Judgment (Conclusion of Part 2)
by Something Royal

Webmaster Note: To make this story load a little easier in your browser, it was split into several web pages. This page concludes Part 2 of "Judgment" by Something Royal. The beginning of Part 2 is HERE. Part 1 of "Judgment" is located HERE.

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Xena sat on the edge of a chair with one leg reclined atop the wooden surface of the nearby table. She idly ran a finger along her chakram which was firmly gripped in her other hand and took in her own reflection.

"It won't be long now."

"Xena, as much as I'd like to believe that.."

She cast Ares a sideways glance. He too, was sitting. Propped on the end of the wooden railed cot, he held his head in his hands ruminating. The flames from the lit torches on either wall cast flickering shadows across his down turned face.

"We'll get out of here. Just trust me." She set her chakram down on the table, stood and stretched. Her eyes fell to a piece of parchment she had written on earlier. Scanning over it once more, she took a breath of anticipation.

From the entrance way, Gabrielle announced herself. "Alright, my horse is saddled and I found the staffs you were talking about." She gripped a tall wooden pole, much like the old staff she once carried.

"Good. That should make it more convincing that you aren't a threat." Xena had earlier informed the bard that she had to leave her sais behind because, otherwise, she'd be seen as suspicious. The warrior smirked. "How does it feel to carry a staff again? It's been a long time."

Gabrielle eyed the item over, bouncing its weight in her hand and then giving it a twirl. "Feels mighty good, actually. I don't know why it's been so long."

"Well, it's good to know you haven't lost your touch with it. Now, you gotta cover up. Lemme see.." Xena walked past Ares, who remained silent. She made her way to the trunk in the corner of the room, opened it and began to rummage through. "Ok, this should work." She pulled out a black cloak and tossed it. It landed in the bard's free hand.

Gabrielle raised a brow as she inspected the article of clothing. "Looks like it's one size fits all," she jested.

Xena stood and wiped the dust from her hands causing the dry, itchy particles to climb up her nose. She jerked her head to the side and sneezed through a small laugh. "Yup. You're sure to be a fashion don't in that. But, it will serve its purpose in keeping your identity secret." She sat on edge of the table, her eyes roaming over Ares' silent form. "You ok?"

He scratched the side of his face and shrugged. "As well as can be expected."

Xena pushed a lock of black hair from her face, picked up the parchment from the table and walked over to Gabrielle who was in the process of putting on the cloak.

"Alright, here's the note to Nikolaus. You're walking into dangerous territory. You know this. You also know that your truest gift is in your quick wit. Utilize it." Xena handed her the parchment. She looked at one of the nearby cots. An idea popped into her head and she pulled a cotton sheet from the top and balled it up.

Gabrielle smirked, took the item, and shoved it under the cloak. "Reading your mind."

The warrioress softly snickered. "Yup, but what else is new? A pregnant woman on the road--hardly a threat."

Nodding, the bard grinned. "Scary thing is, this isn't the first time this idea's come in handy." She centered the bulge and ran a hand over it. "I was hitch-hiking one day, trying to find you, and the only way I could get someone to stop was to pretend I was with child."

Xena smiled and pointed as she remembered. "Oh yea! I remember that. Leave it to you to work all the angles."

Ares raised a brow and stood. "All joking aside, do you think this is going to work?"

"It has to," the warrioress simply stated.

Gabrielle slung the strap of her satchel over her shoulder, raised her hands, as well as her brows, and did a turn. "So, whaddya think?"

"You look like you couldn't harm a fly," Xena relayed. She rolled her eyes up as she did a mental check list. Her fingers drummed rhythmically on her side. "Alright, got water? That left over bread from the other day? Note?"

"Yes. Thirty year old water never tasted so good. Yes. Although, that bread is about to grow mold. And yes-- the parchment is in my satchel." She patted the item and reached for her staff with the other hand.

Xena took a deep breath and then exhaled just as forcefully. "Ok then. Once you find Nikolaus, get an answer and come right back. You'll need to make sure you aren't followed of course. I'll wait up for you."

Gabrielle nodded. "Alright, let's do this."

"I'll walk you out." Xena looked back at Ares. "Be right back."

He sucked on his bottom lip thoughtfully, bobbed his head and went to pour himself a cup of water. "Well, as always, I'll be right here," he responded.

"Alright, let's go."

Xena put a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, and together the two friends made their way from the room and into the corridor. They walked in silence all the way to the stairwell, listening to the sound of the dirt floor being crunched under the tread of their boots. Xena gazed at the wooden support beams that ran along the height of the walls and across the ceiling. She took note of the splinters that ran through the oak, pointed out by the shadows that fell across them.

At the base of the stairs, Xena lifted a hand to the shelf against the wall. She grabbed one of the many lanterns and offered it to Gabrielle who readily took it.

"Just in case you need it. Got flint rocks?"

"Yes, Xena. I'll be fine." The bard regarded her. Her normally stoic friend had a look of worry on her face that she was probably suppressing before. "C'mon, where's that confident gleam?"

Leaning against the wall alongside the stairs, Xena shook her head and crossed her arms. "This has to work. At the moment, I don't see any other way."

Gabrielle put a hand on her friend's shoulder empathetically. "It will work. We always make it through somehow."

Taking another deep breath, the smell of musty leather and mold filled Xena's nose. "We can't stay in here forever. So, yes, it's gotta work. There's just so much going on right now..I mean this morning--our talk--it's something that needed to be expressed and I'm glad we finally talked it out. It just makes me thankful to know that you're still willing to see this through... when you could just leave if you wanted."

"Xena...I do now realize that I need to find my own way, but that doesn't erase all we've been through over the years. I told you this morning, and I'll tell you again..." The bard paused momentarily and looked into her best friend's eyes, finding a grateful gleam. Determinedly, she concluded, "If this is to be our last great adventure, lets see it out together."

Xena put her hand over the bard's own which still rested on her shoulder, and smiled. "I'm so thankful for a friend like you. Please, be careful."

"Always."

"Alright then. Let's get this plan into action, shall we?"

Gabrielle nodded. She adjusted her satchel, the pseudo pregnancy, and reached for the handle of the stairs. "I know what to do. Are you going to be alright here alone with Ares?"

Xena's eyes opened wide. She didn't expect that last question and consequently, didn't know how to answer it either. "Uh, yeah... I spose so."

The bard started up the stairs, only to look back down once more, smiling. "I'm sure you two could find a lot of interesting things to talk about." It was then she continued on her way, ascending the stairs and disappearing into the shadows.

Xena stood in place, gazing up into the black recesses with a perplexed expression. "A lot of interesting things to talk about," she softly whispered to herself.

She lowered a brow and looked back down the corridor towards where Ares waited. Her heart beat begin to quicken--another thing to catch her off guard. She tried to calm down, not even knowing exactly why she was suddenly so nervous. It wasn't the kind of nervous energy that arose from warfare or making a plan go through. No, this was the kind one gets when...

She shook her head again, closed her eyes and muttered, " 'Interesting' doesn't even begin to describe what Ares and I could talk about."

Xena reluctantly pried herself off the wall, inhaled and started walking down the corridor. Nearing the entrance to the room, her hands ran up her breast plate, tugged and adjusted.

Why are you boosting your cleavage, she silently chastised.

She bobbed her head back and forth, prompting her long black tresses dance over her shoulders, and peered in. There Ares stood, running his hands over an old burgundy war banner in a thoughtful manner.

Clutching her hand in a fist, she knocked on the wood support beam which ran up the length of the entrance way. She felt it necessary to make her presence known. Ares slowly turned to face her and meekly offered a smile.

"I see you're back."

Xena hesitantly entered and walked up to the table. Her fingers glided over the surface of the wooden top before running up the base of a water pitcher that sat in the middle. She gripped the handle and poured herself a cup.

"Yea." She quickly brought the item to her lips and drank. Her eyes darted about the room until they once again settled on him. "How are you holding up?"

Ares shrugged, walked to the table, and picked up his own cup which he had filled earlier. He ran a finger idly round the lip of it. "Well, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was nervous. You've tried to convince me that this will all be over soon, but, Xena-" He paused, bringing the cup to his mouth, feeling his breath circumvent across his lips as he stared her straight in the eye. "I could always tell when you were doubtful."

"I don't know what to tell you, Ares. This is a nasty situation."

"A situation that I told you time and time again, didn't concern you." He tipped the cup and drank deeply.

"It does concern me."

Ares' brows arched and he set the drink down. "How do you figure? Don't you understand that you could have just walked away??"

The emptiness in his eyes was undeniable.  "Don't you see that I couldn't?"

Maybe he didn't want to--maybe that emptiness sucked all sincerity in and threw it away.

He rolled his shoulders and gazed up at the ceiling. The tension was near unbearable. It was hard enough to keep all that he was thinking and feeling bottled up inside, and Xena's sentimental comments continued to chip away at the wall he'd built. He had already let go of one home...he wasn't prepared to relinquish another...then again, this one was more of a prison.

Ares ran a hand through his hair and turned his back to her. Emotions-- better guarded when they can't be seen.

"You say that you couldn't leave, but we both know that isn't true. You could have left the first time I told you to. I know how you feel about me, Xena. I know that you see me as an enemy. For that reason, there is no other way that I can rationalize what you're doing now than to think that it's because you feel pity." He turned on his heel to face her and concluded, "Well, it's not necessary."

Her mouth dropped open. She noisily set her cup down and crossed her arms. When wearing her stoic facade she felt less vulnerable.

"Why do you keep thinking that? I told you before it wasn't out of pity. You say that you can always tell when I'm doubtful--well, then you'd know that I was being sincere as well."

"C'mon Xena...You've told me plenty of times how much I make your skin crawl. You can not tell me that what you're doing is out of compassion. You used to mock the word." He extended his arms and slowly did a complete turn. "Just look around us. Everything here is a reminder of days past--of how we both used to be. But some things never change and after years of carrying your sword against me, you're now using it in my defense?" He shook his head. "No. I must look really pathetic to you for you to go to such lengths to stand by my side."

"Why would you say that," Xena shot back, placing her hands on the table and leaning on them.

"Because...how could I think otherwise?? Believe me, I am grateful that you saved my life, but, at the same time, what you did had me completely perplexed. So, I figure you did it out of pity. I don't think you felt like you owed me anything. It's not your style, and I did plenty of awful things to you in the past that the loss of my immortality just barely makes up for."

Ares could feel a spurt of pain run up his side, but refrained from wincing.  He already felt pathetically helpless and the last thing he wanted was proof of it displayed before her eyes. Keeping the pain masked prompted a sense of triumph, though, one he took little pleasure in.

Xena's fingers drummed on the top of the table. "Yes, you did do plenty of things in the past that were nothing less than atrocious but--" She paused and moved to scratch her arm. It didn't really itch, but she was nervous and found it the best way to work out the energy without him noticing.

"But what?"

She took a deep breath as her eyes raked over the old weaponry, battle gear and banners that lined the room. Shelf after shelf held war waging necessities such as flasks of Greek Fire. A thick coat of dust enveloped it all. It was almost symbolic.

"But...I'm not exempt either," she breathed, regarding him again. "I think about my past all the time. I think about the innocents who fell by my sword, the cities that fell by my order."

"But that was all part of the plan, Xena. So, I am just as much to blame for that as well."

"I was known as the Destroyer of Nations before I ever breathed your name. You had nothing to do with who I was then. If anything...you replaced that rage with focus."

"No, I replaced it with greed."

Xena bit her lip. "That's true." She watched as he closed his eyes and continued, "But the person I was then had more morals than the person you had first found...however few they were."

Ares threw his hands up. "You call using tactics to gain trust morals? If anything, it was the ability to deceive.." He started to pace along the length of the table as his fingers threaded through his hair. "I need to get out of here."

Before Xena could utter a single word, he started off toward the corridor and, on instinct, she followed suit, nearly clipping his heels as she roughly grabbed his arm. 

"Where are you going??"

"I just need to breathe," he stated, coming to an abrupt halt. "You're welcome to come, but I just need out of this...this...sarcophagus."

"Alright, let me just grab my water skin. I'll meet you outside."

He looked at her then, and the way he did so caused her stomach to tighten. It was almost like he was expecting her to do or say something more. Part of her wanted to scream, 'what,' but her tongue was idle. Instead, her eyes scanned him again and the answer to her silent question was answered.

Xena let go of his arm, angered at her own mindless embarrassment. Ares didn't seem to notice though. No, he didn't seem to notice much of anything--not that she could tell anyway. He had already turned and walked away.

She watched as the light dimmed against his back with each step, till finally, he was engulfed in black.  Perhaps there was more symbolism to be witnessed here, but if so, there was little time to ponder it. 

Xena quickly retrieved her waterskin and darted back into the corridor. The stairwell was basked in blue light and stepping into its glow, thoughts-- fractured by conflicting emotions-- seemed to ground her in place. She shook the feeling off like the cold, hard as it was to do so, and clumsily grabbed for the rail.

Reaching the top, Xena climbed out, finding Ares standing with his back to her, staring up at the moon. She felt inclined to say something, but before a word fell across her lips, he spoke.

"Do you know what it feels like to discover that everything you ever based your existence on was empty?"

Xena slipped the strap of her waterskin over her shoulder and stood in place, awkwardly running a finger along the leather cord. Her eyes closed. Words seemed as though they would take an eternity to come to fruition, but finally, they crawled to her tongue.

"I do know what that feels like. I feel it every time I encounter someone who's suffered at my hands...but there comes a point where you must step away from the guilt--never forget it--but step away from it. If you're always staring back at the past, you can't look ahead to find redemption." She opened her eyes and shook her head. "I don't even know if that's something you want."

Ares' eyes held fast to the forlorn moon. There was a time when he felt more imposing than the orb, and now, he was merely a dot, invisible to its glowing eye.

"You wondered why I told you to leave me that day. Maybe it was because of all the things I did as an Olympian--all the wars I raged, all of the empty conquests. Menelaus convinced those people that revenge against me was necessary and somewhere in the midst of it all... he convinced me as well."

"Ares, I won't lie to you. You did some awful things in your past. But, with warfare- there is also victory. I don't need to tell you how many faces there are to war. It can be cruel, but it can also bring freedom." She stopped and blinked before reiterating, "You could be cruel, but you also brought freedom."

Ares slowly turned to face her, like it pained him to do so. "No, Xena...Who won or lost a battle didn't mean a thing, just as long as they fought. My duties and obligations...they stopped at war, but I pushed them further to serve my own purposes. I can't deny that, can't erase that."

"So why does it matter to you now, after all this time?"

He took a moment to digest what she'd just asked. He could feel a lump starting to bulge in his throat, but pushed it back down and set his sights on the dizzying stars above. At least their light wasn't as blinding as the look in her eyes... At least he wasn't unguarded against them. Yes, he'd built a wall alright, but he could no longer deny that she held the key to its gates...perhaps they were better left open.

"I now know what it is to regret, to feel empathy. I understand what pain feels like and what loss feels like. For months, that's all that would run through my head. Y'know---once, anything I wanted was a breath away. I didn't know what it felt like to be hungry, to feel empty. But now I do, and all that remains is this gut wrenching recollection of what my greed served to do across Greece."

He stood amongst the wind swept weeds like a man on the edge of an abyss, ready to jump, and for a second, Xena wanted nothing more than to tell him it would be alright--that everything would be alright. She couldn't, though. She knew all too well what this guilt felt like and perhaps, that was the best way, the only way, she could really help him---to show that he wasn't standing on the brink alone.

"Why don't you sit down..." 

He nodded and together, both took a seat on the ground. Xena shifted on the cool earth beneath her, trying to get comfortable. Her knees came up and she draped her arms around them, propping her chin on top.

Ares sat hunched forward, legs sprawled out before him, and gazed back up at the looming moon. "There was a time when I knew exactly how many stars graced the sky and now, I wonder, are there more stars than there are regrets?" He closed his eyes and squeezed them tight as he whispered, "There are so many things that I keep inside for fear of being seen as weak."

"It's amazing how much we're alike."

Confused, he met her stare. "What do you mean?"

She pulled at the nearby weeds, uprooting them one by one and shrugged. "To some degree I know what you're going through. You know my past. What you wanted to know at the time anyway...but, when I left that path, my heart was wrenched with so much guilt I didn't think I deserved a second chance. But, I made it through and realized it would be a dishonor to all those I had oppressed to quit when my eyes had finally been opened." She watched as he bowed his head. "Ares...I didn't even think that you'd feel regret. All this time, I thought you missed what power you had. It never even occurred to me that you-"

"That I would be remorseful?" He set his jaw. "I sat in that jail and wondered how I would be remembered after I was gone. I never had to think about that before. But, so it is, and so it was.. Night after night, the same answer came. 'Mine is a name that will be spoken with hate... by those who haven't already forgotten it'." He brought his knees up, placed his elbows on top of them, and ran the fingers of each hand through his hair. "But I didn't wonder these things out of vanity...not at the end anyway.."

"It's alright...you can talk to me." 

Her words were just as startling to herself as they were to him. Then again, it seemed that tonight's moon shed light on many surprises. Maybe this was one moment in time, soon to be a memory within it, and tomorrow they would ponder why it wasn't stored with all things left unspoken.

But, that would be tomorrow...

"I was the personification of war, for eons...eons, Xena...and in two months time, everything I've ever known has seemed to slip through my fingers. There's nothing. Nothing." He dropped an arm to the ground, finding a lone rock. He threw it as far as he could and when it finally dropped to the ground in the distance, he shook his head. "I probably sound like I'm being sorry for myself- but that's not my intention."

"You don't sound like that at all. It was hard for me to come to terms knowing that, for a large part of my life, I was nothing but a monster... In some ways, though you may not be able to see it now, I was worse than you ever were."

Ares looked at her incredulously. "Xena-"

She bit her lip and stared out toward the valley's ridge. The moonlight poured down, scrutinizing the graceful waltz of the breeze-licked weeds. Flecks of blue and green seemed to coalesce, rolling like the sea. Right now, it was a sea of discontent... even though she knew the rough waters were still to come.

"I'm mortal and I let revenge cloud my eyes for years. Emotions that should have been like second nature, I was bereft of. No compassion, no empathy...there was just hate."

"What are you trying to get at?"

"That for you, having been who you were, and after all this time...if you can understand what those emotions are, then that is an amazing thing in itself. You were war and you're not supposed to feel- yet you do..."

"Yea, now that I'm mortal."

Xena looked at the wound on his face--the wound that he'd accidentally brought on himself. It wasn't nothing more than a mere scratch, hardly noticeable, but even so, its pain ran deep. He didn't speak of it and it wasn't necessary for him to do so. She had seen the frustration it had wrought with her own eyes. She remembered Ares' unguarded words, how they made her feel something she couldn't define.

Xena swallowed and, with a trembling hand, put her fingers under his chin, gently directing him to face her.

"You proved your capacity to feel... the moment you gave up Olympus."

"I did what I had to do.." he whispered.

Ares didn't dare lean into her touch and she pulled her hand away, suddenly fearing he would.

Xena's fingers drew into her palm as she lowered her arm inch by inch and attempted to rein in her scattered thoughts. "I realized long ago, that change starts by doing one good thing, for no other reason than it's the right thing to do."

As the words slipped from her mouth, she looked up into his eyes--something she regretted doing just few seconds later. The stare was intense. There, peering back, enveloping her, were eons. She couldn't even fathom what one would encounter in a span of time such as that. Could anyone even count that high? Upon pondering this undeniably silly question, another sprung up--one which made her throat suddenly tighten at the prospect of its answer.

Had she really been so callus to think Ares could be summed up in the span of a few decades? 

She sought that answer within the depths of those dark pools and with each fallen breath, she was drawn closer and closer to them till they were closed from sight--

The stare was broken. Snapping out of it, Xena's eyes grew large in shock, finding her lips mere inches away from Ares' own. She quickly sat back and feebly gathered herself to stand. The sudden absence of his body heat made its case as she felt a chill race down her spine.

Xena was at a loss for words. She ran her hands down the length of her battle dress, smoothing down the leather straps, but that wasn't enough. She still felt the nervous energy race through every inch of her body. Her fingers flew to her temples while she tried to think of something to say.

Ares broke the silence as he stood. "Xena, I'm sorry."

She lowered her hands and shook her head. "No...you didn't do anything..I don't know what just happened, but it wasn't...I'm just going to go back in the shelter now."

"Are you alright," he asked, stepping toward her.

She raised a hand, halting his approach and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just cold."

Ares could sense that she was quite uncomfortable. He turned away and crossed his arms. With nothing more than a sideways glance he replied, "It's alright. Go on inside. I'm going to stay out here for a little while longer."

"Alright." She began to slip the waterskin from her shoulder and ask, "Do you want-"

"No...thanks."

Xena merely tipped her head. What was there that she could really say? Her mind was already awash with so many different things. Perhaps time alone would help to sort them out. Maybe it would only bring more to the forefront. Either way, she felt entirely too open standing there amongst the weeds. What she wanted was shelter and that's just where she headed. 

The light of the moon still peered down into the entrance, illuminating the stairwell and  though he didn't see it, she cast one last, perplexed stare before lowering herself in. Once on the steps, Xena reached for the handle of the hatch, but withdrew it before her fingers even skimmed the metal. She would leave it open for now...

Ares waited a few moments before looking behind him. Finding she was gone, he gazed at the sky. Had they almost kissed? He didn't know. He was simply going on what he was feeling and there, under the night sky, her words echoed back.

"Change starts by doing one good thing, for no other reason than it's the right thing to do."

Ares brought a hand to his lips and whispered, "I did it for you."

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"C'mon, quit doin that." Gabrielle shortened the slack of her reins, attempting to keep her mount from trying to yank grass from the ground as he slowly plodded along.

He snorted in response, causing the bard to chuckle. She was getting close to the Spartan capital. With no clouds to block them, stars blazed clearly in the sky. Shadows, pulled through the crooked limbs of trees, graced the ground. Crickets chirped, and every now and then, the bard waved her hand about to scare off flies.

She wasn't sure how she'd feel going on this trip alone. It seemed as though Xena was always by her side and, in that company, Gabrielle found it hard to be frightened. So, she found it quite comforting to discover that, although she was nervous, fear didn't make its case.

Would she feel the same after all of it was over? The bard shook her head. The talk that she and Xena had that morning was one that had been coming for a long time. She knew she was making the right choice. She was nearing her late-twenties, and after all these years, she found that the woman she'd become was a stranger.

For nearly six years, she'd been at Xena's side fighting for the greater good. Ironic, that after all that time, she now was fighting to find herself in the aftermath. She'd have to be strong, fearless... and she was up to the challenge. Gabrielle had started a journey once before, not knowing what she'd encounter and, after this conflict was over, it was time to start a new one.

Her mind had been wrapped around this since she'd left the safety of the shelter and now, her thoughts began to clear. They gave way to the sound of dull thuds as her horse set foot in front food. The leaves beneath gave way, making a crisp crackling sound. It was almost soothing in unison with the sporadic calls of birds of prey which had woken for the night's hunt.

Thud...thud...thud..

The beat went on and before Gabrielle knew it, she could see the forest line begin to give way to the flat grassy plains that encompassed Sparta. The imposing walls rose up out of nowhere it seemed, casting gigantic shadows down the path. It was almost time to see if there was truly an ally beyond them.

Gabrielle gently squeezed the reins, bringing her horse to an abrupt halt. She slowly dismounted. The leather saddle creaked as she brought her right leg to the ground, followed by her left. She flipped the reins over the gelding's head and lead him into a well covered area. The trees were dense, making for a rather good spot to leave the animal undetected. Finding a stump, she looped the reins over it, and pulled her items from the saddle.

Her hand gently ran the length of the horse's neck. "Be a good boy, and stay quiet. There's plenty of grass to eat while I'm gone." She smiled as he lowered his head, indulging in the foliage below.

Adjusting the shoulder strap of her satchel, Gabrielle clutched her staff in the other hand and set it down like a walking stick. She walked back to the road, shuddering slightly as the cool night air brushed against her with each step. The leaves rustled beneath her boot treads, alerting a passing rabbit to her presence. She watched as the animal scurried off while still keeping a steady pace toward the city.

When she turned to face forward again, she stopped in mid-stride, seeing two soldiers standing with their backs to her. The light of the moon bounced off of their armor as they made small movements. They were apparently embroiled in a conversation.

Gabrielle weighed her options. She could keep going as if they weren't there, or she could acknowledge them. Pursing her lips, she chose the latter, deciding that it would make her less suspicious if she, by her own choice, made her presence known.

"Here goes nothing," she whispered under her breath. Her right hand on the staff, she brought her left to rest on the bulge concealing her waistline. Waddling, she made her way to the guards. "Excuse me."

Both men grew quiet as they turned to face her. The first lowered his brows while the second crossed his arms and cocked his head.  

Gabrielle, now standing toe-to-toe warmly smiled. "I was wondering if you could help me."

The first man grinned. He pointed to her 'belly' and with a twinkle in his eye retorted, "Looks like someone already beat me to it."

The bard was not amused by this remark, but suppressed her objections and replaced them with fake laughter. She gently slapped the Spartan on the arm. "That's not what I meant," Gabrielle chimed.

On the opposite side of her, the second guard idly rested his sword across his shoulder. "Then what do you need?"

"Well, I was told to search out a man named Nikolaus. I'm looking for employment and was told by an old acquaintance of his that there was a possibility he'd take me in. I have no husband you see, and with the birth of my baby coming, the money is quite necessary." She could feel the old skills coming back to her. How could she have forgotten her way with words all this time? She put on her game-face and complimented each syllable with a wave of the hand and a smile.

Both men whispered something to one another before joining in another laugh. Gabrielle hadn't heard what they were talking about. She felt it pretty safe to assume, though, that they were commenting on her single status.

Still brandishing a smile, one of the guards nodded. "Ok, what you want to do is walk into the main square. Stay to your left, and the house you're looking for is nearly adjacent to the palace at the back."

"Thank you very much." Gabrielle fallaciously wobbled as she bowed her head and began to walk off toward the entrance to Sparta.

Out of the situation, she felt herself release a breath she was subconsciously holding back.

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Tap, tap, tap...

Nikolaus looked up from where he was seated and stared at the door as he heard the gentle noise coming from beyond the oak surface. He rolled up a scroll that he had been intently reading. Its contents revolved around Menelaus' new tax laws and barter agreements. The knock at his door had come as a welcomed break.

He got up from the desk he'd been sitting at, pulling his robes tightly about his waist. The heat from the stone hearth wrapped around his body as he stopped in front of it, setting the document on the mantel above. Nikolaus lazily dragged his fingers across the surface as he went towards the door. The pelts on the wood floor cushioned each step.

He unclasped the latch and turned the knob. Slowly, he pulled it ajar, peeking through the crack to see who it was. The figure was shrouded and the outside torches only served to cast the individual in shadows, offering no insight as to who it was. He opened the door wider and his perplexed stare eased into a curious one.

"Come in," he offered, waving the person in with a turn of the hand.

The cloaked form nodded and entered. As the door closed, a pair of delicate hands reached out from beneath the fabric and pulled down the obstructing hood.

Nikolaus smiled as the cloak was discarded. A feminine scent graced the air. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around the slender waist. Their bodies pressed tight, he leaned in, claiming a passionate kiss.

A hand ran through her hair as he stood upright again, raking his eyes over her face. He could sense something was wrong. "Did anyone see you?"

"No...we need to talk." She walked over toward the hearth, rubbing her hands together to gain warmth.

He followed, wrapping his arms around her from behind. She leaned into him as his lips drew close to her ear. "Yes, I missed you. We really didn't get a chance to-"

Her hands came down to cup his own as she cut him off. "I'm pregnant, Nikolaus." She turned in his grasp to face him, not knowing what sort of expression would greet her.

What she saw was confusion. "Taris...but, when? How? Whose?"

She stepped out from his grasp and pushed her brown hair from her face. She took a seat on the very chair he'd been reclined in just moments before, and rested a hand upon the desk. Her eyes surveyed the room, from the soft pelts that lined the dark wooden floor, to the armor that graced the walls, before finally settling on the burning fire.

Taris took her time. "When...I'm not exactly sure..three months or so. How..according to Agnes, it's a miracle..and as to whose," she stared up at him, seeing the anticipation written clearly on his face, "yours."

He closed his eyes in momentary shock. Taking a step back he reached for a cup of water that he had poured earlier which rested on a stand beside the hearth. He drank as though he hadn't in days. She watched as he finally set the item down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. There, on his face, was a smile.

Nikolaus strode up to her, took her hand from the desk and put it in his own. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "It is a miracle."

The warmth of his fingers as they tenderly massaged her own only brought so much comfort. She pulled her hand away and bowed her head. "I would have told you as soon as I saw you but-"

"I know..the palace- ears on every wall," he stated as he ran a hand down her face. She leaned into his touch as a tear began to roll down. "Taris?"

"What are we going to do?! Menelaus will know the child is not his! He will surely seek its demise," she breathed out as a lump began to bob at her throat.

Nikolaus dropped to his knees. One hand remained on her face, the other gripped the hand in her lap. He shook his head. "I don't know what we're going to do."

She inhaled, attempting to draw the liquid that threatened to leak from her nose back up. "I will not give up this child! In marrying Menelaus' --that meant I had to give up being wed to you, but that never stopped my love."

"I know. It never stopped mine either. We were meant to be together. You don't need to convince me of that." He brought her hand to his lips and placed another kiss on top.

She looked into his eyes. A self-mocking chuckle mingled with the sobs. "It's almost ironic..."

"What do you mean?"

She swallowed back. "The man I love, the man I was to wed and whose child I carry, I can't be with because I'm married to my own worst enemy."

Nikolaus' eyes flickered back and forth. "We'll find a way, Taris. I promise you."

"I want to believe you. Truly, I do..but let's face the facts.. I'm married to the King of Sparta and in my womb grows a child that is not his. It's treason by his law and treason is punishable by-"

"death."

Nikolaus wrapped his arms around her, trying desperately to comfort her somehow. He was the man she was forced to give up the day that Menelaus demanded her hand in marriage. They had always wanted to grow old together and in a way, they did just that--separately and in secret.

Now, there was no way to deny it.

Nikolaus was about to say something more when, again, there came a knock on the door. He jerked his head toward the sound and just as quickly looked back at Taris.

She brought her hands to her eyes, wiping away the excess tears and whispered, "Who would that be?"

He slowly stood and shook his head. "I don't know. You'll have to go hide. Hurry, in the other room."

She knew the 'other room' all too well. She gathered the length of her gown and scurried off as quietly as possible into the bedroom. The entrance to it was adjacent to the right side of the hearth and as she ran by, the heel of her sandal caught the edge of a poker that was propped against the grey stone wall. It came down with a loud 'clang', but she didn't stop.

Taris out of sight, Nikolaus cleared his throat and moved to the door. Again, he opened it slowly, finding to his surprise, another cloaked figure. He lowered a brow and drawled out, "Yessss?"

"Are you Nikolaus?"

"Yes...what's this about," he asked in an extremely leary manner.

The figure lifted a hand. "I assure you that I pose no threat. I must speak with you. It's urgent."

"Is anyone else with you?"

"No, I came by myself."

Nikolaus opened the door completely and ushered the guest in. He crossed his arms and his brows came to a point. "What's this about?"

Gabrielle looked around the room. It was a very modest place, especially considering that Nikolaus was part of the Royal High Council. She, in truth, didn't expect that someone with such status would be content in dwellings such as this. There was one large room that served as a sitting and dining area, and what appeared to be two doorways on either side of the hearth. Even the decor was modest. It consisted of old armor, pelts, but nothing more.

She did a complete turn as she took it all in. It smelled pleasant. A basket of herbs sat upon the mantel. She figured they were cause of the scent. Satisfied that this was the home of a man more concerned with necessity rather than luxury, she cocked her head.

"Why such a small place?"

The question perplexed him for he didn't see what relevance it had. He chose to answer anyway. "Well, I feel that the profit I make is better served by being returned to the people. Whether someone is under my employment--for I don't use slaves--or if someone comes to me."

Gabrielle walked toward him. "You must really care about the people of Sparta."

"Yes...I do. Sparta has always been my home."

She ran her fingers over the satchel. The note was inside, but, before she would hand it over, she needed to know more about this man. "Does your empathy for mankind stem further than Spartan walls?"

"Yes, it does." He paused, drawing a hand to his chin and cocking his head. "Miss, I'm sorry, but you have me at a loss. What is it you seek? Are you looking for money for your child? Because if that's the case, all you need do is ask." He wasn't altogether sure where this was going. He didn't even know the name of the woman that stood before him.

The bard shook her head. Those last few words assured her that she was in the presence of a kind-hearted man. Now, whether or not that compassion would extend to helping them escape Sparta, she wasn't sure. She had to try though.

She took another step. "I'm not with child, Nikolaus."

His brows came to a point. "I don't understand then. What are you here for?"

"My name is Gabrielle," the bard stated, leaning her staff against the nearby wall.

"What are you here for?"  

She stared at him thoughtfully for a moment. "I'm here on behalf of Xena."

Nikolaus took a step forward, lowering his chin and bobbing a finger. "I knew that name sounded familiar. You're a bard aren't you?"

"Yes, that would be me."

He walked to the hearth and propped an arm on the mantel. "Alright...so, what exactly does Xena want of me?"

"She heard that you were against the execution. Is this true?"

"Yes, yes it is. It's nothing more than a publicity ploy by Menelaus. Xena wants me to help her and Ares off of Spartan land I'm guessing."

Gabrielle nodded. "Yes. With your status...will you help us?"

She waited for an answer. It seemed, from the look on his face, as though he was genuinely interested in helping. Slowly, his lips began to part, but before a single word could be uttered, Gabrielle got an answer--an answer that came from an unexpected party.

"We'll help you. Just tell us what you need to be done."

The bard spun around on her heel and there, standing beside the hearth, was Taris. Her expression was firm. The tears shed just minutes before had since disappeared. Gabrielle's mouth dropped. She recognized this woman.  

Stuttering she tried to reason why she would help and secondly, what she doing in this home. "But, you're the Queen of Sparta...why..?"

Nikolaus went to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Taris, what are you doing??"

She in turn raised a hand to his shoulder, staring him directly in the eye. "It's alright, Niko." The queen turned to address Gabrielle's question. "Why? Because Menelaus is a drunkard who is not fit to rule. My husband seeks vengeance for Troy when it is he who is to blame for its aftermath. I won't stand silent anymore while he points the finger to anyone but himself."

The bard was taken aback. She hadn't even considered that the Queen of Sparta would offer to help. Gabrielle gazed into the dancing flames of the hearth and whispered, "I was at Troy when the war was finally brought to an end."

"Then you know how ruthless and petty my husband truly is. We'll help you, but what is it you want us to do?"

Reaching into the satchel, Gabrielle pulled forth the parchment. She extended her hand and Taris took it. Both she and Nikolaus examined the note.

"It says that Xena wants to meet with me by the bank of the Eurotas River," Nikolaus conveyed.

Taris looked to Gabrielle and nodded. "Tell your friend that we'll both be there."

"Both of us? But, you're-"

She cut him off and reiterated, "We'll both be there." He tried to object, but she determinedly continued, "If I'm to be tried for treason in a few months, why not stand against him now?"

Gabrielle's brows lowered. "Treason?"

"I want to help you because in doing so, perhaps I can help myself, Gabrielle. That is, if Xena would be willing. Either way, I feel that I can trust you.."

The bard cocked her head and stepped toward Taris. "I'm sure Xena wouldn't object to helping you if there's any way you can resolve the situation we're in now. What did you mean by treason??"

"I'm pregnant and the child I carry is not my husband's."

Now it all made sense. Realization grew evident on Gabrielle's face as she looked at the pair standing before her. Her lips dropped open. "The child is yours, Nikolaus."

"Yes, the child is mine and there is no reason for the king to think it is his. Therein is the problem. When he discovers in near months..."

Gabrielle adjusted the satchel's strap on her shoulder. Her hands gripped the leather and she nodded. "I see. I don't know what can be done, but I will tell Xena."

"And we'll be there to meet with her tomorrow at dawn. It's perfect timing really, Menelaus is in Pylos. He returns day after tomorrow," Taris stated.

"Ok, sounds good. I should go." Gabrielle reached for her staff and went to leave. With one hand on the knob of the door, she turned to face the couple. "Thank you so much...the both of you."

Taris wrapped an arm around Nikolaus' waist as they stood in front of the warm hearth. She shook her head and replied, "No, thank you Gabrielle."

The bard's head tilted. "What do you mean?"

The corners of Taris' mouth curled up. "Xena's helped one woman escape from Menelaus' clutches at Troy. Maybe she can do it again here in Sparta."

Gabrielle meekly smiled. She turned the knob of the door and quietly made her exit.

After closing the door behind her, she pulled her cloak tight as the night's air fell upon her skin. She began to turn, only to be stopped short as she felt herself bump into someone. Gabrielle shrank from the impact and bowed her head. The stench of alcohol was apparent.

She waved her hand, breathed out quietly, "I'm sorry," and continued on her way.

The dark figure chuckled and called after her, "How much?!"

She heard the words, which were obviously meant to be derogatory. Gabrielle just kept walking and muttered under her breath, "How much? Are the words concubine for sale etched on my cloak or somethin," as she disappeared into the dark.

Inside Nikolaus' residence, both he and Taris remained in front of the hearth. He ran a hand down her back as she continued to stare at the parchment held firm in his grasp.

"We're doing the right thing. I know we are. If we can help Xena...maybe...just maybe she'll help us as well."

Nikolaus nodded in response as he leaned down to capture a kiss.

It was then that the door flung open.

Taris, in the midst of opening her eyes, asked, "Gabrielle, did you forget something?" She peered toward the doorway and her fingers dug into Nikolaus in fear.

Standing there, smiling smugly, was Phazon.

Nikolaus quickly moved himself in front of the queen as he entered. The man's grey eyes twinkled with amusement and a chuckle passed over his lips. He swaggered up to the pair. Nikolaus' eyes burned with despise.

"How absolutely intriguing! I just left the local tavern and bumped into what I thought, emphasis on 'thought', was a servant. So, I thought I would drop by and ask how it was. Oh, but this is so much better. I always thought there was something going on between the two of you," he taunted.

"You pompous idiot!" Nikolaus rushed up to Phazon. Seething with anger, he brought a hand down upon the intruder's neck and slammed him against the wall.

"If you dare tell-"

"Nikolaus, don't," Taris yelled as she rushed to separate the pair.

"Why shouldn't I?!"

She shook her head as her eyes began to well. "Because you'll forfeit everything you've accomplished!"

Phazon gasped under the pressure, but managed to speak. "You should listen to her. Besides, I won't tell."

Confused by this, Nikolaus' grip slowly began to release. He took a step back. The fact that he was perplexed was obvious. "Just what do you mean??"

Smoothing down his robes, Phazon rolled his head from side to side in an attempt to loosen the muscles. "You know that I am a bargaining man. I'll be silent...but it will cost you."

Taris' eyes lowered. The fire in the hearth sent shadows to play about her face. "You want money?"

"No. You thought I was 'Gabrielle'. Well, if I'm not mistaken, that's the very name of Xena's little side-kick."

Nikolaus stood tall. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sneering, Phazon's gaze volleyed between the two. "Oh please...spare me the lies. Let's face facts shall we? I caught you both in an embrace. You know very well that infidelity is treason and you both know the penalty. Now," he pointed to the parchment that was still gripped firmly in Nikolaus' hand, "you hand over that and both of you will keep your heads."

Swallowing down, Nikolaus looked to Taris. He couldn't stand the thought of losing her and now, that fear was doubled. She was carrying their child. The pace of his breathing picked-up again. "Why is that enough to gain your silence??"

"Because. If I can catch Ares and his warrior bitch, Xena, then that's all the better for my reputation. Now, are you going to hand it over or not? Because if you don't, I will just as easily be content to gain Menelaus' favor by turning you two in." Phazon's voice was laced with malicious intent.

Nikolaus stared helplessly at Taris.. He could see her mouth the word, 'no', but didn't comply. He knew he couldn't lose her. The tears that were making their way down her face convinced all the more. His looked to the wayside as he slowly extended his hand.

A victorious grin grew on Phazon's face. He quickly grabbed the note and peered down to read it. He ran a finger across his moustache and shook with mocking laughter. "The Eurotas River at dawn, eh?" He folded the parchment and tucked it away. "Thank you, ever so much. You just made my day."

Taris' head dropped in defeat as Nikolaus came to stand by her. Seeing Phazon start to leave, he spat, "Just what are you going to do!?"

He stopped halfway out the door and turned. That same smug grin was held firm on his face. Sarcastically, he replied, "Well, I must make preparations. I wouldn't want to disappoint the Warrior Princess."

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Part 3