Disclaimer: Xena, Hercules, and crew do not belong to me.
Time line/Summary: Takes place some time after Xena gave birth to Eve. The episode "God Fearing Child" did not happen, therefore Hercules and Iolaus do not know about Xena's pregnancy. There is no twilight of the Gods in this Xenaverse. The main idea of this story was a suggestion by fellow writer BellaVision who messaged me to bring the idea to life. Hope it doesn't turn out too badly lol. Will be part of a two part series, the sequel being called "Golden" which is also based off of a suggestion from BellaVision.
Chapter 1: The Hind
Argo galloped at full speed in the direction Xena guided her. Xena's heart was beating fast from being hunted these last few days. Her body couldn't relax, it struggled to be in a constant state of alert. Eve, snug in her carrier on Xena's back, gurgled in amusement at the bumpiness, oblivious to the danger that she and her Mom were in. Xena didn't want to admit it, but she was a afraid. Discord and Strife were both attacking Xena and Gabrielle ever since Eve had been born. She had no idea of why, but she had a hunch that it had something to do with Eve and the despicable thorn at her side, Ares. Discord and Strife had always seemed to be Ares' thugs, doing his bidding and dirty work. She just had to figure out what Ares wanted. Knowing Ares, it would not be a good thing.
The last few days Xena and Gabrielle have lived with the Amazons for safety. Discord and Strife did not disrespect Artemis by setting foot on her land. However they could not stay there forever in fear, so they set about to find ways to defend themselves. While they were in Amazon land they searched for something to to keep Strife and Discord from pursuing them any further. Gabrielle had searched through many of the Amazon history scrolls in search of the whereabouts of a hind. Hind's blood had the power to kill Gods and if they could have some, Xena and Gabrielle felt it would be enough to keep them at bay. Unfortunately, rightly so, there didn't seem to be a single recording of the location of the hinds.
During their stay in Amazon lands, Gabrielle had passed on her right of caste to Eve. Her reasons for giving her the right of caste were twofold. One, was she felt like Eve was a daughter to her and she wanted to pass the honor onto her. Two, because as an Amazon princess, they could invoke the aid of Artemis for the sake of Eve. During a ceremony in Artemis' temple on Amazon land, Gabrielle pleaded with Artemis for some key information. Gabrielle asked Artemis the whereabouts of the hind. The location revealed was where they were now headed, a forest in Ceryneia. Gabrielle was told by Artemis to approach the hind and ask the hind if it would help. If the hind agreed, Artemis would then appear and be present to heal her hind after it sacrificed its blood.
"Gabrielle, over there!" Xena pointed as she found the site described by Artemis. They brought their horses to a halt and headed in the direction Xena had pointed. It was a beautiful grove within the forest. Lush and shady, it looked like a forest animal's dream resting area. In the shade of the grove, many animals nibbled at bushes and in the middle was a small spring. There, lapping up water from the spring, a beautiful red deer rested. It was obvious that many had not traveled this far since the animals were not affected or scared by the strange humans invading their secret spot.
The deer's innocent eyes caught sight of the two women and quietly continued to drink.
"I think that's the hind." Xena whispered, careful not to make any sudden movement. Gabrielle slowly walked up to the hind and presented herself prostrate.
"Great hind I implore your help in protecting a child who means the world to both of us. This child Eve is a source of happiness for me and Xena. We both have lost children to death and beg your help in protecting this child. Please allow us to use some of your blood to protect her." The hind arose, standing on confident legs, revealing its majestic antlers and shiny coat to Gabrielle. As if in understanding, the hind moved toward Gabrielle until she was within arms reach. A shimmer and glitter appeared behind the hind and Artemis appeared.
"Gabrielle, the hind sees the love you have is genuine and it agrees to help you." Artemis announced. "Take a dagger and slice deeply into its hind quarters. The blood on the dagger shall be enough to poison a God upon introduction into their blood stream."
Gabrielle reached her hand back toward Xena. "Hand me your breast dagger." she instructed. Xena complied and removed it from its perch upon her breast and into Gabrielle's hand. She slowly approached the hind and sliced. The hind twitched at the cut as it sliced clean into the hind's flesh, bathing the dagger in sufficient blood.
"It is done." Artemis announced as she waved her hand over the hind and healed its wound and disappeared into nothingness.
"Thank you hind!" Gabrielle appreciatively stated as she turned back towards Xena and the horses. The hind returned to its spot by the stream.
They mounted their horses and headed back towards Amazon land. They were rushing at full speed. They hated being out of safety for too long and they were vulnerable on horseback. They hadn't run into Strife or Discord since they left for Ceryneia and assumed it would only be a matter of time before Discord or Strife would catch wind of their lapse in hiding. Suddenly a crackle in the distance revealed the source of all their troubles.
"Ares," Xena spit out in disgust. "What do you want from me?" she continued.
"I want your child. I want to raise her to be a blood thirsty warrior to be your successor." Ares answered.
"Doesn't that idea just make you warm and tingly inside?" Ares baited and smirked at Xena.
"You sick bastard!" Xena yelled at him.
"Xena," Gabrielle whispered behind her. "Strife and Discord just appeared to the left and right of us." As soon as she had shared the info, Discord and Strife sent a double fireball straight for Gabrielle sending her flying off her horse.
"Gabrielle!" Xena screamed and ran towards Gabrielle knowing that if Eve was in the vicinity the gods wouldn't fire upon her.
In the distance two silhouettes appeared to be coming closer to Ares by horseback.
"Great, who else in your rat pack did you invite Ares! You never fight fair!" Xena angrily exclaimed. Suddenly the silhouettes were within sight.
"Hercules! Iolaus!" Xena announced in surprise as she held Gabrielle unconscious in her arms. Hercules headed straight for Ares.
"Hey bro," Ares grumbled in disgust as he sent a fireball flying toward Hercules. Hercules leaped off the horse and out of the course of the fireball and shoulder rolled. He recovered just in front of Ares. Hercules winded up for a punch and he swung in an large arc toward his siblings face. Ares caught the punch with considerable effort.
"Later bro," Ares stated in contempt and snapped his fingers and disappeared into the unknown.
To be continued in Chapter 2