Chapter Eleven
Final Preparations
"You will need these," Thor said, handing Xena peasant clothes (a skirt and blouse), fur lined boots, and a fur lined leather coat with an oversized hood on it. "You don't want to stand out among the followers of this god."
Xena took the items, grateful for the coat – the others didn't feel the cold, but she did, but didn't want to sound like a whiner.
"And we must do something with your hair."
"What's wrong with my hair?"
"It is dark. As you see, women of this land have light hair. Your hair must also be so in order for you not to be noticed. Fortunately your eyes are of the right color."
"And just how am I supposed to do that? Wear a wig?"
Thor handed her a clay bottle with a cork stopper.
"This contains a liquid that will make you hair a lighter color. The longer you wait to rinse it out, the more blond it will be."
Trying not to drop anything, Xena asked, "And just where am I supposed to change clothes and to do my hair?"
"Gunnhildr!" Thor yelled out, and very blond, very attractive girl in her early teens ran up to them from somewhere. She bowed low, almost to the point of falling over.
"I am here, Odin-son. What is your wish?"
"Xena needs privacy to change her clothes. And you will assist her with her hair."
"It will be done," she said, never looking up. Then turning to Xena she said, "If you will follow me."
"Lead the way," Xena said, with a last look at Gabrielle.
"And what about the rest of us?" Gabrielle asked. "You said we had to make plans. So what are they?"
Again, Thor smiled at her, one that could be described as showing a lot of affection.
"Heimdall will be, as I said, keeping an eye on Xena. He has other duties, so he cannot watch her constantly. Hercules and I will be on the mountaintop creating boulders to fill the crevice as soon as Xena has taken over as head priest and has led the followers away. You and Sif will be nearby in case Xena is discovered and needs rescuing."
"SIF? Me and Sif? She hates me! There is no way she and I can work together."
"Sif will do as I say. She recognizes the danger to our home, and to the rest of the world."
"Why does she even need me? She so much stronger than I am. And she's a true goddess."
Thor looked at Hercules then back at Gabrielle. She knew something wasn't quite right.
"I'm waiting. You two know something; I know you do. And you know I do."
"It was my idea," Hercules said. "There is a chance that Xena could be controlled by this god, and we just thought that if it happens, maybe because you and Xena are so close, you might be able convince her, or force her if necessary, to come back here, away from its influence."
Gabrielle looked back and forth between them several times, then said, "And Sif knows all about this."
"She will when she returns."
"That's great. Why not let me tell her? I know she'll love that."
"If you think that will be best," Thor said.
"No! I don't think that will be best. Don't you know sarcasm when you hear it?"
Thor smiled, and Gabrielle realized he knew she was being sarcastic. She wanted to be angry, but she couldn't; his smile was too … warm.
"Okay, how do I look?" A familiar voice behind Gabrielle said.
Gabrielle turned around to see a very blond Xena dressed as the Viking women she'd seen.
"That was fast," she said. "That must be some really potent hair coloring."
"Just a quick lather and rinse," Xena replied. "Love these clothes – nice and warm. But I'm having a problem trying to keep my Chakram hidden."
"You won't need it," Thor said. "And it would be better if you didn't carry it. Anything that might allow the priests to suspect you are not who you pretend to be could be dangerous. Take this instead."
Thor handed Xena a dagger one and a half times the length of her hand.
"All women carry a knife; it is a multipurpose tool."
Xena slid it into her belt and closed the coat.
Just then Sif returned carrying two coats similar to the one Xena was wearing. She handed one to Gabrielle.
"I don't need this," she said sharply. "I'm not cold."
"You will need it so you can walk among the villagers without being conspicuous," Sif retorted.
"She is correct," Thor said. "There are those who are in league with this god, and others have yet to fall under his thrall. But there is no way to know who may be who."
"Fine," Gabrielle said, taking the coat and putting it on, as did Sif.
"Heimdall says several of the priests are gathering near the pillar of fire with, what looks to him, to be sacrifices. A handful of women, stripped of their clothing, are tied with ropes neck to neck to neck. With the sunset he surmises the will be cast into the opening," Sif continued.
"Then it is time to act. Xena, are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," she replied. "I'll go on ahead. Sif, I think you and Gabrielle should wait until I'm almost out of sight before you follow."
Sif nodded.
Gabrielle gave Xena a quick hug and said, "You do what you have to do, we'll be here if you need us."
"Then let's do this," Xena said to everyone.
