Note: Hey guys. Sorry for this really late update. I just went off to a little retreat... in my mind to quieten the clutter that was wreaking havoc. Heh. Anyway, onward!

Note: I do not own Xena. But I do have a life-sized poster of Lucy Lawless...

(I jest... I don't. Although, now that you mentioned it, that seems like a very attractive idea.)

Here goes.

#$#

IV. Friend or Foe

"It can't be. How are you even alive?" she was now half sitting up with her elbows on the ground looking for her sais. She did not look a day older, maybe even younger, than when she remembered her. It has been too many seasons now since their last encounter. A moment in time that she has tried to forget. The stranger let out a small smile. She gently shook her head.

"You mistake me for someone else. I am not she."

"By the gods…," Gabrielle breathed in. Still not believing the uncanny resemblance. "You look just like her," she eyed her cautiously as she blurted out the words. "I… I meant someone we… I knew… met. Way back when." The stranger kept her hand in the air unassumingly. Gabrielle took it as she is gently helped from the ground.

Her stare did not leave the all too familiar face. The other woman found it strangely amusing.

"My name is Elnore. And yours?" she said warmly as her eyes sparkled. Once again, she held out a hand towards Gabrielle. The bard took it hesitantly, still staring. "Ga…Gabrielle," she said, barely above breath.

The familiar stranger's blue eyes settled on the gaping wound on Gabrielle's right arm. Her firm and beautiful features were now laced with concern as she efficiently took out a bandage from her small satchel pack. She motioned to bandage it up for her. Gabrielle gave a small nod entertaining the idea of saying 'no' but decided against it after realising her horse has gone off with most of her supplies.

"I understand your perplexity and I do not blame you if you feel uncomfortable with me," she said matter-of-factly as she wrapped the bandage around Gabrielle's arm. "But I have to ask, you spoke of my mother's name, how much do you know of her?"

"Mo…Mother? Did you say 'mother'?" Gabrielle's eyes widened with disbelief. The little new things one learns everyday. "I… I was not aware Najara was with child. I mean, well, sure, many years have now gone by but," she looked at her companion as she gently finished wrapping the bandage, she looked a little uncertain and dismal. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I really don't know much," Gabrielle said almost consolingly. "By the way, thanks for the arrows," she said half-jokingly as she looked at the dead bodies around them looking to break the ice.

"You're welcome," Elnore smiled at her. The resemblance was uncanny. There was almost no difference in their haircut, too. It was almost of the same length kept in a neat choppy haircut. And like her mother before her, she was not sure what to make of her. Although, this time, at least, Gabrielle now knows to check that all of her screws are placed on tight. And firmly.

"They were after me, actually," she said after a moment of silence.

"After you?"

"I have something of theirs," she said candidly. Gabrielle spotted a small dagger sticking out of her pack. Almost the same one the smallest mercenary was using. "The one who pinned you to the ground is an assassin," Elnore started gravely as if reading Gabrielle's mind. "One of their best. Those who are trained to indiscriminately kill and use whatever means to draw out their target. Instruments of entities called Djinn. The rest were mere mercenary thugs. But still cream of the crop. I apologise if they attacked you. I admit that particular part of the trick did not work out the way I planned. I planned to lose them in the woods before they get any ideas of infiltrating the city of Amphipolis, you see, but I had to use something as a decoy. I had no choice. I apologise," she bowed her head down sincerely.

"Huh," was all Gabrielle could muster. "Djinn?" She marvelled at the word. Many many seasons ago, she had accepted that Najara was just a plain nutcase; to actually now know that they were real, astounded her. It sent shivers up her spine.

"Yes. You've heard of them?" Her face contorted with anguish. "Malevolent and cunning spiritual creatures who are only really out to wreak havoc. Destroyed my adopted family. My life," she paused, grim written on her face. "Consumed my mother," she said vehemently as she clutched the bandage tighter in her fist. But she was again calm in a matter of seconds. She breathed in heavily as she stood upright and settled upon the urn lying haphazardly on the ground. She picked it up and handed it to Gabrielle, "I believe this is yours."

"I noticed the way you held it tight close to you while you were riding. Must be very special," again she smiled. Gabrielle took the urn chastising herself quietly for being careless in the fight that ensued.

"She was," she replied softly. "Anyway, I should go. Thanks for saving my life, again."

"No, wait. Are you on your way to Amphipolis, by any chance?"

Gabrielle nodded slightly; wary of giving away too much.

"Mind if I come with? I was on my way there, too, actually. Before that certain… incident," her gaze lowered as a faint blush coloured her cheeks. "Besides, I feel I owe you a great debt for putting your life in danger," she noticed a feeling of uncertainty in Gabrielle though, she quickly quipped to remedy the unwarranted reaction as she held both of her palms up as a sign of understanding, "But I will understand if you are against the idea. If you knew of my mother, I can not blame you for being wary of me or of my motives. As you should be. One is wise to not trust anybody on the road readily."

"Ahuh. I… I'm not really looking for a company."

"You should know, however, walking beside you or otherwise, I will keep watch. Just in case he comes back. He seemed to have taken a liking towards you." Gabrielle understood what she meant. The small assassin almost came too close. She knew he was a force to be reckoned with.

"I can take care of my own, thank you very much."

"Of course, you can. I am afraid that you may not. Something troubles you. A true warrior must not let anything hold them back. For a second of distraction may mean their last."

A moment of silence passed as Gabrielle pondered her words.

"Right."

She turned her heel towards the place that she has come to adopt as her own without a second look. She felt apprehensive of what Elnore's presence might bring. She has learnt, as time has proven, to be alert and vigilant. Most especially with the people she meets on the road. Living and travelling with a certain famous (and infamous) warrior princess can do that. Although she feels that she may have no choice in the matter, at Elnore's behest. First, however, she must follow Xena's wishes; place her ashes next to her family. There was no time for delay for she felt she may not be able to let go of the urn that safely carried Xena's ashes if she held on to it for far too long.

Disclaimer: Najara's cap was not stolen in the writing of this chapter. As for Najara's whereabouts, I may have to investigate even further. Rest assured, the Amphipolis city guards have not seen her either.