Chapter Seven

A Prophesy Proven

"Gabrielle," Xena said one morning after breakfast, "Didn’t I hear you say something about a Seer living in the palace? Since we don’t have anything else to do, why don’t you summon her?  I’d kind of like to get a look at her. Maybe she has some other predictions to tell us."

"That’s a good idea. Maybe she knows how my husband is faring."

As the old woman entered the room, Xena saw she carried a walking stick that she held in front of her, moving it back and forth.

"She has been blind since birth," Gabrielle whispered to her. "She claims because of that she can see things others can’t."

The old woman approached Xena, and as she got close to her she put out one gnarled, arthritic hand, her palm facing outward. Nodding slowly and smiling faintly, she appeared to be confirming an unspoken prophecy. She then moved her hand to the side until it was centered on Gabrielle’s breast. Her smile got wider, exposing yellow-stained and broken teeth.

"Just as I saw," she cackled "Just as I knew."

"Knew what?" Gabrielle asked, then whispered to Xena, "Sometimes she doesn’t make much sense; she is really getting old."

"Smoke. Smoke and coal and embers. Untainted essence and smoke."

"See what I mean," Gabrielle whispered again. "Makes no sense at all."

"Hey!" Xena barked. "What in Tartarus are you talking about?"

"You! Your heart. There was a time not so long ago when it was as black as coal, but it has warmed, like the embers that comfort your feet on a cold winter's night. Warmed by the purity and gentleness that is the Queen. Two life forces, entwining and blending as the smoke from two separate fires, until you can no longer tell one from the other."

"Do you know what she’s talking about?" Xena asked Gabrielle.

"I think so. You, old woman, you are excused."

After the Seer had gone, Gabrielle absently walked to a window, the one that looked out over the Royal Gardens, her favorite view. Xena gently guided her away from the window to the bed and sat with her on it .