A/N: Breaking this into two parts. Here is the first part because I might not be able to update until Friday or Saturday. It's also kind of an intro into what Gabrielle must start doing. Anyways! Enough of my talking. Thank you so much for all the support and reviews! Please continue the reviews and and feedback! It keeps me going. :D P.s. Most of this is actual mythology and what not, but I had to tweek it some so I'm sorry if it's not 100% correct enough for some of you.

Xena woke up to nothing at all except the cold morning air. Sitting up, she sighed heavily in sorrow because there was no young blonde at her side keeping her warm and no one to make the amazing dumplings with the yummy red stuff inside. Groaning she packed up her stuff and set out for the nearby town. There she would get breakfast and gather information on Limbo and this Barinthus God.

When she finally made it into the town she settled Argo in a nearby stable and decided to start her day by eating at a near by pub.

She walked in half expecting a snooty comment from the Bard. I know, Xena. I have to wait here while you go off and get some information or put the pinch on some warlord. Don't worry Xena I'll be right here, you know, unless, they come here and start trouble. A light smile curled across Xena's face as she danced around her memories of the Bard. She finally snapped out of it and realized that if she wanted to try and see her friend she should probably hurry.

She ordered up a nice warm stew at the bar where she comfortably took a seat next to a few older guys. They looked at her like a fine meal and licked at their chops. Xena rolled her eyes but took advantage of the situation and fixed them a lusting gaze. "Say boys." She started as she began indulging in the hearty meal. "You all wouldn't know anything about Limbo or Barinthus would you?"

The men scoffed at the warrior princess. "If you don't cooperate with us, you'll be headin' there 'urself with that bein' the last man to take ya anywhere." The men decided they wanted to taste the warrior princess for themselves.

"Oh really?" Xena's eyebrow rose and she gave mischievous grin. "Tell you what boys. I'll do anything you want if you can get your filthy little hands on me."

They all gave an approving look to each other and then started towards her. She whipped her stool at them with one heaving kick and gave out her infamous war cry.

"Come on boys. You can't sit down now, we're just getting started." They readjusted themselves. Some grabbed chairs and the others balled their fists in furry. She smiled big and took one last sip of her stew before she threw the bowl as a makeshift chakrum. It ricocheted through the pub and knocked out a couple of the men and disarmed the others. As it whooshed back around she caught it and placed it gently on the counter top without a single scratch on the bowl.

Before the men could regain their composure Xena already knew she had won. "Now tell me, who wants to talk?"

They all looked at her with wide drunken eyes and ran for the door. Her grin fell from her face and she sat back down at the bar to think. Dammit, that didn't work. I really need Gabrielle, I suck at doing this talking thing.

"What? You want a piece of me as well?" Xena asked with her back still turned to the stranger that was courageous enough stalk quietly behind her.

It was an old woman with rugged clothes that approached her left side. "Young woman - I want no piece of you at all. I'm far too old and my branches don't bend that way...if you catch my drift." The old woman lifted up her dress to reveal her knickers at the word drift and winked with a chuckle.

"Then what is it that you want?" She was losing patience with the people in the town and losing out on time.

"Why is it that you ask for the God of the Seas, both of here and the Otherworld. What purposes do you have in knowing about Limbo?"

The woman perked the attention of the warrior princess. "You know about all that?"

Again the lady chuckled. "Sweetheart, I know many stories." She smiled sweetly and touched the cold cheek of the warrior. "I am a great Bard you know."

"A Bard, ehy?" The thought made Xena miss her friend even more. She gave in. "The name is Xena." She extended her forearm and the old lady returned the shake.

"My name is Sappho. I can tell you what you want to know if you can ask the right questions." She took a seat next to Xena and ordered two hot teas.

Xena's eyes shot open at her name and gasped. "So..." She squinted her eyes as if Gabrielle were playing another one of her tricks. "You're the infamous poet I hear about all the time?"

"Mmm...who cares to know these things." Sappho sipped hesitantly at her hot tea. Xena smiled at her statement. It was interesting to see how down to earth the woman was, and that Gabrielle would have been proud of the person Sappho really was.

"What can you tell me about Barinthus?" Xena regained focus.

"Barinthus is a Celtic God, his name really is Manannán mac Lir. He is the God of Seas and Weather, however, he is known to transport the dead across the river to the Otherworld or as Celts call Tech Duinn."

"But why was he here in the Greek seas? What purpose did have in taking my friend?"

The woman smiled gently at finally understanding why the warrior wanted such information. "He probably found something beautiful in her soul. Sometimes, he will take those who are in much need of something, whose hearts are pure but yearn to live on." Xena kept listening. "In our lands, where the Greek Gods and Goddess rule, when we are transported to the Otherworld the river washes away our memories and our sins. Whereas the Celts, their waters are those of wisdom and inspiration."

A tear fell from the warrior's eye. She was happy that Gabrielle was taken by someone who would be gentle with her and put more meaning into her soul and spirit. That someone, a God, could care so generously the way she failed to care for Gabrielle. She was becoming a little bit more at ease, she knew that Gabrielle was bound for a beautiful afterlife, but as always she had to make sure, and if Limbo was as amazing as she thought she would leave the Bard in peace and be forced to move on.

"And this Limbo place?"

The woman looked up into the Warrior's blue eyes. "Tech Duinn for the Celts is a place much like the Greek's Elysium fields. However, when your soul cannot pass for one reason or another, you are sent to Limbo or a holding place until judged. For many staying there it is said to be torturous, many are stuck reliving their deaths over and over again until their time for judgment is upon them. And Judgement for them is a rare event, most are stuck there for eternity."

Heat rose in the warrior's face. She felt a turn in the pit of her stomach. "If Gabrielle..." She darted her eyes around while trying to multi-think. "...if Gabrielle, is reliving her death...by the Gods, she will probably never forgive me or ever be at peace. I have to save her and I have to get her out of there. Where can I find this place?"

Sappho looked sadly at Xena. "I cannot tell you, for I do not know. However, find Barinthus near Dursey Island and you will find your answers that lead you to your friend."

Xena reminded herself to thank the Celtic Gods later and started getting ready to start heading towards Dursey Island. "Thank you..." Xena placed her hand on the old woman and gave her most sincere smile.

"You are welcome. Blessed journey's..." Sappho smiled and then remembered something. "Oh, and by the way...take this to your friend and give it to her." She reached into her bag and grabbed out a scroll with a seal of a bird-like creature holding it together. "But...only when you are truly ready to do so."

Xena smiled knowing that if she were to ever meet Gabrielle again that this would be the best present she could ever give to her. She took the scroll and placed it safely in her pack and then headed out towards Argo.

"Hey girl, looks like we are heading North to Dursey. We've got a long ways to go. Ready?"

Argo neighed and pranced in place impatiently. She was ready as she'd ever be. And in all honesty, Xena could tell that Argo missed the Bard almost as much as she did.

Same day

Gabrielle, finally woke up and was met with a mouthwatering aroma. Sweet! I could totally get used to this. She thought as she stared down the fish, salad, and drink.

The young Bard poked a stick into a nicely cooked fish and just when she was about to bite down it disappeared.

"Oh, come on." Gabrielle grunted, she thought she was alone until Arduinna appeared.

"It's not that easy you know. You want food you should get up earlier."

Gabrielle squinted with anger in her eyes. "I haven't eaten since I left Sirona's and you didn't even wake me."

Arduinna gave a serious grin that reminded Gabrielle a little of Xena.

"First lesson. Depend on yourself for the things you want and need. You must rise with the sun and slumber when it betrays us for the night time skies."

Gabrielle knew this was going to be a very tough day if she had to go without food. "You don't understand, I can't really hunt. You know Xena..." Gabrielle caught herself, "always hunts the food and I cook it." She was clueing in on the what the Goddess was getting at. A lot of what Gabrielle didn't like was the fact that she was never seen as an equal when it came to Xena, she always felt like a silly ol' sidekick and she depended on her like one too. Her face hardened and she stood great in stature in front of Arduinna. "Okay, I get what you're saying. So, what do I need to do to in order to get breakfast around here?"

"Gabrielle, it is too late to hunt for food. You must wait until lunch."

Gabrielle grunted loudly and balled her fist. "You've got to be kidding me."