Gabrielle had traveled a long time when she brought Argo to a stop, and walked behind the horse to where Xena lay out on a makeshift wooden sled that Gabrielle had made out of tree branches, after getting Xena through the mountain snow on Argo became too difficult.

GABRIELLE

Xena, can you hear me? Xena? Mount Nestus. Is it north of the Strymon River?

Xena mumbled something incoherent as Gabrielle tried to keep her worry under control. She quickly made sure that the warrior was warm enough beneath the blankets she was under, and moved back ahead of Argo and spoke to her, as she grabbed the mare's reins.

GABRIELLE

I hope that's a yes.

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Cold and exhausted, Gabrielle pushed on through the snow with Argo as she fought through the cold that had turned her fingers and toes numb. She shivered as she glanced back to where Xena remained unconscious, before passing onward, until she finally spotted a small building that sat alone amidst the snowy wasteland. With what she prayed was her destination in sight, Gabrielle moved faster, as she hoped that her journey to get there would be worth it to help Xena.

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Reaching the small building, Gabrielle knocked on the door and waited a moment, before a man opened it and looked at her, seemingly a bit surprised to find someone at his doorstep.

GABRIELLE

Please, help me. My friend needs help. She's hurt and asked me to bring her here to find someone named Nicklio.

?

I'm Nicklio,

The man looked passed Gabrielle to see Xena laying bundled up behind Argo and walked over to her.

NICKLIO

Xena? What happened to her?

Nicklio quickly examined the warrior.

NICKLIO

Her organs are swelling from internal bleeding.

He stood up.

NICKLIO

Quickly, we need to get her inside.

Together, Gabrielle and the healer lifted Xena and carried her into the small house

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NICKLIO

You've traveled a long way in this cold, here let me look at you.

Moving Gabrielle closer to the warmth of the fire that was lit in his fireplace, the healer Nickilo began to look Gabrielle over.

GABRIELLE

Will you help my friend?

NICKLIO

Xena can wait. You, I can do something about.

GABRIELLE

What do you mean?

NICKLIO

Unfortunately I can't do anything for her right now. Whether Xena recovers or not is up to her.

Gabrielle shook her head.

GABRIELLE

What? I don't understand. You're a healer and Xena told me to find you. I could've taken her to someone much closer but I figured since Xena insisted on coming to you, you could help her. But now you're telling me you can't do anything? Why not?

The man sighed as he motioned for Gabrielle to sit in a nearby chair as he sat in the one across from her.

NICKLIO

Listen...

Nicklio paused as he realized the young woman across from him hadn't told him her name and noticing this Gabrielle quickly told him so they could move on.

GABRIELLE

Gabrielle.

NICKLIO

Gabrielle. Xena's injuries aren't just physical. Her mind and soul are severely wounded. Right now she's fighting a battle within herself.

GABRIELLE

Her mind and soul? Why? I know that Xena lives with alot of remorse and regret about her past but what does that have to do with her physical injury?

NICKLIO

Because while medicine and other forms of treatment can be very beneficial toward healing, many times it's a person's spirit and will that contributes the greatest to whether or not they can recover from whatever is ailing them.

Gabrielle scowled.

GABRIELLE

But I know Xena and she isn't someone who would just give up on anything.

NICKLIO

For her sake Gabrielle, let's hope you're right.

Gabrielle looked over to Xena for a moment before returning her eyes to Nicklio.

GABRIELLE

If you don't mind me asking, how do you know Xena.

NICKLIO

She came to see me long ago when she was badly injured.

The man leaned back in his seat

NICKLIO

I'm not sure if she's mentioned it to you and while I can't tell you details, given that you two are clearly very close if she trusted you to bring her here, I'm sure she'd be okay with me telling you what brought her to me the first time we met.

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GABRIELLE

I see. So she was brought to you after Ceasar betrayed and left her for dead.

The young woman shook her head solemnly after hearing Nicklio tell her what he knew about Xena's encounter with Ceasar. As the man moved to check on the warrior's condition, Xena's body began to twitch.

NICKLIO

Something's happening.

Immediately, Gabrielle stood to follow the healer as he briskly made his way to where Xena layed.

GABRIELLE

What's going on?

Nicklio began examining the warrior once again and held his fingers to her neck.

NICKLIO

Her pulse is weakening.

A deep sense of fear began to fill Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE

No. We have to do something.

The healer lifted his eyes to the blonde.

NICKLIO

I'm sorry Gabrielle, I've done everything I could, there's nothing more I can do for her.

GABRIELLE

No. Xena can't die. She can't.

Gabrielle looked down at the warrior laying in front of her and took her hand.

GABRIELLE

You hear me, Xena? You're stronger than this. I don't know what's going on inside you right now, but you can't just give up.

NICKLIO

It's still falling.

GABRIELLE

You can't do this Xena. Why? You have to wake up. Xena!

Suddenly Gabrielle felt a hand on her shoulder that made her look up to see a disheartened expression on Nicklio's face.

NICKLIO

She's gone.

GABRIELLE

She can't be gone.

Hearing those woods, Gabrielle began to cry.

GABRIELLE

No.

Gabrielle reached out and took Xena's face in her hands.

GABRIELLE

No!

NICKLIO

I'm sorry. She's passed over.

GABRIELLE

Please, please wake up. Wake up!

Crying and heartbroken, Gabrielle layed her head on Xena's chest as she held the deceased woman.

GABRIELLE

No, Xena.

Seeing how upset Gabrielle was, Nicklio thought it best if he quietly excused himself, and left Gabrielle to mourn the loss of her friend as Gabrielle continued speaking to the warrior's body.

GABRIELLE

I know you always told me to be strong. I can't be, not now. You can't leave me. I know it's not your time. I can feel it in my heart. I just feel this emptiness that I've never known before, and it scares me. Xena, above all, just remember your destiny. Remember it and fight. Just, fight to come back. This world needs you. I need you.

Gabrielle closed her eyes as she finally uttered the words that she had wanted to tell Xena for so long and now regretted more than anything not doing so as it was clear that now she would never again have the chance.

GABRIELLE

I love you, Xena.

TO BE CONTINUED...