The Judgement of Xena Warrior Princess
By Mary E. Terrell
December 7, 1997

Disclaimer: The characters Xena and Gabrielle are the property of MCA/Universal and Reniassance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended.

Subtext:That will depend on how you view the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle.
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Xena looked into the fading light. She knew her time was near the end. Dimly she was aware of Gabrielle's presence. "Gabri...."

"Shh. Don't talk." said the bard.

"I....love you." said the warrior as she drew her last breath.

"And I love you Xena." whispered Gabrielle. She kissed Xena gently.

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The words echoed around the warrior, and the image of the bard's tear stained face floated before her. Xena could still feel the sensation of that last kiss.

And then a voice spoke to her. "Hello Xena." It was Hades, god of the underworld, wearing his usual black armor and seated behind a desk. A set of golden scales surrounded by piles of smooth pale blue and dark purple stones were on the desktop. "There will be no going back for you this time." he said. "You are here for good."

Xena remained silent, so Hades continued."You know most people never really have to come before me to be judged. Generally the actions they have taken in their lives determine whether they end up in the Elysian Fields or in Tartarus. Even the punishment dealt out to those sent to Tartarus is determined before they get here."

He paused briefly to glance up at the warrior. She started to speak but he held up a gloved hand to stop her."Then there are those who reach the end of their time who could go either way. They have to come before me to determine if they are deserving of eternal peace, or if they are to be damned to suffer in Tartarus." He picked up a purple stone and placed it on the scale. "I don't have to remind you of your dark past." He added stones until that side was weighted down.

"But" he continued as he picked up the blue stones and began placing them on the opposite side. "You have also done a lot of good deeds, including saving my sister and returning my helmet of invisibilty. Those actions alone might warrent you a place in Elysia." Hades put the last blue stone in place and the scale was evenly balanced.

"However they aren't the deciding factors in your fate." He reached for something that the warrior could not see. The god raised his hand up and Xena saw that he was holding a brilliant green emerald. "What has determined your fate," he said. "Is your love for Gabrielle and hers for you." He placed the emerald on the scales with the blue stones, causing that end to sink lower than the side with the dark stones.

Hades rose from his desk and moved to stand beside the warrior. "Congratulations Xena. You've earned your rest in the Elysian Fields."