Roused by a steady movement and the sound of hooves clicking against the hardened earth, the world gradually came into focus as Gabrielle opened her eyes. She found herself looking at the ground as it passed beneath her, her arms bound together by a piece of rope. She also realized there was a cloth tied around her head, with a part of it pushed into her mouth to prevent her from yelling. She struggled against her restraints and made muffled groans in an attempt to free herself, before hearing a voice speak right next to her.
XENA
Quit squirming unless you want to take another nap.
Realizing that she was riding a horse with the Conqueror, Gabrielle groaned into the cloth louder and began frantically kicking her legs, trying to get away from the woman she had watched savagely beat and then kill a man without showing any remorse. As she moved and tried to practically throw herself from the horse in order to escape, Gabrielle felt her hair being roughly grabbed. Her head was forcefully lifted up, and she locked eyes with the Conqueror.
XENA
(Angry tone) I said quit squirming. Or else.
Terrified, Gabrielle could feel tears beginning to roll from her eyes. She moaned into the cloth and stopped struggling, realizing it was pointless. Seeing that Gabrielle had settled down, Xena let go of her hair and returned her hand to the reins of her horse.
XENA
That's a good girl. You just sit tight and behave yourself. We'll be there soon.
Gabrielle lowered her head, returning her gaze to the ground. She wondered where exactly she was being taken and, more importantly, what would happen to her once they arrived.
LEONIDAS
Ah, always such a welcoming sight after being away for so long.
It was nearly dark as Gabrielle felt the horse come to a halt. She raised her head to see a very large fortress up ahead. Even given her current situation, Gabrielle couldn't help but be awestruck by the magnitude of the structure. She then heard yelling and saw the large gate being opened as the horse carrying her and the Conqueror began to enter the keep grounds, with the rest of the group following closely behind. After riding for a few more minutes, the horse stopped again, and Gabrielle saw a number of people come over to the group. The others dismounted their horses and unhooked the pouches and bags attached to the saddles. Then a woman came over to where she and the Conqueror had stopped.
?
My lord, you've returned. I hope you had a pleasant trip.
Xena only grumbled in response, still fuming over what had happened as a result of Hector's unexpected appearance. Noting the Conqueror's sour mood, the woman quickly changed the subject.
?
Well, it's good to have you and everyone else back safely. I'm sure you're all famished and tired from such a long trip. If you wish, I'll have a grand meal prepared to celebrate your return.
XENA
That'll be fine.
?
Yes, my lord. I'll also have a hot bath and clean clothes waiting in your private quarters when you're ready. And...
The woman paused as she finally noticed the bound and gagged Gabrielle draped over the saddle in front of Xena.
?
I see you've returned with an addition to your party. A prisoner from battle?
XENA
In a manner of speaking.
?
Should I call for a guard to have her escorted to the dungeons?
XENA
No, I don't think that'll be necessary.
?
Prepare the gallows?
Gabrielle's eyes widened at the word "gallows," wondering why the Conqueror would keep her alive only to bring her there to be hanged.
XENA
Now, why would I bother bringing someone like her back with me if all I was going to do was kill her?
?
Fair point. Apologies. The servant's quarters then?
XENA
Actually, I haven't fully decided what to do with her yet, so for tonight, just have her cleaned up and sent to my quarters when you're done.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Sent to her quarters?! Oh gods, she isn't going to...
Gabrielle didn't even want to finish that thought.
?
Ah, I see. As you wish, my lord.
Xena dismounted and grabbed Gabrielle, who squirmed to get out of her grasp as she was lowered to the ground. Once her feet hit the earth, Gabrielle felt the Conqueror grab her chin in a strong grasp.
XENA
(Stern tone) You're going to go with this woman. Do everything she says. Don't try anything stupid like trying to escape, and don't give her or anyone else trouble, got it?
Gabrielle nodded as much as she could with Xena holding her chin.
XENA
(Stern tone) I don't have to warn you about disobeying, do I?
Gabrielle made a muffled groan.
XENA
Good. And I guess now that we're here, you don't need this anymore.
Xena undid the cloth gag and tossed it to the other woman.
XENA
Yelling for help won't do you any good here. Everything and everyone in this keep belongs to me in one way or another, so it'll only be a waste of time to try.
Gabrielle didn't say anything, but she looked at the Conqueror with a mix of fear and hatred in her eyes.
XENA
Good to see you understand.
Xena turned her attention to the other woman.
XENA
I'll leave her to you then. You can untie her if you want. It's not like she can do anything here. I only had her tied because she was giving me a bit of trouble after our meeting with Petrodes, but she seems to have calmed down, so she shouldn't give you any problems.
Xena glanced over at Gabrielle.
XENA
Right?
Afraid of angering her captor, Gabrielle knew that she didn't have much of a choice but to do as she was told.
GABRIELLE
Yes.
Satisfied with the reply, Xena smirked at the woman whose name Gabrielle didn't know.
XENA
There you go.
With that, Gabrielle watched as the Conqueror began walking towards the large doors of the main building in front of them. After a few steps, the Conqueror looked over her shoulder and called back to the unknown woman.
XENA
Oh, and before she's brought to me, have the girl looked at by one of the healers too. When I found her, she was pretty banged up, so I'd like a full inspection of her current condition just so I know what I'm working with.
?
Of course, my lord.
With a nod of satisfaction, the Conqueror continued walking towards the building. Gabrielle's attention was drawn away from Xena as she heard the other woman speak to her.
?
Well, come along, um...
The young woman giggled.
?
Oh, I'm sorry. I guess we weren't formally introduced, were we? What was your name?
GABRIELLE
(Quietly) It's Gabrielle.
?
Nice to meet you, Gabrielle. My name's Elle.
The seemingly friendly young woman placed her hand on Gabrielle's back and began guiding her along as they walked inside. As they entered the building, Gabrielle looked back and contemplated whether or not she should make a run for it. After hearing the Conqueror say she would be brought to her room, Gabrielle began to think that she'd rather be dead than let someone like that woman touch her or do gods know what to her. But by the time this thought had crossed Gabrielle's mind, she was already inside and the doors were closed behind them, seemingly sealing her fate.
TO BE CONTINUED...