Disclaimer: I own nothing! Story takes place AU, where Xena and Gabrielle have stayed with the Amazons.
Disclaimer part B: This is my first ever publish, it was not reviewed by anyone else. I had this concept in my brain and wanted to see if I could develop it. I am not a writer, nor claim to be one. Be kind
"Gabrielle, are you sure?"
"Xe, yes, I am sure. It's tradition, and this year isn't any different."
"Gabrielle, you know that it is different" the both look at one another Gabrielle yelling with her eyes that she does not want to have this discussion again "Just don't push, okay. You know how you are with her."
"Xena, I wouldn't have to push if she would just talk to me." Stepping into Xena's open arms "I don't understand, everyone else wants, demands, time with me, but she avoids me. I just want to get to know her."
Xena looks Gabrielle in the eyes "Bri, I know you do, but you can't push her, just talk to her like any other person."
Gabrielle turns and leaves their home, she needs a minute to gather herself before she heads out.
Each year since Xena and Gabrielle decided to take up permanent residency with her Amazon tribe, Queen Gabrielle had taken the Amazon who graduated top in her class out for a few days of camping and hunting. After all, these young Amazon would one day be this tribes leaders and Gabrielle thought it was important to ensure that they understood what would be expected of them and it made Gabrielle feel better about the future of her tribe. Feeling as though she has composed herself, she heads over to where everyone has gathered
"Ephiny, we all ready?"
"Yes my queen" Ephiny replied while saluting Gabrielle, and Gabrielle rolling her eyes.
"Ephiny, how many times do I have to tell you, no saluting!" While mounting her horse.
Ephiny simply smirked, holding onto the reigns.
Grabbing the reigns and turning to her companion for the next few nights, "are we ready to go?"
"Yes my queen" Sam replied and saluting much like Ephiny did, and causing Ephiny to smirk even more.
"What am I going to do with you all?!, How many times have I asked you all to cut it with formality when we are not in official Amazon rituals? Now get on that horse and let's head out!"
Sam jumps up onto her horse ready to head out. "Sam! You weren't going to leave without saying bye?" remembering who is in her company Mariska turns to Ephiy and Gabrielle "My Queen, My Regent"
Looking rather bashful and with a slight blush Sam turns towards Mariska "Ummm, of course not, I was just looking for you" Sam dismounts her horse and the two of them step to the side of the barn.
"I really, just wanted, I mean, have a good time" Mariska says "I know you are not looking forward to this trip, but just try, and how bad can it be? It is just a camping and hunting trip."
"Right, just a camping and hunting trip. That's all this is. I really wish I would have thrown my last exam, then it would be you going on this trip."
"Sam, you could have thrown the last three exams and none of us would have passed you, and besides, we all know it's in your" Sam sending a glaring look at Mariska "I mean you, you are really skilled, and disciplined, of course you have earned this honor. Please try and remember this is an honor, not a punishment. I'll see you when you get back." Looking around to see if anyone else was watching, Mariska leans up on her tip toes and gives Sam a quick kiss on the lips. Her hand on her lips where Mariska had just kissed her, "Sam! Let's go!" Gabrielle yells over her shoulder already heading out of camp. Sam jumps onto her horse, nudges it and catches up with Gabrielle.
Xena striding up to stand alongside Ephiny, "Well, not sure I saw those two coming"
"Seriously Xena" Ephiny rolls her eyes as she heads towards the mess hall "These next few days might prove more than our mighty queen can handle, I am not sure I have ever seen someone not fall under Gabrielle's charms and powers of persuasions," winking at Xena.
"True, but let's hope this helps more than it hurts. Who are you sending out on guard?"
"You know, Gabrielle told me to not send anyone and to "screw" protocol"
"I hope you didn't listen to her"
"Of course not! Our queen might be a mighty warrior, but she attracts trouble worse than a Minotaur attracts flies. I did only send 1 person out."
Gabrielle and Sam have been riding in silence for several candle marks, as they approach the clearing not far from ravine.
"Let's set up camp here for the night. Do you want to start the fire while I start dinner?"
"Yes my queen" Sam replied.
"Sam, it wasn't an, ummm, I mean, let me take your horse, I am going to let them graze out in the field." Gabrielle turned towards the woods, leading both horses out and grabbing an apple.
"Enjoy the field, but don't wonder off." As she tosses them each an apple. Looking up to the sky, she wonders how she might be able to get through these next two nights, as Xena's words of not pushing rattle around her mind.
Gabrielle and Sam both tackle their tasks of setting up camp, Sam works with laser focus making sure to accomplish her tasks with precision and perfection, while Gabrielle is enjoying the ease of which setting up the campsite returns to her. As they set up their bedrolls, eating the stew Gabrielle prepared, Gabrielle can't take the silence any longer, this trip was for her to impart wisdom onto the next generation of Amazon leaders, while learning more about the young Amazon, why should this trip be any different just because Sam…
"Sam, what are your plans once you graduate?"
Sam is very much thrown off by this question, looks at her queen as if she has asked her the secret to the Gods. "Well, ummmm, I would like to be Captain of the Queen's, I mean your guards."
If Gabrielle is surprised by this she doesn't show, "That is quite the goal to strive for, is there a particular reason that is where you wish to land, given your, well given who your mother is" Sam's head snaps up "I mean certainly she, I mean Sam, you are a such a brilliant young woman, who has certainly set" Gabrielle is trying desperately to not push and not say the wrong thing, "I mean what I am trying to say is that I am sure whatever you decide to pursue, you will achieve and your mother will be very proud, I mean is very proud of you."
"Thank you my queen" is all Sam can manage to say, she is unsure how to take that last sentence relayed from the Queen.
"Why are you always so formal, I mean Ephiny and Xena and others do it more to annoy me, but you, you truly believe that is how I should be addressed every time. Why is that?" Seeing Sam's hesitation "Samantha, right now it is just Gabrielle and Sam, enjoying the night, enjoying this adventure. Stepping away from all the formality, all the eyes, and all the pressures. It is two Amazons doing what we love most. It doesn't have to be anything more."
"Yes it does!" Sam snaps back, surprising herself with such an outburst.
They both sit there in silence, staring at the fire
"But it will never be just Gabrielle and Sam, you said it earlier, because of who my mother is, I am never just Sam. Everyone always looks at me and never sees me, they see my mother, and they see who I am supposed to be. And no matter what I did, good or bad, they always compared me to her. They always said "of course she excelled here, or why wouldn't we expect nothing less than those scores. Even the other kids looked at me and treated me differently.
So I decided a long time ago, that I would simply become the best Amazon I could, be the example, be what everyone wanted me to be. That is why I train so hard, study so much, because I know what is expected of me and how much better I have to be in order for anyone to see me other than her daughter." Sam looked up into Gabrielle's eyes and saw tears, tears that reflected her own that started to spill over. She hadn't realized she started crying, but it was like everything thing she had bottled up, and all the worry over this trip just came out.
"Apologies my queen, I know it is not the Amazon way to show weakness. It won't happen again." Sam stood up and turned to leave, but felt Gabrielle's hand on her shoulder.
"Do you know why I began this tradition?" Sam shook her head no "I began it for a couple reasons, after Xena and I settled down here, I needed a get away from all of being Queen meant. When Xena and I travelled together, it was simply Xena and Gabrielle. We didn't have to worry about elders, or traditions, or anything. So I began the tradition as a way to get away from being Queen for a few nights, I am surprised these Amazons let me use the restroom in peace and I am not guarded while heading natures calls. It is a lot, and something that I gladly endure, because being Queen has given me so much more than not being Queen. So I started this tradition to give myself time to be Gabrielle, and getting to know our future leaders as Gabrielle, not their Queen. Do you think any of those who came before you would ever open up to Queen Gabrielle? If I were to walk up to them in the village and speak to them about their future, what they want to change, would they would be honest? No chance, they would tell me what they thought I wanted to hear. But get them out in the open, away from everything else, everyone else, put each of us on the same playing field, and they are open and honest. So I am not your queen at this moment, I am just Gabrielle who wants to get to know her, who wants to get to know you Sam." Gabrielle said pulling Sam into an embrace "you never need apologize to me for showing me who you are", and surprising them both, Sam allowed the emotions to flow, Sam felt safe, loved, and soaking up this moment, finding herself actually needing this.
Once Sam's sobs began to subside "So Sam, why do you want to be the Captain of the Queen's Guards?"
Wiping her eyes and returning to her bedroll and not quite understanding why she was so willing to be vulnerable at this moment "ever since I was little, I heard tales of Queen Gabrielle and all the amazing adventures she was a part of, all the amazing accomplishments and how she was able to unite all the tribes and return the Amazons to where we are today, I wanted to be like her and accomplish all that and more. But I realized that I would never be like her, no one ever could be like her. All I could do is make sure that she was always protected, and the queens after her were always protected, and the Amazons were always protected. And what better way to protect everyone then to become the person in charge of ensuring the Amazons, the queen, everyone was protected."
"You are correct Sam, you can never be like Queen Gabrielle or any of the queens before her" and with those words Sam felt defeated, like all her fears were confirmed, she would never be what was expected of her, she jumps up, looks at Gabrielle with tears in her eyes and begins to walk right past her.
"Sam, stop." But Sam continues to walk out "Samantha, your queen orders you to stop" Still not raising her voice
Sam stops and turns to face her queen, kneeling and saluting her, hoping that this disobeying orders will be forgiven
Gabrielle walks over to Sam, kneels down in front of her, and lifts her chin, looks into her eyes
"Sam, you will be better than them, better than me. You are so special, you have no idea how special you are." Sam surprising them both, hugs Gabrielle tightly
Gabrielle whispers "Sam, do you have that dagger your mom gave you for your 9th birthday on your hip, don't answer, just shake your head." Sam complies and shakes her head yes
Gabrielle reaches up acting like she is consoling the young Amazon, grabs the knife and flicks it into the tree above them. Grabbing Sam, she spins them to the left and out of the way of the falling man from the trees.
Within seconds, both Amazon's have weapons drawn and pointed out of their unwelcomed guest, him clutching his shoulder where the dagger landed.
"Who are you, and why are you trespassing on our lands?"
"Sam, point that sword at him, if he tries anything, slice his neck" Gabrielle gritted through her teeth as she sheaved her Shai's grabbing the intruder by the dagger, twisting it, and forcing him on his knees. Before anyone can say anything, Gabrielle applied the pinch to his neck.
"I am not in any type of mood to play games, tell me who you are, why you are here, on Amazon lands, or my eyes are the last you will see before crossing the River Styx." Sam, to her credit, simply followed orders and tried not to think about what she was witnessing. She had only heard tales from the other girls or other Amazons who wanted to scare the younger Amazons. She had never heard directly from Queen Gabrielle or the General or anyone else about what she was witnessing, details like this always seemed to be left out from the stories told when the Queen went into Bard mode.
"I…I'll…..talk" he managed to get out, releasing the pressure point hold upon him, Gabrielle never took her eyes off him, her Shai's still tucked in her boots.
"I am the lookout for the Great Dasani, we are making our way to your lands to conquer them" he spat out. "It doesn't matter that I am telling you this, you are no match for our leader, we will enjoy ravaging your villages. You woman are no match for our power, strength, intellect, and…" Gabrielle punches him "I really can't deal with his man splaining right now. Secure him." Gabrielle turns and walks a few yards away and gives a bird call signal.
"Yes my Queen" the Amazon centurion drops from the trees and kneels
"I can't believe Ephiny and the General made you do this"
"My Queen, it is standard protocol for protection detail for the Queen and the General also wanted me to add that she knows you can take care of yourself and hopes that you are not that upset with her" the guard states with a slight smirk on her face
Gabrielle shakes her head "Take him back to the village and inform the General and Regent of an approaching group of new friends and let them know that Sam and I will hold here and tell them Phoenix. They will understand."
The guard takes the horses, loads up the prisoner and herself and heads back the village.
"Sam, I need you to stay here while I head over to the bridge. I am going to take out the bridge to block the main army's route here. I need you to stay here, and be aware. I shouldn't be but a candle mark, and the rest of the Amazons are will be arriving 4-5 candle marks after that."
"My Queen, what does Phoenix refer to," Sam asks.
"It was a battle strategy the General and I used in a previous campaign." Gabrielle walks closer to Sam, places her hands on her shoulders and softens her voice "And Sam, I know you are not a child, and I trust your abilities, but I need you to be safe, I can't have anything happen to you, please do not try any heroics." Gabrielle trots away and looks back over her shoulder "That is an order!"
Sam is left standing there, unsure how she should take what was just told to her. On one hand, she is furious that she is being treated as less than any other Amazon, she is 18 summers old, graduating top of her class, and has bested some of the best Amazons with many more years' experience than herself, but on the other hand, her Queen has given her a direct order and while she feels that it was not fair, she will follow it 100%.
Sam standing at the ready yet not out in the open, on guard, listening for anyone that shouldn't be there, knowing that her only back up is returning their prisoner to the village. She is focusing on the direction the Queen went, watching out for any signs of trouble, she didn't quite hear the approaching footsteps quick enough. Turning and preparing to head into the trees, she never sees his fist, propelling her to the ground. A bit dazed, she turns her head up and sees at least 12 armed men looking down at her. Just as she thinks that she is going to be in a ton a trouble, her head meets the boot of the closest armed soldier to her.
"Secure her to that tree, we will wait till the other one returns. She will pay for capturing my brother."
"Yes my liege" the soldier says as he drags Sam to the nearest tree, securing her hands around the tree behind her, Sam's head hanging limply to the side, a thin line of blood can be seen trickling down the side of her head.
Gabrielle makes it to the bridge, it overlooks the gorge that surrounds the Amazon village to the North. About ten years ago, the Amazons had constructed the bridge to be wide enough to bring supplies to and from their village. Prior to that, any supplies coming from the North took 5 days longer. Gabrielle really hated to destroy the bridge, her tribe had spent many months creating this path. It had made travel up north a great deal easier and opened up additional trading partners. She made sure she made the bridge incapable of crossing but could be fixed from the side she was on. Satisfied that the army would not be able to approach the village this way and forcing them to head towards where Sam was currently at, but a fair distance across the gorge, Gabrielle ran back towards Sam to wait for Xena to begin the other half of the plan. As she ran back, Gabrielle went over the plan in her head, the army would be passing where they were positioned around the same time that Xena arrived with the full force of her Amazon Nation. All Gabrielle had to do was ensure that no one made it past their position before Xena arrived. Approaching the spot she left Sam, Gabrielle quickly realized something was off. Scanning the surroundings, she realized that it had been disturbed by more than herself, Sam, the guard, and their intruder. She surmised approximately 15 people had been through here. Picking up her pace to ensure Sam was safe, she emerged from the path greeted by those 15 soldiers and Sam unconsciousness, tied to the tree. In stride, she removed her Sai's from her boots and flung one at the soldiers to her right and left. They both feel to the ground dead from a Sai to each's neck. Never changing her stride, Gabrielle grabbed both Sai's from where the soldiers were "holding" them for her in time to stop the next two soldiers' downward thrusts of their swords. Flinging the soldier to her right back, she kicked out behind her, catching the other soldier in the chest and sending him flying backwards into the tree, knocking him unconscious. Once she was past the first four soldiers, she took up a defensive position, protecting Sam as the remaining soldiers began to approach.
Gabrielle, taking on 2 soldiers at a time, parried, blocked, punched, kicked and stabbed them as they approached. As she continued to battle the remaining soldiers, Gabrielle picked up on the sound of a bow being drawn back, glancing around, she noticed a soldier had climbed up the tree, following where he was aiming, Gabrielle had a moment of panic realizing he was aiming for the defenseless Sam. The soldier released the arrow as Gabrielle turned, punching the soldier that blocked her path to Sam in his face, and headed toward Sam. Realizing she might not make it, and knowing that her skills of catching an arrow in midflight, were not on par with Xena's, Gabrielle dove placing her body between the arrow and Sam, just as the arrow was about to piece Sam's heart, instead landing in Gabrielle's right shoulder blade. The momentum of Gabrielle's dive, coupled with the momentum of the arrow, propelled it thru her shoulder, embedding most of the tip into Sam's left shoulder. A now awake Sam, looked directly into Gabrielle's closed eyes, willing the Queen to open them indicating she was alright.
"My Queen" Sam whispered. Sam felt an arm wrap around her right side, Gabrielle opened her eyes and moved herself off of Sam in order to jar the arrow tip from Sam's shoulder.
"No matter what happens, do not let on that I am the Queen, no..matter..what..happens." Gabrielle panted out through gritted teeth. She was about to try and stand up when an arm grabbed her in her injured shoulder and turned her around, forcing her to her knees.
"My, my, my, you woman warriors just might be worth something after all. Those were some of my best men you killed," backhanding Gabrielle, the surprise of the backhand causes her to almost fall over, but he grabs her arm and forces her to stay upright. Now with blood trickling down her lip Gabrielle licks some of the blood and spits it at his feet, starring up at him defiantly almost daring him to try that again. Feeling her head start to spin, she wills herself to not give anything away.
He kneels down in front of her and places his hand on her left shoulder, inches his face towards hers whispering in her ear, "it's a shame I am going to wipe out each and every one of you, but only after I make you suffer" then grabs the arrow head and yanks the shaft through Gabrielle's shoulder. Gabrielle can't help but scream, the full arrow is not yet removed, but Gabrielle is unable to stay conscious and succumbs to the darkness. From behind her, Sam begins to thrash "I'll kill you!" she shouts pulling on the ropes that are holding her to in place.
He steps over Gabrielle, holding the arrow he extracted from Gabrielle's shoulder, kneels in front of Sam and presses the tip into her own shoulder wound. "Now you little one, we might spare, but only after you watch me demonstrate why woman will never be better than man" with each word, he twists the arrow just a tad.
Gritting her teeth, Sam musters courage of her mother's "My sisters will never let that happen" right before she smashes her head into his nose, forcing him to fall back. Sam only has a moment to appreciate her handy work, before another of the soldiers punches her in the head and Sam joins Gabrielle in the darkness.
Wiping the blood from his nose "Sting her up on that branch" Two soldiers grab Gabrielle and drag her over the tree, they throw a rope over a branch, securing each end to Gabrielle's wrists, shortening the rope, so Gabrielle's feet are barely touching the ground. The jolt to her injured shoulder, wakes Gabrielle up. She quickly assess her surroundings, the leader talking it over with a few of his soldiers, Sam still tied up. She notices more blood on her wound, wondering to herself if Sam was injured more than she thought. Their leader turns, feeling a shift the air, Gabrielle noticing that he has blood seeping from his nose. She presumes that Sam again being unconscious and the blood on their leader, means that Sam is the reason for his injury. Gabrielle smiles knowing that Sam was able to get a shot in on him, feeling proud of the young Amazon. Sam stirs and makes eye contact with Gabrielle, trying to communicate with the Queen that she is okay. Gabrielle also conveying to the young Amazon that she is also okay and to not worry.
Sensing both Amazons are awake the leader begins approaching Sam, "Am I to believe you are Lord Dasani?" Gabrielle remarks, trying to draw his attention away from Sam.
"Ah, so you have heard of me?" Dasani turns and beams
"Nope, your scout likes to talk. He sang like a canary once we caught him trying to sneak up on us. Well that was before" Taking two purposeful towards the Queen, Dasani punches her in the stomach and side, causing her to swing around.
"You lie! No woman has the skill to best my warriors?" Dasani spits out before backhanding Gabrielle as she swings back towards him
Dragging her toes to try and stop spinning, spitting blood on the ground, "Then who did that" she nods her head at the soldiers she had already taken out. This time expecting the punch, Gabrielle was able to absorbed most of the impact, but it still caused her to swing again. Knowing she had to continue to stall and allow Xena and the other Amazons time to get into position, she figured she could handle turning into a punching bag, but the swinging was quickly zapping her strength as each swing pulled more and more at her shoulder, feeling the blood running down her side, she prayed to Artemis that she could keep this up a little bit longer. Looking at Sam, she drew strength knowing she had to keep this up if she hoped to get herself and Sam out of this mostly in one piece.
Stopping herself from spinning, "You do realize that there are hundreds more like me, you saw what I was capable of, do you really believe you and your men can take on all of us?"
"Of course I do. But I might spare the rest if you hand over your Queen and share with me the treasures of the Gods I know you possess."
"Why would we do that, we do not need to surrender, we out number you, and out skill you."
"Do you think this is all I brought, I know we can easily slay you woman, but I still brought an army, if nothing more than to carry all your treasures away."
Dasani turns away from Gabrielle and heads towards Sam "Maybe you won't be helpful, but this one might be able to help convince you too. Stand her up" he shouts to the soldiers closest to Sam. The Soldiers take two strides towards Sam
"I'm the Queen!" Gabrielle shouts struggling to free herself and unwilling to allow Sam to be injured any more than she already is. "She is of no value you to you, she doesn't know where Artemis's arrows are hidden or any other treasure you desire." Dasani turns, pleased that he is closer to conquering these woman.
Both Sam and Gabrielle's ear perk up, hearing the bird calls, signaling the Amazons are close. But is now faced with a new problem. Both she and Sam are directly in the path of the pending attack. Gabrielle looks over at Sam, again conveying that no matter what happens, she will be alright and that she will get them out of this. After all, it is the Queens responsibility to protect her tribe.
With a tad more bravado than she is feeling at this moment, "Explain to me this, unless your army suddenly has learned to fly, I doubt they will get here in time to help carry anything back to wherever you came from. The bridge that I am sure you crossed over on, is no more." Gabrielle smiles as the confusion is etched on Dasani faces, turning he can see the remainder of his army across the gorge. His plan was that they followed him across a few candle marks later, but because the bridge is out, the rest of the Army will not arrive for another day or two. Dasani is trying not to reveal the concern he is feeling.
"And to add insult to injury" Gabrielle motions her head to Dasani to bring him closer to her. "I didn't kill your brother, but I did capture him and he revealed your mighty plan. He really did give up everything and all I had to do was offer him his freedom, something about Lord Dasani being a crazy warlord, ugly, and hackless soldier who is only in charge because his father gave him the command. At least that is what I think he said, he was crying for most of it. I think he also said something about you hitting like a girl"
Dasani now completely consumed by rage, punches Gabrielle in the side, she gasps as she feels her rib break from the impact. Dasani now feeling more confident after also hearing Gabrielle gasp from the blow, draws his sword out thinking he can at least kill the Amazon Queen.
"NO! Leave her alone" Sam shouts, trying to distract the deranged warlord, pulling at her own ropes.
As he approaches with sword drawn as if he is going to ram the sword through the Amazon Queen, Gabrielle lifts her feet up and wraps them around the sword, shoves the sword and his arms up towards her head, at the last moment, she swings the ropes in front of the sword and slices the rope, dropping hard on the ground, causing a jolt of electric like pain to shoot through her body. While she is trying to find her breath, Dasani takes the moment to kick her in the stomach. At the last second, Gabrielle sensed it coming and curls around this leg, absorbing most of the impact and twists herself around his leg. She rolls over, holding onto his leg, causing him to fall over her and onto his back. Gabrielle rolls on top of him, landing a punch to his face.
"I'm not sure, but I think I just hit you harder than you did me" she says as she returns to her feet, stumbling a little, clutching her right arm around herself. Seeing her Sai's laying nearby, she picks them up and heads towards Sam, knowing she needs to get both herself and Sam away quickly, but is interrupted by 2 of his men. She ducks the first soldiers advances, catches him with the tip of her Sai slicing his neck, turning to face the other attacker, she blocks his down ward strike with her left hand, not trusting her right arm to be able to support suck an attack. She pushes that attack off, uses the butt end of the Sai in her right hand and slams it into his jaw, dropping him to the ground, before she can finish him off Sam yells at her "Mom! watch out" just as one of the soldiers fires an arrow towards Gabrielle. Gabrielle is able to twist mostly out of the way, but due to her injuries and the punishment she absorbed trying to bide time till the rest of the Amazons arrived, she is not quite fast enough and the arrow catches her on her thigh, slicing her and causing her to stumble, but fortunately in the direction of Sam. Gabrielle puts her Sai's back and focuses now on getting to Sam, willing her adrenalin to kick in as she struggles to remain upright. Figuring out how she might fight through the remaining soldiers, the first air attack is launched landing approximately 30 feet from everyone. Everyone but Gabrielle is shocked at the turn of events and it proves just the distraction she needs to get Sam and herself out of there. Pushing herself towards Sam, she quickly slices the ropes that are holding Sam in place. Another fire bomb is launched, this time it lands on the other side of the gorge, everyone freezes as they pear towards the other half of the army. The blast ripping a hole through the army. Gabrielle helps Sam stand, who sways and has to steady herself, feeling as though she could throw up.
Gabrielle looks Sam over, seeing the dried blood on her face, the blood that is still coming from the shoulder wound. Gabrielle places both her hands on Sam's cheeks "Honey, I am so sorry that I didn't protect you better."
Unable to stay upright, Sam falls into Gabrielle "Mom, it's alright, I'm fine" Sam tries to convey but has to close her eyes and steady herself from the wave of dizziness that over comes her.
"Hey, I need you to put your arm around me, I have you, but I need you to help yourself stay up right." Gabrielle puts Sam's right arm around her shoulder and puts her left arm around her waist, almost having to pull Sam away as Sam struggles to stay upright. They only make it about 20 yards in their intended direction before the next bit of Greek Fire is launched, this time coming up short, landing about 10 yards behind a fleeing Gabrielle and Sam, the impact propelling them airborne. Flying through the air, Gabrielle has a death grip on her lifeless daughter and glances forward seeing that they are headed directly towards a rock wall. Gabrielle wraps both her arms around Sam, turns them so that she places herself between the rock wall and Sam and braces for what she knows is about to happen. Moments before the inevitable, Gabrielle prays to Artemis that she gets to see her daughter and Xena again, whispering again to Sam how sorry she is just hoping they survive. She hits the wall, jarring every muscle and bone in her body, her head smacking with tremendous force, she is knocked unconscious before she even lands on the ground below. In a heap of limbs, both Sam and Gabrielle lay still as the Amazons continue to sling Greek Fire at the intruders.