A/N: sorry it's so infrequent between updates. i'm working fulltime, trying to write/proofread published works. but i won't let xena and gabrielle down. they will get their happily ever after. promise 3 3 3
Hero worship. It turns out I wasn't immune to it. Even after having traveled with Xena for nearly two seasons, I was easily taken with Meleager.
Looking back, I'm not certain it was completely hero worship. While he was a mighty warrior who had accomplished many daring feats, I wonder if he wasn't the father I had always wanted.
I don't want to paint my father in a bad light. He was strict and old-fashioned. In his own way, he loved both his children. But I think he always had wished for a son. And when I dragged my heels in marrying Perdicus, he became quite agitated with me.
Xena snickers as she places the fish in front of me. Don't worry, I actually cooked. As usual, she caught them. I receive a gentle bite upon my neck.
My soulmate never appreciated my father. Especially when we were reunited after…I can feel Xena's entire body tense with even hinting to that time. So I'll quickly move on to the topic of this particular chapter.
Meleager was more than a hero to me. I had rehabilitated him. I had made him see there were other ways to deal with taking so many lives, even if it was in the defense of others.
And to think Meleager and I could be reunited and I could introduce him to the person who meant the most in the world to me was so exciting I began rambling.
And then hero worship turned to something else. It wasn't the fact Meleager had turned to drinking once again. It was that he lied to me. That I would have done anything to defend him, including temporarily choosing him over my soulmate.
Xena squeezes my shoulder before taking her place next to me. It's time for a brief break so that we can enjoy our evening meal. Alone for once.
So whether Meleager was hero worship, father figure or my protégé as a reformed drinker, the fact is I chose him over Xena. But she understood. After all, she is my soulmate. And she knows I love her. As much as she loves me.
THE EXECUTION
As Gabrielle related the tale of her friend Meleager, she sensed she had told the story a handful of times. Xena was already repeating her word for word.
For a moment, Gabrielle thought her retelling was annoying her soulmate. After all, the bard would think Xena would be relieved the warrior princess wasn't the topic of her never-ending tale.
Gabrielle wondered if Xena had ever heard her tell a tale of her soulmate? There was something magical about the warrior princess. Telling her tale caused the bard to become animated. Or was it the love showing through?
The bard also wondered why her friend had sent for her. Meleager's message had only asked that Gabrielle come quick. They had been two days away and had travelled nearly nonstop.
Something was happening in the village. The first man Gabrielle attempted to ask ran off in a hurry. When Xena suggested asking in a tavern, the annoyance seemed to surface when she referred to the reason Meleager wouldn't be found in a tavern.
At least Xena did understand how difficult it was to break the habit. Gabrielle wasn't a fan of mentioning it. What was worse was how mentioning Meleager's name brought on a fight for their lives.
Gabrielle attempted to tell the villagers they were friends of Meleager. Xena, while fighting without thought, had to tell the bard the crowd knew and that was why they were attacking.
Too late? Gabrielle hurried with her soulmate hot on her heels. When Xena guessed Meleager was the one in the box, the bard could merely internally curse.
There had to be a mistake. Gabrielle voiced as much. She didn't care if Arbus was known by her soulmate as a fair and just man. There was a horrible mistake about to be made.
A very persuasive argument was given by Gabrielle. Even with Meleager having to correct her exact numbers, she hopefully had given the judge something to think about.
Gabrielle had given him something to think about all right. That the heart could not persuade the hand of justice. And therefore, death was the sentence.
The sound of testing the gallows caused Gabrielle to inwardly shudder. She had seen too many men and women killed. Even the guilty caused her heart to ache. But to know a friend of hers was being sent to be hung was nearly too great.
After listening to how much Meleager had given up on living, Gabrielle had to plead with him. She had to convince Xena that Meleager was indeed innocent.
It felt good when Xena may not know Meleager, but she knew her soulmate. After all, as her soulmate said, judges made mistakes. Everyone was fallible.
A man Meleager had never heard of. The man killed while her friend was out of the village. And Arbus ordered him arrested when he returned to the village. It had to be the judge jumping to conclusions.
Even after listening to Xena describe what she knew about Judge Arbus, Gabrielle continued to wonder if he hadn't changed over the years. What had been the verdict in the trial that made the man's career?
Xena leaving to speak with the judge left Gabrielle to speak with Meleager alone. Once again, he attempted to use humor to deflect.
It took a bit for the bard to goad the entire story from Meleager. He did have an alibi. There was someone he camped with. Now to speak with Xena.
Spend time with Meleager? It was clear Xena was bound and determined to believe the worst of Gabrielle's friend. That meant she had to take matters into her own hands.
It took a little bit for Gabrielle to gather what she needed for her plan to work. It worked like a charm, nearly before she wanted it to.
And just like that, Meleager was off. Gabrielle had to practically shove him on his way. Nearly as instantly as he had left, she was being held by the guards.
Once again, it took Xena's sword and her quick wit to, temporarily, get the bard out of hot water. Gabrielle knew it was her soulmate's recent escapades that the storyteller had reveled in telling that gained the judge's temporary trust.
In Gabrielle's mind, Xena had already convicted Meleager, along with the judge and villagers. How could her soulmate not listen to her?
Coming down to her soulmate and her friend, Gabrielle knew that Xena was the more relentless of the two. There was the age factor, as well. But to choose Meleager over Xena? It was seeing Meleager that caused Gabrielle to call out.
Fighting with Xena was not something Gabrielle ever wanted to do. But her soulmate just could not see reason. There was a small part of the bard that heard her own words. What she was asking the warrior princess to do. Yet, she continued to argue on behalf of Meleager.
As Gabrielle chased after the two warriors and people who meant so much to her, she heard the words. She knew Xena was right. Judge Arbus would hound her. That it would be her soulmate protecting her if Meleager were to continue running.
After Gabrielle offered to take Meleager's place, her friend made an admission. He admitted to lying about the one-eyed man. And to being drunk.
It wasn't the fact Meleager had fallen off the wagon and drank. It was the fact he had lied to her about it. Gabrielle couldn't stand to look at her friend.
More so, Gabrielle could not stand to look at Xena. Her soulmate, irritatingly so, had been right again. But the bard wanted to believe the best in her friend. The man who had helped save her home village.
Though in the beginning Gabrielle and Argo hadn't exactly gotten along, she was using the horse to keep busy. Feeding. Brushing. She would even walk Argo if it meant she didn't have to face Meleager or her soulmate.
Of course, Xena called the bard on the fact it was really Meleager she was keeping her distance from. While Gabrielle knew he needed a friend, she was having difficulty facing the man who lied to her.
Emerald eyes closed at the thought of having to reconcile what happened with Xena later on. She was terrified, in a way, of their discussion more than a discussion with Meleager.
Gabrielle felt as if she had been slapped by one phrase. Placing people on pedestals. It wasn't only Meleager that had happened with, if she were to be honest with herself.
Early on their travels, Gabrielle had placed Xena on a pedestal. While her soulmate had not disappointed her on the level Meleager had, there had been some eye-opening moments early on.
Morning saw the trio on their way back to the village. Gabrielle listened as her soulmate did her thing. Gathering as much information as she could. It was what the bard should have done, even with her having all the faith in Meleager. It's what she had done when Xena had been accused of killing those men that had been killed by Ares.
Even Gabrielle knew there had to be more to the story than what the witness saw. If Meleager was merely convicted of having the sword in his hand, it wasn't indisputable evidence. In a drunken state, he could have unknowingly picked up the sword.
What a description of the guy. Gabrielle was sensing that things were coming together for her soulmate. With the worry in Xena's voice, the bard easily ducked out of the way. She made certain Argo was ok.
Gabrielle watched as Xena leapt, literally, into action. An archer was hiding in the trees. Soon the man was hanging from the waist.
It was the same man who had initiated the fight when Gabrielle had asked if he knew Meleager. An execution was an execution and the man was within his rights. It took the bard's entire control to allow Xena to handle the situation. It wasn't lack of faith in her soulmate. It was anger at someone taking the law into their own hands.
Instead of heading toward the village, Gabrielle was uncertain where they were heading. Something was definitely up with Xena. She wanted to see the sword for herself. The bard wished her soulmate was more forthcoming. In this case, she sensed Xena wanted to be certain before coming to a conclusion.
Xena killed the man? Gabrielle had known her soulmate had been gaining as much knowledge as she could. But how did the warrior princess come to that conclusion?
The time Gabrielle had attempted to become a bard. Xena had never really informed Gabrielle of what she had done to pass the time until the bard had caught up with her on the trail.
The tale caused Gabrielle to shudder. Not that Xena had once again killed. It was how easily another could be accused and convicted without real proof or thought. She had already been wondering about Judge Arbus. It confirmed there was more to the man than was told.
After all, Gabrielle was a bard. She knew a telling of a tale could make a big difference. A word changed here or there. A setting. The time. Even her inflection could change how others perceived things.
To pass time away, Gabrielle did what she did best. She began to scribe notes of their latest adventure. It would be a little different as she was more personally involved, outside of her connection to Xena, of course.
The one thing Gabrielle didn't want to scribe was Meleager's last will and testament. However, she knew better than to argue with someone when they thought they were facing death.
The fact Meleager would leave everything to Gabrielle was beyond words. She was like a daughter to him. In a way, she felt the same. He, in there few encounters, had been more of a father to her than her own father.
Before Gabrielle could scribe Meleager's wishes, they found themselves in the clutches of Judge Arbus and the villagers. They were taken immediately to the prison once again.
Arbus was revealing his true colors. It wasn't about justice. As Gabrielle said, if it was about justice the judge would wait. Instead, he ordered her soulmate to be executed on sight.
No matter how much Gabrielle didn't want to watch Meleager die, she wanted him to see a friendly face when he took his last breath.
A scuffle nearly broke out when Gabrielle attempted to say goodbye once again. She was proud of Meleager when he said he wouldn't give the guards the satisfaction of killing him.
Tears. Burning in her soul. Gabrielle could barely even stand after watching the execution of her friend. He had been the father she had wished for.
For once, Xena had been too late. Her soulmate had not been able to save the day. Gabrielle didn't want to even look at her warrior princess. Not because she had failed. But because the bard would fall to pieces even more than she already was.
Xena had pulled it off after all! Gabrielle launched herself, first at Meleager and then her soulmate. There was a group hug that the bard was certain her warrior princess wasn't all that comfortable with. But she humored Gabrielle. As always.
In a way, Gabrielle would have loved to spend more time with Meleager. But there was also the fact she and Xena needed to have one of their intimate chats. Not the kind that had them naked. But a serious one. Of why the bard had so easily, it seemed, believed Meleager and fought hard for him over her soulmate.
()()()()()()()()()()()()
Xena couldn't help, in her own sarcastic way, remind Gabrielle that her bard had already related the tale. More than one time. And with a great deal of enthusiasm.
Bother her? Xena couldn't help smiling. For once, she wasn't the topic of one of Gabrielle's tales. Though she had to admit that her bard made herself more heroic than the warrior princess truly was.
The warrior princess had taken it upon herself to listen to Gabrielle as the bard told her tale. Xena nearly blushed when recalling how animated her soulmate became relating one of the many adventures they shared.
Rudeness was something Xena was accustomed to. She hated it when it was at the expense of Gabrielle. Especially when her soulmate was merely attempting to ask a question.
Trial? Xena suddenly had a sinking feeling. She also knew the best place to obtain information would be at the tavern/inn.
Once Xena suggested the tavern, she found she had irritated Gabrielle. If anyone knew how difficult it was to not drown in drinking, it was the warrior princess. There were times she had yet to share with her bard. The ones just after Hercules, but before she happened upon a tiny village that forever changed her life.
Xena was brought abruptly from her memories by the anger in the voice at the mention of Meleager. Before Gabrielle realized what was happening, the fight was on. The warrior princess had realized immediately there was trouble to be found.
Trouble was one word for it all. Not only were they fighting for their lives, it seemed Meleager was on trial. For murder no less.
The warrior princess watched the exchange between the accused and her bard carefully. There was a connection between them. One Xena instantly understood.
In Gabrielle's eyes, Meleager was like a father. Meaning he could do little to none wrong in her soulmate's eyes. The fact it was Judge Arbus who had overseen the trial caused more trepidation in Xena's mind.
If the past could prove one innocent or guilty, Xena would have been found guilty instantly many seasons ago. Still, the warrior princess understood what Gabrielle was attempting to do. And there was a part of Xena that believed her bard.
But Judge Arbus believed the so-called facts. Those facts had led to a judgment of death. It was something Xena didn't take lightly. She would have to have a chat with the judge and hope to learn what really happened.
The exchange was not all that illuminating between Gabrielle and Meleager, if only because one wanted to believe her friend and the other wanted not to die. Besides, Xena knew her bard. She only knew the tales of Meleager. Something that could be, and often were, exaggerated.
The description Meleager gave of the victim was vague, at best. Xena knew it was a time she herself had been separated for a time from her soulmate. She hated to think of the time. Not because of what had transpired, but because she had been separated from Gabrielle.
Since all Xena had heard of the judge was that he was fair, she figured it was time for a little chat. Perhaps Arbus would illuminate some of the dim facts Xena had managed to gather so far.
There was always a dinar to be made whenever someone's life was on the line. Xena nearly growled at the salesman attempting to sell her a replica of a sword that hadn't even been found.
Xena's attention was drawn to the heated exchange between a late arriving matron woman. She hadn't wanted to arrive early. She had pushed her way in. The melee had been handled expertly by Judge Arbus.
In fact, Judge Arbus was encouraging the spectacle, just not the arguing. If one couldn't see justice, it wasn't worthy of being delved out. At least that was how Xena interpreted the judge's little speech to her.
After measuring sticks of both their reputations had been deemed unnecessary as introductions, Xena once again brought up how Meleager had only acted in defense of others. It was true it only took one, but she remained unconvinced.
Luckily, the star witness was the woman who had caused the commotion only moments before. Xena listened intently to every word the woman, who appeared to be intimidated by Judge Arbus, weaved her tale.
Rena once again appeared fearful of the judge when she asked to return to her seat. Xena sensed something once again. Especially when Arbus said that the truth could be a heavy burden.
It took a moment for Xena to fully process what she had been told. It was time to reunite with Gabrielle. To see what Meleager had to say for himself.
A one-eyed man was Meleager's alibi? Something really didn't sound right. Xena noticed how the man in question could barely meet her gaze.
Did Xena think Meleager was guilty? Her first instincts had been to say he was innocent. Even after hearing Rena's tale, something had felt off. But the fact Meleager wouldn't look the warrior princess in the eyes and how he seemed to be using Gabrielle's undying faith in him, Xena was certain Meleager wasn't being entirely truthful.
At the release of the statement, Gabrielle was off. Xena watched her go knowing this road was one her bard would have to travel for herself.
Oh the warrior princess would definitely be there the entire time. It was just Xena knew how some of the most difficult lessons an individual had to learn was something they could only do for themselves.
Xena's timing was slightly off when she realized Gabrielle was already in trouble and needing support. The bard had done well to free herself. It was time the warrior princess stepped in and make certain these men knew exactly what it meant when one picked on her soulmate.
Why did it not surprise Xena her bard had freed Meleager? It was something she would do. After all, Gabrielle had wanted to free the warrior princess when Ares had intervened and had her on trial for her life.
The moment Xena said she would bring Meleager back, she knew it would drive a wedge between herself and her bard. But she had to do it. If not for justice's sake, for Gabrielle's.
The way Xena understood Arbus, the judge was a man who would pursue justice without flinching at the cost. He was obsessed with doing the right thing.
In fact, Xena had to shove Gabrielle so that she would begin following Meleager's obvious tracks. For a warrior, he wasn't covering his path very well. Maybe there was a reason for that.
Conflict with Gabrielle. It wasn't something Xena knew how to handle very well. If only her soulmate would trust that it was the truth the warrior princess cared about. Whether that showed Meleager to be guilty or innocent, was yet to be determined. If she were honest with herself, Xena still was leaning toward innocent.
Xena had to sigh when her soulmate called out in warning to Meleager. There was a part of her that was proud of Gabrielle for sticking by her friend. The other part was frustrated as she would now have to definitely do this the difficult way.
Even as she was asking Gabrielle not do interfere, Xena knew it was not in her bard's nature. Once Gabrielle believed in something, she was like a dog with a bone. Or warrior princess when it came to seeking justice.
There was a smirk on Xena's face. She knew it, but couldn't help herself. Someone of Meleager's reputation had the warrior juices flowing.
Somehow, Xena managed to restrain the fiercest of her instincts. Instead, she continued to taunt Meleager. She continued to fight to contain, not overpower. If this continued, she would have to allow her full intensity to be released.
As Gabrielle had taught her, Xena knew words would be the way to defeat Meleager. She knew by stating Gabrielle would suffer in jail, if not worse, should he refuse to turn himself in.
It was enough. Meleager stopped fighting. Xena knew a true hero would always attempt to do the right thing. And a father would do nearly anything for his daughter, whether by blood or not.
The truth was indeed a heavy burden. Xena knew that once Meleager revealed the reason he had trouble remembering was because he was drunk would hurt Gabrielle. It would cut her bard deeply.
It was too late to return. Camping was the right thing to do. Xena hoped it would give Gabrielle a chance to speak with Meleager. Before they returned to the village to discover what exactly had transpired.
There was no way Xena would apologize for Meleager. He had to be the one to eventually face his mistakes. As she asked, which lie was the worst to face? The drinking or the fact he might have killed an innocent.
The warrior princess had her answer when Meleager answered how innocent villagers had taken him. He could have easily harmed, even killed them. He couldn't do that to people who thought they were doing the right thing.
Xena waited. She knew she needed to give Gabrielle her space. To allow the bard to process the fact her hero/father figure had lied to her.
When Xena cautiously approached her soulmate, she noticed the attentiveness Gabrielle had paid to Argo. While the two didn't always get along, it seemed the horse could be just as therapeutic for her bard as for the warrior princess.
Keeping busy was not what her bard was doing. Xena knew it was a way to keep Gabrielle from facing the truth. From facing Meleager.
Were there issues to face for the bard and warrior princess? Xena wasn't certain. For now what was important was getting Gabrielle to at least speak with Meleager. She knew her soulmate would regret it later if she didn't.
Xena couldn't help smiling when Gabrielle questioned placing people on a pedestal. The warrior princess knew her bard had done that early in their relationship. Even knowing all Xena had done, Gabrielle had elevated Xena. Had made her a better person and a hero.
As they slowly made their way to the village, after a quiet night, Xena continued to question Meleager. The description of the sword was what made the warrior princess remember a time she didn't like to think about.
If it could save Meleager's life and restore some of Gabrielle's faith in her hero, then Xena would have to admit exactly what had happened. She would need to find the sword to make certain.
There wasn't time for that. Xena needed use of both her hands and mouth to save Meleager. It didn't take long for her to discover who was attempting to kill Meleager and make certain Gabrielle discovered a safe place to hide.
In the blink of an eye, Xena had scaled the tree and had a hold of the assassin. He claimed to be within his rights to kill Meleager because an execution was an execution.
After giving the assassin a message for Arbus, Xena made certain he wouldn't follow them. She would return to the village with Meleager, only after she had seen the sword for herself.
After seeing the sword, Xena hastily recalled her own meeting with the murder victim. A man she had killed in defense of an innocent man. Only she hadn't realized she had struck the fatal blow until seeing the sword for herself.
It was time to get answers. Real answers. Not by someone attempting to please someone else. Or gain glory. But by someone who was so terrified, he would not confide in Xena why he had been under attack. Hopefully Meleager and Gabrielle would remain inside the cave and safe.
The man remained terrified. He rambled on about how the person who had sent assassins thought he was dead. That he was safer at the hideout.
When it was revealed it was Arbus he feared, Xena knew more than ever Meleager and Gabrielle were in danger. She needed to get the scared man back to the village.
Fear instantly overtook Xena when she discovered the empty cave. It appeared Gabrielle and Meleager gave a good fight, but still there was no sign of her soulmate.
Xena was desperate. So desperate to return to the village, the man intentionally falling off Argo and running in the opposite direction only caused her to spur her trusty mare into an even gallop.
It was easy to pass by the untrained villagers on foot. Xena watched for a moment. Her mind instantly formulating a plan which was to take the place of the executioner.
Unfortunately, Xena was unable to make it to her intended target without being seen. She did, however, managed to obtain his spare robe. It would help her blend in. She only hoped Meleager was fast on his feet or his neck would truly be stretched.
Gabrielle thinking Meleager dead was the only flaw to Xena's plan. Not only did Meleager catch on quickly, he managed to speak from beyond the grave.
Xena, along with the villagers, finally heard the truth. That Arbus had become hungry with power and judgment of others. It was time for him to face real justice. It was time Gabrielle knew the truth.
Once bard and hero were reunited, Xena had to apologize. If she'd had time, she would have freed Gabrielle and warned her that it was all part of the plan to have Meleager fake his death.
A group hug. Xena inwardly groaned. If it had been only her and Gabrielle, perhaps she wouldn't have minded so much. But she would do nearly anything for her bard.
After allowing Meleager and Gabrielle to reconcile, it was time to leave the village behind. Meleager was happily chopping down the apparatus that had nearly ended his life.
The woman holding the hanging doll creeped Xena out. Rena truly did take pleasure in the misfortune of others. As for what her bard said, sadly those in their line of work didn't get to reach Rena's age.
The thought of death used to be welcomed by Xena. But now? Now, the warrior princess had discovered something to live for. It wasn't merely attempting to atone for her past misdeeds. It was attempting to show Gabrielle exactly what the bard meant to her.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
The camp had been made. Xena was sharpening her sword. She was waiting. For what? Not for food. Gabrielle had already made a delicious rabbit stew.
Xena was waiting for Gabrielle to be ready to talk. In the warrior princess' mind, there was nothing to speak of. Her bard had been fighting for someone she cared a great deal for.
In Xena's mind, Gabrielle had not chosen between her soulmate and friend. What the bard had done was choose someone who was not in a position to defend himself.
To some, that was not true. If a warrior such as Meleager could not defend himself, who could? It was different for a warrior of Meleager's caliber to defend himself the same way he would defend the innocent.
"Xena?" Gabrielle hadn't glanced up from the scroll in which she was attempting to immortalize their latest adventure. It was more a tale of Meleager. She knew Xena would be happy the story focused more on someone else, for once.
"Hmm?" Xena halted her sharpening. She hadn't used the sword all the much. It was her way of relaxing and attempting to be patient for her bard.
"I'm sorry." Finally, Gabrielle rolled the scroll. She hadn't written anything in enough heartbeats for the ink to be dry. She placed it in its scroll case. It took a moment, but the bard made her way to sit near Xena.
Near, but not close enough to be touching. "I feel like I chose someone over you. You are my…" Sometimes, even the bard had a difficult time in finding the proper words to describe their relationship. Their connection. "Everything. I should have allowed you to do what you do. How many times have you done the impossible in the short time we've traveled together?"
Reverently, Xena placed her sword near the head of her bedroll. She waited a heartbeat or two before patting the spot next to her. To where Gabrielle's bedroll awaited her.
Gabrielle merely stared at her soulmate. "Gabrielle, please." Xena waited patiently for her lover to join her. "You have nothing to be sorry for. While we are everything to one another, you do have friends. Ones you believe in and therefore want to defend. Especially when you think they can't defend themselves. Besides, I could see the connection you two have."
Before her bard could utter a word, Xena continued. "He's the father you wished you'd had. And you are the daughter Meleager never had. In a way, I envy you that connection. I may never know what happened to my father."
The bard stared into understanding violet eyes. Gabrielle couldn't help launching herself into the waiting arms of her soulmate. "I love you, Xena."
"I love you, Gabrielle." Xena felt the warmth flow through her entire body. It had been forever since they had made love. Or it seemed as if it had been. As much as she wanted to, here in the open was not a place she could allow that to happen.
Xena cursed herself for deciding to travel in the opposite direction of the cave Meleager had used. For some reason, the warrior princess could not bring herself to visit it once again.
Instead of escalating the situation further, Xena slowly lowered them to the ground. She waited for Gabrielle to settle herself before reaching for the blanket they shared. It wasn't a cold night, but knew how easily her bard could become chilled.
"Thank you." Xena barely heard the whispered thanks. "I know I don't have to say it, but thank you anyways. For being so wise. For being so understanding. And most of all, for being my soulmate. I wish…"
A solid hug cut off whatever it was Gabrielle was about to finish with. "Thank you for having taught me to have faith in others and to question the obvious. And for loving me, no matter my past. And we will make love. But not here in the open. Soon. I promise."
It was a promise both women intended to keep. They knew their lives were unpredictable. But some way, somehow, they would enjoy rediscovering the other body's again.