Beyond The Sea

The kingdom of Chin, a long way away from Greece, a month or two after S6E22

Gabrielle rode over the hill. She stopped just before the incline, looking out over the valley. Tents dotted the expanse below, a line of horses were tied to posts to the left and a circle of people were littered around the meadow. There were the people of Chin, but many others. They looked like they'd come from all over, like Eve had brought followers from all the places she'd travelled to. Eve herself was in the middle of the circle, on her knees, preaching about something. Gabrielle smiled sadly when she saw her. The news she had to deliver would hurt her, and she looked so happy.

She would take her time, watch each step down the hill until she reached her. She slipped down from her horse - something she'd picked up in the first village she found after she docked. He was black, and fierce, sixteen hands high. His mane was as dark as Xena's hair and he had a fair, but stroppy temper. Gabrielle brought her face close to his and stroked her hand down his long face. "You'll like Eve," she said calmly, as he often got stressed around new people. "There's nothing to be scared of, boy. I'll be right here." He was called that - boy. Because she couldn't think of anything more appropriate, and when she found him, her mind was not in its right place for naming.

Gabrielle took his reins and pulled him forward, stepping lightly through the dried mud and slipping into the valley. Boy followed obediently, not about to deny his master anything. He could sense her grief, and her strength; and he would follow her willingly into a war. They passed the tents and nodded to those they came across, but Gabrielle was paying very little attention, she was looking out for Eve's stoic face and searching for the words to say to her. Should she acquaint herself with life here before intruding with her news? Or should she just come out with it? 'Eve- your mother's dead,' didn't sound too appealing.

"Gabrielle?" The word broke through her mind's clouded haze of questions, and she realised she'd reached the crowd. She looked up and put on a smile, patting boy and leaving him to stand and wait. Eve stepped forward and pulled Gabrielle into a hug. The bard closed her eyes, for a moment she was transported back through her memories, in the months since Xena died she hadn't felt like this. She gripped Eve tightly, not wanting to let go. When Eve pulled away she had a questioning look in her eye, "Gabrielle, where's my mother?"

Gabrielle stopped. All her movement ceased as she took in Eve's expression, one of confusion and intrigue but not panic. "You two are always together, so if you're here and she's not?" Eve perplexed, noticing the Chakram at Gabrielle's side.

"Eve," Gabrielle said calmly, "can we go somewhere more private?" She glanced around at the hoards of people, this place wasn't quiet or calm. And news would spread like wildfire.

Eve folded her arms, "whatever it is, surely you can say it in front of the followers of Eli. We have no secrets."

Gabrielle nodded, boy pushed his head forward and chuffed, she calmed him, looking back at Eve. She had Xena's stubbornness, and Eli's way of life, it was uncanny how much she was like them. "Okay," the bard conceded. Then she braced herself, "Xena- we were in the land of Jappa, and Eve-" her voice broke a little, recounting this story still wasn't easy. "She sacrificed herself, to save forty thousand souls. It was-was the right thing to do." Gabrielle stared at her boots, waiting for Eve's verdict. She couldn't remember how she'd imagined this, now Eve was standing in front of her, but it'd never felt like this.

"I see," Eve said calmly, not a waver in her voice. She put her hands together and stepped forward, clutching Gabrielle's shoulder. "I know how hard this must be for you," she said.

"I would've done anything to save her." Now she was crying, "I tried but she wouldn't let me, she had to stay dead for those people. She was responsible for their deaths and she couldn't let them suffer. I told her I didn't care."

"My mother was brave," Eve said, lifting her head away from the intimate moment she was sharing with Gabrielle. "Listen Elisians, my mother was a warrior until the end, she stood up for what she believed in. Remember this, and tonight we honour her - Xena, warrior princess. She died for love. Now go, make preparations-" Eve cut off, dispersing the crowd and pulling Gabrielle into another hug. "I know how much she meant to you, we will take care you here," Eve whispered and Gabrielle looked back a little surprised.

She cleared her throat and wiped her eyes, "Eve, I would've sent word earlier, but I wanted to come here myself. Xena and I- you have to know how much we love you." Gabrielle took her hands, then put one hand on her face the way a mother comforts her child, "she loved you so much Eve, she was so proud of you."

Neither of them spoke for a while, but held each other in the meadow. "Thank you, for coming," Eve whispered as they broke their hold.

"Anytime, Eve. If you ever need me, just send word alright?" Gabrielle said, awaiting the glint in Eve's eye to return. She had Xena's piercing blue irises. But she pushed that thought to the back of her mind and took hold of boy's reins. She was turning to leave, Eve was clearly well set up here and despite the festivities planned in Xena's honour, she didn't feel like she could stay.

"Gabrielle?" Eve said, and the bard turned back. "You were as much a mother to me as she was." Gabrielle drew a small smile then turned and walked back up the valley, pulling boy behind her.