Xena quickly swam through the water beneath the falls after seeing Gabrielle fall awkwardly from above as she went to jump in like the rest of the group had done only moments earlier. Skyla, Clover and the others began to follow Xena once Gabrielle didn't swim back to the waters surface. Once she closed in to where she saw Gabrielle enter the water, Xena held her breath and dove under. Everyone else anxiously waited nearby for both Gabrielle and Xena to come back up. After a couple moments the group saw Xena come back up with a gasp with Gabrielle in her arm. Gabrielle gasped and coughed up a bit of water. Xena began swimming them both to land as the rest of the group followed. After getting out of the water Xena put Gabrielle on the ground and began to look her over for any injuries.
XENA
You alright.
GABRIELLE
I think so
XENA
What happened up there?
GABRIELLE
I'm not sure. I was just running and about to jump when I felt a sharp pain in my leg. I guess that's what made me lose my balance and fall.
As Xena checked Gabrielle's leg, Skyla and the others came out of the water to see if Gabrielle was okay.
SKYLA
Gabrielle are you okay?
Gabrielle smiled at everyone.
GABRIELLE
I'm okay.
While Gabrielle talked Xena saw a large thorn embedded in Gabrielle's calf.
XENA
Well I think I found what that pain was caused by.
Gabrielle looked and saw the thorn.
GABRIELLE
That would do it.
XENA
Okay hold still While I pull it out. This might hurt.
Gabrielle nodded as Xena held her leg still and grabbed the large thorn with her other hand. With one quick yank and a small yelp from Gabrielle, Xena removed the foreign object. After inspecting the wound Xena looked at the thorn and tucked it away until she could examine it further.
XENA
Can you stand?
GABRIELLE
Think so.
Xena stood up and help Gabrielle to her feet.
XENA
Clover can you help Gabrielle to the infermery.
CLOVER
Sure.
Clover came over and put Gabrielle's arm over her shoulder. As Xena began to walk off.
GABRIELLE
Where are you going?
XENA
I wanna check something. Go with Clover, I won't be long.
GABRIELLE
Okay.
Everyone left the area. Skyla and Clover brought Gabrielle to the infermery. Everyone else went on with their own business and Xena got fully dressed and headed back up the cliff to where everyone had been jumping from. Once on the rocks, Xena looked around and saw some bushes. After getting a closer look Xena saw that they had the same thorns as the one that she pulled from Gabrielle's leg. After examining the plant Xena determined that it wasn't poisonous. And figured based off where it was, Gabrielle must've gotten stuck by the thorn as she ran by. Xena breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Gabrielle was going to be fine. Realizing that the fall could've been far worse if Gabrielle had landed wrong or hit a rock on the way down. Luckily that wasn't the case. Xena pulled out her sword and cut away at the bush. Clearing out the thorns so this sort of thing wouldn't happen again. Afterwards Xena sheathed her weapon and went back down the cliff. Later that night Gabrielle layed comfortably in bed as Xena walked in their bedroom and got ready to go to sleep.
GABRIELLE
I sure got lucky today.
XENA
I'll say. All you got is a little sore from a rough landing. You should watch where your going better.
GABRIELLE
Hey that could've happened to any of us.
Xena smiled as she got in bed.
XENA
Well now that won't be a problem for anyone anymore.
The two said their goodnights, cuddled up and went to sleep. A few days later Gabrielle was completely fine after her fall as she stood in the practice field twirling her staff. She swung it through the air as she practiced different swings as other women around her did their own weapon training. Xena was sitting a little ways off on a rock sharpening her sword. She smiled to herself for a moment as she watched Gabrielle, seeing how much she had improved with her staff the past couple of months. Gabrielle noticed Xena watching her and smiled at her before returning her focus on the task at hand. After watching Gabrielle for a couple minutes, Xena went back to sharpening her blade. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Gabrielle walk off the field to were her waterskin was and take a drink. Xena continued sharpening and heard Gabrielle yell. Xena was instantly on her feet and saw Gabrielle sitting on the ground with a couple arrows embedded in the dirt around her. Xena ran over to her. After making sure she was unharmed, Xena help Gabrielle to stand. Xena saw everyone around them had stopped what they were doing and looked at Gabrielle. Xena did a quick scan of the people around them and saw that there were a few people currently using a bow. She yanked one of the arrows out of the ground and looked at it for a moment. It was clearly an Amazonian weapon based on its appearance.
XENA
(Irritated tone) You know someone's gonna end up seriously hurt if you people aren't more careful.
The bow users looked a each other, each stating that it wasn't them. One of the women looked at Xena and Gabrielle as she apologized for whoever's arrow it was. Xena scowled at the group for their apparent carelessness. Her expression softened when Gabrielle touched her arm and she saw her smile.
GABRIELLE
It's okay Xena. It was just an accident. And I'm fine so there's no need to get upset.
XENA
Alright.
Xena looked at the other's there.
XENA
Just be more careful from now on.
The Amazon's nodded as Xena put her arm around Gabrielle and they walked away.
XENA
Why don't we head home.
GABRIELLE
Sure.
As they left the practice field, eyes that had been watching them left their hiding spot.
TO BE CONTINUED...