Common Bonds

Chapter 2

Gabrielle prepared the meal as Xena built a rough shelter to protect the sleeping Delilah. She desperately wanted to ask, who was this woman? What debt did Xena owe her? What danger did she place them in? Would it once again test the bonds of friendship?

Xena completing her task joined Gabrielle near the fire. "Gabrielle..."

Not raising her eyes to meet the warrior's Gabrielle answered, "Xena, you don't have to explain. After what I did..."

The warrior winced. How could she comfort her friend? Placing a strong arm around the bard, Xena pulled her into an embrace. For a moment they sat, silent. Each giving and taking comfort. With her emotions once again under control the warrior began to answer the bard's unspoken questions.

"It was right after the attack of Cyrra. That was the second time I could have renounced the evil, but didn't. That's when I met her. I owe her so much Gabrielle. She gave me Argo. Gave her to me, a fully trained warhorse. I wish I could tell you what trouble she's in and why she needs me, but, I don't know. I only know that I have to help her."

"I understand, Xena. Do you want me to leave? I could wait for you in Poe...."

Xena tightened her hold on the smaller woman. "No. Gabrielle, no matter what happened you have been there for me always. I told you . . . I don't hate you. Yes, I was furious with you for a while, but I understand why you did it." She tightened her embrace and kissed the bard before releasing her. "Now, what are you cooking?"

"Those dumplings you like so much." Gabrielle answered meeting the warrior's gaze for the first time. Indicating Delilah she asked "Should we wake her?"

"No. Let her sleep. I'm afraid for her, Gabrielle. Delilah doesn't ask for help, she gives it. Something is very wrong if she needs me. I wish Tishtry was with her, she could clear this up."

"Who's Tishtry"

"Her companion, I'm surprised that she's not with her.... Oh Gods." At Gabrielle's questioning look, Xena continued "Tishtry must be dead. That is the only reason, she would be traveling alone. In the morning, I'm going to see if I can find any trace of her horse. Hopefully that will answer some questions, the others will have to wait until she wakes up."

Squeezing the bard's shoulder Xena went to check on Delilah and then Argo. Gabrielle had never seen Xena like this. The warrior seemed unsure of what to do. That in itself was a sobering thought. Now that she knew a little more about this auburn haired stranger, she had even more questions. Those would have to wait. Maybe tomorrow while Xena searched for clues, she could get answers to her questions from this strange, frightening, and intriguing woman. Turning her attention back to her cooking she completed the assembly of the dumplings.

Xena brushed Argo until the mare's coat gleamed in the moonlight and still she brushed. Her thoughts raced with memories of Delilah and Tishtry. Two women so different, so similar, so like Gabrielle and herself. Unbidden visions of Tishtry floated before the warriors eyes, her golden hair in a single braid down her back, blue eyes filled with laughter or tears. So devoted to Delilah, she had envied them their friendship and trust in one another. Now, Tishtry was most likely dead and Delilah carried on alone. She could only imagine the pain, the loss her friend had suffered. If Gabrielle had died . . . Xena forcibly ejected the thought from her mind. Wiping tears from her face, she rose and returned to campfire, giving the bard a smile as she sat and began eating.

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