Following her brief, unnerving conversation with Ares, Gabrielle came running back into camp even more panicked about Xena's likely fate than she already had been where she quickly found Leonidas who was now up on patrol of the camp for any potential threats that might show up.
GABRIELLE
Leonidas. Leonidas.
Hearing Gabrielle's voice and then looking to see the young woman coming over to him, the lieutenant stopped his patrol and walked to meet Gabrielle.
LEONIDAS
What is it little one? Did you need something?
GABRIELLE
(Huffing) Xena...
Gabrielle paused to catch her breath after having ran all the way from outside the opposite end of the large camp where she had spoken with Ares just moments ago as Leonidas gave the young woman a sympathetic look.
LEONIDAS
I'm sorry Gabrielle, I wish I had something to tell you, but sadly there still hasn't been any progress in fighting the lord Conqueror.
The main looked at Gabrielle's face and could tell that she was on the verge of tears and quickly continued in an attempt to comfort her.
LEONIDAS
But that doesn't mean she's not still out there.
Leonidas put his hand on Gabrielle's shoulder.
LEONIDAS
You'll see Gabrielle. We'll find the lord Conqueror and she'll be okay.
Gabrielle lowered her head and shook it as she began to cry as she felt she would likely never see Xena again.
GABRIELLE
No, she isn't. Xena's gone and...
Unable to continue, Gabrielle just cried as Leonidas put his arms around her and did his best to comfort her as he waited for the young woman to calm down before he let her go and continued their conversation.
LEONIDAS
Are you gonna be okay?
Gabrielle sniffled as she dried her eyes.
GABRIELLE
I don't know. It's just Xena...
Gabrielle paused not wanting to continue as what she had said a few moments prior stood out to Leonidas as being odd and decided to question the young woman about it and gestured for her to sit down on the nearby rock as he crouched down to speak to her at eye level.
LEONIDAS
Yes, you were saying that the lord Conqueror was gone, but we don't know that yet. I know it's difficult but it's far too early to give up, we have to keep believing that she's alive
Gabrielle lowered her eyes.
GABRIELLE
But you don't understand, I just met Ares and...
LEONIDAS
Ares?!
Aware of the god's interest in Xena as well as his role in the conflict with Draco, hearing Ares' name unexpectedly come from Gabrielle sent off the lieutenant's mental warnings that something was very muchamis
LEONIDAS
Because I'm assuming that you haven't had much or more likely any actual interaction with any of the god's, I feel I need to warn you that you have to be careful when it comes to trusting them. Most of them aren't particularly kind to mortals. Which becomes even worse if they feel that they've been disrespected or in some cases like this, rejected.
Though confused as to why Ares would want to try tricking her, and what exactly he meant by bringing up what could happen if the god felt disrespected or rejected, Gabrielle pushed aside her natural curiosity as she knew that informing Leonidas of what the god had told her was a far more pressing matter.
GABRIELLE
Okay maybe the gods can be tricky, manipulative or down right terrible, and I don't know whatever interest he clearly has in any of this, but he told me that Xena went into the nearby river. He said she was swept away and giving how long it's been since the fighting ended, she... I can't.
Not wanting to finish the thought, Gabrielle found herself at a loss for words as she turned around and began to walk away as what Ares said to the young woman seemed to strike Leonidas as being too odd of a thing for the god to lie about. Which got Leonidas thinking it likely to at least partially true and found himself unsure of anything he could say that would comfort Gabrielle as if what Ares said was to be believed, it was highly likely that Xena may very well be lost to them forever. But regardless of whether any of what Ares said was true or not, Leonidas decided that it couldn't hurt to at least have some people go investigate the area. Because if nothing else it would at least give Gabrielle some hope that Xena could still be found.
LEONIDAS
Hold on.
The lieutenant jogged to get in front of Gabrielle and stopped her from walking away.
LEONIDAS
Even if the lord Conqueror did go into the river, that doesn't necessarily mean it's too late. She can still alive, and we aren't going to give up searching until we find her.
Gabrielle looked away as she couldn't imagine Xena surviving falling into the rushing waters after spending the whole day fighting and how exhausted and possibly injured she was when she went in. But as the thoughts of Xena being dead filled Gabrielle's mind, small spark of hope worked its way through the darkness as Gabrielle remembered what she had survived the day prior to the night that she had managed to stumble into outskirts of the Conqueror's camp., where she and Xena first met. Gabrielle returned her attention to Leonidas as the new hope that Xena was still alive emerged.
GABRIELLE
Leonidas, has anyone searched near the river that today's fighting took place near?
LEONIDAS
The river? No. The fighting today didn't work its way anywhere near there so no one's thought to check around that area. Why, did Ares say something that makes you think we should check there?
GABRIELLE
Actually he did.
The young woman quickly explained what Ares had told her. Leaving him with a better understanding of why Gabrielle had seemed so certain of Xena's demise as a troubled look shown on his face.
LEONIDAS
I see. That's not good at all. If that's true then as much as I don't want to say this, but we may in fact be too late. The river's in the area this time of year are highly dangerous due to the rise in water levels from the melting snow. And because of that it causes the currents to be much stronger in the early spring. Which sadly means that someone falling in usually means that they don't come back out alive. I'm sorry little one, but I think we may now just be searching for the lord Conqueror's body.
GABRIELLE
But I managed to survive after I fell in when I was running from Draco's men around this time last year. So if I can come away from something like that I know Xena can.
Leonidas looked at Gabrielle for a moment, as he had forgotten about how the young woman had first found her way to them. And despite his doubts that luck would strike twice for the same deadly scenario, he knew that he wouldn't be able to rest until they found the Conqueror either way. So putting on a hopeful front for Gabrielle, Leonidas gave the young woman a soft smile.
LEONIDAS
Okay. I'll gather some of the others out immediately, and we'll continue our search down stream and along the river backs. Stay strong little one. I'll let you know if we find anything.
The lieutenant began to turn to leave when Gabrielle called after him, and he stopped to look back at her.
GABRIELLE
Wait I wanna come with you.
LEONIDAS
Are you sure? I would think that you would want to stay with your sister.
Gabrielle looked over at Lila who was still sitting where she had been where she had overheard the whole conversation and waved her off.
LILA
Don't worry about me. What worse can happen to me here than already has with that other army?
The comment hit Gabrielle hard as she was reminded of the heartbreaking reality of what her sister had gone through and walked over to her and crouched in front of her.
GABRIELLE
I promise you Lila, no one here is going to hurt you. But if you're not comfortable being left alone with them, I'll stay here with you while the other's go look for Xena.
Lila looked at Gabrielle for a moment and could see just from the hurt and worry in Gabrielle's eyes how much the Conqueror clearly meant to her, as she put the best smile that the abused young woman could muster and casually waved Gabrielle off.
LILA
Don't worry about me. If you say I'm safe here, then I trust you. I'll be fine. Now go find your Conqueror. I'll be right here when you come back.
Gabrielle hugged her sister for a long moment.
GABRIELLE
Thank you Lila.
The two separated as Gabrielle stood up.
GABRIELLE
I'll be back soon.
Turning around Gabrielle hurried over to where Leonidas was mounting his horse and Gabrielle got helped up into the saddle behind him before he got his horse in motion and with Gabrielle, led the search party that had been gathered out of the camp and toward the river.
LEONIDAS
Okay, everyone spread out as far along the banks as you can. If you see anything, notify me immediately. Now go.
With their mission clear, the soldiers spread out along the river as they searched both sides for any signs of Xena as unable to just stand by and do nothing any longer, Gabrielle turned to the lieutenant.
GABRIELLE
I'm gonna go look over there.
The young woman motioned further downstream.
LEONIDAS
Okay but don't wonder too far and be sure not to get to close to the edge. The ground on the riverbanks can be unstable, and you can easily fall in if you tread cautiously.
GABRIELLE
I'll be careful.
Taking her staff she had brought with her, Gabrielle moved further downstream. She searched along the river for a while, using her staff to keep herself from slipping by sticking it into the mud as she walked and searched for any signs of Xena.
GABRIELLEat javascript:;
Xena!
Gabrielle called out in the hopes that the woman could hear her as she stopped to take a better look at the new area around her.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
Calling out again and getting no response, Gabrielle continued a little further as she continued her search until she came across a tree that had fallen into the river and as she got closer she could see something else in the water that had been caught on the tree. Quickly moving to get a better look, Gabrielle could feel her heart skip a beat as she soon realized what she was looking at.
GABRIELLE
Xena.
Breaking into a full run upon finally finding her, Gabrielle quickly reached the fallen tree where Xena was tangled among the branches and called out to the woman.
GABRIELLE
Xena can you hear me?
Not getting any response, Gabrielle could see the Conqueror's eyes were closed as she remained unmoving in the water while the current pushing against her. Her heart sinking, Gabrielle yelled as loud as she could for help.
GABRIELLE
Over here! Leonidas, I found her!
Crying, Gabrielle looked back to Xena as she watched and waited for Leonidas and several others to come pullXena's body out of the water.
GABRIELLE
(Quiet sad tone) I found her.
Once Leonidas and a couple other soldiers worked to retrieve Xena from the river, Gabrielle raced to the woman's side as she was laid on the riverbank and Leonidas began the C.P.R. that all the soldiers were taught by Xena as part of their basic field training. Watching for several agonizingly long minutes as the lieutenant tried everything he could to bring Xena back, Gabrielle sank to the ground as she saw nothing that was being done have any effect as Xena just laid there completely unresponsive. Until finally Leonidas sat back and shook his head before looking at Gabrielle who could already feel the tears beginning to fall.
LEONIDAS
(Somber tone) I've done everything that can be done. I'm sorry, she's gone.
GABRIELLE
(Sad tone) No.
The words stripping the last shred of hope that Gabrielle had for Xena's survival away, the young woman broke down completely as she wept and laid over the Conqueror as she held her and her tears mixed into the woman's already soaked clothes.
GABRIELLE
You can't leave me like this Xena. You swore you'd come back after you stopped Draco. You promised you'd be okay.
Gabrielle pulled back slightly as she looked down at the unmoving woman.
GABRIELLE
You promised me Xena.
Too absorbed in her grief to think about what she was doing, Gabrielle cried as she brought a frustrated balled up fist down against Xena's chest.
GABRIELLE
(Sad tone) You promised.
Bringing her hand down once more, Gabrielle jumped back slightly when she suddenly heard a loud gasp and then watched as Xena coughed and spit up a shocking amount of water as the woman rolled to her side a worked to catch her breath for a few moments before rolling back onto her back and Gabrielle saw a pair of blue eyes looking up at her along with a soft smile.
XENA
(Tired/ joking tone) Thanks. I needed that.
Overjoyed that Xena was alive, Gabrielle practically jumped on the woman as she layed her head on Xena's chest and held her as her tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy.
GABRIELLE
I thought you were gone Xena, I was so scared that I had lost you.
Reaching up, the Conqueror generally rested her hand on Gabrielle's head as she looked up at the early night sky while she comforted the young woman.
XENA
Hey, you should know by now that it's gonna take a whole lot more than a little water to get rid of me.
Xena gave Gabrielle a little kiss on the blonde's head as she chuckled a bit before letting out a small sigh of relief.
XENA
(Joking tone) No, I'm afraid you're stuck with me.
After a few more moments, Gabrielle finally pulled away and remained kneeling beside Xena who groaned as she slowly sat up and heard Leonidas speak as he crouched beside her.
LEONIDAS
Are you alright my lord? You know you really shouldn't be moving around until we know the extent of your injuries.
XENA
I'll live. I'll admit I'm kinda banged up, but I've been in far worse shape than this before. So I'm pretty sure moving around a little won't kill me. Now, if you wouldn't mind giving me a little hand here.
Taking the Conqueror's hint, Leonidas carefully helped Xena to stand as Gabrielle got up as well and put Xena's arm over her shoulder to keep the tired and handed the banged up woman her staff to help keep her up right as Xena's mind returned to the moments just before she went into the water and turned her attention back to Leonidas.
XENA
Okay now that we all can see that I'm okay, fill me in on everything I missed while I was taking my little nap.
Ignoring the casual way she had just spike about how she had come very close to dying again, Leonidas gave the Conqueror a briefing of the outcome of the battle. Telling her that Draco had been found dead Which in turn had led to his army's surrender, allowed their side claim a total victory over the battle and the war against the warlord.
XENA
Good. Anywhere that bastard ends up in Tartarus will be too good for 'em.
Then remembering why Gabrielle had insisted on being there for this final battle against the warlord, Xena returned her focus to the young woman.
XENA
Which reminds me Gabrielle, we're you able to find your sister?
GABRIELLE
Yeah I found her. She's waiting back at camp with the couple of other slaves that I found. I hope it's okay that I brought them backtoo.
Xena smiled as again she marveled at the young woman's compassion and pulled her a little closer as she hugged her with the one arm that was draped around her.
XENA
Of course that's okay. Now, unless you wanna stand around and look at this river some more, I say we get out of here and get ready to head back home.
Gabrielle smiled as, with Xena's arm around her shoulders to help the tired and sore woman walk, the two women and Leonidas made their way back to camp where the rest of Xena's army celebrated her return. Then, after Xena's injuries were treated and she convincedLeonidas andGabrielle thatshe was okay to travel, everyone saddled up and began their trip back to the keep. And now that Lila was finally free and safe, Gabrielle smiled as looked up at the twinkling night sky as after over a year since her home village was attacked, she could finally begin to leave the nightmare behind as she could move on knowing Lila was safe at last. And silently gave thanks to the gods above for bringing her and Xena together. As she never could have imagined that the night two women met, it would lead them to where they were right then. Or to where they would soon be. Because as the sun set on the long journey that had lead them to where they were, a new dawn would rise on a whole new journey that both women would soon venture together.
TO BE CONTINUED...