Visit our Academy of Bards Challenge page to get the latest information!
http://www.merwolf.com/academy/challenge.html

June 30th, 2001

Added part 6 and part 7(conclusion) of In the Heart of the Siege by Kamouraskan

Added Chapters 13 -15 of John S. Gerow's There Must In All Things Be Closure

Added Part 5 Of Mavis Applewater's Just One Of Those Things

June 29th, 2001

Fixing A Betrayal (FIN) By Silence
A different ending to FIN.

The Challenge, part 1 by Janet Lynne
In this sequel to "The Homecoming", Ryan and Janna, cop and photographer, continue their journey of romantic and spiritual awakening, and begin a family together, but find their love and their unique bond threatened by a serious incident. This story contains explicit descriptions of loving, consensual sex between two women, and depictions of violence. It contains elements of hurt/comfort as well.

Unity by Ripley
Xena and Gabrielle find themselves dealing with an evil Samurai warlord, the ghost of an old friend, and the greatest sacrifice of their lives. İFaced with a final goodbye, the warrior teaches the bard an unforgettable lesson about the unifying power of love.

Home Sweet Home (aka A Full House for the Hellcat) by Barbara Davies
The fifth story in the Hellcat series. Zee and Christie move into their new home in Benson, but, as usual, things don't go quite as planned.

Added part 23 of Cold by Midgit

Added part 4 and part 5 of In the Heart of the Siege by Kamouraskan

Added chapter 3 of Snap Shots II by MJ

Added Chapter 5 of What Goes On Behind Closed Doors by Infinitely Abstruse

June 28th, 2001

Everlasting Love by Erin Jennifer.
Xena and Gabrielle have a minor argument which causes them to go their separate ways. With some help from the goddess of love, and despite the interference of the god of war, they find their way back to each other and discover that their feelings run deeper than mere friendship. Inspired by the movie, "Moulin Rouge"

Added part 2 and part 3 of In the Heart of the Siege by Kamouraskan

Added part 19 (conclusion) of The Homecoming by Janet Lynne

Added part 10 of Kawai's Change of Heart

Added part 7 of Original Sin by Malaurie Barber

Poems

by Terri Lyn Stanfield
You Don't Know What You Are (beautiful!)
A Real Man
Let Me
Solitude

by Kate Edwards
Bondage

June 27th, 2001

In the Heart of the Siege by Kamouraskan[unfinished]
Sometime in the second season, Xena is captured, and Gabrielle finds herself forced to take desperate measures or be caught between three opposing armies, Ares, and even a reluctant Xena herself. My attempt to see how far Xena and Gabrielle would go for a still unspoken love.

Added part 15 of The Road Back Home by Lynne Norris

Added part 2 of Desolation by Maderlin Bidmead

Added part 6 of Jaden Rose's Knowing Me, Knowing You

June 26th, 2001

GHOST OF A CHANCE by Ciar·n Llachlan Leavitt
A little epilogue to 'Friend in Need' - or a start to a grander adventure - your choice. This chapter stands alone.

GABRIELLE'S FABLES: INTERLUDE by Cassandra & Bik
A very short story in which we find out that warrior chicks just wanna have fun!

Adrift by Kwipinky
Gabrielle tries to make some sense out of the events she faced in her last battle beside the Warrior Princess.

Added partİ18 of The Homecoming by Janet Lynne

Added part four of The Odd Couple by Sarkel

Here are parts three and four of Play It Again Sam by Ali Vali

Added part 3 of Seeing You Again for the First Time by Colleen

Things heat up between Olivia & Karla as they try to work side by side, in Part Four Of Mavis Applewater's Just One Of Those Things

Poems

Darkness by Ellie Maziekien

Shadows by Terri Lyn Stanfield
Love Matters by Terri Lyn Stanfield

June 25th, 2001

CONGRATULATIONS...
You have just been awarded the dream job of the television writing industry. You have been handpicked by the masses of fans to write the series ender for a beloved syndicated show about a kickass Warrior and her faithful Bard. You've been a fan of the show (and a renowned fanfic writer) for years and have your own thoughts as to the characters and their relationship.

You come on board right after mid-season and know that they have several scripts already in preproduction but can choose to pick up your story (or story arc):
1) after MHR or WFC or SP and ignore FIN
OR
2) extend the series one episode beyond the storyline of FIN
OR
3) rewrite the storyline of FIN
OR
4) you can scrap any/all those episodes and do it all your way

You know it's gonna be a challenge...are you up to it? Do you go with your gut feelings ignoring the masses or cave in to the wishes of rabid fans who want final answers and resolution? Do you finally answer the "are they or aren't they" questions, graphically and without any doubts or do you dance around it to the bitter end? Do you tie up all the loose ends? Do you create new loose ends? Do you end it ambiguously in hopes you get a shot at a movie somewhere down the line?

You have been given a blank check and complete creative control...will be it a raging epic action storyline or a smaller heartfelt relationship storyline? Drama or comedy? You are the boss.
~~~~
Unlike the last challenge...there is really only one major rule here...you must start the story with X&G but you may include uber incarnations (of same) if that's where your muse takes you.

You are free to write as much or as little as you wish, in any form. As such, for fairness, we have broken the contest up into three format categories:

Outline format (bare bones synopsis---less than 10 pages)
Script format (settings, stage direction and dialogue)
Epic format (Prose---regular story format, generally more than 10 pages)

There will be one champion chosen for each category.

Also deadlines for each category will be different to allow for the length difference in writing. Pieces must be submitted within the following time periods:
Outline format --- two weeks...deadline 7/14/01
Script format --- four weeks...deadline 7/28/01
Epic format --- six weeks...deadline 8/11/01


A Bard may submit only one entry in any of the forms... submit your storyline to Steph at the Bard Academy academy_contest@yahoogroups.com  by the date indicated. We will begin accepting entries on July 1st.

Stories will then be categorized, numbered and posted anonymously. Voting will begin immediately after the stories are posted and the voting period will be determined by the total number of entries...(1 day for each entry...so if there are 30 total entries, then readers will have 30 days to read them all and vote). Each voter will get to pick their choice for champion in each of the three categories.

Prizes (to be determined) will be awarded to the winners of each category. We have LL/ROC signed items and Xena T-shirts (and let's see what other kind of goodies I can come up with in the next few weeks). All entries will be posted permanently at the Bard Academy and at Alexiares' new site.

Contests not your style? Well, if the muse is talking but you don't want to participate in the Challenge...you can send your series ender to Alexiares at alexiares@usa.net right now. Alexiares, our new partner in crime, is building a wonderful site just for this purpose. When it's up and ready we will post the location so you can check it out.

Okay, folks, this is your chance to do it all your way...let's have some fun and write some fan fiction. Any questions contact me at WarriorNutcase@aol.com

Announcement II

One of my favorite bards...and a rather funny person...now has her own personal website. I have strongarmed..uh I mean, I have kindly asked her to do us the honor of continuing to share her stories with us here and I am think she kinda agreed<g>. Anyway...Temora and her website are up and running. The page is called Temora: Bard Of Dubious Talent ;) and the addy is: http://www.geocities.com/lariel_a/temora/main.html And we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming. :)

Stories

She Who Talks to the Air by Carole Giorgio
Carole's epilogue to A Friend in Need

Never by Grit Jahning
Takes place right where "Friend In Need" ended. It is something that was running around in my head ever since I saw the episode...and that's what I came up with. Gabrielle is on a ship heading west but she is she really alone?

A Call to Arms By Laststarlite
After the Second Great Kanto earthquake hit Tokyo, the Genom corporation came to the aide to the citizens of Japan. İThe over abundance of cyberoid "boomer" workers made humans more dependent upon their help in all aspects of life. İBut every now and again, a boomer goes rogue and will destroy all in it's path. İThe AD Police is not realy equiped to handle the problem so a vigilante group calling themselves the Knight Sabers, are the ones that handle the problems and fight against Genom's control over Tokyo2 and the world.

Added part 48 of Jenah's Our Reunion

June 24th, 2001

Added Part 5 and Part 6 (Conclusion) of Alexiares' A Centaur's Tail

Added Part 17 of Janet Lynne's The Homecoming

Added Part 2 of Dreamweaver's 1001 Armageddon Nights

June 23rd, 2001

Welcome to a new writer to join the Academy along with her first attempt at fanfiction. Let's send some encouraging words! Welcome Lannilvr.

Echos of the Future by Lannilvr
When Xena is visited by strange visions, the warrior faces many questions that she cannot answer. Her situation is complicated by a mystery attacker who seems intent on murdering Gabrielle. Read on to find out if the friends can overcome the obstacles together.

The Truth Shall Set Us Free by Mikki Hibbens
This is Mikki's answer to the finale. It's a little angst, a little venting, a little wishful thinking and a lot fantasy. There's no major spoilers but there are references to events depicted in AFIN.

June 22nd, 2001

A Once And Future Journey by Temora
Set a few weeks after the eventsİof a Friend In Need 2. Do I really have to say more? ***** SPOILERS!******

Added part 9 of Kawai's Change of Heart

Added chapter 2 of part two of Snap Shots by MJ

Added chapter 42, chapter 43, and chapter 44 of Vertigo's racy Reece's Faith ****DO NOT READ AT WORK!*****

June 21st, 2001

Announcements

Just a reminder to be ready for the next Academy of Bards writing challenge. It's going to be something special. Look for the announcement soon!

A couple of pals of mine have worked on a page of Pasadena convention photos. Take a gander at Judith's Pasadena Pics...they are great!

Stories

Added part 3 (conclusion) of You're Mine Lassiter by Fantasy
De returns to her old way of life to stop Lassiter, with violent results.

June 20th, 2001

Sweet Comfort Blues by Nene Adams
In 1938, a mysterious blues player vanished under strange circumstances. Decades later, a graduate student searches for the truth, uncovering links to the legendary Robert Johnson, the hoodoo tradition of the Deep South, and a love that is stronger than death.

Added part 3 (the conclusion) of The Hiker by Fritz

Added part 4 of What Goes On Behind Closed Doors by Infinitely Abstruse

Added part 16 of Janet Lynne's The Homecoming

June 19th, 2001

Added summary for A Piece of My Soul by Alexiares
This story is a bit of an anomaly in some versions of the Xenaverse. Alexiares didn't care for the Dahok storyline or the whole Eli thing... but this popped into her mind as an explanation for Gabrielle's behaviour in the official Xenaverse. And then it wouldn't go away until Alexiares wrote it down.

Miss Amphipolis by Xenalicious
Pretty much no plot...a wonderful PWP that will help those spoiler free stay that way for a while longer <g>

Mutiny by Annemaart (alt/uber)
This is the sequel to Eye of the Needle. After three years of sailing the seas, the former Torment of the Southern Seas is called back to Port Jackson to help catch a group of mutineers, heading down the Australian coast. The job seems easy enough but when they do find the mutineering ship, it turns out the situation is a bit more complicated than they'd imagined...

Betrayed by Fantasy
A blurb about the episode Friends In Need. I imagine there are spoilers but I kept my eyes closed while I coded it <g>.

Play It Again, Sam by Ali Vali [unfinished]
After all the spoilers I've been reading all week, I thought everyone would enjoy a sappy love story.

Poems

Words To Love By by Ellie Maziekien

What Have I Done by Terri Lyn Stanfield
My Heart Belongs to Me by Terri Lyn Stanfield
Willing Conquest by Terri Lyn Stanfield

June 18th, 2001

Announcement

Sharpen those quills folks...dust off those keyboards...The Second Royal Academy Bard Challenge is coming soon...details to be announced next week. İ

Stories

Desolation by Maderlin Bidmead [alt]
A short story that might get longer, depending on whether anybody likes it. -- What if the ice tomb had only lasted a few weeks? Octavius found them and set the couple free. Now they have to be alone together following these traumatic events. Can Gabrielle really deal with the aftermath of Xena's love for Mark Anthony? Not to mention, the Twilight is coming.

Growing Up "Livia" chapters 1-3 by Caina Fuller [unfinished]
This is the story of the tragic events that turned Xena's innocent daughter Eve into the monster known by the world as Livia, Champion Of Rome.

Added part 22 of Cold by Midgit

Added part 41 of Vertigo's Reece's Faith

Updated Eileen Marks' huge Ultimate Über List!

Poems

By Terri Lyn Stanfield
Not Interested
My Last Request
Through Your Eyes
You Did This

June 17th, 2001

Added part 3 of What Goes On Behind Closed Doors by Infinitely Abstruse

Added part 15 of Janet Lynne's The Homecoming

June 16th, 2001

Snap Shots part 2 chapter 1 by MJ
Three months later, Tess and Nikki are ready to move into Riverside Farm. They both soon realize the trials and tribulations of moving home areí if nothing else, an extremely hectic and at times a comical occurrence. However, it is Nikki who is first to sense that when they moved, a face from their past followed.

Because I Love Her by Caina Fuller
Ares examines his true feeling's about Xena in this short story told from his point of view.

Added part 5 of Studies in Light by Caina Fuller

Added part 2 of The Hiker by Fritz

June 15th, 2001

Fragments by Grit [unfinished]
Rayne, a tall British, who owns a bar in Lubeck a town in the north of Germany and Liv, a young Swede, who is a student at the University of Lubeck, meet for the first time as Liv is on her way to apply for a part time job as a waitress in Rayne's bar. And they both know pretty much from the beginning that there is something special between them - something that feels a lot like coming home...........The story covers five years in their lives and the love they share. A love that's gonna survive the difficulties they have to face.

Added part 2 of What Goes On Behind Closed Doors by Infinitely Abstruse

Added part 40 of Reece's Faith by Vertigo

 

June 14th, 2001

Welcome to two new bards to our little place in the universe. Take a second to check out the works of R. G. Heller and Fritz!

When It Hurts The Most by R.G. Heller
Gabrielle falls ill, and asks Xena to take her home.

Notes by R.G. Heller
There's a bard, a warrior, and a scroll and that's all I can tell you


The Hiker  by Fritz [alt/unfinished]
This is a little romantic tale, with a few complications along the way.  The owner of a country inn is intrigued with her mysterious guest, and she
decides to explore those feelings.  Are these two willing to face the risks inherent in searching for true love?

Added part 7 of Anam Cara by Moon Child

Added part 14 of Janet Lynne's The Homecoming (there is at least part of this you don't want to read at work!)

 

June 13th, 2001

What Goes On Behind Closed Doors by Infinitely Abstruse [unfinished, I think<g>]
Terri Kirkwood, a newly-appointed prison governor intent on personally reforming the corrupt justice system she has come to abhor, quickly learns that her naive ideologies are simply not practicable when faced with real criminals. Dealing with the heartache of helplessness and misogynist male colleagues is by no means an easy feat, but can gaining the trust of one wary inmate rekindle her faith? A poignant (and sometimes satirical) insight in to the prison service.

Added part 21 of Cold by Midgit

Added part 21 of Savay's Beneath the Brambles

Added part 2 of Ms O'Connor Goes to Washington by S. Lee

Added part 11 of White Nights by Minerva

Poem

My Lighthouse by Ellie Maziekien

June 12th, 2001

What Dreams May Come II: The Wrath of The Khan by Paranoia
Melinda Pappas wakes up in a strange place, with no idea how she got there. This light-hearted romp through Melinda's subconscious combines obscure literature and gratuitous nudity.

Added part two of Seeing You Again for the First Time by Colleen

Added Part 14 of The Road Back Home by Lynne Norris

Added Chapters 11 and 12 of John S. Gerow's There Must In All Things Be Closure

Poems

A Real Friend by Ellie Maziekien

Ethereal and Substantive by Beth
Pulsing by Beth
Love Let Me by Beth
You Are My Dream by Beth

June 11th, 2001

Chained by Lariel
Gabrielle and Xena's relationship has taken a sudden and unexpected turn - Gabrielle's reactions to the after effects.

Tender Mercies or...How I Learned To Stop Chafing And Love The Bard by Lariel and Kamouraskan
Gabrielle is in need of some very delicate TLC, and Xena is just the person for the job...

Added Part 2 of You're Mine Lassiter by Fantasy
In this segment, De goes undercover, and in doing so slips back into her old life, to catch Clanton and Lassiter.

Added part 17 of The Petal of the Rose by LJ Maas

Added part 8 of Kawai's Change of Heart

Poetry

Demons by Ellie Maziekien

Predators by Terri Lyn Stanfield
Out of My Hands by Terri Lyn Stanfield

 

June 9th, 2001

Added part 17 of Sedona Rain by Carole Giorgio

This is the latest in our Gabrielle's Fables series of warrior chicken stories.İ

Gabrielle's Fables 8: Pecking Order, or, Hoist on her own Petard by Cassandra and Bik
Has the warrior chicken met her match? Can Aquila be defeated? Whose swan song will itİbe? On their way east to Ergo's ancestral homeland, Aquila, Billie, and Ergo meet up withİan old friend who is helping the local folks fight a swan and her gang. One of the interesting things about writing these Fables is how easily some of theİcharacters from the television show can be portrayed as animals. It's frighteningİsometimes!

June 8th, 2001

The Past Tense of Love by Denic [unfinished]
The story of a heart broken young woman of modern times who, unbeknownst to her, has crossed the boundaries of time. Here she will either find death, which she so desires, or a new life of love if she can only open her heart and embrace it.

Added part 13 of Janet Lynne's The Homecoming

Added part 6 and part 7 (conclusion) to Stand By You By Caina Q. Fuller

June 7th, 2001

Tin Star - A Cayuse Comedy by Nene "Quick Draw" Adams
A parody of the Old West with a little violence, a little cussin', and a little lovin' betwixt two fine-lookin' wimmen. Iffen ya ain't got the nerve, pardner, skeddle on outta these here parts. As with all of Nene's work, this is sooo very highly recommended!

Stand By You By Caina Q. Fuller [unfinished]
This is theİstory that directly precedes the events that occur inİtheİStudies In Light series.İİWhen Gabrielle is sexually assaulted by Apollo, god of the sun, she will stop at nothing to exact revenge, including forging a weapon that can kill him, gathering her own army and killing the innocent. Can the power of Xena and Eve's love stop her before she destroys not only more innocents, but herself as well?

Added part 12 of Janet Lynne's The Homecoming

Added part 16 of A Petal of the Rose by L.J. Maas

Poetry

by Terri Lyn Stanfield
Forgive Me
Go Away
Vengeance Desired

June 6, 2001

Another installment to "The Real Dreams Series" called You're Mine Lassiter, Part I by Fantasy. The final part should be ready in a few days.

Added part 10 (conclusion) of dikern's Uninvited

 

June 5th, 2001

Added Part 1 of Ms O'Connor Goes to Washington by S. Lee
Follow Jordan O'Connor on the campaign trail  to the U.S. Senate and to love with her ex-partner and publicist.  Can she survive scandal, a new relationship, and get elected as an open lesbian candidate from Texas?

Added Part 10 of Minerva's White Nights

Added Part 20 of Beneath The Brambles by Lady Savay

June 4th, 2001

Announcements

From Klancy
The book version of The Clinic, now called Tristaine, is available.You can order it from http://justicehouse.com/Qstore/p000026.htm

From Carrie Carr
Anyone who wants a book plate (for either Destiny's Crossing or Hope's Path) can have them personalized for the price of a stamp. Just send me a self-addressed stamped envelope (with a short note on how and who you want it signed for) to my post office box, and I'll gladly sign them and send them back. Cool, huh? Remember that it may take about a week or so total time, but I'll try to send them back as quick as I get them.

All of this information will be added to my webpage this weekend - http://members.home.net/cbzeer/ - but I wanted to give everyone here first dibs, so to speak. Send the self-addressed stamped envelope to: Carrie Carr PO Box 211882 Bedford, TX 76021

Stories

Make sure you send a big welcome out to a new bard, welcome to S Eliot!!!

It's Only a Game Show by S Eliot [unfinished]
The story is set around a game show in Britain. Basically 10 people are forced to live in a house for 5 weeks, with two being voted out every week until the public has to pick between the last two for an eventual winner of $100,000. The tale specifically centres around an up and coming blonde haired TV presenter called Rachel and a taller, darker, brooding contestant called Alex.

Surprisingly enough, our two gals discover an unnerving attraction to one another all be it through the cameras and microphones. Rachel battles the odds to seduce Alex from outside the house walls while the contestant struggles against nine others to survive fierce voting and underhand tactics, hoping to win the prize.

Paybacks by Fantasy
The second to last story in "The Real Dreams Series"

The Lady and the Redneck by Fantasy
A short autobiographical piece; a love story, really sappy...

Updated Cold by Midgit with Part 20 (this one is getting very good!)

Updated Eileen Marks Über/Original Fiction List

Added part 5 and part 6 of Malaurie Barber's Original Sin

Added part 11 of Janet Lynne's The Homecoming

Poems

by Ellie Maziekien
The Bright Season
Metamorphosis
Lessons
Unexpected
Silent as a Grave

by Terri Lyn Stanfield
Harmless Fun
Love's Dirge
Fated
A Baby is Coming

by Beth
Anniversary Sonnet
One Year Ago
The Blackboard of My Soul

by Lor
Trust
Walk on the Beach
Wilting Pe