It would soon be dark as Gabrielle sat by herself near the lake within the village as the sound of the rushing water from the waterfall surrounded her while she tried to calm down from the heated argument she just had with Xena. She picked up a stone and tossed it across the water. Watching as it skipped a couple times along the surface before sinking. Gabrielle remembered the scene of herself and Xena by the lake and sighed. But then she also recalled the multiple scenes from her visions as she grabbed another larger stone and angerly chucked it into the water with a decent sized splash. Still fuming Gabrielle grabbed another and threw it hard into the water. Then picked up yet another stone.
?
(Sarcasm) This lake must have done something pretty terrible to earn a personal stoning from the Amazon queen herself.
Gabrielle looked behind her and saw Ephiny standing a few feet away before turning back and sending the stone into the water with the rest she had thrown.
GABRIELLE
Sorry Ephiny but I don't really want company right now.
EPHINY
Yeah I wouldn't expect you to be in a good mood after having it out with Xena like that.
Gabrielle looked back at Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated/ Sarcasm) Oh great, since when did Xena become the village gossip.
Ephiny walked over and sat down in the grass near Gabrielle.
EPHINY
Actually I haven't seen Xena. But basically half the village could hear you two going at it.
(Joking tone) And not in the usual way either.
Gabrielle scowled at Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) You know you pick the worst times to try your hand at being funny.
EPHINY
Yeah I think I remember Xena saying something like that to me a while ago too.
Gabrielle scoffed at the mention of Xena's name as she looked away and gazed out at the water.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) Was there something you actually wanted Ephiny? Because if not I'd really prefer to be left alone right now.
EPHINY
Actually I did come to talk to you. And see if you were okay.
Gabrielle scowled.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) I knew it. Xena did send you to talk to me didn't she?
EPHINY
Gabrielle I promise I hadn't spoken to Xena all day. I'm here because you're my friend. It's not like you to get so worked up like that.
Gabrielle looked away. She actually did feel bad for lashing out at Xena like she had. But at the same time she couldn't fight the strange suffocating feeling that she'd been dealing with for a while now. Seeing the anger leave Gabrielle's face, Ephiny continued. Though she decided to try and choose her words carefully seeing how clearly angery Gabrielle already was and didn't want to upset her further.
EPHINY
Listen I'm not really one to pry into people's personal lives but both you and Xena are very good friends of mine. And it's rare to see two people who obviously love each other see deeply. So I'd really hate to see the two of you lose that.
Gabrielle returned her attention towards Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
Ephiny you're not seriously questioning if I still love Xena are you?
EPHINY
Of course not. A blind man could see how much you and Xena care for one another. But it's obvious that there's something going on between you. And don't try and tell me that it's nothing or just pre wedding nerves. In fact it wasn't too long ago that you both were excited about getting married. So what happened? Was it the tests?
GABRIELLE
Kind of. But not in the way you probably think.
EPHINY
Okay? Care to explain?
Again Gabrielle looked out at the water.
GABRIELLE
Ephiny, if two people love each other but one person doesn't like who they've been anymore and wants to change but is afraid of what the other person will think of what they might be becoming, do you think that they should just stay the same because it's easier? Or do they follow what they feel they need to do regardless of what might happen?
Ephiny was quiet for a moment as she pondered her answer, knowing that Gabrielle was obviously talking about herself and Xena. Then she spoke.
EPHINY
While I'm not an expert on this sort of thing, personally I think that we all grow and change with time. But if someone really feels that's what's necessary for them to be happy with themselves, then I think if the other person truely loves and cares for them then they'll understand.
GABRIELLE
And if not?
EPHINY
Then maybe those two people just weren't really ment to be together.
GABRIELLE
(Defeated tone) I see.
Hearing the hurt in Gabrielle's voice Ephiny quickly continued.
EPHINY
But I think trying to work things out before just giving up can help. Maybe you should try actually talking to Xena about the way you've been feeling.
Gabrielle looked at Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
(Defeated tone) She wouldn't understand.
EPHINY
Maybe, maybe not. But I do know that she loves you. I think it's at least worth a shot, don't you?
GABRIELLE
I can't.
EPHINY
Why not?
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Because I can't keep relying on Xena to do everything.
Gabrielle stood up.
GABRIELLE
I just can't.
EPHINY
Gabrielle...
GABRIELLE
No this is something that I have to deal with on my own. Now if you'll excuse me I have things to do.
With that Gabrielle walked away. Ephiny stood up and watched Gabrielle leave.
EPHINY
(Thinking to herself) Maybe I should go find Xena. I bet she's worried about Gabrielle right now anyway.
Ephiny began making her way to Xena and Gabrielle's house when she spotted Xena going into the mees hall with Aurora. So she changed her direction and followed Xena. Inside Xena sat at an empty table with the baby in her lap after grabbing a small plate of food. She looked up after giving Aurora a piece of bread for her to gum and saw Ephiny as she motioned to the seat across from her.
EPHINY
This seat taken?
XENA
(Sarcasm) You don't see anyone sitting there do you?
EPHINY
(Sarcasm) Sure Ephiny you can sit there. Join me won't you.
Xena gave Ephiny a mock disapproving glance as Ephiny sat down.
XENA
When did you become such a smart ass?
EPHINY
(Half joking) I think it's from being around you too much.
XENA
(Sarcasm) Funny.
Xena took a bite of food and gave small piece of fruit to the baby.
EPHINY
Anyway there is a reason that decided to sit with you Xena.
XENA
(Sarcasm) You mean other than to be graced with my naturally charming personality.
EPHINY
I happened to see Gabrielle a little bit ago.
Xena put down her food.
XENA
And?
EPHINY
I know it's not my business but I really think something's wrong. I think you two need to talk.
XENA
I've tried. She won't talk to me.
EPHINY
Keep trying. I don't know what it's from but I just have a feeling that there's alot of hurt going on in Gabrielle's mind.
XENA
Well apparently there's nothing I can do about it.
EPHINY
Actually there is.
Xena gave Ephiny a curious expression.
EPHINY
Sometimes all we can do is be there for the people we love. Even when we don't know what they might be going through.
XENA
Yeah I know. I still wish Gabrielle would talk to me though. She just pushes me away and won't let me help her. And I don't know what I did wrong.
EPHINY
Maybe you didn't do anything and she just doesn't want you to know what's going on for whatever reason. I mean that's kind of what you did when you first learned that you were pregnant with Aurora.
XENA
Yes but I did that to protect Gabrielle from getting hurt until I could figure out how it happened. But now whatever going on with her feels different.
Xena was quiet for a moment as she thought of something.
XENA
And I think it might have an idea of where I can start looking for the answers for what might be wrong.
With that Xena got up and took Aurora with her as she left the mess hall.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) I just hope that I can get to the bottom of this before Gabrielle and myself drift too far apart.
Meanwhile Gabrielle was back at home in her and Xena's bedroom. She sat on the bed as she went through the various items she had bought earlier in the day. She finished taking out the new clothing and held the new weapons in her hands for a moment.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) I'm gonna have to put these somewhere Xena won't them when I don't have them on me.
She put them back in their box and looked in the satchel for what remained inside. She reached into the bottom and pulled out the last small object left. She sat there looking at the sharp, metal object for a moment as some of various images from the visions within the spirit realm passed through her mind once again. Gabrielle then looked over at the mirror that stood in the room and closed her hand around the object as she stood up and moved closer to her reflection with conviction for what she was about to do.
TO BE CONTINUED...