"THE PRINCESS & THE QUEEN" series -SCROLL VII: SACRAMENTS FOR SUBSTANTIATION

pt.13

It would soon be dark as Gabrielle sat by herself near the lake within the village as the sound of the rushing water from the waterfall surrounded her while she tried to calm down from the heated argument she just had with Xena. She picked up a stone and tossed it across the water. Watching as it skipped a couple times along the surface before sinking. Gabrielle remembered the scene of herself and Xena by the lake and sighed. But then she also recalled the multiple scenes from her visions as she grabbed another larger stone and angerly chucked it into the water with a decent sized splash. Still fuming Gabrielle grabbed another and threw it hard into the water. Then picked up yet another stone.

?
(Sarcasm) This lake must have done something pretty terrible to earn a personal stoning from the Amazon queen herself.

Gabrielle looked behind her and saw Ephiny standing a few feet away before turning back and sending the stone into the water with the rest she had thrown.

GABRIELLE
Sorry Ephiny but I don't really want company right now.

EPHINY
Yeah I wouldn't expect you to be in a good mood after having it out with Xena like that.

Gabrielle looked back at Ephiny.

GABRIELLE
(Irritated/ Sarcasm) Oh great, since when did Xena become the village gossip.

Ephiny walked over and sat down in the grass near Gabrielle.

EPHINY
Actually I haven't seen Xena. But basically half the village could hear you two going at it.
(Joking tone) And not in the usual way either.

Gabrielle scowled at Ephiny.

GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) You know you pick the worst times to try your hand at being funny.

EPHINY
Yeah I think I remember Xena saying something like that to me a while ago too.

Gabrielle scoffed at the mention of Xena's name as she looked away and gazed out at the water.

GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) Was there something you actually wanted Ephiny? Because if not I'd really prefer to be left alone right now.

EPHINY
Actually I did come to talk to you. And see if you were okay.

Gabrielle scowled.

GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) I knew it. Xena did send you to talk to me didn't she?

EPHINY
Gabrielle I promise I hadn't spoken to Xena all day. I'm here because you're my friend. It's not like you to get so worked up like that.

Gabrielle looked away. She actually did feel bad for lashing out at Xena like she had. But at the same time she couldn't fight the strange suffocating feeling that she'd been dealing with for a while now. Seeing the anger leave Gabrielle's face, Ephiny continued. Though she decided to try and choose her words carefully seeing how clearly angery Gabrielle already was and didn't want to upset her further.

EPHINY
Listen I'm not really one to pry into people's personal lives but both you and Xena are very good friends of mine. And it's rare to see two people who obviously love each other see deeply. So I'd really hate to see the two of you lose that.

Gabrielle returned her attention towards Ephiny.

GABRIELLE
Ephiny you're not seriously questioning if I still love Xena are you?