Copyright 2000 by Mythe. All rights reserved.
Feedback: Mythe@xenafan.com
This story contains a relationship between Xena and a lost love. Gabrielle is in it, but they're best friends only.
Light spilled out of mouth of the cave as torches guided one towards a large room. A gentle breeze traveled through the cave, causing the flames to flicker. The dark shadows seemed to dance upon the moist walls and ceiling.
I lounged in the hot springs, letting my mind wonder over these last five moons and contemplating life itself. I reached over, lifting my wineskin to my lips and poured its sweet contents into my awaiting mouth. This was great…we have our very own cave and a large hot spring to boot. What more can one ask? “Well, a certain princess…” I spoke up, remembering our dinner. “Ugh…I guess I should get up and take care of it,” I said, sitting up.
“Will a Queen do for now?”
Turning towards the familiar voice, “Gabrielle?”
“I think Xena and Ephiny can handle it…” Gabrielle informed, stepping into the light. She was wearing a large hide as she approached me. “So?”
“What?” I blurted out, raising a brow.
“Hummm…” she let the hide drop to the floor, revealing to me her very naked body.
My eyes wondered over her gorgeous body. I felt all my blood rushing toward a certain organ and expressed, “You're beautiful…”
She blushed a bit, “Thank you, Sierra…” She lowered herself into the water and sat down next to me.
“Would you like some wine?”
“Sure, that would be nice.”
I passed the wineskin to her, “Here you go.”
“Thanks,” she said, taking it and lifted it to her lips. Gabrielle took a large gulp and accidentally spilling some on her chest. “Oh, I'm such a klutz!”
My eyes honed on the wine as it traveled over a firm breast toward its erect nipple and finally dripping into the water. Any thoughts I had left me as my instincts kicked in. My hunger, my need for this woman overwhelmed me so. “Is this really what you want?” I inquired one last time, praying secretly that she'll say yes. Her scent…lilac and lavender…oh my.
Gabrielle stared at me for a moment and started to say something. She leaned over instead and kissed me gently on the lips.
Well, I had my answer…
CANDLEMARK LATER
I heard the familiar laughter as I exited the cave. Xena and Ephiny were laughing about past follies. It's been too long…
“I'm going to check on them…” Ephiny informed, rising to her feet and moved towards the cave. She noticed me heading in her direction and started to say something.
I placed a finger upon my lips and mouthed, “Shhh…” I approached her and whispered, “She's fine…she's waiting for you.”
Ephiny whispered back, “Thank you, Sierra…”
I snuck up from behind my Love, wrapping my arms around her waist and sat down. “How's my Princess?” I asked as I gently kissed her on the cheek.
“Better now…” she said, leaning against me. Xena's fingers intertwined with mine as she placed it upon her growing belly.
“So, how's dinner?” I asked, nibbling on her neck.
“Good…” she replied, “You should have some before it gets cold.”
“I will…” I kissed a trail towards her ever so sensitive ears. “But I want dessert first.”
“Rai…”
My hand slid past her cloak and into her tunic.
“You need to eat.”
My hand found its prey…a firm round breast. A finger brushed upon its already hard nipple. Her skin's so warm…so soft… Feeling her body shiver at my touch. “Princess, your body's telling me a different story.”
“Well…” her voice faltered a bit.
My stomach growled.
She chuckled, my friend went flaccid and the mood was shot to Tartarus.
MANY CANDLEMARKS LATER
A village was burning around me as the screams of children echoed through the wind. The familiar sounds of battle bring me to my senses and open my eyes…I duck as a sword swings past me almost decapitating me, instinctively I stabbed my attack with mine then, kick them off my sword. I look down at my attacker and it was an Amazon…
I bolt up from my dream, taking a large gasp and glanced around.
Xena instantly wrapping her arms around me and comforted, “Rai, calm down…Hon, it's only a dream.”
Feeling her body against mine, calms me down a bit and nodded, “One Tartarus of one I'm afraid.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Wiping the sweat from my brow, “I was in a battle—children were screaming…I was attacked…I looked down at my attacker and it was an Amazon.”
“Did you know who she was?”
I shook my head, “No…but her necklace had the Northern Providence colors.”
“Northern Providence?”
“I have a bad feeling…” I swallowed hard, “There's gonna be a war, Xena.”
NORTHERN PROVIDENCE
Valasca stormed into the Queen's hut, followed in tow with Teries and Elisha, dragging with them the Royal Guards and tossed them to the side.
The blond Queen rose up suddenly from her bed, startled by the intruders and growled, “How dare you-”
The leader of the trio, Valasca approached her and decreed, “I have every right…I'm the new Queen.” Pulling out her dagger, slitting her throat in one split second, before the woman could speak up.
“WHAT?” she voiced as a stream of warm liquid ran down her chest. The Queen reached up to her throat and felt her blood seeping from her fatal wound. She groaned, falling to her knees into the now pooling blood.
“I want this tribe by sunrise…kill anyone that won't turn,” Valasca commanded, gesturing to the dying Queen. “And clean this up.”
EPHINY'S HUT
We approached her hut and were stopped by the Royal guards.
The guard stepped forward, “HALT, you may not enter.”
“Move,” I ordered, ignoring her.
“WHAT PART DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?” Another guard uttered, reaching out to stop me.
My beloved gabbed her hand, twisting it till the guard fell to her knees and growled, “DON'T EVER TRY AND TOUCH HER AGAIN.”
The door swung open and Ephiny uttered, “What in Tartarus is going on?”
The guard spoke up, “My Queen, HE tried to enter-”
“WATCH IT, GIRLIE!” Xena warned, scowling.
Ephiny turned to her friends then, down at the kneeling guard and spoke up, “Come on in guys.”
“Thanks Ephiny,” I said, entering.
Xena released her hold, “She's still your Queen…” turning to the other guard, “Remember that.”
“Both of you leave us,” Ephiny stated, gesturing. “Take her to the healer.”
“Yes, my Queen…” they replied in unison.
Ephiny closed the door and moved her attention to her early morning guests. “So, what can we do for you Sierra?”
I glanced over at Gabrielle then, I began to pace.
Xena leaned against the wall and replied, “Rai, had a dream-”
Gabrielle asked, “A dream?”
“A vision,” I corrected.
“It must be very important if you're here,” Ephiny stated, taking a seat next to her wife.
I stopped pacing and revealed, “I was in a battle…”
Gabrielle spoke up, “A flashback?”
I shook my head, “I was fighting with other Amazons.”
“Amazons?” Ephiny repeated, “Are you sure?”
I nodded, “The one that attacked me wore the Northern Providence's colors.”
“Rachel's tribe!” Ephiny blurted out, “She's one of my best friends.”
“I know it sounds crazy…” I acknowledged, “I have an overwhelming sense it's about me.”
“How so?” Gabrielle inquired.
“My presence…my curse,” I enlightened, “I should've of stayed away-”
Xena interrupted, “NO, Rai…it's not your fault.”
I just stared into those eyes for a moment, wanting to lose myself in them.
Gabrielle suggested, “We should send a scout to check it out first.”
“I'll go,” Xena spoke up, not breaking our contact.
Reaching up to her cheek, caressing it with the back of my hand. “We will go…” I corrected.
NORTHERN PROVIDENCE
Small skirmishes were taking place in the center of the village. The screams of the falling and wounded echoed through the early morning air.
A dark haired Amazon was piggybacking a child as she escaped the horrors of her village. She zigzagged through the familiar forest in the attempts of finding her daughter a safe place to stay.
“Mommy, I'm so scared…” the little one whimpered, tearing up.
“It's alright Princess,” she assured, wrapping a protective arm around her. “I won't let them hurt you.”
MEANWHILE
Xena rushed past me on Argo, leading us towards our sister tribe.
Gods…please don't let this be true. I leaned into Cronus, as he galloped after them.
THE NORTHERN PROVIDENCE
“Princess, hold on tight…”
The little girl wrapped her arms tighter and spoke up, “Okay, Mommy.”
“Split up!” Elisha shouted back and growled, “Tereis wants them dead!”
Elisha and three other Amazons were chasing after them.