The Light of Amphipolis
by Mistra
Xena, Warrior Princess, was bone weary. The fact that she would allow it to show worried Gabrielle, her travelingcompanion and best friend. Gabrielle studied her friend across the flames of their campfire. She could see how troubledXena was, in the set of her shoulders and her bowed head. She didn't even take pleasure in sharpening her weaponanymore. Gabrielle desperately wanted to help her friend, but she wasn't sure how. Yes, Xena needed a long rest buteven more, she needed to have her soul healed. Gabrielle thought long and hard for a way to help.
After a while she quietly called across to her friend, "Xena?"
"Hmmm" came Xena's reply, without even bothering to raise her eyes to acknowledge the call.
Gabrielle walked to the other side of the fire and sat down next to her monosyllabic friend. Gently touching her arm, she said, "Xena, please look at me!"
Slowly the warrior's head rose until finally their eyes met, and without waiting Gabrielle continued, "You need to rest, totake the time away from what we do day in and day out. Maybe a vacation, a chance to allow your body and mind to dealwith all that you have gone through recently."
Xena opened her mouth to respond, but Gabrielle put her hand up to stop the protest and, without breaking the gaze,softly said, "Xena, you need to go home...home to Amphipolis." Xena turned to stare into the fire, then turned back to look at Gabrielle. As she gazed into those sea green eyes, Xena sawonly the concern for her well-being and the deep affection for her that had motivated her friend to speak. She also saw thetruth in those words. Finally Gabrielle heard her response. "Yes."
The next day found the two friends on the road to Amphipolis; Xena astride her horse Argo, and Gabrielle walkingalongside, with each lost in her own thoughts. Gabrielle knew Xena had not been home in many years for fear of whatshe would find and how she would be received. Xena's past as a warlord and her reputation as the ruthless Destroyer ofNations colored the opinions of people, preventing them from seeing the changes in her and the good she now did. Gabrielle wondered what it would take for people to accept the new Xena and to see the courageous, caring and givingwoman she knew her to be.
Xena too was thinking about how far she had come in the past two years. With the faith, support and love fromGabrielle, the warrior had slowly begun to put her life on the right path to redemption. Although she still believed shewas far from salvation and a place in the Elysian Fields, Xena did hold onto the hope that someday she would be forgiven. She also knew that doing good for strangerswas not enough, that she would have to make amends with her village.
Soon, Xena and Gabrielle approached the outskirts of Amphipolis. As they cleared the rise, Xena suddenly reined Argoto a stop, then just sat there as if frozen. Gabrielle, seeing the hesitation and fear permeating her friend, reached up andtentatively touched Xena's knee, and as confidently as she could, said, "Xena, you can do this. You need to do this.
Everything will be all right."
Xena looked down at her smiling friend and found the strength she needed. She got down from Argo and placing a handon Gabrielle's shoulder stated with the saddest of smiles, "I know." Not quite ready to continue, Xena gave the reins toGabrielle and climbed up a grassy knoll overlooking her beloved village.
As she gazed upon Amphipolis, Xena's eyes moistened with tears. Before her was a shell of the place that had been herhome. So much had changed. Too many years of neglect and war's aftermath. Gabrielle had come to stand by Xena andher heart went out to her friend as she caught sight of the pain and remorse in that chiseled profile.
Xena turned to Gabrielle with eyes filled with unshed tears and in a choked whisper said, "This should not have been. Itdid not have to happen this way. My village, my home...deserved to be so much more." Gabrielle simply nodded inunderstanding.
Neither of the women noticed the approach of an elderly man as he climbed the hill and came to rest beside them, following their gaze down to the battered village. The old man as well seemed to be lost in remembrance and abjectlyshook his head as if to clear his vision.
Xena, finally aware of his presence, slowly studied the stranger and then addressed him, "What saddens you so, Old One?"
Never removing his eyes from their focus to look at the speaker, the old man began his answer. "Do not look at thisAmphipolis that lies before you filled with so much pain and darkness. The town I remember and see in my mind's eyesang with the laughter of children playing and the easy conversation of neighbors enjoying each others' company.Amphipolis was growing and prosperous. Our lives were vibrant then..." His voice trailed off.
Gabrielle, not wanting the old man to stop, asked, "Why has the village changed so much, Old One? What could havehappened to cause its downfall?"
Xena's head snapped around at Garielle's questions, shock registering on her face. How could Gabrielle ask such aquestion, she thought? Didn't she know? Trying to stem her growing discomfort, Xena quickly looked away, before theold man responded, knowing all too well what the answer had to be.
The old man remained silent, then as if conjuring up an image long abandoned, haltingly continued. "My child,Amphipolis flourished once, warmed and fed by a wondrous light that shone with unlimited hope and possibilities. Thatlight came from the heart and soul of a young girl in our village. She was a remarkable child, whose joyous innocenceshowered upon all who came in contact with her. Even the darkest corner of the village basked in her life-givingradiance."
The face of the old man began to soften, his eyes sparkled and his mouth shaped into a knowing smile as he spoke. "Noone could stay angry or hold a grudge or speak a hurtful word when in her presence. Her laugh could warm the coldestof hearts and her touch would soothe the harshest of pains. When she sang, even the heaviest of our soul's burdensbecame feather light. She offered friendship to all, young or old, rich or needy. She raised our hopes and sustained ourspirits.Through her eyes, crystal blue like the heavens, we could see unconditional love and truth. Our lives weredefined by her goodness and light."
The old man's monologue seemed to be at an end. At the mention of blue eyes, Gabrielle stole a tearful glance at the stoicwarrior by her side, as realization dawned. Xena ignored the penetrating gaze of her friend and continued to stare at somefar off point. Then in a low tone, Xena said, "Go on, Old One...finish your story."
With sadness once again etched in his face, the old man proceeded. "The bad times came to our village. It was a timewhen warlords jockeyed for power and wars raged. No one escaped their wrath. Their evil threatened Amphipolis.Eventually, the darkness enveloped that special young girl and our light was gone. We were plunged into the despair younow see. If only our light would return once more to brighten our lives, I would die contented. If only our beloved Xenawould come home to us...." The old man ended his tale too overwhelmed by the memories and the knowledge of whathad been and was no more.
At the mention of her name, Xena hung her head as the tears she had tried to contain began to flow in silent trails downher cheeks. She could neither remember that early Xena nor could she relate to the image drawn by the Old One's words.Yet, a part of her longed for the joy and serenity of those carefree days.
Gabrielle, seeing Xena's internal struggle, tentatively reached out and touched the warrior's arm. Xena turned at thetouch and buoyed by the strength of Gabrielle's faith in her, she approached the old man and in a low voice breakingwith the pain of remembrance softly spoke, "Old One, I remember well your Amphipolis...it was once my home too...."
At the depth of emotion in her voice, the old man slowly raised his clouded eyes to meet the one he only dreamed of everseeing again. Brilliant,crystal blue gazed back at him and through them he once again saw the light of truth and hoperekindled. As he slowly reached up with gnarled fingers to gently caress the face lost to him so long ago, he offered asilent prayer of thanks to the gods for bringing home the light of Amphipolis.
Gabrielle did not bother to hide the tears that came to her now as she witnessed the touching scene before her. Watchingthe old man gently embrace Xena, Gabrielle knew it was right for her friend to come home. Xena had finally begun herhealing.
THE END