Chapter Four
Xena sat beside the bed silently watching her good friend as she slept. She could tell Gabrielle was dreaming. She saw her fingers wiggle and her eyes moving back and forth underneath their closed lids. Once in a while she moaned softly. Then, slowly, her eyelids fluttered open and she blinked, trying to focus in on the smiling, but amused face that stared at her.
"Uh, oh Xena. Hi." Gabrielle struggled to brush away the remnants of sleep. "I'm glad you're here. What have you been doing?"
"Hey sleepyhead! Good to see you're still with us." Xena gave her friend a playful punch in the shoulder.
"Ouch, Xena! That hurt!" Gabrielle rubbed her arm exagerating the extent of the pain.
"Well, Aristippus did say bed rest, and you know me. When I can find a real bed, I'll always rest in it!"
"I'm glad you're feeling better. " Xena placed her hand tenderly over Gabrielle's."So what have I missed?"
"Hmmm. Where should I begin?"
"That much, huh?" Gabrielle rolled her eyes upward.
"Uh huh."
Xena began to tell Gabrielle about her encounter with Callisto and the information she had learned. She related the tale of the strange cat and Callisto's unusual reaction to it. She confessed that she and Callisto had become uneasy allies against Ares, and ended by recounting the confrontation they had with the God of War in the marketplace.
"Whew! Sounds like you've been busy. But, do you really think it's wise to trust Callisto?" Gabrielle was worried for her friend. "I mean, you know how capable she is of switching sides at the last minute?"
"Yes I know, but it seems I have no choice. I need her help. I only hope that I can save your daughter from the dire fate that seems to await her."
"I hope so too, Xena."
Before Joxer could finish, Xena was up on her feet and out the door. She ran swiftly in the direction of the vendors looking left and right hoping to catch sight of the little goddess. As she neared the tavern the street became congested with people. Darting through the crowd she had almost given up hope when all of a sudden the sea of bodies parted and there she was. The golden haired child was looking directly at her. In her arms was a black cat which she was stroking affectionately.
Lileas, knew immediately that this dark haired woman was Xena. Confidently, she quickly focused in on Xena's eyes. Ares had told her that she needed to get the upper hand with this one right away since she was quite a formidable foe.
Suddenly the Warrior Princess began to feel her senses leave her, all of the hustle and bustle of the market around her fading away. She was aware of nothing but the girl. She felt the penetrating gaze reach inside of her and take full control of her body's movement and she was unable to stop it. Xena slowed to a walk, her feet beginning to feel like lead. She was unable to tear herself away from those beautiful emerald eyes. She felt herself being drawn into them, hypnotized by their incredible power. All too late she realized what was happening. The Warrior Princess shook her head trying to break the spell, but it was of no use. Each time she moved her head she felt it turn back towards those jewel like orbs. She no longer had control of her own actions.
"You must be Xena." The child smiled at her. Xena was amazed at just how much she resembled her good friend, Gabrielle.
"Yes, I am." replied Xena in a dreamlike trance.
"Oh, I have heard sooo much about you. My Uncle Ares just adores you." Her voice was like pure silk. "He'll be so glad to see you again."
"Yesss, he will." Xena was unable to think for herself anymore. She no longer had a mind of her own.
"AAYIIIIIIIII!!!"
All of a sudden Callisto backflipped into view, landing between Xena and her surrogate child. Lileas dropped Diomedes abruptly, ready to do battle with her former guardian. Callisto also was ready, standing her ground confidently, smiling.
"Oh no you don't my sweet!"
The child stared into Callisto's large brown orbs. Callisto returned the gaze, unaffected. Lileas started to become impatient focusing in on Callisto's eyes more intensely.
"What's the matter, pretty, can't work your magic on me?"
The two began to lightly dance around in a swaying circular motion, eyes locked together. Lileas was concentrating so hard that tiny beads of sweat began to break out on her ivory colored forehead.
"You can't trap me, little girl." Callisto hissed. "You are made from me and therefore you are me. We are one."
"Aaaagghhh"
Lileas' frustration was beginning to get the best of her, rage building as her eyes bulged and her face redened. Callisto reached out, grabbed her arm and flung Lileas to the ground. Suddenly, the black cat jumped up and raked his claws across Callisto's face.
"Ugh! You wretched creature! I knew I should have sliced you in two when I first found you!"
As she turned her back on the goddess, she reached behind her and drew out her sword. She brought it down rapidly in a chopping motion. The cat escaped the full brunt of the hit but his right hind leg was scraped leaving a few drops of blood on the edge of the sword.
"Rreeeooowww!!"
Lileas , jumped to her feet and charged at Callisto. But she underestimated the former goddess. Not thinking, and reacting instinctively, Callisto spun around, brought her sword back and plunged the sword deep into the chest of the young girl who was unable to stop her forward motion. For one very long moment, all movement ceased. Lileas stood there her small pale hands wrapped around the sword which was still embedded deep in her body, tearful amazement evident on her face. She looked at Callisto sorrowfully and then crumpled into a heap on the ground.
LITTLE GODDESS
Chapter Five
Callisto was stunned. She had not meant to do that. She loved this child. She only meant to take her under her wing and keep her from Ares. Lileas wasn't supposed to be able to die. How could this have happened? The child was a goddess!
Xena awoke from the spell which had immobilized her. She rushed over to where Lileas lay and knelt down beside her. She pulled out Callisto's sword and threw it on the ground, where it landed at Callisto's feet. The little girl's lifeless form lay limp and still. She then gently picked up the child and began to walk towards the house of Gabrielle's family intending to bring Lileas back to her mother for a final good bye.
Callisto still stood in the same position, staring at the bloody sword near her feet, her mind transfixed by what she had done. Then she slowly squatted down and picked up her weapon. As she did this, a slow movement caught her eye and she was mesmerized by the sight that she beheld. The small black cat began to grow and change, reforming until what stood before her was a young boy. She could see that his right leg was wounded where her sword had sliced across it. Tears welled up in her large brown eyes. The crystalline liquid overflowed and rolled down her high cheekbones and rested at the corner of her mouth. Diomedes reached up and tenderly brushed away a tiny droplet.
"You had to do it. There was no other way. She had to be stopped."
Callisto looked at him sadly and shook her head back and forth.
"I loved her. Now she's dead, just like everyone else that I loved. And I'm the one who killed her."
"Diomedes!"
The young boy turned around and a huge grin crept across his face. He ran towards his mother arms outstretched.
"Mother! Thank the gods that you're here!"
"Diomedes! Where have you been? I've been looking all over the village for you! And you're hurt."
"It's nothing. Oh Mother, I have an incredible story to tell you. But first I want you to meet....." He turned to introduce his mother to Callisto but she was nowhere in site.
"She's gone."
"Well, you can tell me all about everything while we walk home."
"Why? Why did this have to happen? My poor baby was doomed from the start.""I mean, first her father Perdicus dies and then she is stolen by Callisto, then taken by Ares and now she's dead!"
Gabrielle's grief overwhelmed her and she buried her face in the chest of her dead child weeping gently.
"Mmmmm." The moan was very soft. Shocked by the sound, Gabrielle picked her head up and stared at her daughter. "Mmmmm."
Slowly Lileas' eyes fluttered open. She gazed up at Gabrielle and then she looked around the room at the faces of the others. Lileas looked bewildered.
"Where am I?" She slowly rose up and sat on the edge of the bed. She turned back toward Gabrielle.
Overjoyed at this miracle, Gabrielle beamed with happiness. Somehow, her little girl had come back to life! Just then Diomedes burst into the room, his mother right behind him.
"Lileas! You're alive! I can't believe it!"
"Lileas?"
"Don't you remember?" Diomedes came closer. He looked directly into her eyes.
Two sea green orbs stared back at him, the emerald color was gone. "Your eyes, they're normal!"
"Huh?"
"Please forgive my son, he tends to be very animated at times. I live next door. My name is Serena."
"Serena. I have heard about you from Hercules." Xena extended her hand.
"Hercules?" asked Serena as she shook hands with the Warrior Princess.
"Ah, I guess you don't remember him."
"No, I'm afraid I don't. Is he a friend of yours?"
"Yes, he is a very good friend of mine." Xena smiled at Serena, then they both looked back at the bed.
Diomedes was smiling happily at poor Lileas who looked very lost. He was speaking very rapidly to her recounting their recent adventure. Lileas just stared at him, her skepticism clearly evident.
Gabrielle motioned to her best friend to approach the other side of the bed. The two bent their heads together whispering back and forth. Then Xena nodded her head in an affirmative motion and walked back over to Serena. She whispered something into Serena's ear and they left the room together.
"Diomedes, you really like Lileas don't you?" Gabrielle smiled at the boy.
"Yes I do." he replied blushing slightly. "Now that she's normal I think we can be great friends."
"You know, Lileas is going to need a good friend to help her back onto the right path. Are you up to the challenge?"
"Hey! What are friends for?" Diomedes slipped his arm around Lileas.
Just then Xena and Serena reappeared.
"Lileas, how would you like to live with us?" Serena walked over and took the hands of the child into hers.
"I, I�guess that would be all right. I really don't know where I lived before. You seem really nice.'
Diomedes grinned eagerly.
"Really, Mother?"
"Really."
"Lileas," Gabrielle began, "If you like, I will make it my business to come and visit you whenever I return to Poteidaia."
"That sounds nice."
Lileas' puzzled expression was an indication that she was trying to process too much information too fast. But somehow all of this seemed right to her so she decided to go along with it. Then, Serena, Diomedes and Lileas began to leave. Lileas turned around and looked at Gabrielle reluctantly. Gabrielle smiled and waved and Lileas returned the wave. Then she was gone.
Once again Gabrielle began to sob quietly and softly. The Warrior Princess went over to her best friend and gathered her into her strong arms.
"That was a very brave thing you just did."
"I know, but I think she will be safer with Serena than with us. If she stayed with you and I, Ares would certainly try to get her back again. She could get hurt or even die. I would rather see her healthy and alive with another family, than have any harm come to her. But, Xena, it was so hard. "I still don't understand why she died or how she came back to life."
"I think I do." began Xena, "Hercules told me the story once. You see, Serena was once a golden hind. She and Hercules fell in love and she became his wife, but was killed by Strife. He told me how he went back in time, before she was murdered and forced Ares to take the hind but spare her human half. When Hercules returned to the present, he found that she was married to someone else and had children."
"Ok' said Gabrielle slowly, "But I still don't understand how Lileas died and came back to life."
"I'm getting to that. I believe that when Ares took the golden hind, he was only able to take her hind appearance, not her blood. Legend has it that only the blood of a golden hind can kill a god. Now, since Diomedes was Serena's son, part of him had hind's blood. When Callisto cut him and got his blood on her sword, and then plunged it into Lileas, it only killed the goddess part of her, sparing her human self. I believe that in a way, the hind's blood protected Lileas' mortal being from the sword's deadly impact, thus enabling her to live again. You get all that?" Xena smiled wryly at her good friend.
"Uh....sorta." Gabrielle returned the smile. "Does Serena know that she was a golden hind?"
"According to Hercules, Serena has no knowledge of that part of her past. And as far as I'm concerned, it should stay that way. Apparently, even Ares doesn't know what she's still capable of."
"Well, she seems like a very loving mother and at least Lileas will have some sort of normal life with her. And, my mother will be still be here living right next door."
Sadness returned to Gabrielle's voice. "You know, Xena, it's true what they say."
"What's that?"
"That loving somebody sometimes means you have to let them go." her voice cracked and the tears began again.
"Hey! Who says we can't come back here more often?!" said Xena brightly. "And just maybe someday, you'll be able to tell Lileas about herself......and about you, huh?"
Gabrielle wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Yeah." The corners of the bard's mouth began to turn up into the beginning of a grin. "Maybe I will."
The full moon shone like a brilliant opaque pearl, cascading it's eerie white light over the darkened land. The wind was gusty, bringing a warm breeze which gently rustled tree leaves, creating a constant hissing sound. She stood, illuminated by the moonlight, at the summit of the mountain. Ams crossed, pale blonde hair fanned out by the oncoming current, she pondered recent events. New emotions had forever changed her, this she knew, but she could not quite comprehend what that now meant. All she realized was that a battle had begun inside of her, and she knew not which side would win. Slowly, her lips turned up in a wry grin.
"AAAYIIIIIIIIII!!!!!"
The slim leather clad form rapidly backflipped into the shrouded forest and was swallowed up by the blackness.
The End