Before Their Time
by Xat
Disclamer: Xena, Hercules, Lyceus and any other charcters that have appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The legendary Journy's are not mine how ever much I want them to be but the ones that you don't recognise are my own creations. The situations however vagely refered to in this story are also not mine and I claim no credit for them.
This piece of Fanfiction is mine however and it may not be reproduced without permission from me. I will be quite happy to oblige, I just want notification.
Warning: This fanfiction contains sexual references and some vilonce. If either offends you then please find a story more suited to your preferences.
Rating: PG15+
Setting: Around the time Amphipolis was attacked by Cortese.
Summary: When I wrote this I was exploring the idea of what would have happened if Hercules had met and helped Xena defend her village as well as save Lyceus' life. Here is my conclusion. I hope you enjoy the journey.
Prologue
Unitified by blood and courage Amphipolis' only defenders stood side-by-side overlooking the valley in which their home village nestled, seemingly peaceful and content. One, the smallest of the two was just out of his childhood, perhaps sixteen years old and overflowing with confidence. He had short sandy hair and kind green eyes, the type that make you feel welcome when you have not a friend in sight. The other was a beautiful young woman, a year older than her brother and taller in height. She had medium long raven hair and the most stunning eyes that reflected the very essence of her soul.
The young man was dressed in leather pants and a linen shirt with a short sword attached to his belt while the young woman was dressed in a simple white linen shift that reached her mid thigh and exposed her long shaped legs. She too had a short sword attached at her hip and stood with a natural grace that made her appear like a goddess.
In the distance smoke could be seen rising from the mountain tops.
"They are only two days march away at best - we don't have much time." The young woman said turning towards herbrother
"I know Xena, but we have both tried and nobody seems to listen." The young man explained regretful
"Then we'll just have to do it ourselves." She replied venomily, not at her brother but at the entire world for putting her in this situation. She marched back towards the village like a demon possesed. Lyceus shook his head and followed.
Chapter One
Xena and Lyceus strode towards their home village of Amphipolis. Lyceus was pondering over the change in his sister when all of a sudden she stopped cold and held out her hand, motioning for him to stop. Her eyes darted around everywhere which made him nervous. It was as if she was sensing a future danger. The hairs on his neck began to prickle and he spun around and drew his sword. Xena had drawn hers too and they stood back to back waiting for something to happen.
Without warning men burst out from behind the bushes from all directions, surrounding them. He counted approximetely eight of them before his attention was drawn to the leader. He was noticably bigger than the others and carried a sword unlike the others who all weilded clubs. Lyceus watched, sickened by the sight as his dark eyes traveled all the way over his sisters body.
Xena's anger grew as the butt ugly man who hadn't bathed for years leered at her, but now wasn't the time to lose her temper, she was confident they would both get through this if she kept focused.
Butt Ugly spoke. "Well, well, looky what we have here boys!"
The men who were by no means better looking than their leader laughed.
"Quite a prize isn't she ?"
"Are we going to sell her to the slavers Kantivolus?"
Xena caught the butt ugly man's name - It didn't matter though - he was still ugly.
"No, take a good look at her." As if they hadn't already. "She's much to valuable to be sold to the slavers . . . I'll keep her as my personal slave."
The ruffians laughed once again as their leader took a step closer to their prize. "I bet you'd like that wouldn't you sweety . . . .after all only a real man could satisfy someone like you . . . "
At last Xena spoke, her voice just a sensual as her graceful body "Oh and do you think you're a real man?"
Lyceus would have blew up at Xena if they had not been in this situation. He couldn't believe it . . . she was only putting them in more danger by encouraging them like that.
Kantivolus grinned as he came within a hairs breath away from Xena, his dirty hand placed suggestively round her waist. "I'll show you just how much of a real man I am and if I'm not up to your standards than
I'll keep on practicing until you start screamin'"
Xena spat in his face. Kantivolus spun around and wiped it off his cheek. "Lucky for you that I like my women with a bit of . . . . . spirit, it makes them much more fun."
"I am not one of your women." Xena purred dangerously.
Kantivolus laughed. "Your right, your still a young girl aren't you ?" His eyes roamed her body once again "A very beautiful girl at that, you are also lucky that I like my women young."
"Very lucky." Xena shot back sarcasim dripping from her voice.
"Now come with us freely and your companion may go unharmed."
"NO XENA!" Lyceus shouted.
"Xena . . ." Kantivolus said thoughtfully " Throw down your sword and I promise you can put up all the fight you want in my tent tonight."
Xena smiled but there was nothing joyous about it "I'd prefer to put up a fight now thank you."
"Have it your way." Kantivolus said before drawing his sword.
He was about to charge at them when a lone man jumped from an overhanging branch.
Kantivolus was momentarily shocked. Lyceus was surprised and also very relieved. Xena was angry that she hadn't known he was there.
Chapter Two
The newcomer was very tall with sandy brown hair that fell to his shoulders. He stood well over six feet tall, his height even surpassed that of Xena's who was among the tallest of both men and women in her village. He had broad shoulders and an extremly muscular body. Xena couldn't help but admire his physique but when she realised she was attracted to him she grew even more angry at herself.
He turned towards Kantivolus "I'm sure the lady and her friend would much rather go about their buisness than deal with the likes of you, so I'd suggest you be on your way."
Xena laughed inside, she'd much rather kick their butt's than go home to all of those accusing faces.
"I'm sure they would, but I'd much rather deal with the likes of them, especially her."
The ruffians laughed.
"If you want to deal with them you'll have to deal with me first."
Without a hesitation Kantivolus roared "Get them!"
The newcomer laughed "You don't know how many times I have heard that." before grabbing the two closest to him and smashing their heads together with a sickening thud.
Before Xena knew it she was facing three of the men. They hadn't acted yet, obiously they had underestimated her. 'Oh well' she thought as she sliced open two of them before the third had drawn his weapon. 'Their mistake.'
Kantivolus watched in horror as the last of his men fell to the ground either unconsious or dead. His pride prevented him from running but it also would be his death. The newcomer strode towards him purposely, apparently he had taking the beautiful young woman to his heart.
"This will teach you to hastle innocent's." He sneered as he threw Kantivolus into the base of the tree.
Lyceus was amazed at his strength. Xena felt like she had been stung when he had refered to her as an innocent, she had killed more than one person in the last minute alone.
Recovering she ran up to stand between the newcomer and Kantivolus who had just regained his feet. She wanted to show him as well as this giant of a man that she could take care of herself.
"Stay out of this." She growled "He's mine."
She turned back to Butt Ugly and twirled her sword around her body as he drew his once again.
"I am going to enjoy this." He said full of confidence now that that brute of a man had apparently lost interest in him.
"Me too . ." She purred back.
He charged at her. She fliped backwards, her body parallel to the ground as she planted her feet on the tree truck and sprung off, flipping over his head. She landed like a cat, her face flushed with the thrill of flying
through the air and her crystal blue eyes sparkeling with excitement.
"Missed." She laughed.
Kantivolus growled as he charged at her once more, this time ready to strike at her when she flipped over him again. She didn't, which left him wide open and Xena seeing the opening like a veteran warrior, slit his
stomach open so wide that his entrails spilled out onto to the ground.
Lyceus almost gaged. The newcomer stood transfixed, never in all his travels had he seen a woman fight with the ease and natuaral grace as her, or one so deadly. Xena knelt down in front of him as he felt his life draining away.
"Was it worth it?" She asked, her eyes cold and emotionless.
Kantivolus moaned as he fell to the ground dead. Xena stood and wiped her sword on his tunic before walking over to the newcomer who was standing next to her brother.
"Well, I guess you didn't need my help." The newcomer said, admiration clearly in his voice.
"Yes that's right, we didn't." She practically spat.
"Xena!" Lyceus called as his sister turned to walk away.
Xena spun around at his call. "You coming Lyceus . . . we don't have time for chit-chat."
"Ill be right behind you."
She gave the newcomer another cold look, hiding her true feelings deep inside. "Whatever." she mumbled before walking off.
Chapter Three
"Is she always like that?" the newcomer questioned.
"Only since she . . .well only recently."
The newcomer nodded.
"I'm sorry, my name is Lyceus, I come from Amphipolis."
"Hercules."
The two shook hands.
"Who was your friend?"
"Oh, that was my sister Xena. Thankyou very much for the help earlier."
"Doesn't look like you needed it. Where did she learn to fight like that?"
Lyceus laughed. "We have been practicing together ever since I can remember. Xena was always better than me, she has this fire inside her, its hard to explain, it drives her to do what even seems impossible."
Hercules smiled "I noticed."
Lyceus smiled back. "Come, you must have dinner with us, my mother owns an Inn in our village."
"Are you sure, your sister doesn't seem to fond of me ?"
"Don't be to sure, she never shows what she is really feeling inside, she actually probably likes you."
"Well I suppose I could do with a good meal."
"Great!" Lyceus exclaimed. "My mother would be delighted to meet you."
Hercules and Lyceus started towards Amphipolis. On the way Lyceus informed Hercules about Cortese's impending attack and he was delighted when he decided to help them fight. The sun had almost set when they reached the Inn and as Hercules entered he could not bring himself to stop thinking about the one they called Xena.
To Be Continued...
"And if anything moves
between here and the trees...kill it!"
Xena at her best - "The Price"
Any comments would be much appreciated.
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