XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS

“HEART OF A WARLORD”

An Original Xena Story

ÑÓ1996 by Patricia L. Givens

Jadzia7627@aol.com

January 1998

Here we go again:

The characters Xena: Warrior Princess and Gabrielle are owned in their entirety by MCA Pictures. I have borrowed them here in an attempt to write something vaguely amusing and time consuming for the hard core fanatics at Saddlehorn (I’m giving you more time to run, Lucy! You owe me!) This is an original story and all elements, other than the main characters, belong to me. (C’mon, MCA, even you can’t claim rights to the gods!) This story is for adults, over the age of 18 (Or whatever the age of consent is in your town.) If you live in a state that prohibits this kind of thing, for Athena’s sake, MOVE!

Important note: This story is another of the ‘First Time’ variety. In regards to this particular epic, Life From Death never happened.

To give credit where credit is due, thanx to all the authors on S.H. You guys are inspirational, even if you do drive up my water bill. Thanks also to COMX111 for listening to my story ideas and saying ‘WOW!’ at the appropriate times.

One last note, for those of you that read The Labrys, you will recognize a certain character here. While the name, attributes and personality are the same, the character has, in fact, been re-invented for this story. I am writing this here so that you all aren’t scratching your head in confusion trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with me!

No flat-abbed Warrior Bards, cynical ex-warlord princesses, or possessed Xena dolls were harmed during the creation of this story. However, an entire bag of double dipped, dark chocolate covered macadamia nuts was tragically consumed during a particularly long writing session.

Feedback…feedback…ambrosia…

May the Prophets Walk With You!

Jadzia7627@aol.com (DAx =/\=)

There are only four questions of importance in life.

What is sacred, of what is the spirit made, what

is worth living for, and what is worth dying for.

The answer to all of them is the same…

Only love.

-Juan de Marco

Chapter One: Kindred Spirits

It was wonderful! Gabrielle walked around the bazaar with a huge smile on her face. She hadn’t seen this many merchants since they had left Athens. The town of Meztlan hadn’t looked very big when they reached it’s gates just two hours ago. It was only after they had entered that she and Xena had realized it’s actual size.

Metzlan was built against the side of a mountain, or so it had appeared. But instead of coming to an abrupt stop at the mountain’s base, a huge cavern had been dug into the mountain itself. The cavern housed the Main Bazaar, a conglomeration of nicknaks and trinkets amongst sword and arms dealers, food booths, mercantile and sundry shops, along with many taverns ,inns and resident housing. Soldiers were prevalent everywhere she looked, keeping the peace and keeping everybody moving. Even she had been ushered along when she had stopped for too long in one place. Gabrielle didn’t mind though, there was just as much to stare at a few booths down.

The colors were the best part. Having almost no sunlight in the darker areas of the cavern, merchants had strung brightly colored fabric in front of numerous torches, creating the warm glow of a rainbow where there would have only been shadows.

“Paradise!” Gabrielle reached into her pouch to check her funds. Pursing her lips, she thought about the warning Xena had thrown back over her shoulder before going off on her own to find a smithy for Argo.

“Whatever you buy, you carry!” Xena had called, her smile flashing briefly in the waning sunlight. “Don’t expect me to make room in the saddlebags!”

‘But Xena didn’t see this place!’ Gabrielle rationalized to herself. ‘Besides, there has to be something she needs here, too.”

With a grin, she headed into the bazaar, lost in her sudden quest to find the perfect gift for her friend. The first booth she came to had several tables covered with every kind of dagger a warrior could want. She picked up a few of them, aware of the merchants watchful eye, and set each one down with a small shake of her head. Xena liked to pick her own weapons.

Gabrielle moved on to the next section of shops, stopping briefly to buy several vials of herbs from a pretty young girl. Tucking them into her pouch, she noticed an Alchemist’s symbol hanging outside of a large, black tent. She normally avoided such places, especially if Xena was around. “But Xena isn’t around.” She smiled to herself. With a firm nod of her head, she slipped inside.

The interior of the tent was as dark as the exterior, lit only by three small torches. It seemed as though the shadows actually weighed her down as moved quietly from table to table. At the last table, she found an exquisite crystal, shot through with silver, hanging from a delicate silver chain. She picked it up carefully, surprised at it’s weight, and gazed at it in admiration.

“Like it, don’t you?”

Gabrielle started violently, her hand flying to her throat. She hadn’t heard anybody enter. Looking around quickly, she saw a dark figure emerge from the shadows. It was a woman, with eyes the color of honeyed wheat, her skin as dark as the shadows around her. She was beautiful. When she smiled, Gabrielle found herself smiling too. “I’m sorry,” She stammered. “I didn’t know anyone was in here.”

“No,” The woman stepped closer and placed a cool, dry palm on the bard’s arm. “It is I who should apologize. I saw you were transfixed by the Lath. I shouldn’t have spoken until you were done.”

“The Lath?” Gabrielle looked down at the necklace dangling from her fingers.

“I am Emony.” She pulled the chain gently from Gabrielle’s hand, raising it in the air so that the torch light could catch it. The bard gasped when the crystal illuminated from within, the embedded silver throwing the light back out, each vein of mineral glowing a different color. “And this is a Lath.”

“It’s beautiful.” Gabrielle breathed.

Emony laughed. “You don’t negotiate very well, do you, Gabrielle? Your delight is too apparent on your face.”

“Well I-,” She looked up quickly, her smile fading. “How did you know my name?”

“I know many things.” The woman moved around her in a circle.

“I...I think I should be going.”

Emony grabbed her lightly, pulling her back. “Don’t be frightened, Gabrielle. I won’t hurt you.” Her eyes widened as she studied the Bard’s face, then she doubled over in laughter. “I am not a God, dear little one.”

“You can hear my thought’s!” She accused. “What are you?”

“Just a woman. A very talented woman.”

Gabrielle swallowed and looked back to her hand, curiosity getting the better of her. “What is a Lath?”

“A jewel.” She gazed at the necklace lovingly. “A gem, a stone. Something pretty, shot through with the bone of the earth, copper, silver, gold. And charmed.”

“Charmed?” Gabrielle felt her stomach drop.

“Yes, a light charm. Each varied,” Emony grinned. “Each pure.”

“What’s the charm on this one?”

“It allows the wearer to see the truth.”

“Kind of like...a lie detector?”

“No, child.” Her laughter was soft. “It allows the wearer to see the truth within.”

Gabrielle shook her head. For some reason, it felt foggy. “That’s all?” She frowned. “What kind of truth is there in a stone?”

“It depends on the person wearing it.”

“I wonder...”

“...If she would like it?” Emony finished for her. “You’re friend, you care for her...” It was a statement, not a question. She studied the bard closely. “Perhaps you should wear it.”

“What does that mean?”

But Emony only smiled, her face closed. Her eyes settled on the bard’s with frightening intensity. “One dinar.”

“One dinar?” Gabrielle asked, incredulous. “That’s all?”

“As I have said, you are not a good negotiator.” She slipped the necklace into a pouch and held it out. “One dinar, for you, right now. Take it and go...or just go.”

Gabrielle wondered at the coolness that had crept into her tone, but decided not to ask. She dug out a coin and laid it in the woman’s palm, taking the pouch from her fingertips.

It wasn’t until she had turned to go that Emony spoke again. “Remember, Gabrielle, truth has a price. Not measured in gold, but in the blood of the heart.”

The next moment, she was outside, the noise of the vendors and their patrons loud in her ears. She looked back at the tent and saw Emony shrink away, receding into the darkness within. A man passing by saw where her gaze was directed and stood in front of her.

“Don’t think about going in there, miss.” He shook his head seriously. “That woman is insane. And an odd bird at that. Never comes out, we never see anyone go in, yet she’s still fed and fresh.” He made a sign to ward off evil spirits. “Aye, a witch, that one. No need for a nice girl like you to be going in there. Come with me, I have a booth set up, lotta nice thing’s a girl could want.”

Gabrielle nodded absently, following him to his booth, which was tucked into the very back corner of the cavern. She smiled when she noticed that he had been telling the truth, he did have delightful things on display. Long, shimmering silk skirts, soft leather sandals, headdresses and light coats, the type one would see in a castle courtyard. She took her time with each one, wondering what this would look like on her, what that would look like on Xena. In the end, she shrugged. None of it was made for a woman traveler. She came to the last table and saw a pair of combs. They were made of wood, well buffed and polished, with gold and silver inlaid to form the Amazon symbol for freedom. They were obviously made by a talented craftswoman, one with a good eye for symmetry and grace. Gabrielle picked up each one and slid them into her hair, pinning the red-gold tresses back out of her eyes. They felt wonderful, she only wished she had a mirror.

“They look good on ya, missy.” The man said from behind her.

“They are very nice.” Gabrielle pulled them from her hair and held them in her palm. “Where did you get them?”

“Some Centaur was selling them down in Amazon territory. He mumbled some nonsense about his wife having made them. But we both know how the Amazons feel about Centaurs.” He winked.

“I know that they have found peace.” Gabrielle said stiffly. “How much do you want for them?”

The man scratched his head. “Five Dinars.”

“What?” She frowned. “You should have been a brigand. That’s robbery.”

“Well,” He moved a little closer and the bard realized just how grubby the man was. “If you don’t have enough, I’m sure we could work something out.”

“Uhm, no thank you.” She backed up slightly, suddenly very uncomfortable in his presence. “Why don’t we just forget it.” She started to put the combs down, but he grabbed her roughly, causing her to drop them to the floor.

“I saw that.” He grinned darkly. “You tried to steal them! Do you know what they do to thieves in Meztlan?” He ran one dirty finger across his own throat. “Now be quiet, or I’ll call the guards.”

He bent to bring his lips to hers and she struck out with her knee, catching him the upper thigh. Not a direct hit, but close enough to make him scowl in pain. Pulling back his hand, he struck her across the face.

Gabrielle stumbled slightly, and braced herself against a table. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw him advancing on her. Before she could react, a figure jumped across his booth, and two long, shapely legs drove themselves into his chest. She closed her eyes in relief as the familiar sounds of Xena pummeling someone senseless reached her ears. With the sound of a hard punch and a low moan, it was over.

“Thank you.” She smiled up into a face she didn’t recognize. A puzzled look crossed her face. “Who are you?”

The warrior laughed at her confusion and Gabrielle found herself drawn to her smile. She was tall, nearly as tall as Xena, with sandy hair hanging in curls down past her chin. Her facial features were delicate and looked slightly out of place with her well muscled body, but she was beautiful nonetheless. There was something about her nose that made her think of Ephiny, but her eyes were like nothing she had ever seen before. At first, they appeared hazel, but the flickering torch light brought out deep green and gold colors that took the bard’s breath away. She was embarrassed when those eyes twinkled in amusement. “You’re welcome.”

Gabrielle watched as she adjusted her armor over her lean frame. The armor itself was nondescript, well oiled black leather covered in mail, adorned only by two brass dragons, their bodies curled snugly over each of her… “Uhm,” Gabrielle blinked to clear her thoughts.

“Are you all right?” The warrior’s amusement turned to concern at Gabrielle’s tone. “Did he hurt you?” She turned the bard to the side, looking for any undetected wounds. Finding none, she retrieved Gabrielle’s pouch from where it had fallen and began to hand it back. A she did so, it fell open.

“What in Hades…” Her voice trailed off as she pulled out the Amazon neckpiece Gabrielle had inherited from Terreis. A dark expression replaced her smile. “Where did you get this? What merchant?”

“No merchant. It’s mine.”

“Don’t lie, girl. This is the neck dress of an Amazon princess. I hardly think you hold that title.”

Gabrielle scowled, her hand shooting out to snatch the necklace back. “For your information, I happen to BE an Amazon princess.” She quieted. “Maybe not by birth, but by Right of Caste…” Her jaw went slack in amazement when the warrior’s face fell, a single tear escaping to slide down her cheek. “Are you okay?”

The warrior nodded. “Terreis.” She whispered. “Oh, Goddess. I’m so sorry.” She looked back to Gabrielle. “I am sorry for the offense, Princess. I pay you homage.” She bowed at the waist, pulling her bodice down to reveal a necklace of her own.

“You…You’re an Amazon!”

“I was once. I still honor their ways when I can.” Her eyes twinkled again as she took Gabrielle’s hand and raised it to her lips. “Paying my respects to a Princess as lovely as you, well, that’s MY pleasure.”

Gabrielle blushed. “How did you know Terreis?” She regretted the words immediately as she watched the warrior’s face change.

“I haven’t time now.” She glanced behind her, to a group of bored looking soldiers. “My men get restless easily, as do most men.” She smiled. “I’ll be at The Raven’s Claw tomorrow should you want to find me. I can say I’d be pleased if you did.” She bowed one final time and, with a wink, disappeared into the crowd.

Gabrielle watched her go, then, realizing how much time had passed, ran for the fruit stand where she was supposed to meet Xena.

The warrior was scowling when she caught sight of her, a scowl that slid into an easy smile at the familiar blonde head running her way.

“Xena!” Gabrielle called. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

The warrior’s smile vanished, as did her admonishments, when she saw the bard’s face. “Gabrielle?” She took the young woman’s chin between her forefinger and thumb, turning her head to see the steadily darkening bruise on her cheek. “What happened?”

Gabrielle smiled at the warrior’s soft tone. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“This is not ‘fine’, Gabrielle.” She held her chin a few moments longer. “Who did this to you?”

Gabrielle watched as warm blue eyes turned to pieces of ice and felt her heart catch in her chest. “It’s okay…really. He already got what was coming to him.”

“Gabrielle, did he….” Her voice trailed off. She sighed in relief when the bard shook her head.

“What did you do to him?”

“Well, I kneed him, but I missed and he hit me. But then, this warrior jumped out of the crowd and beat the stuffing out of him. She was unbelievable…”

“She?” Xena’s eyebrow rose. “Unbelievable?”

Gabrielle laughed. “Well, she wasn’t better than you, though.” She squeezed the warrior’s arm. “No one is better than you.”

“MmmHmmm. What was her name?”

“I...” She blushed. “I don’t know.”

Xena shook her head in amusement. “Come on. Let’s go find an inn.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Four hours later, Xena watched as Gabrielle slept peacefully, the sheets from her bed tucked firmly beneath her. It hadn’t taken long to get the whole story from her. By the end of dinner she knew all about the combs, the merchant and the nameless, ‘unbelievable’ warrior. AND her invitation. Xena frowned. She didn’t like it. She didn’t know why, but she didn’t like it.

She stalked the room quickly, checking each entrance to make sure it was secure, then slipped out. It only took her five minutes to reach the bazaar, her long legs carrying her with a purpose that dared anyone to try and stop her.

As it turned out, she needn’t have worried. The shops were all open, the crowd still immense. She strode to the far back, heading straight for the merchant that had attacked Gabrielle. He was easy to find, bruised as he was. Without preamble, she grabbed him by the collar and pushed her face in front of his.

“Wh-what?” He stuttered, his eyes full of fear.

“I was told you could help me.” Her voice was low and venomous. “I’m looking for a pair of combs with an Amazon design. I was told you had them.”

“I used to,” he rushed. “But a little blonde harlot stole them earlier today.”

Xena’s grip tightened as she lifted him off the ground. “Gabrielle stole nothing from you. And If I hear that you’ve been saying she did…”

“Wait! Th…then it must have been that other woman. The tall one, the one that hit me! She must have stolen them. I don’t know warrior! I swear, I don’t have them!”

Xena shook her head in contempt and let him drop to the floor. “You’re not worth my time. But if I EVER hear of you trying again what you tried with my friend…” She slammed her fist onto a table, breaking it at the legs. “Understand?”

The merchant nodded quickly and scrambled to get out of her way.

Xena left as quickly as she had come. When she reached the Inn, she hesitated before heading upstairs. Changing direction, she entered the common room and ordered a port. Looking around, she spotted a man watching her from the corner. With a smile and a nod, she invited him to join her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabrielle stretched and opened her eyes. It was still dark. She rolled over on her side and reached out to find Xena, who usually slept beside her when they stayed at an Inn. Her hand slid over cool, empty sheets and she sat up in confusion. Looking around, she spotted Argo's saddlebags and relaxed. “I wish she’d tell me when she’s going to go roaming.”

She reached for the waterskin Xena had left by the bed and took a long drink. When she set it back down, her fingers grazed over her bag and she pulled it to her. Rummaging through it, she found the pouch that Emony had sold her and slid the contents into her palm.

Perhaps you should wear it.

The Alchemist’s words repeated in her mind as she stared down at the stone on the end of it’s chain. There was no light for it to reflect and it looked rather harmless, just a faintly pink crystal, murky at the center.

With a smile, she slipped the chain over her head and laid back against the bed, closing her eyes slowly.

She was asleep almost instantly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Xena stared at the man across from her. He was very young, no more than twenty, and he had a nice smile, but his eagerness to talk was beginning to wear thin. She had invited him over to see what information she could glean from his wide open manner, only to learn rather quickly that he had little knowledge of any use to her. She had thought about excusing herself several times already, but found herself drawn to him somehow.

He had said his name was Sylas, and he was exactly what he appeared to be, a young, dumb farmhand heading off to seek adventure from the world. She would have laughed at him, had it not been for his eyes. They were a delicate, pale blue and made to stand out that much more clearly by the wild mop of red-gold hair at his brow. His smile was genuine, and very easily given, the innocence in his face familiar, yet still hard to bear.

“The road’s a hard place, Sylas.” Xena muttered absently, after he had rattled off a dozen excited questions. “And once you’re on it, you usually find yourself wishing you were home.”

“Do you?” He looked somewhat crestfallen.

Xena felt a familiar pain in her chest and swallowed. “Yes.” She said quietly. “Most days.”

“Then why don’t you go home?”

“Because sometimes it’s better to miss a place, then try to settle and discover that you don’t belong.” She looked up at him and sighed, knowing her words would not be taken as she had meant them. “Sylas, why don’t you get me another port?” She shook her head sadly at the eagerness on his face. She watched him walk up to the bar, his back straight, shoulders squared, so proud to be sitting with the Warrior Princess…

Xena grinned as she realized what she was doing. It had been a long time since she had lain with a man, a fact made very obvious by what she was contemplating. Normally, she wouldn’t have looked at him twice. It wouldn’t have mattered who or what he was, he was too young and she would have passed him by without so much as a thought.

She watched him from across the room, wondering if that was exactly true. There was something about him, something about his eyes, his smile…something she found very appealing. Beneath his youth and adventure lust, there was something…familiar…

Sylas turned to smile at her and she suddenly knew what was so appealing about him. Her jaw dropped as she recognized his eyes, his mouth, his hair…his smile. “Gabrielle..?” Xena returned his grin halfheartedly and then looked away, her mind struggling with this new revelation. Others followed closely behind it. Like the fact that she hadn’t noticed a man in longer than she cared to remember and the fact that her favorite place was by Gabrielle’s side, whether on the road, the battlefield…or in a bed. With a small groan, she remembered that it had been her idea to come to an inn tonight, Gabrielle had been fine with sleeping under the stars. Xena shook her head and downed what was left of her port. When Sylas returned with a fresh drink, she grabbed it and downed that one as well.

“Ahh…” He looked at her in confusion. “Maybe I should get you another one?”

Xena nodded curtly and he wandered off, less confidence in his stride. She laughed softly at his lack of enthusiasm. She had no intentions of sleeping with him now and he must have sensed it. Xena thought briefly of finding another man, of driving these new, and very strange, thoughts from her mind by making love until she couldn’t think.

Somehow, she knew that wouldn’t work and resigned herself to another hour of conversation…and a night of sleeping on the floor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabrielle was running.

She didn’t know why, or even where, but the dark taste of fear burned hot in the back of her throat, pushing her legs when all she wanted to do was collapse. In truth, she couldn’t even see more than five feet in front of her, that was as far as the radius of light around her extended. The rest was murky darkness, filled with deeper shadows that seemed to move and shift restlessly.

But something worse was chasing her. Something dark and hateful, something she couldn’t fight, something she couldn’t defeat, not with a staff, not with her words. And it terrified her more than anything she had ever known.

Instinctively, she knew that it was gaining ground, it’s twisted legs carrying it fast along the path behind her. Gabrielle looked around in panic. Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide, the light went wherever she did. She felt a sob break free from her lungs as a hot breath coursed along her back.

The next instant, a hand flew down from above her, grabbing her by the front of her shirt, hauling her up into the darkness while the light continued on without her. Beneath her, she sensed a shape, so vast as to be unimaginable, pass by with a snarl of rage that shriveled her heart in her chest.

Gabrielle gasped for air, grabbing the arm the still held her beneath the rise of her breasts.