"Keeping Faith"
Disclaimers:
The characters of Xena, Gabrielle, and Toris are the property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. This is just a work of fan fiction and not intended to infringe on the copyright of "Xena: Warrior Princess".
Subtext: Well, it's in there too. If you are under 18 or this sort of thing is not legal in your area, I'm sorry, but I would suggest other reading material. Sorry Nicole, maybe when you're older!
Violence: none.
Author's Note: A special thank you to my friend and Beta Reader for this one. Thanks Crystal! The premise of this story was to explain how Janice Covington came about as Gabrielle's decedent. This was submitted to futuremuse as part of one of the sites contests.
Comments, feedback, and constructive criticism may be sent to ricesue@mediaone.net. Thank you.
Gabrielle returned to Greece after spending the last six months in Egypt. It had almost been a cycle of moons since she last held Xena under these familiar stars. She sighed as she remembered her and their late night star gazing together.
Tomorrow she would be in Amphipollis. She planned to stay only for a short time, to place the urn in the family crypt. "Xena, I promised that if ever anything happened to you, I'd bring you home. You're almost there, Love. Gods, I miss not hearing you across the fire from me. I never realized how soothing a whetstone on metal could actually be."
Gabrielle turned in, knowing that tomorrow was going to be a long day.
******
The next day, Gabrielle made her way into the town. It was late afternoon and the sun was low on the horizon. She approached the Inn and as she cleared the busy street traffic she saw a young man standing by the Inn's doors. He looked almost exactly as she remembered him. He was as tall as Xena with long dark hair and those same piercing blue eyes.
"Toris!" she cried as she approached the man.
The man turned around and looked at her. "Um, do I know you?"
"Oh, sorry, you just looked like someone I remember form a long time ago. My mistake." Shoulders slumping, the blonde started walking away.
"Lyceaus, who's your friend?" asked another voice from behind the young man.
"I don't know father, but she called me Toris."
The older man raised his arm and yelled, "Wait!"
"Father?"
"Lyceaus, go ask her to come back here."
Lyceaus looked at his father and then dashed over toward the stables in pursuit of the blonde. "Wait up!" he yelled.
Gabrielle turned and looked at the young man who resembled the man and woman she once knew and paused as requested. The young man skidded to a halt next to her and smiled sheepishly when he nearly lost his balance and grabbed onto her for support.
"Miss, my dad asked me to stop you. He wanted to speak with you. Would you please come back to the inn with me?"
Gabrielle looked up at the taller man. "I need to take care of my horse first and then I'll come over to the inn. I had planned on spending the night there before moving on."
"Great! I'll see you there then."
As the young man left, Gabrielle turned to take care of her mare. Gabrielle turned back to ask him his name but it was too late as he disappeared into the crowd in front of the stables. "Oh well," she shrugged, "I'll find out soon enough."
******
"I love that horse, but some things I draw the line at and that line is smelling like one," mumbled the bard. "I don't care how much it's going to cost me, but I want a nice hot bath with that room."
Gabrielle mounted the steps to the inn and proceeded into the building. She paused just inside the door as her eyes adjusted to the dim interior. She smiled as the fragrance of fresh baked bread made its way to her senses. She surveyed the room and picked out a location that would provide her with a good view of the room and still allow her back to be covered. She chuckled at herself, "And here I thought you were just being picky."
Gabrielle made her way toward the back of the room, remembering happier times in this very room. On her way to the table she needed to swat a hand or two along the way, but none connected with her as the owners had intended. Smirking, she sat at the table and put her saddlebags down on the seat next to her. A young woman came over and in no time at all, Gabrielle had secured lodging, dinner, and the all-important bath.
Her food was delivered to the table and she inhaled deeply. The stew was think and hardy. The bread had a nutty flavor to it that went along beautifully with the stew. Gabrielle took that first bite and savored the moment.
"Gods, something I didn’t have to hunt and cook myself. This is wonderful," she mumbled.
"Thank you, Gabrielle, I’m glad you like it," came a deep voice off to her right.
Gabrielle looked up, surprised that someone would call her by name. At first she was unsure who this person was, but then she looked at the eyes and saw with her heart as well as her eyes.
"Toris," she whispered.
"It’s you! The rumors are true then, you’re both alive. Gods, look at you. You haven’t changed a bit, well, except for the hair. Gabrielle, you look great! And where is my little sister?" Toris stood and started craning his neck around looking for his sister.
Gabrielle stood and held his hand, "Toris, I…"
Her voice cracked causing Toris to look at her. He watched as the tears welled up in her eyes and didn’t need any additional queues to know that his sister had died. The two looked at each other, tears running down two sets of checks, one smooth and the other wrinkled.
Gabrielle stepped forward and the two held on to one another for a while, the grief shared with another who knew the Warrior Princess.
Muffled into his shirt he could hear Gabrielle’s soft crying as she relayed the final moments of his sister’s life. The inn around them grew quiet, as if sensing their great sorrow and gave them the privacy they needed. After a while, the two sat down at the table. Gabrielle’s stew, previously steaming, now quiet cool.
The two friends talked for a while, when the young man approached the table. Toris smiled at him and stated, "Lyceaus, let me introduce you to an old friend of the family. Gabrielle, this is my son, Lyceaus. Lyceaus, this is Gabrielle of Poteidaia."
Gabrielle smiled at Lyceaus, "Nice to meet you. You have no idea how much you look like your father when he was a young man. Very handsome."
Lyceaus smiled, "Thank you. Pleasure to meet you." He paused for a moment. "You aren’t by chance actually related to Gabrielle, the Battling Bard of Poteidaia?"
Gabrielle smiled and said, "As a matter of fact, I am she."
Lyceaus looked at her and then at his father, "Okay, what’s the joke?"
"I really am Gabrielle, Lyceaus. As for the joke, I only wish it was a joke," she said as she bowed her head.
It was getting late, and Toris could see that this evening was draining his friend. "Gabrielle, why not go on up to your room, the bath is already up there and I’m sure there are several buckets sitting over by the fire. Get a good nights sleep and we’ll talk in the morning."
Gabrielle smiled at her friend and rose to leave. "Thank you, Toris. I’ll see you in the morning."
"Good night, Gabrielle. Sleep well," he called out as she climbed the stairs.
******
Toris watched his son as he moved about the room cleaning up after the morning crowd. Gabrielle still had not come down and Toris suspected that this was probably the first time is a long time that she had slept past the rooster’s call.
Behind the bar, he continued to move things around when he felt a presence. He turned and noticed the door to the kitchen close. He put the mug down on the counter, heading toward the kitchen.
Once inside, his eyes opened wide as he stared into the baby blues of his sister. "Xena?"
"Yah, Tor, it’s me," she replied.
"But Gabrielle said you were dead and that she hasn’t seen your spirit for a long time. She told me what happened at Higuchi. That was very noble Xena, and really stupid too. Xena, I understand doing something for the greater good, but to leave Gabrielle alone like that," he shook his head.
"Toris, I didn’t do it for the people of Higuchi."
"WHAT? Are you telling me you just gave up?"
"I did it for Gabrielle. I did it for us," replied the warrior.
"Xena, how could you have left her like that?"
"Wait, let me explain, please. I knew that in order for us to go on in the future, Gabrielle needed to have children. I have a daughter, and I know that my line will continue but Gabrielle doesn’t. She needs to start a family. She wouldn’t have anyone other than me when we were together. She was bound and determined to just be with me. Tor, it is one of the most flattering things I’ve ever known, but I also know that someone with as much goodness as Gabrielle must pass it on to future generations."
"Well, fine, but did you have to die doing it?"
"Well, the dying part was for Higuchi, but the not coming back… That was for Gabrielle. I stayed with her for a while after becoming a ghost, but she was content just to stay with me and wouldn’t look at anyone else. I needed to leave so that she would look for love. Hell, at this point, I would just like to see lust on that beautiful face."
Xena sat at the table with her head bowed. Toris approached her and put his hand on her shoulder. "That must have been a terrible decision to have to make. I don’t know if I could have done it."
Xena smiled at her brother, "Well, I am hedging my bets here."
"How so?"
"Toris, I can come back if I want too. The reason I can’t at this time is because of Gabrielle. Once she is with child, the deities of Japa stated that they would release my spirit and reunite it with my ashes. I’ll live again, if I so choose."
Toris looked at his sister. "Xena, if that was the case, why not just tell Gabrielle this? Don’t you think she’d take someone to her bed just to get you back?"
"That’s just it, Toris, she would. No, this has to be someone Gabrielle cares about, not just a series of one-night stands until she became pregnant. Toris, if she finds that person and falls in love, I’ll leave. But there is more and I think you know what I’m hoping."
Toris looked at his sister and thought about what she just said, "Oh no, Xena, there is no way I’m going to try courting a young woman."
Xena chuckled, "No offense, bro, but my bard would kill you in the sack."
"HEY!"
"No, I was thinking more about Lyceaus."
"My son? She’s old enough to be his mother!"
"Oh come now, Toris, you can’t be that blind already. You think she looks that old? In here," she tapped her chest, "and here," she tapped her head, "is a very young and wild creature just waiting to explore." She chuckled, "Not to mention she has a body to die for."
"Tell me about it," muttered Toris, "but Lyceaus?"
"Look, it would be perfect if they got together. I mean, you want a grandchild, right?" she asked.
"But that’s my son we’re talking about."
"Tor, how long has he been sick for?" asked Xena.
"You know?"
She nodded.
Toris took a seat next to his sister. "A while. His mother died in childbirth and I suspected for some time that he has been hiding his pain. The healer said I would loose him young."
Toris looked at his sister, "Xena, is it true? Is my baby boy dying?"
Xena held onto her brother, "Oh, Toris, I’m so sorry."
******
Time went on and what started off as only a couple of days stop over became a couple of weeks. Slowly, Gabrielle and Lyceaus grew to appreciate each other’s company, forming a close friendship. All the while, a father and a lover watched over the pair.
They’d go hunting to supplement the inn’s meat supply. One day, Lyceaus stated he was in the mood for fish stew. Gabrielle claimed that Xena not only could catch fish with her hands but that she taught Gabrielle how to do it too. Intrigued and a little skeptical, Lyceaus decided that Gabrielle needed to prove that it could be done.
With a smirk, the bard started strolling toward the river. Lyceaus, just behind her with his fishing pole was mesmerized by the sway of her hips.
Gabrielle turned, saying, "Lyceaus, did you hear me?"
Gabrielle watched as the young man grew flushed and tried looking anywhere but at her. She smiled, knowing that she had caught him staring at her. The smile grew wider as she realized that she liked the idea of his attention. She grabbed his hand and started pulling him toward the water.
"Come on, Lyceaus, let’s go for a swim and catch some fish."
Gabrielle got to the bank of the river, sat down on the grass and started to unlace her boots. Once free of her boots, she took a look around and decided that after getting those fish for dinner, a swim would be wonderful. She shyly smiled at her companion and decided that for once, she’d be bold. After all, she reasoned, it worked with Xena.
Gabrielle paused. She watched him as he dropped his line into the water. Was this really what she wanted? She knew that eventually she would be moving on, but did she really want a relationship like that with him? She looked at the man she first confused for Toris. To her, Toris would always be a brother, but Lyceaus? She smiled, Lyceaus made her feel special. She could see the facial features of her love, yet at the same time, she could see beyond the physical similarities and look at the warm and caring man that was Lyceaus.
The more she thought about it, the more her mind wander over the possibilities. For the first time in a long time Gabrielle felt an arousal that she thought long gone. She shook herself and then proceeded remove her clothing. Right now, she knew she needed a long soak in a very cold river.
With a running start, Gabrielle leapt into the air, tucked her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs.
Lyceaus’ eyes opened wide and stared at the airborne bard, an immediate flush coming to his skin. Just as he opened his mouth to call out, Gabrielle hit the water with a great splash, washing over him.
He wiped the water from his face and found a very amused Gabrielle waving at him from the water. He stuck his pole into the ground and pulled off his boots. He started to pull off his shirt when he caught a glimpse of Gabrielle watching him. He felt heat rush through him and made a show of throwing the shirt off to the side. He turned and met her eyes.
She smiled and wiggled her fingers at him before diving under the water.
Lyceaus started working on the ties to his pants when a fish smacked him square in the chest. He stared at the fish that now flopped around on the bank of the river and leapt for it before it could make its escape back into the water. Just as he managed to grab hold of the fish, another one sailed up onto the bank catching him in the shoulder. He looked up in time for a third one to catch him in the face.
Gabrielle giggled as she threw a fourth fish up onto the bank as Lyceaus was securing them to the catch line.
Lyceaus heard Gabrielle and decided with four fish, that they were done fishing for today and that a swim would do wonders right about now. He watched her as she started to glide effortlessly around the river. He waited until she was closer to his position, then, leathers and all, he dove into the water at the lazily swimming blonde.
Gabrielle saw the movement out of the corner of her eye and dove under the water to avoid capture. After all she mused, can’t make it to simple on him. She managed to get behind him and watched as he searched from below the water for her. Moving closer she reached out and tweaked his bottom. She heard a loud explosion of bubbles and started laughing under water herself; something she knew was not smart. Quickly she surface and came face to face with eyes the color of the summer sky.
Before Gabrielle could escape, Lyceaus scooped her up into his arms and pulled her closer. They stared at each other, neither one breathing. Then slowly, both moved toward the other, tasting each other’s lips for the first time.
Slowly, Gabrielle’s hands snaked around Lyceaus’ neck. The kiss deepened as the two pulled each other closer. The chill of the water quickly forgotten as a visible flush moved up the bard’s shoulders. Slowly the two swam toward the shore, never breaking their embrace.
Lyceaus’ feet hit bottom and stood tall, lifting the bard in his arms as he carefully climbed up the bank. He moved to a nice sunny patch and carefully placed Gabrielle on her feet. The two continued the kiss as they allowed their hands to wander freely over the other’s body. Slowly, they sank to the sun warmed grass.
Lyceaus was gentle and moved slowly over Gabrielle’s body. He caressed her hip, trailing his fingers up and down the sides of her body. He could feel the heat radiating from her body and longed for more. He felt fingers on his skin causing sensations never before felt. He wanted her, yet knew that she had to take the lead.
Gabrielle started tugging at the ties to Lyceaus’ leathers. She was having a problem with the waterlogged knots and started to growl out her frustration. She finally broke the kiss and said, "Off!"
Lyceaus smiled down at her. He kissed her once more on the nose and then rose to his feet. He looked down and marveled at the beauty before him. Her eyes were dark with desire and her body was that of a pale rose. As he watched her, he noticed that her eyes were roaming over his body. He could feel his own heat rising even higher as he started to fumble with his ties. After several failed attempts, he yanked at the laces.
Gabrielle rose from her position and put a hand on his chest and slowly circled him. Her hand left his skin for a moment and then was on his body again. Chills ran up his spine as he felt her move around him. When she reappeared before him, her Sia was raised high and then moving down quickly, slicing the offensive laces.
Lyceaus stared transfixed as the blonde lightly tossed the weapon to the ground. He glanced down at himself, praying that he was still intact. Then glanced up to see a smirking blonde.
"Never piss off the bard," she said as the two slowly sank back to the ground.
******
As time passed, Gabrielle and Lyceaus spent most days in each other’s company. Xena and Toris watched them from a distance. Toris knew it was just a matter of time. Yet he could never detect when his son was in pain. It almost seemed that when Lyceaus was with Gabrielle, he floated on a cloud.
Today the two had made plans for a picnic, but Gabrielle woke up with the sickness that had been going around the village. She came down long enough to apologize before running from the room. Lyceaus wasn’t far behind her, worried at her green complexion.
He waited for her; then escorted her back to her room. He promised he would be up with some broth and fresh bread shortly. Toris felt bad for his son that day. For on that day, Lyceaus found out that it is very dangerous to joke about food with a sick bard.
Several days passed and still the bard was not interested in eating. Lyceaus insisted on getting the healer. Finally, she relented and allowed the healer to visit. It was as Xena and Toris suspected; Gabrielle was pregnant. This came as a rather big surprise to Lyceaus and Gabrielle. Toris just looked at the two of them and laughed.
Fall arrived and still Xena decided to remain hidden from Gabrielle. She wanted Lyceaus and Gabrielle to enjoy each other’s company for a while longer. She was always watching, yet was never seen by her bard.
The first snows finally arrived and Gabrielle was showing signs of the new life within her. She and Lyceaus were bickering about a name. They agreed that eventually they’d work it out.
Then it happened, much more suddenly then expected. The illness that Toris had been informed of didn’t take Lyceaus, but a team of horse and run-away wagon did. Lyceaus died of a broken neck.
Gabrielle and Toris both mourned Lyceaus’ death. As they moved to the family crypt behind the sarcophagus, Toris heard Gabrielle’s sharp intake of breath.
"Are you alright?"
Through her tears, Gabrielle smiled. "I felt the baby move."
Toris hugged her close. "Thank you, Gabrielle, for loving my son."
Gabrielle returned the hug as they continued up the hill. Once inside, the neighbors left to allow the family some time alone with Lyceaus. Toris bowed his head over the sarcophagus and let the tears flow freely. Gabrielle moved forward and placed a rolled parchment on top of it.
She whispered, "I’ll miss you, Lyceaus. Please take care and if you see Xena, tell her I miss her too. You two take care of each other. I love you."
******
Xena watched over both her brother and bard, allowing them time to mourn Lyceaus. She also took the time to get to know him on a more personal level since she could visit with him. Getting to know him from a distance as Gabrielle’s suitor didn’t put him on her favorite list. Xena knew that it was jealousy, but also knew that Gabrielle needed this chance at a family. As time went on she was able to appreciate him for the man he was.
******
Spring finally arrived and with it a very grumpy bard. Being cooped up for the winter was trying enough, but being cooped up and not being able to put your boots on made for a bad tempered bard. Toris decided that it was time that Xena return. He didn’t want to be here alone when the bard finally went into labor or snapped.
" Xena," he said, "if you are going to come back, now is the time. She’s close to delivering and ready to kill anyone that looks her way. You have to come back now. You’re the only one I know that can handle a weapon, keep her from hurting someone with hers and still let her blow some steam."
Xena smirked at her brother. She could see that the bard’s mood swings had been getting to him and was not sure she wanted to come back right now either. After all, she was going to have to answer to the bard for being away as long as she had. Then there was the fear of Gabrielle not wanting her back. Shoulders slumped, Xena knew she didn’t have a choice now. She needed to face the bard.
Xena moved through the inn trying to decide if she should come back first then tell Gabrielle or tell Gabrielle and then come back. "Listen to yourself! And you call yourself a warrior? Since when have you ever been afraid of one little old bard.?"
She chuckled and answered her own question, "Since I saw one little old pregnant bard throw a man twice her size out into the street because he used his sleeve instead of his napkin."
Just as she was about to knock on the door to Gabrielle’s room, the door flew open. They stared looking into each other’s eyes. Neither one said a word and both held their breath.
"Gabrielle, I’m…" the warrior paused as she noticed the look on Gabrielle’s face. In that moment, warrior or ghost, it didn’t matter; she saw her life flash before her eyes again.
"ARGH!!! Are you finally happy now! GODS! This is killing me!" huffed a very red faced bard.
"Um, I take it you’re having the baby now?" smirked the warrior.
At just that moment, the blonde latched onto the front of Xena’s breastplate and pulled her as close as her swollen belly would allow. Through clinched teeth she said, "Xena, you wanted me to have a baby, well, I’m having a baby and if you don’t come back to the living right now so I can send you back, I’m going to personally hunt you down."
Xena turned as she heard chuckling coming from behind her. "Oooo, she’s good with threats. My wife had me in a vice like grip for almost a quarter candle mark. I finally passed out cold when she delivered."
Xena looked at the bard as Gabrielle’s words registered in her mind. "You knew I wanted you to have a baby?"
The blonde fell forward. She hissed, "YES! Next time you want to have a talk with Toris, do it in a room other than the kitchen or his bedroom."
Gabrielle paused for a moment. "Now then, I don’t know what you have to do to get back here, but do it! Do it now and do it fast because this kid is not waiting."
Gabrielle finally pusher herself off of Xena and stumbled toward the bed. Xena grabbed one of her arms and helped her to settle down. She moved the covers up, tucking the bard in.
"I’ll go get the healer," she announced as she bolted from the room.
"COWARD!" could be heard echoing through the inn.
******
It was late afternoon when the inn heard a shriek of pain floating in from the inn’s family quarters. This was quickly followed by a different cry; that of a baby testing out a new set of lungs.
Xena moved slowly forward and looked at mother and child. Gabrielle looked worn and tired. Her hair was matted to the top of her head and her face was flushed. Xena glanced at the child in her arms and smiled. Its little hand was wedged in its little mouth. Xena looked once again at the bard. The smile on her face said it all. This was the little one she always wanted. Xena just hoped that Gabrielle would want her back in her life.
Slowly green eyes turned toward blue. The smile once meant for the baby, was now solely for Xena. Tears started to spill from the bard’s eyes.
"Xena, come and take a look at our daughter," she whispered.
Tears immediately sprang to her eyes when she heard the words "our daughter" spoken from her partner’s lips. As she crossed the room, she felt an odd sensation start in the pit of her stomach. She moved to sit on the end of the bed and actually felt her own weight against the mattress.
She stretched out a hand and said, "She’s beautiful, Gabrielle. What are you going to name her?"
Gabrielle smiled at the hesitant move and handed the child to Xena. "Well, I thought we would name her Faith."
"Faith?" asked Xena. "Why Faith?"
"Because I always had faith that you would return," whispered the tired bard.
"Oh, Gabrielle, I never left you."
"No, but I wanted all of you. Now I have yah, not going to loose you again. Now come to bed, I’m exhausted," murmured the partially conscious bard.
Slowly Xena shifted her body around so that she was cradling Gabrielle in one arm and Faith in the other arm. Both mother and daughter were sleeping soundly within moments. Xena smiled warmly at each.
A light knock came at the door and Toris poked his head in. Xena smiled and indicated that he should come into the room. Toris stopped next to Xena and peered down at the small bundle in Xena’s arm.
Xena smiled up at her brother, as tears blurred her vision, "Come on, Grandpa. Say hi to your new granddaughter, Faith."
"Welcome, my little Faith," said Toris. "And welcome home, Xena."