Gabrielle's Plea
by Mistra
5/98

Dear friend, can you hear my plea?
Return quickly and stay close by me.
I fear this evil night so,
Afraid the demon will take my soul.
All has changed. I hurt inside.
Hold me close; in your arms let me hide.
Sing to me; bring soothing dreams.
Please make me forget, drown out my screams.
Promise that you'll never leave,
and in you again I can believe.
Make this nightmare go away,
So I'll want to live another day.

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Xena's Soliloquy
by Mistra
Oct. 1997

The Scene:
It had been a harrowing day. Xena spent most of the night cradling her
fragile and wounded friend, desperately trying to hold together the
shards of the young bard's soul. Gabrielle was inconsolable. Eventually,
whether from fatigue or shock, Gabrielle succumbed to a peaceless sleep.
Xena quietly walked to the other side of the fire and with a protective
glance back toward her sleeping charge she entered the nearby clearing.
It was early in the pre dawn hours of morning when the moon begrudgingly
gives way to the rising sun. With the last rays of moonlight surrounding
her, Xena fell to her knees, with arms outstretched in supplication
looked up into the sky and cried out:
WHY?
Gods why?
Why have you allowed this evil to
be visited upon Gabrielle?
Forsake me, yes, I deserve it.
I have committed horrible crimes
for which punishment is expected.
But her? What wrong has she ever done
that warrants this pain and violation?
She is an innocent. A kind and gentle soul
who enrapts all with her goodness.
She is not a pawn, to be used to satisfy
the whims of an immortal.
What is the gain? Why?
What force lurks within me that baits
conflict...daring it to challenge my very being?
Blinding me with vengeful hatred
so that I lose sight of what is important.
How could I be so consumed with my own
agenda that I would betray her trust in me?
All she has ever asked of me
is to let her follow and be my friend.
All she has ever done is given unselfishly.
She has offered me her faith and trust.
And I have answered her with pain.
Once again I have failed you my friend.
Failed to protect you, assuming you
would follow me in my rampage.
And now you have paid the price for my
blood lust with the loss of your innocence.
I was not there for you and yet you believed.
I am so sorry Gabrielle.
How often have I spoken those words
and how hollow their sound.
You have risked everything for me.
Please, do not let this evil consume you.
It cannot defeat you.
It does not know your strength of spirit.
It does not know your heart.
It cannot exist in the light of your love.
I promise you Gabrielle, you will
survive this ordeal.
I will not abandon our friendship.
I will be your rock, as you have been mine.
Our friendship has seen us through much
and will strengthen us now.
I make this vow before the Gods!
Never again will I allow this good soul
to be injured by anyone--God or mortal.
With my last ounce of strength and
until my final breath I will do all I can to
heal her heart and bring forth her light.