CONQUERING THE CONQUEROR

pt.70

Following her brief, unnerving conversation with Ares, Gabrielle came running back into camp even more panicked about Xena's likely fate than she already had been where she quickly found Leonidas who was now up on patrol of the camp for any potential threats that might show up.

GABRIELLE
Leonidas. Leonidas.

Hearing Gabrielle's voice and then looking to see the young woman coming over to him, the lieutenant stopped his patrol and walked to meet Gabrielle.

LEONIDAS
What is it, little one? Did you need something?

GABRIELLE
(Huffing) Xena...

Gabrielle paused to catch her breath after having ran all the way from outside the opposite end of the large camp where she had spoken with Ares just moments ago as Leonidas gave the young woman a sympathetic look.

LEONIDAS
I'm sorry Gabrielle, I wish I had something to tell you, but sadly there still hasn't been any progress in fighting the lord Conqueror.

The man looked at Gabrielle's face and could tell that she was on the verge of tears and quickly continued in an attempt to comfort her.

LEONIDAS
But that doesn't mean she's not still out there.

Leonidas put his hand on Gabrielle's shoulder.

LEONIDAS
You'll see Gabrielle. We'll find the lord Conqueror and she'll be okay.

Gabrielle lowered her head and shook it as she began to cry as she felt she would likely never see Xena again.

GABRIELLE
No, she isn't. Xena's gone and...

Unable to continue, Gabrielle just cried as Leonidas put his arms around her and did his best to comfort her as he waited for the young woman to calm down before he let her go and continued their conversation.

LEONIDAS
Are you gonna be okay?

Gabrielle sniffled as she dried her eyes.

GABRIELLE
I don't know. It's just Xena...

Gabrielle paused not wanting to continue as what she had said a few moments prior stood out to Leonidas as being odd and decided to question the young woman about it and gestured for her to sit down on the nearby rock as he crouched down to speak to her at eye level.

LEONIDAS
Yes, you were saying that the lord Conqueror was gone, but we don't know that yet. I know it's difficult but it's far too early to give up, we have to keep believing that she's alive

Gabrielle lowered her eyes.

GABRIELLE
But you don't understand, I just met Ares and...

LEONIDAS
Ares?!

Aware of the god's interest in Xena as well as his role in the conflict with Draco, hearing Ares' name unexpectedly come from Gabrielle sent off the lieutenant's mental warnings that something was very much amiss.

LEONIDAS
Because I'm assuming that you haven't had much or more likely any actual interaction with any of the god's, I feel I need to warn you that you have to be careful when it comes to trusting them. Most of them aren't particularly kind to mortals. Which becomes even worse if they feel that they've been disrespected or in some cases like this, rejected.