ForevaXena's FanFic . . .
The Power Of 2.5
by JD Jenkins
DISCLAIMERS:
This story is a sequel to my story Power Of Two.
Historical Notes: While the myth about Iphigenia had many versions, I've combined them to create my own myth which would be useful to my story. The time span between the death of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra is recorded as being a seven year span, so I shortened it just a bit. All information is historically correct in one way or another, but poetic license was taken a few times. Also, Taurus was not located in what is now Greece, it was located in the Ukraine, in what is now Crimea. I moved this city for my own benefit.
"What happens when your leathers get too tight?" Looking at her lover in the dazzling sunlight, Gabrielle noticed the radiant glow on Xena's face. Playing off the angles of her cheekbones, highlighting her ebony hair, creating a marveling display of beauty. A large smile on her face, Gabrielle stopped in her tracks. And she's all mine, she thought gleefully.
"What do you mean wha…" The warrior stopped in mid sentence when she realized that her partner was no long walking beside her. Turning slowly, she saw Gabrielle standing dead still in the middle of the road, a goofy smile on her face.
What Xena didn’t know was that when she turned, it put the setting sun behind her. That bright orb illuminated her entire body, creating an awe inspiring outline. Feeling light headed, Gabrielle could only stare at her lover in reverence.
Backtracking quickly, Xena stopped in front of her silently smiling lover. "Hey," she said softly, cupping Gabrielle's cheek in her long hand.
"You're…you're…" The bard struggled for a word descriptive enough for what she was feeling. "Beautiful!" The word didn't cover what she was trying to say, but it was all her mind could conjure.
A perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose over one eyes, as one side of Xena's mouth curled. "Have you been exposed to henbane recently?" She teased, enjoying the blush that rose in her companion's cheeks.
Shaking her head, Gabrielle grinned. "Sorry, the sun…" she pointed behind Xena. "…you…it was a breathtaking view." Her eyes looked up at Xena with clear adoration.
It was Xena's turn to blush. "I'm still wondering if you've been drugged," she murmured in an attempt to hide her embarrassment.
Reaching up and curling a hand around the back of Xena's strong neck, Gabrielle guided the other woman's head lower until she could cover the warrior's face with light kisses, ending with a firm kiss on her lover's soft lips.
"Nope, no drugs." She stopped, looking thoughtful. "Maybe you're the drug. We could bottle you and sell you to lovelorn men and women. I bet Salmoneus could help market the concept…" Her verbal wanderings ended when Xena engulfed her in strong arms, lifting her off her feet.
Finding Gabrielle's lips with her own, Xena felt a surge of passion rise in her. This woman, this small, talkative, adorable woman was also so very alluring for the warrior. As hard as she tried, she couldn't resist her.
Breaking off the kiss, Xena hugged the bard tightly to her. "I think you're the drug, love," she whispered in the closest available ear.
Carefully she put the woman back on the ground, keeping her arms around the bard for a lingering moment as they looked at each other, smiles on both their face. Finally, after a whinny from Argo, Xena let go. "Now what were you saying about my leathers?"
The began walking again, used to these frequent interruptions when they just needed to be reminded of their love. Their traveling had slowed down, do to these moments, but both women felt it was worth it.
"Leathers?" A puzzled look came over the bard's face as she thought back to earlier. "Oh! Right, leathers!" She eyed the warrior walking next to her. "What happens when you can't wear them anymore?" Her eyes rested on Xena's flat stomach.
Joining her lover's stare, Xena looked at her own abdomen, unconsciously patting it. She was only three moon cycles into her pregnancy, and so far the only sign of her condition was the fact that she was out eating Gabrielle. They both knew, however, that at some point things were going to change.
"I don't know, Brie," Xena said absently. They hadn't really talked about how this was going to change things. Dealing with both their new revealed love on the road and this pregnancy was difficult. She'd much rather just think about the fact that she and Gabrielle had broken the barriers between friends and lovers. A tiny tug inside of her knew it wouldn't be long before her belly began to expand and curve around the new life inside of her.
Watching her partner, Gabrielle knew that Xena was thinking about the baby that was going to be born in just six moon cycles. She desperately wanted to be strong for her warrior, but in truth, she was still dealing with the fact that the baby should have been hers.
Artemis had told her, had told them both, that if Gabrielle were to carry the child then she would die. Simple as that. But it's not that simple, she thought. She didn't begrudge Xena at all for taking away all the pain she'd suffered, all the haunting memories, and the mortifying events. But, the idea of a baby was rather nice. It would have been a balm for the memory. At least that's what she told herself.
Putting a casual arm around her lover's waist, Gabrielle knew that no matter what, she and Xena were in this together, and it was together that they'd get through it.
"Where are we heading again?"
Xena laughed lightly at Gabrielle's question. "Surprise, remember?"
Wrinkling her nose, the bard hugged Xena to her. "I know, but a girl can try, can't she?"
"Definitely, my love, definitely."
Gazing up at the sky, stars sprinkling the wide, dark expanse, Gabrielle sighed. A warm body with soft, firm skin was curled up next to her, a head resting on her shoulder, soft dark hair brushing over Gabrielle's skin. The deep breaths coming from Xena was evidence that she was still asleep. As far as Gabrielle was concerned, she thought that the new physical closeness they shared was definitely a benefit to their growing relationship. Being together, holding each other infused Gabrielle with incredible warmth which spread from the inside out.
At the bard's sigh, the arm around her waist tightened as though even in sleep Xena instinctively knew that her lover needed that reassurance.
Gabrielle's own arm was around Xena's wide shoulders. Stroking the bare skin of her lover's strong back, Gabrielle looked over at the sleeping warrior. An uncontrollable smile grew on her face as she studied the other woman's familiar features.
Even though she'd never been happier, something still nagged at the back of her mind. An inconsistency that she could not understand, that she couldn't put words to. But, as she laid there, her lover in her arms, she wasn't sure that she wanted to understand.
Mumbling in her sleep, Xena nestled her head against Gabrielle's shoulder, widening the smile on the bard's face. "I love you," she whispered, kissing Xena's head.
"Love you too," the warrior mumbled back.
"Is this where we're stopping?" Gabrielle inquired of the tall leather clad woman standing next to her.
Tilting her head to look at the bard, Xena couldn't stop the smile that curled one side of her mouth. "Just for the night."
Wrinkling her nose, Gabrielle resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at the warrior.
"Now, now Brie. All in good time." Xena rubbed her knuckles under Gabrielle's chin gently. However, seeing that the other woman still wasn't happy, she gave a melodramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. "It's SUPPOSED to be a surprise, but if you're going to pout, I'll tell you."
Sighing back, Gabrielle folded her arms over her chest. "No, I can wait." It was the game they'd been playing for the last few days.
As expected, Xena gave her a brilliant smile in return. "Good."
Both women turned to look in front of them, taking in the view of their stop for the night. Taurus was a thriving city which rested on the Thracian Sea. While most of Greece had experienced economic hardship due to the Trojan War and problems that arose in the form of Roman soldiers, the Taurians had come through relatively untouched.
The city itself was beautiful, bright colors accenting the buildings, the streets well cared for. The people appeared to be going about their daily tasks happily. Despite this, Xena still studied Taurus with a critical eye. Scanning everything and everybody she saw, it was her routine to commit it all to memory in case she needed it for future use.
Proceeding into the city, Xena and Gabrielle found a suitable tavern with a stable close by.
"I'll take Argo and get her settled. You want to go see about a room for the night?" She looked at her lover with what anyone who took the time to study could see was a fondness.
"See you soon then," Gabrielle said, squeezing the other woman's forearm before turning toward the tavern.
Xena watched for a minute, enjoying the view of her lover's back. Yeah, sure, you're REALLY looking at her back, warrior! Behind her Argo snorted, as though even she knew that Xena was fooling no one. Giving her horse a wary look, one eyebrow raised, she began walking toward the stables.
Her confident stride and thrown back shoulders kept people from trying to talk to the young woman. Her short blonde hair gave her face a wise, peaceful look, which caused people to look twice at her, not really sure if they'd seen what they thought they'd seen the first time. She strode into the main room of the tavern, stopping after she'd walked through the door to allow her eyes to get used to the darkness. Her green eyes scanned the entire room, noting both occupants and doors. Spotting a worker behind the bar to one side, she immediately headed toward the bar.
Tarvis watched the young woman approach him, a wary look on his face. Being the owner of the tavern he had the ability to see trouble the minute it walked through his doors. And this woman, in her snot-yellow sari looked like trouble to him. But, as she stopped in front of him, she gave him a smile which completely melted his reserve and caused a smile to form in return on his own face. A toothy smile, which was hard considering that he didn't have many teeth left in his mouth.
"Hi," Gabrielle spoke finally to the barkeep. "I wanted to see about getting a room?"
He found her voice unaccountably soothing to his ears which were used to the loud, obnoxious voices of his customers. "I got a room, but it’s not ready yet. Gotta clean it," Tarvis raised his eyes at her. "Unless you want it dirty?"
"Uh, no, that's okay," she gave him a little smile, while she tried not to cringe. "We can wait till you clean it." Sitting down on one of the stools at the bar, she haggled with him for a price for the room, and gave him the dinars they agreed on.
"Can I get ya a drink?" He asked her kindly.
"Um, ale's fine," she said absently, watching the door.
Setting the mug down in front of her, Tarvis gave her turned head a smile. "Waitin' on someone?"
Muffling an exasperated sigh, Gabrielle turned around to face the barkeep since it didn’t seem like he was going to leave her alone. "Yes, my travelling companion should be here in a minute. She's out stabling the horse."
"You two come from around here?" The barkeep had fallen for the bard's sweet nature, filling him with all kinds of questions for her, just to keep her talking. The voice was like that of a goddess to him.
"Not really. We travel all over, really. We're just stopping in for the night." She gave him a tight lipped smile, but saw that his attention was on something behind her.
Turning around, Gabrielle's breath caught in her chest. Entering the tavern was a very familiar form. Brown leather covered the woman's body, softly molding to its many curves. Armor covered the woman's chest in a swirling pattern that was meant to both decorate and protect. Strong, shapely arms were banded with arm bands and grieves. Dark, black hair fell over the woman's shoulders. Her face was set, no smile or movement that could be seen, almost as though the face were carved in some brilliant, alabaster stone. Two magnificent blue eyes scanned the room before settle on the seated bard. Not even acknowledging those that were starring her down, the woman, who was obviously a warrior, made her through the room until she stood in front of Gabrielle.
Picking up the bard's mug of ale, she took a large drink from it before setting it down again. Tarvis tried to draw the warrior's attention away from the blonde, but had no luck because their eyes were locked together in an endless dance that even the barkeep was afraid to interfere with.
Feeling the small tremble she always felt when Xena looked at her like that, Gabrielle was momentarily speechless. Tarvis, however, was the first to speak up.
"Can I help you, warrior?" He asked, his tone falsely gruff.
Looking up, Xena raised an eyebrow at the man and gave him a cold smile. "No, thank you, I just came for her." She gestured at Gabrielle.
"Ah…she's, uh, she's…" He tried desperately to think of something, assuming that he would be saving the blonde from the warrior's savage plans. "She's not traveling alone!"
Growling, the warrior's voice dropped lower as she looked at the blonde with barely held in passion. "I know," her voice practically hummed the words.
Finally, Gabrielle laughed out loud, a full belly laugh that caught the barkeep off balance. Throwing her arms around the warrior, Gabrielle hugged the tall woman tightly. Amazed already, the barkeep thought he'd fall to the floor when he saw the warrior smile sheepishly at the bard.
Leaning close, Xena whispered into Gabrielle's ear. "Didn't that turn you on at all?"
Pulling back, the bard looked at her lover, mischief dancing in her eyes. Then she leaned in to whisper back. "Maybe," was all she said, giving Xena's earlobe a little kiss before pulling back.
Another game between the two women that had developed since they had become lovers. Xena would do everything that she could to fluster Gabrielle, to turn her on at inappropriate times. She knew when it worked because the bard would suddenly need to be alone with the warrior. Other times, Xena would try her best and not get any reaction at all from the bard. Mostly when she used all the things that had worked on previously lovers, that was when she got a cold shoulder from Gabrielle, as though the bard somehow knew that it was old material.
Xena was just as hard to fluster in public, but Gabrielle always knew when the warrior was turned on because the very tips of her ears would turn red. They both found it very exciting to try and arouse the other woman. Just another way to pass the down time on the road.
Tarvis was starting to realize that there was something going on here that he was not privy to. The two women obviously knew each other, and it was then that he realized that the younger woman had said she was traveling with another woman. Looking at the two together, Tarvis was amazed. One was night and one was day when you looked at them individually. But, together those lines were muddled. The warrior wore a smile, the bard snarled. It was an amazing transformation, a mixture created between the two women.
Now the blonde was looking at him. "How long before the room is cleaned up?" She asked, her voice still sounding like smooth honey to his ears.
"Give me a few candlemarks and it'll be ready."
"Can we leave some stuff here with you?" This time the warrior spoke. Beneath her request was a slightly menacing quality, as though she was daring him to say no to her.
"Uh, yeah, I can keep your stuff here." He pointed behind the bar.
Looking at the smaller woman for her approval, she received a nod. "Sounds good. We'll be back in a few candlemarks. Can you have a bath ready for us?" Receiving a nod from Tarvis, she smiled at him and dropped a few dinars on the counter. "Thanks."
All he could do was nod as the two amazing women left his tavern. His old eyes didn't see the other customers in the room, but he instantly missed the two women's presence. "Something magical about those two," he muttered to himself. "Likes they cast a spell on me." Finally, with a shake of his head, he called out to his wife to get the room ready, instructing her to make sure it was especially presentable.
It took some persuasion on Gabrielle's part, but she finally convinced her lover to go with her to the market in Taurus. As in most towns, an entire section of the city was devoted to people who had services or items to sell. The Taurians were used to having people from all over Greece stop through their town and the many vendors in Taurus called out to the visitors from out of town, hoping to convince them that they had the best in the entire city.
As Gabrielle and Xena made their way through the market, their eyes, ears, and noses were assaulted with the seller's wares. The warrior allowed herself to be dragged from stall to stall as something new caught Gabrielle's eyes. Actually, Xena was enjoying herself despite the annoying vendors that tried to push things on them. It seemed like for that space of time they were simply two women in love, having an enjoyable time together.
Gabrielle had tried to get Xena to pick out some material for a new outfit that would encompass Xena's growing stomach. But the warrior refused, saying that she'd take care of it when the time came.
At the end of the main market, as the stalls and shops began to thin out, they came to a large, ornate temple. At the front of the temple were five tall columns which held the sloping roof in place, while also providing entrance ways into the temple, which had no doors, just spaces between the columns where people could enter and exit. Each column had delicate designs on them, no two columns had the same thing. Each was unique and seemingly more intricate than the one before it. Both women were curious, so they approached the temple.
" 'Temple of Artemis', " Xena read from a plaque on one of the columns.
"This is where Artemis brought Iphigenia." Gabrielle's bardic mind began to summon the story from her memory.
"I thought she was turned into a bull or something," Xena remarked absent mindedly. Something had happened within her when she heard the name Iphigenia. A dull twinge in her stomach, the same feeling she got right before they ran into battle.
"You okay?" The bard had heard the distance in her lover's voice and had seen the flash of…something in her eyes. Even now it was like the warrior hadn't even heard her. "Xena?" She put her hand on the other woman's forearm. Finally, blue eyes focused on her and a soft smile lit Xena's face. "You okay?"
"Sorry." Xena's eyes flashed away from Gabrielle's sweet face, darting around them as she looked for whatever it was that had provoked the feeling. "Something just doesn't feel right."
Having learned that the warrior's instincts weren't often wrong, Gabrielle grew concerned.
Cupping her lover's face with a large callused hand, Xena smiled. "It's okay Brie. Probably just the baby."
Patting Xena's still firm stomach with a hand, Gabrielle smiled. "Probably right."
"Now, you're telling me that Iphigenia wasn't turned into a bull?" She changed the subject, trying to remember where she'd heard the story. "Someone," she purposefully didn't mention who, "told me he'd been there and had seen it."
"Who?" The bard asked suspiciously.
"Well, Salmonious told me." Grinning at her partner, she saw Gabrielle roll her eyes.
"Salmonious said that he was there? And that Artemis turned Iphigenia into a bull?" Gabrielle asked incredulously.
"Yeah." Xena squinted into the distance. "I guess the fact that he was selling little clay bulls didn't make him anymore creditable."
Laughing, Gabrielle put an arm around Xena's waist, hugging her lover quickly before pulling away. "You didn't believe him, did you?"
Giving Gabrielle a look of skepticism, Xena answered. "Don't you know me better than that, bard?"
"Yeah, I would hope so!" Grinning, Gabrielle felt waves of warmth wash through her as she thought about just HOW well she knew the warrior.
"So tell me the story you know about Iphigenia." There had been a time when Xena didn't want to hear any of Gabrielle's stories. She was too angry inside to let them penetrate and so it was just mindless babble to her. But as her heart slowly melted, she found herself enjoying, if not the stories, then at least the sound of Gabrielle's voice, which always gave the warrior a sense of peace.
"Well, her father, Agamemnon, is the king of Mycenae. He's been leading the Greek army against the Trojan army." Gabrielle, warming into the tale began to project her voice slightly, catching the attention of those who were standing outside of the temple. She didn't seem to notice as they crowded around her, her eyes on Xena and Xena only. "It's said that Agamemnon once boasted that was the greatest hunter ever, even better than Artemis herself.
"Artemis was anger by this claim and when the Greek army sailed for Troy, Artemis, with the help of Poseidon, created great winds which kept the army's boat from reaching Troy. Agamemnon, who had already reached Troy, sought out many prophets and seers to find out why the gods were cursing the army. Calchas, the great prophet, finally was able to give him an answer.
"Because he had angered Artemis with his boasting, Artemis was not going to allow the Greek army to land on the soil of Troy until Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter to Artemis. So Agamemnon sent a message to his wife and daughter, telling them that he was going to give Iphigenia to the great hero Achilles as his wife. Of course, his daughter hurried to Troy for her wedding. But, when she got there, she was placed upon an altar, her father announcing that she was to be sacrificed to Artemis."
"Now that sounds familiar. Wonder if Agamemnon was hearing the voices of the one god," Xena muttered under her breath, getting a smile of recognition from Gabrielle before the bard continued her story.
"But before he could kill her, Artemis came and took Iphigenia saying that she would not allow human blood shed on her altar. She replaced Iphigenia with a goat, which was sacrificed in the girl's place. Agamemnon went on to lead the Greek forces in the Trojan War, along side of his brother Menelaus," Gabrielle gave Xena a pointed look, daring her to comment on this familiar name. "Iphigenia's family doesn't know whether she is alive or dead, but people say that Artemis brought her here, to her temple in Taurus to serve as her head priestess."
"Oh, she's not dead," a voice behind the two women whispered, startling Gabrielle out of her tale.
Turning around, Xena and Gabrielle saw a tall figure wearing a light blue, hooded robe. The hood was covering the person's face completely, but the voice was definitely feminine. All the other people who had stopped to listen to Gabrielle's story started to disappear as though they suddenly had to be somewhere else, leaving only the three women standing there.
The feeling in her gut that they were in trouble suddenly intensified. Putting her hand to the sword which hung in her back, she hesitated before drawing it out and attracting more attention to them. "What interest do you have in this?" Her eyes narrowed at the figure.
Gabrielle stood watching the exchange between this strange figure and her lover. "I don’t think you'll need your sword, Xena." She moved a step closer to the clocked woman. "How do you know that Iphigenia's not dead?"
Drawing back her hood, the woman revealed herself to them. Blonde hair cascaded from under the hood, falling down the woman's back. Eyes a very light blue looked at both women while a hand shielded her sensitive eyes from the sun. "Because I am Iphigenia." She stated simply.
It was Gabrielle, not Iphigenia that convinced Xena to follow the woman into the temple. The cloaked woman walked with a graceful ease through the temple's many hallways, finally stopping at a door.
"This is my private chambers. I invite you in so that I may tell you my story." She waited until the scowling warrior agreed before pushing open the door.
The room was large with very little in it, making it completely spacious. Very thick draperies covered two large windows, blocking out any trace of natural light. Seeing both women notice this, Iphigenia explained. "Artemis made my eyes very sensitive to light, giving them this blue color. I can not look at the sun without blinding pain."
"Why did Artemis do that to you?" Gabrielle asked, her voice full of empathy.
"Please sit. Let me get you something to drink, and then I will explain all of it." She tugged on a long brocade rope which hung from the corner. Far way, the tinkling of bells could be heard, signaling the help that their services were needed.
A servant rushed in, stopping into front of Iphigenia, the servant's head bowed as she awaited the priestess orders. Turning to the warrior, Iphigenia questioned her. "Would you like water, or ale, Xena?"
Her arms folded across her chest, Xena's eyes never wavered from the priestess or Gabrielle, both being within her range of sight. There was no way in Tartarus that she was going to give this woman any leeway. "Either is fine," she said, her voice low, without emotion.
"What about you, Gabrielle?" When Iphigenia turned to the bard, her mouth quirked into a smile.
"Whatever you get for Xena is fine." The younger woman seemed mesmerized by the priestess. As the servant left to get their drinks, Gabrielle's eyebrows dipped in the center, her nose wrinkled, and Xena could tell that something was puzzling her lover. "How did you know our names?" She inquired of the priestess who was getting ready to sit on her low bed.
"That's part of the story I need to tell you, Gabrielle. Please, sit." She motioned to two chairs that sat next to each other in front of her bed. The placement of the chairs gave the impression that either she had visitors often, or else she had been expecting some.
Once the two travelers were seated, Iphigenia started to tell her story. "You were right about my father and Artemis. He's a terrible braggart, and that would often get him into trouble. He was to sacrifice me, but Artemis did stop it. She transported me here. When that happened, she also bestowed on me many gifts, and more than one of those gifts have turned into curses for me." Her face grew sad as she thought about her life in the temple. "I've been here for four years now. Everyday I hear news about Troy and the battles. One day I heard that Helen had escaped with the aid of a warrior woman and her friend." She smiled at the two women. "I asked Artemis to bring you here so that I may convince you to help me."
"Why do you need our help if you have the help of a goddess?" Xena questioned of the Priestess.
"Because it has to do with my father, a man that Artemis has sworn she will never lift a finger for." She hesitated a minute. "He's not the best man in the world, but still, he is my father."
Leaning forward, Gabrielle patted the woman's knee. "Tell us the rest of the story and then we'll see if we can help you."
Taking a deep breath, the priestess nodded. "When I came here, Artemis gave me the ability to see the future in my dreams. When normal people would dream about silly things, I dream about what is to come. About a year ago, I dreamt that my father was killed by someone in his palace after he returned from Troy." The priestess's hands began to shake. "It was a horrible dream. I've had it many nights since, and I prayed to Artemis to bring the two of you here, hoping that you two would help me and my father."
"How do you know he isn't already dead?" Xena was skeptical that they could help this woman. The Trojan War had ended over a year ago. Surely Agamemnon had returned home by now. He was a king, he wouldn't be traveling the world. He would have returned to his kingdom to regain his reign.
"I asked Poseidon to blow him off course as he came home in order to give me time to find the two of you. "
"And Poseidon helped you?" This time Gabrielle was the skeptic. She'd met the god and knew that he didn't normally have any room in his godly heart for mortals.
"I am not mortal. At least not anymore." She gave the two women a bitter smile. "Another one of Artemis' gifts."
Tired of playing around, Xena gazed at the priestess. "And what exactly do you want us to do?"
"Go to Mycenae and keep my father from being killed." Looking from woman to woman, Iphigenia saw the brief dismay in both their faces. "I don't know, but I suspect that my cousin Aegisthus is the one who will kill him. There's a lot of hatred between our families."
"Why can't you go yourself?" Xena didn't see why this had to involve them. They'd done their part for the Trojan War at a friend's behalf. She didn't really want to get involved in more politics, especially this family's politics.
"I'm not allowed to leave the temple. The grounds around the temple where I met you is as far as I can venture." She looked incredibly sad as she starred off into the distance. "I am still paying for my father's crime, whether or not I was killed."
Gabrielle's heart was touched by this sadness. Knowing better than to question the works of the gods, she knew that she and Xena could help her. Looking at her lover, she spoke to Iphigenia. "Can we have a minute to discuss this alone?"
Rising, Iphigenia nodded. "I will be in the temple's library. Pull that cord there," she pointed to the same cord she had pulled earlier," and I will know that you're ready for me to come back." Her walk was unhurried as she made her way to the door. "Please take your time," she said in a soft voice before leaving.
Both women had watched the priestess' departing figure before turning to each other. "I know what you're going to say," Xena started, holding her hand up to stop the bard from arguing. "Hear me out and then you'll get your turn." Pausing for a moment, Xena took a deep breath. "You know how much I hate being a pawn in different kingdom's politics. I hate knowing that at anytime, someone could turn on you to benefit themselves." She narrowed her eyes, looking at her lover. "But, I think we both know that we're going to go and see if we can help Agamemnon."
Grinning, Gabrielle stood up and approached Xena's chair. She moved in till she was standing between Xena's legs. Putting her arms around the warrior's neck, she hugged her. "Thank you Xena. I just couldn't fathom saying no to her. Plus," she pulled back a bit to look at her lover. "We kind of owe Artemis."
Looking into Gabrielle's face, Xena felt her own blood pounding in her ears. In a swift movement she moved the standing bard so that Gabrielle was now sitting in her lap. No words were spoken as Xena sought Gabrielle's lips with her own. The soft contact between them was so electric that both women temporarily forgot about Iphigenia and her family and the problems. All they could think about was the kiss that they shared and the passion it ignited.
Finally, they did pull away, a joint effort. Neither one wanted to go back to their life, but they knew that they couldn't spend eternity on earth like that. One day they would both be together in the afterlife and then they could spend as much time just exploring each other's lips as they wanted to. For now, reality was invading, leaving them no choice but to go on with their moral lives.
After promising Iphigenia that they would return in the morning to say goodbye before they left for Mycenae, Gabrielle and Xena returned to the inn where they were spending the night. The priestess had tried to convince them to leave that night but both women had refused. A look was shared between them as they both realized the benefits of being in a bed again, and nothing that Iphigenia could say would sway them.
The inn was packed full of people all enjoying their night time meal. Despite being busy Tarvis noticed the two women's entrance immediately. He hurried over to them, squawking like a mother hen.
"Where have you been? I got worried about you!" He approached Gabrielle, his eyes showing that indeed the man had been worried. He was showing a lot of heart for a tavern owner. Truthfully, there was something about the blonde that he really liked. And he really had felt his heart go out to her.
"Sorry, we just got tied up," Gabrielle said, trying to keep her eyes from rolling.
"I thought one of the badies may have gotten you!" He wrung his hands together.
Nah. This one," she jerked her thumb at Xena who was standing behind her," takes care of all the badies."
"What are you talking about? I AM the badies," Xena said snarling in the direction of someone who had bumped into her, almost sending her into the bard. Instead, she used her brute strength to keep from jarring the bard, using her body to stop the momentum.
Smiling nervously, the man just held his hands in front of him. "You're room's ready. I can show you, follow me." He started up the stairs only to be stopped by a loud growl behind him. He turned quickly, looking at Xena expecting to see her facing off with someone. Instead, he saw a very pink faced bard and a laughing warrior.
"Do you think we can get dinner brought up to our room? Like, soon?" Gabrielle said, her face blushing brighter as Xena began to whisper select phrases into her ear about what she wanted to eat for dinner.
Travis provided plenty of water for them to heat over the fire in their room. Bathing had always been fun, but it had taken on a whole new meaning to both women. A bath was now foreplay, time to add desire and heat to a moment, filling the time with unreleased passion and teasing which only furthered the bath experience. Soft, sensual caresses, heated, feverish kisses, hands reaching and touching and wanting more. Oh yes, taking a bath was definitely something that both Gabrielle and Xena enjoyed.
As was the case normally, it wasn't long before they both decided they'd had enough of the water and moved to the bed in an urgency triggered by fire and passion. Gabrielle, whose breath was already coming in short bursts, laid down on the bed, allowing Xena to climb on top of the bard's still wet body. Languid kisses were exchanged as the two lithe bodies moved against each other. Almost simultaneously, Xena and Gabrielle both bent a knee, using it to rub against the other woman's center in sensuous movements which grew more fevered as pinnacles were reached.
Gasping, Xena broke away from Gabrielle, moving herself lower to first taste the bard's firm breasts, paying special attention to the rose color nipples. Gabrielle arched her back toward the warrior's warm mouth. Loud moans emanated from the bard as Xena's mouth suckled her taunt nipples which ached for her lover's firm touch. Threading her hands through Xena's thick, black hair she guided the other woman to where her breasts needed her, urging her to suck and bite harder, rougher.
Finally Xena moved down further, biting and licking her way down firm abs, which rippled under her attention. Settling between her lover's legs she breathed in the heady aroma which signaled Gabrielle's arousal and need. With firm strokes of her powerful tongue she brought the bard to the edge of passion before pressing two long fingers into her lover. Gabrielle fell over the edge hard and fast, her entire body reacting with tiny explosions of pleasure all over.
As Gabrielle fell back to earth, Xena began to move her fingers which were still inside of the bard. As the blonde's hips responded the warrior quickened her pace and riding Xena's long, strong fingers, Gabrielle once again surged over the edge, a long drawn out explosion igniting her body from the inside out.
Stilling her hand, Xena wrapped an arm around the bard as she gently pulled her fingers out from the tight, slick enclosure. Pulling Gabrielle to her, she enfolded the smaller woman in her arms, holding her tightly, murmuring softly into her ear as the bard's body softened and went limp. Laying so that she was on her back, she laid Gabrielle, face down, on top of her, cradling her head against her chest and running her fingers over the woman's back.
A soft, seldom seen smile transformed Xena's face as she held her lover. Her soul sent warm messages to her and Gabrielle's cries of passion had responded. Sometimes, at the highest point of their intimacy, Xena felt as though their souls were using their bodies to talk to each other. It was amazingly powerful and completely wonderful. And Xena had never known anything like it before in her life. Lovers had passed, leaving their marks on her heart, but it wasn't until Gabrielle that she knew they'd never touched her soul. What she hadn't realized was that something inside of her had been waiting and searching for this one woman who would complete her. That knowledge made her past worth it and the pain it brought bearable because it had prepared her for the moment she had met this bard who could make it all suddenly insignificant with a mere touch.
Just when Xena thought that Gabrielle had fallen asleep, the blonde's head moved and a warm mouth attached itself to one of her nipples. "Hades, Gabrielle…" Xena's voice faded off as the mouth took on a new urgency, each time her nipple was pulled into Gabrielle's mouth a bolt of need was sent to her center. Teeth nibbled the delicate skin, drawing soft groans from the warrior. Even as the mouth continued its assault, a hand slid down her side to her thigh, resting on the inside of her thigh before nudging her legs open. Xena's need made her helpless to do anything but comply. Fingers found the sensitive bundle of nerves, alternating between stroking and pinching. Looking down at where her lover's head rested on her chest, Xena saw two green eyes looking back up at her, mischief commingled with desire showed plainly in Gabrielle's eyes as her hand and mouth continued to elicit moans from Xena.
Lifting her head, Gabrielle gave her lover a sly smile. "You thought that I would leave you without?" She asked, her voice deepened with the knowledge that she had Xena in such a state that the warrior couldn't argue. Continuing to watch Xena's face, Gabrielle moved her fingers down until they rested just on the edge of Xena's entrance. "Is this what you want?" She edged one finger inside, not letting it slide very far in, although the growing wetness there made it difficult.
"Yes, please Gabrielle!" The urgency in her lover's voice wasn't lost to Gabrielle. She quickly thrust three fingers inside of her lover, smiling when she saw the dark head whip back in reaction to the invasion and the long, deep moan issue forth from Xena's mouth.
Deep, hard, fast thrusts were slammed against Xena's rocking hips, creating the perfect friction that after only a few moments sent the warrior completely over the precipice of desire before the pleasure sent her over.
Laying her body down on top of Xena's again, Gabrielle kept her fingers inside of the woman, just laying there while stroking her lover's stomach with her other hand, her head laying on Xena's chest where she could hear the woman's thundering heart beat.
As her breath slowed, Xena felt her body completely relax and mellow, a smile on her face. No one could satisfy her the way that the bard could, and Xena was not afraid to trust her lover completely with that knowledge.
Hearing Xena's heartbeat slow, Gabrielle slowly pulled her hand from between Xena's legs, evoking one more long moan from Xena when she did. Moving off Xena's body, Gabrielle curled up on her side, nestling against Xena's body, her head resting on the warrior's strong shoulder. One of her arms wrapped around Xena's stomach, and the warrior held her closer still with an arm around her shoulders. Gabrielle let herself relax against her lover's warm body, sighing in contentment.
Her eyes shut, her body still singing from her lover's attention, Xena kissed the top of Gabrielle's head, bringing up her other hand to stroke the bard's soft face. "Mmm…I love you, Brie."
The only answer she received was a soft snore. Xena opened her eyes and saw that Gabrielle had indeed fallen asleep. Laughing to herself, Xena smiled.
Spending only one night in Taurus, Gabrielle and Xena headed for Mycenae the next day. Since Taurus was in the very northern tip of Greece and Mycenae was on the other side, they planned on it taking at least a moon to get to Mycenae. Iphigenia had given them scrolls to present to both her mother, Clytemnestra, and to her younger sister, Electra, telling them that Gabrielle and Xena were to be treated as honored guests.
While Gabrielle was looking forward to spending time in the great city of Mycenae, Xena was still filled with dark foreshadowing. There was no doubt in her mind that something was going to happen and that she and Gabrielle would be in the middle of it. The last thing she wanted was to put her lover and her yet-to-be-born baby in the middle of all that. But, both she and Gabrielle knew that they had to go and that they had to try to help. The warrior's plan was to be back in Amphipolis for the baby's birth, which gave them three to four moons to complete their task and get to her mother's tavern.
They set a rigorous pace for themselves, although they broke frequently. Gabrielle was concerned about Xena's condition, but the warrior just shrugged it off.
"Exercise is good for both me and the baby," she told the bard over and over again.
"That's not what they said in my village. They said that you should stay in bed till the baby is born!'
"Ha! You want me to stay in bed for NINE moons?" They both looked at each other with a sick look on their faces. "No, I didn't think so. Trust me, I've done this before, okay?" There was no bitterness in Xena's voice, but the reminder of Solon was enough to stop Gabrielle from pestering the warrior. Xena regretted the words, but had no way to take them back. We can't pretend he didn't exist or that what happened didn't, she thought to herself. It was still a sore point with her, but she learned that it made her need Gabrielle more than ever, and vice versa.
About half way to Mycenae, they stopped in __________, deciding to stop for supplies. As they made their way through the city's market, a familiar voice called out to them.
"Ho! Xena! Gabrielle!" Both women turned to see a familiar figure lumbering toward them.
"Hey Minya," Gabrielle called back, a smile appearing on her face as she saw Xena roll her eyes. It wasn't that the warrior didn't like Minya, simply that Xena hated delays.
Stopping in front of the two travelers, Minya smiled as she tried to catch her breath. "Didn't…expect…to see…you two…here." She wheezed out.
"Just passing through Minya. Picking up supplies and then we're leaving again." Her voice light, only Xena's eyes conveyed that she was trying to hint at the fact that they weren't going to be able to stand around chatting.
"What are you doing here?" Gabrielle asked, ignoring the pointed looks she was receiving from her partner. "Where's Paulina?" Remembering Minya's fellow "thespian" that they had all met in Piraeus Gabrielle had assumed the woman would still be with Minya.
"Oh, she and I broke up," Minya rolled her eyes. "When I was in Amphipolis for your birthday, she found someone else." Shrugging, the woman didn't seem too disturbed. "Guess she found someone who was a better actor than me!" Elbowing the bard, nearly knocking her over, she snorted to herself. "Get it? Better ACTOR?" She winked at Xena, her fellow warrior, as though it were some conspiratorial remark.
"Yeah," Xena lifted her head at Minya.
"So where are you guys off too?" Narrowing her eyes at them, Minya wanted the dirt. "Anything exciting?" Truly, she was bored these days. No one seemed to take her seriously as either a warrior or a thespian.
"We're…" Gabrielle was cut off by a swift elbow that caught her between the ribs. Looking up at her lover, anger written on her face, she saw that Xena tried to ignore the look.
"We’re going to help some old friends clean house. Nothing exciting, just regular old cleaning." She told Minya in a sorrowful voice.
"Clean house?" The thespian's eye brows came together. "Sounds pretty boring." Her mouth curved up as her disbelief spread.
"Nope, not exciting at all," Xena shrugged.
"Well, I guess I'll see you two later than."
"Bye Minya," the two women said in unison.
Waving at them, Minya turned around and made her way back into the market, her hips swinging in a wide gait.
Xena watched till the woman was out of sight. Looking down at her lover, she was startled to see an angry expression on Gabrielle's face.
"What?" Xena asked, raising her broad shoulders.
"Next time, step on my foot or something, okay? You have got to have the boniest elbows I've ever encountered!" Snarling at her lover, Gabrielle rubbed the spot where the elbow had landed.
"Sorry." Xena smiled sweetly. "Did you want to get caught with Minya following us to Mycenae?" She leaned down and found the bard's ear with her mouth. After sucking the lobe gently, she whispered heavily. "Think of how that would disrupt our nights." She snaked a tongue out to trace Gabrielle's ear.
Shivering involuntarily at the feeling of Xena's warm mouth caressing her sensitive ear, Gabrielle felt the familiar spread of warmth through her body. Then she imagined Minya travelling with them, being there day and night. "Ew, you're right."
With a superior smile, Xena nodded. "Good, glad you agree." Her face softening, she took a brief instant to study her lover's face. "I love you," she said softly.
Gabrielle's own face lightened as a smile took over, her lover's words warming her from the inside out. "I love you, too."
Buying enough food for the next few days, they left __________ and continued on their journey.
That afternoon they stopped early having found what Gabrielle thought was the perfect campsite. Smooth land on the bank of a river which sported a wide waterfall that was just slightly taller than Xena. Huge, ancient trees offered a great deal of shade. Here and there the brilliant blue sky broke through the tree tops, offering blinding light for anyone who wanted to look.
Setting up camp, the two women didn't hesitate to quickly shed their clothing, carefully getting into the swift moving river. The water was warm and though not completely clear, it didn't appear to be dirty either. Together they walked out till they were at the river's midway point, the current not strong enough to throw them off balance, but still prevalent enough to cause them to be cautious. The depth was perfect for washing. The water came up just above Gabrielle's breasts. Lucky for the bard, the water was just UNDER Xena's breasts, giving Gabrielle a clear view of two of her favorite erogenous zones on the warrior. Soap and clothe in hand, they silently agreed to first wash the grime of the road from their bodies before giving in to the temptation of playing in the water.
"Can I wash your hair?" Gabrielle asked, even though she knew that Xena would agree without hesitation.
Raising an eyebrow, Xena smirked for a moment, then her face fell as she was swept up in a memory. The remembrance of running her hands through long, golden locks, paying lots of attention to rubbing the scalp, taking her time washing and rinsing the soft, fragrant hair.
"What's wrong love?" Watching Xena's face take on a sad overcast, Gabrielle grew concerned.
Knowing that Gabrielle was still sensitive about her hair, Xena forced a smile as she once again focused on her lover's familiar face. "Nah, sorry. My mind's just drifting." She turned around, her back facing the bard. "I'd like it if you washed my hair."
Not necessarily believe that Xena's mind had just drifted, Gabrielle let the thought go till later. She lathered up her lover's dark tresses, careful to soap up all of it before instructing the warrior to lean back, helping the current obliterate all traces of the clean smelling suds.
After they'd both washed, Xena approached the bard, her hands going to Gabrielle's slim hips. Seeing a twinkle in her lover's eyes, Gabrielle narrowed her own and looked at the warrior suspiciously. "What are you planning, warrior?"
Pretending to be shocked, Xena tried to look innocent. "Whatever are you talking about, Brie? I just wanted to be closer to you, that's all."
The bard didn't believe her for an instant. The last time Xena had that twinkle in her eye, the warrior had been ready to throw her into the lake and show her what it was like to be a fish caught in a net. Backing slowly away from the approaching woman, Gabrielle didn't let her eyes leave the warrior.
Suddenly, Xena's eyes narrowed and she focused on something over the bard's shoulder.
"Xena, what?" Gabrielle whispered, turning around, expecting to see bandits or some other such nuisance on the shore behind her. Seeing nothing, she knew she'd been tricked when she heard a gentle splash. Sure enough, when she'd turned back around, the warrior was no longer standing in the water. In fact, there was no sign of Xena whatsoever. "Zeus' balls," Gabrielle swore underneath her breath as she slowly started to circle in place, looking for any sign of her playful lover.
Suddenly from behind, there was a warm body surging up from beneath the water, sliding against the bard's back. Two strong arms encircled Gabrielle's waist, pulling her closer yet. "Mine," a voice purred in her ear.
"Yours," she agreed breathlessly as a warm mouth began biting and nipping her neck. The lips were gone in an instant and she felt herself being lifted out of the water. With precise, controlled motions, Xena turned Gabrielle around in her arms so that the bard was now facing her. Instinctively, Gabrielle wound her legs around Xena's slim waist, the warrior slide her hands to her lover's bottom, supporting the bard's weight.
Wrapping her arms around Xena's neck, Gabrielle shivered as their wet skin met again, her own center rubbing seductively against the warrior's lower stomach. "Hmmm…" she sighed, closing her eyes at the tremendous warmth of Xena's body.
"Hold on," Xena murmured into the bard's ear. Swiftly she walked toward the waterfall, the river's current pushing against her, the effort causing the muscles in her legs to stand out in relief.
Even as Xena walked, Gabrielle searched out her lover's lips with her own. Nibbling the soft skin at the corner of the warrior's mouth, she worked her way across the lower lip, finally sucking it into her mouth, biting on it softly.
A half growl, half purr came from deep in Xena's chest as Gabrielle's small mouth continued to attentively nibble on her own mouth, each nip sending warm jolts of passion surging through her.
The need to have her bard quickened her pace, leaving her blind to the current, her only goal to get to the waterfall. She backed Gabrielle onto a natural ledge in the rock that created the waterfall. Letting go of Xena's neck, Gabrielle looked into the warrior's heavy eyes, noting the passion and desire in them. "Well, you got us here," she gestured to the ledge and the waterfall. "Now wha…wha….gods Xena!" Before she'd even completed her question, Xena had lifted the bards legs over her shoulder, her mouth actively hunting that bundle of nerves that would completely decimate Gabrielle's control. Not that the warrior needed to hunt, knowing exactly where it was, but the hunting was half the fun, or so she thought as her tongue slide over the velvety textures, finding the path to her true desire, the source of her lover's passion.
Throwing her head back at the unexpected invasion, Gabrielle could only moan even as her hands gripped the edge of the ledge, holding on with all her might as her hips surged forward. The suddenness of Xena's attack almost sent Gabrielle crashing immediately. But, the warrior was a skilled lover and more than that, she knew the bard's limits.
Hands reached up and cupped Gabrielle's breasts, while Xena used her mouth and tongue to drive the bard's passion higher. Thighs tightened against Xena's head as Gabrielle could not longer hold back. With a wild scream she felt her body shatter with an orgasm completely intense and fulfilling.
Xena was there to catch her lover as her body first tensed and then relaxed. Climbing up onto the ledge with Gabrielle, she held the trembling woman close.
"That's what," Xena whispered into Gabrielle's ear. Responding with a giggle, Gabrielle reached up and pulled Xena's mouth to her own. Starting out simple, their mouths soon took over a rhythm of their own as tongues began to dance in an intricate pattern. Heat surged between them as they both pressed themselves closer together, not letting anything, not even air, between their bodies.
Pulling away, Gabrielle looked at her lover. "Stand up," she instructed, her voice husky with yet to be released passion.
Complying immediately, Xena stood, her legs shaking from want and need. "Face the waterfall," came the next instruction.
Xena turned and faced the rushing water that fell from above them. Then she felt a warm body press against hers. A hand snaked over her hips, lowering to caress her thighs, and then sliding between her legs. "Further apart, please." Gabrielle whispered.
Again, Xena didn't hesitate as she slid her legs further apart. "Keep your eyes on the waterfall, love. Watching how that water plunges into the river below," and with that, Gabrielle plunged her own hand inside of Xena.
As she used her hand to bring Xena to the very height of her passion, Gabrielle kept comparing her actions to the waterfall. When Xena finally came, her entire body tensed as her pleasure erupted inside of her. Her knees went week and she would have fallen if it weren't for her lover's strong body supporting her, lowering them both till they once again laid on the ledge.
Xena laid on her back with Gabrielle laying on her side beside her, one elbow bent on the ground, supporting the bard's head. "Did you like that?" Gabrielle murmured to her lover, a smile forming on her lips.
"Definitely," Xena purred, her whole body still singing from the experience. She took the bard's hand in her own, kissing the palm gently.
Neither one said anything more for the moment, the roar of the waterfall providing enough noise until Xena felt that she needed to submit to a different kind of pressure within her. "One thing though Brie." She said finally.
"What's that?" She looked down at her lover's peaceful face, the warrior's eyes closed and her face relaxed. One eye popped open and looked at her.
"Well, that water?" She opened her other eye as well and used them to motion to the waterfall.
"Yeah…" Gabrielle promoted.
"Makes a girl have to go use the outhouse!" Xena said, rolling over to avoid the swat coming from her lover's outstretched hand. Jumping off, she jumped off the ledge into the water, the bard on her heels. "Brie! I'm serious!" She called over her shoulder, seeing her lover advancing on her.
"Just don’t' touch my scrolls or you'll be a dead warrior!" Yelling back, Gabrielle tried to catch up to her lover, a laugh bubbling over from inside.
Both women started laughing as they ran to the shore, Xena getting there first, darting off into the woods while Gabrielle counted her scrolls.
Every couple of days along the way, they stopped and restocked their food supply. At one point, they had stopped in __________ to get more food when Xena spotted something at one of the market's stalls. She wandered toward her, her eyes taking in the sight of a pile of dark brown material. As she got closer she saw that it was a large, solid color deer skin. Reaching out a hand, she found it to be incredibly soft. Her face was blank, not showing how delighted she was at finding something so perfect.
Sneering at the man who was behind the stall, Xena poked at the skin. "How much for this old hide?"
"25 dinars, " he said in a stuffy voice, not at all scared of the warrior woman.
Quickly she calculated how big of a chunk that would take out of their money. It was far too much for them to spare.
"Throw in that lighter colored hide here and we'll take it." Gabrielle, whom Xena had thought was bargaining for Argo's oats, came up beside her.
Looking at the blonde's head, Xena saw the set of her strong jaw and the gleam in clear green eyes. Knowing that interfering with Gabrielle's bargaining would throw the bard off, Xena waited for her to finagle the man's price down till it was something they could reasonable afford.
The warrior almost lost her cool exterior when she saw Gabrielle pull out a familiar drawstring bag rather than their shared money bag. Grabbing her lover's arm firmly, Xena pulled Gabrielle back, out of the vendor's hearing.
"Brie, that's your scroll money," she said in a whisper, her voice pleading without words.
Looking into the depths of familiar eyes, Gabrielle just smiled. "I know."
Shaking her head, Xena tried to talk the woman out of what she was about to do. "You can't use that money. You've been saving for so long."
Tempted to kiss her partner right then and there, Gabrielle settled with rubbing the back of her hand over the soft skin of the warrior's cheek. "Xena, I saw in your eyes how much you wanted this. Please, let me do this for you?"
Struggling with a sudden flood of emotion, Xena allowed her mind to debate it. Allowing Gabrielle to do this was an issue of her fierce pride. But as she looked into the green eyes of her lover, she knew that she had no pride when it came to the woman who held her heart completely.
Gabrielle saw the resignation in her partner's eyes. But she waited till the warrior nodded. Moving back to the vendor, she exchanged her money for the two deer pelts -- one dark, the other light.
Each night after they set up camp, Xena spent her time pulling a long needle through the deer skin, using thin, but tough leather strings to bind the outfit together.
As the moon of travel passed and they got closer to Mycenae, Xena's belly began, slowly, to grow. Gabrielle delighted in seeing the changes in her lover's body as the child within her grew. Nights were spent holding each other tightly, talking, teasing, just being close to one another.
"When do I get to see you in your new leathers?" The bard asked one night, curious about what her lover had put together. She'd discovered during their dealings with Flora and the Black Wolves about Xena's hidden talent with needle and thread. And there was the fact that the warrior could stitch a wound so neat that it wouldn't scar. But, Gabrielle had never seen that skill applied to clothing, only the occasional flying parchment.
Gabrielle was delighted to see a light blush spread over Xena's cheekbones. "I guess you could see it now," she said, fiddling with a twig. Unconsciously patting her own stomach and the growing bulge, she knew that the tight leathers wouldn't be good for the baby.
"Please, I'd like that."
Getting up from her comfortable spot on their bedroll, Xena went to her saddlebags, pulling out what she'd been working on so diligently. Carefully stripping out of her normal leathers, Xena turned her back to Gabrielle as she began to unroll the new clothing.
The bard certainly wasn't going to complain about the view she was now subjected to. She could spend a lifetime studying Xena's body and never grow tired or bored. Then, Xena lifted her shift over her head, tossing it to the side, leaving her in only her breeches. Gabrielle took a quick breath at the wondrous sight of the firelight playing off Xena's skin, her wide shoulders flowing into a smooth back which rippled with strength as muscles underneath moved. The trim waist came next, followed by wide, flat hips, and though it was covered, she could imagine Xena's rounded backside which tapered into strong thighs. Oh my, she thought to herself, knowing she couldn't let her thoughts wonder for too long.
Her mind so occupied with metal images of a naked Xena, Gabrielle didn't notice when Xena turned around dressed again.
Her head lowered, Xena tugged at the bottom of the shirt she'd made, happily satisfied with how everything fit. About to say something to her lover, she looked up and saw Gabrielle starring at her, or at least in her direction. Eyes unfocused, the bard's mouth was curved into a small smile, her skin a rosy color enhanced by the firelight which also played off her blonde hair. The overall effect was magnificently breathtaking. Xena watched as the firelight flickered off the smooth planes of Gabrielle's face.
Without realizing it, Xena moved closer, closing the distance between them. Kneeling down, she cupped a soft warm cheek in her hand, leaning in and gently touching her lips to Gabrielle's.
"Whoa," Gabrielle breathed in after their lips had parted, her eyes now focusing on the woman before her. "Where'd you come from?"
Two supple lips curled into a smile. "Amphipolis."
Raking her eyes over the kneeling figure in front of her, Gabrielle waggled her eyebrows. "Are they all built like you in Amphipolis?"
"Nope, only me." Xena gave her lover a serious look which Gabrielle returned.
"Guess I'll have to stick with you then," her voice held a twinge of dramatic sadness.
"I hope so," Xena said, reaching over and tweaking the bard's nose.
"Hey, stand up. Lemme see." Gabrielle made a twirling motion with her finger. Obliging, Xena stood and rotated in a slow circle.
Xena had used the lighter brown skin to make a loose, sleeveless shirt which fell down to her thighs. Loose around the middle, it left plenty of room for further growth. The neckline was similar to her brown leathers, coming down in a v shape, revealing tantalizing cleavage. Underneath she wore a pair of dark leather pants, also loose fitting. Lifting her shirt, Xena showed Gabrielle the draw string she'd put around the middle of the pants so that she could adjust the waist band. Her black boots were laced over the pants.
The entire outfit exuded comfort. The warrior looked just as menacing, her eyes glinting dangerously as always. But behind that, Gabrielle saw something else. Something that was revealed to her only because of the power of her love for the warrior and their soul connection. She saw vulnerability and she saw fear. Within her a forceful urge to protect her lover rose.
"You look beautiful," Gabrielle's soft voice floated on the air, playing with Xena's ears. Two clear green eyes sparkled in her direction.
"Thanks," was all the warrior could say, her acerbic comment stopped when she realized that she wanted to look good in Gabrielle's eyes. I hope you always look at me like that, Xena silently said to the bard as the warmth of the loving look infused her.
Gabrielle debated whether or not she should say something about the fear that she saw behind the warrior's usual composed stature. I can't say anything, she realized. If Xena knew that there was a miniscule chance that someone else would see her fear, Xena would drive herself crazy to prove them all wrong. Even if Xena knew how she felt, she didn’t need Gabrielle to point it out, that would only make her feel weak. The warrior was too proud to allow herself to look weak. She'd think I was doubting her, but I don't. Gabrielle could see Xena right before the baby was born, still fighting off a dozen men by herself. She's so used to protecting, Gabrielle shook her head. As the baby grew, Xena would be the one needing protection. And there was no way she would let her lover down. I'll keep them both safe, she assured herself. She would do anything in her power and outside of that if need be, to keep them safe.
A warm hand reached under her chin, lifting her face. "Hey, you've got that look." It was a very familiar look that both frightened and aroused Xena.
Pursing her lips, Gabrielle gave her lover an indignant air. "And exactly what look is that?"
"The look that means you've made up your mind about something and nothing's going to stop you." Then, she grinned. Opening her arms wide, she silently invited the other woman over. Gabrielle stood and went to Xena, not hesitating to warp her arms tightly around the warrior's waist. The new leathers were soft against Gabrielle's skin, still smelling new, not having yet picked up the signature scent that was Xena.
They stood there like that, letting time pass by them, over them, but not through them as they enjoyed the warmth their connection spurred. Later, the moved to their bedrolls, still keeping as close as they could. For Gabrielle it was as though she could protect her lover by just being close, and for Xena, it made her feel like the world couldn't touch them if only they wouldn't let go of each other.
The uneventful moon passed and finally they found themselves on the outskirts of Mycenae. Located between Corinth and Epidaurus, Xena and Gabrielle had passed by the city many times without actually stopping. The Mycenae's were a very proud people, and the warrior had learned long ago that she didn't want to have to appease that pride in order to get her way.
However, here she was, entering the city, heading for the fortified palace which marked the house of Atreus. Atreus was Iphigenia's grandfather, the man who had once ruled Mycenae and had built this great palace for his family to live and to rule from.
The walls of the palace were rumored to have been built by giants, enslaved by Atreus for the sole purpose of making walls so thick that an ordinary mortal couldn't breach them. So far, he'd succeeded. Never had anything or anyone ever breached the thick walls, adding to the Mycenae's prideful nature.
Making their way to the main gate, they stopped and waited in the forming line.
"Who are all these people?" Gabrielle whispered to her lover, looking at the variety of people all milling about in a form that barely resembled a line.
"They all seek an audience with someone inside the palace," Xena whispered back.
"I've never seen this many people though!"
Using her height to her advantage, Xena looked toward the front of the line. "It looks like security's really tight around here." She said finally.
"You can say that again, lady." The two travelers heard the whinny voice, but even as they looked around they couldn't see the source.
Finally looking at her lover, Gabrielle's eyebrows rose, her growing concern evident. "Xena, did you hear…"
"Of course she heard me, I'm not imaginary, you know."
This time both women were quicker to look. Gabrielle's gaze finally rested on Argo who stood behind them. Catching the skeptical look on her lover's face, and then the direction of her gaze, Xena snorted softly. "No, it wasn't Argo. Believe me, if she could talk, I'd know about it by now."
Suddenly there was a tug on Gabrielle's skirt. She looked down, startled to see a small man looking back up at her. "You'd think that with you being unusually short that you'd think to look down once in awhile," the small man scolded.
Feeling the anger rise in her, Gabrielle was about to tell the man that she wasn't all that short, when her lover's soft laugh caught her attention. Whirling around, Gabrielle stuck her finger in Xena's face. "What are you laughing at, Warrior?" She demanded.
This only made Xena laugh harder.
"Is she always like this?" The short man asked, looking up at the bard and pointing at the now hunched over warrior.
"No, actually, she isn't ever like this," Gabrielle said, concern starting to show in her voice.
"Sorry, sorry," Xena wheezed as her laughing slowly subsided. "Oh, that felt good, I needed that." After a few more deep breaths, she was finally able to straighten up. Giving the man standing beside Gabrielle a good look, she reached out her hand. "Name's Xena, and this," she pointed at the still glaring bard, " is Gabrielle."
"Telnius," the man replied, taking the offered hand and shaking it.
"What's going on here? Why all the security?"
"Oh, just Clytemnestra getting paranoid again." He brushed the question off with the same carelessness a horse would brush off a fly.
"Clytemnestra? Iphigenia's mother?" Gabrielle turned to look at Xena, puzzlement in her eyes. Iphigenia had told them that someone in the palace would kill her father and that made everyone a suspect.
"Ah, you've heard of our little sacrifice, have you?" Telnius seemed pleased by this. "Yes, Clytemnestra 's her mother alright."
Taking a deep breath, Xena tried to have patience. She wanted precise information from this man, but he seemed to work in single sentences. And she got the impression that if he didn't see the information as being very important then he wouldn't understand why it was important to them. "Why is she paranoid, Telnius?" She spoke slowly as she tried to reign in her impatience.
Shrugging, he gave what he thought was an obvious answer. "Same reason she has been for the last year."
Emitting a low growl, Xena was about ready to grab the little man and hang him upside down from his feet. Seeing her lover's patience dissipate, Gabrielle stepped between the two of them, physically using her body to slow the warrior down. "Let me try, Xena," she whispered before giving Telnius a huge, blinding smile. Taking the short man's arm, she led him away from the steaming warrior. "You see, we're not from around here. We don't know why Clytemnestra's upset."
Realization dawned in Telnius's face. "Why didn't ya just say so in the first place?" He asked. "Of course you wouldn't know if you weren't from around here. Where are ya from anyway?"
"Uh, no where really. That's not important. We would really like to know what's going on here since this is where we are now." The sentence even confused the bard, but she had spoken in a manner similar to his own.
"Eye, you see, Clytemnestra's distraught because her husband's returning from war."
While she was beginning to see that this could be where Agamemnon's life was in danger, but for the life of her she couldn't understand why. "I still don't understand." She said, hoping he would pity her.
He did. Shaking his head, he gave her an exasperated look. "Clytemnestra and that Aegisthus have been runnin' around like young lovers since Agamemnon left for Troy. Now he's coming back and Clytemnestra don't want him to."
Slowly nodding her head, Gabrielle was putting pieces back into place as she realized what this meant. "Thank you," she said absently, patting the short man on the head and turning back to where she instinctively knew Xena was.
"Well?" The warrior asked impatiently when Gabrielle returned.
"Iphigenia was right." She said, startled. "She's going to kill him."
"That's what I was afraid of." Xena said.
"Do you have a plan for this?" Hopeful, Gabrielle looked to her lover for advice on how they should handle the situation.
Giving her love a dry smile, Xena nodded. "Yup, but you're not going to like it…"
Sitting alone in a bed chamber, her feet not even touching the ground when she sat on the huge bed that took up most of the room, Gabrielle once again thought of her missing lover. Actually, Xena wasn't missing in the sense that Gabrielle didn't know where she was. She was missing in the sense that she wasn't with the bard.
Four days earlier, Xena had told Gabrielle her plan. Gabrielle would go into the palace and give Clytemnestra the scroll from Iphigenia. The bard was to get settled in and learn what she could from the occupants of the walled fortress. Meanwhile, Xena would start to look for Agamemnon, hoping to get to him before he could get to Mycenae. Then they would meet up again in the palace.
And now, Gabrielle found herself missing the warrior. There was no question that she missed feeling Xena's warm, strong body next to her at night. But there was also their daily conversations, teasing, kissing, feeling…She'd better get back soon!
It was more than all of that though. The last time Xena had left her overnight, she'd been kidnapped and…raped. It had take some time before she could even think the word that was so short and succinct, but held so many evil connotations. While Artemis had taken away the pain, Gabrielle had found that there were shadows that still haunted her dreams, vague memories and concepts of how she'd felt. With Xena gone, Gabrielle felt very defenseless against those terrors of the night.
"I could have said that I wasn't going to be okay, I could have asked her to stay," she said aloud to the empty room. Xena had expressed concern before they parted, not wanting to leave Gabrielle alone if there was any hint that she'd feel insecure alone. But Gabrielle had urged the warrior to go, saying that she'd be fine. And she had truly thought that she would be fine. It wasn't until she was completely alone that first night that she realized how much she'd been depending on Xena to keep the fear at bay. That night, in the darkness, the demons she'd thought she'd put behind her approached her in the darkness, overcoming her.
A knock on the room's door brought Gabrielle out of her self reflection. "Come in."
A newly familiar figure hesitantly walks through the door. The young girl, her jet black hair hanging down the middle of her back, her large dark eyes searching out Gabrielle who was seated on the large four poster bed. Electra, Clytemnestra's youngest, reminded Gabrielle of the young girl Tara who she and Xena had run into on more than one occasion. Only where Tara was sarcastic and caustic, Electra was shy. But they both had a darker sense to them, as though they weren't in any way innocent, despite their youth. Their eyes were wide open to the darker side of life.
"I hope I'm both bothering you, Gabrielle." Electra's refined voice revealed her years of education. There was no doubt that she was smart and mature beyond her 16 years.
"No Electra, it's all right. I was just day dreaming." Smiling at the girl, Gabrielle realized that she already liked her. She saw a bit of herself in the girl's serious demeanor, and then there was the fact that Electra had been the only person in the place to Gabrielle the slightest bit of attention.
"May I come in then?"
Gesturing for the girl to fully enter the room, Gabrielle then patted the place next to her on the bed. "Everything okay?" Taking in Electra's solemn expression, she grew concerned.
Dark eyebrows furrowed as Electra hesitated. "I heard some news today that has…startled me." Bringing a hand up, she ran it through her dark hair. Earnest eyes looked at Gabrielle and the bard saw a trace of fear there. "This…news scares me."
Something in Gabrielle surged with concern when she heard the fear in the girl's voice. Taking Electra's smaller hand in her own, she drew closer. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Blushing at the contact from the other woman, Electra became light headed. Truthfully, she was the kind of girl who didn't talk to anyone. Literally. In the last few years of her adolescence, her mother had ignored her, more concerned with her own life to take notice of her young, impressionable daughter. The only person she'd ever been able to open up to was her sister, Iphigenia, but she was gone. Her brother, Orestes, was too busy trying to save everyone to notice that his little sister needed saving too. Then this bard came to the palace and Electra found herself enthralled with the woman. Gabrielle was so kind, so nice, so easy to be with. Although Electra didn't know it, it was her first childhood crush. But, considering her age, she also didn't realize that she was putting herself in a position that could be dangerous for her own delicate sense of worth. Although, at this point, if someone came out and told her, Electra wouldn't care. All she cared about was being close to Gabrielle and learning everything she could of the other woman.
"I…I could use someone to talk to about it," Electra finally managed to say despite her almost painful awareness of the bard's arm around her shoulder.
Soothing back the girl's hair, Gabrielle felt really bad for this ignored member of the family. Of course, she was oblivious to the fact that Electra was falling hard for her. "I'm here if you need me, Electra. But, I don't want to push you."
Push me, please! Electra silently begged. She desperately wanted to share everything with this woman, but it was hard to get pasted the years of being self reliant and silent. "My mother isn't' a good person," she finally blurted out, surprising both women.
Tempted to agree with the girl's assessment, Gabrielle didn't voice her opinion. "What makes you say that?"
The door within the girl was opening, allowing her words and her thoughts to flow out. "I overheard her telling Aegisthus that they would soon be ruling together. My father's on his way back and he's bringing a mistress with him. I think…" she hesitated, not sure how much speculation she should voice. "I think that they plan on killing my father." Her voice trembled as she finished, as though finally saying it out loud would make it all come true.
Drawing the girl close, Gabrielle tightened her hold as the girl began to softly cry. "Shhh…it will all be okay, I promise." Xena and I won't let it happen, she silently reassured the girl.
Electra wrapped an arm around Gabrielle's waist to help support the new position. Her head rested on the bard's chest, Gabrielle's arms wrapped around her back as she attempted to sooth the girl. A spark ignited inside of Electra when she saw how close she was to Gabrielle, when she smelled the bard's skin. It was something completely new and terribly exciting. The spark grew, creating an almost uncomfortable warmth within her. Her head throbbed at the sudden awareness, the distinct desires, and the persistent need. Her tears stopped as her mind played through her desires, images of her and the bard laying on the bed, their mouths fighting against each other in passion. It made her head swarm and her vision blur. Lifting her head, she saw two green eyes looking at her in concern and she knew that she had to try. Tilting her head, Electra slowly moved closer, so that she was face to face with Gabrielle. Then, swiftly, she leaned in and met the bard's lips with her own.
Gabrielle's mind responded to the kiss with a resounding Whoa! As she registered what was happened she pulled away while gently pushing the girl in the other direction. It seemed like hours had passed but she realized it had only been a few moments. "Um, Electra?"
Hiding her face in her hands, Electra was mortified. "I'm so sorry!" She started to get up to leave, but a firm hand kept her in place.
"Wait, let's talk about this." Gabrielle urged the girl to stay seated. Once she was sure that the girl wasn't going to run from her, she let go of her arm. "What's going on?" She asked for the second time that morning.
"I…I think I'm in love with you Gabrielle," Electra said pitifully.
Trying to keep from snorting her reply, Gabrielle took some deep breaths. Coming up with a dozen things to say in return, she decided on one. "I have a lover, Electra," was what she said instead of telling the girl that she was infatuated maybe, but not in love. Electra didn't need to hear that from her. Gabrielle had no desire to be added to the list of people who discounted the way Electra felt about things.
"You do?" Electra looked up, surprised.
Giving her a gentle smile, Gabrielle nodded. "Yup. And she'll be here soon. She had…a…uh, errand to take care of before she could join me here."
Electra picked up on the meaning of what Gabrielle was telling her. She can't let herself feel for me because she has someone else, she thought gleefully. That meant that if Gabrielle hadn't already had a lover, she would have considered her! Her heart pounded at the thought.
As Gabrielle saw clearly what the girl was thinking, she thought it was pretty harmless to let Electra have her hopes. Not that Gabrielle had been saying that the girl had a chance, but she just couldn't crush the girl.
"What's she like?" Electra asked the other woman.
"She's…she's magnificent. Beautiful and powerful and so loving." Warming up to the subject she enjoyed more than any other on earth, she let herself openly examine her lover. "She keeps me warm in the cool nights, and fills my heart with heat when I'm feeling down. Her touch is electric, and her words are few so you know she means the ones she says." Starring dreamy-eyed into the distance, she didn't see the spark of green jealousy in Electra's eyes.
"Sounds like she's wonderful," Electra said dryly.
"Oh, she is." Gabrielle remembered why Electra had come into her room in the first place. "What do you think you should do about your mother?"
The girl's face hardened at the thought of her mother. There was no love between mother and daughter. All of that had died the day that Iphigenia had been taken from their lives. The older sister had acted as the go-between for Clytemnestra and Electra, soothing the awkwardness between self-absorbed mother and needy child. When Iphigenia had left, any binding between Electra and her mother was severed, and a festering hatred grew as the child became a young woman. She adored her father, the war hero, who'd been gone for most of her adolescence. He seemed like a dream figure and she was both nervous and excited that he was returning. "I think she needs to be stopped," Electra said softly, the hatred and malice dripping from her words.
A bit taken aback, Gabrielle starred at the girl. Xena, I need you. She called out. It's not an emergency or anything, I just need you. She added, just in case the woman could sense her. She didn't want Xena thinking she was in trouble. She just missed having the other woman there. "Do you know when your father's expected back?" If they could intercept Agamemnon before he got through the gate, then maybe they could warn him that his life was in immediate danger and that his wife could be the one who was going to kill him.
"I don't know exactly when. Soon, I think. Mother is getting even more excitable." Her words held disgust in them.
Silently, Gabrielle wondered whether or not Xena had figured out that it was Clytemnestra who was after Agamemnon. I hate this 'you go one way, I'll go the other and we'll meet up' stuff. We should have stayed together and figured it out.
The sound of bells, muffled by the buildings walls, could be heard. Both women looked up, waiting for the sound to stop before they continued. "I need to get going. I have a lesson this morning and I can't be late." Electra got up from her perch on the bed. Before she headed out the door, she looked at Gabrielle. "I'm sorry for…kissing you. It was wrong of me." And with that, she quickly departed.
Gabrielle smiled to herself. She had been only a few years older than Electra when she first met Xena. It had taken her almost a year before she thought about kissing the warrior princess, but it had only taken Electra a few days. Laughing, Gabrielle wondered if young people were just getting racier, or if she had just been slow at that sort of thing. Either way, she found the incident funny.
Stupid Xena, completely stupid, the warrior princess said to herself again. She'd been saying it since she and Gabrielle had parted in Mycenae. Backtracking toward where Agamemnon would be coming from, Xena found the man and his entourage. She'd been trying for days now to get him to listen to her. But, he was an arrogant fool and didn't believe a word she said. I could be curling up with Gabrielle tonight. Instead I’m curling up to nothing.
When she'd first approached Agamemnon, she introduced herself and he immediately scowled at her. "Yes, I've heard of you," he'd said. "You helped Helen escape, didn't you?"
"I went to Troy at the request of a friend, and yes, I helped that friend in anyway I could." Her voice and her gaze were both steady. She wasn't about to deny that she had been there and that she had, in a way, assisted Helen. But, she hadn't been taking sides, she was merely helping a friend who needed her. She would have done the same, Greek, Trojan, Roman, whatever. She didn't care about the war, only her friend's happiness.
Nodding, Agamemnon narrowed his eyes at her. "And, I'm supposed to believe that you're here to help me?"
"You're daughter, Iphigenia, sent me and a friend of mine to warn you that someone wanted you dead."
Giving a harsh, abrupt laugh, Agamemnon waved the concern away. "I rule over a great deal of land. I've just fought in a very bloody battle that not everyone agreed with, and you think that the idea of someone after my life is new?" He laughed again. "If I had a dinar for every time someone wanted to kill me, I'd be…well, even richer than I am now!"
He had dismissed her after that, like she was some peasant. Her anger rose, but she kept imagining Gabrielle's pleading eyes and her soft touch, and Xena managed to keep her anger from getting a hold of her senses. Agamemnon had allowed her to travel with them to Mycenae where she could meet up with Gabrielle. While they traveled, Xena tried to find out any information she could, hoping to discern who would want to kill Agamemnon. Unfortunately, he wasn't kidding when he said that there were plenty of people in line for that job.
Even the woman who traveled with him, Cassandra. She had been taken as a spoil of war. A princess of Troy, she now held the position of Agamemnon's concubine, much to her disgrace. The one time Xena was able to get her alone, the princess told Xena that if given the opportunity, she wouldn't hesitate to end her tormentor's life herself. Cassandra then showed Xena the marks Agamemnon had left on her body when she refused him. Once again, anger boiled close to the surface, and Xena thought that she might have to add her own name to this list.
Nestian, Agamemnon's second in command was also on the growing list. Xena soon became friends with the honest soldier who couldn’t stand his king's arrogance and stupidity.
"You know what gets me even more than that, Xena?" He asked her their second day traveling together. She indicated that she didn't know, and Nestian told her. "His family is cursed! The whole lot of them! And he prances about like he's invincible!"
"How's his family cursed?" Xena was confused. Gabrielle hadn't mentioned any of this.
"You're not from Mycenae, so you wouldn't know. Agamemnon's father, Atreus, was the first in their family to rule over Mycenae. The existing king died without leaving a heir to take his place. Atreus' family was distant relatives and the only one with male children. But, Atreus had a brother who thought that HE should be king.
"Jealous of his brother's throne, Thyestes seduced Atreus' wife, Aerope."
Xena made a small groaning noise. "Why does it not surprise me?"
Grinning at her, Nestian laughed. "I know, it seems that everyone's sleeping with everyone else."
"Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt your story." She apologized.
"This is where it gets rather fascinating. The stuff of legends in Mycenae.
"When Atreus found out what his brother had done, he killed Thyestes' sons and cooked them in a soup for his brother to eat. Some say that after Thyestes' had eaten this soup, Atreus then brought the heads of the two boys to Thyestes. So angry, Thyestes called upon the gods to seek his revenge, cursing his brother and his family."
"What happened to Atreus?" Xena asked.
"Oh, it gets really interesting here." Nestian's voice rose in excitement. "Aerope died, and Atreus remarried. The woman he married, Pelopia, was Thyestes daughter! She already had son when they married, and that son killed Atreus. Some say that Thyestes ordered his grandson to kill him, others say that he knew what Atreus had done and just wanted revenge for his family. Either way, it's not a pretty tale."
Shaking her head, Xena agreed. "Throne politics usually aren't though, are they?" Then a thought hit her. "What was the name of Pelopia's son?"
"Aegisthus," Nestian promptly replied.
"Aegisthus! But, that's who Agamemnon's wife, Clytemnestra's taken as her lover!" The information was overwhelming. Agamemnon wasn't kidding. There were all kinds of people who would like to use him as a human target. Xena was almost willing to say that more people would like to see him dead then her, but she knew that was probably stretching. Inwardly she sighed. She remember what it was like not caring whether or not you made a new enemy, whether or not someone want to see your body hanging from the gallows. Truthfully, she used to get a thrill from pushing someone's buttons until their hatred had no choice but to well within them. That energy, that hatred, aimed at her. It was almost as arousing as being in battle. Only in battle it was bloodlust. The complete thrill of feeling warm blood spatter on you, your energy so high and loud that you have to scream out in excitement. Animalistic fury and enjoyment turning you into something that you barely recognized, something that deep inside scared even you, but at the same time pulled at your groin.
Lost in memory, Xena saw herself in battle. She felt the blood of others on her skin, she heard the cries of pain and triumph mingled around her in a rousing chorus that was as familiar to her as her own need. Letting herself get consumed by the memories, Xena felt something stirring within her, an ache. Like something was missing. It started out small and barely noticeable. But, as her memories took her further and she began to imagine herself once again enjoying the heat of battle, the stirring became more discernible. Her eyes closed, Xena ignored the tug, and giving herself totally to the feelings she was allowing herself to feel. Unconsciously, her hand went to the hilt of her sword, and just as she was about to pull it out, something happened.
A voice, Gabrielle's voice, shouted her name. In an instant Xena's eyes were open and she whirled around, looking everywhere for her lover. The voice had been so clear that Gabrielle had to be there. But, try as she could, Xena didn't see her anywhere. Then she noticed that her hand still gripped the sword, her knuckles turning white from the pressure. Slowly, she released the death grip, flexing her hand, then putting her hand on her belly, feeling the bulge there.
Turning, she walked quickly out of Agamemnon's camp, heading for the woods. Not stopping till she was out of sight, she finally fell to her knees, sobs escaping her.
At the pace Agamemnon's camp was moving, they wouldn't reach Mycenae for at least two and a half days. Tired of Agamemnon's snail-like pace, Xena decided to ride ahead of them. She and Argo could cover the distance in a day's hard ride. Plus, she figured she knew everything she could about the ruler's enemies. Making excuses to herself, she knew that the real reason she wanted to ride ahead was that she missed Gabrielle. And if she were being really truthful with herself, she'd admit that she needed Gabrielle. An unnerving feeling of being out of control had welled up within her. Almost as though she were floating around, no longer anchored to the center of her universe. She needed Gabrielle to center her, to ground her.
Starting out early in the morning. Xena and Argo rode as one, the horse sensing her master's desperation. About mid morning, Xena slowed the war horse. Leading them to a stream, she jumped down and urged Argo to drink from the fresh water.
Sitting down on a rock, Xena filled her waterskin and took out a bit of cheese from her pack. Normally she wouldn't have stopped to eat, but she wasn't thinking of herself now. She was thinking only about the development of the child within her.
Her stomach had long ago lost its taunt, muscular appearance. Now it was rounded, fully exposing the child within her, which was growing a little bit each day. She tried to distance herself from feeling like she was a part of the baby, but it grew harder and harder. Attachment isn’t good, Xena she told herself, but it didn’t seem to help. It was a natural reaction to feel that the baby was a part of her, but it wasn’t going to be good for her or Gabrielle when they gave the baby up to Meg.
As she ate her cheese and drank the cool water, Xena started to tentatively plan for the next four months. She had hoped that they would have been done with this business in Mycenae quickly, enabling her and Gabrielle to go somewhere safe until after the baby was born. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to work out as she’d hoped. Four more months. The pregnancy would most definitely be noticeable. Putting their lives at risk wasn’t something Xena wanted. Instead of continuing to travel, and continuing to put her in plain sight of her enemies, she and Gabrielle should go and live a quiet, normal life. At least for a little while. Maybe she could get this mess wrapped up and they could go to the Amazon village. Maybe Amphipolis. She’d have to talk to Gabrielle about it.
Absorbed in thoughts of the baby and the future, Xena didn’t hear the change in the sounds around her. Argo’s soft nickering aroused her attention as the horse sensed the new noise first. Completely stilling her body, Xena listened. A rustling noise just in back of her and to her left indicated that someone had already gotten too close.
Great Xena, just great. Well, we’ll try to ignore it and move out of here without getting into a fight. Getting up slowly from her seated position, she went through the routine of putting away her cheese and water. Her attention was focused on listening to her intruder’s progress.
Rubbing Argo’s nose, she then turned around and began to lead the horse away from the stream, walking along a narrow path that had been worn down by frequent travelers. A deep menacing chuckle came from behind her. “Keep going girl,” she hissed at the warhorse and proceeded to continue her walk away from the stream. A form leaped out from the bushes that edged the narrow path.
“Pretty horse there,” the dark form was a man. As he stood, he leered at Xena, showing a mouth half filled with dirty teeth. The dark spaces from the missing teeth looked like ominous shadows. “You could just hand her over and avoid any trouble,” he suggested with a shrug of his shoulders, but Xena noticed that the knife that was held in his grubby hand wasn’t lowered with the words.
Eyes narrowing with evil intent, Xena curled one side of her upper lip. “How about YOU let US pass and I’ll let you live?” Her hand went to the hilt of the sword that now hung from her waist. She felt rather than heard the presence of another person behind her. Turning on her heel, she let her arm fly straight out from her body, connecting with the man’s jaw. The blow knocked the man down and Xena completed the motion her body was in. But she hadn’t anticipated the extra weight of her body, and rather than stopping to face the other man, the momentum wasn’t enough to bring her full around. She stopped short, her body off balance.
The man was on her in an instant, her knife slicing through the soft deer skin she wore. The point of the knife hit the bone on her hip, jarring the man’s forward movement. Despite the pain, Xena took advantage of the man’s stumble and brought both hands hard against the back of the man’s neck, sending the man sprawling to the ground.
Breathing hard, Xena slumped to the ground, her hand going to the knife now sticking out of the side of her hip. Feeling the are around the wound, she assessed that the weapon was acting as a stopper, keeping her blood from spilling out. Most of the time it was a good idea to keep the knife where it was until the wound could be stitched closed. Testing her mobility, she discovered not only that she couldn’t reach the area enough to stitch it herself, but she also received stabbing pains every time she moved as the knife point grated against her hip bone.
“Argo, here girl.” The horse sniffed at her master, nuzzling Xena’s shoulder. “Down girl,” Xena commanded.
The large horse lowered herself gracefully, resting on the knees of her front legs. Pulling herself closer., using the horse’s harness, Xena was able to reach the saddlebags.
Fumbling with the bag’s content, her hand finally felt the softness she was searching for. Pulling it out, she quickly inspected the cloth to make sure it was clean. Reaching around herself, she pulled the knife out, slowly, while at the same time pressing the cloth against the stab area. She then applied as much pressure as she could in that awkward position, trying to stop or at least lessen the blood flow. One hand holding the cloth, she dropped the knife and reached for a bandage. Wrapping it around her waist, she used it to keep the cloth in place against the point of entry. Finally she slumped back to the ground, her breath coming out in short spurts from the exertion. Resting for a few moments, she then tried moving. Without the knife’s point against her bone, her mobility was much better.
Argo was still in the kneeling position by the time Xena felt ready to move. She gave a quick glance to the bodies of her two attackers, noticing that they were still out cold. Sighing, she used the saddle horn on Argo’s saddle to drag herself up onto the horse’s back. One hand holding her hip, she used the other to hang on to the mare. “Okay girl, let’s go. Let’s find Gabrielle.”
“Gabrielle, you have failed to tell me exactly why you’re here.” Clytemnestra’s smooth, elegantly haughty voice broke through the silence in the palace’s main dinning room. She stretched out Gabrielle’s name, her nose twitching in a sense of distaste as she spoke. The other guests at the table immediately stopped eating, all of their eyes focused on Gabrielle.
Her spoon in mid air between her plate and her mouth, Gabrielle starred at the woman with surprise. Since coming to the palace, she’d only talked to the matriarch once, and never had Clytemnestra ever given any indication that she was really aware of Gabrielle’s presence. Putting her spoon down, the bard’s stomach fluttered nervously. “Pardon, ma’am?”
Rolling her heavily made up eyes, Clytemnestra took on a patronizing tone, as though she addressed a child. “You came here with merely a scroll from my estranged daughter, saying you should be welcomed here. Which you have been. However, I don’t see exactly what your purpose here is.” An elegant hand cut lazily through the air as she spoke, emphasizing her confusion. “Are we to expect your company for much longer?” From beside Clytemnestra’s place at the table came a nasally giggle. Aegisthus, who never left his mistress’s side, obviously found this funny. Clytemnestra gave him an amused smile before returning her gaze to the bard.
Oh, how I’d love to just pack and leave! Gabrielle fumed to herself, careful to keep her face neutral. “Oh my!” She said, her hand moving to her mouth. “I thought Iphigenia had told you everything!” Gabrielle’s mind raced to find a good story to tell the Queen. “I had just assumed…” Pausing for effect, Gabrielle gave Clytemnestra what she hoped was a sincere smile. “I’m here to, ah, take inventory of the scrolls in your library!” Yeah, Gabrielle, good one you idiot!
An aristocratic eyebrow creased Clytemnestra’s forehead as it raised in question. “My scrolls? Why would my daughter send you here to do that?”
“You see, my dear Queen, I’m not only a bard myself, but on the side I make it my goal to make sure all great libraries are stocked with the best scrolls.” Time to lay it on thick, she thought to herself. “You see, everyone,” she waved both arms wide, “know that Mycenae has one of THE BEST libraries is ALL of Greece!” Rising from her chair, she flowed closer to the Queen. “And ma’am, as the ruler of this fabulous city, it’s you honor bound duty to make sure that your library is inventories AND supplied with all the greatest scrolls.” Caught up in her own story, Gabrielle kneeled next to the Queen’s chair so that she could look the woman straight in the eye. “Can you tell me honestly that you want to see the library fall to despair simply because it was never properly inventoried and stocked?” Her eyes wide, she even managed to squeeze a tear out, her wide eyes pleading with the Queen to be noble and just.
“Well,” Clytemnestra looked at the bard, and then looked at her lap. “I certainly want to keep the library up.” She smile benevolently at Gabrielle. “I am sorry to have questioned you, my dear, I simply didn’t understand. I didn’t realize you’d been spending all your time in the library.”
“Oh, she has!” Electra piped up from her place at the table. Both Gabrielle and Clytemnestra looked at the young girl.
“And how would you know that, Electra? Have you been neglecting your studies again?” Her voice dripping with scorn, Clytemnestra starred her daughter down.
Electra seemed to shrivel under her mother’s gaze. “Uh, no, I….” She looked to Gabrielle for help, sincere tears beginning to gather in her eyes.
“My Queen, your daughter has been kind enough to assist me when she hasn’t been studying. I have valued her help and would like it to continue, with your permission.” She’s certainly going to help me now! Gabrielle silently told herself.
“Very well,” Clytemnestra’s voice wavered, a heavy sigh coming from within her.
Bowing her head, Electra sat down. “Thank you mother.”
A sincere smile lifted the corners of the Queen’s mouth. It was obvious that she did have some tenderness toward her daughter. “Just be sure not to neglect your studies. If I find out that you’ve been slacking off, I will forbid you to even so much as talk to Gabrielle, much less help her in the library.”
“Yes mother,” Electra said quietly, a secret smile forming on her face.
Rising, Gabrielle bowed at the queen and headed back to her own chair. Before she reached her place, however, a servant barged through the doors to the dinning room.
Breathing heavily, the servant went to the Queen, leaned over, and whispered into Clytemnestra’s ear. Once again, the woman’s eyebrows showed the only expression on her face. “Gabrielle, it seems that someone is here to see you.”
Xena! The bard realized. “Please excuse me, ma’am. I was expecting my assistant to arrive at anytime. This should be her now. I will see to her now.” She strode to the doors and escaped before the Queen could respond.
The servant who had brought the news followed her quickly. “I already showed her to your room, she seemed to need assistance.”
“What?” Gabrielle’s pace didn’t lessen as she hurried to her chambers. Rushing through the door, she saw the huddled figure of her lover on the floor, a blood stained bandage around her middle. “Xena!” She yelped and raced to the figure, hitting the floor next to the warrior hard, but not noticing the pain in her knees. Immediately, she ran her hands over her lover’s body, looking for the injury.
Two brilliant blue eyes opened slowly and looked into the familiar face leaning over her, a worried expression on the bard’s face. “Hey,” Xena smiled up at Gabrielle, her hand reaching up and cupping a soft cheek.
Turning her head, Gabrielle kissed the warrior’s palm. “Hey yourself,” the relief flooded her body as she realized that Xena was not dead, and didn’t seem to be dying. “What happened to you?”
“Knife got a little closer than normal,” straightening her body, Xena sat up.
A frightening thought came unbidden into the bard’s mind. “The baby…”
“Is fine. Knife missed my stomach completely. But, it was too far for me to stitch myself.”
Together they got Xena off the floor and onto the bed. She laid on one side, while Gabrielle cut away the bandages from the wound. “Looks deep,” she commented, trying to keep the concern from her voice but not totally succeeding. “Let’s get your shirt off.”
“Hit the bone.” Xena acknowledged, hissing slightly when Gabrielle applied a damp cloth to the area around the knife’s entry point. It was hard, but she resisted the urge to grab the bard to her and just hold her tightly. There’d be time for that after this was taken care of. The pull was extraordinary though.
With a gentle hand, Gabrielle cleaned the area of blood, relieved to see that her initial conclusion regarding infection was true. The area was red, and there would be some bruising, but it seemed clear of the tell tale signs of infection. Getting out a clean needle and some of the thread they used for stitching, she began to close the wound with small, precise stitches. After she finished, she rubbed some ointment on the area. The ointment served a duel purpose. It kept the area around the stitches softened, which would help with moveability. But it also had a numbing agent that would desensitize the area for a bit.
To Be Continued?
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continue this story!
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