Chapter Seven - Blue Eyes

The small token fit comfortably in Gabrielle's hand. She ran her fingers over its smooth surface, in the very middle there was a dent, but other than that, this was just a regular virilus token. Gabrielle had never seen one before. For some reason it made her want to smile. It was like a little treasure. After carefully setting it back where she found it, Gabrielle returned to the parchment and ink on the table.

She had finished what Xena had asked.Told would be a better way of putting it. Gabrielle never had to write so neatly, there wasn't a spot of ink to be seen, the words were in a perfectly straight line, and she had it written word for word as Xena had said. Gabrielle had to recite it back to Xena twice, demonstrating her well acquired memory.

Xena also told Gabrielle to find her when she finished.

Gabrielle had been working up the courage for over an hour.

The thought of having to face Xena was nerve wracking. Xena stared down at her with those sapphire eyes, truly able to make someone feel worthless. And it was only Gabrielle's meek courage that made her try to stand on equal ground with the warrior princess. This made Xena angry. Her eyes were amazing at conveying emotions, and when Xena was angry she shot daggers at you through those orbs.

But Gabrielle was determined to stand strong. For some reason, Gabrielle knew Xena wasn't all bad. She had faith in everyone, anyone. Even the person who had her taken from her home and family. That would be Gabrielle's downfall.

What caused her to have such a faith in Xena was a curious thing. It had happened earlier, in the morning.

Xena had presented Gabrielle with the parchment and ink, telling her what she was supposed to write. Gabrielle asked why (and she was learning it wasn't smart to question Xena's motives) and Xena answered with "Because I said so."

After Xena's crude remark Gabrielle unintentionally made a face. Xena's lip turned to a snarl. "You know I could kill you." Xena threatened. Gabrielle looked at her hands, and then made contact with the blue.

"So why don't you?" Gabrielle asked quietly. Xena didn't answer.

It seemed as if Xena was thinking back on something. A very unpleasant memory and Gabrielle saw that twinkle in her blue eyes. Xena was regretting something. The pain shone in her eyes, and Gabrielle could see this was immensely rare, for Xena to show any sort of emotion that wasn't sarcastic amusement or anger.

As quickly a it had been there, it was gone. Xena left Gabrielle to work, but she was haunted with the look in Xena's eyes. She wanted to see it again.

Gabrielle peered out the window. It was another blazing day, not even a soft breeze to replenish people of the heat. She as wondering when the dry spell would end when she spotted Xena marching into what looked like a stable. Gabrielle sighed, and grabbed the parchment, handling it carefully. It was so perfect; she didn't want it to be altered by some sort of incident.

Gabrielle scurried outside, pleased that she no longer got curious glances from the men. They had easily gotten used to it, but they didn't seem very pleased. Gabrielle moved towards the stables when something caught her eye.

Peering outside, blocking the sun from her face with an incredibly filthy hand was Lilla. Gabrielle stared at her sister in surprise. Lilla motion for her to come over there. Gabrielle glanced at the stables then went to her sister.

Lilla pulled her inside.

It was dark; Gabrielle had trouble adjusting to it. When she could just make things out, she saw a man lying on a poorly constructed bed, sputtering at the water Lilla was pouring down his throat. A stale odor was floating around, Gabrielle coughed.

"Lilla?" she asked.

The man sitting on the table leaned up to look at Gabrielle, and then fell back down into raspy breaths. Lilla brushed the dark bangs from his face then set the cup he'd been drinking from down.

"Gabrielle!" she shot towards her sister and hugged her tightly. Gabrielle squeezed her sister, crumpling Xena's messages, but not caring.

"You're alright!"Lilla said, relieved. Lilla released Gabrielle and looked at her with a pathetic smile.

Gabrielle took Lilla's image in. Her hair was coated with dirt and grease and tangled into knots that jumbled around her dirty face. There was blood smeared on her face and hands. The olive green dress she wore was ragged and had blood soaked into it.

"What is Xena having you do?" Gabrielle asked, not taking her eyes from the blood stains.

Lilla looked at her bare feet, then back at her sister. "Everything.I bring people food, I clean up their messes, I've been working in here, 'healing'-" this brought a laugh from the man, which brought him to a coughing fit. Lilla turned to him but he quickly settled down. "I've had to take care of horses, I've been-"

Gabrielle held her sisters face. "That's - that's..." Lilla's shoulders shook as she burst into sobs.

"I can't do this." she cried.

Gabrielle hugged her sister again, rubbing her back soothingly. "Yes you can. You can do this. We can do this." Gabrielle's words were of no comfort.

Lilla gently pushed Gabrielle away, wiping tears from her face. Gabrielle had never known her sister to stop crying so quickly. She was such an emotional girl. Lilla had never started crying and stopped in only thirty seconds.

"Does she have you do these things?" Lilla asked.

Gabrielle crossed her arms, shuffling her feet nervously. How could she tell Lilla that besides being denied hygiene, she was being treated well for their situation? "I..." she didn't think she could."Yes. She is. Aside from being in here that is… I was just about to go to the stables..."

Lilla nodded. "She's an interesting horse, huh?"

Gabrielle nodded slowly. "…Very... I... I better go, Lilla."

Lilla nodded. "Yes, if Xe- if she catches us... well... she might not be so kind."

Gabrielle nodded and backed away towards the door. "Does she scare you?" Lilla asked.

Gabrielle looked at Lilla for a long moment. "Sometimes. But I try not to let her. She may have her hands on our situation, but she doesn't control our fate. We do."

"Do we?" Lilla asked sarcastically. "I thought the Fates chose our path."

Gabrielle sighed. "We have control, Lilla."

Lilla gave Gabrielle a sisterly peck on the cheek and ushered her out the door. Why was Lilla being treated like such a slave while Gabrielle really didn't have it so bad?

Gabrielle smoothed out Xena's messages, they still seemed perfect. She saw a man eyeing her suspiciously, but Gabrielle just ignored him and entered the stable. She was a little nervous, but the thought of the twinkle kept her steady.