Title: Whispers -Chapter Two

Time Line: Post Fin

Rating: PG-13

Arthur: Kitten a.k.a. Cat

Summary: The events after A Friend In Need II, from my point of view.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Xena Warrior Princess or Hercules the Legendary Journeys. I do however own the story line.

Though her progress was slow the bard did not falter that day as she progressed down the mountain trail. As soon as she entered a small village, not far from the bottom, she was welcomed as a hero. The tail of the mountaintop battle rang far through the land. Amazingly Gabrielle felt her heart and soul lighten a little bit with each greeting. The people revered Xena as a hero among heroes. As Gabrielle progressed through the land toward the sea, she received many gifts. She now had a beautiful midnight black steed to get home somehow and more gold than a person could spend in a life time. On her back she wore the finest silks of the east. She was being praised where Xena could not. All were glad to meet the famous bard who traveled with the Warrior Xena, all but one.

The day of her departure from the land of Japa Gabrielle was finishing the last of the arrangements for her travel home. She had spent quite a bit of her treasure to secure travel for her horse. She softly brushed the black mane and tale until it gleamed in the light of the lantern "Well girl we have a journey ahead of us" she patted the horse's back "I can't wait to show you Greece, the open plains" resting her forehead against it's neck "for you to meet her." An unchecked tear let loose and slid down her face "Soon, I have to get home soon." She continued comb the small mare down. Her thoughts drifting to better times, times with Xena at her side.

"You are going to destroy them all" an aged voice came from behind startling her.

Gabrielle turned around to face a small woman well advanced in her years. She was dressed in a faded dress that was little more than a rag. She wore a shawl laced with holes around her bony shoulders. Her face was etched with wrinkles, marking her years on this plane. Gabrielle met her dark stare "What do you want?" she questioned the old crone.

"What I want is for you to leave what belongs to us here and go on your way" she paused trying to catch her ragged breath "They might praise you, but I see you for what you are" she paused again her eyes narrowed on the bard as she raised her bony finger to point at Gabrielle's face "A thief."

Gabrielle stared at the small woman in disbelief. She finally managed to find her voice "What are you talking about, I have not stolen anything" she said defending herself. She tried to back away from the woman, but her back was to the mare behind her.

Shaking her head "You are planning on taking the remains with you and her soul if you can, but that must not happen and I am here to stop you." The old woman brought her other hand around to reveal a dagger. She swiped at Gabrielle.

Gabrielle easily dodged the fragile woman and as she came back up she grabbed the woman's arm, twisted and the dagger fell harmlessly to the floor "Are you mad woman?" questioned the bard "I have nothing that is not mine with me and that is what I am taking with me." Her eyes pierced the older woman's now, her lip curled in an evil smile as she stared down, one eye brow raised to complete the look "Do you understand old woman, I want no trouble and I will be on my way" she released the woman who fell to the floor staring up at the angry blond woman.

"You must be stopped. You will damn all the spirits if you take her from this land" replied the old woman.

Gabrielle looked down at the upon her again "I don't care." She took in the shocked look on the woman's face and raised an eyebrow to her "Xena was not to blame for the deaths and she shouldn't pay for their crimes." She turned from the woman, picked up the comb and continued to brush the horse "You should be looking up Akemi if you are looking for the guilty spirit to punish" she threw over her shoulder at the woman.

The old woman stood up, facing Gabrielle's back "You are speaking of my Niece and I will not let you tarnish our family name, you will not bring dishonor to us."

Gabrielle spun around to face her again "YOUR NIECE" she screamed. The old woman shrunk back from her "It makes sense that you would want to hide the truth you witch. Did you even know the woman you condemned to take her punishment, no I didn't think so. You have no right to speak of my friend. NOW GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME RIGHT NOW." Gabrielle was seething with rage. She had never felt so alive. She was enjoying the fear she had caused in the old woman. Was this what Xena felt when she had power over someone, when she was a warlord.

The old woman stared at the wild woman before her. She had never seen such rage from a person. The young woman's green eyes were wild with rage. She had realized the mistake she had made in coming here, she had underestimated the bard before her. This was not a simple bard this was a furious warrior and if she didn't exit soon she knew her life would be over. She began to step away from Gabrielle in an attempt to get away.

Gabrielle let the old woman leave without another word. "I have to get the hell out of here tonight" she thought to herself. She never gave thought to the rage she had felt for it had dissipated and she was calm again. She turned and finished with the horse. After leading the horse to the ship she had required and having it stowed in the special stall she had had made. She went in search of the captain she had hired.

She found him in his quarters "Sir, may I have a word with you."

Turning from his maps his eyes lit up at the petite blonde "Yes of course come in" he said in broken Greek "What can I do for you."

She cleared her throat "I need to leave immediately and was wondering if we could?"

He sat there thinking for a moment then gave her a smile "It should not be a problem, we have a small crew and the supplies were loaded earlier today. We can leave in a candle mark."

She let her breath out, not even realizing she was holding it "Thank you. You have no idea what this means" and she turned to leave.

"Actually I do have an idea what it means, and we should leave right away for not only your safety but that of your friend's."

She stopped, turned back to face him "What do you mean?" she questioned.

He smiled again "I can see you are with two spirits little one and you must leave soon to save her" he raised his hand to stop her from speaking "I too know the tale of the Warrior Woman and of the traitorous child who fooled her. I know that the Warrior was wise beyond her years yet fooled by the child's lies. She is with you and you have a chance to save her if you hurry."

"Do you know how much time I have?"

"I know this child that I will get you to your homeland before the full moon, and I know I will do this little one."

"But how the trip here took more than a month and I have less than three weeks left before the moon" she replied.

"I have my ways little one. Now go and prepare for the voyage" he answered gesturing to the door.

"How do I bring her back" she questioned before she left.

"All will be reveled to you by her" he paused "listen for her and she will tell you what to do."

Gabrielle took his words to heart and returned to her cabin. She sat down on her cot and opened her small bag that held her friend "Xena we will do this" she whispered to the air.

As promised an hour later the ship left the harbor heading to Greece. Many came to see the Warrior Bard, Friend of Xena leave their land and many rejoiced again in the saving of their lands, all but one. An old woman stood among the crowd staring at the fading form of the ship as it disappeared into the horizon. She turned and walked away from the harbor her heart sinking with the thought of what was happening beyond her control. She knew her family would never find honor now that Xena's spirit had left with the bard. She saw the Warrior's spirit in the young blonde's eyes when she confronted her and knew she was not powerful enough to stop this "If only Akemi had succeeded" she muttered to herself as she disappeared among the other villagers.

Gabrielle stood on the deck watching the disappearing harbor "Soon Xena, soon we will be home and I will find a way" she whispered to herself "Just hold on a little longer." Gabrielle turned and headed to her cabin. She retired to her cot as soon as she returned to the cabin, hoping to see Xena again in her dreams. She now felt a little safer, but she needed more information from Xena.

Dreamscape……………………………

Gabrielle is once again awakened by a scream, but this is a different scream it is familiar. She took in that she was in her cabin and slowly got up from the cot. She ascended the stairs and found herself on the deck. It was night and the sky was beautiful with the stars clear and bright. She followed the noise to the far side of the deck and was greeted by a girl of maybe 13 summers dressed in a knee link skirt and loose matching blue shirt. She watched the girl work through routines she had seen a thousand times. Raven waist length hair flew around as the girl completed a combination kick and flip. She landed in front of Gabrielle "Hello" was all she said.

Gabrielle was struck by the fire in her blue eyes. She now knew what Xena looked like as a young woman "Hello to you" she replied with a light smile on her face.

"Thank you for getting me away from there, now we can talk" began Xena as she gestured to sit down "I have missed you and I want to apologize for putting you through this."

Gabrielle stopped her "No don't, I have more important things to discuss with you. First how do we bring you back? And why are you so young?"

Xena closed her eyes and took a breath "Ok well from what I understand I have will slowly age in spirit form until I reach my actual age and then I have to cross over. But, there was a catch offered after I arrived in the spirit realm, if I can get my remains to Greece before the full moon he can bring me back."

A confused look passed Gabrielle's face "He who?" she asked.

"That is the hard part I don't know" Xena sighed "I guess it will come to me as I come to the age that I met him."

Gabrielle sat there contemplating who it could be "You think it is Hercules?"

"Who?" asked Xena.

"Never mind" Gabrielle replied "It will come back." Gabrielle stood "Come on lets practice you look like you could use a little advice" she held out her hand to Xena.

Xena grasped her hand and pulled herself up "Sure."

Gabrielle began walking to the bigger part of the deck and then suddenly turned back to Xena "How do you know me? We didn't meet until you were much older." she asked.

Xena smiled "We are soul mates. I would know you anywhere. I do know this about him though, he is the one that burns in my heart and I love him and he me."

"How do you know?" questioned the bard.

"I don't know, it is just something I feel." Xena had a far off look in her eyes as she thought of the one that loved her, the one she couldn't picture yet in her mind. Her trance was broken by a kick to her side and she found herself once again on her butt. Looking up she saw a smile upon her friend's face.

"That's a first I got the best of the Warrior Princess" Gabrielle said with a laugh as she helped Xena again "You have a long way to go."

Xena and Gabrielle began sparing with staffs and enjoyed each other's company through out the night. But soon the dawn was approaching "Xena I have to go the Captain will be coming to wake me soon and I have to check on my horse."

A disappointed look crossed Xena's face as she began to slightly pout "Ok, but you will come tonight to talk."

"Of course" she smiled as she hugged her friend "Until tonight old friend." Gabrielle stood back from Xena and could hear a knocking getting louder. She raised her hands to her ears to block the noise, but soon realized her dream was coming to an end as the scene before her faded and she found herself once again in her cabin. The knocking was coming from the door.

"Little one please come up on deck I have something to show you" called the Captain.

Gabrielle drug herself up from the cot, splashed some water on her face and headed up the stairs to the deck. She looked around shading her eyes with her hand from the morning sun. She spotted the Captain and headed over to him "What's up?" she asked in a light tone.

He looked down at the small blonde and smiled. He could see the two souls within her, one lighter than the other but both intertwined. "Well little one I wanted to show you the progress we have made" he gestured to the map and navigational equipment laid out before him on a table.

She looked at the items and then back to him "I'm truly sorry but I can't make heads or tails of it."

He now laughed "I am sorry little one I forgot you do not read my language as well. Let me explain. I told you I would have help, and it has come last night."

"What help would that be?" she questioned staring at the maps trying to make sense of them.

"Help from one long gone, but that is neither here nor there, all you need to know is that we are almost half way to your Greece and I expect to be there with in a day or so." He watched her eyes light up like a small child "Does this please you little one?"

"Oh yes it does." She thanked him for the good news and headed to the stall that held her horse.

"Hey girl how are you this morning" she said in a light voice as she gave the beast some feed. She watched as the animal ate the feed and then went to get some water. When she returned and watered the horse she sat down on some hay "Soon girl I will have you running on the plains of Greece." A smile that she had not worn in years filled her face as she thought of home and hope grew again. Only a few days with the help of the mysterious spirit. She would be home and then she would find whoever the man was she needed. It had to be Hercules that was the key, he was good and Gabrielle knew that Xena still cared for him and he for her. Yes it had to Hercules, wasn't it he that showed Xena the first step to the way of good.

Suddenly the boat shifted violently. Gabrielle fell to the floor "What the hell?" she mumbled as she stood herself up. She fought her way up the stairs again to find out what was going on as the shipped swayed back and forth.

………………….