SIRASI
part 4
By Shadowdancer
DISCLAIMER: We all know that I didn’t create Xena and Gabrielle, so shall we get on with story?
CATEGORY: Alternative Fan Fiction. Although more Fan Fiction and very little alternative.
Scene: Xena and Sirasi are on their way to Palador’s home to find a cure for Gabrielle’s illness. Xena rides atop Argo carrying Gabrielle in her arms rather than on a litter that Argo is pulling. Sirasi rides beside her on her horse as they walk their horses at a nice, slow pace.
"Xena, your arms must be so tired after carrying Gabrielle for so many miles. Why don’t we get her into the litter?"
"No, I’m fine; I can see her this way. If her condition changes, I’ll know it".
"Xena" Gabrielle whispered just loud enough for Xena to hear, careful not to move too much as she was supposed to be more than half dead.
"I’m here Gabrielle" Xena responded, caressing with her voice.
"You’re tired, let Sirasi carry me, you will still be able to see me".
"Gabrielle, I’m fine…"
"No, you’re not, you’re tired from carrying me, and riding at the same time, (coughs here), let…let Sirasi carry me the rest of the way."
‘Gabrielle, I can…"
"Xena, please?". Stopping Argo, Xena acquiesced, "She insists that I let you carry her the rest of the way"
"I know, I heard part of what she said." Sirasi had stopped her horse, and held out her long arms to receive Gabrielle, as Xena, having moved Argo as close to Sirasi’s horse as she could, slid Gabrielle from her own arms to Sirasi’s. It was a tricky bit of business, but Sirasi, as I’ve said before, is a very strong woman, and she took Gabrielle easily. Knowing that she held precious cargo, Sirasi cradled Gabrielle like a baby, handling her very gently; "You’re alright Gabrielle, I have you, you’re safe. We’re nearly to Palador’s house, try and hold on okay."
Gabrielle offered her a faint, weak smile as Sirasi urged her horse on trying to limit her bodily movement so as not to jostle Gabrielle. Finally, after what seemed like an entire candlemark later, they finally arrived at Palador’s home. A small house, more like a cabin, than a "house" as it were. Xena dismounted and moved to Sirasi’s horse to take Gabrielle again, Sirasi waiting for Xena to do just this so that she too could dismount. When she looked down at Gabrielle, Gabrielle's eyes were wide, staring, and unseeing.
"Gabrielle? Gabrielle, answer me!"
At first Gabrielle didn’t move, or answer, and then faintly, she said, "I’m, here", and nothing more.
Sirasi had dismounted and was standing in front of Xena when Xena had found Gabrielle in her catatonic state. "We’d better hurry, she doesn’t have much more time left, she can’t hold on much longer." With that morbid prounouncement, Sirasi knocked on Palador’s door.