Later that evening, Xena sat poking at a small fire in the woods near Amphipolis. The sky painted lilac and gold, the sun having just been devoured by the horizon.
Something cooked in a pot hanging from a branch propped over the flames. An owl hooted, cicadas chirruped.
Something big rustled in the bushes. Xena stood, sword in hand, flicking it, she took up a defensive stance. Gabrielle emerged from the foliage, pulling her cardigan tight around her. The warrior dropped her sword to her side.
"I was going to follow you until you were in some jam." The young woman said. Xena sat back down on her log, her expression nonplussed. Gabrielle sat down opposite her.
"It's so cold out there, and I couldn't get a fire started. And the mosquitoes are as big as eagles."
Xena looked at her.
"You know, I'm sending you home in the morning." She said her tone parent-like.
"I won't stay home, I don't belong there Xena." The young woman explained her face earnest. "I'm not the little girl my parents wanted me to be."
"You wouldn't understand." She shook her head, looking away from dark haired woman.
"It's not easy proving you a different person." The warrior said her eyes on the fire.
Gabrielle looked at her. Xena met her gaze for a moment then rolled her eyes, eyebrows rising. She grabbed a blanket from next to her pack and tossed it at the young woman. Gabrielle caught it.
"You can sleep over there."
Xena gestured with her stick to the far side of the fire. Gabrielle glanced where she pointed, then looked back at Xena and smiled at her; the warrior returned it, a brief flash of white teeth and went back to poking the fire.
*
The next day they left Amphipolis, Xena leading Argo and Gabrielle walking along side holding her long skirt off the ground.
"You know, where I'm headed, there'll be trouble." Xena said as they walked.
"I know." Gabrielle replied.
"Then why would you want to go into that with me?"
"That's what friends do; they stand by each other when there's trouble."
"Alright..." Xena said with a slight smile in her voice.
"...Friend."
YOU ARE READING
Xena Warrior Princess; Sins Of The Past
FanfictionSome call me the Warrior Princess, some call me Murderer. ____________________________________ Note from me - I wrote this a good few years ago, when my writing skills were not as developed as they are now. Just so you know. Enjoy!
