A Life Worth Living Part 14

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement was intended. Xena and Gabrielle belong to Rob Tapert and Co. This story is based on the love between two consenting adults of the same gender. If this offends you etc, please don’t read on. This story depicts a number of scenes of violence with one in particular that some may find disturbing. Please be warned. There’s also some mild bad language.

Dedication: For Suzanne, Declan, Sham and Sham’s Mam… that ‘Chicken ala Sham’s Mam’ was gorgeous!

Xena ducked as her daughter threw another handful of sand at her. The grit landed in her long dark hair and she frowned in exasperation.

"Yeah, thanks. Just washed my hair and you have to go and throw sand at me."

"Must be taking lessons from her mother," Gabrielle pointed out as she walked by carrying two large fish.

"Which one?" Xena asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The tall, dark and deadly one," the bard replied with a grin.

"Gabrielle, you’re neither tall nor dark… Hey!" Xena grimaced as a fish head caught her right on the cheek. "Good shot, yeah," she went on as she wiped her face with a towel.

"You asked for that," Gabrielle stated. Xena just sighed and looked out over the lake that had been their neighbour over the previous two weeks.

Seridicies looked down at the Warrior Princess and her friend from his perch in a tall tree. He grinned, revealing crooked, rotten teeth and loaded a short arrow. He raised the bow and aimed carefully.

"Xena, pass me that towel, will you please?"

The warrior leaned over to pick up the cloth and threw it to Gabrielle.

"I was just thinking about Mother. I hope Amphipolis is doing ok," Xena said as she played with her daughter. The bard glanced at her partner and smiled as she wiped her hands.

"I’m sure everything’s fine. The Amazons are still there. They’ll make sure everyone’s…" She suddenly stopped and a pained look came to her face. Xena looked over at her as she waited for her to finish what she was saying.

"Gabrielle?"

The bard reached behind her and then looked at her hand.

"Xena…" she said softly and extended her hand to her. It was covered in blood. She slumped forward and Xena was at her side in an instant. Her expression of shock turned to horror when she saw the arrow protruding from her lifebond’s back. Gabrielle was holding herself up on one hand and the pain was excruciating as it lanced through her.

"It’s ok," Xena said softly as she looked around. She couldn’t see anyone and she had no idea where the arrow had come from. Neither herself nor Gabrielle had sensed it coming. "Just relax, I’ve got you." She gently laid the bard face down across her lap and examined the wound carefully. "Gabrielle, I need you to breathe deeply, ok?"

"It hurts," the bard replied in a shaky voice but she did her best to take a deep breath. Xena leaned down and placed her ear against her soulmate’s back, listening carefully. She sighed with relief as she heard the breath clearly.

"The arrow missed your lung," she stated. "Gabrielle, I have to get this out of you."

"I know. Do it, Xena."

Seridicies watched as Xena cut into her partner’s back and quickly extracted the arrow. He saw her stitch and bandage the wound and chuckled as he loaded another arrow. He pulled back on the bowstring and released it but he tensed with shock as the Warrior Princess caught the arrow in a steady hand.

As Xena was finishing tending to Gabrielle’s wound, she heard the whistle of air and her instincts took over. Her hand shot out and she caught the second arrow, holding it in place and following its trajectory back to its owner.

Seridicies almost wet himself with fear as the Warrior Princess’ cold, blue eyes locked with his own. He scrambled out of the tree and dropped to the ground, taking off as fast as he could. After a long time running, he slowed down and looked back. He couldn’t see anyone behind him and he sighed with relief. He slowed to a walk but as he passed by a large tree, a hand shot out and grabbed him by the front of his shirt.

"Son of a Bacchae!" he cursed as two fingers jabbed his neck and he dropped to his knees, gasping for breath.

"Hello Seridicies," Xena said coldly. "Long time no see. I’ve just cut off the flow of blood to your brain. You’ll be dead in thirty seconds if you don’t tell me what the hell you’re doing shooting arrows at my partner."

"Orders… from Aurestus… wanted… the bard… dead," Seridicies choked out.

"Why?"

"Don’t know… just following orders…"

Xena jabbed his neck again, releasing the pressure point and hauled him to his feet. She leaned in close to him and narrowed her eyes.

"I should kill you, you worthless piece of horse dung but I want you to take a message back to Aurestus for me. Tell him Xena says that if he wants the map, he’ll have to come and get it himself, got it?" The man nodded and Xena pushed him away from her. "The next time I see you near my family, you die," she growled and then spun him around. She kicked him in the backside and he stumbled off into the woods as fast as his shaking legs would carry him. Xena shook her head as she watched him run and then headed back to her camp. Gabrielle was lying on her bedroll with her daughter cradled in the crook of her arm. Xena sat down beside her and took her hand.

"How are you feeling?" she asked worriedly.

"It hurts like Hades," the bard replied. "But I can handle it. Did you find him?"

"Yeah, I did. It was an old soldier of mine. He’s working for the warlord Aurestus. I have something belonging to Aurestus and he’s looking to get it back."

"What do you have?" Gabrielle asked.

"A map. It’s said to lead the way to a supply of ambrosia," the warrior replied.

"Ambrosia? Xena, we can’t let that fall into his hands."

The warrior nodded slowly and then stared out over the crystal clear water of the lake.

"I don’t intend to, Gabrielle. He’s going to come after me and I’m going to kill him."

"Just like that?" Gabrielle asked, her tone disapproving.

"He sent his best archer after you, Gabrielle. I am NOT letting him get away with that!" Xena retorted angrily.

"Xena, you don’t have to kill him."

"What do you want me to do? Give him a slap on the hand and tell him he’s bad? Gabrielle, this guy is ruthless!"

"How do you know, Xena?"

"I know him. I know him very well. I used to ride with him."

"I see," the bard replied and closed her eyes.

Xena saw the hurt look on her face and shook her head quickly.

"No, it wasn't like that, Gabrielle. We weren’t lovers. He used me for as long as he needed my skills as a warrior and then he tried to have me killed. He sent six men after me… men I had considered to be my friends… and I had to kill them."

"Xena, killing isn’t the solution to everything."

The Warrior Princess got to her feet and shook her head.

"You’re right… but sometimes you just don’t have a choice. Gabrielle, you know that better than anyone!" she said, her voice loud. Just then, Gabby began to cry and Xena bent down to pick her up. "I’m sorry, Cutie," she said.

"Xe?" Gabby said, her face tear streaked.

"Yes?"

"Wuv Mama?"

"Yes, Sweetie. Xe loves Mama."

She kissed the little girl on the forehead and then sat her down beside her mother.

"Gabrielle, I’m sorry but this is something I have to do."

The bard looked up at her and shook her head.

"You do not have to do this. Xena, are you willing to throw away everything?" Her voice shook with emotion and Xena was suddenly scared.

"Everything? Gabrielle, what are you saying?"

"I’m saying that if you do this, I’m going home to the Amazon Village with Gabby."

"You’re leaving me?" the warrior asked incredulously.

"If that’s what it takes to make you see sense. Xena, I love you. Please… don’t do this. You’re not like that anymore."

The pleading look on her soulmate’s face melted Xena’s heart and she pulled her gently into her arms.

"Alright, Gabrielle," she whispered. "But if he comes after us, I’m going to do anything I have to, to protect you and Gabby."

"WHAT? YOU IDIOT! YOU LET HER CATCH YOU?"

"I’m sorry, Sir. She caught the second arrow I fired at the bard and tracked me as I tried to leave. Sir, she put that pinch thing of hers on me so I had no choice but to tell her who wanted the bard dead."

Seridicies knew that he was very close to losing his life as Aurestus slammed his fist down on the table hard enough to scatter the mugs sitting on it but he was very surprised when the warlord calmed down and moved closer to him.

"What did she say when you told her?"

"She told me to bring you a message. She said ’Tell him Xena says that if he wants the map, he’s going to have to come and get it himself.’"

The warlord scratched his unshaven chin thoughtfully as he paced back and forth across his command tent.

"Seridicies, does that sound like a challenge to you?"

"Uh… yes, Sir."

"Tell the men to get ready to move. We’re going after her. I want that map and I intend to get it." Seridicies moved toward the door of the tent but Aurestus placed a hand on his shoulder. "One more thing. I want her and that bard dead."

"Yes, Sir," the soldier replied curtly and ducked out of the tent.

"Don’t tell her that one!" Xena exclaimed with a laugh.

Gabrielle shook her head and sighed.

"It’s the only one I can think of that doesn’t involve violence of some sort. I never realised how difficult it is to tell a non-violent story about you."

"Well, why don’t you make something up?" the warrior replied with a shrug.

"Make something up? Uh… ok… I can do that."

Gabrielle launched into a story and Xena lay back on her bedroll. She laced her fingers behind her head but and tried to relax but she was uneasy. The attack on Gabrielle and the business with Aurestus was weighing heavily on her mind. She closed her eyes and thought back to her time riding with him.

"Xena?"

Gabrielle’s soft voice startled the warrior out of her thoughts.

"Hmmm?"

"Where were you?"

Xena chuckled and sat up, leaning back on her hands.

"I was in the past. I was thinking about Aurestus."

"Want to tell me about it?"

"Uh… no… I mean… there’s nothing to tell. We rode together for a few months and then he tried to kill me for the map. I got away with it and hid it in a safe place."

"Where did you hide it?" the bard asked.

"Well, when I say hid it… that’s not entirely the truth. I memorized it and then burnt it."

"So you’ve known where ambrosia was for all this time?"

"Yep!"

"Xena, why didn’t you…"

"I told Callisto that I didn’t want that responsibility. I meant it." The warrior stood up and lifted her daughter into her arms. "Being a god is limiting in some ways, Gabrielle. I wouldn’t have this if I was one and this is the most important thing to me… having a family of my own."

Gabrielle got painfully to her feet and kissed her soulmate gently on the lips.

"Yeah, you’re right. I love you, Xena."

"Me too," the warrior replied with a quirky grin.

"Move out!"

Aurestus waved his hand and then nudged his warhorse into a walk. His men lined up behind him and they marched out of their now discarded camp. The warlord’s cold green eyes darted from side to side as he rode. His back was tense and his senses were on full alert and the truth was, he was looking forward to going up against Xena again. She had humiliated him the last time they had met and he wanted to return the favour ten fold. She had also killed his teenage son, who had been leading the party Aurestus had sent to kill her so many years ago. She had ruined his life and now he wanted to ruin hers by destroying everything she loved… starting with the little bard that tagged along with her. His hand closed over the hilt of his sword and he squeezed it absently as he tried to picture the look of shock and grief on her face when he finally got to plunge his sword into the bard’s body. A cold smile rose to his lips and he urged his mount into a canter, enjoying the movement of the powerful horse under him. Finally, he slowed and beckoned to Seridicies.

"How long before we get there?" he asked.

"Not much longer," the soldier replied. "Only another few hours."

"Good," Aurestus muttered. "In a few hours, Xena will be dead and I’ll be free to find the ambrosia."

"Gabrielle, wake up!"

Xena shook the bard hard and she jerked awake.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I’m not sure but I have the feeling that we’re going to find out soon. Gabrielle, I want you to take Gabby somewhere safe. I’ll come find you when I’m sure everything’s ok."

"Xena, I don’t want to leave you."

"I know but I need to know that you and the baby are ok. I’ll be more focussed that way."

Gabrielle frowned but agreed.

"Alright, Xena but please… be careful."

"I will. Go on, Gabrielle get moving."

The warrior handed her partner her bag and bedroll and watched as her lifebond carried her daughter away and into the surrounding trees. Gabrielle’s back was hurting badly when she finally found a small cave and gratefully sat her daughter on the ground just inside the entrance. She laid out her bedroll and lay down, closing her eyes against the steady throb from her wound. Gabby climbed up onto her and lay on her stomach but Gabrielle didn’t even have the energy to move her away. The baby fell asleep and soon Gabrielle followed.

Xena looked down from her perch in a tall tree and watched as Aurestus army marched below her. The warlord was talking in a low voice to Seridicies but even Xena’s exceptional hearing couldn’t pick up what he was saying. She scowled, moved to another lower branch and then dropped out the tree. Xena crept silently through the brush, following the army as it moved and finally they reached the campsite she and Gabrielle had been using.

"They were right here," Seridicies said, pointing at the ground. "Look, there’s blood there. They must have moved on after I shot the bard."

"Dammit," Aurestus muttered to himself but he suddenly spun as he heard a low, sensual voice float to him.

"Looking for me?"

Xena stood her ground with her sword held out in front of her as Aurestus moved closer to her, scowling menacingly.

"Xena," he growled. "How have you been?"

"Fine, no thanks to you," the warrior growled back. Then she smiled sarcastically. "Found the ambrosia yet?"

Aurestus blood boiled and he waved his hand.

"Get her!"

The soldiers all converged on the Warrior Princess but she leapt into the air and flipped over them, trilling her war cry and landing behind them with a soft thud. She spun and met the first sword attack. Sparks flew as she fought soldier after soldier, cutting each one down as he attacked. She heard a noise behind her and whirled bringing her sword up for the killing blow but she froze and her eyes grew wide as she was faced with a soldier… a boy… barely out of childhood. That split second cost her dearly. A sword smashed into the side of her head and she dropped to the ground, fighting to stay conscious but a swift kick in the face knocked her out completely. Xena’s piercing blue eyes rolled back and her world faded into darkness.

Gabrielle paced back and forward in front of the entrance to the cave. Three days had passed and she was frantic with worry. She knew that Xena would have had no trouble finding her, had she wanted to and the bard knew that something had happened to her. She stopped suddenly and made a decision. She would have to go after her lifebond. Gabrielle picked Gabby up along with her bag and bedroll and travelled for three hours to the next village. She entered the tavern and leaned heavily on the bar, the pain from her wound still causing her problems. The innkeeper smiled at her.

"What can I do for you, Miss?" he asked.

"I need someone to look after my daughter for a few days. My… uh… partner needs my help."

"The town midwife is very experienced. I’m sure she’d look after your little one for you."

He gave Gabrielle directions to the healer’s house and the bard ran as fast as she could there. The midwife was a kind-hearted woman and Gabrielle felt better about leaving Gabby behind when she spoke to the woman. Then she kissed her little girl goodbye and left the village to return to their previous camp.

Xena awoke to a pounding headache. She tried to open her eyes but she moaned softly in pain as she realised that they were swollen almost completely shut. She had been severely beaten and every muscle in her body was aching. She licked dry, cracked lips and forced her eyes open as much as she could. Her vision was blurred but she knew she was in Aurestus’ camp. As her vision slowly cleared, a scarred, unshaven face appeared before her and her head snapped to the side as Aurestus punched her squarely in the jaw.

"You’re going to wish you’d never been born," he whispered into her ear and then punched her hard in the stomach. Xena’s breath rushed from her lungs and she gasped for air, slumping forward but her bindings kept her in place, giving her little room for movement. "Tell me where my map is," Aurestus demanded. Xena licked her lips again and sucked in a lungful of air.

"Go to hell," she croaked and then gritted her teeth as the warlord punched her again. She knew she had at least two broken ribs and the pain was almost unbearable but she refused to give him the satisfaction of hearing her scream, even though, right at that moment, she was closer to it than she had ever been before. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut and thought of Gabrielle as the warlord continued to beat her but not a sound came from her lips. Aurestus grabbed her hair and pulled her head back hard but she just forced a tiny smile, driving him into a rage.

"Tell me where my map is!" he yelled.

"Ok," she replied, surprising the Hades out of him. He leaned in close to her and nodded.

"Closer," she prompted, and he leaned in so close that her mouth was practically touching his ear.

"Sorry, Sir, my horse ate it," she whispered and then chuckled lightly, despite her pain.

"You stupid whore!" Aurestus spat and slammed her head back into the tree she was tied to, leaving a deep cut in her scalp. Xena felt the blood run down her neck and then her world went black again.

Gabrielle crept closer to Aurestus camp. It had been easy to follow the army’s tracks and she had arrived shortly before dawn. Her emerald green eyes scanned the area, quickly counting guards and she smiled.

"Only six… hmmm…" she muttered quietly and drew her sais from her boots, wincing at the sharp pain from her wound. She closed her eyes and forced the pain back. She waited for the sun to rise and then moved silently into the camp. Most of the soldiers were still asleep and she moved from tent to tent keeping out of sight of the randomly placed, sleepy guards but as she rounded the last tent, her eyes widened in horror.

"Oh gods… Xena…" Gabrielle whispered as she saw her lifebond slumped forward against the ropes binding her to a tree. The warrior was clearly unconscious and the bard could see the blood streaking her face and running down her neck. Xena’s face was battered and almost unrecognisable and severe bruising marred her upper body and legs. Her long dark hair was matted with blood and hung over her eyes. Tears rose to Gabrielle’s eyes as she circled around the camp and came up behind her lover.

"Xena?" she said softly as she ducked her head out from behind the tree. The warrior didn’t move. "Xena?" she said again, this time, shaking her gently. Xena stirred and opened her eyes as best she could, groaning with pain. "It’s alright, Honey, I’m here. I’m going to get you out of here."

"Gabrielle… go… too dangerous…" the warrior croaked groggily.

"I’m not leaving here without you," the bard replied fiercely as she used her sai to cut one of Xena’s wrists free but the warrior couldn’t even stand. She swung around, supported only by her still bound arm and groaned again as every muscle in her body protested. Gabrielle looked around carefully and when she saw the nearest guard had his back to her, she stepped around the tree and cut Xena’s other wrist free. The warrior literally fell into her arms and Gabrielle took her entire weight. She pulled her back behind the tree and into the woods, straining her own muscles to keep them moving. Xena became a little more lucid as they moved and Gabrielle sighed with relief as the warrior willed enough strength into her shaking legs to walk with Gabrielle’s help. They moved quickly and as quietly as possible away from the camp.

"She got away? SHE GOT AWAY?"

Aurestus screamed his fury and plunged his sword into the messenger’s stomach. The man’s eyes widened in shock and pain and then rolled back as the warlord kicked him off his blade.

"Seridicies!"

Aurestus’ lieutenant entered the tent immediately.

"Yes, Sir?"

"I want Xena FOUND!"

"Yes, Sir. Right away."

"And get someone to get rid of this carcass."

Seridicies exited the tent and gathered a small group of soldiers.

"You men come with me and make sure you’re well armed. We’re going after the Warrior Princess."

Gabrielle gently sponged the blood away from her lifebond’s face. She was crying softly and wiped the back of her hand across her nose as her eyes travelled over the warrior’s battered body. Almost every inch of Xena’s body was deeply bruised and numerous cuts and gashes seeped blood. Gabrielle had taken care of the deep gash in the warrior’s scalp first and now she was treating the others. Xena moaned softly as the pain brought her nearer to consciousness and Gabrielle gently stroked her hair away from her swollen eyes.

"Xena, can you hear me?" she asked softly.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yes, it’s me, Honey. Everything’s going to be ok. Just lie still."

"Gabby…" Xena said, trying to open her eyes.

"It’s ok, she’s safe. I left her with the midwife in the next village," the bard replied.

"I’m sorry," Xena whispered. "I never meant for this to happen… the kid… I froze…"

Gabrielle kissed her gently on the one spot on her face that wasn't injured.

"Sshhh, don’t try to speak. Just try to sleep, Xena."

The warrior nodded wearily and then succumbed to her exhaustion. Gabrielle lay down beside her and soon they were both asleep, the bard’s hand holding her soulmate’s and instinctively offering comfort. They slept all day and well into the night but Xena woke suddenly. The swelling in her eyes had gone down slightly and she was able to open them enough to see. She also felt the call of nature.

"Gabrielle?" she said softly.

"Xena? Are you ok?" the bard replied worriedly.

"Gabrielle, I need to go outside. Will you help me?"

Gabrielle smiled tenderly.

"Of course I will. I actually need to go myself."

She helped Xena to her feet, wrapped a blanket around her naked body and then helped her to walk outside. They relieved themselves and then went back to the cave. Xena lay back down on their bedroll. Even that short journey had left her exhausted and trembling. Gabrielle gave her some water and then gathered her into her arms.

"Xena, they’re going to be coming after us."

"I know, Gabrielle but I’m not in any condition to fight and we…"

She trailed off as she saw the look in her soulmate’s eyes.

"You’re not in any condition to fight, but I am," the bard replied in a low voice.

"Gabrielle…"

The Battling Bard of Potedaea shook her head and looked her lifebond straight in the eye.

"I said that killing is not the solution," she stated. "I was wrong. It’s time for Aurestus to pay."

The End