M’Lila’s Story
by Mary E. Terrell

DISCLAIMER: The characters Xena, Gabrielle, M’Lila, Niklio and Argo are the property of MCA/Universal and Reniassance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended. July 1997

M'Lila walked cautiously toward the ship. She had been waiting and watching for this particular ship to arrive. When it had and she saw the captain, a tall women with long dark hair and bright blue eyes, she knew her destiny was closed to being fulfilled.

M'Lila had had visions of this woman for years. She was to become a great warrior, leading an army bent on destruction and obtaining power. M'Lila also knew that much of this warrior's skills would come from her. She had wanted to resist giving her knowledge to someone who would use it for evil, but then she had two more visions that had made up her mind. One was of a man of great strength, who often stood against the gods. He was also someone the warrior would try to kill, but fail. He would turn her away from evil. But it was the second one that had had the biggest impact on her decision. A young woman with red golden hair who would befriend the warrior woman and help to make sure that she would stay on the right path. With those visions, she put her plan in motion to find the woman.

M'Lila stole quietly aboard the ship and hid herself in a large basket. Now all she had to do was wait until the woman discovered her.

From her hiding place, M'Lila watched the activity of the crew. Not far from where she was, she could see the prisoner who had been brought on board the night before. She wasn't sure why, but she had a bad feeling about the man in the red and golden armor. He had been part of her visions, but she was uncertain what part he played in the woman who would become the warrior's life.

Suddenly she heard a voice. The captain of the ship had found her. She didn't really understand the language the woman spoke, but there was no mistaking the long blade that was pointed in her direction. The woman spoke again, and two of her men gathered around.

The captain lowered her sword, and it was then that M'Lila leapt from her hiding place. She swiftly knocked one of the men toward the stairs nearby. The woman moved to stop her, but M'Lila used her pressure point knowledge to disable her. There was a frenzy of activity as the other sailors sprung into action. M'Lila moved behind the second man and again used her pressure points, but this time on the man's neck.

From her place on the deck, Xena watched the hooded figure fight off her crew. Whoever this person was, she knew she could learn a lot from them and use it in defense of her homeland. After a bit, she unsheathed her dagger and threw it at the mast. It severed the ropes holding the sail in place. The stranger was caught under the purple and white material.

M'Lila was pleased. Xena, that was what the crew had called her, was learning everything that M'Lila taught her rather quickly. Soon Xena would be as good a fighter, if not better, than her. It was no wonder that this woman had such an important role to play in the future of the world.

M'Lila was glad that the man in the red and golden armor would be gone soon. She still had yet to see what part he played in Xena's future. But she knew what ever it was, it wasn't good.

Xena treated her well, giving her her own cabin. It wasn't big, but still it was hers alone. And it was next to Xena's own quarters.

M'Lila still had visions of Xena's future. Some were the distant future, and others were in the near future. She knew that her new friend was about to be betrayed, but she wasn't sure how and by whom.

M'Lila watched as a rowboat carrying Xena, several of her men, and the prisoner headed for the distant shore. She was glad the stranger was leaving now. She hadn't liked the smug look on his face or the tone of his voice. She wasn't sure how he had known her language and for some reason that disturbed her.

She had had another vision the night before, in her dreams. It was of the distant future. She could see her friend, Niklio, kneeling beside a bed. On the bed was Xena, her skin pale and her eyes closed. The woman with the red golden hair knelt on the other side of the bed, both hands clinging tightly to Xena's right hand. She could tell that the young woman was upset. Niklio had risen to his feet saying something that she couldn't understand, but knew what it was from the look on his face. Xena's friend had become even more upset, releasing her hold on the warrior's hand and reaching for her face. M'Lila could her the pleading in the woman's voice, growing louder. She had then turned to Niklio asking him obviously to help. He had turned away sadly, and the young woman had slumped by Xena's bedside, one hand on her friend's arm.

M'Lila had woken from the dream with tears streaming down her face. They threatened to over take her again now as she remembered the dream. She wiped furiously at her eyes, and then realized that the rowboat was nowhere to be seen.

Everyday Xena spent more and more time with M'Lila. She had finally surpassed M'Lila's own fighting skills, but the two continued to practice daily. Afterward they would share their evening meal.

To her surprise, Xena often sang after dinner. M'Lila enjoyed listening to the woman's voice, even if she didn't understand what the songs were about. Sometimes she would sing too, but only after Xena had finished her songs.

Occasionally when Xena was busy, M'Lila would stand at the bow of the ship and sing. It was her favorite spot since she could look out onto the sea.

On one of those afternoons, just as she finished her song, Xena walked up behind her. The man in the crows nest shouted out. In the distance the two women could see a ship approaching.

M'Lila had a bad feeling about that ship and tried to convey that to her new friend. But Xena only smiled at her and tried to reassure her, before turning back to her crew.

It was dark by the time Caesar’s ship reached Xena's. M'Lila had found a place to hide while she waited to see what he was going to do. It troubled her that her visions about this man had not been any clearer. All that she knew for sure was that he was not to be trusted.

A plank was placed between the two ships, connecting them. Caesar walked across it and down the steps to the deck. Xena moved down the steps she had been standing on at the aftdeck and toward him. They circled each other, until suddenly Caesar grabbed Xena and held a knife two her throat. He shouted orders to the men on his ship, and several of Xena's crew members were hit with arrows. In a short time Caesar’s men had taken control of Xena's ship.

M'Lila could do nothing but watch as Xena and her men were shackled together at the necks. She had no doubts that if she tried to help her friend that she too would be taken prisoner or killed. There would be another time for her to help Xena. She would just have to wait for it.

It hadn't been easy getting off of Caesar’s ship undetected, but M'Lila had found a way. From her vantage point behind a slight rise near the beach, she watched as Xena and her crew, now dressed in brown tunics were securely bound to large wooden crosses. When the crosses were raised they made an eerie line across the sand.

M'Lila saw Caesar and another man, dressed in red and silver armor, walking along the beach. They stopped near where Xena was being tied to a cross. The men watched as the cross was turned upright.

Caesar appeared to say something to Xena, who spat in his direction. He gave no reaction as he turned to a soldier nearby. The soldier moved toward Xena wielding the hammer he had used to secure her cross in to position. M'Lila watched in horror as he deftly swung it at Xena's legs, smashing into them. The screams of her friend echoed through her mind.

M’Lila watched the activity of Caesar’s troops on the beach. They set up guard positions at both ends of their long line of captives. Once that was done, Caesar rounded up most of them and left the area, leaving sentries on duty.

After she was sure that Caesar and his men had left, M'Lila moved out of her hiding place and away from the beach. She had to find her horse if she was to get Xena away from here. During her search she spotted Caesar’s camp. She made note of its location to avoid the area later.

Fortunately it didn't take long to locate her steed. After talking to it briefly, she mounted and headed back to her hiding place. Once there she waited for night to make her move to save her friend.

A storm came with the sitting of the sun. Though the air rumbled with thunder and lightening streaked the sky, the rain held back. M'Lila cautiously approached the row of prisoners.

As she neared them, she saw another soldier walking toward the two guards that were seated by a fire near Xena. He called out when he saw her. When she didn't answer, he ran toward her. M'Lila's first strike knocked the spear that he had been carrying out of his hands. She then used a roundhouse kick to his head to knock him to the ground. She took the second man out the same way. The third approached with a torch. She ducked as he swung it in her direction. She kicked at his head too, and then smashed into his face with a backfist. With the guards down, she moved to Xena and cut the ropes binding the woman's feet. M'Lila backed away and threw two knives at the ropes that held Xena's arms out. She moved to catch her friend as she fell, but slumped under the weight of the bigger woman. M’Lila whistled for her horse.

The ride up mount Nestus was difficult. The snow made the way very treacherous. And M'Lila had to struggle to keep Xena on the horse. She hoped that they would make it to Niklio's hut before Caesar’s troops could reach them.

Finally she saw there goal in the distance and urged her mount on. When they reached the hut, the horse knelt making it easier for her to lower Xena to the ground as gently as possible.

Carrying Xena to the cabin wasn't any better. M'Lila strained with the effort to drag her friend. She reached the door and pounded frantically, shouting for Niklio. He opened the door and helped her carry Xena inside.

Xena lost consciousness as soon as Niklio and M'Lila had placed her on the bed. M'Lila explained what had happened to her friend. The healer decided to check Xena's legs before waking her up to set them. Fortunately the bones had not pushed through the skin from either the blow by the hammer or the arduous ride up the mountain.

He roused Xena and told her what he was about to do. M'Lila held Xena down as he began to pull on her legs to set the bones. She screamed in agony with each pull. Finally he had finished the difficult task. Niklio said something to Xena that M'Lila couldn't understand until he said her name, which Xena repeated. Then she asked the healer to find out why M'Lila had brought her there. "It's not her time." she answered.

Niklio gave Xena some herbs for the pain and told her to rest. He also told M'Lila that she should get some rest. The healer then placed splints on both legs, and carefully placed needles into the tops of Xena's feet in areas he knew would aid in healing.

Finding it difficult to rest, M'Lila returned to Xena's side. Her friend opened her eyes when she touched her. Niklio made a comment to Xena and moved away from the two women to prepare dinner. M'Lila sat on the edge of the bed. Xena spoke to her, but she could only understand a little of what she said.

M'Lila had her own question for Xena, was she angry at Caesar. Niklio translated for her. But before Xena could answer, soldiers smashed through the door. M'Lila flipped over the bed to face them. They knocked the healer out, but M'Lila stood her ground. She even saw Xena, out of the corner of her eye, kick one of the men in spite of her broken limbs.

Suddenly she noticed that one of the soldiers had a crossbow aimed at Xena. Moving swiftly in front of her friend, she blocked the arrow from hitting Xena with her body. She looked up at her as she felt her life slip away. Her destiny had been fulfilled.

"Welcome, M'Lila". She turned to the voice and saw a man in black armor with a red and black cape. Standing beside him were three women. "I trust you know who I am, as well as who these three ladies are." said Hades. M'Lila nodded. "They would like to speak with you before you are sent to the Elysian Fields. " Hades continued. "Now if you will excuse me I have business to attend to." With that, the god of the underworld disappeared.

Atropos spoke first to the young woman. "You have used your gifts well." She said.

"But do not think that your work is finished." said Lachesis.

"There will be a time when Xena needs you again." said Clotho.

"The vision I had of her later in her life at Niklio’s cabin." said M'Lila.

The three Fates nodded.

"Until then," said Atropos, "You will be able to witness all that the warrior and even the bard will go through."

"This will enable you to better help Xena when you met her again." said Lachesis.

The three Fates vanished and M'Lila found herself in a beautiful meadow.

The years seemed to fly past for M’Lila. She witnessed the attack on Cirra, by Xena's army. She saw her friend fall in love with a man who then turned against her when he befriended the Centaurs. She saw the birth of their son, after the father's death. M'Lila felt Xena's pain when she gave up that son to the Centaur, Kaleipus. Everything that Xena did, M'Lila witnessed. She hated to see her friend this way, but knew that she wouldn't be this way forever.

During that time, M'Lila also watched Gabrielle as her mischievousness got her into trouble on more than one occasion. And how she skillfully managed to talk her way out of trouble at least most of the time. M'Lila admired the girl's curiosity and thirst for knowledge. It was no surprise to her that Gabrielle showed an interest in being a bard. It combined all of her traits and she knew that Gabrielle would be very good at it.

M'Lila looked forward to the meeting of the warrior and the bard.

But even after nearly two years of Xena and Gabrielle traveling together, the warrior still had a lot of things unresolved about her past. Her encounters with Callisto had made her think more about what she had done and had led her to wonder why she had done all of the terrible things she did as a warlord. So it was no surprise to M'Lila that the two friends had made a visit to Cirra. She knew that soon she would be able to talk with Xena again which was important to her to continue helping people.

M'Lila knew that in the last hours of Xena's life, that she was reliving their first meeting and her meeting Caesar. It was important that those memories came to her at that time. With Gabrielle taking Xena to Niklio's for help, it brought the warrior full circle. Since that was the place where the evil warlord Xena had been born, it was appropriate that that warlord die there.

When she appeared to Xena as she hung again on a cross, this time in Tartarus, M'Lila told her that since Xena knew evil and was evil, she could fight evil. But to convince her she had to return to life, she had her listen to Gabrielle's thoughts. She knew the bard would have an affect on her and it worked.

M'Lila also knew that when Xena returned to her life, that their next meeting was a long way away.

The END? Not really since the third season has yet to start and there is a lot left for Xena and Gabrielle to do. As for M'Lila, who knows?