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Test of Friendship
After a long day of travelling Xena and Gabrielle are enjoying a well-earned dinner at their campfire, which they've kindled in a small clearing surrounded by trees and bushes.
"This was really good", the bard says, smacking her lips and waving an empty stick that previously held a roasted fish.
Xena grins, "Well, you know I have many skills and fishing is certainly one of them."
Chuckling Gabrielle throws away the stick and lies down on her bedroll, looking up at the night sky. It is filled with countless stars and the moon is bathing the clearing in silver light. Xena also finishes her fish, puts some new wood in the fire and then stretches out on her own furs next to the bard. For a long time all that can be heard is the soft hum of insects. Then Xena looks over at her friend and Gabrielle feels the warrior's eyes upon her.
She turns towards Xena, "Are you ok?"
Xena smiles softly and touches Gabrielle's hand, "Yeah, everything's perfect, my friend … I've just been thinking about the last time we were looking up at the stars together."
A shiver runs through Gabrielle and she grasps Xena's hand tightly. "Hm… that was a long time ago. … before … before we went to Japa and…", the bard's voice cracks.
"I hurt you and destroyed everything we had with my egoistic decision", Xena finishes for her, squeezing her friend's hand.
Releasing the bard's hand, Xena sits up and stares into the flames. Gabrielle hesitates for a moment but then sits up as well and puts a consoling hand on Xena's back. "Xena, I didn't mean … Please don't be so hard on yourself. You did what you had to do. I just…", she takes a deep breath, "I just couldn't bear to lose you again. You are my best friend, my soul mate, my family. Our friendship is the most important thing in my life", Gabrielle finishes in an affectionate voice.
A tear rolling down her cheek, Xena turns and hugs the bard. "I love you my friend. And I promise you I'll never again do anything to endanger our great friendship", the warrior whispers.
Gabrielle also sheds a tear and says quietly, "Thank you, Xena. I also promise to do everything to honor our extraordinary friendship."
The next morning Xena and Gabrielle are rudely awakened by the sound of running and excited shouting. Influenced by their years of battle experience and fighting side by side, both women jump up and draw their weapons.
"Why does this always have to happen?" Xena curses, rolling her eyes.
Gabrielle grunts in agreement and follows her friend towards the noise, her sais in hand.
Prepared to defend the people in distress, Xena and Gabrielle burst out of the trees onto the path. But they stop in their tracks, taking in the sight. Instead of fleeing from some danger, the shouting people are running down the path towards a village. They are not yelling in fear but shouting their delight.
"Well, that's new", Gabrielle says in surprise and exasperation and Xena nods, "Yeah, but now we're up we can follow them and at least see what all the hubbub is about." The bard agrees and they follow the cheering crowd into the village.
When they reach the village square, they scan the area for the source of the commotion.
"What's going on here?" Xena asks a woman who is hurrying past.
She stops, "It's Felicus. He's back with the contract. He's the kindest and wisest man we've ever known. Felicus has saved our village from the ruthless tax collectors", the woman explains excitedly.
"And how exactly did he do that?" Gabrielle asks, somewhat suspiciously.
The woman smiles at her and says, "Well, he went to talk to the king and negotiated a deal. And now he's back with the signed contract."
Xena raises her eyebrows, "And what kind of deal is that?" she says skeptically.
"We now give a portion of our harvest to the king's court and only pay very low taxes in return", the woman answers delightedly and walks away towards the knot of people that has formed around Felicus, blocking him from view.
Xena and Gabrielle remain standing where the woman left them.
"Well, it seems there's nothing to do for us here. They already have their hero. Should we head back and have some breakfast then?" the bard asks, looking longingly in the direction of their clearing.
When Xena doesn't answer, Gabrielle turns and sees her friend staring at the man now standing in plain view.
"Xena, what…", but Gabrielle's question dies in her throat as waves of shock crash over her.
Both women stand in utter shock for a long moment. The bard recovers first and looks over at her friend. Xena's face is anguished and rare tears stream down her cheeks. Gabrielle reaches out and carefully clasps Xena's hand in hers. To her slight surprise Xena doesn't pull away. She just remains rooted to the spot, those steel-blue eyes full of tears.
"Marcus", the warrior whispers almost inaudibly.
"Xena, I …", but before Gabrielle can find the right words to comfort her best friend, Xena pulls away gently and turns to walk out of the village and back to their camp.
Gabrielle's gaze follows Xena but she remains standing rooted to the spot, torn between the desperate desire to support her best friend and the knowledge that Xena needs her space. After some consideration the bard decides to follow Xena.
To be continued...