The Way                                                                    - 3 - the shore.  With a slight smile, she closed her eyes and allowed his words to settle within her soul.  Filled with an inner peace, she opened her eyes and watched her staff?s slow journey across the river.  Knowing that she could never return to the warrior?s path, she smiled with satisfaction as she heard the soft footfalls of her lover approach. "So, it's the way of love for you, huh?"  Xena asked with a slight frown. "Yeah,? the bard said as she felt the taller woman?s sadness.  ?Yours is the way of the warrior.  I think I've always known that," the bard smiled softly as she removed the scarf from her head, the cool breeze gently brushing through her short hair. "And I've always known that it was wrong for you.?  The warrior swallowed and when she continued, remorse cut through her words.  ?I'm sorry I took you so far from your truth.? "Don't be sorry,? Gabrielle held back her sadness, knowing how hard this was for Xena.  In an attempt to ease the taller woman?s guilt, she took the large hand in hers.  ?Xena-- do you think I could have understood the power of selfless love-- if it weren't for our friendship?" "Still, I think maybe you should travel with Eli for a while,? Gabrielle could tell that the warrior was trying to mask her true feelings in hopes that the bard would do what was best for her and leave. Not taking the bait, the bard smiled at Xena?s words and her voice was peaceful.  "No.  You and I stay together." "Gabrielle, we're headed in opposite directions in life."  The warrior tried again to convince her, but failed. "All rivers run to the sea.  We'll end up in the same place; I'm sure of it,? the blond said softly as she watched her staff floating away on the gentle waves.  When she felt her soul mate?s hand on her arm, she smiled, knowing how hard it was for her lover to bite her tongue and her voice caught.  ?Thank you." "For what?"  The telltale tears laced Xena?s words. "For not mentioning dams,? Gabrielle turned away and smiled at her lover?s sentimentality. "You're welcome,? Xena?s voice was so soft and soothing, her touch warming the bard?s soul.  At such a simple demonstration of the warrior?s love, Gabrielle reached up and covered the callused hand with her own.  In silence, they watched the staff disappear around the bend in the river. ~~~~~~ Princess Chandanda remained in a still, peaceful state as the waves brushed gently past her.  When she felt a slight bump against her leg, she opened one eye and peered down cautiously.  At the sight of the weapon, she felt her heart skip a beat. She glanced around quickly as she pulled the floating staff from the water.  Although it was wet, it had not been in the water long enough for the wood to become soaked.  At this thought, she glanced around again in search of the staff?s owner.  The pilgrims across the river continued in their worship and devotion of the river goddess.  When she glanced over her shoulder, the only people she saw on the shore were her own entourage.  With a curious arch of a brow, she looked up the river and glanced in the direction from which the staff might have come, but saw nothing. Chandanda felt her heart soaring with hope as she held the staff across her body in a fighting stance and it felt right and good.   Smiling broadly, she closed her eyes and gave thanks to the goddess Ganges for her blessing.  At the feel of the solid wood in her hands, she closed her eyes again and gave a silent thanks to Shiva for his part in this blessing. When the princess had first arrived at the river she was not certain she would receive a sign.  A part of her had wanted to turn and run away from this marriage, if a sign had not been given to her.  Even though she knew that this could put her family into a bitter war, she had thought she had no other choices.  But now, with the stout staff in hand, she no longer had to worry about her country being pulled into a bloody war because she knew, beyond a doubt, that her marriage to Prince Chalukyas was right and would take place.  With the blessing of the river Ganges in hand, she now knew where her path lay.  Her life would take the same route that her mother had taken so many years ago. As she stepped from the water, her guards moved closer to her.  Waiving away their concerns, she smiled as she ran up the riverbank with the staff in hand.  Seeing her excitement, Rajani rose from her resting place on a blanket and moved toward her. ?Chandanda is all well?? her lover asked, the concern clearly seen in her dark eyes.  Rajani was lithe, with dark brown skin the color of the honey-barked tree and waist length black hair.  The small woman had been Chandanda?s constant companion since they were children and her lover when they had become adults. In the beginning, they had been like many young girls, taking pleasure in simply being young.  At the time, neither one was aware of their differing caste.  It did not matter to Rajani that Chandanda?s family was of the Kshatriya class, the class of warriors, princes and kings.  Nor did it matter to Chandanda that her friend was from the Sudra class, the group of manual laborers and service workers.  All that mattered was that while Rajani?s parents were busy working in the palace, the two girls were able to be together to study and play together.  Only later, when they blossomed into women and a physical love formed, were they aware of the harsh rigidity of their social standings. Once, many years ago, Chandanda almost lost her love forever.  Because of her darker complexion and lack of a dowry, Rajani?s family knew that they would never find a suitable match for their daughter.  Their only option for saving face was to sell their child to an older man who had lost his wife.  He was not particular and only asked that the bride be good with children so that she could tend to his. At the prospect of losing her friend and lover, Chandanda had thrown herself at her father?s feet.  When this failed, her mother spoke reason to her father.  Had it not been for her mother?s intervention, Rajani?s family