Together Forever

Chapter 1

It was just a normal day for Xena and Gabrielle. "Xena can we stop for a little while I'm hungry" whined the bard. Xena didn't answer for they heard a scream from up ahead. They both raced forward to see what was happening.

Just over the hilltop they came upon three thugs attacking a young girl. Xena Jumped in between them "what's the trouble here boys" she said coolly. "This wench here stole some food from our camp" the bigger one answered. Xena looked down at the young girl. She couldn't of been more than fifteen with fiery red hair and raggedy clothes.

"I don't see why you couldn't share a little of your food, she probably wouldn't eat much" said Gabrielle. "I don't give a shit, the point is that she should be punished for her crime" yelled the second thug as he charged at them with the other two close behind him. Within minutes they all three lay on the ground unconscious. Xena turned and approached the young girl. "Please don't hurt me, I promise I wont ever steal again" she pleaded scooting backwards.

That's when Xena noticed the gash bleeding terribly on her left shoulder. "Its okay we're not gonna hurt you" replied Xena kneeling in front of her. The girl couldn't answer as she fainted from loss of blood. Xena caught her before she hit the ground and carried her over and put her on Argo. "What are we going to do with her" asked the bard. "We'll make camp someplace and see if we can help her" replied Xena leading the war horse away from the unconscious thugs.

Sometime close to sunset the girl woke up. "Where am I" she asked looking around. When her eyes came upon Gabrielle sitting next to her she froze "Its okay your safe" said Gabrielle trying to comfort her. She could see the fear and pain in her eyes and it almost made her cry just to look at them. "What's your name" asked the bard looking away. "Aeryn" she answered "what's yours." "Gabrielle and that's Xena" answered the Bard pointing to Xena who had just returned with three fish dangling from her hand. Xena smiled at her but she had no desire to smile back. Gabrielle took the fish from Xena and began cooking it while Xena tended to Argo. Aeryn lay back down and watched the fire until Gabrielle brought her her food.

After dinner Xena checked Aeryn's bandages while the bard washed the dishes, no one said a word except for the occasional comment or two from Gabrielle or Xena. When everyone was asleep Aeryn decided she would try to escape, as much as these people had helped her she didn't trust them, she didn't trust anybody. She tried to stand but her body was took weak from the loss of blood and her knees gave out. Suddenly a strong pair of arms caught her and held her up, she opened her eyes to see Xena looking at her worried. "You know you shouldn't be moving after what you've been through" said Xena laying her back down.

"Im fine, just a little tired that's all" replied Aeryn looking away. Silence surrounded them as they both sat there looking at the stars. "So why did you help me" asked Aeryn breaking the silence. "What do you mean, why wouldn't we help you" replied Xena looking confused. "I mean you could of just left me there and went on without even noticing, that's what everyone else does" answered Aeryn. "I would never do that nor would Gabrielle, when we see someone in trouble we help them, that's kinda what we do" said Xena "where are you from" she added. "I don't know" said Aeryn. "Come on you can trust me I wont tell" said Xena putting her hand on Aeryn's shoulder. The girl just shied away and continued looking at the stars. After a few minutes she had made up her mind. "I guess I could trust you enough" she answered "I was born in a small village not far from here, my mom couldn't take care of me since my father died. So she left me at some strangers doorstep and disappeared or at least that's what the villagers told me. Anyway, a kind old lady found and took care of me. I used to call her Nana because she was like a grandmother to me.

One day a group of bandit came to our village and attacked and killed everyone including the kind old lady. They burned the houses and took what they wanted then left and didn't return. I was lucky because Nana had sent me out to look for mushrooms just before they attacked. I could only watch as the whole village burned and I cant get the screams of the people who were trapped in the burning houses out of my mind. When I returned the survivors blamed me for it because I was away and they thought I was a traitor and ran me off. From then on I've been living off of stealing and I've learned not to trust anybody because it normally ends in me getting hurt." Xena was completely stunned by what she had told her, No one deserves to go through something like that especially not this young girl.

Xena knew that wasn't the whole story and that she had left things out that but when she looked into Aeryn's eyes she saw all the pain and distrust. So she decided no to push it. "I'm sorry" was all she could say as she got up and walked over to her bedroll. "Xena"

"Yeah" "Thanks for helping me, no one has every helped me before and I'm thankful for that and tell Gabrielle thanks too" said Aeryn closing her eyes. Xena just grunted in response and that was the end of their conversation for the night.