Chapter Text
The young woman watches as the warrior woman continues to poke the small fire in the small camp. "Xena , can I ask you a question?"
The dark haired woman sighs heavily from where she's perched on the log. "We both know you're just going to ask me your question even if I say no Gabrielle , so you might as well just ask what is on your mind." The older woman keeps her eyes on the fire that's flames reflect from those crystal blue.
"Why weren't you wearing your armour when Draco's men attacked us?" The strawberry blonde questions softly. "And why were your weapons burried in the ground. I saw you pull your sword from the earth."
Xena drops the stick she had been using, trading it in for her sword and using the sharping stone on the blade. "I guess I was trying to bury the past and everything that represents it. But as you witnessed....there's no escaping it. I've lived by the sword , killed innocent people with it and I'll most likely die by it." She then swallows hard over the lump forming in her throat. "It's just the way it is. How it's always going to be."
Gabrielle shakes her head. "Xena , you saved my people and your people with that sword and the amazing things you can do. I know you will continue to do good with it and people are going to know that Xena is a warrior , a hero to people in need. A brave woman who face's a challenge and stares danger in the eye without backing down or accepting defeat."
Xena turns her attention to the young woman filled with such passion and hope. Seeing the gleam in those emerald green eyes that has only seen a glimpse of the true harshness of this world and mankind. "You were pretty brave yourself. Willing to Sacrifice yourself for your people , standing up to Draco's men." The older woman eyes the young woman curiously. "Leaving home on your own..... how did you get here anyway."
The young woman's cheeks flush and she smiles sheepishly. The compliment and awe not going a miss on her.
"Well , it wasn't easy , being entrapped by the most cruel and evil cyclops to ever walk this earth then escaping before he could eat me whole."
The wise warrior raises a sharp brow and she can't stop the curl of her mouth. "How did you trick him into letting you go?"
Gabrielle stands and rolls out the bed skin the warrior woman had thrown at her and lies down on it. "Oh , I just promised to kill the warrior woman who was responsible for blinding him and told him I'd even bring back her eyeballs as a trophy."
Xena smirks putting her sword away. "I see." She then stands and moves to her own bed skins. "This warrior woman better be on guard then and keep her eyes open."
The young woman giggles and stares across the fire to the dark haired woman who is settling in. "Goodnight Xena."
"Goodnight Gabrielle." The warrior on the road to redemption closes her eyes. A smile still on her face.