CopyRight: Universal/MCA and Renaissance Pictures own all Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, Toris, and Cyrene not mine damn it. The story line as always is all mine as well as the characters, Ferus, Potestas, and Saada so don't let the thought cross your mind to use them. You will receive hell from me if you mess with my story or characters.
Subtext: Oh defiantly, wouldn't be good otherwise, hehe. But not sex written between the soulmates?read another story if you want that.
Started: January 15, 2000 Saturday
If anybody has comments about my story please let me know at:
Part 1
Section 1
~*Part 1*~
The small form took a deep breath, her lungs quickly filled with the morning air. Beside her she listened to the clip clop of the horse's hooves on the dirt path. Her boots scuffed along, her staff tapping on the ground with each step she took. High up on the mare was her dark soulmate. Gabrielle had never felt this content in her life, this happy, it flowed through her body from head to toe. She looked up to the warrior on the war-horse and smiled.
Xena felt that warm smile directed at her, so she looked down at the bard, she smiled back to her. Xena pulled Argo to a halt and dropped out of the stirrups and saddle to the ground beside her waiting partner. The warrior gathered the reins in her right hand and the pair began to walk again.
"I'm ready for this" Xena looked to her small friend and nodded then retorted back.
"Me too. You especially need a break" Gabrielle nodded her head, knowing what the warrior meant by that.
"You think your mom won't mind"
"Nah, she'll put up with me" The small bard chuckled at the warrior's words.
"Oh come on Xena, she loves you and you know it"
"Yeah"
"But you don't think she'll mind me coming?" The warrior smiled, her eyes set ahead on the road.
"Of course not"
"Xena, Cyrene only met me twice, which were both along time ago" A pause and then the bard went on. "We didn't even really talk at the times, I was to busy?helping you I suppose" Xena's memories came to life from over a year and a half ago. The day when Gabrielle first save her from being stoned to death. She still couldn't believe that young girl at the time followed behind her just to travel with her. Xena had always admired her soulmate's strong determination.
"You did help me then Gabrielle, always are. And mother will want you to come, I know her" Gabrielle looked up to Xena and smiled deeply.
"If you say so"
"I do" The Amazon Queen chuckled for a brief moment. Silence hung in the air for a while, then Gabrielle as always broke it with her light voice.
"Xena, you think we should?you know tell your mom about us?" The warrior's face etched into seriousness.
"We never had that talk like I said huh?"
"We got busy anyway Xena"
"Still" The warrior mentally slapped herself. She then refocused her mind and went on. "First of all Gabrielle, I want to make sure you know I'm not going to make the decisions okay?" The bard looked up into serious cobalt eyes that already stared down at her. Gabrielle simply nodded. "We make the decisions together" The small woman smiled to her soulmate.
"Thanks" They both looked ahead again and the bard continued on with the conversation. "So to start with about the whole relationship thing, do we tell your mom?" The warrior took a deep breath, her eyes still fixed ahead on the road.
"Well, what you think?" Gabrielle smiled to herself.
"Personally I think we should tell her" A deep breath. "She does have a right to know?right?" Xena looked down to her partner.
"Yeah?she does" The Warrior Princess looked back up. "Now the whole entire known world knowing of us that's a different matter" The bard began to laugh and Xena looked down to her soulmate with an amused face. "What?" The smaller woman took a deep breath and replied.
"Xena you made it sound like I wanted to announce it to everybody and their grandmother" The older woman smirked then looked back ahead.
"I know?I knew what you first meant" Gabrielle took a few more deep breaths.
"Okay?okay so we only tell certain people that we trust huh?" Xena nodded in agreement.
"Well I don't think telling somebody like my enemy was top on my list" The bard rolled her eyes and playfully slapped Xena on the arm.
"Very funny warrior"
"Seriously Gabrielle, we'll take it as we go. Okay?" The bard nodded her head.
"Whoever we feel comfortable with?" Xena also nodded her head in agreement.
"Yeah"
"Yeah well?I'll let you tell them" Xena looked to her friend and arched an eyebrow.
"Why me?"
"Incase they decided not to like it you can?help them like it" The warrior smirked.
"Mmm, don't give me ideas"
"You're the one to talk" Xena responded to that one rather quickly in a low deep voice.
"What Gabrielle?" The bard replied in a low almost squeak.
"Nothing" Her staff stamped the ground then Gabrielle jumped and screamed. "Ah! Xena no no no!" The warrior's large hands grabbed the jumping bard's bare waist. The bard squealed as the warrior tickled the smaller woman. Argo had stopped walking, her reins had been tossed up onto the saddle. The mare watched as the Amazon Queen dropped her staff and Gabrielle took steps back from her tall attacker. The bard then got to the edge of the road and lost her balance. She reached for one of Xena's invading hands and they both went toppling to the green grass off the side of the road.
The pair broke out into a fit of laughter, Xena had stopped her tickling attack. She now lay face forward into the grass, her head up laughing. Gabrielle though was on her back, laughing hysterically, one of her soulmate's arms draped over her stomach. Xena dropped her face down into the grass and took deep breaths to calm down. The bard for her part clenched her stomach and tried to stop laughing, little luck. Both soulmates took a deep breath at the same time and felt their laughter finally subside. Xena sat up to her knees and looked to her bard, her large hands in her own lap now.
"You okay Gabrielle?" The small bard nodded her head, her hands still on her stomach.
"Yeah, just my stomach hurts from laughing" The warrior grinned down at the smaller woman.
"Mine too" Gabrielle grinned and Xena's right hand went to the bard's stomach, lightly caressing it. Then it slipped down to Gabrielle's side and Xena leaned down close to the bard's face. "Still hurt?" Emerald eyes lock with the most dazzling sky splashed eyes ever. Gabrielle only could shake her head. "Good"
They kissed deeply at that instant. Both their bodies exploded and another memory was locked in their hearts.
Once Xena pulled her head up she smiled down to Gabrielle. "We better go huh?" The bard grinned.
"Yeah getting a bit hot here" Xena chuckled and stood up. She then bent forward some and took the bard's hand. Gabrielle was pulled up to her feet. The warrior turned around and lifted up her soulmate's staff, tossing it to the bard. Gabrielle caught it and followed up onto the road behind Xena. "Xena, how much longer till we get there you think?' The warrior shrugged her shoulders.
"A candlemark?why?"
The warrior's blue eyes drifted down to the sleeping form in her arms. Xena chuckled for a moment. Gabrielle had suckered the strong warrior into them riding and the bard was in the front snoozing away while Xena directed Argo. But Xena was glad to see her bard sleeping, knowing she'd been lacking the sleep she'd been needing. The younger woman was certainly snuggled into the warrior's arms. It felt good to hold the bard, she hadn't since this morning when they awoke to travel again towards Amphipolis.
The warrior looked back up to take notice to the area, they were getting close to Amphipolis. She pulled Argo to a halt and looked back down to her bard. She reached down and gently brushed some hair from the bard's face. Green eyes slowly opened up and looked up to Xena.
"Hey" Gabrielle smiled at her lover's voice.
"What's going on?"
"We're almost there" The bard nodded her head and straighten her back up from snuggling into Xena. "You thirsty?" Gabrielle's right hand went through her hair and she focussed her eyes.
"Yeah actually" The warrior nodded and reached back to the saddlebags, she produced a water skin. She then handed it to her smaller partner. "Thanks" Gabrielle took a few gulps then handed it back to Xena, the warrior placing the skin back in the saddle. The younger woman then began to move out of the saddle and dropped to the ground. Xena was next to follow. The Amazon Queen shifted to the back of the horse and retrieved her staff from the saddlebags. Xena waited for her then the soulmates were off walking again. Within a quarter of a candlemark they came up a small rise in the road. Once they did they saw a village straight ahead of them. The bard looked up to Xena with a huge smile. Xena looked down with a smile, twinkling blue eyes.
They entered into Amphipolis and headed to the other end of town to where Cyrene's tavern is located. Once they reached the tavern the warrior tied the mare to a post outside of the tavern. Xena took a deep breath, Gabrielle caught this. "You okay?" The warrior looked to her soulmate.
"Yeah" The bard gave Xena a smile of confidence, the warrior slightly smiled back. Her large hand went up to Gabrielle's back. The pair made their way into the tavern.
Cyrene wiped down her bar as she stood behind the counter. She then heard two pairs of boots move on her tavern's wood floor. She brought her gaze up to the new comers. She quickly realized whom the strangers were, not really strangers. Cyrene stepped around the bar with a smile, she briskly walked over to the two people.
"Xena?"
"Mother" The tavern owner smiled to her tall daughter and responded back.
"What?what you doing here?" Xena smiled slightly.
"Visit" Cyrene smiled some then looked to the bard. Xena followed her gaze. "Mother, you do remember Gabrielle?" Cyrene pleasantly smiled to Gabrielle.
"I do dear. How are you Gabrielle?" The bard smiled and bowed her head a little.
"Fine Cyrene, yourself?"
"Quite well" Cyrene looked back to her daughter. "How long are you both staying?" Xena quickly responded.
"We're not sure. Gabrielle and I were hoping we could stay here. But that's up to you Mother" The tavern keeper brought up both her hands to her hips, her right hand still holding the towel from earlier.
"It be wonderful if you both stay. Besides you and I have some catching up to do" The warrior nodded her head. Both Xena and Gabrielle knew what Cyrene meant by those words. The bard had to smile, Xena is as stubborn as her mother when it comes to letting things go.
"Thank you Cyrene" The tavern owner looked to the bard after her words.
"Anytime Gabrielle" She took a breath. "I suppose you both want separate rooms?" Gabrielle looked up to Xena, Xena already looking down at her. The warrior was about to say something, but Gabrielle cut her off.
"Yeah that'll be fine" The warrior was about to cut in herself, but thought better of it.
"I'll go get the saddlebags" Gabrielle nodded her head to her soulmate. Xena disappeared out of the tavern.
"Its quiet here" Cyrene nodded her head and dropped her hands. She shifted back to the bar, Gabrielle following behind.
"It normally is in the morning. The crowd won't come till drinking hour"
"Drinking hour?"
"Yes, that's normally sunset around here" Gabrielle chuckled some and Cyrene stepped behind the bar, the small blond sitting on a stool at the bar. "She seems well" Gabrielle quickly caught whom Cyrene meant.
"She is"
"Thank you Gabrielle" The bard blinked for a moment then responded.
"May I ask for what?" Cyrene dropped her towel to the bar table and seriously looked to the bard.
"For saving her" A set of boots came stomping in and Gabrielle turned around. The small bard hopped off the stool and went to her partner.
"I'll take them upstairs"
"You sure?"
"Yeah" The warrior handed the bard the saddlebags. Xena knew what Gabrielle's intent was by taking the saddlebags. "Which room?"
"It's Xena's old room Gabrielle. Go up the stairs and its at the very end on the right, your room will be right next to Xena's on the right side" Gabrielle nodded her head with a smile to Cyrene. She disappeared up the stairs. Cyrene looked from the stairs to her daughter. "She's a sweetie huh?" Xena's loving eyes went a little hardier as she averted her eyes from the stairs back to her mother.
"She is" A bit of silence. "How have you been Mother?"
"Rather well" Cyrene stepped around the bar, leaving the cloth on the bar. The tavern keeper sat down on a stool and Xena shifted to sit on another one, they faced each other. "Glad you came" The warrior smiled some.
"Glad I was welcomed" Cyrene's eyes dropped to the floor for a moment then she looked back up.
"Well I apologize for that Xena"
"No Mother, don't you apologize. Not after everything?you had right" Cyrene looked back to the floor again and took a deep breath. She looked back to Xena and locked eyes with her.
"I wasn't supportive when you were younger"
"Supportive?of what? Me becoming a killer?"
"No not necessarily that but I was never there for you, Toris or Lyceus when you three were young"
"You were busy making money for us all to survive mother, there's nothing for you to forgive" Cyrene took a deep breath and retorted back.
"Xena I did something wrong somewhere because neither three of you ended up with the life you wanted" Xena's right arm went up to rest on the bar beside her.
"I never knew what I wanted at the time Mother?I never did till just recently" Xena sighed for a moment and went on. "Besides Mother, its in the past?neither of us can do anything about it?just learn" Cyrene smiled some and reached out with her left hand to grasp her daughter's larger hand.
"I suppose your right dear, that and trying to make it up" Cyrene squeezed Xena's hand for an instant. Cyrene released Xena's hand and they both stood up from the stools. "How about giving your old mom a hug?" The warrior chuckled and gathered her mother into a strong embrace. They pulled back from the embrace and Cyrene smiled, Xena did in return. "Why don't you go find your friend" Xena nodded her head.
"Thanks Mother" Cyrene nodded her head and watched the warrior ascend the stairs to the rooms above. Xena saw the door to her old room a jar. She pushed open the door and spotted her soulmate over by an old dresser. Gabrielle turned around at the sound of the door creaking.
"Hey" Xena smiled at the welcome and stepped up beside the bard. "This is cute" Xena shifted her eyes to where the bard pointed. There propped up on the dresser is an old ragged doll. Oh gods. That was the first thing to come to the warrior's mind.
"Gods, I thought Mother got rid of that thing" The bard chuckled and stared at it. The doll was defiantly old, worn and a bit dirty. It had a round head, long blond yarn hair, small little round feet and small little round hands. Then it had on a dirty white dress with frills at the end.
"What's her name?" The warrior eyed her soulmate with a serious face. The bard grinned to her. Xena sighed and reached for the doll. She lifted the doll up and stared at it in her large hands. The strong large hands gently holding the doll as if it were made of porcelain and could easily break.
"You'll never guess nor believe it" The bard arched an eyebrow at Xena. The warrior looked up from the doll to the other woman.
"Xena?" The warrior grinned to her. "You didn't did you?" The tall woman chuckled and carefully placed the doll back down on the dresser with such care and love.
"I did, that's one reason I've always loved your name"
"Oh gods" Gabrielle then sighed dramatically after she said that. She then looked back to Xena. "How old were you?" Xena considered the doll as she reflected.
"I think I was about?five falls old then" Emerald eyes looked from Xena to the doll on the dresser. Its blond hair hung a little below her shoulders, small bangs in the front. The doll had two small black buttons for eyes, a black smile stitched in. Gabrielle was actually amazed at how well it was in shape.
"You know I never took good care of my dolls like this" The warrior smiled at the doll.
"Yeah, I was protective over her for some reason" Xena took a deep breath. "Toris use to love taking her from me"
"Oh boy bet that was a bad scene every time" The older woman chuckled then responded back.
"Yeah it was"
"Those two always got into a lot of little messes" Both women turned around at the familiar voice by the door. Gabrielle smiled at Cyrene, as did Xena.
"I'd love to hear some Cyrene" The tavern owner stepped more into the room.
"I will enjoy ever minute of telling them to you sweetie" Xena groaned to herself and Gabrielle grinned up at her soulmate.
"Mother" Cyrene looked to her daughter.
"Dear, you'll survive" Xena shook her head at her smirking mother. Cyrene then looked to Gabrielle. "I hear you're telling stories these days Gabrielle" The bard sighed.
"Sort of?who told you?" The tavern keeper smiled and replied back.
"Well I've heard many things of you from other bards that drop in here. They all seem to know of you, always saying marvelous things about you honey. Then Toris stopped in a while back told me he met you as well" The bard faintly turned red and Xena was enjoying the sight.
"Um well, yeah I haven't been telling many stories lately"
"Why is that dear?" Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders and retorted.
"Been a bit to busy for that" The warrior then piped in to help her soulmate.
"Gabrielle was considering on telling a few stories here at the tavern. But she's not sure just yet" Cyrene looked back to Gabrielle from Xena.
"Well if you feel up to divulging a story about an adventure hun you're more then welcomed too" Gabrielle nodded her head.
"Thank you"
"Well I think I'm going to leave you two alone again. I need to prepare for tonight's customers" With that Cyrene left the room to leave the soulmates alone. Xena looked down to her soulmate.
"You sure you don't want to stay in here with me?" Gabrielle turned to look at her partner.
"I'd love to stay in here with you but I don't want your mom thinking anything of it" The warrior nodded and sighed.
"The sooner we tell her the better" Gabrielle chuckled. "Hey, I'm going to go take care of Argo" Gabrielle looked up.
"Okay I'll wait here for you" Xena nodded her head and went out the door, closing it behind her. The bard turned her head to look at the smiling old doll. She stared at it for a moment then a small smile slipped onto her lips. Gabrielle then went to sit on Xena's old huge size bed. Gabrielle was rather surprised about how big the bed is, even if Xena was tall when she was young. She shifted to lie down on the side of the bed and crossed her legs at her ankles. Then her arms came up to cross under her head. She closed her eyes for a moment and let her mind drifted to random thoughts and images.
The tall warrior climbed the stairs. She hadn't expected to take that long to stall up Argo. But then again she wasn't expecting to bump into the Constable of Amphipolis. At first he was a bit cold towards Xena, but Xena kept trying to talk normally to him. Eventually he loosened up and they smiled to each other in the end. Xena had to grin at that, it'd be useful later on.
She came to the end of the small hall and reached to the doorknob. She slowly opened the door and spotted her soulmate on the bed. Gabrielle's eyes are closed, her chest rising and falling at a slow pace, her body relaxed. The warrior grinned to herself she then moved quietly over to the other side of the bed, she unhooked her sword and chakram, placing them on the table by a small window, the bard's staff leaning near the window. Xena crawled gently into the bed and moved next to Gabrielle.
Gabrielle slightly awoke from the familiar body coming against her. The bard moved her head to rest on top of Xena's shoulder and Xena brought her hand down to rest on Gabrielle's side lightly.
"How's Argo?" Xena smiled some and replied to the groggy voice.
"She's happy" The bard nodded just a little bit. "Go back to sleep"
"I should go to my own room"
"No you're fine" Adding on, Xena squeeze her soulmate for a second then loosen her hold again.
"Sleep well Xen" The warrior smiled and kissed Gabrielle on the forehead.
"You too Love" Gabrielle smiled a little then slipped back into her dream state. Xena soon followed her.
The door creaked open a smidge. Cyrene poked her head in. What she found was her daughter in the center of the bed and resting beside her was Gabrielle, the bard's head on Xena's left shoulder. Xena's hand lightly placed on the bard's side, their eyes closed. Cyrene smiled at the sight.
"I'm awake" Blue eyes opened and looked to the innkeeper. Cyrene smiled to her daughter. She then slowly creeped into the room and moved the side of the bed Xena was closes to. Pulling out a chair she sat down and looked to Xena.
"How did you sleep dear?"
"Pretty well. How long we've been asleep?"
"It's almost sunset now, crowd will show up soon. So I'd say you both have slept a good two candlemarks or so" The warrior nodded her head.
"To much in my opinion"
"Mmm she looks pretty tuckered out" Xena looked to Gabrielle, staring at her for a moment, she turned her eyes back to Cyrene.
"Yeah it's been a rough couple of weeks on her" The tavern owner nodded her head.
"She sleeps hard too" The warrior grinned.
"I heard that" Xena chuckled and felt Gabrielle roll in her arm. Gabrielle propped herself up on one elbow and looked to Cyrene, her eyes still sleepy looking.
"She sleeps hard till you talk about her" Emerald eyes looked down to Xena.
"Don't even start" The warrior devilishly grinned, Cyrene watching the whole exchange.
"So you both of you up for supper tonight?" Immediately the bard looked back up.
"I'd love some" Cyrene smiled and stood up.
"Wonderful, both of you come down when you're ready. I better head down, it'll be busy" Cyrene then drifted to out of the room closing the door once she left.
Gabrielle moved to sit at a stool of the bar. Cyrene nodded to some man then moved down the bar to Gabrielle.
"Hey sweetie, where's the other one?" The bard smiled.
"She'll be down in a sec" Cyrene nodded her head. A waitress then walked around to the back of the bar with Cyrene.
"Saada, come here dear" The waitress stopped moving and came to stand beside Cyrene. "Saada, I want you to meet Gabrielle, she's a bard and my daughter's friend" The barmaid smiled and held out her hand to Gabrielle. The Amazon Queen took the offered hand and briskly shook it.
"Nice to meet you Saada" The barmaid smiled and responded back.
"Nice to meet a bard in these parts"
"Saada has been here in Amphipolis all her life, she's a great help here" Gabrielle smiled to the tall barmaid. Her ear length hair hung down, it was brown. Her eyes are a hazel that had dullness to them but are kind.
"Well excuse me Gabrielle, I have many customers" Gabrielle nodded her head to Saada and the barmaid shuffled off to take care of her tables. The bard then heard familiar footfall from the stairs and she spotted her soulmate coming down. Gabrielle quickly noticed the fact Xena didn't have her sword or chakram. She guessed it because of her mother's rule of no weapons. Gabrielle knew her soulmate was respecting Cyrene with this small task.
"Hey you" Xena smiled and replied back, she sat up on a stool.
"Hi" Cyrene looked to the two soulmates with a warm smile.
"So, what could you two go for?" Gabrielle smiled.
"What you making Cyrene?"
"Anything your heart desires honey" The bard chuckled and looked to Xena. The warrior grinned to her soulmate. Gabrielle looked back to the smiling Cyrene. The innkeeper quickly took notice to something not quite right with the small bard. Something in those green eyes didn't seem right.
"Have any chicken?" The innkeeper nodded her head.
"We certainly do as a matter of fact I had some marinated in honey, the special" The bard grinned, she knew this was perfect. Her soulmate's weak spot between the chicken and honey.
"That'll be great" Cyrene looked to Xena.
"Both?" The warrior nodded her head. "Drinks?"
"I could go for some port" Cyrene nodded her head then looked to Gabrielle for her response.
"Apple cider will do me fine" The innkeeper nodded her head. She then went into a back door behind the bar.
"You slept well huh?" Gabrielle nodded her head.
"I did, I can't believe how tired I am" Xena propped up one arm onto the bar and looked to her soulmate.
"I can, to much has been going on" Gabrielle turned her head to look at Xena.
"I suppose" A pause. "Its relaxing here" The warrior smiled.
"Yeah, Mother has a way of doing those sort of things" Gabrielle smiled and Cyrene came out of the back room with two mugs. One she placed beside Xena and the other in front of the small blond.
"You know Gabrielle, if you don't have to sleep in that other room if you wouldn't like" The Amazon Queen looked up from the mug to Cyrene. The innkeeper smiled and continued. "I know how nice it is to have somebody beside you to protect you" Gabrielle smiled deeply.
"Thanks Cyrene" The bard took a deep breath. "It is rather nice to have a something beside you in the dark" Cyrene chuckled a little.
"Yes well I'd say you have a rather large something there sweetie" A bell then sounded. "Oppose, excuse me" Cyrene then disappeared into the back room. The innkeeper then leaned out of the door and yelled for Saada, the barmaid quickly walking into the back room. Both soulmates guessed it to be the kitchen. The tavern was filled with the hustle and bustle of people moving, talking, plates clattering and mugs slamming onto tables. Gabrielle turned around to see that about three quarters of the tables were filled with people, Xena herself snuck a looked behind too.
"Busy huh?" The warrior nodded her head in agreement.
"Its good to see" The bard also nodded her head and the pair turned back around. As soon as they did Cyrene come over to them behind the bar with two plates. She placed down the two plates, one in front of each of the soulmates.
"Enjoy" The bard smiled as did Xena and they watched as Cyrene disappeared down the bar to help somebody. Xena started eating first then the bard did as well. The chicken was perfectly cooked, the honey taste put a perfect zang to it that the soulmates thoroughly enjoyed. Beside the chicken was asparagus and mashed potatoes. The pair ate slowly knowing they were in no rush to get anywhere or do anything. Once they were done Cyrene reappeared with a grin. "Ha, you both seemed to take a liking to that" Gabrielle quickly responded to that.
"It was great Cyrene, I just wish your daughter could pick up on the cooking" Beside the bard, the large form began to chuckle and Cyrene looked to Xena with a grin.
"Gabrielle I suppose I could teach her a few things while you're both here" Immediately the warrior stopped laughing and arched an eyebrow at her mother.
"I'll end up catching your tavern on fire Mother" Gabrielle cut in then.
"Actually I'd love to learn a few recipes myself Cyrene. The same old thing on the road is getting a bit boring" The tavern owner looked back to Gabrielle with a smile.
"Alright dear, it's a deal then"
"Mother?" Cyrene looked to her daughter. "Do you happen to have any nutbread?" Cyrene caught out of the corner of her eyes the bard's eyes widening and her face brightening up.
"I believe so, let me go look" Cyrene padded off back into the kitchen with the two empty plates and used silverware. Within a few heartbeats she came back out with two smaller plates with nutbread contained on them. Gabrielle broke off a piece of the nutbread once Cyrene placed down the plates. The bard popped the tid bit into her mouth. She sighed contently. Xena watched the entire time and smiled deeply.
Cyrene watched the two soulmates. The innkeeper knew there was more here then meets the eye. Knew that the glow to the pair wasn't just over nutbread or having a visit when they first stepped into the tavern. Cyrene knew what this glow was from, her own past years experience telling her.
"Cyrene, does this have cinnamon in it?" The tavern owner brightly smiled and replied back.
"It does dear, you like?" The bard then retorted back as she broke another piece off.
"I never tried it with cinnamon, taste even better. I like things with a bit of?spiciness to them" The warrior raised an eyebrow at her partner's end words. Gabrielle looked to Xena and rather rapidly began to blush to her roots. Cyrene grinned and patted the bard's hand and shuffled off.
"Spiciness huh?" Gabrielle groaned at Xena's words.
"Oh and like you don't go for things with?honey to them?" Xena almost choked on her nutbread. She swallowed it down then took a gulp of port. She coughed for a second then eyed her bard.
"I can't say I don't" The Amazon Queen grinned and went on eating.
"You know we're never going to last"
"Mmm?"
"Well you know, hiding us" Xena grinned some and ate the last bit of her nutbread. She then took a sip of her port and gently placed the mug back down on the table.
"Who said I wanted to?" A brown eyebrow went up at the warrior's question.
The night faded on. It was a quiet evening in the way of no fights. Cyrene, Saada, and the kitchen were rather busy filling orders and making everybody happy. Xena and Gabrielle didn't stay all the night. After they had finished the nutbread, the pair left the bar and went to sit at a table. They talked for awhile about anything and everything.
"Xena I can't believe you've been there and you never told me this" The warrior grinned and placed the mug back down on the table.
"I have"
"Gods, I'd love to go to Egypt" Xena smiled.
"Well I wasn't there for long"
"How long?" The warrior shrugged her shoulders. She sat back in the seat and let the chair lean against the wall.
"It was about two days if I remember. We had to just restock the boat then get out of there. The Romans ran Egypt?still do" Gabrielle nodded her head.
"What was it like there?" The warrior smiled and folded her hands on her lap.
"The pyramids were incredible and the people in Egypt dress completely different" Gabrielle nodded her head, facial expression in awe. The warrior loved this about her soulmate, Gabrielle could become so captivated about things the warrior had done.
"I've heard the pyramids are something to be hold" A pause. "You think we could go there sometime Xena?" Xena sighed.
"It depends on the Romans Gabrielle" The bard's eyes drifted to the floor briefly then looked back up.
"Forgot about that, especially after what just happened huh?" Xena nodded her head in agreement.
"Well maybe Egypt will take back its rightful land. They're a strong bunch" Gabrielle nodded her head and smiled some. The warrior noticed that the crowd was slowly depleting out the door. The older woman leaned forward and the chair went down with a bang and Gabrielle turned her head to Xena. "Feel like hitting the sack?" Gabrielle stretched in the seat then nodded. The Warrior Princess caught the tiredness in her soulmate's eyes. Cyrene then padded over to the pair.
"Both you dears going to bed?" Xena nodded her head.
"Yeah, sort of late" Cyrene nodded her head and reached down on the table and lifted up Xena's empty mug.
"Well you two both sleep well" With that the tavern owner shifted closer to Xena and placed a light kiss to Xena's forehead. The warrior smiled and Cyrene smiled back. She then moved to the bard and also placed a gentle kiss to Gabrielle's forehead. "Good night" Cyrene turned to leave and Gabrielle called back.
"Night Cyrene and thank you" The tavern owner turned her head back with a smile and wink. She vanished back into the kitchen. Xena stood up then the bard did. They both made their way to the stairs then climbed them.
Once they were upstairs, the pair both slipped into a shift. Xena in own of her own and Gabrielle took the other one of Xena's. The warrior chuckled at that. Once they changed they both mingled into the bed as soon as Xena blew out the candles in the room. The bard snuggled into Xena's body and sighed. "Your mom is right?"
"About what?"
"Its nice having something protecting you in the dark" Xena grinned and placed a gently kiss to the bard's lips. They soon fell asleep.
~*Part 2*~
The sun slowly crept in through the window and shined on a dark warrior's form. Xena felt the warmth of the sun on her body and shifted a little. Gabrielle moaned from the shifting and wrapped her arms more tightly around Xena to keep her from moving. The warrior smiled to herself and opened her eyes to stare across her bedroom.
"Gods I love spiciness" Xena broke out laughing and the bard lifted her head up from Xena's chest. The warrior stopped herself from laughing at her soulmate's words and looked down to the bard.
"Morning" Gabrielle smiled and replied back.
"Morning yourself" The bard dropped her head back onto Xena's shoulder and took a deep breath. The warrior's spice scent filling her lungs.
"Gabrielle?"
"Hmm"
"I think I'm going to go visit Lyceus" The smaller woman lifted her head up again to looked into deep blue eyes.
"Would you like me to come with you?" Gabrielle then propped up her elbow to support her head as she stared into just faintly distant blue eyes. The bard watched as they lost their shadowing.
"Yeah?I'll always need you with me" After that Xena smiled and so did Gabrielle. The bard leaned in to capture her soulmate's lips in a gentle kiss. Once they pulled back Gabrielle replied.
"Same here" The warrior smiled and still felt some of the slight tension in the air. So she grabbed her bard's waist and lifted her. "Yah!" Gabrielle soon found herself laying on top of Xena's body looking into electric blue eyes. "Its windy" The warrior looked out the window as the pair both listened. They heard the wind howl then and some wood shake.
"Mmm it is"
"Bad hair days then" Amused eyes averted to look at Gabrielle again.
"Bad hair days?" The bard began to chuckle and she placed her face into Xena's chest. She looked back up and tempted to explain herself.
"Yeah you know, all the wind just messes your hair up" Xena arched an eyebrow and grinned to her soulmate.
"Can brush it" Gabrielle groaned and dropped the side of her head on Xena's chest.
"Never mind!" The warrior chuckled some and reached for the bard's head. She gently lifted the bard's head up and stared into dazzling new spring eyes.
"I knew what you meant" The bard grinned.
"Thanks" The warrior brought her head up and kissed the bard deeply. As soon as the kiss ended somebody rapped on the door. "Hades" Gabrielle quickly rolled off her soulmate and onto the bed the covers coming with her. Xena broke out into laughter, the door creaking open and Cyrene coming in. The tavern keeper placed her hands on her hips and stared at the laughing warrior and a faintly blushing bard. Xena took a deep breath and calmed down. She sat up in the bed and smiled to her mother.
"Good morning dear" Gabrielle took a deep breath and sat up as well and looked to Cyrene.
"Morning Cyrene"
"Morning to you too sweetie" Cyrene dropped her hands from her hips. "How'd you two sleep?" Xena responded to that.
"Pretty well" Cyrene nodded her head then she looked to Gabrielle.
"Dear don't you share the covers with my daughter?" For what seemed liked the hundredth time the bard blushed to her roots and dropped her head some. She looked back up to Cyrene. Gabrielle knew her soulmate had that smirk on her lips.
"Um?well?its?sort of hard to explain" The warrior then cut in to help her soulmate.
"Mother, normally I take all the covers?so she was just getting me back" Cyrene nodded her head and crossed her arms against her chest.
"If you say so" She took a breath. "Well I came up here to wonder when you two sleepy heads were going tuh come down for breakfast"
"We'll be down in a few Mother" The innkeeper nodded her head to Xena's answer.
"Wonderful" Cyrene then left the room, door closed behind.
"Oh gods" Xena looked to her bard. Gabrielle looked to Xena. "Xena, I feel like some kid that got caught stealing out of the candy jar" The warrior grinned then chuckled a little.
"That's Mother for you" A smile. "She means well" Gabrielle nodded her head.
"She better stop coming up here if she knows what's good for her" The warrior arched an eyebrow at the bard.
"Solari is right" A curious expression overtook the bard's face.
"About what?" Xena stood up out of the bed.
"About me rubbing off on you"
Xena's boot lightly boomed on the steps then she hit the floor of the tavern. She spotted her mother coming out of the kitchen, a rag thrown over her left shoulder.
"Hey dear" The warrior smiled and went to sit on a stool at the end of the bar.
"Hi"
"Gabrielle coming?" Xena nodded her head and Cyrene brought her hands up on the counter. She went serious. Xena stiffened up. "Xena is she okay?" The warrior crossed her arms against her chest.
"Yes she's fine" Cyrene sighed and crossed her arms against her chest.
"Xena, I can tell something is wrong with Gabrielle, it's in her eyes. Your old Ma notices these sort of things" Xena sighed and dropped her arms to the bar. "Xena, what's happened to her?" Xena looked up from the bar to her mother. Cyrene reached out with her right hand placing it on the warrior's closes arm.
"Gabrielle's home was destroyed about three weeks ago" Nobody said anything, Cyrene stared into Xena's eyes. The innkeeper took a deep breath then responded.
"Her family?"
"Everybody was killed" Cyrene dropped her eyes for a moment then looked back up.
"How's she taking it?" The warrior closed her eyes briefly then reopened them.
"She's doing okay with it. Her nightmares have been settling" Cyrene nodded her head.
"That's why you came huh?" Xena nodded her head.
"Yes, she needs time to relax and I know how calm Amphipolis can be" Xena's mother slightly smiled.
"Glad you brought her" Xena sighed. Boots could be heard and Gabrielle appeared from upstairs. Cyrene squeezed Xena's arm then released it. "Was wondering when you'd show up little one" The bard chuckled and moved to sit beside Xena. "Breakfast is coming up"
"You two stay warm"
"Mother" Cyrene smiled to her daughter as the warrior pulled on her heavy cloak. Xena looked to her bard and then shifted to help Gabrielle settle her own cloak on. Cyrene stepped up close to Gabrielle the bard smiled to her.
"Lovely cloak" Gabrielle smiled and pulled at the collar to straighten it out.
"Thanks, Xena picked it out" Cyrene looked to Xena with an arched eyebrow.
"Really?" Xena sighed and shook her head.
"Mother"
"Sorry dear, never thought you went in for style" Gabrielle chuckled at the innkeepers words.
"Only if its leathers Cyrene" Cyrene looked to Gabrielle.
"Very true sweetie" She smiled to the pair. "Be careful out there huh? It's a pretty blustery day out" The warrior sighed.
"We'll be fine Mother" Cyrene nodded her head.
"I know, just like to make sure that's all" Gabrielle chuckled and shifted her grip on her staff some. "Now then you to better go" And with that Xena began to make her way to the door followed by the bard.
"Bye Mother"
"Bye Cyrene"
"Toodles dears" The door to the tavern open and the soulmates stepped through. At once the wind engulfed them.
"Bad hair day huh?" Gabrielle rolled her eyes at her partner's words.
"Funny warrior. You lead the way" The warrior nodded and Xena walked ahead, Gabrielle beside her. They walked behind the tavern and into the woods that soon followed. Xena followed a marked path and they went around and through trees and brush. With a few they came to a gray stone building. Xena stepped up to the door of the tomb and pushed hard it slowly budged open. Gabrielle joined in and the door began to open faster. Once it was wide open the pair stepped in to a dark and bit musk room.
"Stay here" Gabrielle nodded, not able to see much. The warrior moved ahead in the cold dark building and went deeper inside. She felt along the wall then felt a torch. She bent down to the ground and felt two flint stones. She lifted them to the torch and cracked them together. The torch set on fire and brightens the room some. Gabrielle stepped in and watched as Xena lifted the torch up and moved to another one on the opposite side of the wall. Within a few heartbeats Xena had lit four torches.
There centered in the small room is a stone coffin. Xena shifted to the coffin and dropped her hands to the lid. Gabrielle came to stand beside her soulmate after depositing her staff against the wall of the tomb. She too stared down at the stone coffin. With her close arm, the smaller woman wrapped her arm around Xena's waist. The warrior smiled and dropped her right arm over the bard's shoulders.
"How old was he?" A lump entered the warrior's throat.
"He was about sixteen summers old" Gabrielle nodded her head. "He was too young" The bard looked up to her soulmate then back to the coffin.
"But he choose his path Xena" A tear trickled down the warrior's face.
"No, I should have stopped him"
"I don't think you could have Xena" Xena looked down to her soulmate in question. Gabrielle looked up. "He sounded to determined to be by your side" A pause. "I know that feeling" Xena nodded her head and looked back to the coffin.
"You've always reminded me a lot of him"
"Yeah?" Xena nodded her head. "Like what exactly?" Xena took a deep breath then responded.
"Well defiantly the determination, his smile" She began to choke up but went on. "His loyalty, he was always bright and talkative. We always had a lot of laughs" Gabrielle nodded her head and listened. "Always doing things together" Xena chuckled a little. "He has those same green shade of eyes, except yours are more deep then his were. Then for some reason he never had a problem with my strong side. He admired it, supported it?understood it"
"He sounds like a nice guy"
"He was" Gabrielle turned to Xena and grasped Xena's left hand and intertwined their fingers. Gabrielle then wrapped her free arm around Xena's waist and Xena brought her right arm back around to Gabrielle's back. Their intertwined hands fell down by their side. Xena dropped her head on top of her soulmate's head and stared at the coffin. Tears began to trail down Xena's cheeks and Gabrielle hugged her tall soulmate tightly.
A few trickles of tears streaked down Gabrielle's face. She cried too, knowing what her soulmate felt, cried over a man that this world missed out on, she cried for her soulmate.
Xena closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She straightens out and released her small soulmate, Gabrielle releasing her. Xena then shifted closer to the coffin and bent down. She placed a kiss to the head of the lid then straightens back up. Turning to Gabrielle she slightly smiles.
"You ready?" Xena nodded her head and reached down for the bard's hand. They fingers lacing together again. "The torches?"
"Leave them" The bard nodded her head snagged her staff off the wall and the pair left the tomb of Lyceus. The soulmates slowly walked back to the tavern through the woods, the wind still howling as they went. Once they spotted the tavern ahead Xena stopped in her tracks, Gabrielle as well. "Why don't you go in. I think I'm going to go take Argo for a ride" Gabrielle nodded her head.
"You sure, it's pretty cold" The warrior smiled.
"Yeah, I'll be fine" Gabrielle went in for a hug and the pair held each other for a few moments. Once they broke apart Gabrielle smiled up to Xena. "Thanks" A lopsided smile creased the smaller woman's lips.
"I love you Xena" Xena melted at that instant like wax on a burning candle. The older woman bent forward and whispered back in all of the wind.
"I love you too" Gabrielle smiled and went up on her tiptoes to kiss her soulmate. Xena brought her hands to the bard's waist to support her. They both felt like they were in a dream. The wind whipped by, the leaves rustling and flowing along the stream of wind. The leaves flew by the kissing soulmates while their hair was picked up in the air. The cold chill to the air caressed at the soulmate's spirits as the smell of winter masked the air around.
They slowly pulled back, still smiling. Then the pair made their way into the town beside each other.
~*Part 3*~
The door slammed hard and Cyrene poked her head out of the kitchen door.
"Where's Xena dear?" Gabrielle looked up to the warrior's mother.
"She went to take Argo for a ride" Cyrene nodded then stepped out of the doorway.
"Well I'm almost finished up here sweetie. Why don't you and I take a little walk. Show you around Amphipolis a little" The bard brighten up some.
"I'd love that. But I need to run up stairs and do something quick"
"Go on right ahead, I'll be done in a sec" Gabrielle nodded, the innkeeper went back in the kitchen and Gabrielle went up stairs. She stepped into the room and went to her satchel, her staff finding a spot against the wall. She removed a scroll and her quill. She went to the table and stared at the scroll for a moment. The quill is being chew on a little. Her face brightens up and she began to write something on the bottom of the scroll. Gabrielle dropped the quill and carefully tore off the end of the scroll, folded it twice. She then wrote Xena on the front and placed the small bit of scroll paper on the center of the now made bed. The scroll and quill were placed back in their home and Gabrielle headed out the door without her staff for once.
Cyrene stood at the bottom of the steps, a brown fur cloak on, her hands on her hips. "Thought I'd have to go on up there and get you sweetie" Gabrielle smiled.
"Sorry"
"No harm done huh? Let's go" The two women headed out of the tavern and into the windy cold day.
A short gray haired man looked up from his desk as a tall female entered into his office.
"Hello Xena" Xena smiled to the Constable some.
"How are you today Ferus?"
"Fine, what brings you to my office Xena?" The man's voice was hard, but he was calmer then last night.
"I was hoping I could get a favor out of you" The Constable crossed his arms against his chest.
"That depends on what it is Xena. You know you're still not fully excepted back here in Amphipolis"
"I know, but I was hoping you'd hear me out"
"Go on then"
"So where did you and Xena come from?" Gabrielle looked to the older woman.
"Well we left the Amazon Nation then came right here" Cyrene nodded her head.
"Which one is that?" The pair made their way to the opposite side of town, both of them tightly bundled up against the cold.
"It's the one about north-east of here"
"So how do you know them?" Gabrielle looked ahead through the town.
"We have a few friends there we made along time ago" Cyrene nodded her head again and looked to her right. She nodded to a building off to her right. A sign on top read Fine Accessories. Gabrielle smiled at the sign and the pair stepped inside of the building.
"Amazon friends huh? How did you two run in to them?" The bard looked around in the shop and quickly realized what kind of a shop it was. Nothing but jewelry.
"Wow!" Cyrene smiled and Gabrielle looked back to her. "Oh sorry, we just came through their territory one day and helped them from getting into a war" The innkeeper simply nodded her head and they went more in. An older man stepped out into the store.
"Hello ladies" He spotted Cyrene. "Well how are you Cyrene? Haven't seen you in here for a while" Xena's mother smiled and stepped up to the man.
"Quite well, how goes your days hun?"
"Pretty well, been selling quite a bit" He then looked to Gabrielle. Cyrene smiled.
"Oh gods excuse me. Potestas this is my daughter's best friend Gabrielle" The man smiled and shook Gabrielle's hand.
"Ah yes you're the bard from Poteidaia if I'm not mistaken" Gabrielle nodded her head. Cyrene watched as Gabrielle's smile dropped. "So what brings you to these parts Gabrielle?"
"Um Xena and I are visiting, taking some time off" The storeowner nodded his head.
"That's great. How is Xena? Haven't talked to that one in ages" Gabrielle began to smile again.
"She's quite well" Potestas nodded at Gabrielle's answer.
"Gabrielle, Potestas has some of the best jewelry in all of Greece" The bard looked to Cyrene.
"Yes I do as a matter of fact" The Amazon Queen looked back to the man. "I have great connections all through the known world to get fine jewelry. Not to mention the fact I do engraving, not to many jewelers can do such a thing" The small bard smiled.
"That's what I've heard, hard to find a place that does engraving" The storeowner brighten up.
"Yes well if you ever need any done, you know where to go" Gabrielle chuckled with a smile.
"I do, thank you" Cyrene then piped in.
"Well Potestas, Gabrielle and I must be off. I'm showing her around Amphipolis" The man nodded his head.
"Ah well, I'm sure you'll take her to the writing shop huh?" Cyrene smiled.
"Oh course" Potestas chuckled and watched as the two ladies left the store.
"Bye!" The two females waved and disappeared out of the door.
"Nice guy"
"He is. If you ever need a good deal on jewelry Potestas is the one to see Gabrielle. He's a very reasonable man and he's always loved my family" The bard smiled at that.
"Well I'll consider it Xena. You do have a slim chance not by my word but by this village's" The warrior nodded her head to Ferus.
"I know, but please consider it" Ferus stood up from his seat.
"I will, I'll discuss it with the other members of the council. I do see a change in you Xena, that is something I'm happy to see" The warrior nodded with a small smile. "But this village still dwells deeply on the past, it'll take a lot to convince them"
"Yes it will. Thank you for your help Ferus" The Constable nodded his head with a smile.
"You're welcome, have a good day" Xena nodded and moved to the door to leave. "Xena?" The warrior turned her head back to the Constable. "It's good to see you back" Xena smiled.
"Thanks. Have a good one" Ferus nodded and sat back down in his chair once Xena left. The warrior stepped out of the building after closing the door. Then she walked back to the tavern. Once inside she went upstairs to her old room, the door swinging open. She moved into the room and quickly spotted a piece of parchment on the head of the bed, her name on it. The warrior walked around the bed and sat on the edge. She reached over and collected the small paper in her hand. Opening it she read it;
Emotions, Feelings, Desire, Hope, Love, Passion all revolve around you.
The warrior grinned at that. She folded the small paper back up and went to the saddlebag. She pulled out a small pouch that contained an article. Xena slipped the paper inside of the pouch then she went to her soulmate's scroll satchel. She dug through it and found the ripped scroll from earlier then the quill. Sitting back on the bed Xena reflected. Then grinning, the quill going to the paper. Xena quickly wrote down what she wanted, folded the slip of parchment that she tour off the scroll. She then wrote her soulmate's name onto the paper.
The warrior stared at the piece of paper for a moment, she then stood up from the bed with the torn scroll, quill and small bit of paper. Walking over to her old dresser, the warrior grinned at her old ragged doll. Xena lifted the small paper up and placed it in the lap of the doll. Then with her free hand, the doll was turned gently a little to face the door of the room. Xena grinned to herself then moved back to her bard's satchel and placed the scroll and quill back inside.
Adjusting her cloak, she walked out of the room and down stairs. The warrior then made her way to the stables of the tavern's. Inside Argo waited for her owner. Xena began to tack up the war-horse.
The bard's small hands went down to lift up the rough parchment from the basket of scrolls. She always loved that feel. For her imagination it held such power those scrolls. Gabrielle sighed then placed the scroll back down in the basket. She looked to Cyrene beside her with a smile.
"This is a nice store" The innkeeper smiled back.
"It is sweetie, well supplied" The bard nodded in agreement. The pair had walked into a store called The Writing Corner. It was easy to assume the use of this store. Once they had walked in, they quickly found the shop owner busy helping a few customers, so the two females wondered around in the shop. Gabrielle was happy to see that she could stock up on scrolls anytime she wanted to while in Amphipolis. "Would you like to see the view of Amphipolis?" Emerald eyes lifted up to Cyrene again.
"I'd love to"
"Wonderful, let's go dear" The bard nodded, Cyrene and Gabrielle made their way out of the store and into the wind. The two women went at a brisk walk, their heads down a little against the cool wind. Cyrene gazed up to see the small ridge that hung over Amphipolis, they made their way to it. The pair climbed around the ridge then walked out into it. Their eyes looked down on the town.
For the first time Gabrielle actually knew how large Amphipolis was, and that was large for a town. The bard's mind began to fill with the memories of the last time she came to the town. The time she saved her soulmate from getting pelted by stones. She sighed, that seemed like so long ago, it was.
Cyrene looked from the view to her daughter's friend. "Gabrielle?" The bard looked to Cyrene, her expression spoke of tiredness, weary.
"Yes?" Cyrene crossed her arms against her chest, tugging her cloak closer against her body.
"I was noticing while we were in Potestas' shop, he spoke of Poteidaia. You had a solemn look. I was just curious as to why?" Gabrielle stared at Cyrene for a moment, then looked to the town again. Time passed, the innkeeper didn't think the bard would answer. Now it was Gabrielle who crossed her arms against her chest, but it looked more in a protective way. The small bard took a deep breath and slowly released it, her eyes still fixed on Amphipolis, and she spoke in a pain tone.
"Poteidaia?is?gone Cyrene" The innkeeper nodded her head, she looked to Gabrielle then back to the town.
"How did it happen sweetie?" The small blond blinked for a moment, her chest tighten. She took a breath then responded.
"An Amazon that was of the Nation destroyed it"
"Why may I ask?" A few tears trickled down Gabrielle's cheeks, she looked down to the ground below her feet. Looking back up she slowly answered.
"The Amazon, Velasca, was suppose to be Queen. I took the caste from her and she became a god in the process. Xena and I trapped her in a pit but she escaped with Ares' help. After that?" More tears came down the bard's cheek, but she held back the tidal wave. "After that she went looking for me?Eventually she went to? Poteidaia and burned everything?and everybody" Taking a deep breath, she sniffed, her last words just rasped out. "Nothing was left?everybody killed" Cyrene closed her eyes at that image, she couldn't believe it. Opening her brown eyes again, Cyrene looked to the bard.
Gabrielle had her back straight, a tear here and there crawling down her cheeks. Her arms tightly wrapped around herself, expression sad yet hard at the same time. Xena's mother moved to Gabrielle and pulled her in for a hug. The Amazon Queen quickly responded and wrapped her arms tightly around Cyrene, her face going into the tavern owner's shoulder. Neither of them said anything as they hugged for a while. They pulled back after a number of minutes. Cyrene sadly smiled to the bard.
"Gabrielle, I'm glad you came here" The small woman smiled to Cyrene, her eyes tinted with redness.
"Thanks. Finally get sometime to rest" The innkeeper nodded her head in agreement.
"You need time sweetie. I'm sorry you lost your hometown and family, I know that's hard. And this is coming from a woman whom lost her husband and youngest son. If you ever need somebody to talk to or cry with I'm always free" The bard sadly smiled.
"Thank you" Gabrielle paused. "That means a lot to me. Xena has been trying her best to help" Cyrene quickly responded in a strong tone.
"I'd hope my daughter was helping you. But knowing that daughter of mine she's been real helpful" Gabrielle nodded at that. Cyrene smiled and reached up with both hands, her worn hands going to the bard's shoulders, a tight squeeze. "Gabrielle, please remember sweetie that you're apart of my family too. I wish you'd had been one of my daughters with Xena. Either way, I'm happy you are apart of my life and more so of Xena's. Always remember that Amphipolis is much as your home as Poteidaia is" Gabrielle nodded with a smile, her eyes not as sadden.
"Thank you Cyrene" A corked smile crossed the older woman's lips. The innkeeper squeezed Gabrielle's shoulder again for a brief instant.
"And sweetie, don't call me Cyrene. I prefer Mother or Mom" The bard's smile brightens even more.
"Okay?Mom" Cyrene then pulls the other woman into a tight embrace.
~*Part 4*~
Xena pulls the mare's reins back, the horse comes to a stop. The warrior stares down at the ground, her sapphire eyes narrow at something. Xena makes a clicking noise and Argo follows her keeper's direction to move forward a little. Argo comes to a halt and Xena leans to her right and stares down at the ground.
There on the ground are numerous hoof prints made into the ground. It was easy to guestimate around twenty to twenty-five sets.
The tall warrior brought her boots from out of the stirrups once she straightens back up in the saddle. Swinging her left leg to the right side the warrior landed to the ground. Xena then begins to walk around the tracks, her cold eyes fixed on them. The wind continued to howl, her hair blowing in the wind. She then bent down to one knee, she touched one of the prints.
The dirt was still loose, her eyes narrowed at that. Considering the cold wind, it should have stiffened the dirt. Otherwise that meant the tracks were new.
"Hades" Xena sighed. Her fingertips grazed over the tracks again, they were deep. That's when we can naturally guess that the horses were being rode and that they weren't just wild. The tall form stood back up and her sky blue eyes followed the trail of the hoof prints. They went through the woods and headed south some. For how far Xena could not be sure. Her mind began to work as to what was south of Amphipolis other then the sea. Then she quickly remembered the old cave that was not to far away, rarely used at that.
The warrior glared to the south. She didn't like that at all, the tracks all lead in the direction of Amphipolis, directly to the ridge that over looked the town then another grouping of tracks that go south, which are the fresher set. Xena walked over to her mare and hopped up into the saddle. She turned Argo to face Amphipolis again, it was becoming late afternoon. The Warrior Princess kicked the war-horse into a canter and headed back home.
Gabrielle sighed, she opened the door to her and Xena's room. She sauntered in at a slow gate. Closing the door the small woman leaned against it, her head resting against the door. She closed her eyes and took some deep breaths, her images slowly shifting back to memories once more.
Emerald eyes opened again and gazed around in the room. Her forest eyes locked on something to her right. Gabrielle stood up from the door and walked over to the dresser. In the small doll's hands was a piece of parchment, Gabrielle written on it. The bard's eyebrow arched up at it as small hands reached up to gently remove the paper from the doll's lap. The parchment piece was carefully open then read.
You opened my heart and brought my shattered soul together.
The bard reads it two times then stares at the words, her mind reads it yet a third time. A warm smile creases Gabrielle's lips. She folds the piece up again and walks to her satchel. Her diary is produced and the small woman places the small paper into the back of the diary for safekeeping. The diary was then placed back into it's home, Gabrielle straightens her back up and moves to sit on the bed.
Then the door to the bedroom opened, a tall dark form came in.
"Hey" The warrior looked to her soulmate on the bed, she smiled to Gabrielle and replied.
"Hey, how was the walk?" The bard smiled lightly.
"Was nice. Went to the edge of the ridge, Amphipolis is big, never realized that" Xena's back stiffened at the information.
"The ridge?" Gabrielle nodded, her face constructing into confusion.
"Why?" The taller woman shifted to stand in front of Gabrielle. The warrior's cheeks were slightly red from the cold wind.
"There might be some problems" The bard's face dropped.
"Problems? What sort of problems?" Xena took a deep breath then answered back.
"I think there might be a band of raiders near by" Gabrielle groaned.
"How do you know?" Xena brought her arms up to cross against her cloak cover chest.
"Found some fresh horse tracks. Ran from the south to that ridge, then back south again"
"You sure they weren't just made by a wild group of horses?" The warrior shook her head.
"I'm sure Gabrielle, they were deep impressions"
"Ridden?" Xena nodded her head to the bard. Gabrielle stared at the floor then looked back up to Xena. "How many Xena?"
"Twenty to twenty-five, good size" The younger woman took a deep breath, the air slowly slipping back out between her lips.
"So what are we going to do?" Xena lifted her eyes from the wood floor to her soulmate.
"We're going to stop them" The bard slightly grinned at her soulmate.
"Sounds like a plan" The warrior chuckled.
"Come on, let's go down stairs and we'll talk about it. I need to go find the Constable" Gabrielle nodded then stood up, she began to take her cloak off. She placed it down onto her bed, Xena waited at the door. The pair then made their way down stairs, once they reached the bottom of the steps, Xena turned to her soulmate. "I'm going to go get Ferus. I'll be back" Gabrielle nodded and the warrior quickly strolled out of the tavern. Gabrielle then looked to the door to the kitchen and as if on cue, Cyrene came right out.
"Where did my daughter go little one?" The bard smiled.
"She went to go get the Constable" The tavern owner arched an eyebrow.
"Why is that sweetie?" The small bard sighed.
"Xena seems to think that there might be a raider band near here" Cyrene's eyes widen, she moved closer to Gabrielle, her hands going to her hips as she replied.
"Really? Where about's?"
"A cavern south of here" The innkeeper nodded her head.
"I remember it, nobody goes to that cave these days" Cyrene then smiled. "Why don't you go sit down, I'll get something to drink for you and Xena" Gabrielle smiled brightly to Xena's mother.
"Thanks Mom" Cyrene smiled.
"No problem sweetie" The Amazon Queen made her way to a table near the door of the building, she pulled out the seat that was off to the right to face the door and the rest of the room. She sighed and tried to relax her mind, it was starting to get late. Soon in a half of a candlemark or maybe less it would be dusk. The wind still howled outside, the tavern shaking here and there with the gusts, it was eerie.
Cyrene came stalking out of the kitchen, she had two mugs. She quickly made her way over to Gabrielle's table. She placed one mug in front of the bard, it was filled with cider. The second one made it's home off to the bard's right, port in it. "Is there anything else you need Gabrielle?" The bard shook her head then responded back.
"No I think I'll be fine, thank you" The innkeeper smiled.
"I'll be in the kitchen preparing things if you need anything. I doubt there will be much ruckus here tonight"
"Why is that?"
"'Cause of the wind, nobody likes to leave their homes in this sort of weather" The small Amazon Queen nodded and Cyrene headed back to the kitchen. Gabrielle lifted her mug and took a sip of the warm cider. She grinned. The bard loved her cider heated a little. Now she began to wander how Cyrene knew that one. I wonder if that warrior? But her thoughts were cut off as the person of her thoughts entered into the tavern. Gabrielle looked up to her soulmate with a smile, Xena smiled back and moved away from the door. Next to follow was an older man, shorter then Xena but taller then the bard. He had some short gray hair and wool clothes on and a dark brown wool cloak on. Gabrielle stood up from her seat.
"Gabrielle I want you to meet Constable Ferus" The bard smiled and looked to the older man. Xena looked to Ferus.
"Ferus, this is my partner Gabrielle" Ferus looked to the bard with a pleasant smile and reached out. Gabrielle and Ferus shook hands, Ferus spoke to the bard.
"It's nice to meet you Gabrielle. You and Xena been traveling together for awhile?" The bard nodded her head then answered back.
"We have, for about a year and a half" Ferus nodded his head. Then he furrowed his brow.
"Hold on, I do reckon I've seen you before" He stared down at the table as he thought. His expression brightens up again and he looks to Gabrielle again. "Oh yes, you were the one that came in here and stopped that mob from stoning Xena over a year ago" The bard nodded her head. "You've changed quite a bit since then I must say" Gabrielle slightly nodded.
"Ferus, why don't you sit down. I'm going to go find Mother quickly and I'll be right back" The Constable looked to Xena then nodded. The warrior then made her way to the kitchen. Gabrielle shifted and sat back down, Ferus removing his cloak and hanging it from the back of a chair, he sat down.
"So I do reckon you and Xena have been through some capers eh?" The bard smiled, her fingers tracing the mug.
"We've been through quite a few"
"Now if I do recall you are a bard right?" Emerald eyes looked up from the mug to Ferus.
"I am. How did you know?" Ferus smiled then replied back.
"Cyrene spoke of you occasional when she talked of Xena. A number of times she mentioned that you were a bard. Also rumor gets around from Athens of the bards whom won the Academy contest" The Amazon Queen blushed a little.
"Yes well that was a long time ago"
"Not to long ago Gabrielle, people still speak much of you and your talents. Rumors get around of your bard skills" The small bard was still flushed some.
"Thank you Constable Ferus" The Constable nodded his head with a smile, he leaned back in his chair.
"Please just call me Ferus" Gabrielle nodded and then Cyrene with Xena right behind came out of the kitchen. Xena walked past Ferus to move to the other side of the table, she sat down at the seat with the mug of port, cloak still on. Cyrene came up to Ferus' side.
"What can I get yo Ferus?" The Constable looked up to Cyrene with a very warm smile.
"I'd die for some port Cyrene" The tavern owner smiled back and nodded her head.
"That's it?" Constable nodded his head. Cyrene then brought her right hand up to rest on Ferus' shoulder. "I haven't seen much of you. How have you been?" Ferus' eyes dropped for a moment then he looked back up.
"I've been well. You Cyrene?" As Cyrene started to retort back, Xena and Gabrielle looked to each other with arched eyebrows. Gabrielle grinned and Xena slightly shook her head.
"I'm grand, happy to have my daughter and friend here" Ferus nodded.
"So I've heard. They're here for awhile" Cyrene grinned.
"That's what I hear too" Cyrene then looked to the entire group. "Now excuse me everybody" The innkeeper then shuffled off. Xena and Gabrielle both looked to Ferus, the older man looking to the soulmates.
"So what do you have on your mind Xena?" The warrior grinned then retorted back.
"I've found a large grouping of tracks south of Amphipolis, raiders" The Constable nodded his head, he wasn't shocked. He was to use to this.
"Where exactly did you find them?"
"They were about five hundred or more paces away from the ridge over the town" Ferus crossed his arms against his chest.
"And you believe them to be hiding where?"
"In the southern cave, nobody goes there. That's the most likely spot" Ferus nodded his head then stared at the table for a moment. He looked up to Xena.
"I presume you have an idea in mind?" The warrior grinned then nodded her head.
"I thought Gabrielle and I late tonight could go to the cave, do some investigating. Find out the numbers. My guess there are somewhere between twenty and twenty-five from the hoof prints" Ferus bobbed his head up and down, his eyes unfocused as he thought. Xena lifted the mug of port, taking a gulp of it. After setting it back down she looked to her quiet soulmate. Gabrielle looked to the warrior with serious eyes Xena very faintly nodded her head. Sapphire eyes looked back to Ferus. The door to the kitchen opened up and Cyrene came out with a mug of port. She placed it in front of Ferus.
"Thank you Cyrene"
"Quite welcome" Ferus smiled to Cyrene. The innkeeper smiled back then went back to the kitchen. To follow was the door to the tavern opening, two men came stomping in. They peered at the table the warrior, bard and Constable sat around. They nodded to Ferus and then made their way to a table across the room, Cyrene coming out of the kitchen to waiter them.
The cool air from outside loomed in the tavern, sending a shiver down Gabrielle's back. Xena looked to her bard with a questioning face, the bard just shook her head. The warrior arched an eyebrow and the Amazon Queen grinned a little. Xena sighed with a gentle smile and looked back to Ferus.
"Well Xena, what's the plans after that?" Now Xena devilishly grinned, she was about to answer back. But the door to the tavern swung open again, it stopped her. Then came in a fairly tall man. He had black raggedy midnight hair. His face was round, a rather large nose, for eyes they were a dull blue. He had on black brownish leathers, sword at his side. The young man looked to the table.
"Toris?" The man smiled to the warrior's words. Xena stood up and gather her brother into her arms. They both hugged tightly. Once the embrace was broken, the siblings looked to the bard and Ferus whom had stood up.
"Constable Ferus, haven't seen you for awhile" Ferus smiled some to Toris and at his words.
"Nor have I've seen you around these parts much Toris. What have you been up too?" Toris smiled slightly.
"A little of this, a little of that" Toris then looked to the bard. "Hello Gabrielle" Gabrielle smiled to Xena's brother.
"Its good to see you again Toris"
"The same about you Gabrielle. You look more beautiful then last time" The Amazon Queen turn a light shade of red.
"Thank you Toris" The young man then looked to Xena with a smile.
"How have you been sis?" The warrior smiled one of those warm one's that are rare.
"Really well. You been up to no good?" Toris chuckled some.
"You know me"
"Mmm exactly my point" Xena took a breath. "So what brings you home?" Toris shrugged his shoulders.
"Well was passing through the area. Thought I'd stop by to see mother. I need to do a job then I plan on coming back here for Solstice. What you doing here yourself?" The Warrior Princess smiled.
"Gabrielle and I decided to take a little vacation from all the action and adventure" Toris chuckled at that.
"I've heard of some of your two's excursions. Well I'm going to go find Mother. She's in the kitchen?" Xena nodded her head.
"She is, come join us when you're finished. We could use your help with some local raiders" Toris nodded with a grin.
"Raiders eh? Sounds like fun. I'll be happy to help. Be back in a jiffy" Xena nodded and everybody sat back down, Toris going to the kitchen to visit Cyrene. Once Toris entered in, everybody heard a surprised low cry in the kitchen then a laugh from Toris.
~*Part 5*~
"Xena?" The warrior looked to her soulmate. "Did you tell your mother about my liking my cider warm?" The warrior devilishly grinned. "Xena" It was a bit of a whine.
"Couldn't help it" The bard shook her head then smiled to her warrior.
The pair is just beginning to exit Amphipolis on foot. It was night, well after sunset. The night was cold, the wind settled some but still blew with a slight breeze. Gabrielle took a breath, her breath visible in the air. She had on her cloak, buttoned up and her staff in her right hand. Xena had on her own cloak and buttoned up, weapons with her.
"I had a talk with your mom" Xena looked to her partner then back to the faintly lit woods.
"Yeah? What about?" Gabrielle took a deep breath.
"About Poteidaia " The warrior nodded her head
"Did you tell her everything?" The bard shook her head.
"Not details?just glazed over everything" The older woman nodded her head.
"Well Mother had asked me earlier"
"You tell her?" Xena nodded her head.
"She knew something was up, couldn't hide it from Mother" The bard tugged her cloak closer against her body with her free hand.
"Thanks for telling her" The Warrior Princess looked to her soulmate, slightly astonished.
"Why?" Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders.
"I couldn't have told her on my own" Xena nodded her head, a bit of a smile slipping on her lips. Silence over took the pair, then Gabrielle broke it. A chuckle escaping between her lips. "Your mother asked me to call her Mom for now on" The warrior grinned and looked to Gabrielle.
"That's Mother for you" The bard smiled to her counterpart.
"Yeah, she's a great woman" Xena nodded in agreement.
"She is" The warrior then suddenly stopped. Gabrielle came up short beside Xena, looking to her. Xena looked to Gabrielle then back ahead. The warrior pointing straight ahead. The younger woman followed Xena's indication. There ahead was a faint glow of fire. "Be careful Gabrielle, follow me okay?" Gabrielle nodded her head. "Come on"
Xena went ahead, Gabrielle directly behind. The bard had lifted her staff up off the ground to make less noise. The pair stalked through the trees and woods, coming closer and closer to the cave. Within a few minutes they were off to the side of the cave, twenty paces away from the cave's mouth. They both listened. What they heard was the sound of men laughing, Xena's eyes narrowed. She then closed her eyes, listening more intently. The sound of horses nickered through her ears. Sapphire eyes opened again.
"Where are the horses?" The warrior looked to her soulmate on her right. Xena replied back at a whisper like the bard had.
"Not sure, going to go find out" Xena looked to the cave then back to Gabrielle. "Stay here and stay low. I'll be right back. Okay?" The bard nodded, Xena smiled some. She then disappeared into the shadows ahead. Gabrielle couldn't see much in the dark with the exception of the cave's entrance that glowed from the fire. The bard crouched down and leaned back against a tree, her staff in her lap. A tall figure then materialized near the mouth of the cave, the bard grinned.
Xena's hands went up to the cave, she slowly crept around the side more to the entrance. She then just peered inside of the cave. Gabrielle bit her lower lip at this, her heart rate pumping. The warrior started counting the men, twenty-three exactly. She grinned to herself then backed away to the side of the cave again. She then listened, the horses nickering again. She took a deep breath and caught the smell of horse. Following the sound and smell Xena quickly found the horses back in the woods away near the cave's side.
Gabrielle looked around for her soulmate, knowing she had left to seek out the horses. The bard then saw a figure coming out of the cave, Gabrielle's pulse picking up. Her hands gripped the staff hard, mumbling under her breath.
"Hades Xena?where are you?" The man from the cave began to walk in the direction Xena went, at least the bard presumed. The bard then spotted something large and dark on top of the cave, crouching. She knew it was Xena. The Amazon Queen clenched her teeth, he might see her. Gabrielle looked around on the ground for something. Picking up a rock, she pulled back her arm and hurled it through the air near the opposite side of the cave. It hit the cave's side then fell to the ground, the raider quickly rushed over there. Gabrielle looked up to where Xena had been, she was gone.
The bard sighed and dropped her head against the tree. She looked to the raider, seeming him stand and look around. He shrugged then walked back inside of the cave, Gabrielle grinned. She closed her eyes then within a few seconds she felt a presence directly in front of her, she knew who it was. The bard grinned and opened her eyes. "That was close" Xena crouched down to her partner.
"Yeah, thanks"
"No problem. Ready to get back?" Xena nodded her head. They both stood up. The heroes then quietly made their way out of the woods and into Amphipolis. "How many Xena?"
"Twenty-three, we'll be fine" Gabrielle nodded with a grin.