"Her!" replied the nearest villager who pointed a finger at the reclining warrior.

"Now wait a minute. We don't want any trouble, just wanted to see your healer." Gabrielle spoke softly and more slowly. She sensed the nervous, tense mood of the ever increasing numbers of villagers who were trying to enter the already crowded room.

An elderly man in a blue tunic elbowed his way through the crowd to the front and then began pushing some of the villagers out of the room. "Get back, all of you. We can't breath in here."

While he continued to push back on the crowd, a large comely woman with a shock of red hair swung around the old man and turned to face the young bard. "I'm Lendila, the healer. Are you hurt?"

"No, please look at my friend. She has a cough."

The healer glanced over at the warrior who had watched the crowd and the movements of the old man with a stone face and cold crystal blue eyes.

"Young woman, your friend will have no need of me. She will be executed long before a cough will kill her. Don't you know who she is?"

Gabrielle's eyes narrowed as she spat out angrily. "I am well aware of who my best friend is. She is a woman who has performed incredible acts of courage and self-sacrifice saving the lives of strangers and battling the forces of evil and darkness all over this land. She has saved countless villages from harm and restored the lives of numerous people with her own healing skills. Just today, she fought slavers to return the daughters of this village to their homes and save them from worse than death. I do not know why you believe she should be executed. I do know that you will look at her and try to help her cough or by the gods you will have me to deal with!"

With a quick jerk of her thumb towards Xena, Gabrielle stared at the healer daring her to refuse. The large woman shifted her weight uncomfortably and finally muttered, "I could take a look."

Gabrielle glanced back at the warrior's face only to see an eyebrow arch and amused blue eyes roll upward. With a shrug, Gabrielle returned the look with one of her own. She noted with a slight grin how fast Xena returned her warrior mask to her face as she gave the healer an icy stare. She turned back to the woman to try to reassure her Xena wouldn't bite but was stopped by a sudden narrowing of the healer's eyes. "Hmmm, well get out of my way and let me see what I can do for this evil warlord and destroyer of nations." She moved boldly by Gabrielle and marched to the bed side of the warrior who continued to glare at the woman with her best intimidating Xena look.

The healer's eyes softened slightly as a sudden bout of coughing wrenched the warrior upward. Xena struggled to gain control of the spasm that followed and laid back in exhaustion as the latest wave passed. The healer turned, reached into her pouch at her side and produced a cloth. She used it to wipe the trace of blood from Xena's lips. She then reached over to grab the water skin and hand it to the warrior. After Xena had taken several swallows, the large woman knelt down by the bed side and placed a hand on the warrior's head. She nodded slowly, "Some fever." She looked carefully into the warrior's clear eyes, ignoring the icy return stare and then leaned her head over to place an ear against Xena's chest.

Gabrielle started forward with a warning look at the warrior. Xena was not know to lie still for anyone touching her unbidden. The woman was touchy enough to knock a person into the next county for startling her warrior's reflexes. The stern look of the bard was returned with yet another roll upward of the warrior's eyes who lay still. Letting out her breath, Gabrielle turned back to the old villager who had managed to remove enough people from the room to make conversation possible.

"Now young woman, I am Anthelis head elder of the village of Thorbis. I am here to arrest the warlord known as Xena and take her away to the town jail. I must inform you that she has been judged and sentenced to death several years ago for her crimes against these people."

"How can you try someone who isn't even there to defend herself? That is not justice, it's murder." The bard stared at the old man with fiery green eyes. She took a deep breath and again softened her tone.

"Look Anthelis, my name is Gabrielle and I've traveled a lot with Xena. She's changed and has done wonderful things for people. She saved the girls of this village from slavers. I think we need to talk this over."

There were several angry mutters from the crowd in back of the elder. A gray haired woman shook her fist and yelled, "She killed my husband. Death to the monster." Others took up the cry and the crowd began to press forward again.

"Enough," shouted the elder as he raised his arms and again drove the crowd back. "Silence."

He turned back to the young bard and then glanced over at the warrior as the healer lifter her head and stood up. "So you know some healing, do you warrior?" she asked Xena with a stern look. The warrior nodded but still said nothing. "Then you know that you have the lung sickness. It is far advanced since you are coughing up blood. There is a rattle in your chest. You might indeed die before this crowd can execute you."

"Lendila, just what are you doing? I'm trying to arrest this woman."

"Oh, be off with you, you old fraud. She isn't going anywhere. If they had wanted to leave or kill us for that matter, something tells me we would have been dead already." The healer turned piercing gray eyes on the bard. "I can help your friend with some herbs and treatments for her cough. She will need complete rest." She paused and turned back to the elder. "I'm not letting you take her to that cold damp jail. She will stay here until she is well or dies, whatever the fates have in store for her. Once she is better, you can decide what you want to do with her but remember she did save our children." The healer turned back to Gabrielle and her comely face softened into a small smile. "Inda is my daughter. Thank you both for bringing her back to me." As she finished, tears came to her eyes. She glanced back at the warrior who dropped her own eyes for the first time.

"Humpf, well I never...and just what makes you think she won't just leave when she feels better? Perhaps, even murder us all in our sleep."

Xena raised her head and pulled her body up so that she was sitting upright resting against the head of the bed. She eyed the crowd and then returned her icy stare to the old man who shuttered involuntarily under her gaze. "For what it's worth, I give you my word I won't leave."

"Not good enough," yelled a villager from the back of the crowded room as the muttering of the crowd increased again.

"Here, put these on her and maybe we can all get some sleep." Stepping forward, one of the villagers handed Anthelis a set of leg irons with a sturdy bar welded between each anklet. He was also given wrist irons with a chain between them that attached to another piece of heavy chain that ended in a throat collar. Anthelis dropped the bundle with a clang, unable to hold onto the heavy load. He gingerly picked up the leg irons and looked at the warrior. Her face was a stoic mask as she lifted her eyes to meet Gabrielle's stare. She nodded slightly.

"No," the bard said firmly. "No collar and she doesn't need anything on her wrists. She has bad arm wounds."

The elder glanced at the bandaged arms of the warrior and inclined his head. "Agreed." He moved to the foot of the bed with the leg irons and paused. His hands were shaking so badly, it was clear he was not going to be able to shackle the warrior. Gabrielle sighed and looked again at the face of her best friend. The warrior had slid back down until she was laying flat on the bed. The pain and weariness the bard saw written on the warrior's face tore at her heart. "Do it, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle took the irons from the old man and clasped them around the ankles of the warrior. Once they were locked with the iron bar that held the warrior's ankles in place, she gave the key to the elder and turned back to the crowd. "Okay, show's over. Now all of you, get out!"

With a murmur, the crowd filed back out of the room. The elder followed them with a quick glance back over his shoulder.

The healer closed the stout door behind the retreating crowd, moved to the fireplace and began building up a blaze. She pulled her pouch from around her neck and took out different dried plants. "I use mint, eucalyptus, chicory root and some camphor for a tea. I also make a paste that I'll rub on your chest that is very aromatic. It will relieve the congestion. You must sit up and spit out the phlegm that is in your throat. You agree?" She looked back at the warrior who had closed her eyes and seemed asleep. Finally, Xena turned her head to regard the healer a moment and finally whispered in a hoarse voice, "Quinoa in the tea as well if you have it." The healer nodded her agreement and continued to work. Gabrielle watched her for a moment and then turned with concern to her friend. She was greeted with a crooked grin and soft blue eyes that begged her not to worry. Gabrielle just rolled her eyes. Why should I worry? If the cough won't kill her a crowd of angry villagers will. I just delivered her into another situation where she is condemned to die. Good move, Gabrielle. You're now two for two.

"All right, Gabrielle help me get her up to a sitting position. She must not lie flat." Lendila smiled gently at the bard and then turned. "Come on, warrior. You know I'm right about this."

Xena opened weary glazed eyes and slowly began to struggle upright. Gabrielle was immediately at her side. She gently pulled her shoulders upwards until she was in a sitting position, her back and head resting against the back board of the bed. Lendila passed the cup to Gabrielle who brought it to Xena's lips. Suddenly, the warrior pushed the cup back almost spilling the contents on the bard. "What are you doing?" she demanded of the healer with a flash of angry piercing eyes.

"What's the problem?" The healer returned the glare of the warrior with one of her own. She pushed her bright hair out of her eyes and placed both hands on her wide hips.

"This has a sleeping drug in it. I can smell it. Any reason you are trying to knock me out?"

Gabrielle rolled her eyes and looked pleadingly at the warrior. Gods, even her sense of smell is better than any normal person.

Lendila grinned slightly and relaxed her stance. "All right, all right. Warrior, I have to admit you are pretty good. Yes, I added a sleeping powder. The lung disease in you is far advanced. The only way you will be able to over come it, is to get complete and total rest. You will have to sleep for days. We'll wake you periodically to eat a little to keep your strength up but deep sleep is what you need. I watched you. Even when laying down, you are tense and alert. That is not rest."

Xena's face was expressionless as she stared at the healer with icy cold eyes. "I can not afford the luxury of the kind of sleep you suggest."

"Xena please. I'll be here to watch over you. I promise." Gabrielle took the warrior's hand and looked gently into her eyes. "Gods know why you should believe me after all I've done. Yet I mean it. Lendila is right. This is your chance to get well. Please." The bard took the strong hand that rested in hers and held it against her face. The warrior turned her head. Her eyes softened as they filled with love for her best friend.

"Never could say no to you, Gabrielle," she said with a deep soft voice. In a hoarse whisper she continued, "I never doubted you or your intentions." She took the cup in her left hand while still holding on to Gabrielle's hand with her right. She drained it in one long gulp, handed the cup back to her friend and laid her head back against the wall, too weary to hold it up.

Lendila turned back to the table and brought the paste over to the warrior. "Do you want to do this?" she asked the bard.

"What do I have to do?"

"Just rub this on her chest. Should be done about every four hours."

The bard nodded, set the cup down, and held her hand up to receive the shallow bowl. She looked back at the warrior but Xena's eyes had grown too heavy to keep open. Gently, Gabrielle reached over and carefully applied the salve under the white sleeping shirt. She thought the warrior was asleep as she finished. Xena opened her eyes smiling slightly. "Feels good, warm," she mumbled. With that, she closed her eyes again and fell into a deep sleep.

Lendila nodded her approval and returned to the small table. She crushed and mixed more herbs quietly while Gabrielle watched.

Finally with a glance towards Xena, the young bard questioned the healer softly. "Will she be all right?"

The large woman turned and looked long into the bard's face. "I don't know. She is strong, powerful. She can become well if she wishes. She can also choose to give up and die. I can make it possible for her body to heal. It's up to you to help her choose to live. Even then, you will still have to deal with that crowd of villagers who will be demanding her life."

Gabrielle nodded slowly and glanced glumly out the small window. "One problem at a time." The sentence was becoming a mantra.

The next few days blended together into a sameness marked by Lendila reappearing every few hours to check on her patent. Gabrielle never left her side, putting the ointment on her chest and brewing the tea that she had learned how to make that kept Xena asleep. They fed Xena soups and stews several times a day. It was quite a chore to get much down the drugged warrior whose head would roll forward as sleep would claim her almost instantly. Gabrielle wiped her face with a cool cloth as Xena's fever would come and go. She watched for any sign of chills and kept the warrior warm but in an upright position.

As time passed, Gabrielle slid next to the warrior and held her to keep her warm as the chills started. She talked to her softly reciting poems and stories. Mostly, she just held the warrior close willing her to fight to stay alive.

As the afternoon sun of the third day streamed through the small window, Lendila pushed into the room and laid a rough hand on the bard. "Out you go. You've been here for three solid days. Go out and get some air and food. I'll watch over her."

Gabrielle jerked the hand off her arm and shook her head. "No. I won't trust guarding over her to anyone else. She wouldn't trust anyone else but Argo."

"Who's Argo?"

"That's her horse. Oh Cyclops turds. I've got to see to Argo. I'll be right back. Don't you leave her!" Gabrielle grabbed her staff and bolted out the door.

Lendila shook her head with an amused grin and turned back to the warrior only to be confronted with crystal blue eyes that regarded her thoughtfully. "How you feeling?"

"Better."

"Your cough seems to have faded."

The warrior nodded and closed her eyes a moment. "I owe you ...and Gabrielle. Thanks, you are a good healer."

"Coming from you, that is quite a compliment. But it is I who should be thanking you for the return of my daughter. She is my light, my life. After my husband was killed, she is all I have. Inda will come later to thank you herself."

"No need."

"Warrior, will you leave now?"

"Call me Xena." She paused a moment and seemed to look inward. "No, I'll stay and face your justice."

"They'll kill you. Is that fair to Gabrielle?" Lendila turned serious gray eyes on the warrior. "I don't know what drives you or even who or what you are. I do know that you killed my husband, most of the men in this village, burned us out and then saved my daughter. I don't know if I want you dead or just gone. I do know I don't want to watch your execution and that young woman should not have to witness it." Lendila looked at her hands a moment and then raised her eyes to the warrior in time to see the flash of pain and regret that crossed her face. "Ah, you do care about her, don't you? Thought so."

Xena raised her own eyes filled with shame to face the healer directly. "I am truly sorry about your husband. I am guilty of doing terrible things in my past. Nothing can ever undo or change the harm I caused so many. Now, I just do the best I can to atone and go on. I will agree to whatever punishment you deem fair."

"And Gabrielle?"

The warrior dropped her eyes to her hands but the pain and anguish visible there was not lost to the healer. "I'd hoped for more time....that is... I'd hoped we'd have time to work some things out. Still,... it's just as well, I guess. She should leave at first light, take Argo and go back home or perhaps to Athens." Her voice trailed off as she seemed lost in her own thoughts.

Lendila gave her head an impatient shake. "And just how are you going to make her go? She hasn't left your side all these days. By the gods, you are selfish. Thinking only of your own feelings. How can you inflict such sorrow on your friend? Warriors, humph, so brave, so courageous, so stupid." The healer rose and with an angry glare at her patient she pulled a key out of the pouch at her side. She strolled to the foot of the bed and roughly grabbed the warrior's shackled ankles. With a click of the key, the iron bracelets fell away as the bar that was suppose to be solid between them fell to the ground.

"Do you think I don't know that you could leave at anytime? You broke the restraining bar two nights ago."

Xena glanced up with a sheepish look on her face and one arched eyebrow. If the healer had not been so upset with the stubborn warrior, she would have let out a chuckle. "I had to go....you know out back," Xena admitted. "Didn't want to wake up anyone or cause trouble."

"Yeah, right. So now you are free, no excuses for you to still be here tomorrow. I won't say anything about your condition until morning when I'll have to let Anthelis know you are well. By then you can be long gone and they won't chase after you."

"No, but there still will be a price on my head and the villagers will send bounty hunters after me. That's how I learned I had been tried and sentenced in Thorbis in the first place."

"You knew you were going to be executed if you ever came back into this village and still you saved our children and came anyway? Why? Do you have a death wish?"

Xena dropped her eyes as shame crossed her face. "I always intended to come here and face your justice. I just.....well things happened and I put it off."

"Gabrielle happened, didn't she?"

"Yes," the warrior admitted softly. "I promised her I wouldn't leave her again. I just couldn't break that promise. Figured, one way or another I'd pay for what I did either here or in Tartarus."

"Xena, while you slept Gabrielle told me stories about you, amazing stories. Why would you leave this world to suffer? Why would you give up the fight you have waged against evil? Are you a coward after all?"

The warrior's head snapped up as icy blue eyes bore holes into the healer. Inadvertently, Lendila took in a quick breath. In an instant, she understood what it was like to look death in the face. In a flash, the look was gone replaced with one of sadness and regret. With a weary sigh, the warrior looked away.

Suddenly, the door burst open as Gabrielle charged into the room, taking deep breaths. She had run all the way.

"Argo was fine...she....wait. Xena, you're awake." The bard stared at her friend a moment and then her face broke out into a wide grin that wiped out all traces of worry. It seemed as if a burst of sun light threw the little room into a yellow glow. The healer couldn't help but return the smile and she noted that the warrior could not keep a crooked grin off her own face. The bard's enthusiasm was infectious.

"Hey, you look great! How do you feel?"

"Have to say, pretty good. I was just telling Lendila here that she must be a good healer. Had a great nurse as well." The bard basked in the warm glow of twinkling blue eyes.

"Well, I'll leave you two to talk. Xena, think about what I said. Please. Gabrielle, how about telling some stories tonight? We all enjoy hearing the tales of a good bard and I would love to share you with some of the other villagers." She gave the bard a meaningful stare, turned and was quickly out the door that she pulled closed behind her.

The bard turned back to her friend. "You know, Xena, Lendila has been great. She was here most of the time you were out."

"C'mere." Xena's low musical voice washed over the bard as she held out her arms. Gabrielle flew into them and they held each other in a glad embrace.

"Thanks for taking care of me, Gabrielle."

"No problem," Gabrielle whispered into Xena's dark hair as they held each other closely.

Gabrielle pulled back searching her best friend's face. What she saw caused her heart to sing. "You look so much better. Cough gone?"

"Seems to be."

"Outstanding." The bard's eyebrows knitted together as a frown slowly tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Now, what was Lendila talking about?" Again she searched her friend's face with serious green eyes.

When the warrior remained silent, the bard continued. "Ahuh. She told you to leave and you refused, right?"

"Something like that. Did you know that I killed her husband?" The warrior's voice dropped to a low whisper.

"Yes, she told me." Gabrielle glanced at the warrior's feet and noting the shackles removed, lifted her eyes back to Xena's face. "So, she took them off. What more convincing do you need? She doesn't want to see you executed, Xena. She has learned that the woman who killed her husband is already dead."

"Gabrielle," the warrior replied gently, "I won't run." She placed both hands on the bard's shoulders as they gazed into each other's eyes.

"Xena,.....you promised. I won't lose you again."

"Oh, Gabrielle." The warrior pulled her close embracing her in a fierce hug. "So much between us and now perhaps so little time. Let's just enjoy tonight and leave tomorrow to the fates. Please."

The bard sighed and returned the embrace. She snuggled closer to the warrior enjoying the warmth of her body. Perhaps Xena had a plan. In the Kingdom of Chin, Xena had harnessed a strange focused power which she had used to free herself and defeat the evil emperor. Gabrielle knew she would not use this power now. The bard also knew that this time she would not stand by silently and watch her best friend destroyed even if the reason for this was justice.

Finally the bard stirred. "I'll get us something to eat from the tavern."

Xena nodded her agreement. "How about I go with you? I'll stay back out of sight."

"Getting cabin fever?" Gabrielle teased gently.

The warrior grinned. "Yeah, kinda. Busted huh?"

"You doing okay?"

"Better than okay. I really feel good. Honest."

Gabrielle shook her head. "It's magic the way you heal up so fast."

The warrior swung over the edge of the bed and began to lace up her boots. "Let's go get something to eat and create a little more magic and less havoc for a change." She gave the bard a meaningful glance as she straightened up and stretched. Gabrielle slapped the warrior in the belly. "Enough. You raise more havoc than I do, on any given day."

"Mostly becomes necessary trying to get you out of some jam."

Gabrielle's smile faded as she dropped her eyes to the floor. Gods, was that the truth. Being here in this mess sure was another example.

Xena sensed the darkening mood of the bard and gently grabbed her arm. "C'mon, let's go see what they've got on the fire."

The warrior opened the door and slipped out into the main room of the tavern. Gabrielle noticed that she had not armed herself with either her sword or chakram. How strange for Xena to enter a room without any weapons! Gabrielle grabbed her staff and followed right behind her friend. Haven't lost that protective streak yet have I, she thought. She gave a silent chuckle, as if Xena would ever need her to fight off attackers.

Xena quietly sat down at a table in the back of the large common room with her back to the wall. The bard watched her a moment and then moved over to the counter on the other side. She saw the tavern owner and motioned to him. He stopped his animated discussion with a patron and inclined his head. "What do you have cooking for dinner?"

He glanced towards the back of the tavern and then back at the bard. "I've got lamb stew. That okay?"

"Yeah, that'll be fine. Also, two mugs of ale."

"Five dinars." As Gabrielle counted out the money, the proprietor turned his back and disappeared into a back room. He was soon back with a tray containing two steaming bowls, a hunk of black bread, and a small block of white cheese. He filled two earthen mugs and set them on the tray. As he accepted the money from the bard, again he glanced at the back table. "You know that tomorrow she dies. Hope she enjoys her last meal. It's better than she gave any of her victims from this village." He growled out the words in anger as his voice carried across the room.

Gabrielle stiffened as she felt two icy blue eyes on her. As she took the tray, she replied in a low voice, "Thank you for your hospitality." She turned and moved back across the room to the table located in the shadows in the back. She set the food down then slipped behind the table next to her partner. She glanced up to meet quiet pained eyes who regarded her softly. "Thanks, smells good."

The young woman nodded and took a sip of the ale. She suddenly found that she had lost her appetite but was glad to see her friend attack the meal with relish. If Xena noticed that Gabrielle pushed her food more around the bowl than into her mouth, she made no comment.

"Mind if I join you?" The two looked up into the smiling face of Lendila. Right behind her, Inda, her daughter peeked timidly over her shoulder. Seeing the two together, the mother daughter resemblance was amazing from carrot colored hair to the tall comely features and bright freckles that dotted their open faces.

"Please," Gabrielle motioned the two over to the bench on the other side of the table.

"Xena, Inda has something she wants to say to you."

The warrior inclined her head to one side and stared at the girl. She grew red in the face as she stammered, "Hum, thanks......I mean thank you for saving us."

Xena gave the girl a cold stern look. No emotions could be read on her face. Gabrielle alone caught the slight twinkle in her crystal blue eyes and chuckled silently. This was going to be good.

"How did those men catch you? Weren't you paying attention? Do you know how bad your mother would feel if they carried you all off and sold you? Girl, use your head and be careful. Next time there may not be anyone around to save you from your own foolishness." She gave the girl another cold stare and then averted her eyes to the room, dismissing her without another glance.

The teenager tried to speak several times but could only stammer and finally fell silent. Xena glanced over at the healer and was rewarded with a grateful smile. The healer turned to the young bard. "So, Gabrielle. Will you tell some tales tonight?"

"I don't know. Doesn't look like a very receptive crowd."

"Oh, pay no heed to Vargas, the tavern owner. He is sour all the time. In another hour or so, this place will be full. Most folks here love a good story. Will you tell one? I'll introduce you."

Gabrielle glanced at Xena who gave a slight nod. "I'd like to hear you."

"Any particular story?"

"No, I love them all. Just take it easy on me, okay?"

A wicked grin crossed the bard's face and Xena groaned. "On second thought,..."

"To late my friend."

Lendila laughed. Inda seemed to lose her timidity and fear as she heard the banter of the adults. "Is it true that you fought the Huns?"

Gabrielle laughed, "Yes, it's true. Xena lured them into a trap and killed their leaders."

"And Gabrielle led the Amazons and Centaurs that defeated them." Xena finished the statement for her with a note of pride in her voice.

"Wow, you did?" As the red began to creep up the neck of the bard, the warrior's grin widened. "Did you know that Gabrielle is actually the queen of the Amazons?"

"Really?"

"Yes, really and she also......"

"ENOUGH!" The bard shouted loudly enough to be heard at the next table. "I'm the bard here, Xena. Remember the rules. You fight, I talk. You were suppose to talk your way out of that last fight. Remember how that went."

The warrior's merry laugh, low and musical carried across the table. Lendila and Inda both looked at her in amazement. How beautiful and lovely her face when the warrior smiled. Gabrielle grinned widely at her friend. It always made her feel so warm inside when others got a glimpse of the Xena she knew.

Inda stole another glance at this woman, so feared yet so fearless. Her anger and dread of the warrior forgotten she stared openly with hero worship in her eyes. Gabrielle watched and laughed. She could spot a case of this disease a mile away. Had a bad case of it myself, she mused. Maybe I still do. She put a hand on the arm of her best friend and whispered, "You want some more ale?" The warrior covered her hand with her own and smiled into her eyes, "No, I'm fine."

"So, Gabrielle. Ready to tell some tales?" The bard glanced up and noticed every table was filled. Some villagers were standing around the bar, talking while filling their mugs. The tavern had become crowded and noisy.

Suddenly, Gabrielle felt her stomach turn over. Butterflies, she thought in amazement. When was the last time that she had been nervous before a performance? Then she remembered why. She was performing for Xena's life. The bard turned to the healer and nodded. "I'm ready whenever you are."

"Now before they drink too much and Xena has to knock a few heads." All eyes turned to the warrior who rolled her eyes upwards and feigned an innocent expression. "Hey, I'm the sick one here."

Lendila looked the warrior up and down and then shook her head. "Not so I'd notice." She rose from the table and with Gabrielle in tow made their way across the tavern to a slightly raised platform at one end.

Inda watched her mother as she confidently observed to the warrior, "Don't worry. They'll be quiet when mom tells them to."

"Ahuh," was the only response the warrior gave.

Lendila walked onto the platform and turned to face the crowd. "Friends, neighbors, please can I have your attention?" The crowd continued to talk and ignore the healer. "I said friends, kinsmen, we have a real treat tonight." Although she shouted her statement, nothing could be heard over the din in the crowded tavern. Suddenly, a shrill whistle pealed out over the crowd, so loud and piercing that a number of villagers put their hands to their ears. The immediate silence was almost deafening.

"S'okay. Now as I was saying, we are really lucky to have a world renown bard with us tonight, Athens trained. So please give your attention to Gabrielle, the bard."

With a slight wave of her hand, Lendila left the platform to the bard. Gabrielle stepped up and turned to her silent audience. She could feel their coldness and distrust. This was going to be one tough crowd. Remembering her advice to other bards, she decided on her first story and began to see it unfold in her mind. I sing of Xena the great warrior princess and how she and Hercules freed Prometheus thus saving all mankind."

In the back of the room, Xena groaned softly. This was going to be a long night. As the bard's voice rose and fell, her gestures making the story come to life, Xena found herself becoming engrossed in the tale. Soon she along with the whole room, felt their emotions rise in terror only to fall in sorrow. Just when the tension reached an almost unbearable peak, the bard would tell something funny and the room would shake with laughter. Finally, it was back to the thrilling climax. With the tale's end and Gabrielle's last dramatic gesture, the room fell completely silent. Then huge thunderous applause and cheers peeled out with chants of "More, More." Gabrielle smiled, "Very well." Quickly, before the audience could be distracted she launched into her next tale of yet another heroic deed performed by Xena.

The warrior could feel Inda's gaze and finally turned to the girl. "Inda, she is a bard. She exaggerates."

The girl just continued to stare so Xena turned her attention back to Gabrielle with a sigh. Lendila made her way back to the table and with a huge grin sat down. She whispered to the warrior, "She is wonderful." Xena nodded her agreement, already captivated by the bard's tale. Even though she knew them by heart, she was never proof against the bard's spell. As she glanced around the room, she could tell the entire room was under the control of the bard as well. Xena leaned back and became absorbed in the story.

Gabrielle told tales for several hours and yet the crowd demanded more. Finally, hoarse and tired, the bard performed her finale and bowed low to loud acclaim. She smiled, skipped off the platform and threaded her way through the crowded room back to her friend.

Xena passed over her mug of ale to the bard who took several sips. "Inda, get some water for Gabrielle, please?" Inda jumped up to pick up a water skin and return to the table. Gabrielle smiled her thanks and took several long pulls.

"Gabrielle, that was just fantastic. You are the best bard I've ever heard."

"Thanks Lendila." She turned to the warrior who smiled proudly at her with soft blue eyes. "Great performance," she whispered. "But you could have told a few more classics and left me out of some of your stories."

Gabrielle grinned at her friend, "Nah. You are a classic." She was rewarded with two arched eyebrows.

The bard turned to watch the crowded tavern as the noise level had reached the previous din. She also noticed that more than a few curious stares were leveled at her and the other occupants of the table. Try as she might though, she couldn't stiffen the yawn that tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Xena saw it immediately. "Bed time for bards. Think you've done enough damage for one night."

Lendila smiled as the two got up from the table. "I think she did fabulous good." She got up as well and drew the warrior close. "Did you decide to leave?" she whispered. When the warrior shook her head, the healer sighed. "Didn't think so. Anthelis will want you in the town square at noon. Xena, please don't be there."

The warrior with a trace of a sad smile took her hand. "Thank you Lendila for your help. I am very very sorry about your husband." She turned from the healer and placed a finger under Inda's chin forcing the girl's eyes to meet hers. "Remember what I told you, girl. Be safe." She patted Inda's head and turned. Taking Gabrielle's arm, she guided the tired bard towards their little room and left the din of the crowded tavern. A number of heads turned and stared openly as the two made their quiet exit.

Lendila also watched them go and then turned back to her friends and neighbors. She could see a mixture of emotions on their faces. Gabrielle had made it much more difficult for this crowd to execute Xena, the brave hero they had heard described tonight. Sill the healer knew that hatred runs deep and the warrior would not be spared. Tomorrow night we will all be murders with blood on our hands, she mused sadly. The very thing we want to punish so it will stop, we will actually foster with our own actions. And for what purpose? The dead will still be gone and a woman who has come to do good will be gone as well. Before she had met the warrior, Lendila had hated the warlord Xena and would have gladly killed her with her own hands. She knew that would be impossible now for her to do. If only she would just leave. The healer shook her head sadly. She knew that was impossible for the warrior to do.

Xena looked searchingly at the bard. "You don't look like you've had much sleep recently, my friend.
My fault?"

"I got some winks here and there. I'm fine, honest."

"Ahuh. Well, curl up and I'll douse this candle." With a sweep of her hand, Xena put the room into total darkness. She lay next to Gabrielle with her head against the backboard and her arm around the bard. She heard Gabrielle's quiet breathing and knew sleep was soon going to claim her.

"Xena."

"Hummm?"

"What are we going to do about tomorrow?"

"Face it."

Gabrielle leaned back and could see the strong angular profile of her soulmate in the moon light that flooded through the tiny window. "No, I mean it. What are we going to do? I won't stand for you just strolling into the middle of the town square at noon and laying your head on some chopping block. Xena, these people will kill you." Her voice had lowered into a whisper. The fear and desperation she felt was plain to the warrior's ears.

"Tomorrow morning, I want you to take Argo and leave. Go to Athens or home or where ever you wish. I don't want you to be here at noon." Xena's soft voice held a note of sadness and regret.

"Just like that. After all we've been through. You want me to just leave." The bitterness in the bard's voice cut through the darkened room. "What about your promise, Xena?"

"We've been breaking a lot of promises to each other lately, haven't we? Perhaps, we should give up making them."

The bard pulled back from the warrior, anger now crackling through her entire body. "That's just great. Give up and get it over with. Makes it easier on you, doesn't it?"

"Perhaps," came the weary reply. "Gabrielle, we don't have a lot of time. Can we spend it not fighting with each other?"

"So I'm just to accept that you don't care enough about yourself, about us, about your family, about what you're trying to do to keep on going? You just quitting?"

"I'm not quitting. I'm trying to face up to what I've done. This is the price I owe. It's come due. It would have sooner or later. I'd rather it have been later, but I can't run or hide from what I did. I owe these people justice."

"Xena, at least ask for a pardon. Let me speak for you if you won't. If you truly are interested in justice, then your side needs a fair hearing."

"My side," Xena repeated with a dark bitterness filled with self loathing. "What do I say, Gabrielle? I killed the young men who were defending this town but that's in the past. What difference does that make? I did it and I should pay for my crimes. You want to know something? What happened in this village really delighted me. My men performed well and my own skills were never better. I left here satisfied, food stores a plenty for my army, a village ransacked and the people no threat to ever disobey my orders again. Yes, I was well pleased with myself. Gods, I don't know why I felt that way, was that way. But Gabrielle, never doubt the truth. That was me. The same woman who lays next to you now was a monster so dark so evil that it is hard to comprehend. Killing that monster is what just and sane people must do to protect themselves."

"But Xena, you killed that monster long ago."

"No," whispered the warrior. "She lives yet, just below the surface, where the rage boils and churns, when the darkness threatens. Maybe one day I won't be able to stop it or control it." There, at last, the doubt and fear of the warrior was out in the open. Gabrielle finally understood.

"Xena, you are too strong to ever let that happen. You've never backed away from a fight. Please don't give up now. You always do what's right. This can't feel right to you. You are going to make these simple villagers into your own murderer to ease your guilt. Don't do this!" The bard's voice took on a hard edge. "By the gods, if you want to commit suicide, at least have the guts to do it yourself!"

The warrior jerked her head up and turned to the bard. "Is that what you think I want?"

"Yes, Xena. Ever since we left the kingdom of Chin, you've been looking for a way to give up."

The warrior was silent. Gabrielle could hear her heart beat faster as she laid her head against her chest. The harsh words spoken between them could not drive the bard away. It would have to be the distressed warrior that broke their closeness. To her surprise, Xena lay still and tightened her hold around her best friend. It seemed to Gabrielle as if the warrior was holding onto her as a life line as she was battered and tossed against the rocks of her own acrimony and self hatred.

"Well, at least this time when we are together awaiting your execution, we are in a nice comfy bed instead of cold, filthy water. I'm doing better at getting you executed in style." One lone tear trickled down Gabrielle's cheek.

The warrior turned to her and saw her wet cheek in the moonlight. She gently wiped it with a finger and tilted the bard's chin up so their eyes locked. "Gabrielle, you are not responsible for this. Nothing that happens tomorrow is your fault or is even about you. Don't you think of taking any of this on your shoulders. All of this is my doing. Now, let's try to get some sleep."

After a pause, Xena whispered, "I'm sorry for dragging you into yet another chapter of my sordid past. It must get old, please forgive me."

"Xena, please forgive yourself and ask these people for forgiveness." After a heartbeat she continued in a low voice that broke at the end as the tears came, "I forgive you."

Gabrielle enjoyed their closeness, feeling Xena's warmth, hearing her quiet breath. Their hands remained clasped together but nothing the bard could do or say prevented the morning gray turning to gold and than a bright yellow. The day was advancing.

Finally, Xena moved gracefully out of bed and began the job of putting on her leathers, boots and finally armor. Gabrielle slipped behind her and helped fasten the shoulder clips in the familiar way. She laced up Xena's gauntlets and turned to face her. The warrior stood tall and strong with her dark head held proudly. Gabrielle nodded her approval. "You look great."

Gabrielle noticed that Xena had not put her sword in the scabbard on her back. It lay on the table polished and sharpened as did her chakram.

"Gabrielle, will you grant me a last request and please leave?" Xena begged softly, her eyes brimming.

The bard shook her head emphatically. Her own eyes were filling as well. "Xena, please. You are the most courageous bravest person I've ever known. You are not afraid to die, you've proven this over and over. Don't be afraid to live. Have the courage to beg these villagers for mercy. Swallow your warrior's pride. Lendila forgave you. Perhaps the rest will as well."

Xena smiled sadly. "Folks who have lost their loved ones and lived with the loneliness don't forgive. They get by through their hate. I've seen their eyes, Gabrielle. It's no use."

"At least try. You'll be giving them a chance to turn from their hatred and giving yourself a chance as well. You owe them that. You owe me that."

Xena's grip on Gabrielle's shoulders tightened as she brought her face closer intending to give her a farewell kiss. Suddenly, the warrior jerked up. She turned, her head held at an angular stiff attention.

"Gods, what now?" With that exclamation, she grabbed her sword and chakram in each hand and turned for the door. As she bolted from the room, she called over her shoulder. "Trouble, Gabrielle." Then she was gone. Gabrielle blinked twice in astonishment, turned, grabbed her staff and followed on a dead run.

By the time she made it into the bright sunlight, Xena had already engaged a dark horseman in a sword fight. As he swung his large blade down, other riders emerged from around the building corner. Xena saw them out of the corner of her eye. She blocked the singing blade with her own and thrust it back with such force that the rider was thrown back. While he regained his seat in the saddle, Xena let her chakram fly. After one ricochet, it sliced through two riders before returning to the warrior in a wide arc.

Gabrielle met a horseman's midsection with her staff and watched as he flipped backwards out of the saddle. Meanwhile, Xena turned back to her adversary in time to block another slice of his sword. Giving her war cry, "YaYaYaYa" she jumped and delivered a kick that connected with the raider's chest driving him out of the saddle. He landed on his back with a thump. Xena delivered two quick blows and he slumped back unconscious. She turned in time to see Gabrielle take on two more sword wheeling thugs. She disarmed the first with a fierce swing and then took the second out with a backhanded thrust of her staff which connected with his head.

Xena let a feral smile turn the corners of her mouth as she turned to attack another group of raiders who had hesitated an instant too long. Throwing herself into their mist, with flying sword they began to drop one at a time at an alarming rate. The remaining few suddenly took to their heels vanishing as rapidly as they had come. The warrior watched them run and then scanned the fallen raiders for further trouble. Finding they were rendered harmless she turned in time to see Gabrielle running towards her. "You okay?"

The bard nodded. "Who where they?"

Xena shrugged. "I recognize this one." She turned, grabbed the front cross strap of an unconscious thug and lifted him up to show his face to Gabrielle. She nodded. "He was one of the slavers."

Xena let him fall back heavily to the ground. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Maybe they decided to try it again." Xena turned and headed at a brisk pace towards the center of the small village. "We'd better check on the damage." Gabrielle swung into a quick step, matching Xena's stride.

As they turned the corner of the main street, they stopped in shock. There were a number of villagers lying scattered on the ground; some bleeding badly, others crying out in pain. Several buildings were on fire as smoke mixed with dust swirled around the village square.

Just then Lendila appeared from a small hut and saw them. "Are they gone?"

"Yeah, don't think they'll be back soon. A couple are laying out cold up the street and can be hauled off to your jail."

"Thanks, Xena. You saved us. They demanded the girls and when poor Anthelis told them no, they struck him down. I think he's dead."

Xena swung around. "Come on, we've got to move fast and get the wounded inside."

The warrior moved rapidly from body to body, pointing out which ones could be saved and leaving others that had crossed over unattended. Finally, she found herself staring at the old wrinkled face of the village elder. He appeared in a lot of pain as red blood flowed from a large gash across his chest. Xena reached down, picked up the old man as if he was a light sack of flour and carefully carried him through the threshold of the healer's hut. She laid him down on the nearest unoccupied pallet. Gabrielle came up behind her and handed her the healers pouch they always carried. "Thought you might need this."

Xena nodded and began to pull out bandages and supplies. By this time Lendila had returned, wringing her hands in despair. "I don't know much about wounds. So many hurt. Where should we began?"

"Gabrielle, you know what to do. Start with the ones we can save and stop the bleeding. Lendila, come here. I need help with Anthelis. That's it. Put your finger here while I try to stop this hemorrhaging. We'll lose him if I can't."

Xena worked feverishly, sewing up the wound and then bandaging it tightly. As she finished, the elder opened his eyes and searched her face.

"Take it easy, old timer. You've got a chance. Lendila will give you something to drink." As she started to get up, he reached over and grabbed her hand.

"They came too fast. We never saw them. The rest.....?"

"We'll try to save as many as we can. You have some loses. Don't know how many yet."

"And the raiders?"

"Dead or gone." Again she tried to get up but the old man would not release her hand.

"You saved us?"

"Right place, right time. I have to go, others need help." She gave him a slight smile and again started to rise.

His grip tightened as he stared at her with wide eyes. "Xena, do you know why we didn't hear those men attacking?" When she shook her head, he released her hand and laid his head back down. "We were too busy arguing and drawing lots over which of us was going to execute you."

She jerked her head back around to stare at the old man for a moment. "You can have your thrill later. Right now, I'm busy." Flinging this bitter remark over her shoulder, she made her way to the next pallet that contained a woman with a badly bleeding arm. Xena tossed her dark hair back from her eyes and got to work, putting Anthelis and his stupidity out of her mind.

It was late in the day before all the wounded had been tended. Lendila had stayed close to Xena, learning her healing techniques and helping to patch, stitch and bandage. Gabrielle, Inda and others from the village did what they could, bandaging and cleaning wounds, giving the injured water and comfort. Finally, the weary care givers had done all they could.

Xena gave the crowded room a final look and strolled out into the coolness of the early evening. She watched silently as the villagers placed the last of the dead on a large wooden funeral pyre that had been erected in the village square. She noted with some irony that right next to the pyre was a large oval tree stump with a rusty metal battle ax buried into its center. "No doubt waiting for me," she muttered to herself. She shook her head. A dark depression slowly overcame her. It didn't matter, none of it did. Nothing she could ever do would erase the past. Suddenly, she felt a soft warm hand steal up her arm and rest on her shoulder. Xena reached up and placed her own hand over the one resting on her with such familiarity. Their fingers entwined. Xena's grasp tightened a moment as she led out a slow ragged breath.

"You were great in there," the bard observed softly. "I am always amazed at your healing skills. You saved a lot of people today."

The warrior turned pained searching eyes to her friend. "Still think asking forgiveness would matter?"

"Yes, I do. It would matter to many of these people and it would matter to you."

Xena's head slumped forward as her forehead touched the bard's. "Okay, if you say so." The resignation and weariness in her voice tore at Gabrielle's heart. "Sometimes I get so tired, so tired of trying, so tired of failing."

Gabrielle tighten her hold on her warrior. "I know," she said softly. "You haven't failed. Hang in there, huh?"

"Yeah."

"C'mon, let's get something to eat."

Nodding her agreement, the two walked away from the fire that was lighting up the night sky. Entering the tavern that had been their home for the past week, the atmosphere seemed somehow changed. The dour old proprietor actually nodded at them as they found their way to the back table near their room. The main room was filling up with villagers who were silent and grim. Several gave the two women long looks but Gabrielle could feel no venom or hatred in their stares.

As they sat down, their landlord made a sudden appearance with a tray that contained two steaming bowls of stew, a hunk of bread and two mugs of ale. As Gabrielle reached into her pouch, the old man stopped her with a shake of his head. "Your dinars are no good here, anymore." Without further comment, he turned and strolled away.

The two women exchanged glances and then dug into their dinner. Gabrielle made short work of her stew and noticed that Xena kept up with her for a change. "You should lie down. You're not at full strength yet."

"Yeah, I sort of figured that out today, about the second sword swing."

Gabrielle gave a short snort. "Not so I'd notice. Still, drink up and off to bed with you."

The warrior shook her head. "I'll be fine. We'd better get back to Lendila and spell her. She's got to eat and rest. Some of those folks will need constant watching tonight."

"Not by you, warrior!" Xena jerked her head up to stare into Lendila's warm smile. "Mind if we join you?" Xena inclined her head to one side indicating a spot. Lendila and Inda plotted down. Almost instantaneously, the tavern owner was back with more stew and ale. Again refusing payment, he disappeared into the crowded room.

Between mouthfuls Lendila explained who was taking care of the wounded and what their status was. Xena ticked off several things that had to be done during the night as Lendila nodded. "We'll take care of it. You go to bed. I don't want any more sick on my hands tonight."

"You and Gabrielle are going to mother me to death."

"Can't be done. You're much too stubborn."

Xena tried to think of a retort but her tired mind wouldn't wrap around one. In the end, all she could do was arch an eyebrow and roll her eyes. That got a full laugh from Gabrielle.

"Gabrielle, I know you're tired but if you could tell a story or two it would do a lot of good for these people." Lendila waved her arm to indicate the quiet crowd.

Gabrielle looked about her and then nodded slowly. As she started to rise, she felt a hand on her arm. She looked into the soft eyes of the warrior. "Not about me, okay? Not tonight."

The bard stood up and looked down at the warrior's quiet expression. "Sorry Xena. These people need something to make them laugh and I can think of a couple of things you and I got into that is perfect." With a mischievous grin, the bard strolled to the raised platform. There was no need for whistling tonight as everyone was instantly quiet.

The bard launched into two tales about Xena and a look alike princess. The misadventures and mistaken identity soon had the crowd roaring. Yet another tale of the strangest beauty pageant in all of Greece that was won by a man dressed as a woman had the crowd rolling on the floor and pounding the tables. Gabrielle finished with a tale of two friends, a wolf and a magpie. The tale told of their adventures, how they helped each other and gave each other hope. As Gabrielle took her bows, the crowd cheered and cheered. Xena noticed that many had tears in their eyes. Once more the bard had deeply moved her audience.

As she returned to the table the warrior reached up and grabbed her hand. "That was well done, my bard. Best performance ever."

"You think so?" Gabrielle asked with shinning eyes.

"I know so. Come here." She pulled the bard down next to her and gave her a big hug which was returned with enthusiasm.

"Okay, you two. Now both of you off to bed."

The two women looked at Lendila and laughed. They glanced at each other and in unison said, "Yes mom."

Inda chuckled and gave them both a knowing look.

Suddenly, Xena stiffened and turned. Several villagers approached the table slowly with stern hard expressions. Lendila saw the wary move of the warrior and half rose from her seat to face her neighbors. One of them put out a cautionary hand facing the warrior directly.

"We just wanted to say thank you for what you did for us today. Those raiders would have killed us all if you had not been here."

Xena glanced at Gabrielle and remembered the bard's angry words from a long ago argument. Gabrielle had been very upset when the warrior had turned away from a grateful village and silently walked away, ignoring their thanks. She looked directly at the villagers before her with an icy stare. After a moment, she dropped her eyes and said a quiet "Your welcome." After a pause, she continued "Glad we could help."

The roughly clad farmers nodded and one gave a tentative smile. They turned and walked slowly back to their own table where they sat down. Soon another group of villagers made their way to the warrior's table and also said their thanks. They were greeted in kind as the warrior once more quietly replied, "You're welcome."

Others performed the same courtesy until Gabrielle guessed that almost everyone in the room had visited their table. Through it all, Xena's face remained an emotionless mask. She extended a cold courtesy but made no other comment. Finally, Gabrielle pulled her up from the table and pushed her towards the door that led to their little room.

Once inside, they pulled on night shirts and collapsed into the warm bed. Gabrielle noted that someone had built up a fire for them in the fireplace and placed fruit and cheese on the small table. Both too tired to talk or eat, they fell immediately asleep; Gabrielle into a sound snore and Xena into a restless nightmare filled with bloody bodies and grim accusing faces.