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 words, 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! Wake up!
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GABRIELLE
Xena!
Gabrielle suddenly sprung up to a sitting position as she breathed heavily, Her reality sinking in as her tired eyes began to adjust to the dark cave that she had taken shelter in from the raging storm outside. Though the terrible weather outside couldn't even begin to compete with the storm of emotions that Gabrielle was feeling within.
GABRIELLE
Another nightmare.
Gabrielle's breathing began to return to normal as she looked to the side at the sarcophagus that rested just a few feet away.
GABRIELLE
Though not much different from this nightmare I'm now living.
Slowly, Gabrielle pushed her covers away as she moved to kneel beside the coffin and layed her head on its lid.
GABRIELLE
Every night I see it happen. Every morning, I wish it was a dream. Xena.
A few tears escaped the young woman's eyes before she wiped them away, as she thought of Xena's recent death.
GABRIELLE
Why'd you have to go? You just gave up. I never...
Gabrielle took a breath to try and keep herself from crying yet again. Something that she had done a lot in the past number of days since the warrior's passing.
GABRIELLE
I never got to tell you just how much you mean to me. At least, not while you were here. Something that I've wished everyday I had done, before it was too late.
Gabrielle looked up.
GABRIELLE
So, wherever you are now Xena, I hope you can hear me, and that you're at peace.
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Morning came and Gabrielle set out again toward Amphipolis. She walked along quietly while leading Argo by the reins as the horse pulled Xena's coffin behind them. Her mind was on Xena and what she'd say to the warrior's mother, Cyrene. The two had only recently reconciled after the years of Xena's dark past, and her brother Lyceus' untimely death. And now Gabrielle had to bring the woman who had already suffered so much heartbreak, one of her other children and only daughter's lifeless body. Causing Gabrielle to think of how cruel the fates must be to let some people suffer through so much tragedy.
?
Well, well, well. Look at this boys. I told you she was dead.
Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Gabrielle stopped in her tracks before seeing several bandits emerge from behind a group of trees a moment later.
GABRIELLE
What do you want?
The blonde scowled, as she held her staff ready to defend herself. The bandits moving toward her before stopping to stand surrounding her, Argo and Xena's coffin.
BANDIT 1
Why, we've simply come to pay our respects.
The man flashed a disingenuous grin, as another one of the group spoke.
BANDIT 2
Yeah, it's not everyday you get to see the legendary warrior princess' corpse up close and personal.
Several of the group laughed at the callous comment before the first bandit spoke again.
BANDIT 1
Then when we're done we're gonna sell Xena's body to the highest bidder. There are a lot of people who'll pay quite the hefty sum for that woman's lifeless corpse.
Gabrielle stood unintimidated by the group as she shifted her stance and tightened her grip on her staff, while readying herself for the fight she knew was coming. The last thing she was going to do now was let anyone stop her from fulfilling the warrior's funeral request.
GABRIELLE
(Slightly angry tone) Back off! I'm warning you.
The men looked at each other for a moment, and laughed because they, like so many others didn't think Gabrielle was capable of posing any level of threat toward them.
BANDIT 1
Hey, little girl. Think logically here for a second. You think a corpse is worth getting beaten up for?
Gabrielle stood firm, carefully watching each man's movement's as they edged closer and within her reach.
GABRIELLE
You tell me.
Suddenly, Gabrielle swung her staff and cracked one of the bandits in the side of his head, dropping him before anyone else knew what happened.
BANDIT 2
(Angry tone) You'll pay for that!
With that, the remaining bandits drew their weapons and charged for Gabrielle. The young woman quickly ducked out of the way of a sword strike, and drove the end of her staff into his midsection, and swinging it upwards and connecting another hit to his jaw before going low and sweeping his legs from under him. As he fell, Gabrielle blocked another bandit's strike but was shoved back with a boot to her stomach, sending her back and to the ground. The bandit then stood over her and was about to raise his blade to strike, before he felt a sharp pain between his legs as Gabrielle brought her foot up to land a hard hit right in his groin. A small, high pitched groan escaped the man's throat before he fell over into a ball, clutching his family jewels as Gabrielle hurried back to her feet to continue fighting, but ended up being grabbed from behind by another one of the bandits.
BANDITS 1
(Angry tone) Big mistake little girl. You have no idea how much pain you're in for now.
?
Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you.
The bandit turned his head to investigate the new voice, and was met with a fist to the side of his face that caused him to release Gabrielle, before he felt the wind driven out of him from a kick to his stomach that drove him to the ground.
?
Anyone else?
The remaining bandits stood looking at the new arrival to the scene, and decided it wasn't worth the hassle of actually having to fight for a dead body, as they stepped back to give Gabrielle one last sneer, before reluctantly turning around and walking away.
?
Hey there Gabrielle. You okay?
The young woman sat up to find an outstretched hand and a surprising, but comforting familiar face standing before her.
GABRIELLE
Iolaus?
The man smiled as Gabrielle took his hand, and he helped the young woman to her feet.
GABRIELLE
What are you doing here?
IOLAUS
Oh, I just happened to be coming through when I ended up hearing a commotion and ran into you and your friends that just ran off.
Gabrielle hugged her friend, leaving Iolaus a bit surprised by the sudden greeting but was happy to return the gesture.
IOLAUS
(Laughing slightly) It's good to see you too.
The man's light-hearted mood quickly shifted to concern when instead of Gabrielle replying with some upbeat banter of her own, she instead began to cry. Causing him to hug her just a little tighter in an attempt to comfort the young woman.
IOLAUS
Gabrielle? What is it?
Iolaus looked around for a second and in that moment, realized that someone was missing.
IOLAUS
Hey. Where's Xena?
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IOLAUS
I'm sorry, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
She's gone. She just left me.
Gabrielle lowered her head as she leaned slightly over Xena's coffin, after explaining what happened to Iolaus, who stood unsure of what he could do to comfort her.
GABRIELLE
I miss her so much.
Though she tried to hold it back, Gabrielle began to cry again as Iolaus moved to hug her.
GABRIELLE
There's so many things that I wish I could tell her. Things I wish I had said when I had the chance.
IOLAUS
What would you have told her?
GABRIELLE
I would have told her how empty my life was before she came, and all the lessons I learned, just how much she meant to me, that I love her.
Iolaus gave a gentle smile.
IOLAUS
You just did.
The man let Gabrielle go and stepped back.
IOLAUS
You gonna be okay?
Gabrielle let out a small sigh.
GABRIELLE
I will be. Thanks Iolaus.
She looked down at Xena's coffin.
GABRIELLE
I gotta get Xena to Amphipolis. She wanted to be put to rest next to her brother.
IOLAUS
Do you want me to come with you?
Gabrielle returned her focus to Iolaus.
GABRIELLE
No I'll be okay. Thanks anyway though.
IOLAUS
Sure. I guess I should go tell Hercules about Xena before he hears it from somewhere else.
GABRIELLE
Thanks.
The two shared one more hug before saying goodbye and headed off in different directions, as Gabrielle continued toward Amphipolis.
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After continuing on for some time, Gabrielle again came to a stop when she heard a rustling in the trees surrounding her. However, this time she kept her staff casually at her side, as several figures suddenly descended from above, and a small smile made its way to Gabrielle's otherwise sullen face.
GABRIELLE
Ephiny.
The young woman walked up and hugged her Amazon friend, who in turn did the same.
GABRIELLE
What brings you guys all the way out here?
EPHINY
We heard about xena. We're so sorry, Gabrielle. The entire Amazon nation mourns her loss.
?
As we should.
Gabrielle pulled away from Ephiny to see Velasca remove her mask.
VELASCA
Though she never wanted to admit it, Xena was one of us, a true Amazon. We'd like you to bring her
body back to the village, where we can pay our respects with an Amazon funeral.
GABRIELLE
I'm honored. And I know Xena would be too. But I promised Xena I'd bring her back to Amphipolis.
so she can be buried with her brother.
Gabrielle looked around for a moment before continuing.
GABRIELLE
But since you're here, I'd like to talk to Queen Melosa about something. I was thinking about maybe coming back to the village. At least for a bit, until I figure out what I'm gonna do...
(Sad tone) Now that Xena's gone.
EPHINY
Gabrielle, Melosa's dead.
The unexpected news of Melosa's death took Gabrielle by total shock as she tried to wrap her mind around how this could've happened to the strong Amazon leader.
GABRIELLE
What? But how? Who's the Queen?
EPHINY
Velasca.
Ephiny sent an angry glare toward the aforementioned Amazon as she continued.
EPHINY
She issued a challenge to Melosa and then killed her.
Velasca stood there seemingly unfazed by the accusation.
VELASCA
(Smug tone) As is permitted by Amazon law. Whether you like it or not, I beat her in a fair fight, Ephiny. Funny how you keep conveniently leaving that part out.
The curly-haired Amazon scowled, not liking how satisfied Velasca was to have killed their queen. Or the prospect of her becoming the next ruler of their people, as it seemed that all Velasca actually cared about was the power that becoming queen would give her.
EPHINY
So it would seem.
Ephiny's attention returned to Gabrielle.
EPHINY
But, that doesn't really matter, now that the Amazon Princess has returned.
VELASCA
That's true.
Velasca eyed Ephiny, as she tried to hide her disdain for the subject even being brought up.
EPHINY
Which makes you, Gabrielle, the next in line to be queen.
Gabrielle almost couldn't believe what she was hearing, as it took a moment for reality to begin to sink in.
GABRIELLE
Wait a minute. Me? Queen? This is a lot. I still have to deal with Xena. I need to think this over.
Ephiny put her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder.
EPHINY
It's okay Gabrielle. You don't have to decide anything right now. Why don't you come back to the village with us and we'll help you with Xena's funeral? You can decide what you wanna do later.
GABRIELLE
Thanks Ephiny. I'd like that.
Gabrielle managed a small smile, as she grabbed Argo's reins and followed the other women to their village to prepare for Xena's funeral. And as Gabrielle prepared herself to say her final goodbyes to the woman she loved but could never let her know face to face, she was unsure that very soon Xena's funeral would become the furthest thing from her mind.
TO BE CONTINUED...