Chapter Four - The First Meeting

Gabrielle let out a quiet moan. She could barely feel her arms, they'd been tied above her head far longer than she cared to remembered. Across from her was Lilla in the same sitting position with her arms above her head. A cool night breeze sent a chill down Gabrielle's spine.

"Lilla?" Gabrielle asked, unsure if she had fallen asleep. Lilla flopped her head forward, eyes open. They were red, she'd spent a lot of their time crying, and Gabrielle couldn't comfort her.

"Hmm?"

"I was just seeing if your awake."

Lilla gave her a sad smile. Gabrielle looked up at her wrists and sighed.

"What do you think she wants?" Lilla asked quietly. Gabrielle looked back at Lilla, but never got a chance to answer.

A men entered, dressed in dark armour similar to every other soldiers. He looked at Gabrielle then Lilla. "You." he pointed and walked towards her, pulling a knife out from his belt. Gabrielle was startled for a moment till she saw him cut the ropes and pull Lilla to her feet.

Relief washed over Lilla's face as she dropped her arms to her side, she realized now how she took advantage of something like that, and many other little things (like how soft her bed was compared to the stone floor). She awkwardly matched the mans pace as he brought her up a set of stairs and down a short hall.

Lilla crossed her arms uncomfortably, she wasn't sure what to do. The moment the ropes had been cut loose she thought of making a run for it, but she wasn't so naive that she didn't know how foolish that would be.

Her 'escort', knocked on the door, the noise echoing down to where Gabrielle sat.

"Come in." Lilla cringed, she recognized that voice. It was the woman from earlier.

The man opened the door and shoved Lilla inside, then quickly shut it. Lilla was in a fair sized room, but she didn't pay attention to any of it, only the soft aroma filling her nostrils. Like the woods, with flowers and fresh crisp air. It made Lilla feel a little at ease, and homesick. Till she noticed the dark haired woman sitting in a chair staring at her, then all her feelings were replaced with fear.

Xena eyed her. She was so petite, especially compared to Xena. She would get taller, but Xena doubted her overall frame would change at all.

"Hello." Xena greeted, sounded a little sarcastic. Lilla took in a deep breath.

"H-H-H-Hi." she said quietly.

Xena made a motion for her to sit down, Lilla did so very frightened and timidly. She kept her eyes on the cracks in the stone floor, feeling the woman's gaze on her.

"What's your name?" Xena asked.

"Lilla." she choked out.

"Speak up." Xena ordered.

"Lilla." she said at a level Xena approved of.

"How old are you?"

"I'm... I'm fifteen years... old..."

"Young." Xena said to herself. "I would have wagered you were fourteen."

"My... my birthday was just a few days before your men came." Lilla explained.

Xena nodded as Lilla slowly drew her gaze to the blue eyes that stared so intently. "You don't know who I am."

It wasn't a question, but Lilla gave an answer. "No."

Xena almost smiled. "Have you ever heard of the 'Battle of Corinth'?"

Lilla's brow furrowed. It sounded familiar. Where had she heard that before? Oh. Gabrielle. It had been a while ago, Gabrielle had been reciting a story about two orphans when she'd dragged off topic to the bard that had passed through the village that day. Then Gabrielle had been talking about what the bard had been talking about, which was the Battle of Corinth. Gabrielle hardly remembered anything about the story, and Lilla recalled her asking the adults around town, they'd simply brushed it off as some fiction story (but Gabrielle later reported to Gabrielle how they'd all tensed up when the topic was raised) Lilla didn't understand, nothing about war and combat interested her. Gabrielle equally hated it (but also held a fascination to the lesser points of mankind), but still ranted on for an hour about it.

"...My sister mentioned it once."

Xena got to her feet and began slowly pacing in front of Lilla, who was feeling much calmer than before. For a woman who was supposed to be one of the most feared in Greece (according to Gabrielle's story), she had a curious way of manipulating others feelings to make them feel comfortable.

"It was quite the battle." Xena mused for a moment, then stopped walking and faced Lilla. "Stand up."

Lilla did so immediately. Xena stood much taller than her, it was very intimidating. "You're very obedient." Xena acknowledged.

Lilla tilted her head a bit. That was an odd thing to say, although these circumstances were fairly odd. "My mother raised me well." Xena nodded.

"I can tell." Xena said. "Do you have any skills?"

"I'm sorry? Skills?"

"If I'm going to keep you here I need to know if you can do anything. Otherwise, what use are you to me?"

Her last sentence sent a chill through Lilla, so she said the first thing that came to her mind. "Cook. I can cook."

Xena sat back down. Lilla shifted for a moment, thinking if she would talk to Gabrielle after she was done with her. Then another question came to mind, but Lilla was hesitant to ask it. Then, her sister came into her head. Gabrielle. Bold Gabrielle, who always asked questions (no matter how mindless).

Lilla took in a deep breath. "Why... why d-did you keep me here?"

Xena shot a glare at her. That comfortable feeling that Xena had manipulated her into disappeared. For two long minutes Xena stared into Lilla's eyes and Lilla stared at the floor. "Don't ever ask me that again." Lilla bit her lip, trembling in her spot. "Now go."

Lilla scurried to the door, about to pull it open but stopped, then turned back to Xena. "Uh... ma'am? Er..."

"Xena." the warrior said slowly and clearly.

"Xena." Lilla repeated. "I-I-I know how... how out of line this is..." Lilla's voice lowered, she cleared her throat and spoke louder. "..out of line this is, but... can you do something for me?"

"Why in the gods names would I do something for you?" Xena asked, she'd lost her entertainment with this girl, she was growing irritated.

Lilla tried not to let that phase her, but it felt like a dagger in her stomach being talked to so harshly. "Why did you keep us here?"

Xena was silent for a moment.

"Out." she said sternly. Lilla obeyed.