs leading to a raised dias. At the top she motioned them to sit facing each other as she reached for a goblet resting on a small table near the center of the platform. She held it aloft and called out, "I call upon my Sisters! I call upon the spirit of the Amazon! Heed my word! I am the Patron of the Amazon! I am Artemis! Come to me now!" At the command from the Goddess, Xena and Gabrielle could feel a subtle shift in the room, like they were being watched. Then, as if in a dream, they could see shadowy images approach from all directions. Spirits of the ancient Amazon warriors came then, wraiths called by the Goddess to witness this redemption of a soul.

The spirits moved to form a circle around the dias, their faces upturned expectantly toward Artemis. The Goddess turned and handed the challis to Gabrielle.

"They are your sisters, Gabrielle, come to witness your redeeming and Xena's sacrifice. Drink of the waters of life and look deep into yourself. Seek out the demons, the monsters that would see you made over in their image."

Gabrielle drank of the cup offered to her and then returned it, suddenly feeling lightheaded. Her eyes slid closed, as she turned her mind in on itself, searching for her darker half. Artemis turned and held out the goblet to Xena, who drank as well, her eyes slowly closing.

"Draw on each other." the Goddess warned. "You are each other's strength." Artemis then used her power to transport Xena into Gabrielle's mind. Xena found herself on an empty plain, an inky blackness engulfing her. The warrioress became aware of the emotions surrounding her, and realized she was inside the dark side of Gabrielle's soul. She was taken aback by the intensity of the feelings that now assaulted her mind. The hate, the anger, the cold fury! They were so much stronger than she had expected! Xena felt her mind reeling, jolted by an electric charge that coursed through her.

Xena sensed the demons she had come to battle for control of Gabrielle's soul drawing closer, awakening her own buried feelings. They seemed to be drawn to the darkness Xena harbored within herself, seeking a kindred spirit. It was then that Xena became aware of another presence, one that radiated trust and love and knew Gabrielle had found her way to the warrioress, prepared to fight for control of her own soul.

"Gabrielle?" Xena called.

"I'm here, Xena." the bard replied. Xena could feel her closeness, the pure part of Gabrielle's soul emitting a light that shone forth in the darkness. Xena smiled at the sight of her companion, and Gabrielle smiled in return.

A shadow passed over the bard's face, "I can feel them near. They're coming for us."

From the blackness emerged the twisted and hulking figures, malice and contempt on their contorted faces. Their slight forms skeletal and hunched, they lurched toward the pair.

"You seek to rid yourself of us, little one?" they asked in unison, their voices a frightening wail, echoing in the darkness.

Gabrielle turned to face them, courage reflected in her stance, she could feel Xena's strength and determination and used them to steel herself against the impending onslaught.

"Yes." Gabrielle said defiantly.

"You cannot! We are you! You cannot cast us off!" the monsters hissed. Gabrielle stepped closer.

"No!" she shouted. "Not anymore! You are not me!"

"You say the words, but we know. We control you, we are your truth!" the words were wielded like weapons, their intent to destroy the light Gabrielle held close. The blow struck at Gabrielle's courage, doubt clouding her mind. Xena could see her stagger and moved to Gabrielle's defense.

"You will not take her!" Xena spat. "You want to control, to dominate? Come for me!"

"We already have her, warrior woman! She is ours!" the demons asserted.

"No! Not yet you don't!" Xena cried.

Gabrielle struggled against her dark half, but felt her strength fading under its assault. Xena could feel the bard slipping away from her, back toward the darkness and called out to her, "Gabrielle! Fight them! Don't give up!"

Gabrielle looked up into Xena's eyes and saw what she needed to survive.

"That's it, Gabrielle! Take it! Take hold of my love, my strength! Use them against the darkness!"

Gabrielle felt the power rush through her, exhilaration filling her. She reached out and took hold of the love freely offered to her and turned it on the creatures that faced her.

"I am in control now! I have the strength! I have the power!" with that Gabrielle struck the blow that repulsed her private demons. The power of the love Gabrielle had accepted caused the demons to recoil, wounded, and they turned to the warrioress. Reaching out and caressing the darkness within Xena's soul, their greed for conquest overtaking them. They came for Xena, hungry in their need for a soul to inhabit.

Xena could see the light that shone from Gabrielle growing brighter as she thrust at the monsters that had ruled her soul and the warrioress knew her time to do what she must had come. Without reservation, Xena opened her mind to the rage and hate, welcoming them into herself, sacrificing her own sense of self to the rage and hate.

"Come for me! I'm who you want!" Xena called as she was rocked by the feelings of rage and fury that now ran amok throughout her soul, awakening the warlord she had thought to have left behind. Joining with the new and intense emotions, the dark side of Xena became even more powerful than ever before.

Back within the temple, Gabrielle slumped over as the darkness was drained from her psyche, exhaustion claiming her. But within Xena's mind, the battle raged anew. Xena could feel the fury and anger threatening to overwhelm her and she brought her own arsenal to bear. Bolstered by the lingering sensation of Gabrielle's love for her and the bard's own courage to face the demons, Xena clashed with the raw emotions, forcing them steadily back as she had done so many times over the last two years. The fight was a familiar one to the Warrior Princess, one she refused to lose. Xena struggled against the dark, willing it to the recesses of her mind that had become their home. They had become much stronger with the addition of Gabrielle's anger, but Xena had a new weapon, the power of Gabrielle's love. Xena wielded the weapon skillfully and was at last able to lock the demons away behind a wall of determination, but the walls were barely able to contain them.

The shields within herself tentatively in place, Xena awoke from her trance to see Gabrielle lying on her side. She scanned the temple seeking the Goddess, but soon realized they were alone, Artemis had gone as had the specters of the ancient Amazons. Xena rose shakily to her feet, and went to Gabrielle's side.

"Gabrielle?" Xena called softly, reaching out to gather Gabrielle into her arms. Sweat shone on the younger woman's face, her breathing slow and even. At the sound of Xena's voice, Gabrielle began to awaken, stirring ever so slightly in Xena's embrace.

A smile flashed across Xena's face as she saw Gabrielle's eyes flutter open.

"Gabrielle? It's ok. It's all over. You're ok." Xena soothed, relief evident in her voice.

"Xena?" Gabrielle asked softly. "Xena, are you all right?" concern for her friend foremost in Gabrielle's mind as she slowly came awake.

"Yes, Gabrielle. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Gabrielle queried, looking for any sign that perhaps Xena was not being entirely truthful with her. She could see the effort Xena was expending to keep her mental walls up and longed to help her with her inner battle.

Gabrielle forced herself to sit up and look Xena in the eyes.

"Xena, I know what you have done for me. I don't know what to say to you."

"Gabrielle, you don't have to say anything. I would do anything for you, you know that."

"I'll be here for you, Xena." the bard asserted. "I want to help you."

"You already do that, everyday. Just knowing you are with me gives me the strength to go on." Xena said quietly, her arm still around Gabrielle's shoulders, unwilling to let go of her just yet.

Without warning, the doors to the temple burst open to admit Antonius and ten of his personal guards. His eyes roaming the temple, his gaze came to rest on the two women at the top of the dias. An evil smile touched his lips.

"Xena! I knew I would find you eventually. It's time we finished this, now!" Antonius called, revenge in his heart.

At the sight of the man who had caused Gabrielle such suffering and angst, the frail walls Xena had erected to contain her furor crumbled and the anger and rage came bursting forth. She dropped her arms to her sides and rose slowly to face the king. Gabrielle saw the change in Xena, but hesitated at the sight of the man who had driven her to the brink of destruction.

"Antonius." Xena's voice was hard and unfeeling as she drew her sword, intending to make him pay for what he had done in several slow and painful ways. The king's guard moved to protect him, drawing their own weapons.

The order was given by their commander, "Take her, protect the king!" The company rushed forward as one. Xena vaulted from the dias, meeting the onslaught with delight, the rage seeking a release in the bloodlust. Xena slashed through the first wave as if they barely existed, her blade cutting a deadly arc through the ranks, leaving only death in its wake.

"Yes!" cried the voices in her mind, "Kill, Dark One! Give us the blood of your enemies!"

Xena's skill was at its peak, she had never felt such power, such exaltation. She wove in and through the remaining soldiers, thrusting, parrying, killing quickly and easily. In moments, she stood alone, the moans of the dying rising to greet her ears. She stood panting, the lust for revenge glittering in her eyes. She turned on Antonius, who had stood riveted by the spectacle before him. He drew his own weapon, but knew he didn't have a chance. Xena approached him slowly, toying with him.

"You wanted me, Antonius? Well, here I am." Xena said, her voice dripping with contempt.

The king knew he was a dead man, but he chose to face his fate with courage and brought his sword up in front of his body. With a cry that froze him where he stood, Xena charged at him, her blade twirling and spinning. The clang of blade upon blade reverberated throughout the temple as Xena's weapon struck Antonius' with such force that the king had been unable to keep his grip on the pommel and watched as it sailed from his hand.

Gabrielle watched all of this from her vantage point atop the platform and realized that Xena was going to murder the now unarmed man.

"NO!" Gabrielle cried. "Xena stop!"

Xena stood with the point of her sword poised to strike Antonius down in one quick motion. At the sound of Gabrielle's voice she hesitated, the emotions in the bard's voice reaching out to the true Xena buried beneath the darkness.

"Don't do it, Xena! Don't kill him!" Gabrielle called desperately, knowing that if the warrioress was to slay the king in cold blood, the dark side of her soul would win her over and Gabrielle would lose that which she held most precious. Seeing that her words were having an affect, Gabrielle made her way off the altar and down to where Xena stood, the Warrior Princess' weapon still poised to strike.

"Please Xena, fight it! I know you can do it! Don't give in to the hate! Revenge is not the way, Xena. Let him find justice, but not at the tip of your sword!" Gabrielle cried as she crossed the temple floor.

"Gabrielle," Xena began, her voice overflowing with rage, "he has to pay for what he did to you! He must die."

"That's not you talking, Xena." Gabrielle countered, "I know you, and you don't kill unarmed men! You don't kill for revenge! Please Xena, put down the sword."

The demons loosed in Xena's soul cried out to her, "Don't listen to her Dark One! Kill him, now! Listen to us! Give us his blood!"

Xena was torn. She knew what Gabrielle said was true, but she could not silence the voices that cried for Antonius' blood.

Gabrielle could see Xena struggling and used the one weapon she had left to her, but it was one that had served her well.

"I love you, Xena." Gabrielle said softly. "Please, for me, don't do this."

Xena, hearing Gabrielle's plea, fought with renewed vigor to contain the demons, forcing them once more behind the mental barriers she had constructed to inhibit them. Gabrielle could feel the battle that raged within the Warrior Princess and silently prayed to Artemis to give Xena strength.

The warrioress could feel the mental cage slipping into place, locking the demons away, at least for now. She let her sword drop, the tip resting on the ground as if she no longer had the will to lift it.

Xena turned to face Gabrielle, and seeing the light that radiated from her face and the love reflected in her eyes, she knew that once again, the bard had been her salvation.

PART VII: EPILOGUE

Xena and Gabrielle had returned to the peaceful clearing where they had camped that first night after leaving Appolonia, a lifetime ago. They each had journeyed far, each discovering that they were stronger together than apart, each forced to deal with the darkness in her own way.

Gabrielle could still feel the remnants of the rage and anger that had nearly overwhelmed her and knew she had been forever changed by the experience. But Gabrielle had forced herself to draw on the dark side she now knew could exist, using it to give her strength and power over her own life, her own destiny. Gabrielle also felt something else; a feeling she had never known with such intensity before. The love she shared with Xena. She as yet did not know what form that love might take, only of its reality.

Xena for her part, had quelled the voices of hate and fury, for the time being. Her barriers became stronger everyday as she learned to cope with the raw power of those feelings, Gabrielle's love giving her the courage to face each day.

They had spent nearly a week in that serene setting after delivering Antonius back to his people for whatever sentence they saw fit to give him. He had been a callous and uncaring ruler after the death of his son, and the two women had felt that he would receive justice, that had been enough.

"Xena?"

"Hmm."

"I don't think I ever thanked you for what you did for me. Thank you." Gabrielle said.

"You're welcome, Gabrielle. How are you feeling?" Xena asked, looking for reassurance.

"I can still feel it, the darkness, but it's like the memory of a dream. I know it's there, but I can't really touch it." Gabrielle laughed. "I'm not making any sense, am I?"

"No actually, I do understand. You will always feel that part of yourself, Gabrielle. It's up to you what you do with it. Now you know what you are capable of, the depths to which you may fall. It can be a strength or a weakness, the choice is yours." Xena told her.

"I know. I just hope I never have to see that side of myself again." Gabrielle replied, a shudder passing through her.

"It's a part of you. A part you are going to have to learn to live with." Xena said

"Like you do." Gabrielle said simply.

"Yeah." Xena said, smiling at the storyteller. "Get some sleep, Gabrielle. We're leaving in the morning."

"G'night, Xena." Gabrielle said as she lay back on her bedroll.

"Night, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle curled into her blanket and felt Xena draw closer to her, preparing for sleep. They had slept this way ever since the temple, each seeking solace in the embrace of the other, needing the physical contact. Xena placed her arm around Gabrielle's waist and pulled her close. "I love you." she said simply.

"I love you, too." Gabrielle replied, sleep drawing her into Morpheus' realm, free once more to dream of love and peace.

The End

I would like to dedicate this story to my husband, who helped to pull me out of my own darkness and into the light with his love, acceptance, and understanding. I love you, Robert.

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