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This is for my Avator, wherever she is.

Once I was a village girl, innocent of blood, of life, of love.
I dreamed of the land beyond my world, as I gazed into the skies above.
I always believed I was destined for a life filled with so much more,
But the village kept me anchored, I was forbidden to explore.
Tortured by imprisonment I longed to wander free,
Trapped by expectation I pleased everyone but me.

Then one day the danger came, an army attacked our farms.
The girls they tried to steal away, our families could not fight arms.
Through the chaos and desperation a lone figure did arrive
One against an entire army, how could that one survive?
But you were Xena, the Warrior Princess - a legend far and wide.
From that moment to this, I knew my place was by your side.

By night I left my village, left my childhood world behind.
I journeyed to Amphipolis, you I knew I had to find.
You tried to turn me away and hid behind your mask
But I could see beneath the cracks, your stubborn pride that could not ask.
Although we were so different, so many barriers to transcend,
We could learn from one another, we could find a life long friend.

And so together we began our journey, facing danger along the way,
Your past came back to haunt you and you wondered why I chose to stay.
I wanted to learn the way of the sword, but that you would not teach.
You said my strength was my innocence and my talent the gift of speech.
You opened my eyes to a wondrous world and over the days I grew.
I became a princess, a bard, a woman - everything was thanks to you.

Your dark past came ever closer still; Callisto sought her revenge
You once destroyed her family and now she wishes to avenge.
She threatens everything that you hold dear - your friends, your family, your name.
She says that you made her who she is, and deep down you fear you are the same.
In my heart I know that you have changed, you are not the person you used to be.
You knew the evil in her soul, this only ensured your victory.

And then came my hardest decision, when Perdicas came back into my life.
I had to choose between my two loves, to stay with you or become a wife.
When I saw the pain that he was in you knew I could not stay,
You said that my happiness was yours, but I know that you cried on my wedding day.
We had but one night of passion - The Fates had something else in store.
Callisto took my love away in order to settle a score.

As I held Perdicas in my arms something inside my soul died.
My heart was heavy with sadness but there was rage in the tears that I cried.
I wanted to learn how to kill her, you told me I needed to mourn
But out of my hatred and anger a new Gabrielle had been born.
I watched you pray for my innocence, I knew that you believed in my faith.
To protect me you were the one who killed her - all to keep my blood innocence safe.

It seemed like just another adventure - just some captives we needed to save
But an unexpected ambush and you began the journey to the grave.
Your body was wounded and broken, your spirit lay dying inside,
I tried to get you to safety but all could do was watch as you died.
There was so much I wanted to tell you but all of it would remain unsaid,
My life is so empty without you, I hope my thoughts can be heard by the dead.

My heart was filled with sorrow but I knew that I had to be bold
I began the journey to Amphipolis, wondering what the future would hold.
My questions were soon to be answered by Ephiny my Amazon friend
She wanted to make me the Amazon Queen, a new home where my soul to mend.
My Warrior friend I could never forget but I knew that I had to let go.
We would be one day together again - how soon I did not know.

The Warrior Princess has a destiny - a fateful star-lined track,
You stole the body of Autolycus the thief to steal your body back.
At first I could not believe, I thought his words were lies
But as he stared at me I saw you smiling in his eyes.
I wanted to hate you for leaving, I was angry you had left me alone
But your lips pressed softly against me and your kiss revived my heart of stone.

It was in Britannia where it all began; your plans to avenge made you blind
And in my hour of darkness I cried out to you in my mind.
But you were too late to save me as my blood innocence was finally lost,
Abandoned on the altar of Dahak, my belief and soul paid the cost.
The seed was growing inside me and child of darkness was born;
She represented my stolen Hope, but in truth she represented the dawn.

You knew she was born of evil, but I could not let you end her life;
She was my only redemption, from murder at the end of a knife.
I would do anything to protect her and you would do anything to kill
I had to save my child, my Hope, and so I outwitted you with skill.
I never wanted to lie to you, but your actions gave me no choice
Given the gift of speech, but you never heard my voice.

Our travels have taken us to many lands and I have learnt more about your past;
I believed I could never turn against you, I thought our friendship would forever last.
The debt you had to pay in the Kingdom of Chin but our bond to the test,
Our beliefs came between us as we both did what we thought best.
My hurt and jealousy overcame me and all I could think was to betray
I gave you everything I had to give, I wanted to make you pay.

We made it back once again but I fell further from grace,
The image that will haunt my remaining days was the pain upon your face.
I watched you gather Solon in your arms and the tears you began to cry
I had destroyed everything that we had, starting with a single lie.
We stood side by side at the funeral but our souls were torn apart
Nothing would be the same, my deceit had shattered your fragile heart.

In the pain of separation we walked our different ways,
An eternity of isolation passed in a few short days.
How could I hate you? How could I hurt you? I wanted a second chance;
The land of Illusia beckoned and guided us through our hateful trance.
Bit by bit we had drifted, piece by piece we were torn apart
Our bond is strong, our love is stronger and together we made a new start.

We came back stronger than before, two hearts, two minds, one soul;
Being with you is all I ever want, your presence makes my life whole.
I now know nothing can come between us, not anger, not hate, not death;
I know that you’ll be on my mind, your name on my final breath.
Xena you are my one true love, for you I’d pay the ultimate price,
I know this will be hard for you but I hope you understand my Sacrifice.

Gabrielle.

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There you have it. Hope you enjoyed it. Now reply to it.