Language: English... Oh... Err... Uhmmm... There is a little of the bad stuff, but not much. If you are under eighteen or are offended by this, stop now and go somewhere else.
"Mel... Melinda!! I found another one!" Janice Covington yelled as she sauntered into the tent where Melinda Pappas was hunkered over a scroll, deeply involved in deciphering the ancient text. "I read some of it... Mel?" she asked as the cigar smoke billowed out of her mouth.
Melinda looked up from the scroll she was working on with the hint of tears in her eyes. "Xena dies... for good in this scroll." she whispered in a heavy Southern accent.
"That was two thousand years ago. What are you bawlin' about? They're dead no matter what. Besides... you're Xena." Janice threw her hands up in momentary defeat. "Uhg! Listen, I found another scroll." Janice said, holding the scroll out.
Mel took the offered scroll and carefully unrolled it. "Now let me see here... oh yes... well this looks like," the tall dark haired woman paused for a moment to double check a symbol. "This scroll was written after these two, it looks like. I'll get started on it right away... wait, did you say that you read some of it?" she asked looking at the shorter blonde.
Covington nodded her head in affirmation and smiled with her cigar clenched tightly between her teeth. She leaned over Melinda's desk and tapped her finger on the open scroll. "I think this will make you very happy." She then stepped back and leaned against the tent pole nearest her.
"Well, about the only way I'd be happy is if Xena gets to... oh my... oh my... this looks like memoirs." Mel looked up at her new friend. "Well miss Covington, let's see if you have actually deciphered this one correctly."
"Well, miss Pappas..." Janice copied her friends Southern droll perfectly. "It's not exactly mind readin' ya know. Y'all go on and start decipherin' that scroll while I have the cook put some grits on the fire."
"How many times do I have to tell you that I do not like grits. Now why do you keep forgettin' that?"
Covington chuckled loudly, turned on her heel and left the tent in a cloud of cigar smoke. "And when is she going to realize that it's a joke?" she whispered to herself.
A short time later...
"Melinda, how's it going with..." Janice began as she entered the tent. "Mel? You haven't touched your food. I could have fed two of my men with that."
"Oh stop that now. You could not." Melinda removed her glasses for a moment and rubbed her strained eyes. "Anyways, I totally forgot it was there. This scroll is very, very interestin'. Gabrielle started it on the ship she took to get home from Japan. It seems... Oh wait, I'm sorry. You probably read this part already, right?"
"No. I read the last two lines. That's how I knew you would like it. So? Go on." Covington said matter-of-factly.
"Well, it seems the bard was on her way to the land of the pharos when Xena's ghost warned her to disembark at the very next port. The crew was a bit tense over there bein' a spirit on board and if it weren't a spirit and the bard was just talkin to herself, goin' crazy... well then... to them, that was just as bad. They knew that, in a fight, the girl was dangerous. So, then... Oh my, where was I? Oh yes, Gabrielle did as Xena had asked and decided to head home rather than Egypt."
I traveled alone for a few days before I found an Inn and a warm bed. I performed that evening for the patrons. I told them a very long tale that I had entitled "A Friend In Need." The room was quiet when I finished, save for the errant sobs of the barmaids and a few of the patrons. This was how they found out that my best friend had died. Eventually, every person in my audience came to me and expressed their condolences over not just my loss, but a great loss to the Known World. I made enough dinars that evening to pay for my room and a hot meal, with a little left over for supplies. This morning, as I was leaving the quiet little inn, a group of people gathered around me and presented me with a horse. It seems that in our fourth year of traveling together (and, of course, I remember this, I am just surprised that the villagers did after almost 29 years) we saved this village from a slaver and more notably, Najara. It was obvious that this was a poor village. I tried in vain to change their minds, but I conceded to accepting the gift as I was afraid to offend these wonderful people. And so I rode home, alone.
"Oh Janice, don't you just feel for her?" Pappas asked looking over to her friend.
Covington bit the end off of a new cigar and spit the piece off to the side. "Yup, sure do."
"Now, how could you be so cold about yourself??" Mel asked in a huff.
"I don't remember it. Besides, I know that I'm a descendant." She lit her cigar. "I don't know that I'm her."
"Well, actually Janice... I think you are." Mel finished with a smirk.
Janice laughed at this, "what's the next part have to say?"
"Well..." Melinda furrowed her brow for a moment. "She headed to Amphipolis. Xena had always told her that she wanted to be buried next to her brother, so Gabrielle had every intention of carrying out her friends wish and placin' her ashes in the tomb."
"Keep going. What happens next?" Janice calmly asked as she took another drag off of her cigar.
"Well, Let's see here..."
The road home has been long and arduous. I have avoided the Amazons during my journey to Amphipolis. I do not think that I can face them right now. But I will go there, eventually. I am not someone who can be alone. Xena's visits help, but it is not the same. Drinking from the Fountain of Strength made her spirit strong. She can appear to me for short periods of time throughout the day. Or sometimes, if she conserves her energy, she appears for almost a candle mark when I camp in the evening. She decided to test out a theory that I had and didn't appear to me for three days. On the fourth, she appeared after I had eaten my dinner and she held it for almost four candle marks. I felt like a kid on Solstice Eve. After the first candle mark, I had forgotten that she was dead. We had a wonderful time, but time passes. She can still speak to me though, without having to appear. But she usually only does that when there is danger.
I am almost to Amphipolis. Another two days ride. We have discussed the possibilities of her being tied to her ashes. If I lay them to rest, I am afraid that she may be forced onto Charon's boat. Xena doesn't think so, but she admits that anything is possible. She doesn't want that to happen. She intends to stay with me as long as possible. If there is a problem, I will take her ashes with me.
"Right here, things get a little blurry," Mel stated with a frown.
"Blurry? What do you mean blurry? You can't decipher it?" Janice questioned as she rose from a chair she had only recently seated herself on and walked around the desk to see what Mel was talking about. "Maybe I can...."
"No, it looks like the ink smeared. Like it was water damage or somethin'."
"Water damage?" Covington took a close look. "Yep, that is water alright. Maybe it..."
"She was... oh Janice, that poor girl."
"What?"
"She was cryin' while she wrote on this scroll. Look here and here. Those are tear stains," Pappas said pointing to various areas of the parchment.
"You know, I think you may be right. But this section over here is pretty bad."
"That is the part I am up to. I have most of it. I can't make out the name, but it is talking about the woman that took over Cyrene's inn after Xena and Gabrielle beat Mephistopheles. It looks like she took Gabrielle in and gave her a room for free..."
I have been in Amphipolis for two days. I cannot seem to bring myself to go over to Xena's family tomb. Virgil is here. He happened to be passing through on his way to go visit his sister. After all of this time alone, seeing a familiar, friendly face has been wonderful.
Xena hasn't been around for a couple of days. She had said that she was going to do some checking around to find out if her ashes could be left. She will be back soon though. I know that. I have spent most of my time with Virgil. I have enjoyed his company. He has one of the most tender hearts I have ever known. And I have the good fortune of calling him my friend. He has asked me to settle down with him. He knew my answer before I gave it. Though we have tested the waters during our stay here in Amphipolis, I am not ready to give up the road. What I did not tell him, was that in a few years when I do, it will be with him or no one. I would not have him wait for me if he could find happiness elsewhere. It would not be fair. And so, it is my secret.
"Here Mel... your handkerchief." Janice handed the item over to Melinda who had been quite touched by this passage. "Make sure you don't get any on the parchment. We don't need any more smudges."
"Have you... no heart," Mel said between sobs. "I can't believe that you don't feel... anything... at all for this... poor... sweet girl." She blew her nose.
"It's sad, I give it that much. But I think you should compose yourself and keep reading," Covington said, pointing at the opened scroll laid out on the desk before them.
"We're gonna need to refill the lantern first." Melinda motioned towards the faint, flickering light that was about to go out.
"You know what? I think I'll refill all of them while I'm at it." Janice quickly refilled the lantern on the desk to allow Melinda the opportunity to keep deciphering the script on the scroll while she refilled the other four in the tent.
"Now that is much better," Mel said after the lantern was taken care of and she had composed herself. "Well, it seems to me that our little Gabrielle did a little hanky panky with that Virgil fellow."
Hanging up the last lantern, "yeah, it's about time. I don't know how that girl went so long without it."
"Why Janice Covington! Just because she was not a girl of easy virtue...." Mel was cut off in the middle of her tirade.
"You mean a purveyor of pulchritude... a one woman Sodom on Gomorrah if you will..."
"Janice! How dare you..."
"...a concubine... a streetwalker..."
"Janice you stop this instant!"
Laughing, "a tramp... a slut... A CHEAP WHORE!"
"Ooh, you are ruthless. How could you say all of those nasty things about yourself?" Mel asked in disbelief.
"My ASCENDANT. I was just messin' with ya. Calm down. Geez. Do you want dinner? You must be hungry, you didn't eat your lunch." Janice pointed out.
"Actually, I really don't feel like eatin'. I would rather keep workin' on this scroll." she replied as she adjusted herself in her chair and polished up the lenses on her glasses.
"Suits me fine. I'll have the cook bring something in that we can munch on while you read that. I could sure stand to eat something." Janice went out of the tent for only a brief moment. She came back in and seated herself across from Pappas and broke out a fresh cigar.
"Oh my, Janice... look at this." Mel said pointing to the next passage in the scroll.
After lighting the new cigar, "just read it," she said flatly.
After being gone for about five days, Xena returned to me. She came into my room and quietly woke me from my slumber. I eased out bed carefully so as not awaken Virgil. We sat down at a table at the far end of the room. Xena said that in her travels, Cyrene came to her and scolded her for dying. It was not her time. When Xena tried to explain the situation, Cyrene waved her off and told her that she had been watching and that she was privy to Akemi's thoughts about Xena. Akemi lied to her. Xena was not happy about this. I asked her if there was anything that could be done and she said "possibly." According to Cyrene, who spoke to Michael the Arch Angel, Xena would not have made it into Heaven when we were crucified had those souls been hanging over her head. Xena is a bit distrustful of Michael, but acknowledges the fact that he would not, could not lie about this. I am hopeful. Virgil stirred during our conversation. When he saw Xena sitting with me, he blanched. He sat up in the bed and apologized to her repeatedly. Xena told him that he had nothing to apologize for and asked him to join us. When he heard that there was a possibility of Xena returning he was overjoyed. His reaction was genuine. I am glad. I was afraid that the news would hurt him, knowing that I would not be settling down for an even longer period of time if Xena were to return to me. He truly has a heart of gold.
"Oh Janice, he is such a lovely young man. I wonder..."
"Wonder what?" came the flat response.
"If they eventually settle down together. All of them... families." Mel pondered the possibilities with a smile.
"Oh yeah, one big happy threesome," she said puffing out a cloud of smoke.
"Janice Covington! I do declare... is your mind always in the gutter?"
"No. Just most of the time." she grinned. "Keep reading."
"Well alright... where was I? Oh yes..."
About a week has gone by since that night and I have become restless. I promised Vigil that I would return in a day or two. He knew that I would. I saddled my horse and rode out of town. At first I was not sure of my destination, until I found myself at the doorstep of one of Aphrodite's temples. I went inside, and found her in deep conversation with an unseen entity. She was speaking with Xena. I was drawn there because Xena was there. Even in death we are linked. Aphrodite was dressed in the color of mourning. I guessed that it was for Xena. I stood by quietly for a few moments so as not to interrupt. Aphrodite turned to me and said, "well? Sweet Pea... what are you waiting for? Are you gonna stand there all day, or are you gonna help us brainstorm?" I smiled at that. She knew I had been there the entire time. Neither Xena nor Aphrodite thought it was a good idea to bring Ares into this. At least, not yet. He would want something in return, IF he could help. Aphrodite had an idea, but she was unsure of how it would work. She promised to do some checking around for us. She said that she would give Xena Ambrosia if it would do any good. Though, of course, it would not.
I have just arrived back in Amphipolis. After stabling my horse I walked out of the barn and looked up the East road to see a familiar figure walking into town. I could not stop the tears that formed in my eyes as I ran out to greet Eve. Michael had told her of her mothers death and told her where to find me. The first thing she said was not hello, however. It was, "don't lay my mothers ashes to rest yet. She needs more time." I told her that I knew that. But I wondered how she knew. "I just know," was her reply.
It has been over two weeks since I first arrived here. Virgil is moving on to see his sister. Her village is less than a days' ride from here and he promised to return soon. He was afraid that she would fear the worst since he was due to arrive two weeks ago and had not sent word to her. I promised to send him a message if I had to leave for any reason. And so he went on his way. A piece of me went with him.
"What is that?" Melinda asked, pointing at a plate full of...
"Grits," Covington replied off handedly.
"Those are not grits! I know what grits are... I AM from the South you know."
"Yeah... a regular Southern Belle." came the flat response.
"Impossible, you know that? You are impossible...."
"It's corned beef and hash."
"Wouldn't a fork be easier? I mean, you are makin quite a mess with your fingers," Melinda said, pointing out the obvious.
"Ugh, I am not here to debate my table manners...."
"Of course not... you don't have any." Mel stating the obvious, once again.
"I guess you don't want to finish that scroll tonight, do you?" Covington practically inhaled the small mound of food she held between her fingers. "Well?" She said with a full mouth.
"You are disgustin'." Pappas turned back to the ancient scroll and lightly ran her fingers across the text, scanning for the spot where she had left off. "Ah, here we go...."
Xena appeared to me and Eve tonight. I had not seen her in a couple of days and I began to wonder why. She said that in order to spend time with us, she had to stay away for a while. We had her for three candle marks. We laughed and we cried. She told us that Aphrodite may be onto something, but did not go into details. She was here to spend quality time. And we did.
As I write this, I realize why Xena made sure that she was here with us this night. Today marks two months since she made the decision to not return to the living. I see that day as though I am there now. I, once again, can feel my heart being torn from my chest as I beg her to reconsider. The pain is vivid. In my mind, the events play out and I find myself repeating the words I spoke as though I were saying them all for the first time. I feel the agony of her words as if she were speaking them now. I feel my world shatter as the sun sets and I know that I have lost my best friend. She had told me once that even in death she would never leave me. She has not. Even when I cannot see her, I know that she is with me. Watching over me. If we are lucky, and by the gods I hope we are, she will find a way to return to the land of the living, and to me.
It has been two days since I last wrote. Much has happened. Hercules is here. Aphrodite went to him and told him of our problem. The goddess of love is a good friend. She brought him to us here in Amphipolis. When I saw him, I was amazed. He had not aged. It seems that he is immortal. He says that he has some ideas of his own regarding our plight. I am becoming more optimistic. Xena spoke to me quickly and wants to have Hercules and Eve meet in my room this evening. She said that Aphrodite would be there also.
I have just received word from Virgil. His sister gave birth to twins yesterday. He wrote that they were small, but in very good health. They had not realized that she was pregnant with twins, and so they had only built one crib. Virgil has begun construction of another. He will return when it is complete. I sent a letter back with the same messenger congratulating the family. I also told him that Hercules had arrived to help and that, as a bard, meeting the demi-god that he had told many a story of would be a great experience. There was more that I wanted to say, but these are things that are better left unsaid. I refuse to confuse him into thinking that I had changed my stand on things. I could not live with myself if I hurt him that way.
"Uh, Janice?" Melinda held a hand over her mouth as she coughed. "Would you please be careful with that awful cigar smoke?"
"Oh, sorry. I'll open up the tent flaps some more." Janice opened up the tent to the warm night air. A small breeze came in and filtered out much of the smoke.
"Well, thank you. That is much better." Melinda stood up and stretched herself out. "I need to get the circulation back in my legs. I'm gonna take a little walk around the camp... wanna join me?"
"Sounds good. I could use some fresh air. I'm a little hungry too. Let's pass by the mess tent and see if there any leftovers." Covington extinguished the remnants of the cigar she had been smoking and walked out of the tent.
"You know, miss Covington, the way you eat, a person would be hard pressed to convince me that you aren't the bard." Melinda followed Janice out of the tent to begin their quick tour of the camp site.
Upon returning from her short walk, Melinda seated herself in front of the parchment and began reading over the next passage while she waited for Janice to return.
"Ok, I'm back," Covington announced as she entered the tent.
"Oh, good. I was afraid somethin' was wrong... you were in that outhouse for a long time," Mel replied earnestly.
"Yeah, well... that corned beef and hash was talking to back me pretty good in there... the chili I had for lunch seemed to have somethin to say too." She paused for a moment as she sat down. "How's the next passage?" Janice leaned over slightly in her seat.
"Well, she goes on to... oh my, Janice, I can see that the corned beef is still talkin to ya. And... what is that God awful smell?"
"It's the corned beef," Janice said with a sigh. "Now, about the scroll?"
"She goes on to talk about the meetin'...."
"Mel?"
"And how they are..."
"MELINDA!"
"Uh, yes?" Pappas asked quizzically.
Rolling her eyes, "I didn't ask for the footnotes. Read it." Janice sounded almost exasperated.
"Oh, of course. I am sorry about that." After apologizing, Melinda went on with her translation
About a candle mark before the meeting that Xena had asked me to schedule, Eve had finally revealed some startling news to me. While in Chin, spreading the word about the god of Eli, she found that she had been blessed with the power to heal. Just as Eli had. She does not know how strong her power is though. She had only healed a small number of people. I thought that this was wonderful news. She had been trying desperately to right her past wrongs to the world for two years now. This was but a gift to help her in her search for redemption. She said that if her mother's body had been intact, she would have tried to resurrect her, but there is nothing she can do with ashes. I revealed to her that even Eli needed help when he had brought me and Xena back all of those years ago. She knew this. But she would have tried anyway.
With Aphrodite's arrival the meeting began. Xena waited until then to appear so as to conserve energy. Xena had heard everything about her daughter's power to heal and congratulated her. Hercules then mocked a pain in is side and asked Eve to heal him. We all got a laugh out of this. It was a good way to start. Aphrodite also knew about Eve's power to heal. She had gone to her brother Apollo, the God of Truth, amongst other things, and he told her what Eve was capable of. She asked him what it meant to Xena, as she had been cremated. He told her that she needed to find a way to reform her body. And since that is next to impossible, he told her of another way. Xena and Eve would have to go to Persephone, Hades' widow and now ruler of the underworld. If Persephone were to give her blessing Eve could bring her back, because in the underworld, the dead are like the living, they have tangible bodies. However, if she so decided, she could possibly keep Xena there. Xena would go to the Elysian Fields, but she would have to stay. It was a difficult decision to make. Xena was unsure of how Persephone would handle things. She had killed Persephone's husband, Hades. Granted, it was in self defense and in the defense of her child, but, nonetheless, the god's did not always think in those terms. Aphrodite thought it was a good risk, however. She saw no hatred in Persephone's heart for anyone. Hercules concurred. He knew Persephone well and said that she was a wise and fair woman that could be trusted. I, personally, was a bit frightened of the risk. But, my entire life with Xena has been a gamble. I told Xena to do what she felt was right. Xena has always trusted Hercules' judgment. She has never doubted him. Today was no different.
Hercules wanted to go with her and Eve to see Persephone, but knew that is was something that they had to do alone. Aphrodite took them there a short while ago. Hercules says that these things can take time. The gods have an eternity to make a decision. They seem to forget sometimes that we do not.
"My Lord... you are ripe Janice! Just how much of that stuff did you eat?" Mel said waving a hand back and forth in front of her face.
"You were sitting right there, you saw how much I had." Janice said in an annoyed tone.
"I think that I would much rather smell that God awful cigar smoke."
"Ok," was all Covington said as she broke out a new cigar, bit off the tip and lit it. "Better?"
"I really hate to admit this, but... yes," Mel replied.
"Well?" Janice pointed at the scroll in an effort to get Mel reading again.
"Well what? Oh, sorry. Ok, where was I? Oh yes... OH MY! Janice, you are not goin' to believe this." Melinda declared in disbelief.
"What?" Covington replied quizzically.
"Well it seems to me that our little bard does the hanky panky with Hercules."
"Really?(!) Wow. Alright Gabrielle!" Janice said with a big smile.
Laughing, "Oh stop that now. I was just foolin' ya. Now ..."
Hercules and I ordered a late dinner for ourselves. I was too nervous to eat. I picked at my food for a few minutes and gave up. Hercules tried to reassure me that if things were not going well that Aphrodite would have been back already with the news. It helped. Hercules also said that if Persephone were to try and keep Xena, IF she could keep Xena, that he could talk Persephone into releasing her spirit. He told me not to worry. I cannot help but worry.
"Oh Janice, I hope everything works out." Mel said as she wiped an errant tear from her eye.
"Will you please just finish the scroll!" Janice could not take any more. "You have very little left. READ IT!" she ordered.
"Ok, ok, here goes..."
I awoke this morning heavy hearted. Xena and Eve had not returned last night. Hercules and I waited up until a few candle marks before sunrise. He then took his leave of me and told me to get some sleep. He asked me to dream peaceful dreams and be hopeful. I was, until I awoke. I laid in bed staring at the wall for a few minutes and shed silent tears for my friend. When I shifted onto my back, I realized that I was not alone. Xena was fast asleep next to me. At first I thought I was dreaming, or that she was projecting herself to me that way. But no, she was breathing. My tears of pain became tears of joy in that instant. When Xena awoke, she opened her eyes, smiled and said "hey." Typical. She never was much for talking.
Xena has been back for a little over a week now and I have never been happier. Virgil returned yesterday. I sent no word to him of Xena's return at her behest. He was pleasantly surprised. I think that the hug he gave her upon seeing her nearly rivaled my own. Xena spent the night "catching up" with Hercules and I with Virgil. We took our leave this morning in a tearful and heartfelt goodbye. But it was not really goodbye. Hercules asked Xena to retire and settle down with him. He also told her that he had a large farm, big enough to build another home. He was talking about me and Virgil. He had noticed how close we were. I had not realized that it was that obvious. But Xena told him that we intend to travel together for a little while longer. Neither of us are willing to give up the road just yet. I think it is nice to know that we have a home waiting for us. And that we'd be living right next door to each other.
We have been traveling for about three days now. We have fallen back into our old routine. Things are a little different though. I have never seen Xena smile so much. I think she has finally forgiven herself of her past misdeeds. She has redeemed herself a thousand times over and only now does she realize it. She still has not told me what happened in Hades, but she will. In her own time. Eve traveled with us until around midday today. She was headed for the Northern most areas of Greece to spread the word of Eli. We will see her again soon.
Xena is returned to me. Even Death herself could not separate us for long, for we were destined to walk the same path. And that is exactly what we intend to do."
"Melinda... here." Janice handed a fresh handkerchief over to the sobbing woman. "I thought you would be happy. What are you crying about now?"
"It... worked out... for them," Melinda sputtered out between sobs. "I am so... h-h-happy, I could cry."
"You are crying," Covington stated flatly. "Mel, this happened over two thousand..." Janice threw her arms up in defeat. "Oh, forget it.
The End
Disclaimer:
No handkerchiefs gave their lives during the making of this story. Any one-liners that were ripped off... I mean, inspired by, "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark" were not intentionally harmed, although they may have been in the process. Due to Janice's eating habits, the outhouse was damaged. But after being relocated to another area of the camp, it went on to live a productive existence.
