Elysian Fields by Xena






Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. I did make a couple up, but the rest belong to Renaissance Pictures, USA Studios, and the creators of Xena Warrior Princess. Please don't sue me. This is the eighth installment of the Fate series. This immediately follows Goodbye Gabrielle. Subtext: No Violence: Yes Sex: No Series: Fate series. This is the eighth installment of the series. It immediately follows Goodbye Gabrielle. Rating: PG-13





As they neared Tartarus, Xena and Ares started to release their breaths. In a heartbeat, they were falling, no longer in water. They landed at the bottom of a pit and immediately saw the wandering souls. Xena looked at Ares and swallowed hard. She knew Gabrielle would be in the Elysian Fields instead of Heaven because she had prayed the night before and asked for a sign that Gabrielle would be in the Elysian Fields. Just at that moment, a hawk had called and flew across the moon. Therefore, Xena was confident that her best friend was in the Elysian Fields. She could feel Hades' presence, so she knew she had to be quick. She and Ares ran through the halls of Tartarus and found the crossing point to get into the Elysian Fields. "Wait here." Xena said. She kissed Ares and then proceeded through the fog. She saw the people playing and smiling and laughing. She immediately saw her son playing with a group of boys. He looked over at his mother and came running. He hugged her. "Mother." He said. Xena smiled and kneeled down to face him. "Solan." She said. She looked at her son. He was the same as she'd seen him 13 years ago. "Mother, when you were put into the ice cave, I expected you to be here or in Heaven soon, but you never came." Solan said. "We weren't dead. It's a long story sweetheart. I'll explain it to you someday. Hades doesn't know that you remember anything does he?" Xena asked. "No, he doesn't." Solan said. "Good." Xena said. She hugged her son again. "Have you seen Gabrielle?" "No, she's being judged. I can't believe she died. It's terrible." Solan said. "I know. I came to bring her back to the living. I wish I could bring you back too." Xena said. "I like it here mother. I know we'll be together someday." Solan said. Xena smiled at her son and nodded. Xena watched as her son looked past her and to an entrance on another side of the Elysian Fields. Gabrielle came walking in, her hair now long, and her dress white. She looked beautiful. Xena started to get tears in her eyes. Gabrielle glimpsed Xena and Solan and smiled. She waved at them and walked toward them. "Gabrielle." Xena said. "Hey Xena." Gabrielle said hugging her friend. "Solan. Hey, I missed you." Gabrielle said smiling. "I missed you too." Solan said. He looked at Xena. Gabrielle didn't know she was dead. "Xena? Where's Joxer? Where is my baby? Where's Eve, Zander, and Ares, and Aphrodite?" Gabrielle asked. She looked worried. "Gabrielle, I've come to take you home." Xena said. "Home?" Gabrielle asked. She pointed to a house that looked exactly like the one on Earth. "That is home." "No Gabrielle, you're dead. You died during childbirth. You're little girl is back home waiting for you." Xena said. We have to be fast. Hades will find us soon." Xena took Gabrielle's hand firmly, and hugged Solan. She kissed his forehead. "I love you son." "I love you mother." Solan said. Xena hurried off, catching a glimpse of Marcus who didn't see her. Gabrielle confusedly followed her friend. As soon as Xena and Gabrielle crossed through the fog, Gabrielle was back in the outfit she died in. Her short blonde hair was back, and her clothes were stained in blood. She was weak now. "Xena?" she asked. Gabrielle and Ares held her up. "Yeah. It's me Gabrielle." Xena cried. "It hurts. It hurts." She whimpered. "We're going to get you out of here." Xena said. "Not so fast, Xena." Said a deep voice behind them. Hades stood there with five guards. "We meet again. Let's make a deal. If you leave with Gabrielle, then you give Eve to me." Xena's eyes widened in surprise. Hades had given up. He was only saying this now because of Gabrielle's vulnerable state and that they were in his kingdom. "We're leaving now. Celesta was a little early. It wasn't Gabrielle's time. Now, I'm taking my friend, and leaving." Xena said. "I don't think so." Hades said. Ares raised his sword to his uncle's throat. "Ah-ah. You kill me, you're dead." Ares reluctantly sheathed his sword. Hades had a look of pride in his eyes that made Xena sick. Xena immediately stepped into action, laying Gabrielle back and blocking her. Hades sent his guards after Xena and Ares. Xena handled the first two, slitting one's throat with her chakram. The other she plunged the sword into his heart. The third Xena and Ares killed together. Ares stabbed him in the back, and Xena stabbed him in the stomach. Ares quickly crippled the other two and Xena went for Hades. She tripped him, and plunged the sword into his chest, pinning him to the ground. This didn't hurt him because he was a god, but it gave Xena time to tie his hands together with a whip. "Ares! Take Gabrielle's soul to her body and take her back home." Xena said. Ares nodded and left Tartarus far enough that he could use his powers again, and then he took Gabrielle's soul to her body. "You won't get away with this, Xena." Hades said. Xena poked him in the butt with her sword. "Oh no?" She asked. She led him up to a lava pit. She picked him up over her head and hurled him in. She knew he wouldn't get out. He'd be incased in lava for eternity. Xena hurried for the exit of Tartarus.


On land, Xena lay on the bank of the lake, choking and gasping for breath. She lay back; soaking wet in her purple dress with her sword and chakram by her side. Ares appeared beside her and held out his hand. She took it and he pulled her up, and warmed her and dried her with his powers. Gabrielle was standing beside Ares. "I told you to take her home." Xena choked out. "I wanted to stay here." Gabrielle said weakly. "I wanted to stay with Ares so I could see you after you got out of Tartarus. I wanted to thank you. Thank you for bringing me back Xena." Xena smiled softly and hugged her friend. "You're welcome, Gabrielle." Xena said. Ares snapped his fingers and they were on their way back to their home. After a second or two, they reappeared in front of their home. "Ready to see your daughter?" Ares asked Gabrielle. "I caught a glimpse of her, and she was beautiful." Gabrielle said smiling. "She is beautiful." Xena said. Gabrielle grinned weakly. Ares touched Gabrielle's shoulders, and she was in a soft blue dress now. She had her red skirt and silver armor and her boots and Sais in her arms. She lay them on the porch, and they prepared to go inside to see their friends and family.


The End . . . or is it?