Disclaimers: The characters of Xena: Warrior Princess and all other associated with the television series of the same are the property of MCA/ Universal Pictures. This is a work of fan fiction and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is written for enjoyment and no profit will be made from this work of fiction.
Subtext: I believe our two main characters have a deep, loving relationship. However, there is nothing graphic and the relationship is mainly implied.
Violence: There's a bit of graphic violence. May not be appropriate for children under 13.
Language: No bad language, I think
Spoilers: I think you need to have some background on Xena in order to understand this story. There is heavy referencing to 'Is There a Doctor In the House?', 'Destiny', 'The Quest', The Debt I &II, Maternal Instincts, The Bitter Suite, and One Against An Army.
Side-note: Don't try to figure out where this story fits in the timeline. Truth is I make up my own 'Xena history' as I go along. Meaning, some things that happened in the series have not happened here, even if they came before other events. Also, this fic primarily takes place during season 4, but before Endgame. Ephiny and all my favorite Amazons are still alive.
Other: Please be kind, this is my first fanfic, and it has taken me a long time to write this story. Many fans may not like this story because it makes our favorite duo, a trio.

Walking along the countryside, Xena and Gabrielle talked about seeing Kaylin and her family again as they headed towards Delos.

"I can't wait to see Kaylin and the boys again." Said Gabrielle.  "I love telling them stories and watching their faces an expressions as I go on."

"Now come on Gabrielle, you know that you just like to tell them stories because they brag about how great your stories are.  You like the attention." Teased Xena.

"Well," Gabrielle commented, "at least someone recognizes my talent and appreciates me."

Xena turned around and faced Gabrielle, "Gabrielle, you know I recognize your talent and I appreciate you everyday.  I was only kidding. Don't ever think I don't cherish you and our friendship."

Gabrielle smiled at Xena, "I know, I just wanted to hear you say it."

They looked at each other a moment longer and then continued on towards the city.  They walked about 2 candle marks before the city came into view.  By the time they reached the city gates the sun was beginning to set and everything was bathed in a reddish purple haze.

As soon as the reached the gates, Xena realized something was wrong.  Gabrielle kept thinking something was different.  There was no guards standing at the gates and they were slightly ajar.  Xena pushed one of the doors open and the sight that greeted them shocked them into silence. 

The city that once was so full of life and beauty now was silence and in shambles.  As they walked down the main street where the venders would line the streets and announce their wares, they saw deserted stands, rotting away from lack of upkeep.  The central gardens, where Kaylin sat with the children and the villagers all around, telling them stories and enjoying the afternoon sun, were now full of weeds, vines rising from the earth, strangling the beautiful flowers that once called this garden home.  The homes were all in disrepair.  This town did not look like the vibrant place it once was, it was like a ghost town.

Xena and Gabrielle walked up to the palace, and finding still no guards, proceeded through the doors.  The palace looked dark and furniture lay strewn all over the place.  They found some guards in the kitchen and servants quarters, but when Xena questioned them, they all just gave her a mournful look and couldn't manage to say what had happened. 

They walked down to the main hall and found the captain of the guards pouring furiously over some scrolls of parchment than looked like the plans to the palace. 

"Eteocles, what happened here?" Xena demanded of the soldier.

Eteocles turned around and looked at Xena and Gabrielle.  He looked horrible.  He hadn't shaved in days, his clothes looked all ragged and filthy.  He gave them this deadened stare and then he said,

"Where were you?  Where in Hades have you been," He demanded! 

Gabrielle looked at this man who must either be remarkably brave or stupid to dare speak to the Warrior Princess in such a way. 

She asked, "What are you talking about?"  

Eteocles looked hard at Xena and Gabrielle and then softened, " You really don't know do you?  I've sent at least a dozen messengers out looking for you, carrying scrolls pleading with you to return at once.  We needed your help, the queen needed your help."

Eteocles sat down wearily and started to explain what had happened that left the town in its current state.

"About 2 moons ago, the queen began having nightmares that left her in a weakened state.  When they continued through the next new moon I suggested that she seek the help of an Oracle, I would send for the Oracle at Delphi.  However, our queen already knew what the dreams meant and what was causing them.  She sent word to you asking for you to find Hercules and return immediately.  I assume that our messengers were intercepted.  Kaylin said that Hera was sending these dreams as a warning of what she has planned for Kaylin."

He took a breath and looked as if each word was like a dagger in his heart.

Gabrielle placed a hand on his shoulder, and urged his to continue.

Eteocles took a deep breath and began again,

"We kept sending out messengers and received no word.  Kaylin's dreams began to get worse, and more frequent.   She would suddenly collapse and convulse as the force of the dream hit her.  One day she came to me and said she had a plan.  She signed a scroll leaving me the authority to rule in her place until her successor, you Xena, returned to the kingdom.  She made plans that ensured the safety of the kingdom in the event of her death or if she was incapable of ruling.  We took a few guards aside and made arrangements to take Christopher, Alexander, Elena and Erik to Amazonia.  Ephiny and Kaylin had been in constant contact since you guys left.  However, once the nightmares began, the messages had stopped.  Kaylin knew that Ephiny would allow the children and Erik to hide in the village with no problems.  We had plans to smuggle them out of the city the next evening.

"The next morning Kaylin and Erik didn't come down for breakfast.  Lysia went to wake the children and found their beds empty.  She reported the boys and Elena missing and I sent out soldiers to search the property while I conducted a search of the palace. I went to the royal couple's room and found them to also be missing.  Then the screaming started.

"First it sounded like someone was crying.  Then it gradually progressed into screaming and then multiple screams.  I ran through the palace to find where it was coming from."

As he went through the story, Eteocles walked through the palace, leading Xena and Gabrielle to a door.

"I put my ear to this door and I could hear the voices of my queen and of the children crying.  The king was screaming out and Kaylin was pleading with someone to let them all go.  I tried to open the door.  It leads to the holding area for prisoners.  I tried the door, and it wouldn't budge.  We had soldiers home down and try to break it in. We used some black powder that the queen had stored away from Chin, we tried to cut it down with axes, but it was of no use, nothing would move that door.  It was like the gods themselves were standing in front of it, protecting it.  The screams continued day nonstop for days.  Then it just stopped.  After that we could hear our queen, crying, screaming every now and then, but no one came out, and we couldn't get in.  The townspeople were afraid that the royal family had done something to anger the gods.  Afraid of what could happen to them, many fled the city.  Others stayed, but the city had lost its heart along with it's queen.  Kaylin is the heart and soul of this city, without her, it's withered and died."

Xena eyed Eteocles suspiciously, "So what now?  I don't hear anything.  Have you gotten in there?  Do you know what really happened?"

Eteocles looked down shamefully, "We had hoped that when the screams had stopped that they would come out, and since they didn't we just figured that they died.  No one wants to go in there, we're all too afraid."

Xena stared at Kaylin's chief in command with venom in her eyes, "Coward."

Xena put a hand on the door and began to push it open, and suddenly stopped.

Gabrielle looked at her anxiously, "What's wrong?  We need to go in there; we need to see if she's ok."

"No, first we need to send word to Hercules and get some help." Xena turned to Eteocles, "Go send your 2 fastest messengers and send 1 to Hercules and Iolus asking them to get here immediately.  Send another to Amazonia asking Ephiny and Solari to come right away as well.  Get your healer here right away, and gather some food and water and bring it all here, but don't come in, understand?"

"Yes, it will be done as you requested." With that Eteocles turned around and quickly went off to do Xena's bidding.

"Xena, I don't understand.  How do you even know she's alive?  You're asking for all these things and it may not be necessary."  Gabrielle inquired.

"Gabrielle, Kaylin is a fighter, I know she's alive.  This all sounds like Hera, the dreams, the door not opening, all of them disappearing, it just makes sense that it would be her.  Hera hates all the illegitimate children of Zeus.  She finds ways to punish them for their father's infidelity.  I guess she decided it was Kaylin's turn.  Come on, let's see what's in there."

Xena gingerly pushed the door to the dungeon open and drew her sword.  With sais in hand, Gabrielle followed looking all around, looking for any sign of danger.  The sight that confronted them was more than either of them were ready to face.  There was blood everywhere.  Clothing strewn all over, Gabrielle recognized a bed shift belonging to Christopher; it was ripped and torn, spotted with blood.  Gabrielle stifled a sob and continued through the dark room. 

Xena's eyes adjusted to the darkness and noticed a lump on the floor, she approached it and heard whimpering noises.  Gabrielle on the other side of the room had just come across some discovery of her own, but they were not making any noises. 

Xena approached the person on the floor and reached her hand out and barely touching it, and it whimpered louder, and scrambled across the floor.  The cloth covering the being slide down and Xena saw the Kaylin's brunette locks.

"Kaylin!" Xena ran over to her and gently pulled her face up so that she was looking into Xena's eyes.  The face of her friend and searched her eyes for some glimmer of recognition, and saw nothing.  Kaylin's eyes looked hollow, void of the fire that once burned brightly, endearing people to her like a siren's song.

Gabrielle found the remains of both Christopher and Alexander, she stumbled upon Erik and then sadly finding baby Elena lying next to her father.  Gabrielle fought to hold back the tears that were threatening to overpower her.  As she made her way back across the dungeon to where Xena kneeled, she saw the figure that Xena was gently talking to.  It was Kaylin!

"Kaylin, listen to me, it's me, Xena.  I'm here with Gabrielle; we're going to get you out of here.  Can you hear me? Please, answer me if you can hear me.  Kaylin?  Kaylin please, come back to us."

Kaylin just continued to stare as if looking right through Xena, not really seeing her.  She flinched away from Xena, as if the contact burned her.

"Xena, what's wrong with her?  Why doesn't she respond?"


"I don't know Gabrielle, it's like she's not herself.  I mean I know it's her, but it's not.  She's not in there."

"Xena, I don't understand.  How do we help her?"

I don't know Gabrielle, I just don't know.

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