By
Ambyrhawke Shadowsinger
Copyright © June 25, 1999 Ambyrhawke Shadowsinger
All Rights Reserved
about who have legal rights to Xena: Warrior Princess. Of course I wish I owned 'em...not only would I be quite rich, but I'd also get
to meet ROC, LL and all the other actors! This story is not meant to infringe on the rights of the copyright holders. I'm not making a
penny off of it; it's just an attempt to temporarily alleviate Xena Withdrawal Syndrome.
Everything and anyone you don't readily recognize from an episode, however, is mine.
Specific Story Disclaimers:
Spoilers: This story deals with events in and following "Ides of March." As such, if you haven't seen the end of season four and
don't want it ruined, consider this your warning. If you continue reading passed this sentence don't come crying to me.
Violence: Yes, there is violence. It's a bit unavoidable given the episode with which I'm dealing. However, it is not extensive or gory
by any means.
Subtext: Ah yes, our favorite disclaimer. This story depicts a loving relationship between two women. In case you haven't noticed,
Xena and Gabrielle have only said, "I love you" about a million times or so on the show. If the idea of two women loving each other
offends you, is illegal in your state, or you are under 18, you have been warned. If you're looking for a steamy and explicit story,
keep looking elsewhere; they're out there, but this isn't one of them.
Special thanks: To Chica, who spent a year asking, "When are you gonna stop reading those stories and write your own?" To
Mrs. LaCroix...here's another knot in my counting rope. And especially to Meja, who kept asking every two pages, "What happens
next?"
All feedback is welcome at Ambyrhawke@ambyrhawke.com
become lax in their confidence that no ordinary man would actually approach a Roman prison of their own
free will. However, the Warrior Princess was far from ordinary, and definitely not a man. Though they had
been slow to react to the alarm, the barracks were suddenly boiling with soldiers like a disturbed ant's nest.
Xena and Amarice held off the guards as Eli and his followers made their way to the gate. Gabrielle flung an
arm out towards the thickest part of the forest, "Head for the woods and don't stop. Eli, keep them
together...and stay away from the roads."
"What about you?"
Gabrielle shook her head, "I won't leave without Xena. Now go!" A moment passed as blue eyes pled with
green. But the plea was rejected with a determination that would not be swayed. With a small nod, Eli
turned to follow the others towards the forest.
A quick glance around the courtyard showed Xena cutting down Romans as fast as they engaged her. The
sand turned a darker red with each new kill. As the bard ran over to Amarice, the Amazon flipped a young
soldier over and smashed the pommel of her sword between his shoulder blades.
Gabrielle pulled the redhead towards the gate, "Amarice, I want you to go with Eli and the others. You
have to protect them."
"No!"
"Please Amarice. Xena and I will divert the soldiers away from you. We'll catch up with you in a few
candlemarks. Go on!"
"I won't run away from a fight...."
Green eyes flashed hotly into Amarice, "Then as an Amazon Princess, I order you to see to the safety of Eli
and his followers!"
The young woman's jaw fell open, then clamped shut on her initial mutinous response. She gave a stiff bow,
"Yes, my Princess." Swallowing hard, she added, "Be careful." Then she was gone.
It was almost time for Gabrielle and Xena to lead the prison guards on a wild goose chase. There were only
a few more men in the way of the gate. That's when Gabrielle heard Callisto. She looked up to see the
madwoman throw Xena's chakram. She stood there watching it slam into Xena's spine with a sickening
thud. It fell to the ground, broken in two, an omen of ill fortune.
Gabrielle saw the shocked expression in the blue eyes, and a chill ran through her body. Everything seemed
to move in slow motion. This can't be happening. Xena's the one who catches arrows out of a sound
sleep. But the warrior toppled face down before her.
The bard kept trying to make sense of what was going on when she saw the soldier running up to make the
kill. She was torn between helping her friend and doing nothing when Amarice's words to Eli sounded in her
mind, "If someone threatened your mother, would you fight to defend her?" The question which had
seemed so amusing in theory now struck a lightening bolt of truth in her soul. She would do whatever had to
be done to protect the woman with whom she had made a life over the past four years.
Picking up a spear, Gabrielle threw it with all her might. It imbedded itself squarely in the soldier's chest;
stopping when the blade hit his spine. As time sped up again, Gabrielle took up Xena's sword. The world
dropped away, leaving the blond reacting faster than thought; meeting each new threat to her friend in turn.
