Xena paused while sharpening her sword when she heard Gabrielle let out a heavy sigh. They had set up camp not long before dusk near a peaceful meadow, complete with it's own lake. They were each finishing up their nightly rituals - Xena with sharpening her sword and Gabrielle with writing in her scrolls. Xena had noticed that Gabrielle was quiet throughout the whole night, but wasn't sure what to do about it. So, she did nothing, going against her heart's pleading.
She looked up at Gabrielle and was met with watery, green eyes staring at her with a look that could only be described as heart-broken. Just as she was about to open her mouth to ask what was wrong, Gabrielle stuttered out that she would be right back and took off towards the lake, leaving her scroll unrolled on her bedroll.
Xena knew it was wrong to look, but rationalized with herself that it might help her figure out what was wrong with her Gabrielle. She had never looked at Gabrielle's scrolls before. It was something that Gabrielle was able to keep to herself without prying eyes looking at them. But right now, all Xena cared about was figuring out a way to help her love. Only she doesn't know I love her, Xena thought with disgust at herself.
After glancing around to make sure she was alone, she picked up the scroll Gabrielle had left and read it.
I sing a tale of an Amazon Princess
Whose love life she thought was lost in the River Styx.
Between her lack of friends and no one to love
More fun could be had between the wings of a dove.
But stories she did write
Of things in life that were always out of sight.
Stories of blue-eyed, brunette bomb shells
On a beach scattered with coconut shells.
The Princess has a heart of gold
And, some say, an old soul.
Under the stars, she and her lover will dance
Finding her tree among the forest is reason enough for romance.
In her heart, these stories would one day come true.
Her dark-haired warrior would never leave her blue.
But reality had her feeling left out.
She had yet to learn what love was all about.
Every night, she lay down and pray
That her soul mate would find her one day.
Her other half would help her feel complete.
Broken, she is, until they meet.
So stories she will continue to write
And believe in them with all her might.
With intentions pure and true
A love she will have, when her dreams come true.
She must be lonely! Xena thought. It's not like you give her enough time to let her meet other people, you big, stupid warrior. Xena's inner voice was screaming at her.
Gathering up her courage, she took off in search of Gabrielle. The sight that greeted her eyes upon finding her was enough to break Xena's heart. Gabrielle was seated upon a rock overlooking the lake, with tears streaming down her face. Her body still shaking with sobs.
Quietly, Xena sat down behind Gabrielle, wrapping her arms around the young bard. At first, Gabrielle tensed up, then relaxed as she realized who was holding her. Then the tears fell even harder. She turned in Xena's arms, burying her face in Xena's neck and wrapping her arms tightly around Xena. Xena was caught off-balance at first, but soon comforted Gabrielle in the only way she knew how. She held Gabrielle tightly, stroking her hair, whispering soft words in her ear, and occasionally kissing a golden crown.
When Gabrielle had quieted down some and wasn't clinging to Xena as if her life depended on it, Xena looked down into emerald eyes she could easily fall into and paused, searching for the right words. "Are you better now?" was the first thing that came out of her mouth and she could've kicked herself. At Gabrielle's nod, she looked deep into her own heart for the words that she felt Gabrielle needed to hear.
"Gabrielle, I know I shouldn't have, but I read your scroll." When Gabrielle opened her mouth to protest, Xena gently placed two fingers over Gabrielle's lips, stopping her. "I'm sorry, but I didn't know what was going on with you. I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't figure out what. I think I know now."
"You do?" Gabrielle asked in a soft whisper as her body tensed slightly.
"Yeah. You're lonely. And that's all my fault. We never stay in one place long enough for you to make any real friends or find someone..." Here Xena paused as her heart tore open with what she was about to say. "... find someone that you can spend your life with." Xena stopped for fear that Gabrielle could hear her heart breaking.
"Can I talk now?" Gabrielle asked. At Xena's affirmative nod, Gabrielle continued. "Xena, I do have friends. I have the Amazons, but most of all... I have you. You're my best friend. Don't you know that?" She asked gently.
"But what about a blue-eyed, dark haired warrior that you..." Seeing the adoring look in Gabrielle's eyes, Xena crunched her eyebrows in deep thought. Wait a minute! I have blue eyes! And I have dark hair! And I'm certainly a warrior. But... No. It couldn't be. "Wait a minute." As the realization dawned on Xena, Gabrielle smiled ever so slightly, praying that Xena would feel the same. "Gabrielle?" Xena whispered.
"Yes, Xena?"
"Your poem...?"
"Yes. It's you. It's always been you, Xena." Gabrielle softly said, then looked down, fearing Xena's rejection. The reaction she got was certainly more than she was expecting. One second she's sitting next to Xena. The next, she's being spun in the air by a joyous Xena.
When Xena finally set Gabrielle back on the ground, she leaned her forehead against Gabrielle's. Looking deep into Gabrielle's eyes, albeit cross-eyed, she softly declared, "It's always been you, too." Then sealed that declaration with a gentle kiss.
Her heart pounding in her chest, Gabrielle uttered the three most important words she had ever said, "I love you."
"I love you, too, Gabrielle." Looking up into the sky and seeing nothing but stars, a small smile graced her lips as she asked Gabrielle to dance with her.
Neither cared what would happen tomorrow, for their souls were finally free to merge together as one. And while Gabrielle didn't know it, Xena's dreams came true on that fateful night as well.