Ten year old Niko comes running into the two story house, of his moms
Xena and Gabrielle.
The pair are startled hearing their son's yells of despair.
" Mom, momma ! Help ! It's Zappho ! Someone shot him with an arrow! "
Xena and Gabrielle run after their upset son, to the sight of his beloved pet.
Xena's throat tightens at the appearance of it's injuries. The arrow had
pierced it's neck and it was going to die no doubt.
Gabrielle nods to Xena letting her know silently, she knew the fate of the
dog. A plain black lab. Only two years into it's life.
Xena turns to Niko.
" Son, Zapphos has been gravely injured. I can't save him, buddy. I'm sorry."
Before ether could catch him, Niko runs off into the woods. Xena and
Gabrielle exchange sad looks.
" Xena, I'll stay with the dog. Go comfort our son. He needs you. "
Xena nods and gets on her new white horse.
Niko finally stops running and sits down by the river. His tosses a rock
in and watches it skip the water.
Zapphos was killed...his best friend is dead. Someone killed his dog.
Niko's fists clench thinking of revenge. He himself knew how to use a
common bow and arrow. It would not be hard.
His thoughts of revenge are cut short, by the sound of his mom's horse.
He would have expected Gabrielle, but something was different.
Why was his stotic warrior mom here, instead of his sensitive momma ?
" Son, I'm here. Look at me. "
Xena's tone left no room for debate. His eyes meet hers, and there he
sees remorse and sympathy . But he refuses to accept those feelings
from his " can do anything " mom.
" What do you want ? Come to rub it in my face, that you won't be
saving Zapphos ? "
Xena sits down beside Niko. She shakes her head.
" No. I WANT to, son. I really do, but that dog is gravely hurt. It's no
different than any soldier I couldn't save. "
Niko glares at her and jumps up. He shakes his finger at Xena.
" NO ! Zapphos was FAMILY ! He loved you and you're just going
to let him die! Go to Tartrus ! "
Niko runs off and Xena quickly chases after him. She tackles him to
the ground, meeting angry blue eyes.
" Stop, son ! Stop this ! This is not my fault, your momma's or yours ! "
" It is my fault ! I should have seen that man with the weapon ! It should
have been me, mom ! "
" No ! You're wrong ! Zapphos would not have wanted that and neither do
me and momma ! "
" I want to die ! I deserve to die, mom ! Throw me in that river and let me
drown ! "
Xena swiftly picks her son up and carries him to a nearby tree. She sits him
on her and he struggles.
" Niko, suicide is not the answer to grief. It's not the answer to anything.
We are alone, there is no one else here. You need to... "
Niko shakes head furiously.
" Don't say it. You know boys don't cry. I'm your little soldier."
Xena sighs, now regretting the nickname she had given Niko.
" You're a kid, a young kid. One who has just lost his first dog to death.
You did not fight in a war or make an army oath. But what you are
is my little boy who is hurting very bad right now. No herb or food
that I give you will change this."
Niko looks up at Xena.
" Mom, I want to be like you. "
Xena smiles slightly, then whispers to him.
" I cry too, son. See, crying keeps the soul clean. It makes you human. "
" So, you won't think I'm being a coward or weak ? "
Xena sighs and shakes her head.
" No son, I won't. It's okay. "
In a small voice that breaks Xena's heart, he asks a final question.
" Zappos is really going to die, uh ? "
Xena's voice cracks.
" Yes, he is Niko. I'm so sorry. "
In that moment, Niko begins crying with heartbreaking wails of sadness.
For nearly two hours, the warrior rocks and comforts her son.
As the sun begins to set, Xena carries Niko back to the house.
Gabrielle bends down to Niko.
" Do you want to bury him son ? I dug a hole already. "
Niko nods and lays Zapphos inside the hole. Tears stream down his face,
as he begins shoveling in the dirt.
Soon the dog is buried and they all go inside. Niko goes to bed, not wanting
to stay awake and feel this pain.
