Rewriting the Scrolls

Chapter 7

By Jinxie

A week had gone by in Amphipolis, which was spent rebuilding the town. The inn was finished the quickest, since Gabrielle's family had been helping. The two teenage girls were inseparable. Fishing was a regular activity, as well as Xena showing off her fighting skills.

Gabrielle was quite impressed with her friend. At one point, she decided to try and pick up the sword, which was way too heavy for her. Xena had teased her a bit and it ended in a tickle fight. Gabrielle's heart was soaring throughout the week, beyond happy that she and Xena had been reunited.

However, the time came to an end. Herodotus decided it was time for his family to go back home, they had their own farm to attend to. At one point, Gabrielle had interrupted a conversation between the two mothers in the kitchen.

"So it's decided, then. I'll stay for another week then go home. I'm more than happy to help out, Cyrene." Hecuba said as she patted her friend on the hand. Herodotus nodded his head in compliance.

"I'll head home with the girls and finish up the harvest." He said with a bit of a grunt.

Gabrielle was in the doorway listening, "What? I don't understand. Why can't I stay too?"

Cyrene excused herself so that Gabrielle's parents could talk to their daughter.

Herodotus walked over to her and squatted down to her height, "Gabrielle, I need you help at home. I need you and Lila to tend to the sheep while I do the harvest. It's going to be difficult enough without your mother there, but she can make some extra money here at the inn."

The young blonde crossed her arms and scowled as a tear ran down her cheek. "It's not fair! I want to stay here too! I can help. I can tell stories and earn money."

It was Hecuba's turn to talk to her daughter, "Honey, you need to stay with your dad and help him, ok? I need you to take care of him, make sure he eats good food too. I know you want to be with your friend, but you'll get to see her again."

Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to pour out. She turned on her heal and ran upstairs to Xena's room. The door was open so she went inside and shut the door behind her. She flopped herself on her friend's pillow and cried.

Xena walked into the kitchen and saw that Hecuba and Herodotus were talking. She apologized for interrupting, "Sorry. I didn't mean to barge in."

"Xena," Hecuba started, "Gabrielle is very upset right now. I think she went to your room and could use a friend."

Xena stood up straighter, "What happened?"

"We are going home. My wife will stay here to help your mom get the inn running again, but the girls and I are going home." Herodotus stepped closer to Xena, "Maybe you can make her feel a little better about it. I need her to be able to watch the sheep while I take care of the harvest."

The teenager thought for a moment, the responded, "Ok, I will do my best." She walked into the dining room and paused before going up the stairs. Leaving already! They just got here. I don't want Gabrielle to leave. I hate that adults just run our lives like this. She shook her head to rid herself of the selfish childish thoughts. Come on, Xena. Grow up. You'll see her again. It's the right thing to do. She should help her dad out.

After her inner monologue, she jogged up the stairs and found her friend on the bed reading the letter she had sent her. "Hey."

Gabrielle put the letter down quickly, "Hi."

She walked to the side of the bed and sat on the edge, "I heard you need to go home to help your father."

Gabrielle's eyes welled up with tears again, "I don't want to go. I want to stay here."

Xena stood up and rummaged through her closet, coming out with her travel bag. She reached down inside and pulled something out, hiding it in her hand. "I was going to bring this to you when I came to Potedia."

Gabrielle smiled when she saw the small green rock. "It's pretty! Where did you find it?" She took the smooth stone into her hand and turned it over, examining it carefully.

"It was at our fishing spot. I was out in the water trying to catch fish with my bare hands. That's when I saw it."

"Bare hands! Xena, that's impossible." She looked at her friend in disbelief.

"Hey, maybe for you. I'm getting really close. I'm trying to develop many skills in life. " She smiled a toothy grin.

Gabrielle became sad again, "I wish I could be here to watch you catch one."

"Me too. But I can still come visit you. I found a way to do it. Miachel said I could ride the sword cart that passes through Potedia on its way to Corinth. So I will come see you soon, ok? But you have to go help your dad." Xena sighed and patted her friend on the foot.

"Fine. But I don't have to like it." Gabrielle got up and walked past Xena, down the stairs, and into the kitchen. "Let go already."

Her dad's eyebrows arched in shock, "Uh ok. Let's say goodbye to everyone."

They all said their goodbyes and Xena watched her friend leave once again.

xxxx

A week and a half later, Hecuba returned home to her family. She reported that the inn was back in tip top shape, running smoothly. Gabrielle had chatted her ear off about Xena, wanting to know everything that was going on with her friend. Hecuba answered her questions, then pulled out a stack of letters that Xena had sent.

"Why are there so many?" Gabrielle was in awe at how much writing her friend had done.

"She wrote seven of them, one each day I was there. She said to only read one a week and that they are in order already." Hecuba kissed her daughter on the head, "I'm going to go get the trail dirt off my feet. Remember, only one letter."

Gabrielle grinned at her mom, excited about the little game her friend had devised for her. She unraveled the first letter:

Hey Short-Stuff,

By the way, that's my new nickname for you. I'm hoping that your mom told you the rules. One letter per week, this is the first and they are in order. I also numbered them in case your clumsy butt falls and they spill everywhere. Just kidding.

Today I decided that I am going to use Miachel's tools to sharpen my sword. I also think the balance is off and it's bothering me. I have watched him do it enough, hopefully I'll do it right. I can't let him know that I'm going to use his stuff, he might fire me. Then I can't buy you something for your next birthday. Which I promise will be better than your last!

I can't believe it's almost been a year already since my birthday. I remember when you showed me the practice dummy. I loved that thing. I beat it up too badly though, so I can't use it anymore. Which is ok, I guess, because Toris is my practice dummy. Ha ha, he hates it. I give him so many bruises. I wish you could see it every day.

Anyway, I need to go do my chores now. You don't need to write back. I know it's hard to get letters sent back and forth. I'll see you soon, hopefully.

Your best friend,

Xena

Gabrielle reread the letter several times, laughing at all the right points. "Short Stuff. Hmmph." She grunted, "I'm not that short."

xxxx

At dinner that night, the adults had their own conversation going, which Gabrielle tuned out. That is until she heard her name mentioned. Her hearing perked up and she watched them talk about her.

"It's time we get her betrothed to someone. I think Perdicus would be a great match for her. He comes from a good farming family and they make a decent living from the land." Her father said to her mother. "Besides, his father has already asked."

Gabrielle's stomach curled at the thought of that, not just because of Perdicus but because she didn't want to be tied down to farm. She wanted to explore the world and learn things. "I don't want to marry Perdicus!"

Hecuba looked at Gabrielle then at her husband, "I don't know. Normally I would agree, but she is too much of an independent girl. I think she'll have a hard time being married until she grows up a little more."

"Hecuba, all girls her age become betrothed around this age." He took a bite of the grains on his plate and chewed thoughtfully.

Gabrielle was frustrated that they weren't including her in the conversation and had virtually ignored her first plea. "Father, I do not want to get married! I want to travel the world and explore new places. I want to tell stories and be happy."

Hecuba looked at her daughter, "What makes you think you won't be happy being married?"

Gabrielle thought for a moment, then looked back up. "I just don't want to marry farmer. If I ever get married, I want to travel with that person."

Her dad looked at her mom, finally understanding what his wife had been saying. She is too independent right now. She needs to grow up a bit more I suppose. "I guess we could wait a couple more years, though." He conceded, "Xena should be betrothed soon too. I heard you and Cyrene talking about it while we were there."

Gabrielle looked over to her mother, catching her eye. Her green eyes showed a bit of anger at the thought of Xena being married.

"Yes, and Cyrene reached the same conclusion about Xena that I just did with Gabrielle. They are both not ready for marriage. If they were to be betrothed now, the marriage would not be too far off. They are still just too young at heart. Besides, Xena has a whole thing going on trying to protect the village." Hecuba winked at Gabrielle.

Herodotus laughed, "Honey, she is a woman. She shouldn't even be using a sword, much less trying to protect the village. She should let the men do that. Her brother is stronger than her anyway."

"No he's not." Gabrielle chimed in. "She whoops him every time they spar!"

Her father glared at her, "Gabrielle, eat your food. Your mother and I are having a conversation." He turned back to his wife, "How about we agree to betroth her in the next year, around her fifteenth birthday. That gives her some time to learn to be a woman."

Her mom nodded her head, "Yes, I think that's perfect."

That night, Gabrielle was moodier than ever before. She sat next to the fire with a scroll in her hand but she couldn't write or read. Her mother sat next to her and handed her a cup of tea. "Are you upset with us?"

"Yes." She sipped on the hot tea, grateful for it soothing her sore throat. It was sore because she had cried quite a bit earlier at the thought of being married.

Hecuba rubbed the girl's back with her hand. "I know it's hard, honey. But you'll get use to the idea as time goes on. It's just part of life."

Quiet ensued as Gabrielle thought about it. This should just be normal for me, everyone does this. But I just don't want to. I use to dream of being married, but I cannot even remember picturing a husband. That doesn't make sense. Maybe Aphrodite doesn't want me to fall in love.

xxxx

In bed that night, Herodotus finally brought up a topic he'd been considering for some time now. "Hecuba, I've been thinking that Amphipolis has more commerce than Potedia. We might be able to make a better living there."

"Are you talking about moving?" She looked over at him after she had put her knitting down.

He smiled, "Yes I am talking about moving. I feel like it might be a better place for us."

"Even with the threat of that warlord? We have had no threats here. It's safer here." She sat up in bed, becoming very anxious.

He sat up as well and put his arm around her. "Honey, I feel like it will be ok. We will make more money there and be able to feed our kids without worry of running out of food over the winter. Do you think we should ask the girls what they think?"

She sighed, "Well, I think we already know what Gabrielle will say."

He laughed at that and brought his wife in closer for a hug. "I think it would make her happier."

She thought about her daughter and how sad she had been every time they left Amphipolis. "You are right. It would be good for her to have Xena, I think."

"So it's settled, we are moving." He nodded as if to confirm his own declaration.

xxxx

The next day, her mother woke her up with good news. She moved a strand of blonde hair out of her daughter's eye and gently prodded her awake. "Gabrielle, wake up. It's a beautiful morning."

The teenager rolled over, away from her mom. "I don't want to get up."

"Ok, then you won't hear the news about Amphipolis." She got up and started walking out of the bedroom.

Gabrielle shot up out of bed, "What?!"

"I thought that would get your attention, little one."

The blonde rubbed her eyes and scratched her head then stood up out of bed. "What happened? Is everyone ok?"

"Yes. The news is good. Your father and I have been talking and we decided that we are going to move to Amphipolis."

Gabrielle squealed so loudly that her mother had to cover her ears. "Oh my gods! I can't believe it! When are we leaving?"

"We will leave in about a moon. Your dad will head over there and put money down on some land and a small house. Then we will finish our business here, pack up, and leave. He decided there is more of a market in Amphipolis than there is here."

Gabrielle couldn't contain herself, she was so excited. The next moon passed quickly for her as they prepared to move. She did not write Xena a letter and was assured by her parents that Cyrene did not know about the move. She couldn't wait to surprise her friend.

xxxx

Xena was covered in dirt and horse manure. Her brothers, once again, didn't muck the stalls properly. It just so happened to coincide with her pulling a prank on them. The prank went a little far, so she ended up having to do their chore.

Stepping out of the barn, she reached into the horse trough to rinse herself off the best she could. However, she knew that a bath in the river was more likely the best way to clean. With that in mind, she walked towards the river, sword on her side and eyes alert for danger. Ever since the invasion, she felt like she needed to be on watch.

It was then she saw the most glorious sight. Gabrielle was walking down the road with a bag on her back and a walking stick in her hand. Behind her, was a wagon full of stuff with her father driving. Lila was in his lap and Hecuba was walking besides Gabrielle.

At first, she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. That can't be her! However, after a few moments of them walking closer, she realized it was indeed her friend. Xena waved at them with a smiled, "Hello!"

Gabrielle tried to play it cool and not act too excited. She didn't want Xena to think she was crazy with how excited she was. "Hi!" the blonde exclaimed as she approached Xena.

"What are you doing here? I'd give you a big hug, but I'm covered in horse crap."

Gabrielle just smiled, "We are moving here. Dad bought some land and a house."

Xena was in shock, she looked at the adults then back at Gabrielle. She let out a whoop and pulled her friend into a hug anyway, despite the nastiness on her clothes.

"Xena!" Gabrielle laughed at her antics. She threw her arms around her friend, then shouted, "Let me go! You stink so bad!"

Xena complied with a huge smile on her face. "Oh, I'm sorry I got you all dirty! I'll just have to help you get cleaned up." She waggled her eyebrows then grabbed Gabrielle and put her over her shoulder. She ran down to the edge of the river and walked in, until the water rose to her hips, before she toss Gabrielle into the swimming hole.

The blonde spluttered water as she surfaced, madly wiping it from her face. "Xena!"

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