Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Blue Eyes, White Horse, and a Chakram

===[x]

Chapter 37: Home

One moon ago…

Alti stood on the edge of a cliff. Below her was a river of molten lava. It was almost alive and she could almost hear her father's voice calling to her through it. He had been furious that she left, but at the moment she didn't care. There was something here, something that was calling to her.

-X-

Suddenly the world around the warrior and the bard twisted. They were turning and twisting upside down and backwards. Xena pushed down the panic inside her, this time the nausea was expected, but the uneasiness of the movement was still making her sick. Gabrielle was no better off. At least this time they had had the chance to be holding each other, so at least they were twisting and turning in unison.

As suddenly as it started, it stopped. The air became still and the movement ceased. Gabrielle opened her eyes, only to be greeted by Xena's sapphire orbs. The warrior smiled, "We're home," she said.

They both took a moment to adjust to their surroundings, and to their surprise they realized that they were in the same inn room that they had disappeared from. Their things were still in the room half packed, just as they had left them.

"Xena, everything is here, just like we left it," remarked the bard.

"Yes, it seemed that way," the warrior answered, as she scrutinized the room for herself. But the bard was right; everything was as they had left it. The blue book was even sitting on the pallet, just where Gabrielle had been sitting when they disappeared. "I'd say we were brought back just moments after we left. The inn keeper would have moved our things, otherwise."

"Was it a dream, was it even real?" Gabrielle asked as she walked over to the pallet and picked up the book. She opened it and flipped through the pages. "There are words on them again. Not in a language I recognize though."

"That's hardly surprising," the warrior scoffed.

Xena narrowed her eyes for a moment and focusing her will, she used her FireStarting Gift to light every candle in the room simultaneously. "Well it definitely happened," Xena replied, both reassuring herself and pleased that she still had access to her Gifts. "And just like a god too, messing with us, asking us for permission, then sending us back to do the dirty work for her."

The bard couldn't help smile at that. "Yes, but she explained that, it is forbidden for her to come here and could be damaging to just pull Solan from his world without explanation or closure."

"Gabrielle, I know. Let's finish packing up and get going. I want to get on the road as soon as possible."

"Well at least this time when we go back, we can make sure that we don't go back empty handed. We'll have our things."

"Yeah" Xena answered as she finished stuffing the last of Argo's saddle bag. "Let's go."

===[x]

It didn't take the two long to hit the open road. Xena had been very excited to see Argo, feeling a little guilty for leaving her, but Argo didn't seem to notice, after all to Argo no time had really passed. But it was better this way. At least she would have the opportunity to make sure that Argo was well taken care of. The thought of just disappearing and abandoning poor Argo truly broke her heart.

Xena had decided to ride hard and make the trip to the Centaur village as short as possible. With a little luck they should arrive the next day around sunset. Patting the bard's hands that were firmly wrapped around her belly, she asked, "You doing ok back there?"

"Yeah," Gabrielle answered through gritted teeth. "I'd forgotten how bumpy it was to ride a horse. Hopefully I at least built up some tolerance riding Lysander and I won't be as sore."

Xena smiled. "I don't know about that. I might even be a bit sore after this. I'd almost forgotten how much muscle you use just to stay in the saddle. The Companions have certainly spoiled us."

"Xena?"

"Yes, Gabrielle?"

"I love you."

Xena smiled, and brought one of Gabrielle's hands up from her waist and kissed it. "I love you too, my bard."

===[x]

They had stopped for a bit of rest, giving Argo some time to graze and water, and themselves a bit of a breather to eat as well. They had been covering good ground, and so far Xena had been pleased with their progress. The next leg of the journey would be a bit more challenging. There was a steep grade that would slow them down considerably. Xena wanted to try to make it to the peak to camp for the night.

"Xena?"

"Hmmm?" answered the warrior.

"Why are we in such a hurry? Surely if the goddess brought us back with no time passing, then she could do the same on our return."

"I'm sure she could, but I'm also sure that there was a reason why she brought us back at this time. Call it my warrior sense, but I have a feeling we need get there as soon as possible."

"You think Solan is in danger?" asked the bard.

"Yes." Xena paused. "It's not so much what the goddess said though, as what you said."

"What did I say?

"The goddess never said that he was in danger here. Only that she needed him in Valedmar. You were the one that suggested that he was in danger here. If what the goddess said was true, that by changing destiny we changed the paths here, then that path here had to involve him too. That means he is in danger."

"I guess that makes sense."

"I don't like the idea of what ever this evil is joining forces from both worlds. I like the idea of my son being involved in it even less."

"I agree. Are we ready to go then?"

"Oh yeah, let's get going," Xena said with a whistle to Argo, who trotted over answering her call.

The warrior and the bard remounted Argo and continued on their path. The grade was increasingly getting steeper and the forest around them was getting denser. They we trying to cut off as much time off their travel as possible so at one point they left the main path and cut through the forest, skirting across Amazon land.

As the trees got denser Xena and Gabrielle were forced off of Argo and was guiding her by hand. Xena suddenly held up her hand, a signal for Gabrielle to stop. She handed Argo's reigns to Gabrielle and signaling for her to remain as she launched herself silently into the trees.

Gabrielle sighed as she gripped her staff and waited for Xena to return, or for all hell to break loose. It was a 50/50 chance that either could happen.

Suddenly, as quickly as Xena disappeared, Gabrielle found herself surrounded. Dropping her staff and giving the Amazon symbol for peace, she was greeted by six warriors.

"Queen, Gabrielle," the first one said, bowing deeply. "We weren't expecting you." The masked warrior slipped up her mask, smiling at her queen.

"Solari," Gabrielle greeted, as they embraced. "It's good to see you."

"You too, my queen," Solari responded.

The other Amazons removed their masks as well, and exchanged greetings.

"We are to escort you back to the village," Solari informed Gabrielle.

"Thank you, Solari, but we're not going to the village. Xena and I have some business to attend to. I'm sorry I can't visit right now, but it's urgent that we get to the Centaur village as soon as possible."

Solari nodded. "Will you visit after?"

Gabrielle shrugged, "I'm not sure we will have time. If possible I will."

"Good, where is Xena anyway?"

Gabrielle looked up at the trees. "Not sure." She paused, and then jumped as a body suddenly fell out of the trees.

Xena jumped down beside it, noticing Gabrielle's eyes get wide as she recognized the body or at least the armor on the body being the same type that was worn by the Black Soldiers. Xena greeted Solari and the other Amazons, for the moment ignoring the body.

"Xena?" asked Gabrielle.

"He was following us. He's not dead… yet," the warrior answered.

"What's going on?" asked Solari.

"It's complicated," answered Gabrielle with a sigh.