Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter one of "Running Around." I can't believe I got a review for the prologue. I didn't think that would happen, but I'm happy it did. I want to thank the reader who reviewed. As for other readers, don't hesitate to review. I'd love to hear your ideas for this fic. Anyway, Eric, Snow White, William, Xena, Solan, and Gabrielle are introduced. I was planning to do two separate chapters for each group, but I decided against it. The next chapter will have the groups crossing paths. Stay tuned for chapter two.

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Chapter 1: Through a Warzone

The midmorning sun beamed its rays on a forest in late April. A white-tailed eagle glided beneath the canopy. It flapped its wings twice before opening its beak. It flicked its tongue and emitted two loud screeches. Explosions sounded in the distance. The eagle landed on the branch just above the middle of a tree. It folded its wings against its back.

The eagle heard snorting. It observed Eric, Snow White, and William riding Kiki, Lina, and Moses underneath the branch. It tilted its head somewhat before letting out a soft screech. It ran its beak through its back feathers. It repeated its action with its chest feathers. It moved down to the edge of the branch before looking around.

Kiki whinnied softly as Eric tugged on her reins gently. She was completely black with the exception of a white spot in the middle of her forehead. Her forelimbs had sock markings that went halfway between her hoof and her knee. Her blue eyes had scars underneath them, as did her hindquarters just above their middles.

Lina whickered pleasantly at Snow White's petting her neck. She was dark gray with white spots all over her body. Her mane and tail were light gray. They contained white strands here and there. Her left cheek had a scar going across the middle. Her eyes were brown, and the left one seemed to have a tiny scar underneath it.

Moses snorted when William gave his reins a gentle tug. His body was light brown. Splotches of dark brown could be seen here and there. A white stripe went from his forehead down to his nose. His eyes were brown. His hindquarters had white stocking markings that went all the way up them but stopping just below his hips. He and the other horses whinnied in uncertainty.

"I can't believe this shortcut brought us to the middle of a warzone," William said with a shake of his head.

"As I recall, it was your idea to take the shortcut, William," Eric pointed out seriously.

"But I didn't mean for it to take us into a warzone," William grumbled in a bit of embarrassment.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, William," Snow White said gently. "You didn't know this would happen."

"Snow White is right," Eric added and ran his tongue all over the inside of his mouth. "You can never be sure what will happen."

Kiki, Lina, and Moses picked up their pace a little bit when Eric, Snow White, and William nudged their sides. They swiveled their ears before letting out soft snorts. They adjusted the metal bits in their mouths.

"I hope Mela has been doing well since we brought supplies to it six months ago," Eric whispered.

"William and I do too, Eric," Snow White agreed. "The drought would have turned into a dangerous crisis if we had not intervened."

"It's not every day a queen assists a drought-stricken village," William said warmly.

Snow White chuckled. "I wanted to see it myself. I felt so bad for the villagers. They had relied on the surrounding forest and waterways for generations. They had been through droughts before, but they were nowhere near as long as the most recent one was."

William frowned. "We can never forget Ravenna's terrible rule. There was no drought, but almost nothing grew. It often rained or snowed depending on the season. It was as if nature had decided the kingdom was not worth granting great things anymore."

"It has been said that Ravenna's power influenced nature to ruin Tabor. I really do want to hate her for all the pain and suffering she brought, but I can't. I have only pity for her," Snow White said.

"That makes you a very selfless person. It is possible Ravenna was like you at one point, but tragedy twisted her into such a terrible person," Eric said as she looked at him.

"Oh, I agree. The stories about Xena and her quest for the greater good gave me hope. I kept dreaming of the day I would get away from Ravenna's clutches. It finally came. You showed up with the intent of taking me back to her. You turned against Finn and her men when the former confessed that she could not resurrect Sara. You helped me every step of the way," Snow White replied lovingly.

Eric smiled. "I am so grateful to have met you. You made me a much better person. I do not know what I would do without you."

Snow White held out her hand. Eric reached over and took it into his to give a gentle squeeze. His smile grew wider when she squeezed his tightly. Chuckling sounded, causing them to let go of each other. They looked at William.

"You two might as well tie yourselves to each other. You can't seem to stop holding hands," William teased.

"You will be doing the same thing with the woman you love, William," Eric pointed out.

William shrugged. "Whenever that will be."

Eric tilted his head. "It will happen someday. You will see."

William looked ahead, as did his friends. He couldn't help but feel jealous at times of their relationship. He remembered when he first found out about it. He didn't approve of it. He eventually came to terms that he and Snow White would only ever be friends and decided to let her go. He saw it as the best thing he ever did. He felt grateful to be their closest friend and ally. The horses whinnied uneasily when a distant explosion sounded.

"There does not appear to be much to fight over here," Eric said honestly. "It seems so senseless."

"It's a civil war, Eric. It is father against son. The father lives in Kiforth. The son is from Passili," Snow White explained.

"It makes me wonder if Xena and Gabrielle have gotten caught up in such a war," William murmured and swallowed hard.

"It is quite possible. We do not know everything about them," Eric admitted while rubbing his nose. "We did hear that Xena's son is traveling with them. His name is Solan."

"Xena did the right thing giving Solan up after Borias was killed. She didn't want him to be exposed to the hatred and violence she had become accustomed to," Snow White commented.

"Ben raised him to be a fine boy. I feel bad Solan lost his adoptive father, but it was sweet of Xena to take him with her and Gabrielle. I do not blame him for being angry with Xena after she confessed she was his mother. We have heard he is almost as tall as she is now," William added in great warmth.

"Like son, like mother," Eric answered with a chuckle.

"Maybe you two should pull on my arms and legs to make me taller," Snow White joked and snickered under her breath.

"No, we like you the way you are," Eric said and tickled her cheek. He laughed at her swatting his hand aside. "Not for tickling at the moment, are you?"

"Let's wait on that until we get to Mela, all right?" Snow White suggested while raising an eyebrow.

"Sure," Eric said and nodded. "Anything for you."

Eric reached over to give his wife a kiss on the cheek. Snow White did the same with her husband. Just then, the entire group spotted a small stream up ahead. Kiki, Lina, and Moses whickered excitedly.

"I think the horses are thirsty," William commented with raised eyebrows.

"Let's stop for a little bit, so they can drink. It will give us a chance to rest," Eric suggested.

Snow White cleared her throat. "Good idea."

Eric, Snow White, and William pulled on the reins once the horses were at the stream. They dismounted them and watched them lower their heads and begin to drink.

"I do not know why, but I have a feeling something wild is about to happen," Snow White murmured while looking up at the canopy.

"I have the same feeling, darling," Eric said, coming to her side and putting his arm around her.

"Don't forget me," William pointed out as he raised his hand. "I have the same feeling as well."

"Don't worry, William," Snow White said, looking at him. "We have not forgotten you."

William smiled at his friends. Kiki, Lina, and Moses swiveled their ears while continuing to drink.

00000

A red deer walked through another part of the forest. It stopped next to a bush and grabbed a mouthful of leaves. It proceeded to chew them. It heard sounds of explosions, but it paid them no mind. Whinnying came out of nowhere. It looked ahead to see Xena and Gabrielle pulling Argo and Amber along. Solan walked alongside his mother.

Xena rubbed her very visible baby bump. She, her son, and her best friend listened to the distant explosions. Braying caught their attention. They turned to see four red deer running for their lives alongside three gray wolves. Gabrielle looked around as the horses snorted softly. She shook her head in disbelief while groaning irritatingly.

"I can't believe we have found ourselves in another warzone, Xena," Gabrielle grumbled and rolled her eyes.

"Me neither, Gabrielle. At the same time, this is the shortest way to Mela according to the locals," Xena responded.

Gabrielle rubbed her nose. "Many shortcuts have led us into warzones. Thankfully, we have gotten caught up in few of the wars themselves."

"It is possible we will get caught up in this one before we ever get to Mela," Xena whispered seriously.

"I hope that does not happen, Mom," Solan said in much uncertainty.

"I hope not either, Solan, but you never know, right?" Xena asked, looking at her son.

Solan nodded at her. "Right."

Argo and Amber snorted as they swiveled their ears. They emitted soft whinnies before adjusting the bits in their mouths.

"Mela was in the middle of in a terrible drought months ago. Snow White and her allies delivered food, water, and medicine after a messenger journeyed to Tabor and asked for help," Gabrielle explained.

"I can't help but feel sorry for Snow White," Solan said, sadness lining his voice. "She was locked away in a tower for ten years after Ravenna murdered her father and took control of her kingdom. She was outgoing before then. She became timid and naïve during her imprisonment."

"Despite that, she still displayed compassion and courage. She learned how to fight from Eric, a widowed huntsman. She fought Ravenna and defeated her with an army at her side. She is now married to Eric and has him as her bodyguard and second-in-command," Gabrielle pointed out truthfully.

"She rules Tabor with honor and integrity like Magnus did," Xena commented happily.

"It is very unusual that Eric did not become king of Tabor," Gabrielle said in amazement.

"Tabor is very different from most kingdoms," Xena said and exhaled sharply. "It has no taboos against women ruling. A woman can become queen in her own right. She does not have to be a queen consort to a king." She smacked her lips twice.

"Many people do not think women can be fierce warriors either," Gabrielle grumbled with a roll of her eyes.

"You and I have proven them wrong many times, especially when we've been a bit outnumbered," Xena said with pride.

Argo and Amber emitted more soft whinnies. Their mistresses tightened their grip on their reins a little bit.

"This may sound crazy, Mom, but I pity Ravenna," Solan admitted and frowned somewhat. "She suffered many traumas that led her down a terrible path."

"Like me," Xena replied and sighed heavily.

"Exactly," Gabrielle added. "The difference between you two is you turned from your dark path. She continued down hers."

"It was not easy to turn away from that dark path. I was on it for many years until I stopped three men from leaving an abandoned baby to die. I refused to let my army slaughter Hefna for the hell of it. Dagnine accused me of going soft and turned against me along with many other troops. I managed to stop them from destroying the town with those who sided with me. I decided to give up my warrior ways until saving you from being sold into slavery made me reconsider. I began fighting for the greater good. You have kept me on the straight and narrow since then. So has Solan," Xena explained gratefully.

"Life was never meant to be easy. Tales of your exploits reached Tabor at some point," Solan commented.

Xena blew softly. "Oh, yes. Ravenna forbade anyone from speaking my name. She did not want it to inspire hope and strength."

"People like Ravenna live for despair and hopelessness. They are very willing to destroy everything in their path to make sure both stay in minds and hearts," Gabrielle growled angrily.

Solan cleared his throat. "Some people keep coming back. They wear a different face, but they are the same underneath."

"Sometimes, evil can appear in the form of good in order to gain the trust of others," Gabrielle muttered, a fearful shudder coming from her.

"That is why you should always trust your gut instinct. You may have to do something you do not want to do," Xena said.

"I have done that many times since I began traveling with you. Making my first kill twisted me up inside. Then I realized I had to kill to defend myself sometimes. It's not something I want to do, but there are times when I do not have a choice. At some point, Solan will have to face this," Gabrielle murmured.

"The right decision isn't always popular, but everyone can benefit in the end," Xena pointed out.

Gabrielle smiled. "That's right."

Xena felt the baby kick and touched her stomach. She came to a stop, as did her son, her best friend, and the horses. She laughed softly at its kicking once more.

"Solan, Gabrielle, feel this," Xena said and let go of Argo's reins, as did Gabrielle with Amber's. "Come on."

Xena took Solan and Gabrielle's hands to lay them on her stomach. Solan and Gabrielle gasped when the baby kicked twice. They laughed in great delight as they looked at her.

"Those were dropkicks, Mom!" Solan blurted out.

"I know!" Xena commented as she looked up.

"Just like you," Gabrielle said, her smile growing wider.

"We are not alone at all," Xena said as she took hold of Argo's reins and resumed walking. She eyed Gabrielle mimicking both of her actions. Solan walked alongside her. "This child is going to change all of our lives."

"I am going to be very alert, Xena. I am worried about its safety," Gabrielle said in seriousness.

"I am too," Solan added.

"We are known for getting into our share of trouble," Xena said and ran her tongue all over the inside of her mouth.

"Let's hope it does not find us this time," Solan whispered and bit his lip.

"Me too," Xena agreed. "I miss the horse races we had before I learned I was pregnant, Gabrielle. You beat me a couple of times."

"You let me win," Gabrielle answered and smirked.

"I did not," Xena retorted as she shot her a glare.

"Yes, you did," Gabrielle growled playfully.

"No, I did not," Xena said in mock annoyance.

"Yes, you did," Gabrielle said with a giggle.

"No, I did not," Xena commented with a hiss.

"All right," Solan said, waving his hand in the air. "That's enough, Mom, Aunt Gabrielle."

Xena and Gabrielle pulled on the reins. This caused Argo and Amber to walk a tiny bit faster. They snorted as a red deer walked behind them.