Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to Robert Tapert. This story is inspired by the series Xena Warrior Princess and is written solely for entertainment purposes without any profit motive.
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HELLO FRIENDS,
I have been thinking about what would happen if Xena had a continuation for so long. Finally, my friend and I came up with this idea that excited us a lot, and we wanted to share it with you. I hope you like it. Please tell me your thoughts after reading and share my story with your friends. Thank you and happy reading.
CHEERS, HAYRİYE
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P.S. I also have digitally created character images to go with the story. If you wanna see them message me and give me your email address. I will send them to you.
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THE LEGEND OF ETERNAL LOYALTY
1.
It was endless. The nightmares that had been going on for twenty years in a row was nowhere in sight. It had been a long time since she had a peaceful and uninterrupted sleep. It was impossible for her to fall asleep at night without using the incense of vervain.
But tonight, she had to sleep well because in the morning she would attend an important ceremony, the master of masters, the esteemed Gabrielle. This name was given to her by the young girls in her yurt.
As one of her young assistants entered the room wearing her nightgown with a cup of chamomile tea, she said, "If you drink it while it's hot, it will help you relax, my queen." And she lit the vervain incense before leaving the room. In the flickering light of the burning candle, as Gabrielle drifted off to sleep, the last thing on her mind was, of course, Xena's blue eyes looking at her for the last time. How could she have allowed Xena to sacrifice herself. Nothing in life was ethical. This might not be ethical either. The young heart had not thought that the unbearable emptiness of her absence would increasingly become unbearable for almost twenty years.
But now she felt utterly alone to the point of death. Yes, the surroundings were very crowded. Yes, hundreds of young people saw her as a source of inspiration, a mentor, an idol, showering her with love and admiration almost worshipfully. But something was missing, something was missing a lot, as if even if they laid the world at her feet, happiness would always remain incomplete. Amidst all this crowd, she was lonely. The most important part that kept her going was missing, that's it. And it would remain missing forever.
Since she started to be known as the "Warrior with the Chakram", Gabrielle had dedicated herself and her entire life to fighting for absolute goodness, just like her closest friend, companion, soulmate Xena, in the continuation of her life without Xena. After leaving Xena
shattered in that accursed land, she returned to her own lands and was met with an unexpected interest, respect, and loyalty. She was now one of the most powerful warriors known in her own lands. She proudly carried this title.
"The candle is about to go out, Gabrielle! You need to rest." The soft voice coming from the entrance of her tent suddenly pulled her away from her thoughts.
It was Amarice, the Amazon sister who had known her for a long time and showed her loyalty by choosing not to leave her side.
Gabrielle had long ago given up being the queen of the Amazons and had established a new army, a new community, a nation with those who followed her faithfully. Among the community were not only male and female warriors, but also shamans, healers, seers, helpers, and families. They called themselves the Carians. Gabrielle was the leader, guide, teacher, and commander of the Carians. Of course, she had her children whom she trusted more than herself by her side.
In the early hours of the morning, a large crowd had gathered in the arena. It was an important day for Caria. It was traditional. Since the founding of the Carian nation, they had been organizing this ceremony. Every year, young people who turned 18 completed their Carian individual proficiency training through the ceremony and wore the necklaces symbolizing this by not taking them off.
This training started with how to treat animals and plants, continued with survival and combat skills, and after receiving education from different cultures, prepared children for life as individuals.
The young person who completed this training became an adult Carian by swearing to abide by the laws of Caria and to be fair.
When Queen Gabrielle arrived at the ceremony area, the people welcomed her enthusiastically. Her maroon satin cloak shimmered in the sun. She gently raised her hand to greet her Carian friends and took her place among the spectators.
Actually, Gabrielle had never wanted to receive such attention or be elevated. But over time, the people she had helped and assisted, along with others they had brought along, surrounded her, as if they had become her disciples.
Caria was truly a paradise isolated from the outside world on earth. Of course, they faced external threats. But with a strong army and Gabrielle as their general
in battle, they quickly defeated all enemies.
Xena had taught her everything she knew before leaving. She had kept her promise and transformed the innocent girl from the village into a warrior woman. Though she may have left
her heart with Gabrielle, she did not look back. She knew Gabrielle was now capable of taking care of herself.
Queen Gabrielle proudly took her place and began to watch the young ones who would complete their training by receiving their necklaces at the ceremony. These young ones were all intelligent, compassionate, clever, hardworking, and successful.
As the "Enlightened One," a spiritual leader of their community, despite being young, entered the arena with the white long robes trailing behind him, his wisdom had earned him the respect and love of all the people. His long blonde hair and blue eyes shone like precious stones under the sun. After greeting the crowd and receiving a thunderous applause, he individually congratulated each of the young ones and placed their necklaces around their necks.
One of the eighteen-year-old young women who had completed her training, with piercing light blue eyes and jet-black long hair, mischievously smiled at the Enlightened One. Her white teeth were
dazzling. With her tall stature and strong body, she was a young and successful warrior.
"See, did you see?" the young girl said playfully, "I completed my training! You thought I couldn't do it!"
The Enlightened One smiled
affectionately. "Yes, I saw. Congratulations. I was just trying to tease you. I was absolutely sure you would complete this training. My trust in you is always unwavering, Xenia!"
The Enlightened One ruffled Xenia's hair as if playing with a child.
"I'm telling you, don't do it!" Xenia said, laughing.
They both continued to playfully laugh for a while. Then, the Enlightened One, with that serious yet loving, embracing expression, continued to congratulate the other graduates.
Watching from her seat in the arena, Queen Gabrielle stood up when all the graduates had received their necklaces, signaling the beginning of the ceremonies by raising her hands.
Amid the sounds of ceremonial trumpets, all the residents of Caria began to dance and enjoy themselves. Queen Gabrielle rose from her seat, mingling with her people, exchanging greetings and hugs, congratulating the youth and families. At that moment, Xenia, who had just received her medal from the Enlightened One, excitedly ran towards Queen Gabrielle. Seeing her approach, Gabrielle opened her arms wide to embrace the young girl for a congratulatory hug.
"I did it! Mother, look, I did it!" Xenia exclaimed with excitement. Gabrielle, gazing proudly at her daughter's enthusiastic state, kissed her on the forehead.
"Congratulations, Xenia. I knew you would succeed!" The young girl smiled at her mother with her bright white teeth and shiny blue eyes, saying, "Thank you, mother. It's all thanks to you!"
"No," Gabrielle replied as she lovingly stroked her daughter's long, shiny, black hair, "You achieved it all yourself."
Meanwhile, a cute little girl around ten years old with golden blonde hair and green eyes ran over to them.
"Father! Father! I want to be like Xenia too," she exclaimed. Gabrielle smiled at the girl as she hugged Xenia around the waist. "You are very beautiful. You are strong and can defeat all the boys in combat."
Xenia reciprocated the little girl's embrace, saying, "Oh! I have many skills."
Her words caught the attention of Gabrielle and the Enlightened One. They looked eachother for a slight moment and smiled.
As the children moved away, Gabrielle spoke without taking her eyes off him. "I want you to have a meeting with the Persian king tomorrow."
"Do you think it will be beneficial?"
"At least give it a try. I trust you. We cannot afford to lose the lands we have owned for years. Don't you see the happy children living here? People are so peaceful. I have seen many unhappy people. Everywhere there was blood and tears. Many people dream of such a place, but unfortunately, there is always war. I have fought so much. What did I gain? Nothing? What did I lose? Half of my heart."
"I know. I wish things were different. I have so many unfinished things too." The Enlightened One said.
"You could have experienced beautiful things too. You could have lived your childhood dreams." Gabrielle comforted him by stroking his back.
"We must preserve the peace here. We need you for that. Your thoughts and words can influence the Persian King. We can prevent him from taking over these lands without having to fight."
"What if it doesn't work? What if things don't go as you think?"
"We have to try. I can't bear to lose even one person from my people."
Gabrielle sat down, clutching her chest as if struggling to breathe. She was trying not to show her condition to anyone, but lately, it was happening very often.
She saw her daughter Xenia approaching from a distance. She had to hide it. She composed herself quickly.
"Mother?"
"My dear?"
"Are you okay?"
"I... I'm fine."
Xenia hated seeing her mother unhappy. But it couldn't be said that she had ever seen her happy. She started thinking of something to cheer her up.
"Let's dye your hair with henna. Look, the whites are starting to show. Red hair suits you so well."
Gabrielle didn't reply.
"Come on..."
Gabrielle never wanted her daughter to be unhappy. She had not fully experienced motherhood. Hope had brought her more sorrow and trouble than the joy of motherhood. After losing Xena, she had prayed continuously for her return. She had prayed regularly in the temple to God. Praying was good for her soul.
For years, she had prayed for Xena. On a harsh winter evening, she had met her little Xenia. The villagers had asked for help from Queen Gabrielle as they had been attacked. She had come down to the village with her army to support them. Everything was looted and burned, the air filled with the smell of smoke. It was too late to help. Everyone, young and old, had been killed. The guilt of not arriving on time overwhelmed her as she dismounted from her horse. Her eyes were filled with tears. Every destroyed house she saw made her crumble a little more. She had lost her tolerance for negativity.
She knelt down as if throwing herself. Two tears rolled down from her eyes. At that moment, the wooden debris in front of her moved. A 3-year-old girl with a dirty face and hands emerged from underneath. There was a look in her eyes. Strong, proud, self-assured. Gabrielle and the girl stared into each other's eyes for a while. It seemed like these looks resembled the ones she loved so much. Her face and eyes were just like Xena's.
The child slowly approached her. There was no fear or tears on her face. She looked so brave. She got up from where she was and came to Gabrielle. She wiped the tear from her eye. It was like a miracle. Had God answered her prayers with this child? She held the child's hands in hers. At that moment, Americe and the others came to her side.
"Is this your house?" Americe asked the child.
The child shook her head.
When they checked the house, they couldn't find any of her family members. They assumed they were either dead or taken.
"Will you come with me?" Gabrielle asked the child.
The child suddenly hugged her tightly without answering. They both got on Gabrielle's horse without saying anything else. The child wanted to go with her without questioning.
She didn't talk about her family or anything else from the past. After cleaning up and dressing, they offered her food. The child went on her own and curled up in Gabrielle's bed and fell asleep. Gabrielle watched her throughout the night. She touched her shiny black hair with long fingers.
In the morning, the child woke up smiling.
"What's your name?" Gabrielle asked.
The child didn't answer. She continued to look at her with a smile in her eyes.
"Xena? Is that you?... No, no, you're not her. But you look like her. Should I name you Xenia
then? To resemble her?"
The child giggled and nodded her head. She had a peculiar mystery about her.
This was how Xenia entered Gabrielle's life. And she never, ever left, becoming a part of her soul.
Gabrielle saw Xena, searching for traces of her in every move, action, and word. She found them. This child not only reminded Gabrielle but everyone who knew Xena of her. Therefore, she quickly became the beloved of the whole community.
Today, Xenia's graduation was being celebrated by the entire community.
Xenia slowly started to comb her mother's long red hair. Gabrielle was pensive.
"Tell me, mother..."
"It's not important, my child."
"Come on, I'm not a child anymore. Look, I graduated today. I might need to know these things now. Tell me, mother, maybe I can be of help..."
Gabrielle proudly smiled at her daughter. Xenia was right. She was now very intelligent, clever, cunning, successful, and a good warrior. Perhaps she would be her mother's assistant from now on.
"The Persians want to take our lands from us. I have been trying to keep them at bay by forcing them into various agreements for a long time, but I can't hold them off anymore. They want to take our lands from us."
"But why?"
"Because they envy the fertility and prosperity of our lands. They see our happiness in these lands as too much."
"So, what should we do? If needed, we must fight them!" Xenia said excitedly.
"The first step is not to fight!" Gabrielle said suddenly.
Xenia, feeling as if her mother scolded her, fell silent.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. But..." Gabrielle brought her hand to her forehead, gently stroking it as she thought, "...but I can't do it anymore. Without her, I don't have the strength to handle these alone, there's none left!"
"Mother, we are here. I am here, and we have..." Xenia started.
She was about to say one more word when Gabrielle cut her off, "Don't! Don't say hiss name. If anyone overhears, everything will be ruined!"
"So, I was going to say the Enlightened One..."
"Yes, he is here, you are here. I know. I know that all my people are with me. But still..." Gabrielle interrupted her sentence. Her eyes were lost in the distance.
Xenia approached and caressed her mother's hair. "I am so curious about her. She must be wonderful if you love and miss her so much."
Gabrielle smiled as she held her daughter's hand, "I wish. I wish you could have known her. But... But you resemble her so much..."
Xenia grinned, "Maybe I am her!"
"Maybe..." Gabrielle said, holding her daughter's hands tightly in her palms, "Still, sometimes I miss the days when she protected me from every evil at all costs..."
"Tell me about her again?"
"You've heard so much about her!"
"It's okay. I love listening."
"Alright. When I first saw her, I was amazed. She stood so strong and majestic. She had the power to fight anyone. And I was just a poor village girl. I didn't want to get married. I wanted to be a writer."
"You became one. You have so many scrolls. You donated them to the library for everyone to read."
"If only she had read them all," Gabrielle murmured.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing."
"Mom..."
"Yes."
"You told her to teach you everything she knew. Was it only about fighting?"
"Of course not. Xena could see many things from the slightest clues in sounds. And if she wanted to do something, no one could stop her."
"Then if she wanted to stay with you, she would have stayed. Why didn't she?"
Gabrielle smiled to herself, looking into the distance. "I guess I taught her something too."
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. It was Amarice.
"Gabrielle, I wanted to ask a few questions about the graduation dinner we're planning to host for the community."
"Of course..."
Seeing that their conversation would continue, Xenia went outside for a walk. A little further, she saw the little girl who had hugged her earlier. Whenever they met, the girl would look at her with admiration. Xenia enjoyed this actually.
She waved at her and headed towards the forest to skip stones by the river. The trees in the forest were so dense that sometimes even during the day, it would be dark because the sun couldn't shine through. But Xenia wasn't afraid of that. If she encountered a wild animal, she would pass by without caring as long as they didn't feel threatened. She knew very well that they wouldn't attack unless they felt threatened.
Finally, she reached the seashore. She sat on a rock and skipped a few stones.
Xenia then suddenly saw a figure among the trees. This figure was moving. It seemed to be changing positions very quickly.
Xenia thought she had never seen anything like this before. The figure was slowly approaching her. Should she be afraid?
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To be continued…
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Thank you. H.