After a brief rest, Gabrielle and Artemis traveled to Ortygia, where the godess's sacred spring was located. Artemis said that once they were there, she would be able to give Gabrielle the forbidden ambrosia, transforming her into a immortal, like herself.
Vocally, Gabrielle agreed to go along with Artemis' plan. But deep inside, she had misgivings. Her relationship on the surface with Artemis was exactly the same as when it had started, but subtle hints of control were being exercised.
Gabrielle felt like two apposing forces were pulling at her, but one was a source mentally screaming at her from past memories. But no matter how hard she concentrated, the images just wouldn't surface.
Gabrielle's distraction communicated itself clearly to Artemis. I must make her think of other things. A story, mayhap?
"Gabrielle, would you like me to tell you about my sacred spring here?"
The bard in Gabrielle, an ability no memory loss could distroy, surged to the forefront.
"Yes, I would like that very much."
Keeping careful watch on Gabrielle's features, she began her tale.
"Once, a beautiful young woman lived in the forests of Ortygia. Her name was Arethusa, and she was a huntress of my following."
Looking back, Artemis remembered her lover of long ago. So long, she sadly recalled. Such a long time without beloved comfort.
"One day, she stopped at a river, shaded by willow trees. She had been hunting all day, and was dirty and tired. So she thought to bathe before continuing her journey. She undressed and stepped into the welcome coolness of the water, peacefully swimming for a time. Yet suddenly, she felt something brush against her leg. Startled, she left the water quickly and stood looking back from the shore. Arising from the water was the god Alpheus, the god of rivers."
Artemis stopped her story as she thought about that loathsome Alpheus. He destroyed everything. Shaking the memory away, she continued, with a tone that unknowingly gave away her feelings.
"Arethusa ran away as fast as she could, but Alpheus pursued her. Before long, her strength waned and the god began to catch up. Finally, at her weakest moment, she called out to me for help. She imagined herself as powerful as the waters, so I changed her into a spring of water, and cleft the earth so a tunnel was made from Greece to Sicily, under the sea that separated them. Arethusa plunged down to escape, but Alpheus followed. Now, his waters and hers mingle in the fountain of Ortygia. Occasionally, flowers will appear in the fountain, said to be an offering of love from Alpheus to Arethusa. And this is how the rivers learned to dive."
Gabrielle smiled brightly at the story, clapping her hands like a young child.
"Oh, Artemis! That was a wonderful story! Wasn't it terribly romantic?"
Remembering the pain she had felt upon the loss of her lover, Artemis mumbled, "Yes, terribly."
They continued on in their journey, unknowing that Xena & Hercules were approaching from the opposite direction.
***
"What did you mean, she's gone?"
Hercules again asked. Even after Xena had stopped searching at the top of the mountain, Hercules had continued the rest of the night. By dawn, he had scoured every inch of the area, and not a trace could he find of the little girl.
"I don't understand it myself. I just know she's gone."
"And she's never coming back, right?"
Hercules' question sparked a memory, but it was gone almost before it was completed.
"I wouldn't say that much." Xena replied.
Hercules sighed, sounding like a man very put-upon by a womans ability to reason.
"Right now, I'm concerned about getting to Gabrielle. She's probably been waiting awhile, and is very upset by now. Besides, I have the strangest feeling she needs me."
Chapter 8
The temple of Artemis in Ortygia was unlike any other in the world. Instead of being made of stone pillars, it was large trees, formed into a perfect circle around the fountain, growing so close together, no one could see inside. Their green tops soared hundreds of feet inside, reaching like a beacon to the sky.
Within, a fountain bubbled high from a base of river rocks, splashing down from it's great height and seeping into the mossy ground below. Swaying green branches were the only ornaments, except maybe for the sky overhead that acted as a cathedral for the temple.
The opening was cleverly disguised by brush and bushes, grown large as time passed. Artemis and Gabrielle stood inside the temple. Gabrielle was gazing around her in wonder, Artemis anxious to finish her plan.
She produced a chalice, solid gold and studded with precious jewels. She stepped forward and handed the cup to Gabrielle.
"The spring waters will be your ambrosia. Submerge the cup in the waters, and when it is overflowing, pull it out and drink from it. You may feel a slight pain as you change into a goddess, but once that passes, we will be together forever."
Gabrielle nodded her understanding and stepped forward to fill the chalice. Water bubbled and splashed out, wetting the cup and her arm in the process. But finally, the cup was filled to overflowing, & Gabrielle withdrew it from the spring.
She started to carry it to her lips, but some instinct made her hesitate. She spent the next minutes in contemplation, with a rapidly anxious goddess looking on.
***
"You can't enter the temple, Hercules."
Xena, dismounted from Argo and facing the half god, felt sorrow at their parting. Something inside, a deeply hidden emotion, urged her to run into his arms and never let go.
"I know. Artemis doesn't allow men in her temples. Even me. Xena, it may be awhile..." Hercules hesitation only added to Xena's disturbed emotions.
A sad smile crossed her face as she gave into the urge and stepped into his arms. He wrapped them around her securely as their breaths mingled from the close contact. Soft as a dream, both of their eyes drifted shut as their lips touched in silent goodbye.
Both felt as if they were loosing part of themselves when their lips parted and their eyes blinked open.
Whispered words, softly spoken, said, "I understand."
They kissed again, then broke apart. Xena stood looking at this man, memorizing his every feature.
"Til we meet again, warrior princess."
Hercules turned with an unhurried movement and walked away, and Xena had a spontanious thought to run after him.
But instead, she curbed the impulse and approached the hidden entrance to the temple, where Gabrielle waited on the brink inside.
