Xena inhaled several times to get her bearings, and kept her eyes shut while she did so. There were just the four of them, inside, she was sure, and she was lying on a lumpy mattress. She finally opened her eyes and stared at her three companions who were peering anxiously at her.
"Where's Gabrielle?" she said and tried to sit up. However her arms buckled under her and she fell back onto the bed.
Aphrodite gently put her hand on Xena's chest. "Easy, Xena, it'll take a little while for you to get used to your body again, to living and moving. How are you feeling?"
Xena opened her mouth to speak but took an internal inventory first; her whole body felt weary and drained, and she felt-she had almost forgotten the feeling-hungry.
"Weary," she admitted reluctantly, "and hungry."
Aphrodite clicked her fingers and on the cabinet by the bed there appeared bread, meat and a goblet of wine. "Enjoy," said the blond goddess.
"I'm just off to check the men," said Ares. He nodded at Eli who bowed his head slowly, and in a flash Ares disappeared.
"Where are we?" asked Xena. Eli and Aphrodite helped her to sit up, and the goddess placed the plate on her lap.
"In the allies keep," replied Eli. "She's here," he added gently.
Xena stopped mid chew.
"Get your strength back first. You need to be strong for her," said her dark haired friend.
Xena swallowed her mouthful of food. She was so near to Gabrielle, she could practically taste it. She looked in gratitude to her old friend. "It is so good to see you, Eli. I-we missed you."
"Me too." The former magician sat on the edge of the bed. "I have to go but before that there is one more person I have to see."
"Hey wake up. Stay like that and you'll get stiff." The tall brunette shook the soldier's shoulder.
He rubbed his eyes with his fist, before shaking his head. After re-gaining his bearings his eyes darted to the bed, and specifically the person lying in it.
"Any change?" he asked his voice slightly hoarse.
"None, Alix. Please get some rest."
What do you think I am doing here, Eve?" snapped Alix, and then dropped his head into his hands. "Sorry," he whispered.
Eve crouched down in front of him, laying her hands on his knees. "Proper rest. Bed. You are shattered. Gabrielle needs you fresh." Eve glanced at the bard who was occupying the bed.
"And what about you? You look dead on your feet."
"I haven't been fighting for three solid days, and then refusing to leave Gabrielle's side."
Alix snorted. "No you have been running the hospice and keeping her alive." His face dropped, and Eve reached for his hand and squeezed it.
"You both need your rest," came a voice and Ares materialised the other side of Gabrielle's bed. His eyes were focused on the stricken bard as he spoke; he then flicked them upwards before again resting them on the bard. He gently pushed a stray hair back from her forehead.
"Ares," said Alix and stood up. "It is good to see you. I trust your mission was a success?"
"Mission?" asked Eve, curiously.
"I had to-well never mind." The god stared at Eve, until the brunette felt self conscious and turned her head away from his gaze. "Yes it was extremely successful. But you two need to rest."
"Go on, Eve. At least have a wash and a bite to eat. I'll-I'll stay with her until you return," Alix looked imploringly at Eve and she nodded. She walked to Gabrielle and kissed her forehead.
"Stay with us, please." And with that she turned and walked towards the dining area.
Eve walked wearily to her room. As soon as she sat down at the table and started to eat a wave of tiredness engulfed her. She unenthusiastically managed to chew through her meal before dragging herself towards her suddenly yearned for bed. It had been four days since she had been back to her small room-she had napped a couple of times in the chair that Alix now occupied, but she was aware that she needed a rest even though she tried to deny it.
As she approached her door she thought she heard voices emanating from her room. Unconcerned, as the keep was secure, she opened the door. The sight was one she struggled to comprehend. For standing in the middle of her room, holding on to Aphrodite was her mother.
"MOTHER!" she yelled and took a step forward. She stopped herself and looked at Aphrodite for confirmation. The goddess wore a wide smile and nodded enthusiastically, and Eve turned back to her mother whose face too was smiling. This time Eve threw herself at her mother and they clutched each other tightly.
Both women were reluctant to let each other go but finally they both pulled apart a little but still hung onto each other's arms. Tears were streaming down Eve's face.
"I don't…What…Mother is it really you?" She said shakily.
Xena nodded, and cupped her daughter's face. "Oh Evie, I am so sorry. I missed you so much."
"I missed you, Mother. A piece of me died when Gabrielle told me." Eve noticed that Xena winced as she mentioned the bard. "We have missed you."
"Ahem," Eli cleared his throat and stepped forward. Eve looked at him perplexed and then looked quizzically at her mother.
Xena smiled. She knew that this would be a special moment in her daughter's life.
"Eve this is Eli. Eli this is Eve."
Eve's mouth hung open as she stared at Eli.
"You'll catch flies," said Aphrodite but Eve continued to stare at Eli until she suddenly shook her head and began to drop to one knee.
"Up my child," began Eli. "I have watched over for you and must thank you for all the work you have done."
"The last few years I have not spread your message as I should," said Eve and looked downwards. Eli hooked a finger under her chin and brought her face to his.
"The last few years I would not have expected you to. You have saved countless lives as a healer, taught children and supported Gabrielle and the soldiers. You have spread my message more this way than any number of sermons could. Do not chastise yourself, child."
Eve gave a weak smile.
"My work is done," said Eli. "Look after your mothers, Eve; I am very proud of you." Eve blushed.
Eli turned to Xena. "My friend it was good to see you again. I am so glad you are in your rightful place."
"I will be when I am with Gabrielle," said Xena quietly as she hugged Eli. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."
"This is not good bye. Aphrodite. Eve. Xena." Eli nodded to all three women before vanishing. They all stared at the space where he had been before Xena wobbled slightly and put her hand on Eve to steady herself. Eve immediately led her to the bed where Xena reluctantly sat down.
"Damn this weakness," she said slapping her left leg with her hand.
"Do you want to know what happened, Eve?" asked Aphrodite. Eve was still looking stunned and nodded dumbly.
Aphrodite and Xena exchanged looks and the goddess looked pointedly at the warrior. "The whole reason I had to stay dead was false." Her voice was laced with bitterness and she looked at Eve with pain etched on her face. Eve gently rubbed her mother's arm. "I didn't cause the deaths of the 40,000, I didn't have to remain dead. Akemi lied." She spat out the last two words venomously.
"Oh Mother, I am so sorry."
"Four years. I can't-well I am here now," Xena smiled weakly. "And I am here to make sure nothing happens to Gabrielle."
Eve sat down on bed next to her mother with a sigh. "You know about her?" She asked.
"Tell me," said Xena gently. "Everything."
Eve sighed again. "She found me in India about three years ago and told me. Mother, she was in such pain-angry, hurt, confused. I didn't think, well I didn't know if I ever would see her again. Then when the war started I heard she was involved and so joined her." Eve exchanged a satisfied look with Aphrodite. "Oh Mother, you would be so proud of her; she has led everyone with such dignity and skill, she is a hero to everyone."
Xena eye's shone with pride. Eve smiled at this but her face dropped.
"There has been fierce fighting-we protected a town to the North. Gabrielle was injured yesterday in the final moments of the battle." Eve put her head in her hands. "I can't do anything more, Mother, she's slipping away."
Xena laid her hand on her daughter's shoulder and then pushed herself up. "Let's see what I can do Evie."
Eve smiled and jumped up, her tiredness forgotten. She hugged her mother again and whispered, "It's so good to have you back. I love you."
"I love you too," said Xena and Eve led them out of the small room.