Gabrielle, Goddess of Despair

"At The Altar"

"Xena, do you ever get that feeling that something terrible is about to happen?"

"I used to, whenever Joxer started fixing his turnip and radish stew."

"Yeah, me too. But seriously, I mean a feeling you can’t quite put your finger on, but you just know somehow, sometime, something bad, I mean REALLY bad is going to happen."

"I’ve had that feeling a few times, but mostly it was the vision I had of you being nailed to that cross by Romans."

"Yeah, but you had a vision. I’m talking about a feeling, a bad, bad, dark, horrible feeling."

"No, can’t say that I have. But since you’re asking me, I assume you have."

"Yes. I’ve had it for several days now. At first it was like a strange dream you can’t remember but still have that leftover feeling about. And every night it seems to be getting stronger, but I still can’t pinpoint it."

"So that means if you wait a week, you’ll know what it is?" Xena asked, now starting to get a little curious.

"I guess. But I’d hate to think that by the time I figure out what it is, it’ll be too late."

"Too late for what?"

"I wish I knew. I just wish I knew."

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Later, the two stopped for the night. Argo had been brushed down, fed and watered, as had Milkspot, the mare Gabrielle was now riding.

Since Argo didn’t like to be transported from here to there, and since Xena wouldn’t leave her behind, the only way for them to be together, not to wear Argo out, and to still be able to get to the villages she wanted to visit, Gabrielle decided that it made more sense to get her own horse. She accepted Milkspot (because of the milk-white spots on her brown coat) for curing a village mayor’s son of stuttering.

Gabrielle had produced roast lamb, oranges, wheat and barley loaf, cheese, and wine for their supper. As they were finishing up, Xena was watching Gabrielle polish off the last orange. Then a thought came to her and she asked, "Gabrielle, why are you eating that?"

Taken a little surprised, Gabrielle answered, "Because it’s here?"