The Warrior and Willow

Chapter Five

One Last Goodnight Kiss

"Are you sure I won't feel anything?" Gabrielle asked. It was well after sundown and the camp was settling in for the night. It wouldn't be long before everyone except the sentries would be bedding down.

"I promise you that, unlike the gods Xena slaughtered, you won't be aware of anything. You'll fall asleep here, and awaken in the other body."

"That's twice you've accused me of murdering the gods," Xena said with more than a touch of anger in her voice. "Do you have a problem with a mother trying to protect her daughter?"

"A thousand pardons. I meant nothing by my remarks. Gabrielle, I have prepared a potion you should drink."

Xena looked hard at Morgar, but his attention was now on Gabrielle. "What kind of potion?" Xena snapped at him, not to be ignored.

"It is for OUR protection when the witch awakens. It will dull her senses and keep her from fully using her powers until we can explain the situation. It will only affect Gabrielle's body. When she wakes in the other body, she will suffer no ill effects from the potion."

"Should I take it now?"

"You may take it whenever you are ready. It is early yet, but it's up to you."

Gabrielle thought for a few moments. "I think I'd rather visit with my sisters until I am sleepy enough to go to bed, then I'll take the potion."

"A wise decision. You are most admired. There are many who are concerned about this new entity that will inhabit your body, and they wish to spend as much time as possible with their legendary queen."

Gabrielle gave a short humorless laugh. "I still find it hard to think I am so, so...."

"Worshipped?" Xena asked.

"Yes. I certainly am no goddess. But these women look at me like they expect me to, I don't know, work miracles. It's unsettling. I'm just a woman, like they are."

"To you, perhaps. But they need a legend. Someone to pattern their lives after. Someone they can respect, and hope to emulate -- to make them strive to be better than they are."

"He's right," Xena agreed. "Everyone needs a hero. You are theirs."

Gabrielle could only shake her head. "I guess I'll join them at the communal fire. Coming?"

"I'll be along shortly," Xena told her. "You go ahead. Your followers await."

Xena and Morgar once again watched as Gabrielle walked away to join her sisters. She was barely out of earshot when Xena confronted Morgar.

"I want to know, right now, what you meant with your remarks about me murdering and slaughtering the gods."

"You must excuse my comments about that. But for so many years we have looked to the gods for guidance and wisdom, and there are those of us who feel lost without them."

"You have to be joking! The gods did nothing but used humans as passing diversions -- things to be toyed with at their whims. I cannot think of a single thing they have done for us that didn't serve their own selfish purposes!"

Morgar started to argue back, but realized it would only further Xena's annoyance of him. "Perhaps we can continue this discussion at a later time. Why don't we join Gabrielle and the others?" And without waiting for her answer. Morgar left in the direction Gabrielle has taken.

Rather than join Gabrielle, Xena held back, watching the women, especially the younger ones, as they scrutinized every movement and every gesture Gabrielle made, and clung to every word she said. She was only being facetious when she joked about Gabrielle being worshipped. But if ever a mortal was adored and revered, it was Gabrielle, a legend among the the Amazons queens.

The evening seemed to pass quickly, and in pairs the Amazons left for their huts. Soon, only Morgar, Gabrielle, Xena and Yakutamor were left sitting next to the dying fire, no one speaking. But as Gabrielle yawned Yakutamor said, "It's getting late, and it's obvious Gabrielle is ready to begin her journey into a new land."

"I'm not so sure about that," Gabrielle said.

"Having second thoughts?" Xena asked.

"No. Not that. I'd just feel better if there was someway you could come with me. I know, I'm being ridiculous."

"There is no shame in wanting your companion to travel with you," Morgar told her. "But this is a journey you must make alone. Just consider it as a new adventure. And when you return, just think of the tales you will have of the wonders you will have seen and experienced!"

"You're right, of course. But there IS one thing I'm rather worried about -- will I be able to understand and speak their language?"

Everyone looked at Morgar, who didn't seem to have an answer. Finally, sounding very unsure of himself, he said, "I believe you will. I wish I could tell you with complete certainty, but I can't. But even if it happens that you will not be able to, then I'm sure you will find a way to communicate. After all, you are an accomplished bard."

"Well, I see no reason to put this off any longer." And with a warm embrace for Yakutamor, Gabrielle headed for the hut that had been cleaned and made ready for her. Xena and Morgar followed.

"After you drink the potion, I will swallow one that will allow me to contact Yakut, and together, after you have fallen asleep, we will transport your spirit to your new body and return with the witch's spirit. You will remember nothing about the journey when you awaken."

Before she swallowed down the foul smelling liquid, Gabrielle hugged Xena tightly, and placed a loving kiss on her lips as she backed away from the embrace. "Good luck with your battle against this evil being," she said, trying not to look worried about the unknown force Xena and this witch were going to have to face.

"We'll be fine," Xena answered. "If this witch is as powerful as he says, you'll be back here in just a day or two."

Gabrielle nodded, drank down the potion, then laid down on the bed. Xena sat next to her, their hands holding the other's tightly. They shared one last, long, wet kiss, and in less than five breaths, Xena could see Gabrielle's breathing had become slow and regular. She was asleep.

"You might as well get some sleep yourself," Morgar told her. "I suspect tomorrow will be a very busy day. And there is nothing else you can do tonight."

Xena got up from Gabrielle's bed, leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips, then laid down on the bed next to her.

But sleep didn't come easy, or quickly. Xena found herself listening to Gabrielle's breathing, trying to discern the difference between Gabrielle's and the witch's. She eventually fell asleep with no success.