Real Friends: A Helping Hand

Written: 1997
© Julie Ruffell 1997
Description: This article was published in Warrior Princess Press.

"Real Friends: A Helping Hand"

"A real friend is one who walks in when
the rest of the world walks out."
-Walter Winchell-

The quote might not be from Xena, but it sure explains how Gabrielle walked into Xena’s life. Gabrielle saved Xena from the world when she walked into Xena’s life.

Xena, a warrior who had shed her skin to start again, was alone. She was in a fragile state of mind for she had forgotten how to be good. She was a warrior, not a villager, and after many long years as a warlord, how could she understand any other way of life? She was filled with guilt over her past and who she once was. She wanted to atone.

Xena buried her weapons and armour in an attempt to bury the warrior within herself; she would wipe her slate clean. However, Xena soon learned that being a warrior wasn’t evil, it what she was. It wasn’t wrong to be able to defend yourself and others. She used her talents to save a village from a warlord, but she didn’t receive thanks.

The world had walked out on Xena. People didn’t believe she could change; not her kinsmen, not even her mother. The world had left her behind in her damnation while it sailed off to a land of light and glory. At least, that’s what Xena perceived, standing on the shore of her private hell. So close to the ship, so close to freedom, and yet too far. Then, as her tortured heart began to die, it was ripped from her chest when the world sent cannon balls crashing into her lonely island. They were not content to only leave her...they had to destroy her.

The first stone struck Xena, followed by another and another. The stones were the cannon balls from the ship, launched by the only people she felt could forgive her, but the villagers of her home, Amphipolis, didn’t want her back. Xena would surrender to the pressures of the world, for she couldn’t stand alone, or fight back. The world had walked out, and left her in the dark.

Then, a light broke the stark darkness of night. It shone down and stopped the onslaught of cannon balls. It surrounded Xena and pulled her from the island as it sank into the sea. The light was warm, but it chilled Xena. She didn’t understand the light. What was it? Why was it saving her?

Gabrielle walked in. The real friend who pushed her way past the fleeing world, to stand at Xena’s side. She was hope. She was faith. She was love. The brave warrior had saved Gabrielle’s family and friends and she would repay her debt, far more than she needed to.

It took time, and it took a struggle for Gabrielle to get a firm hold of Xena. The Warrior Princess struggled against the power of the light, but Gabrielle would not let go. She dug anchors into Xena’s soul, and soon there was no way for Xena to escape. The light had her. Xena did give in, although at times she would suddenly try to pull away, but the light always held her; Gabrielle always held her.

Xena is an amazing woman, one difficult to understand. She was evil, and the world wanted nothing to do with her. However, all it took was for one friend to hold out her hand, to give Xena a bridge to cross, to make her way back to rejoin the world.