GENERAL COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and back-story are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. The story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way and may not be republished without the author's consent. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices. All works remain the (c) copyright of the original author.
This story might be considered a Hurt/Comfort tale so to those who don't particularly like these types of stories should probably read something else.
This is another small vignette that I wrote for the Bard's Village Winter Challenge and by golly, I got third prize!. Thank you to everyone in the Bards Village for your support and for writing such great stories day in and day out. You make a fanfic lover drool on a daily basis. Hope you all like it. If not, then comments would be appreciated as to why. Then again, any comments would be greatly appreciated. = )
Chance Encounter
by Crys
~ February 2nd, 2001 ~
It was a trail that led me to an isolated shack on that fateful night; a trail of bright, ruby drops glistening upon the wind-swept snow. The pristine surface, marred by the one before me, had entranced me as I trudged sluggishly through its depths. Small, frozen furrows were viciously cut deeper by the raging wind as tiny snow particles danced across the ripples. Hiding beneath the thick cloak, I had earned at the last town, I kept moving, following the prints that lay ahead of me. Stepping into the deep troughs I gave a sigh of thanks to the one that formed them. The snow was already up past my knees and there was no relief in sight as the storm blustered around me.
I had left the road candlemarks before, seeking cover within the thick forest. Within a candlemark I was lost and sought that which would free me from winter's deadly embrace. It was only until I exited the grove that I came upon the ruddy path which led me across the wildness into safety. How long I had walked I do not know, however, the end slowly came into sight as the bloody marks grew larger and larger. I knew it was foolhardy to be out on a day such as that, yet it was one of necessity. For to stop moving was surely to welcome death, and I was too young to relinquish my life to the Gods. I had been travelling for days and knew that shelter would come my way eventually. It always did.
Why was I out on such a day, you ask? It is what I do - wandering the countryside, bringing my stories to those that would hear. I ask of you, what travelling bard demands that his audience comes to him? If I can please you with my tales then I have already found Elysium. It is as simple as that. Now, where was I? Oh yes, I was seeking shelter.
Now you must understand, dusk was approaching as I travelled onward, my eyes steadfast upon the bloody trail, hence I was deeply alarmed when it ended abruptly. I believe the cold must have numbed my mind for where the blood ended so did the footprints, and I was momentarily perplexed on how that came to be. It was only until I lifted my eyes to the horizon that I noticed the desolate shack suddenly looming only a few handspans away from me. If I had not been so engrossed I would have surely run straight into the building. You may laugh at my idiocy, I surely did after I came to my senses.
Though the hut was made of sturdy timber it was as blanched as a dove's breast. It was by all counts and measures perfectly hidden from sight within the furor of snow that swirled around me. There was nary a window nor chimney to speak of, which bewildered me, for the building could have easily housed half a dozen soldiers. Who would place such a structure in the middle of nowhere if not for the use by man? It was only until I looked upon this strange erection that I realised how foolhardy I had been. I, a lone bard, had followed an injured man a great distance, with no thought to my own defence should he believe me to be the one who sought to slay him. It was at that moment I knew my life was forfeit. I had travelled too great a distance to turn back from whence I came. I had no means to defend myself, if need be, from the person that lay within.
With a heavy heart I set my fate and grasped the thin handle that led me to my destiny. Before I could enter though, I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, my own shadow grow along the doorframe until it engulfed the whole door. Hyperion had been blanketed in the white maelstrom during the day, thus I was disconcerted by this sudden event. I claim temporary lunacy for not realising that it was not my own shadow but that of the other I had followed. Within less then a heartbeat I felt a strike to the back of my neck and was rendered unaware.
I do not know how long I was out. When I awoke I was inside the shack and wrapped within a thick blanket so tightly that I could move neither arms nor legs. A small fire burnt fitfully in a hearth opposite of me as a thin trail of smoke meandered up towards a thin sleeve of silk that covered, what would have been, a chimney. The cloth was deeply stained with soot at its core, yet still revealed its bright blue lustre on the outer edges. My earlier assumption about the building was wrong and as I looked around the other was thrown out the very windows that rested within all four walls. Covered with ice and snow they were invisible from the outside while being relatively useless for those that were within.
As my eyes grew accustomed to the dim light I noticed my trusty satchel, lying by my feet, had been upturned and all of my possessions had been scattered about. My anger at this invasion of privacy dissipated swiftly as I turned my head and beheld the very person that had done the deed. He was sitting against the wall to my left, head bowed, knees pulled tightly to his chest. Enveloped in a dark cloak with hood his body and face were hidden from my view, his fingers being the only visible flesh. They were remarkably long and fine, grasping the pummel of a fairly large broadsword that rested between his dirt-stained boots. The sword shimmered from the flickering flames, highlighting the russet stains that had baptised the blade with blood. My eye was drawn to the pummel for I had never seen one so ornately carved. It was made of ivory, intricately carved with designs I could not discern, with a perfect sapphire embedded in its centre. Despite its savage beauty I had to look away as a shiver crawled up my spine. The sudden urge to flee nearly overwhelmed me as I slowed my quickening breath and stilled my beating heart.
I believe I laid there for over a candlemark as my muscles knitted from their confinement. When I thought I couldn't take it anymore a smooth, low alto voice called out to me from the shadow.
"Are you uncomfortable?"
I gasped at the sudden break in the silence and wrenched my neck as I spun my head towards my captor. I fell into a stupor as his hood fell back and revealed fevered blue eyes gazing at me underneath charcoal bangs. I could only nod dumbly as the sudden revelation that my captor was female sunk into my fuddled brain. I had deluded myself into thinking that only a man could survive such a long trek, through a snowstorm, with a wound such as she must have had. I was greatly mistaken.
"Do you not speak?" she asked me lightly as the warrior woman slowly unfurled her body, grimacing at the obvious pain she was in.
I nodded again as I marvelled at her height while she slowly stood up, using her sword as an aid. Though you may think me daft, the mystery of the woman towering over me beguiled my thoughts and thus rendered me speechless. A single eyebrow hitched in amusement as she smirked at my silence while my mouth held fast to it.
I followed her movement as she waked over to the opposite end of the shack, towards a large saddlebag that rested upon a low bench. Placing her sword upon the bench she rummaged through her bags, seeking something unclear to me. A grunt was my only clue that she found what she was looking for, as her body blocked most of my view. Flipping the saddlebags cover shut she turned around to reveal a waterskin in one hand and a small pouch in the other. Grasping the skin's stopper in pearly white teeth she pulled it out and proceeded to dump whatever contents were in the pouch. Satisfied that she had poured enough she spat the cork onto her saddlebag and placed her thumb over the skin's opening, shaking it vigorously a few times while laying the pouch onto the bench. After a few more shakes she sniffed the waterskin's contents before walking towards me.
I must have looked properly frightened at that moment because I was graced with a slight smile as she shook her head, releasing more hair from around the hood. It fell upon her neck and shoulders like a wild mane, hiding her fiercely beautiful face even more from me.
"You're dehydrated and this is all I have to offer," she said simply as her shadow leisurely moved up my body like a lover's caress. Kneeling beside my waist she reached forward and pressed two fingers into my collarbone, suddenly freeing me from a paralysis I never realised I was in.
My muscles twitched with relief as I slowly pushed the blanket from my upper body and stretched my aching shoulders. Before I could move even more the woman placed a firm hand on my chest, instantly stilling any further movement from me.
"Don't move too much just yet. Your body needs a few minutes to adjust back to its normal blood flow."
I nodded yet again as she stayed where she was and regarded me with such an intense look that I felt naked beneath her gaze. After an adequate amount of time had passed she lifted her hand, and sat back on her heels, as a sudden chill fell upon the spot where her warmth had left me. I shuffled back a bit and warily sat up, unsure about making any sudden movements. Though she was unarmed, I had hoped, I could easily read the dangerous intent lying at the surface of those pale orbs. I truly believed that she could kill me with her bare hands alone and did not want to test that theory.
Taking a rather large swig of the waterskin the warrior woman held it out to me, waiting for my response. Though my mouth was bone dry I couldn't will my hands to take the offering as she patiently waited for me find my resolve. A waft of sweet, pungent wine met my nose and my courage soared as I grasped the skin and took a rather large sip. It was at that moment that I chose to breathe, nearly choking on the liquid. The woman smirked at my distress as I coughed out an apology at my lack of manners.
"I'm sorry."
"So you do speak," she jested as I handed the skin back to her. "That's good. What is your name?"
I was a bit shy in revealing too much about myself, but I had decided that a name would not be too much to offer in thanks for the drink. "Gabrielle."
"Gabrielle," she drawled back, seemingly tasting each syllable on her tongue. "I like it. It becomes you."
"Thank you," I acquiesced meekly as I lowered my gaze from hers. Though I was nearly beside myself to discover the name of this strange, enigmatic woman I was not brave enough to query back.
"Well, Gabrielle. It looks like we are here together until the storm abates," she remarked as I started to feel the effects of the drug induced wine. Every nerve ending in my body started to tingle as a rush of adrenalin coursed through my body and a surge of heat radiated from my toes up to my neck and face. She must have noticed the change in my demeanour as she stood back up and went towards the bench, seeking the stopper.
"You will feel that way for a few candlemarks. It'll help heal your body more quickly then rest can right now." After the cork was firmly placed back in the skin she tossed it into the saddlebag before sitting herself down onto the bench. Reaching for her sword the woman sucked in a sharp breath and clutched her side as her eyes closed tightly from the pain.
I was suddenly fearful for her as I bolted to my feet, unsure what I could do to help. It was only a brief moment before her eyes opened again and she noticed that I was now standing. Shock was clearly reflected in her eyes as she noticed my look of futility. Waving her hand in my direction she released her side and leant back against the wall, her head resting on the cold timber.
"Do not be alarmed. It is nothing and will not be a problem in a few candlemarks," she tried to reassure me as I stood rooted to my spot.
"You are badly injured," I whispered, unsure how she would react to my statement.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she chewed the inside of her cheek before nodding in agreement. "I am, but it need not concern you."
"How can I help?" I inquired, surprising not only her but myself as well. It was at that moment that I knew I had nothing to fear from her. Call it intuition, perception, what have you may, but I knew in the pith of my soul that I was safe within her presence.
"There is nothing you can do," the woman sighed as she turned towards the window by her head and placed her hand upon the glass. "The wind is dying. You'll be able to leave when the night is through."
I momentarily felt elated at this news but my empathy for the woman warrior pushed that aside as I took a hesitant step towards her. "Is there nothing I can do to repay you for your generosity?"
She smiled briefly before a profound sadness swept across her features. I was startled at this sudden change and felt a tightness to my chest when I realised that the woman before me was unaccustomed to compassion.
"If you so wish, there is one thing that I would ask," she spoke hesitantly, unsure whether her request would be acceded to or not.
"Ask and I will do my utmost to make it so," I answered honestly, desiring that she would hear the sincerity in my voice.
"When I go, will you stop others from finding me?"
I puzzled over this strange request as I did not know who would seek her out, nor where she would go that my help would be needed for. Despite my misgivings and questions I agreed readily. "I promise to do as you ask."
She turned back towards me and nodded with acceptance as she sought my eyes. Where I once felt naked in body with her gaze I now felt naked to my soul as she searched for something from me that I was unsure I had to give. Her emotions were laid bare before me as I held the contact, her azure eyes swirling from pain and the drugs she had ingested. I could read failure and triumph, bravery and cowardice, contempt and desire within those orbs. Though it was the hatred that scared me the most. I had never met another soul who had truly hated without knowing its opposite of love. I wept at this revelation.
It was she who broke contact first as her body suddenly started to convulse. I rushed forward and held onto her tightly as she succumbed to the shakes until her body had exhausted itself. When she was finally still I helped her down onto the pallet I had previously occupied, and wrapped the blanket around her body. Though she fought me at first I finally convinced her to remove her cloak. That one moment will forever be burnt in my memory as I looked upon her body and beheld what most men coveted.
She was as perfect as the Gods themselves. Long, powerful limbs held well-toned muscles from years of combat while her body had lost none of its alluring feminine qualities. Her shoulders were handsomely set and her refined waist tapered into perfectly shaped hips. Her body had been bronzed by the years under Helios' rays and stood in stark contrast to the numerous scars that marked her as a true warrior.
Though, it was the wound that I will never forget. To say it was massive would be an understatement for it covered nearly three-quarters of her trunk, from the side of her breast down to her hip. It was enflamed with infection and I wondered at how she could have moved around the sanctuary of the shack, let alone out in the elements as she had done. She had covered it with a blue gown and I no longer wondered where the silk that acted as a chimney had come from.
Once I had her as comfortable as was possible I settled into the night to watch over her. She struggled for many hours, losing consciousness for longer and longer periods as I wiped her brow or allowed her to drink from the wineskin. I told many heroic tales to ease her mind and listened as she told me of her childhood in brief patches as she grew increasingly weaker and weaker. When her fever started to rage even further I climbed under the blanket to give her my own warmth as she began to confess her crimes. She never asked for forgiveness and I never gave it, for who was I to judge. Even when she was at death's door she was proud in her bearing and called out to me for the final time.
"Gabrielle, will you remember me?" she asked hoarsely as her voice began to lose its warm timber after her last bout of coughing.
"I will always remember you," I answered as my tears spilt down upon her brow.
"I wish..." she stopped as her eyes began to cloud over with death's final grasp.
"You wish what?" I pressed, knowing within my heart that she needed this last confession before Hades called her to Charon's boat.
"I wish I had met you earlier in my life," she whispered as I held my ear towards her mouth. "I would have been proud to call you my friend."
I placed a small kiss to her lips before answering as her eyes cleared momentarily, waiting for my reply. "No, it is I who is proud to call you friend."
A small lopsided grin formed on those cherry lips as she released her final breath, "Friend."
I stayed with her body till morning and broke fast on the meagre supplies she had in her saddlebags. I had thought my crying was done for until I found a small painting of her on her mare, Argo, nestled at the bottom of the bag. It was an image I truly wished I could have seen in the flesh. Warrior and war horse, standing proud upon a golden plain while a battle raged around them. After a few moments I was able to compose myself and closed the bag. Grasping her sword I started the task of cleaning it, along with her armour, until it shone as brightly as the day it was forged. When I was finished I dressed her in her armour and placed her sword atop her breast with her hands clasped over the pummel. Placing a light kiss to her brow I said my final goodbye and left the shack with torch in hand.
As I stepped outside Helios' rays blinded me momentarily while a morning dove crooned as it flew overhead. Whispering a prayer I lit the wine-soaked door and watched as the flames hungrily fed upon the old wood. I watched the building slowly become engulfed in the blaze before I headed off, never to see it or her again.
So ends the story of my chance encounter with the Conqueror. Thank you for listening to my tale.
Fini
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