Nothing but
battle. And the beast, always hungry for more.
That is
Brunhilda's life.
Sword in hand and the touch of immortality at
her shoulder...
So, when she sees this little form moving, asking
questions that Brunhilda knows the answers to - something snaps free
and chases the sky.
Something disconcertingly like
affection.
And the story is told, like it is new and
Brunhilda the charmed girl.
This Gabrielle is so damned
innocent.
This Gabrielle... something in those green eyes
shines too bright, too pure and... Brunhilda looks to the fire and
the snow, anything to distract.
Distraction from a feeling,
whirling up her sides and banking deep within her gut.
Something
almost like longing.
Brunhilda has never known a
friend. She has never known love. Her only companion being the wind
at her back and the blade.
This Gabrielle gazes at her, silent and
speculative.
This Gabrielle is so damned...beautiful.
And
so Brunhilda feels the terrible turn of envy in her heart, wishing
she could trade her life for Xena's and catch the look of love in
those green eyes.
Gabrielle watches her with something like
understanding.
Something kind of like acceptance.
"A
friendship like that is something to be envied."
Affection
and longing, what would it be like to have that returned?
"It
has a price, like everything."
To have her speak of me
like that, what would that be like?
"A price you love
paying."
It would be good. It would be like finally
living.
And Brunhilda stares into the flames, letting all
this realization wash over her soul. The night settles and a hand
gently touches her arm.
This Gabrielle... you've captured
me.
A warm smile and the suggestion of sleep.
This
Gabrielle... you've got me now.
Brunhilda savors the
fingertips that lightly graze her skin in leaving.
And she feels something like love.
END