This is a new type of story for the Xenaverse. It focuses not so much on Xena but Gabrielle. Now she is the new warrior princess. She must now stand against the forces of evil and protect the innocent. It the story takes place several years after Xena's initial death but we still find Gabrielle traveling The Land of the Pharaohs. What if Gabrielle took on a protégé?
Title : If Time Heals Wounds…
The sun rose as it normally did, with heat blazing from it's majestic face onto the forest of Egypt. Gabrielle was already awake. Sitting in her bed roll she watched the transformation of night to day and admired it's beauty. It made her think of Xena. Her friend. Her companion. Her soul mate. Gone from this realm but never from her heart. Gabrielle liked to believe that her friend was still watching over her, and that the sun's warmth was Xena's familiar embrace. The sands of time had changed Gabrielle. From simple villager to a fierce opponent. Some might have called her the Warrior Princess' successor but she would never accept the title. None could hold a candle to Xena, and she would not begin to try. In the days past the bard's hair had grown longer, but still remained short gently resting on her shoulders. She maintained the ragged trim not because she favored it but as a reminder of who she had become. Her innocence was long gone as was her staff and gold mane. Her muscles had grown and she was now steel rippling under soft skin. Her body showed evidence of battles, the most formidable a pink scar on the right side of her stomach medium in size. A spear had caught her unawares in one of her bouts and pierced her flesh until mid-shaft. She was forced to abandon the fight and tend to her wounds. Finding a quiet place Gabrielle broke the end of the spear and forced the head through to the other side before cauterizing it. The burn reflected as a symbol of her tenacity to live.
Despite her reputation the Bard still traveled alone. She dared not return to Greece for fear of running into Eve and explaining what happened in Jappa. Besides Greece held too many memories for her. Places she'd traveled with Xena. People she'd meet because of the Warrior and friends she made through her. She couldn't return absent her friend. She would have been doomed to one of two fates; blamed for the death of the mighty hero, or expected to fade away into history. As forgotten as the gods of Olympus themselves. Finally Gabrielle began packing her bags, her favorite weapons – the sais – dangling at her hip. Xena's chakram a precious memento wrapped safely in her bag. Although she'd been able to catch the signature weapon before, she had failed to be able to harness it's complete power unlike it's previous owner. When all of her morning chores was finished and the fire was put out the Amazon found her horse tied to a nearby tree as she'd left her the night before. Gabrielle soon discovered she didn't have the telepathy to talk animals either, the famous whistle that summoned Argo did not work on all horses. That she learned through trial and error. Untying the rope she hopped up onto her mount and urged her forward towards the market place. There she hoped to find food and supplies to last her long enough to make it to her next destination.
"Hyah!" Placing her ankles into the horse's side Gabrielle swept through the brush of the forest until she saw the familiar golden sands leading back to the city known as Cairo.
The Marketplace