TUESDAY FAN FICTION REPORT - 6/2/98
[Previous report was for 5/31/98]

Hi guys,

Two new ones and lots of updates this time around :)

GENERAL FICTION:

OUT OF THE PAST by Kaiser
Interesting new tale, still unfinished, that has Xena telling Gabrielle about her past as the Warrior Princess and her initial meeting with the God of War. The story features an original spin on Xena's origins. [Note: includes some subtext]
http: //www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7473/outofthepast.html

HOLY WAR by ProudWarrioress
Chapter 15 - REUNION - is now available. ProudWarrioress' tale is a novel which inspired by THE PRICE goes way beyond the episode in terms of scope, creating a story of such magnitude and such impact that it can only be described as a saga of epic proport ions - a blockbuster of XWP fan fiction. Set after the events in THE PRICE, this novel begins ominously with the thoughts of a warrior as he prepares to go to war - not an ordinary warrior but a leader among men - a warrior getting ready to unleash the gr eatest terror Greece has ever known as he leads his army on a holy crusade to recover the Chosen One promised long ago to his people - a prophesy Telmark, Supreme Commander of the Horde, is determined to see fulfilled at any cost. It is this new and deadl y threat which Xena and Gabrielle find themselves facing when they join the massive army of several allied Greek City states preparing to do battle with the Horde. At the head of the army is Marmax, the commander from the episode IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE who thanks to Xena and the bard found peace for his own people but now must fight a battle for the very survival of Greece. Despite their mounting fears, Xena and Gabrielle agree to help the allied force and soon find themselves in a familiar situat ion - heavily outnumbered, facing savage Horde warriors - with little hope of survival. For Xena the solution is to start awakening the darkness within herself and to try to make sure Gabrielle is safe but what the Warrior Princess never suspects is that once again she is spending too much time trying to fight the Horde without considering what their motivations could be - what they want...or whom? The story has the feel of great film epics like SPARTACUS or the more contemporary BRAVEHEART. The battle s cenes are so well-written and so carefully choreographed that they stand out vividly. ProudWarrioress' depiction of the Xena/Gabrielle relationship, as in her other stories, is one of deep friendship, loyalty, sacrifice and unquestionable commitment. She uses a shifting point-of-view technique that gives us a very thorough insight into the minds of both our heroines and their enemy. This story is an experience you will not soon forget. A MUST READ for every Xenite, it carries my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!
http:/ /members.tripod.com/~ProudWarrioress/fanfic/fanfic.html

TO SLAY DRAGONS by Raistlyn
The concluding part 6 of this story is now available. Xena and Gabrielle get some help from a couple of old friends as they fight to try to keep Poteidaia from being destroyed by warring armies. In this final part the villagers make their last stand as a bard searches for confidence and courage within herself. Good action and nice characterizations in an entertaining story which reads very much like a season 1 or 2 episode.
http ://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/7473/toslaydragons.html

ALTERNATIVE FICTION:

DEAR DIARY by Lady Catherine
A very sweet little story that has Xena doing something she shouldn't have and getting a whole new perspective as a result. Nice depiction of the relationship. DO NOT MISS!
http://scrollsociety.simplenet.com/fanfiction/alt1/ladycat/diary.htm

MANTIC by Baermer
Chapters 5-8 are now available. One of my favorite bards returns with an exceptional new story which promises to keep us well enthralled in the weeks to come. MANTIC begins innocently enough with the warrior and bard at an inn where both are busy doing what they do best - Gabrielle telling her stories, Xena protecting her bard ;-) However, the moment is just the calm before a storm which starts brewing the instant a messenger arrives with a mysterious summons...a summons for the bard...a message asking her to travel into Persian territory. Along with a VERY suspicious Xena, the bard begins a journey which will engulf her in deadly intrigue while offering her an opportunity also to at last explore a dormant potential within herself. In this latest chapters Xena and Gabrielle learn more about why they were summoned and what's at stake. This story already is firmly centered around all the things Baermer excels at - a wonderfully solid, stoic, protective depiction of the Warrior Princess - an equally well-done characterization of Gabrielle focusing on the bard's nobility and guts - a treatment of th e relationship which speaks of devotion and love - some of those great hurt/comfort moments Baermer does so well - and a carefully crafted plot full of political machinations and suspense. This is riveting guys and will get more so. A MUST READ! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
http://www.telepath.c om/baermer/Mantic1-4.html

THE SECRETS OF THE HOARY DEEP by de Bonheur
Chapters 16-18 of this tale are now available. This FANTASTIC follow up to de Bonheur's AND FAIR TRUTH is an uber-Xena story set in post-WWI France where a young aristocrat named Michelle Destin finds herself in the middle of an intriguing mystery involvi ng a very old painting...and the enigmatic woman that soon comes into her life. Meanwhile, in Elysia a certain warrior and bard enjoy the happiness they earned long ago, thinking of the life they made together, but wanting also to help the living children of their blood find that happiness. In these latest chapters Xena and Gabrielle continue to reminisce about their own lives as they watch their children. Still unfinished, this story is sensual and romantic and emotional and beautiful. De Bonheur does an excellent job presenting the aristocratic element of post-WWI Parisian society while the Xena/Gab relationship, as in her previous stories, is depicted with great care, great passion and great tenderness. Still unfinished this story is already a fine read. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
http://members.aol.com /DeBonheur/secrets.html

ONLY ONE by Redhawk
Chapter three is now available. This is a promising HIGHLANDER/XWP crossover story set in the modern world which has the one-time Warrior Princess, now a deadly immortal, getting the shock of her life when she sees a familiar face lost to her centuries before. In this latest chapter Xena finds her quarry. Still unfinished this is nicely written and should be particularly entertaining for fans of both series.
http://www.xena fan.com/fiction/content3/onlyone.html

LEAP OF FAITH by Missy Good
The conclusion of this story is now available. So consistent she'd probably never make it as a character in a third season episode of XWP, Missy returns with another exceptional XWP novel. Set about a month after the events in DARKNESS FALLS, the story begins with the warrior and bard recovering nicely from their recent ordeals, rejoicing in the healing their relationship is experiencing. The sense of things in fact returning back to normal becomes even more pronounce when they visit Poteidaia and once again find people in need of their help, people looking to the Warrior Princes s when no other hope remains. Unbeknownst to them, trouble is stirring in other parts too, as danger envelops a dear friend. In this final part the warrior and bard bid the Amazons goodbye even as they make plans for that next visit :) Featuring exceptional writing, masterful storytelling, Missy's endearing sense of humor, and one of the most beloved depictions of the Xena/Gab relationship in fanfic this is another treat for us all guys. A MUST READ that receives my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!
http://home.att.net/~merwolf/ xena.html

For those of you reading this post who are not familiar with the term alternative (alt.), it refers to ADULT stories that add a romantic element to the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle, depicting them as more than just friends.

Happy reading!

Lunacy 8-)