Disclaimer: The characters of Xena, Gabrielle and Argo are the property of
MCA/Universal.
No copyright infringement intended. The story is my own.

Xena, Warrior Princess, was bone weary. The fact that she would allow it to show
worried Gabrielle, her traveling companion and best friend. Gabrielle studied her
friend across the flames of their campfire. She could see how troubledXena was,
in the set of her shoulders and her bowed head. She didn't even take pleasure in
sharpening her weapon anymore. Gabrielle desperately wanted to help her friend,
but she wasn't sure how. Yes, Xena needed a long rest but even more, she needed
to have her soul healed. Gabrielle thought long and hard for a way to help.

After a while she quietly called across to her friend, "Xena?"
"Hmmm" came Xena's reply, without even bothering to raise her eyes to
acknowledge the call.

Gabrielle walked to the other side of the fire and sat down next to her
monosyllabic friend. Gently touching her arm, she said, "Xena, please look at
me!"

Slowly the warrior's head rose until finally their eyes met, and without waiting
Gabrielle continued, "You need to rest, to take the time away from what we do
day in and day out. Maybe a vacation, a chance to allow your body and mind to
dealwith all that you have gone through recently."

Xena opened her mouth to respond, but Gabrielle put her hand up to stop the
protest and, without breaking the gaze, softly said, "Xena, you need to go
home...home to Amphipolis." Xena turned to stare into the fire, then turned back
to look at Gabrielle. As she gazed into those sea green eyes, Xena saw only the
concern for her well-being and the deep affection for her that had motivated her
friend to speak. She also saw the truth in those words. Finally Gabrielle heard her
response. "Yes."

The next day found the two friends on the road to Amphipolis; Xena astride her
horse Argo, and Gabrielle walking alongside, with each lost in her own thoughts.
Gabrielle knew Xena had not been home in many years for fear of what she
would find and how she would be received. Xena's past as a warlord and her
reputation as the ruthless Destroyer of Nations colored the opinions of people,
preventing them from seeing the changes in her and the good she now did.
Gabrielle wondered what it would take for people to accept the new Xena and to
see the courageous, caring and giving woman she knew her to be.

Xena too was thinking about how far she had come in the past two years. With
the faith, support and love from Gabrielle, the warrior had slowly begun to put
her life on the right path to redemption. Although she still believed she was far
from salvation and a place in the Elysian Fields, Xena did hold onto the hope
that someday she would be forgiven. She also knew that doing good for
strangers was not enough, that she would have to make amends with her village.

Soon, Xena and Gabrielle approached the outskirts of Amphipolis. As they
cleared the rise, Xena suddenly reined Argoto a stop, then just sat there as if
frozen. Gabrielle, seeing the hesitation and fear permeating her friend, reached
up and tentatively touched Xena's knee, and as confidently as she could, said,
"Xena, you can do this. You need to do this.
Everything will be all right."

Xena looked down at her smiling friend and found the strength she needed. She
got down from Argo and placing a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder stated with the
saddest of smiles, "I know." Not quite ready to continue, Xena gave the reins
to Gabrielle and climbed up a grassy knoll overlooking her beloved village.

As she gazed upon Amphipolis, Xena's eyes moistened with tears. Before her was
a shell of the place that had been her home. So much had changed. Too many
years of neglect and war's aftermath. Gabrielle had come to stand by Xena
and her heart went out to her friend as she caught sight of the pain and remorse in
that chiseled profile.

Xena turned to Gabrielle with eyes filled with unshed tears and in a choked
whisper said, "This should not have been. It did not have to happen this way. My
village, my home...deserved to be so much more." Gabrielle simply nodded
in understanding.

Neither of the women noticed the approach of an elderly man as he climbed the
hill and came to rest beside them, following their gaze down to the battered
village. The old man as well seemed to be lost in remembrance and abjectly shook
his head as if to clear his vision.

Xena, finally aware of his presence, slowly studied the stranger and then
addressed him, "What saddens you so, Old One?"

Never removing his eyes from their focus to look at the speaker, the old man
began his answer. "Do not look at this Amphipolis that lies before you filled with
so much pain and darkness. The town I remember and see in my mind's eye sang
with the laughter of children playing and the easy conversation of neighbors
enjoying each others' company. Amphipolis was growing and prosperous. Our
lives were vibrant then..." His voice trailed off.

Gabrielle, not wanting the old man to stop, asked, "Why has the village changed
so much, Old One? What could have happened to cause its downfall?"

Xena's head snapped around at Garielle's questions, shock registering on her
face. How could Gabrielle ask such a question, she thought? Didn't she know?
Trying to stem her growing discomfort, Xena quickly looked away, before the old
man responded, knowing all too well what the answer had to be.

The old man remained silent, then as if conjuring up an image long abandoned,
haltingly continued. "My child,Amphipolis flourished once, warmed and fed by
a wondrous light that shone with unlimited hope and possibilities. That light came
from the heart and soul of a young girl in our village. She was a remarkable
child, whose joyous innocence showered upon all who came in contact with her.
Even the darkest corner of the village basked in her life-giving radiance."

The face of the old man began to soften, his eyes sparkled and his mouth shaped
into a knowing smile as he spoke. "No one could stay angry or hold a grudge or
speak a hurtful word when in her presence. Her laugh could warm the coldestof
hearts and her touch would soothe the harshest of pains. When she sang, even the
heaviest of our soul's burdens became feather light. She offered friendship to all,
young or old, rich or needy. She raised our hopes and sustained
our spirits.Through her eyes, crystal blue like the heavens, we could see
unconditional love and truth. Our lives were defined by her goodness and light."

The old man's monologue seemed to be at an end. At the mention of blue eyes,
Gabrielle stole a tearful glance at the stoic warrior by her side, as realization
dawned. Xena ignored the penetrating gaze of her friend and continued to stare
at some far off point. Then in a low tone, Xena said, "Go on, Old One...finish your
story."

With sadness once again etched in his face, the old man proceeded. "The bad
times came to our village. It was a time when warlords jockeyed for power and
wars raged. No one escaped their wrath. Their evil threatened
Amphipolis. Eventually, the darkness enveloped that special young girl and our
light was gone. We were plunged into the despair you now see. If only our light
would return once more to brighten our lives, I would die contented. If only our
beloved Xena would come home to us...." The old man ended his tale too
overwhelmed by the memories and the knowledge of what had been and was no
more.

At the mention of her name, Xena hung her head as the tears she had tried to
contain began to flow in silent trails downher cheeks. She could neither
remember that early Xena nor could she relate to the image drawn by the Old
One's words.Yet, a part of her longed for the joy and serenity of those carefree
days.

Gabrielle, seeing Xena's internal struggle, tentatively reached out and touched the
warrior's arm. Xena turned at the touch and buoyed by the strength of Gabrielle's
faith in her, she approached the old man and in a low voice breakingwith the
pain of remembrance softly spoke, "Old One, I remember well your
Amphipolis...it was once my home too...."

At the depth of emotion in her voice, the old man slowly raised his clouded eyes to
meet the one he only dreamed of ever seeing again. Brilliant, crystal blue gazed
back at him and through them he once again saw the light of truth and
hope rekindled. As he slowly reached up with gnarled fingers to gently caress the
face lost to him so long ago, he offered a silent prayer of thanks to the gods for
bringing home the light of Amphipolis.

Gabrielle did not bother to hide the tears that came to her now as she witnessed
the touching scene before her. Watching the old man gently embrace Xena,
Gabrielle knew it was right for her friend to come home. Xena had finally begun
her healing.