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GoldieLocks
TX New Member
posts: 52
(2/11/01 5:12:25 pm)
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FF:
"Fruition": (XWP-HTLJ X-over)
"Fruition"
by
Beckers
Forward:
Xena and Gabrielle thought their
problems with Odin and The Valkyries were over but little did they
know an evil Norse god, the equal to Ares and Hades but ten times
worse, had been watching their escapades. At a time of her own
choosing Hel, goddess of the Norse underworld, decided to strike out
at the two Greek women who had unintentionally ruined her plans at
domination. She had sought the Golden Apples Odin kept so greedily
for himself but now, do to Xena's intervention, they were kept in a
place no god could ever access.
"I want revenge!" she tells
her warrior followers, the Berserkers. But how to do it? A call for
help ... from two men Xena and Gabrielle both cared about: Hercules
and Iolaus.
However, while on their way north the women
discover the ruse. None other than Iolaus himself meets them aboard
ship. He tells them that Hercules is in Egypt, helping a friend, but
both had heard rumor of trouble in Norseland. Iolaus decided to go
there and check it out. Hercules would meet him later.
There
is obviously some trap involved but Xena is not one to back down
from a challenge.
Gabrielle asks Iolaus how it's possible
that he is still in his prime when so many years have passed. The
hunter tells her that he had grown ill and nearly died ten years
ago. A grieivng Hercules fed him ambrosia. Not enough to make him
immortal, he assures, but enough to give him back his youth and
vigor. "I will die some day." he tells his female friends, "but
hopefully not too soon."
When they reach Norseland they meet
with their friend Beowulf who tells them where they can find Hel.
"She must be stopped." he says, "Not just because she wants to kill
you, Xena, but because if she is successful in overthrowing Odin and
finding those apples, the people of Norse will be forever
slaves!"
They go to Niflhem, Hel's realm, where a fierce
battle takes place. Xena and her friends defeat the Berserkers and
Odin is grateful. However, Hel isn't one to admit defeat without a
last stand. While descending Niflhem the heroes are suddenly
beseiged by more warriors faithful to their dark goddess.
Our
story opens:
*******
"Xena, only you can do it! You're
her soulmate ... You are the only mortal who can rescue Gabrielle
from certain death!" Beowulf voice echoed in the warrior princess'
head.
She saw her companion, the beautiful bard from Potedia,
hanging perilously on the ledge she had been tossed over by the evil
Hel. Xena also spotted Iolaus, battling as vitally as he would have
over twenty five years ago, before she and Gabrielle were place into
what was thought an eternal sleep. He was concluding his own combat
with a warrior, at least a foot taller than he, who clearly meant to
do as much damage as possible.
Xena herself was occupied.
Three rather large Berserkers were keeping her at bay, away from
Gabrielle and what appeared to be certain doom. She couldn't move
from where she fought, could not help her friend who was beginning
to slip, ready to fall into the dark abyss below her. Xena could
very briefly see the fear and struggle on Gabrielle's lovely face.
Oh, if only she could do something, dispatch these fierce
warriors in time ...
"Xena!" Gabrielle cried, her hands
sliding over stone and gravel. The mysterious force field, that
which was so familiar to Norse legend now, surrounded her. It was
placed there by an evil goddess with a sick sense of humor. If
anyone but Gabrielle's soulmate were to enter, breaking the seal,
that person would be burned to a crisp, as before. It was Hel's way
of telling Xena that if her little friend died, it would be her
fault for not getting to her on time. "I can't hold
on!"
"Gabrielle ..." With her sword, Xena frantically slashed
at the soldier before her, only to be assailed by another. Then she
saw something, at a glance, that truly horrified her.
Iolaus,
having finally subdued the Berserker he fought, ran to where
Gabrielle struggled.
"NO!" both Xena and the occupied Beowulf
shouted, well aware of what must follow once he attempted to breach
the force field.
Yet, there was determination on Iolaus face,
an intensity in his blue eyes. They had no more time. He would not
be stopped. With a mighty leap, a heroic gesture so natural for him,
the hunter-warrior penetrated the force field ...
... and
came through the other side unharmed.
Gritting his teeth,
preoccupied with his mission, Iolaus chose to ignore the
significance of what had just happened. At least for the time and
being. On his knees, leaning over and into the abyss, Iolaus grasped
both of Gabrielle's arms with his strong hands, his fingers wrapping
around her wrists. Suddenly, the portion of stone she was holding
onto gave away and Iolaus pulled, with all his might, bringing the
young woman up to meet him.
They fell backward, Gabrielle
laying atop him. Gabrielle was safe and he was holding her in his
arms. They laughed then stared at one another seriously for a few
brief seconds.
"Iolaus," Gabrielle whispered in stunned
gratitude, "How did ...?" she started but could not finish the
sentence. She had fully expected Xena to be her
rescuer.
Iolaus seemed to suddenly understand and standing,
he self consciously, looked down at his own hands which were now
holding her's. Without another word, they walked passed the force
field yet again as Xena and Beowulf finished with the soldiers they
fought.
Afterwards, Xena quickly walked to Gabrielle and
hugged her friend warmly, "That was too close." she murmured then,
as if stricken, looked at Iolaus. A strange combination of gratitude
and jealousy shown in her expression, "Thank you."
"That's
the damnedest thing ..." Beowulf exclaimed in awe, voicing what the
others were thinking but dared not say - "I guess it must be true. A
mortal really can have more than one soulmate ..."
(...
to be continued. Be honest. Should I?)
**Note: Hel and the
Berserkers are from genuine Norse mythology** 
GL
Beckers
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Chakram01
TX Member
posts: 127
(2/12/01 1:59:19 pm)
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Re: FF:
"Fruition": (XWP-HTLJ X-over)
Interesting ending-version of the
Valkyre-Arc. Good one. Thanks for sharing.
Chakram
--------------------
"Xena life is eternal. It has no
beginning and no end. The loving friends we meet on our journey
return to us, time after time. We never die because we were never
really born."
(Gabrielle - Déjà Vu All Over Again)
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GoldieLocks
TX New Member
posts: 56
(2/14/01 3:57:20 pm)
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Re: FF:
"Fruition": (XWP-HTLJ X-over)
Thank you.
This story is now completed and if you would like to read
the rest please go to the following URL:
beckers13.tripod.com/Fruition/
For
some reason I'm having a hard time getting my URLs to work on this
board and I don't know why but if the link doesn't work for you
please just type it into your address box. Again, I don't know WHY
it sometimes just doesn't want to work. 
Anyway, hope you like and please -- feedback means
everything.
Best,
GL
Beckers
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