"Yes, he did." Apollo smiled brightly. "Maybe you
should answer him."

Gabrielle returned her attention to Horse. *No, don't need
anything. Just go back to eating.* She stared as Horse went back to
his meal. "Can I do that with any horse?"

"Try it with Argo."

"Wait a minute." Xena eyed her two companions.
"That is MY horse. What are you planning on doing?"

Apollo cocked an eyebrow at the Warrior. "Really Xena, did
anyone tell you that you have an unhealthy attachment to that
horse? She's just going to talk to her, that's
all."

Xena crossed her arms. "All right. But if anything
happens…"

Gabrielle sighed. During the years, she and Argo had come to an
understanding, they would only cross paths when absolutely
necessary. "Okay here goes nothing." Gabrielle
concentrated. *Argo, can you please come here?*

Argo looked up. *You're not calling me over only to send me
back here, are you?*

Gabrielle looked over at Xena. "Did anyone tell you that
Argo has an attitude?"

*Yes, and I hear very well also.*

Gabrielle gulped. *Sorry.* She walked over to Argo and petted
her. *You don't like me much do you?*

Argo nudged her nose into the Bard. *I wouldn't say that. At
least you give me lots of apples and sweet oats. Not as many as you
give him, but enough. I thought you didn't like me at
first.*

*It wasn't you but horses in general.* She reached up and
rubbed Argo behind the ears as she whispered in her ear, "But
I think you are a great horse."

*You're not bad. For a human. But let me give you some
advice.* Argo moved her head towards Horse. *Give him a decent
name. Horse is a type of animal, not a name.*

Gabrielle giggled. *Okay anything else?*

*Yeah, tell my tightfisted owner to give me more apples.*

Gabrielle laughed out loud as she walked back to Xena and
Apollo.

Xena looked at her laughing fiancee and then heard a giggle
escaping from Apollo. "Okay, what's so funny?"

Gabrielle gave Xena a peck on the cheek. "I have a message
from Argo. 'Tell my tightfisted owner to give me more
apples.'"

Argo lifted up her head and looked at the Bard. *Hey, I thought
you were good with words. Couldn't you have been more
diplomatic than that?*

Apollo then lost it as he and Gabrielle laughed. Xena looked at
the two and shook her head. "Let me guess, Argo had something
funny to say." She looked over at her steed. "Let's
see how many apples you get from your tightfisted owner."