ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

Oak Leaf Spell

by Deb Kern

Dedication: To Tracey for her birthday. Thank you for your support and beta reading efforts.

Thank you: A big thanks to Stacia for beta reading and for her continued support in my writing efforts.

Cover by Deb Kern

(Click photo for larger image)

"You look forlorn, child."

"Who said that?" Gabrielle looked in every direction to see if she could spot the person who had just spoken to her in the tiniest of voices. "Who are you? Where are you?"

"I'm Melodi," said the little fairy. "And I'm right behind you."

Gabrielle turned and searched the tree she was leaning against. Sure enough, on a small limb protruding from the oak tree sat the smallest human she'd ever seen. Or maybe it wasn't a human. This tiny being had wings. She blinked her eyes a couple of times to make sure she wasn't imagining this.

"You're not seeing things, My Dear," Melodi said, laughing. "I'm your fairy spirit guide and although I've always been with you, it is only now that I make my presence known to you."

"Now?" Gabrielle asked. "Is there a reason you appear to me now?"

"I know the question that burdens your heart. I’ve watched you struggle and I think I can help you find the answer you need so badly," Melodi said as she floated down from her perch and landed on Gabrielle’s shoulder.

"What answer?" Gabrielle whispered, dropping her head and tilting it to the side to see the fairy better.

"Come now, Gabrielle. You must say it yourself or I can’t help you. Remember that I’ve always been with you. I know all your desires." Melodi flew out and hovered inches in front of the young woman’s face.

Gabrielle stretched out her arm and opened her hand to allow Melodi a place to perch. "I’ve never said it to anyone but I . . . I need to know if Xena feels the same way for me that I do for her."

Melodi watched as the bard’s eyes began to water. 

"I’d be all right if I just knew where I stood with her, but I’m so afraid to come right out and ask her," Gabrielle sniffed back the tears.

"I think I can help you get that answer without jeopardizing a thing," Melodi said.

"Really?"

"Listen carefully," Melodi began. "If you like what you hear than we’ll carry out the plan. There is a spell called the ‘oak leaf’ spell. This is how it works. You take the oak leaf that I have laid magic to and you place it into Xena’s boot tonight when she is sleeping. In the morning when she has dressed and put on her boots, go to her and kiss her firmly on the lips. If she responds to your kiss then you know she desires you as much as you wish for her. If she does not, or pulls away, than you know she thinks of you as a friend only. The best part is that within seconds of the contact, Xena will remember nothing of it. So, after you kiss her and have your answer, simply walk away and begin preparing breakfast as usual."

"You’re telling me that Xena won’t remember a thing?" Gabrielle asked.

"That’s correct," Melodi said. "That way once you have your answer, it will be up to you to deal with the consequences of whatever answer you are given. What do you think?"

"Let me get this straight," Gabrielle said. "I place the leaf in her boot. When she puts her boots on I go to her and kiss her, and then I simply walk away and Xena won’t remember that I kissed her?"

"That’s it in a nutshell - or acorn if you prefer."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Let’s do it."

That night as planned, Melodi gave Gabrielle the oak leaf and she quietly placed it into Xena’s right boot. Sneaking back to her bedroll, Gabrielle lay down and said a small prayer before she finally fell asleep.

In the morning Gabrielle woke up and rubbed her eyes. She saw the warrior adjusting her armor and looked to her feet to make sure she had her boots on. Her heart began pounding wildly as she stood and slowly made her way over to Xena. ‘It’s now or never’ she thought.

"You’re up awful earl - " Xena tried to say something but was quickly cut off as Gabrielle placed her hands around the warrior’s neck and kissed her smack on the lips.

Gabrielle felt resistance at first, but then, slowly, Xena’s mouth responded and her hands moved to Gabrielle’s waist, pulling her in closer. The kiss was most certainly mutual.

Melodi watched from her perch in the tree. Her friend Tara flew by and sat next to her. "What are you doing?" she asked softly.

"I’m seeing how the oak leaf spell works," Melodi whispered.

"There’s no such thing as the oak leaf spell," Tara said.

"I know," Melodi smirked. "That’s the best part."

Gabrielle shook her head and moved quickly away from the warrior. Just as she’d been told, she turned and began preparing the morning’s food like she always did. She could barely contain her glee. She kept her face hidden from Xena as a couple of minutes passed.

"Excuse me," Xena said. "Don’t you want to tell me what that was all about?"

Gabrielle snapped her head around to face the tall dark-haired beauty. "What?"

"You wake up and kiss me and then you just walk away? Did I miss something?" Xena asked, her hands firmly crossed in front of her.

"You remember that?"

"It just happened - don’t you?"

"Xena, take your boot off."

"What?"

"Your right boot, take it off. There’s an oak leaf in it."

"This one?" Xena asked, picking up the leaf from the ground. "I saw that in there and I took it out before I put my boot on. What’s that got to do with you kissing me - didn’t you want to kiss me?"

"Yes, of course I did." Gabrielle walked toward the confused woman. "I wanted to kiss you."

"Good," Xena smiled. "Then come over here and I’ll give you a kiss that you won’t forget this time."

Tara looked over at Melodi and laughed. "Good one."

Melodi stood on the branch and took a much-deserved bow.

THE END

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