Celine looked at Xena as they stood a ways off from the caves where Gabrielle was set to meet with Aurora's kidnappers While Gabrielle waited for Celine to join her to head inside to make the exchange where Gabrielle would give herself over to the kidnappers so Celine could take the baby and meet back up with Amarice. Gabrielle had already begun making her way towards the entrance.
CELINE
I don't get it you're afraid that they won't keep the baby. Isn't the whole point of this to get her back?
XENA
What I mean is once they have Gabrielle, Aurora would have served her purpose. And if whoever's behind this really wants to hurt Gabrielle or myself then they might just kill her anyway.
Celine looked at Xena with a horrified expression on her face.
CELINE
Kill Aurora? But she's just a baby. Who would even actually think to do such a heinous act. To murder a child, I can't even think of how anyone could do something like that.
XENA
You'd be surprised by the levels of depravity people are willing to sink to in order to get what they want.
CELINE
That's horrible. But I think you're wrong here. If they wanted her dead then they could've done it already. There wouldn't be any need to do all of this.
XENA
You'd be right, if this was actually about Aurora. But this whole thing was clearly done to hurt Gabrielle and myself. Which is why they wanted us here. Instead of simply killing her out right.
Xena looked out at the cliffs that Gabrielle was walking towards.
XENA
No whoever's doing this wants us to worry and suffer. There's usually only two base reasons for kidnapping children. Money or something personal. And since the ransom was for Gabrielle directly and not money, this is clearly personal. So even if they don't kill Aurora they might not even have her here.
CELINE
You think they could have her somewhere else?
XENA
Possibly, in order to prevent Gabrielle from just grabbing her and running. Or they don't have her at all anymore. They could've given her to someone to raise, solid her in to slavery, unfortunately there's a lot of things a person can do with an unwanted child. And whoever's responsible is obviously willing to do just about anything in order to hurt Gabrielle and myself.
CELINE
And yet Gabrielle's still willing to risk her life for this?
XENA
Obviously I haven't said any of this to her. The last thing she needs right now is the thought of our child being dead or abused by some slave owner or something like that. And you don't know this because you're not a parent, but people who love their children would basically do literally anything when it comes to protecting them. Plus there's also a chance that they do still have Aurora and she's safe. I'm just running through the possibilities.
CELINE
That's still Incredibly dark.
XENA
Well if you've seen the things I have you'd know that this world can be a cold, dark place.
CELINE
Trust me I'm well aware of that. But I get it. Be prepared for anything.
XENA
Exactly. But I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure that things go as they should here. We get Aurora back safely and nothing will happen to Gabrielle.
During Xena and Celine's conversation Gabrielle noticed that Celine hadn't followed her and turned around. Xena spotted Gabrielle coming back towards them and hurried Celine off to catch up.
XENA
You should go. Just keep an eye on things.
CELINE
I will.
With that Celine quickly caught up with Gabrielle. As Xena walked over to stand next to Amarice.
GABRIELLE
What were you and Xena talking about?
CELINE
Oh she just wanted me to keep watch over things for anything suspicious.
GABRIELLE
That seemed like a long conversation just for that.
CELINE
Yeah well you know how Xena can be. Plus giving the situation can you really blame her?
GABRIELLE
No I guess not. Well come on let's get this over with. The sooner I actually see Aurora for myself the better I'll feel about this.
CELINE
Okay. Lead on.
Gabrielle walked ahead with Celine following as they made their way into the cave. Once they disappeared inside the cave's entrance Xena turned to Amarice.
XENA
While everyone's gone I want you to find somewhere nearby to hide until Celine brings Aurora out.
AMARICE
Sure, but why?
XENA
Because whoever's behind this most likely has other people around and I don't need you being spotted.
AMARICE
I got it.
XENA
Good. And be sure to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
AMARICE
You really don't trust whoever kidnapped Aurora do you?
XENA
Well they kidnapped my child who's just a baby and demanding the woman I love in exchange for ransom. So no I don't trust them. Not in the slightest.
With that Xena hurried in the same direction that Gabrielle and Celine had gone and stealthily slipped into the cave as Amarice found a rock to hide behind while she waited for Celine to come back outside with Aurora. Not having the slightest inkling of the unexpected events that would soon transpire inside.
TO BE CONTINUED...