GENERAL COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Any indirect or direct reference to Xena, Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction.
The pair trudged down the muddy path. They had been traveling like this for three days and three nights. Never stopping, never resting, not even to drink from the stream that often ran alongside of them. Both the bard and the dark warrior were walking. This was not their normal travel arrangement, But this had not been a normal couple of days. The warrior looked down at her companion and noticed the mud matted thickly in amongst the blond hair, the flecks of blood on parched lips, the dark rings under her eyes. The woman however had no time to worry about the bard as this time her main priority was the third woman, The one laying draped across Argo’s broad back. Eve had not moved in the three days that the party had been on the road and she was still in the same position which her mother had placed her in. She wasn’t awake, or asleep. Those who didn’t know any better might have said that she had consumed to much port but Xena knew different.
Her mind flashed back to where they had been three days before, when her daughter was healthy and knew that if Eve didn’t survive, then those who had done this to her would suffer a fate worse than death.
Gabrielle continued to walk along the road, soaked by the steady downpour they had endured for the last three days. She knew that this time they had really done it and it was at the risk of losing Eve. Gabrielle knew that Xena wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she lost Eve now. They had been through so much just to get her back from her "Livia" thing. This time it seemed that they might really be too late. The blonde bard turned her cropped head toward the girl as if somehow by looking at the slumped form, she might show some sign of life.
Gabrielle fought the weariness she was feeling and knew that Xena would not let herself stop until they had reached their destination. She was determined to be strong for her friend, and if that meant hiking through four days worth of roughing it in the elements then so be it.
Gabrielle remembered the look on Xena’s face when she saw what had become of her child, and felt her heart break all over again. They had to get there in time, They just had to.
Neither women talked, both lost in their own thoughts, feelings and memories. But the determination was there. The determination to save Xena’s child, The child she had only recently gotten to know so well and become close to. Maintaining their silent vigil Xena swore to herself; I didn’t get to see you grow up my love, and I sure ain’t going to lose you now.
As twilight drew in its curtains the women, horse and fallen one walked on.
It was dark and silent where Eve was. If she was honest with herself she didn’t know where she was. It was black and the air around her felt neither warm nor cold. Eve’s mind flashed back. The last thing she remembered was fighting the Persian army with her mother by her side. Eve felt that she was in some kind of semi conscious state. She couldn’t see what was going around her, but could hear the reassuring voices of her mother and Gabrielle. Eve sat down and leant against a wall that she could not see and put her head on her knees. She didn’t know where she was or even why. But the one thing that she did know was that her mother would save her.
Xena’s mind was as it had been for the last three days. A constant blur of images that had brought about this situation and a deep crushing guilt. She knew that she should have somehow prevented this. In truth she had absolutely no idea what was wrong with her daughter, but she knew someone who would and they were on their way there now.
Just another day she thought to herself as she forced her body to obey her mind and push itself past it’s limits. She was aware that her energy was depleting yet if that was what she had to endure to get her daughter back to health then so be it.
She did find it strange though, that the men of Carthean’s army had not killed Eve as they had had ample opportunity before she had gotten to her.
Xena couldn’t summon the energy to persue that line of thought but was determined to after they had made it to the small amazon settlement that was now but 12 hours walk away.
Gabrielles head thumped, her hands and feet were freezing and she was beginning to sneeze. She silently wondered if Eve had confessed to her mother what had happened between her and Carthean. Gabrielle doubted it because if she had then his head would probably be on a stick right about now. Gabrielle was sad that Eve had not confided in Xena, yet pleased that the younger woman had felt comfortable enough to come to her.
At least she told someone about it instead of bottling it up she thought.
Gabrielle lost her footing and fell down into the mud causing her to curse silently. She accepted the broad hand that was offered to her then shot a mandatory scowl at the offending piece of earth.
"How much longer Xena?" she enquired of her best friend.
"I would think no more than another twelve hours" the warrior replied, looking grim.
Gabrielle saw the determination in her friends eyes and attempted to match it.
She placed a comforting arm around the warriors waist and looked up at her.
"Eve will be fine Xena, we’ve been through worse than this before" she asserted. Attempting to reassure the woman that was her family, friends and companion all rolled into one.
The warrior only frowned in response.
"I hope so Gabrielle, I really do"
TBC
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