A Home At Last
Chapter Two
"Miranda? Are you all right?" Gabrielle asked when she realized Miranda was unable to get out of bed.
"I - I don't know. I feel so tired, and I can barely draw a breath." She replied weakly. Then suddenly she had a fit of coughing that left her even more breathless, and gagging on her own phlegm.
"XENA!" Gabrielle shouted as she ran out of the front door. "Hurry! Something's wrong with Miranda!"
Xena ran from the barn where she had been currying the horses.
As soon as she saw Miranda, now vomiting onto the floor, Xena said, "This looks bad. I've got to go into Pylomus to find the Healer. We should be back by nightfall. Try to keep her as warm as possible. Make sure she drinks plenty of water, and try to get her to eat something."
Without another word, Xena ran to the barn, saddled her horse and rode off, heading toward the small town a half day's ride from the farm.
For the rest of the day, Gabrielle abandoned her chores - weeding and watering the large garden, feeding the chickens, the ducks, the goats, and the piglets. Rather, she spent the day hovering around Miranda trying to keep her comfortable.
When she slept, Gabrielle would fetch water, make chicken broth, and clean around her bed where she had thrown up.
When she was awake, she would try to feed her the broth, and on two ocassions, had to clean her because she was too weak to keep her bowels from moving.
Just as the sun was setting, Gabrielle heard two horses galloping up. As she lit candles, Xena and the Healer came in. As he passed Gabrielle and went into Miranda's bedroom, she wondered how a man of his age could have kept up with Xena.
Then he came out of the room. "I'll need hot water to to mix my medicines. Another blanket, more of the chicken broth, and cool drinking water."
When he had the things he requested, he closed off the bedroom, leaving Xena and Gabrielle to wait and worry.
Just before midnight, the Healer came out of Miranda's bedroom. "She is sleeping, but it doesn't look good."
"What's wrong with her?" Gabrielle asked.
"Nothing. She's just old and her body's worn out. I'm surprised she's lived as long as she has, considering the past few years."
"What do you mean?" Xena asked.
"Miranda, and Cronus, settled this area almost 60 years ago. My family came here about 12 years later. I was just about 20 - 22 years old. My father was teaching me the Healing arts. It wasn't long before we had eight or ten farms scattered around with Pylomus more or less in the center. We all helped each other out harvesting in the Fall, planting in the Spring, barn raisings for the new settlers, or if one burned down during the droughts. But Cronus and Miranda seemed to be the leaders. Everyone came to them first, whether it was about one dispute or another, or when the Harvest Festival should be held. Then about four years ago things started to go downhill for them. They had gotten word that Jerod and Herod, the twins, who left years before to fight the Romans, had died on Roman crosses. Then a year later Cronus fell off the roof and broke his back. Miranda tended to him almost a half year before he died. I think he lost the will to live, seeing how crippled up he was. He couldn't even get out of bed."
"So how did she keep the farm going?"
"Like I said, everyone pitched in, helping with the planting, digging irrigation ditches, and harvesting. Repairs, whatever was needed."
Just then they heard Miranda go into another fit of coughing and the Healer went back into her room.
When it was evident he wasn't coming out anytime soon, Gabrielle and Xena sat down at the table to wait. Laying her head down on the table, Gabrielle dozed. Xena tried not to, but she found herself jerking awake more than once. And she heard Miranda and the Healer talking. Their voices were too low to hear what they said, but the conversation seemed to last a long time. She thought she heard her name once or twice, but couldn't be sure.
At daybreak, the Healer left Miranda's room. Hearing him, Xena and Gabrielle both stood up, but the look on his face said it all. Sadly, he shook his head.
"She's gone." He said quietly.
Tears welled up in Gabrielle's eyes and she turned to Xena's breast to cry on. Putting her arms around Gabrielle, Xena looked over the top of her head at the Healer.
As a tear rolled down Xena's cheek, she said, "She was a good woman."
"Yes, she was." He replied. "And loved by everyone. We will all miss her."
Gabrielle turned in Xena's arms to face the Healer. "Does she have any family? Anyone we should notify?"
"No, no family. Unless you want to include this whole valley."
"What about her - funeral?" Xena asked. "I'm sure everyone will want to pay their respects."
"Yes, I know they will. If you two would prepare her, I will spread the word, and tomorrow at midday everyone will be here for the burial."
"But, first," he continued, "There is something we need to talk about."
"Something wrong?" Xena wanted to know.
"If I had known who you were when you came after me yesterday, I wouldn't have come. In fact, I probably would have tried to kill you, and most likely would have died in the effort. Around here your name, and reputation, is one that is feared, and hated."
"But that was the OLD Xena . . . !" Gabrielle interrupted.
"I know that, now. Miranda is the only one I would have believed. She told me how you two came to be here. And how much both you have helped out while your leg was mending. She became very fond of you, both of you. And it was her dying wish that, if possible, you two would stay here and work the farm. There is no one else, no family, to take over the place, and no one else she would rather watch over her and Cronus' remains but you two."
"I don't know," Xena replied slowly. "I've never done any farming. This settling down idea isn't a new one, but on a farm?"
"Xena," Gabrielle said, putting her hand on Xena's forearm, "Why not? I was raised on a farm. It's hard work, sure, but we're still both young enough and strong enough to make it work. And with a little help from some of the other farmers, if we need it. . . . We could TRY it, anyway. I mean, what have we got to lose? We can always leave if it doesn't work out."
Before Xena could answer, the Healer broke in, "There IS one more thing, it's the other farmers. When they find out who you are, they may not want you here."
"Don't Miranda's wishes count for anything?" Xena asked, now warming up to the idea.
"Certainly they do, but only if the others believe ME. I'm the only one she told. And I'm the one who will have to convince everyone else you're not the same Xena we've heard so much about."
"So what do you suggest?" Xena asked.
"I don't want anything to disrupt Miranda's funeral -- no controversy, no anger, no arguing. So we will wait until afterward before we tell anyone about this."
"What if someone recognizes her?" Gabrielle put in. "We both want to be there, to pay our final respects."
"Then I suggest you wear something that isn't what Xena normally wears."
"I'm sure I can find something appropriate." Xena told him. "So if you want to notify the others, Gabrielle and I will do what we can for Miranda."
----------------
After the Healer left, Xena and Gabrielle washed Miranda and shampooed her hair. They dressed her in her nicest clothes and fixed her hair. Then they started cleaning the house to make it presentable for the expected visitors the next afternoon.
When the house was finished, they did what they could for the outside. Most of the day was gone when they decided to leave the final details for the next morning.
They were up at daybreak. After a light breakfast, they went to the small plot of ground set aside as a small cemetery surrounded by a low, stone fence. They raked away the leaves and debris, and cleaned the marker over Cronus' grave. As they were finishing, two middle aged men arrived with picks and shovels.
Eyeing the two women with suspicion, one said, "The Healer sent us to dig the grave."
Xena and Gabrielle returned to the house to clean up and get dressed. Gabrielle was able to find an old dress of Miranda's. One she obviously wore when she was a younger woman.
Xena rummaged through Cronus' things until she found a shirt that was dressy enough to wear. She also found a skirt of Miranda's that fit her in the waist, but barely came to her knees. But it would have to do.
Not long after the sun was at its highest, everyone who was able to come had arrived, about twentyfive men, women, and children. Each family brought bowls of food to be shared after the burial ceremony.
The main ceremony was presided over by the Healer. Then several older women spoke of Miranda's kindness, and gentleness, and unselfishness.
As they gathered back at the house to eat, the Healer served as host, while Gabrielle and Xena acted as servants, making sure everyone had food and drink.
As the meal was finishing up, the Healer called for everyone's attention.
"I'm sure you have all noticed we have two strangers among us. Strangers to us, but not to Miranda. For the past four months, during the blizzard that paralyzed our community, and for a time afterward, these two have been living here. They were stranded by the storm and taken in due to the kindness of our dear Miranda."
Several murmurs were heard, confirming her generosity.
"When she took them in, this one, Gabrielle, had her leg broken in two places, her ankle was twisted, and she was beginnning to suffer from chills and fever."
At the mention of Gabrielle's name, the murmurs began again. The name was familiar to some of them, and they were suddenly apprehensive about her companion.
"And during her recovery, she was attended to by Miranda, and -- Xena, the Warrior Princess."
At the mention of her name, the men surged forward a little, as if to protect their familes, and to do battle if necessary.
The Healer had to shout them down before he was able to continue.
"Yes, I know, the name of Xena has been one of disgust and fear and hatred. But would Miranda have allowed them to stay, and to live here even after Gabrielle's leg was healed if she was the bloodthirsty killer we have heard about?"
"Maybe she had no choice!" One man yelled out.
"Yeah, maybe she was a prisoner!" Another said.
"Then why did Xena ride all the way into town to get me when Miranda grew ill? If she was so evil, why bother?" The Healer countered.
The murmurs quieted down, but didn't die completely; a few weren't convinced.
"I had a long, long talk with Miranda as she lay dying. And one thing above all else was her belief that Xena is no longer the monster we have heard stories about. And it is her dying wish that Xena and Gabrielle stay here and work the farm. And hopes that all of you will come to know her as she really is. . . ."
The Healer's last sentence was drowned out by the shouts of protest and threats against Xena.
As he tried to quiet the crowd, Xena stepped up and gently pushed the Healer behind her. Her sudden appearance hushed the crowd. It was evident that not only was she a tall as any of them, but her presence was such that it commanded respect, and silence.
As she started to speak, the crowd parted to allow an older, and rather small man to move to the front of them. Xena took him to be the Village Elder.
He looked at Xena square in the eyes, then said, "Perhaps Miranda was right. Perhaps you no longer are the Evil Warrior. But what is to prevent warlords and armies from coming to our valley, killing and destroying one and all in their search for you?"
"I can't guarantee our being here won't attract my enemies," Xena answered. "But right now, no one but the people of this village know we are here. And unless someone lets it slip, there is no reason for anyone anywhere to know any different."
She continued, "Gabrielle and I have been traveling together longer than I care to think about. We are tired of it. We aren't the young women we once were. The adventure has gotten old, and stale. We just want what all of you want - a home. That's all, just a home to call ours. And friends. When we came here, it was an emergency situation. But now. . . ."
Then Gabrielle moved to Xena's side. "Most of the time you won't even know we're here, unless someone's in trouble, or needs help, or needs an extra hand at harvest time. We want to be as much a part of this community as any of you are. All we ask is a chance. If we bring trouble or cause problems, say the word and we'll go. No questions asked."
Then the Healer stepped up again. "I see no reason not to give them a chance. It's what Miranda wanted. How many times has her council been wrong? How many times has she given any of you bad advice?"
The Village Elder and the Healer locked eyes, as if they had their own silent communication. After a few moments the Elder nodded then put out his hand to Xena. As she took it, he said in a voice so low that only Xena and Gabrielle could hear, "Do not disappoint us. Such an insult to the memory of Miranda will not be tolerated."
Xena nodded, then released his forearm so he could shake Gabrielle's also.
Turning to the crowd, the Elder said to them, "Today we celebrate the crossing over of our dearly beloved Miranda, and the welcoming of two new members to our village. The gods have taken away, and they have given."
And just as suddenly as it had turned ugly, the mood changed again.
Wine was being poured. From somewhere lyres and flutes and drums were brought out and music was being played. Couples were dancing. Children were running, playing and chasing each other.
The celebration lasted long into the night. As, by twos and threes, the celebrants looked for someplace to sleep, Xena and Gabrielle provided blankets and furs. There was fresh straw in the barn for the young adults and children, and room was made in the house for the elder men and women.
As daybreak brightened the sky, everyone was up and eating the breakfast Xena and Gabrielle provided. Before midmorning the last of the villagers said their goodbyes and headed for home.
As they watched them go, Gabrielle couldn't control her tears.
"What's wong now?" Xena asked, puzzled.
"It's just that I can't believe it. We actually have our very own home."
"Yep." Xena said as her arm encircled Gabrielle's shoulder. "A home at last."
Chapter Two
"Miranda? Are you all right?" Gabrielle asked when she realized Miranda was unable to get out of bed.
"I - I don't know. I feel so tired, and I can barely draw a breath." She replied weakly. Then suddenly she had a fit of coughing that left her even more breathless, and gagging on her own phlegm.
"XENA!" Gabrielle shouted as she ran out of the front door. "Hurry! Something's wrong with Miranda!"
Xena ran from the barn where she had been currying the horses.
As soon as she saw Miranda, now vomiting onto the floor, Xena said, "This looks bad. I've got to go into Pylomus to find the Healer. We should be back by nightfall. Try to keep her as warm as possible. Make sure she drinks plenty of water, and try to get her to eat something."
Without another word, Xena ran to the barn, saddled her horse and rode off, heading toward the small town a half day's ride from the farm.
For the rest of the day, Gabrielle abandoned her chores - weeding and watering the large garden, feeding the chickens, the ducks, the goats, and the piglets. Rather, she spent the day hovering around Miranda trying to keep her comfortable.
When she slept, Gabrielle would fetch water, make chicken broth, and clean around her bed where she had thrown up.
When she was awake, she would try to feed her the broth, and on two ocassions, had to clean her because she was too weak to keep her bowels from moving.
Just as the sun was setting, Gabrielle heard two horses galloping up. As she lit candles, Xena and the Healer came in. As he passed Gabrielle and went into Miranda's bedroom, she wondered how a man of his age could have kept up with Xena.
Then he came out of the room. "I'll need hot water to to mix my medicines. Another blanket, more of the chicken broth, and cool drinking water."
When he had the things he requested, he closed off the bedroom, leaving Xena and Gabrielle to wait and worry.
Just before midnight, the Healer came out of Miranda's bedroom. "She is sleeping, but it doesn't look good."
"What's wrong with her?" Gabrielle asked.
"Nothing. She's just old and her body's worn out. I'm surprised she's lived as long as she has, considering the past few years."
"What do you mean?" Xena asked.
"Miranda, and Cronus, settled this area almost 60 years ago. My family came here about 12 years later. I was just about 20 - 22 years old. My father was teaching me the Healing arts. It wasn't long before we had eight or ten farms scattered around with Pylomus more or less in the center. We all helped each other out harvesting in the Fall, planting in the Spring, barn raisings for the new settlers, or if one burned down during the droughts. But Cronus and Miranda seemed to be the leaders. Everyone came to them first, whether it was about one dispute or another, or when the Harvest Festival should be held. Then about four years ago things started to go downhill for them. They had gotten word that Jerod and Herod, the twins, who left years before to fight the Romans, had died on Roman crosses. Then a year later Cronus fell off the roof and broke his back. Miranda tended to him almost a half year before he died. I think he lost the will to live, seeing how crippled up he was. He couldn't even get out of bed."
"So how did she keep the farm going?"
"Like I said, everyone pitched in, helping with the planting, digging irrigation ditches, and harvesting. Repairs, whatever was needed."
Just then they heard Miranda go into another fit of coughing and the Healer went back into her room.
When it was evident he wasn't coming out anytime soon, Gabrielle and Xena sat down at the table to wait. Laying her head down on the table, Gabrielle dozed. Xena tried not to, but she found herself jerking awake more than once. And she heard Miranda and the Healer talking. Their voices were too low to hear what they said, but the conversation seemed to last a long time. She thought she heard her name once or twice, but couldn't be sure.
At daybreak, the Healer left Miranda's room. Hearing him, Xena and Gabrielle both stood up, but the look on his face said it all. Sadly, he shook his head.
"She's gone." He said quietly.
Tears welled up in Gabrielle's eyes and she turned to Xena's breast to cry on. Putting her arms around Gabrielle, Xena looked over the top of her head at the Healer.
As a tear rolled down Xena's cheek, she said, "She was a good woman."
"Yes, she was." He replied. "And loved by everyone. We will all miss her."
Gabrielle turned in Xena's arms to face the Healer. "Does she have any family? Anyone we should notify?"
"No, no family. Unless you want to include this whole valley."
"What about her - funeral?" Xena asked. "I'm sure everyone will want to pay their respects."
"Yes, I know they will. If you two would prepare her, I will spread the word, and tomorrow at midday everyone will be here for the burial."
"But, first," he continued, "There is something we need to talk about."
"Something wrong?" Xena wanted to know.
"If I had known who you were when you came after me yesterday, I wouldn't have come. In fact, I probably would have tried to kill you, and most likely would have died in the effort. Around here your name, and reputation, is one that is feared, and hated."
"But that was the OLD Xena . . . !" Gabrielle interrupted.
"I know that, now. Miranda is the only one I would have believed. She told me how you two came to be here. And how much both you have helped out while your leg was mending. She became very fond of you, both of you. And it was her dying wish that, if possible, you two would stay here and work the farm. There is no one else, no family, to take over the place, and no one else she would rather watch over her and Cronus' remains but you two."
"I don't know," Xena replied slowly. "I've never done any farming. This settling down idea isn't a new one, but on a farm?"
"Xena," Gabrielle said, putting her hand on Xena's forearm, "Why not? I was raised on a farm. It's hard work, sure, but we're still both young enough and strong enough to make it work. And with a little help from some of the other farmers, if we need it. . . . We could TRY it, anyway. I mean, what have we got to lose? We can always leave if it doesn't work out."
Before Xena could answer, the Healer broke in, "There IS one more thing, it's the other farmers. When they find out who you are, they may not want you here."
"Don't Miranda's wishes count for anything?" Xena asked, now warming up to the idea.
"Certainly they do, but only if the others believe ME. I'm the only one she told. And I'm the one who will have to convince everyone else you're not the same Xena we've heard so much about."
"So what do you suggest?" Xena asked.
"I don't want anything to disrupt Miranda's funeral -- no controversy, no anger, no arguing. So we will wait until afterward before we tell anyone about this."
"What if someone recognizes her?" Gabrielle put in. "We both want to be there, to pay our final respects."
"Then I suggest you wear something that isn't what Xena normally wears."
"I'm sure I can find something appropriate." Xena told him. "So if you want to notify the others, Gabrielle and I will do what we can for Miranda."
----------------
After the Healer left, Xena and Gabrielle washed Miranda and shampooed her hair. They dressed her in her nicest clothes and fixed her hair. Then they started cleaning the house to make it presentable for the expected visitors the next afternoon.
When the house was finished, they did what they could for the outside. Most of the day was gone when they decided to leave the final details for the next morning.
They were up at daybreak. After a light breakfast, they went to the small plot of ground set aside as a small cemetery surrounded by a low, stone fence. They raked away the leaves and debris, and cleaned the marker over Cronus' grave. As they were finishing, two middle aged men arrived with picks and shovels.
Eyeing the two women with suspicion, one said, "The Healer sent us to dig the grave."
Xena and Gabrielle returned to the house to clean up and get dressed. Gabrielle was able to find an old dress of Miranda's. One she obviously wore when she was a younger woman.
Xena rummaged through Cronus' things until she found a shirt that was dressy enough to wear. She also found a skirt of Miranda's that fit her in the waist, but barely came to her knees. But it would have to do.
Not long after the sun was at its highest, everyone who was able to come had arrived, about twentyfive men, women, and children. Each family brought bowls of food to be shared after the burial ceremony.
The main ceremony was presided over by the Healer. Then several older women spoke of Miranda's kindness, and gentleness, and unselfishness.
As they gathered back at the house to eat, the Healer served as host, while Gabrielle and Xena acted as servants, making sure everyone had food and drink.
As the meal was finishing up, the Healer called for everyone's attention.
"I'm sure you have all noticed we have two strangers among us. Strangers to us, but not to Miranda. For the past four months, during the blizzard that paralyzed our community, and for a time afterward, these two have been living here. They were stranded by the storm and taken in due to the kindness of our dear Miranda."
Several murmurs were heard, confirming her generosity.
"When she took them in, this one, Gabrielle, had her leg broken in two places, her ankle was twisted, and she was beginnning to suffer from chills and fever."
At the mention of Gabrielle's name, the murmurs began again. The name was familiar to some of them, and they were suddenly apprehensive about her companion.
"And during her recovery, she was attended to by Miranda, and -- Xena, the Warrior Princess."
At the mention of her name, the men surged forward a little, as if to protect their familes, and to do battle if necessary.
The Healer had to shout them down before he was able to continue.
"Yes, I know, the name of Xena has been one of disgust and fear and hatred. But would Miranda have allowed them to stay, and to live here even after Gabrielle's leg was healed if she was the bloodthirsty killer we have heard about?"
"Maybe she had no choice!" One man yelled out.
"Yeah, maybe she was a prisoner!" Another said.
"Then why did Xena ride all the way into town to get me when Miranda grew ill? If she was so evil, why bother?" The Healer countered.
The murmurs quieted down, but didn't die completely; a few weren't convinced.
"I had a long, long talk with Miranda as she lay dying. And one thing above all else was her belief that Xena is no longer the monster we have heard stories about. And it is her dying wish that Xena and Gabrielle stay here and work the farm. And hopes that all of you will come to know her as she really is. . . ."
The Healer's last sentence was drowned out by the shouts of protest and threats against Xena.
As he tried to quiet the crowd, Xena stepped up and gently pushed the Healer behind her. Her sudden appearance hushed the crowd. It was evident that not only was she a tall as any of them, but her presence was such that it commanded respect, and silence.
As she started to speak, the crowd parted to allow an older, and rather small man to move to the front of them. Xena took him to be the Village Elder.
He looked at Xena square in the eyes, then said, "Perhaps Miranda was right. Perhaps you no longer are the Evil Warrior. But what is to prevent warlords and armies from coming to our valley, killing and destroying one and all in their search for you?"
"I can't guarantee our being here won't attract my enemies," Xena answered. "But right now, no one but the people of this village know we are here. And unless someone lets it slip, there is no reason for anyone anywhere to know any different."
She continued, "Gabrielle and I have been traveling together longer than I care to think about. We are tired of it. We aren't the young women we once were. The adventure has gotten old, and stale. We just want what all of you want - a home. That's all, just a home to call ours. And friends. When we came here, it was an emergency situation. But now. . . ."
Then Gabrielle moved to Xena's side. "Most of the time you won't even know we're here, unless someone's in trouble, or needs help, or needs an extra hand at harvest time. We want to be as much a part of this community as any of you are. All we ask is a chance. If we bring trouble or cause problems, say the word and we'll go. No questions asked."
Then the Healer stepped up again. "I see no reason not to give them a chance. It's what Miranda wanted. How many times has her council been wrong? How many times has she given any of you bad advice?"
The Village Elder and the Healer locked eyes, as if they had their own silent communication. After a few moments the Elder nodded then put out his hand to Xena. As she took it, he said in a voice so low that only Xena and Gabrielle could hear, "Do not disappoint us. Such an insult to the memory of Miranda will not be tolerated."
Xena nodded, then released his forearm so he could shake Gabrielle's also.
Turning to the crowd, the Elder said to them, "Today we celebrate the crossing over of our dearly beloved Miranda, and the welcoming of two new members to our village. The gods have taken away, and they have given."
And just as suddenly as it had turned ugly, the mood changed again.
Wine was being poured. From somewhere lyres and flutes and drums were brought out and music was being played. Couples were dancing. Children were running, playing and chasing each other.
The celebration lasted long into the night. As, by twos and threes, the celebrants looked for someplace to sleep, Xena and Gabrielle provided blankets and furs. There was fresh straw in the barn for the young adults and children, and room was made in the house for the elder men and women.
As daybreak brightened the sky, everyone was up and eating the breakfast Xena and Gabrielle provided. Before midmorning the last of the villagers said their goodbyes and headed for home.
As they watched them go, Gabrielle couldn't control her tears.
"What's wong now?" Xena asked, puzzled.
"It's just that I can't believe it. We actually have our very own home."
"Yep." Xena said as her arm encircled Gabrielle's shoulder. "A home at last."
