Violence ~ This will certainly have violence.

Subtext ~ Yes of course subtext or rather maintext here.

Copyright ~ Lets see, Universal and MCA both own Xena and Gabrielle. The rest of the characters, Manson, Mordred, Sir Williams, Sir Gawain, Sir Percival, Sir Galahad, Sir Marlory, and King Arthur I definitely own and nobody else along with the story line. I will admit however, the movie First Knight and television-movie Merlin influenced me somewhat, love those movies and actors.

Note ~ This is my first shot at my new fourth series. I hope everybody will like the opening story for my immortal series. I plan to keep up with it till I get to modern day. Enjoy and thanks for reading!

Started: May 27^th 2000 on Saturday

Comments? Questions? Advice? Email me at redhope@redhope.net

Series Four: History is Fickle Story: One

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Section 2

~*Part 3*~

The early eastern sun’s light beamed through the large glass window to filter over the king of Camelot. Arthur raised his head as one of his soldiers entered into his office. "Welcome."

The soldier bowed his head to the king and raised it back up. "Morning my Lord."

"Have you news of Mordred?"

"Yes my Lord." The soldier paused as he tried to report his information with ease. "My Lord, Mordred’s army is taking on arms."

Arthur abruptly stood with his wood chair’s legs scraping across the marble floor.

~*~*~*~

Gabrielle carefully nuzzled her Soulmate’s soft neck. Her eyes stayed shut.

Xena smiled and began to run her fingertips up and down Gabrielle’s smooth back. Her eyes were closed as well. "How’d you sleep?"

"Really well." The small knight reached up to pull the lightweight bed sheet over her and Xena’s shoulders.

It was rare they slept together in bed. But when those nights came they were the most pleasant thing ever and they only wished to sleep in each other’s arms forever. Immortality never brought that for them.

Gabrielle closed in the distance and kissed her Soulmate soundlessly.

Xena moaned in the kiss and lifted her right hand to the back of her partner’s head to force the kiss on.

The smaller warrior grinned and ran her right hand down the other woman’s perfectly shaped stomach.

The warrior pulled back from the kiss, pushed the covers out of the way, and rolled on top of her Soulmate straddling her at the hips.

The smaller woman placed her hands on Xena’s hips. Her hands started there and slowly she let her hands glide up the warrior’s body over her stomach and right between her breasts.

Xena shut her eyes. "Trouble."

"Me, you started this."

"You kissed first."

Gabrielle quietly laughed while her hands came down Xena’s sides. "Because you wanted me too."

"Mmm very true." Xena grasped her friend’s hands and spread them out as she leaned down to take Gabrielle into a passionate kiss.

The Soulmates were about to fall into each other but a loud pounding came at the door.

Xena quickly stopped and sat up. "You’re kidding me?"

The bard was silent and turned her head to the right at the door.

Another pounding knock at the large wood door.

"Hades." Xena leaned down to kiss her partner quickly and she hopped off the bed. In the nude she strolled over to the door and stood to the far left of it near the hinges. She nodded at Gabrielle.

The smaller knight rolled out of bed as another knock came. "Hold on!" She moved quickly to her closet and pulled on a long white cotton shirt and came to the door and gazed at Xena.

The warrior winked.

Gabrielle chuckled and reached forward to open the door wide. "Hey."

Xena shifted a little to leaned against the cold stone of the bedchamber’s wall. She stared at the back of the wood door. Shifting her eyes to the right she saw Gabrielle gazing out of the doorway with her left hand on the handle still and heard a response from a man.

"Good morning Gabrielle." It was Sir Galahad. "I was ordered by Arthur to let all the Knights of the Round Table know we have an urgent meeting."

The small knight furrowed her eyebrows. "What’s going on?"

"I am not quite sure. But Arthur called the meeting to begin in a ten minutes."

Gabrielle nodded. "Thank you. I’ll be there soon as I can."

"Great." Galahad was about to move but stopped. "Um, have you seen Xena this morning? I was just by her bedchamber but she wasn’t there."

"Um." Gabrielle’s hand fiddled with the door handle out of reaction.

Xena reached up with her right hand to touch her Soulmate’s hand with a calming sensation.

The small warrior smiled. "I actually just woke up Galahad. My guess is she might have gotten up and had breakfast or something. She’s an early riser."

The knight nodded. "Very well then. Well if you see her please let her know."

Gabrielle smiled with a nod. "Of course. I am sure I’ll see her soon."

"Quite, you two are… partners." Galahad smiled and he winked to Gabrielle. "I’ll see you at the meeting."

The bard blinked for a moment and faintly shook her head. "Yes, goodbye."

"Bye now." Galahad continued walking down the hall of bedchambers.

The small woman shut the door and with her right hand and stared blankly at the door.

Xena squeezed her partner’s hand and shifted to stand in front of her best friend. "Gabrielle?"

"He knows Xena." Gabrielle’s eyes averted to Xena. "He’s knows about us."

The warrior furrowed his eyebrows. "How could he Gabrielle? We don’t show it."

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow. "Yes… you and I always hide are beaming wild fire of love so easily." She had a frustrated look on her face. "Xena he knows."

"He knows so what?" Xena took her other partner’s hand. "He’s not going to do anything that’s obvious. Even if he does what can he do to us? We’re the immortal ones."

"I know." The young woman’s eyes were sad. "I just don’t want to be hunted or persecuted for it."

"And we won’t." The taller woman stepped up closer to let her warm body press against Gabrielle’s body.

Gabrielle sighed and dropped her head against her partner’s chest and she felt Xena bring their hands behind her own back.

Xena kissed the top of Gabrielle’s head. "He won’t do anything. He’s a good man and I heard his tone of voice. It wasn’t accusing."

The bard grinned. "No, he just smiled at me… and winked."

"He winked?" Xena peered down to her friend. "He winked at you?"

Gabrielle laughed. "Yes."

The warrior’s eyes narrowed. "Mmm I might have some problems with him now."

The smaller warrior laughed again and released Xena. "Whatever warrior." She pushed Xena at the stomach lightly. "You like him." She strolled off to collect her clothes.

"How can you be sure?" Xena crossed her arms against her breasts.

"Because I heard you two walking up to the bedchambers the other night." Gabrielle spun around holding her pants. "He’s a nice guy and you know it."

The older woman smirked. "Maybe unless he’s hitting on my girl."

The small knight started laughing hard. "Uh huh." She sat down on the bed to put her pants on. "Are you getting dressed?"

Xena grinned. "Was considering it." She began to move and put her clothes on.

Within five minutes the pair were dressed in their normal attire and Xena was hooking her sword around her waist.

Gabrielle stepped up to her Soulmate. "Ready?"

"Almost." Xena hook the belt around her waist and took the tail of the belt in her hands.

The small woman reached forward to take the tail of the belt from her partner’s hands. "Here." She began to tuck the tail through the belt to have it hanging down. "There."

"I could have done it." The warrior grinned.

"I know." Gabrielle showed her own grin as she peered up to her friend. "But I wanted to."

"Mmm thank you." Xena leaned down to kiss her partner lightly. "Let’s go."

The small knight sighed. "Right on." She opened the door and headed out. She powered walked down the hall with Xena behind her. Reaching the stairs she moved down the long steep steps quickly. "This will be a real bad meeting."

"Why?" The knight was moving down the steps at a rapid pace as well and on an angle.

Gabrielle stopped walking and had one foot on one step and the other on the step below. She gazed up to her partner with a grin. "Because I haven’t had breakfast."

Xena stood on three steps above her as she gazed down. "War will break out on this morning in the meeting room." A huge smirk.

"Hades yes." Gabrielle growled with a wink and turned around to continue her decent down the stairs.

The tall woman laughed and kept going down the stairs. "It’s Hell."

The smaller warrior laughed. "Whatever, same thing."

Xena grinned. "Agreed." She saw Gabrielle stopped moving as she reached the main hall. She came to the last step and stood on it while placing her hands on her smaller partner’s shoulders.

Gabrielle’s right hand came up to squeeze one of Xena’s hands quickly. Her hand fell back to her side as she saw a knight coming.

"Morning ladies."

The warrior smiled. "Good morning Sir Gawain."

Gabrielle took on the same smile. "Morning Gawain."

Xena’s hands fell to her side. "I presume you heard about the meeting."

"I have." Gawain was a serious knight. "Headed there now. Care to join me?"

The small warrior’s smile went warm. "We would love to." She moved to stand beside Gawain. She started walking beside the knight and Xena at her left side.

As they walked down the hall there were people ducking in and out of the main hall heading every which way in the castle.

They passed one hallway’s entrance and Sir Galahad came from that direction to come to Xena’s side. "Ah there you are Xena."

The warrior smiled. "Good morning Galahad."

"Good morning." He joined the group on heading down to the meeting room. "I assume Gabrielle told you?"

"Yes of course." Xena smiled. "And by the way." Her eyes narrowed with a twinkle and her voice came out in a whisper for only the man to hear. "I heard you winked at my… partner."

Galahad quickly looked up with a shocked expression. "I... did."

The warrior kept her eyes narrowed. "Watch where you walk." A grin shaped on her lips

The knight smiled. "Of course Xena." He grinned faintly. "May I escort you to the meeting room in apology?" He held his right arm up.

"Definitely." The warrior took the man’s arm with her own. "Shall we walk a little faster?"

Galahad nodded. "Yes of course." He picked up his pace with the taller woman and they came to walk a little ways ahead of Gabrielle and Sir Gawain.

Gawain stared at the pair ahead. "They must be having some words."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Nah, making up." She grinned at the surprised look on Gawain’s face.

"I did not know Xena and Galahad disliked one another."

"Oh they don’t." The small warrior smiled to the knight. "They’re just coming to an… understanding with each other." And I wouldn’t mind knowing how Xena is establishing this Gabrielle kept her eyes pinned on her Soulmate ahead talking to Galahad, she could slightly read her partner’s lips.

Sir Gawain nodded. "That is rather good, I believe."

"It is." Gabrielle smiled warmly.

"Well then. "Gawain turned his head to Gabrielle and held up his left arm. "May I escort you to the meeting room?"

"Would love that." Gabrielle took the other knight’s arm.

"I can not leave a lady feeling left out." Gawain gazed ahead to see the meeting room’s marble doors far ahead. "It is not proper."

The bard smiled to herself, a proper man then.

Xena and Galahad came to the door first and Xena broke away from the other knight to open the door. She held it open as Galahad went in first. Next went through Sir Gawain and Gabrielle came up to her partner.

"Nice talk?"

The warrior grinned. "Yes."

Gabrielle gave her own grin as she peered up at the warrior. "Understanding?"

"Definitely."

The smaller knight quietly laughed and walked into the meeting room with her friend following behind.

Xena and Gabrielle silently walked down the steps to go to their seats and quietly sit. There was one knight who had yet to arrive, Sir Williams.

The room was silent with everybody in their own thoughts.

Arthur peered at the door and did not see it open with Sir Williams coming in. He sighed at this and quickly rose up. "We will begin without Sir Williams."

As soon as the king said that, Sir Williams came bursting into the meeting room with heavy breathing. "I apologize for being so late." He came down the steps after closing the doors. "I only heard about the meeting a few moments ago." Shifting he went to stand in front of his seat.

Arthur nodded and smiled a little to the knight. "I am glad you could make it." He gazed around at all his knights.

The other ten knights rose up with their hands on their swords’ hilts.

Arthur unsheathed his sword. "As always, everybody is equal here." He carefully placed his sword down on the table.

The room filled with the clings of the swords resting on the marble table. Everybody at once sat down in their white wood chairs.

Arthur took a deep breath. "We have a problem." He scanned his knights. "Mordred’s army has taken up arms and are beginning to come towards us." He shifted in his seat a little. "Our spies report that the army is heading south towards us at a slow pace and will probably take two days to reach Camelot."

"Then it looks as if Manson may have been a distraction for us."

A number of knights nodded in agreement with Sir Malory.

The king nodded. "I wonder myself. Either way Manson serves little purpose." He paused. "Right now we all must decided on a plan on how to stop Mordred." Yet another pause. "It needs to be something that will save us from war. England can not handle yet another civil war."

Galahad sat up in his seat. "With all do respects Arthur but I do believe there is no peaceful way to stopping Mordred. Not Mordred. We all here know what he is like, he will never settle for peace. He only will settle for having Camelot in his hands and the old ways brought back. Mab sides with him."

All the male knights around the table nodded in agreement.

Arthur sat up in his seat. "And the Lady of the Lake has always sided with us. How does this matter in the end?" He paused as some of his angry disappeared. "God sides with us and Mordred will not succeed."

"Then let’s show it." Sir Gawain looked around then gazed back to Arthur. "We have no other choice Arthur, we must fight Mordred."

Gabrielle peaked up to her Soulmate to see her staring directly at Arthur. Gabrielle then knew Xena was not going to say one thing in this meeting. So she debated with herself whether remain silent as well. Could she ever? Has she ever? Somethings, somethings just never change over the centuries.

"We can not sit around here like this Arthur." Galahad shook his head. "I will not let the people of Camelot be unprotected from the evil of Mordred."

"I agree with Sir Galahad." Everybody’s eyes fell on Gabrielle as she continued on. "If I remember correctly from when I took the oath to become part of the Round Table, I recall promising to protect Camelot with my life." She paused as her next words were in conviction. "The Knights of the Round Table were created to protect Camelot and goodness… the light. If we are to protect these things we must attack Mordred which threatens the very thing we stand for." And that’s exactly where the line was drawn.

"Yes Gabrielle is right." Galahad stood up. "To war to protect the light."

Five other knights stood as well. "To war to protect the light."

Slowly three other knights stood and claimed their proclamation. "To arms to protect the light."

The only people still sitting were Xena, Gabrielle, and Arthur.

Gabrielle pushed her seat back and gradually rose up with strength behind her. Her eyes were flashing. "To war to protect and serve the light as I always promised."

All the knights’ eyes rested on Xena whom still sat staring at Arthur.

The warrior’s large hands came up to grasp the edge of the marble table. Confidence in her, she stood with hooded eyes locking with Arthur. The room was so still and Xena’s hard voice broke through it all with a crash. "To war to destroy the darkness in the name of the light." She kept her eyes pinned on Arthur.

The king of Camelot took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "There is no way around it." He ever so sadly stood with remorse in his eyes. He reached down to his sword, Excalibur the sword was called. He lifted it and felt an anger rip through him over Mordred. Raising the sword in front of his body he spoke aloud in a boom. "To war to wipe out the darkness in protection of the light."

~*~*~*~

"Then this meeting is over."

All the knights stood up from their seats and sheathed their swords at the same time.

Arthur saw the knights starting to leave. "Xena and Gabrielle, I wish to speak to you both."

Xena and Gabrielle turned around as they stood on the steps.

"As you wish my Lord." Gabrielle then stepped down to amble over to the table.

The warrior sighed and moved to her seat again and sat with Gabrielle beside her again.

Arthur gazed up to see the marble doors silently shut behind and it was just these three people now.

Arthur’s eyes moved to the pair now. "I noticed you both were rather silent in the plans for the attack. Why?"

The warrior grinned. "We were not asked to hand out our opinion."

The king grinned and propped his left arm on the chair’s arm. "That has never stopped either of you before."

Gabrielle quickly jumped in. "I believe the truth of the matter is Arthur is we feel a little angry."

"Oh." The king nodded and smiled warmly. "Mind explaining to me what it is?" He shifted in his seat. "I do not like it if my knights begin to not agree with me. It causes distrust and lack of loyalty. We’re all family here."

The bard smiled. "Very true." She then gazed up to Xena with a small plea to speak.

The taller woman looked down at her partner and smiled warmly.

Gabrielle knew that everything was fine now so she smiled back.

The warrior gazed over to Arthur. "I have little issues when I am not listened to."

The king quietly laughed. "I’ve come to notice this." Arthur sighed sadly. "And I apologize for not listening to you Xena and Gabrielle. But you both know I do not care for war after all these years." He paused finding his right words. "I do believe it is a waste but yet I’ve come to realize that some times it may be the only way to solve things." His eyes shifted to Gabrielle. "And your speech today helped me realize this… remember this."

The small female nodded. "I am glad." She sighed a little unhappily. "I am sorry it’s come to this Arthur."

"Little can be done." Arthur relaxed back in his seat. "But I would like for us to speak about the plan of attack against Mordred." He grinned now. "I do believe Xena you would have a rather intriguing idea of attack against Mordred."

Xena devilishly grinned. "Of course my Lord."

~*~*~*~

The knight slowly walked over to her open window in her room. She rested her arms on the windowsill while moving her legs back to lean against the sill. Her eyes stayed pinned to the large open fields of Whales.

Gabrielle quietly walked up behind her Soulmate and slipped her arms around the warrior’s waist. "What you thinking about?"

Xena took a long breath. "The battle."

The smaller woman’s warm hands slipped up Xena’s shirt to rest on warm skin. "Already? That’s a few days ahead."

The older woman grinned. "True but we will being doing that surprise attack."

"That’s true too." Gabrielle silently laughed as she felt Xena straight up in her arms. So she pulled the warrior in closer and rested her head against Xena’s upper back. "We’ll stop Mordred."

"I know." Xena’s large hands covered Gabrielle’s at the waist.

"Xena?"

"Mmm?"

"Do you suspect a leak in the system?"

The older woman thought for a moment while she rubbed Gabrielle’s hands. "I am beginning to wonder."

"I am too." Gabrielle took a deep breath. "It just seems like Mordred always knows what’s happening."

"Well we’ll have to keep our eyes on everybody."

"And ears open." The bard chuckled. "We need to catch up with Galahad and Williams about the plans for the surprise attack."

"Definitely." The warrior took a long breath. She slowly closed her eyes and let herself become lost in Gabrielle’s arms. Xena always loved her Soulmate’s protection.

The smaller warrior shut her eyes as well while resting her right cheek against Xena’s back. She began to think about Arthur and Mordred.

This seem to be the same for Xena, she too thinking about Arthur and Mordred. And as she thought an idea occurred. "Gabrielle?"

"Yeah?"

"Arthur… he’s going to die."

The younger woman’s eyes instantly opened. "W-what?"

"He’s going to die." Xena turned around in her partner’s arms to face Gabrielle. "Think about it Gabrielle. Mordred is evil and Arthur is good."

Gabrielle turned her head to look at Xena on an angle. She considered it. "You mean like… cancel each other out?"

"Yes." The warrior sighed and shook her head. "It sounds weird but I can’t help wonder if they’re suppose to kill each other."

Gabrielle began to shake her head. "Xena no we can’t let Arthur die. We can’t. Camelot… England needs him."

The taller woman sighed and brought her hands to her Soulmate’s shoulders. "I agree too Gabrielle. But… the reality of it is they’re suppose to destroy each other. Arthur and Camelot have served their duty to the light… to good."

The young woman sadly smile. "No it would be Camelot’s greatest feet. To end and only begin as a form of hope to mankind." Gabrielle shut her eyes at the memory. She rested her eyes against her Soulmate’s chest and hugged her tightly.

Xena pulled her Soulmate in and kept her safe from the reality of things.

Slowly the young woman opened her sadden eyes again. "We have to make sure they kill each other."

"They will Gabrielle." The warrior held her partner safely. "We can not be there."

"Why?" Gabrielle gazed up to her partner. "We…"

The warrior peered down. "We can not be there Gabrielle." She paused. "We can not be remembered."

The warrior bard took a deep breath. "And we will be if we are at the battle of light and dark." She shook her head. "Gods I hate this part."

"The both of us." Xena sighed and looked away then back to Gabrielle. "If we fight in that battle we’ll be remembered in history, we can’t let that happen."

"I know." Gabrielle nodded with a long breath. "This will not be easy Xena."

"No, I don’t like walking away either." She paused. "But we’ll do the surprise attack at least."

"Good." The smaller knight rested her head on Xena’s chest again. "Xena?"

"Mmm?"

"I love you."

Xena smiled so warmly and pressed her lips against Gabrielle’s forehead for a moment. She rested her head down on Gabrielle’s. "I love you Gabrielle."

Now that warm smile appeared on Gabrielle’s lips. "Beyond forever." She shut her eyes. "So what we doing now?"

"Holding each other is all."

The smaller woman chuckled. "Xena, we do have a number of soldiers to get in order for the surprise attack as well as brief Williams and Galahad about the plans for the surprise attack."

The warrior grinned while closing her eyes. "Later." She smiled with love. "Just you and I right now."

"Us right now." Gabrielle sighed contently and escaped in her Soulmate’s love for an extent of time.

Xena disappeared into Gabrielle’s love.

The Soulmates met together in love.

~*~*~*~

Xena gradually sat beside her Soulmate at the wood round table. She stared across to the other two knights, Galahad and Williams. "We have a… secret attack happening in about two days."

Galahad did a double take. "What? Since when?" He glanced between Xena and Gabrielle. "This wasn’t talked about in the meeting room."

Gabrielle grinned. "That’s why it’s a secret attack."

Sir Galahad quietly laughed. "How correct. My apologies."

Williams sat back in his seat with a calm expression. "So… what’s the plans?"

The warrior’s eyes shifted over to Williams, he was a set mind knight. "Gabrielle, myself, and you two along with a hundred knights will race ahead to surprise attack Mordred’s army."

"That’s crazy." Galahad shook his head. "What will this possible achieve? Xena those hundred knights will not stand a chance against Mordred’s army."

"Galahad, the plan is to scare Mordred not get our men killed." Gabrielle took a deep breath and continued. "We’ll only do a hit and run attack. Just to scare Mordred and lower the force’s number. Nothing more."

Xena nodded in agreement. "While we are doing this Arthur and the rest of the knights will be trekking north to meet Mordred’s army halfway." She paused and smiled evilly. "After our attack we will race back south to meet up with the main force." Her eyes fell to the table. "But there may be some minor details." Her eyes lifted to the two male knights. "Arthur wants the battle far from Camelot to protect her. So if the main army is moving slowly our force is going to have to try and slow Mordred down."

Sir Williams spoke up now. "That’s risky. We could lose a lot of men like that."

The Warrior Princess evilly grinned. "We will if we do things the stupid way. Leave all of that to me."

Galahad grinned devilishly. "So I take it you’re going to be mainly in command?"

Xena quietly laughed. "All four of us technically."

Gabrielle gave an amused look to Galahad and Sir Williams. "So yes, Xena is in charge."

Sir Galahad, Williams, and Gabrielle all laughed.

The warrior on the other hand sat back with her smug look. "I am glad you all realize this." A narrowing of the eyes and grin. "I don’t want to have to put either three of you in your places."

Gabrielle’s head fell back with a laugh. "Xena." She lifted her head and quietly laughed. "The difference between a warrior and a knight." She’d whispered it up to the warrior.

Xena’s eyes twinkled down to the smaller woman. "Egos definitely." She winked after the low reply. She turned her head back to the other two yet baffled knights.

Not Galahad nor Sir Williams understood the conversation between the two female knights.

Gabrielle grinned but wiped it away when she glanced back to the men. "Okay, Arthur ordered a hundred soldiers to be ready. We’re planning to leave tomorrow late morning and get far north as we can." A pause from Gabrielle.

Galahad sat back with a questioning face. "May we inspect the troops today?"

Xena nodded. "Gabrielle and I are planing to do that, you may join us."

"Love to." Galahad smiled and ran his right hand through his dirty-blond curly hair. He then turned his attention to Williams. "Care to join us?"

"Um." Williams turned his head to Galahad. "I am afraid I can not. I have other… affairs to attend to. However I will trust your three’s judgement in the force." His eyes shifted towards Xena and Gabrielle. "The three of you have better judgement on men then what I do."

Everybody in the group nodded.

Williams smiled and shifted his eyes to Xena. "Do we know yet what the exact plans of attack are against Mordred?"

The warrior didn’t reply at once, she felt a warning go off inside of herself so her eyes picked up a touch of coldness. "No." She laced her hands together in her lap. "I have yet to consider them but I’ll be working something out tonight." She smiled with fakeness. "Do you have any suggestions?"

Sir Williams shook his head. "Not at all. I am poor in fighting tactics."

Xena nodded. "Very well then." She quickly stood up. "Is there anything else?"

"Nope." Galahad stood. "But I would like to check the men out."

Gabrielle stood as well. "Lets do that now."

Sir Williams stood. "Enjoy. I need to head off." He smiled. "Thank you Xena and Gabrielle for the briefing."

"Of course." Xena smiled and watched Williams nod and quickly walk away. Her eyes stayed pinned on the knight for seconds but tore away to rest on Galahad. "The troops you ask?"

Galahad grinned. "Yes."

The warrior stepped around her seat and waited for her partner to join her side.

Gabrielle came up to her Soulmate’s side and peered over at Galahad. Her eyebrows furrowed as she noticed something about Galahad she had not before.

Galahad, yes well he had the rich curly-blond hair that was long and reached almost to his shoulders. He was a bit small for a man he was however taller then Gabrielle. But what she couldn’t help notice was Galahad’s beautiful amber eyes. How those amber eyes so reminded her of Ephiny. She finally stopped staring knowing she’d be caught soon for her staring.

Xena smiled to the male knight. "I know the men have been selected."

"Great." Galahad crossed his arms against his chest. "Then we may check them out."

"Of course." The warrior began walking as Galahad did. Although she walked behind Galahad and had Gabrielle beside her.

The bard took a deep breath and walked close to her Soulmate and whispered, "Does Galahad remind you of somebody Xena?"

The warrior stared at the back of Galahad and considered the question. Did that knight’s body and attitude remind her of somebody? Slowly she straightened her back out. "Ephiny."

"That’s what I thought too." Gabrielle glanced away and to Galahad. "He seems so much like her. It’s almost creepy."

Xena chuckled lowly. "Maybe you should ask."

"Smartass warrior."

The taller woman quietly laughed. "Welll lets see what we can find out." She grinned and loudly called up to Galahad. "Galahad?"

The knight slowed his pace of walk to come to Xena’s side. "Yes?"

"Gabrielle and I were wondering, do you come from Greece?"

Sir Galahad quietly laughed. "Not at all I am pure English." He took a deep breath. "However my Grandmother came from Greece."

"Really?" Gabrielle smiled to the knight. "Do you know where from in Greece?"

The man closed his eyes for a second thinking. "Um I believe in the eastern portion." His eyes opened again. "Why do you ask?"

The bard sighed faintly. "You remind me of an old friend from Greece."

"Ah." Galahad nodded faintly. "My apologies if I bring about sad memories."

Xena shook her head and smiled. "None are sad. Our friend was a great one."

The knight nodded his head. "That is good." He took a deep breath. "There was a legend in my family though that one of my great grandmothers was an Amazon." He quietly laughed. "But then again the Amazons were a legend as well." He smiled to both Xena and Gabrielle. "I sort of always wished it was true. Would be neat to have an honor of an Amazon in my blood line."

Gabrielle took a deep breath. "Don’t always think legends are false Galahad. You’d be surprised."

Galahad raised an eyebrow at the bard. "Should I be worried?"

"Very." Xena devilishly grinned.

Both Galahad and Gabrielle quietly laughed while turning to the left out into a field area outside. There they would go through stables and enter into a large open area in the castle to see the troops milling about. And that’s where Galahad, Xena, and Gabrielle looked over the men and counted them along with the weapons and calvary.

~*~*~*~

Galahad was walking beside Gabrielle and Xena was beside Gabrielle. "I do have to admit." He smiled up to the two women. "I feel like I’ve met you both."

Both Xena and Gabrielle gazed at each other with hidden grins.

Gabrielle glanced back to Galahad. "Maybe in a dream huh?" She grinned.

Galahad quietly laughed. "Could be, they say that happens." He took a deep breath as they came through the stables after looking over the force. "Well the men seem well prepared."

"Definitely." Xena crossed her arms over her chest. "I am satisfied."

"Then that means it’s a good force Sir Galahad."

The knight laughed at Gabrielle and smiled. "I believe you’re right if the Warrior Princess is satisfied." He quickly furrowed his eyebrows.

Xena and Gabrielle did double takes at the man.

Galahad stopped walking and shook his head. "Warrior Princess? Where did that come from?" He brought his right hand forward to run through his curly hair. "Sorry about that." He gazed up to Xena. "I am not sure where that came from." He chuckled. "Although it seems a bit fitting for you."

The warrior smiled warmly. "I’ve been called many things and that is one of them."

The man gave a confused look. "Really? Wonder why?"

Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders and started walking with everybody. "I think I’ve come to notice it’s Xena’s attitude with life and fighting." A smirk covered her lips. "Xena fights like an old warrior and acts like a princess at times."

"Hey!" Xena narrowed her eyes at her partner.

Galahad started chuckling. "It seems you two both get along quite well." He noticed the huge grin Gabrielle was giving her partner. "Very well."

Xena broke her eye contact and turned her eyes to Galahad. "I thought we came to an understanding."

"Yes of course." The man nodded but peered over to Gabrielle. "I do not have one with her however."

The warrior grinned to her the other knight. "Let’s put it this way Sir Galahad, you have an understanding with me then you have one with Gabrielle." Xena crossed a line.

Galahad nodded and placed his hands behind his back again. He steered his way into the main hall again with the two women. "I will remember that for now on." He sighed with a warm smile. "May I speak freely to you both?"

Gabrielle felt a spot of nervousness fill her, but she smiled back to Galahad. "Yes."

The knight took a deep breath and he spoke in a quiet voice for only them to hear. "Of course as you both know, I know who you are… to each other." He smiled at the two women. "I was brought up as a rather strict Catholic and taught about that sort of thing." He paused as the smile disappeared. "I never understood why it was forbidden or thought those sort of people would be damn." He shrugged his shoulders. "Love is love no matter what form it comes in." A deep breath with thinking. "Besides, I can see you both belong together. You two glow with love." He smiled warmly to both the women. "I say don’t let these times discourage either of you."

The warrior bard smiled warmly to the man. "Thank you Galahad." She took a deep breath. "As you can guess, Xena and I… have never told anybody."

Galahad laughed quietly. "No need to tell it’s visible if you’re study long enough." He grinned. "I don’t think anybody in Camelot however wants to study otherwise they would see it then would have to confront it. They never want to confront their two best knights."

Xena’s lips took on a grin. "That’s what we figured." Her grin changed into a warm smile. "Thank you Galahad for understanding."

The knight nodded his head and saw the stairs leading to the bedchambers come. Turning to right the group climbed them slowly. "Did you both leave Greece… because of problems there with your love?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "Not at all." She sighed unhappily. "Just old memories kept haunting us."

Galahad nodded sadly. "Ashame." He gazed up to see the torchlight to the chamber hall flowing down the stairwell. "I do believe dinner will be rather soon."

Xena nodded. "I am rather hungry."

The smaller female growled with a grin. "I haven’t eaten since yesterday."

"Mmm." The warrior decided on a jest for a response. "You’d think you’d be in a bad mood then."

"Funny." Gabrielle came to the hall of the bedchambers. "I’ve learn to cope."

Xena grinned.

Galahad gazed over to the smallest knight. "You big into food huh?"

"Very." The bard gave a grin. "I use to get in bad moods if I didn’t eat."

The man grimaced. "I’d hate to see that."

The Warrior Princess let herself laugh at that.

Gabrielle sighed and elbowed her Soulmate lightly.

Xena smiled lovingly to her partner and looked up in time to see the door to her room. She stopped there and gave her attention to Galahad again. "Thanks again Galahad."

The knight smiled warmly. "Of course. I am glad you both trust me." He took a deep breath.

"You’ve earned it Galahad." Gabrielle smiled and stepped forward to pull the man in for a hug.

Sir Galahad was taken aback by this but simply hugged back hard.

The bard pulled back with her warm smile. That definitely had felt like an Ephiny hug, she’d miss that. "We’ll see you at dinner Galahad."

The knight smiled with a nod. "Of course." He turned around and continued his stroll down the hall to his room.

Xena studied the man for a moment and huffed. She opened the door and went inside, she closed it once Gabrielle came in. "That was interesting."

"Very." The younger woman leaned against the wood door. "God, I keep thinking he’s Ephiny."

"I am beginning to think so myself." Xena walked over to her closet and pulled out clean attire.

"You really thing so Xena?"

The warrior sat down on the foot of the bed and untied her boots while bending forward. "It’s possible. We both went through that karma experience in India."

"Yeah." Gabrielle crossed her arms over her chest and her right leg over her left at the ankles. "I bet it is Ephiny’s karma. Wild enough idea huh?"

Xena grinned up to her partner with her eyes up. "It would make sense."

"True." The small female sighed. "Or maybe I am just trying to convince myself." She shook her head.

"Nope." Xena stood up and pulled her shirt off and put her clean one on. "That is Ephiny’s soul inside of Galahad." The sword was off first then the pants.

Gabrielle nodded a few times. "I’ll just go with it." She grinned.

The warrior chuckled and put the clean pants on and began to put her boots on again. "We need to be a little careful with him though."

"Yeah." Gabrielle gazed over to her best friend. "We can tell him we’re immortal. That’ll just freak him out."

Xena quietly laughed. "Or the fact he might hold his great grandmother’s soul in him." She stood up with her sword and sheath and began to put it on again. After she did she came up to her friend.

"Won’t go over well." Gabrielle’s hands came to Xena’s waist, she peered up at her Soulmate.

The Warrior Princess smiled down at her warrior. "How you feel?"

"Besides desiring food, great." The small woman smiled at her partner. "How about you?"

"About the same." The tall woman’s lips formed into a grin now. "Although I could go for…" She leaned down and kissed her Soulmate deeply. "You."

"Mmm, agreed." Gabrielle grabbed her Soulmate by the belt and pulled her in closer. "Come here." A low growl.

Xena grinned and leaned down to kiss her passionately. She lifted her head again and placed her right hand on the door above Gabrielle’s head while her other hand went to Gabrielle’s waist. Leaning back down she took Gabrielle away with her.

~*~*~*~

Galahad reached forward to open his door and when he did there was Gabrielle.

The small knight leaned against the doorway with a huge grin. "Coming to dinner?"

The man laughed and smiled. "In a moment. I need to get my sword. Come in."

Gabrielle smiled and came inside the room. She looked to her right to see a balcony. "Ah you have a balcony too."

Galahad chuckled. "And a passageway."

The bard quickly looked over to the man. "Now how’d you manage that?" Her hands came to her hips.

The knight smiled at his friend and tied his belt around his waist. "Just lucky." He walked over to Gabrielle and gazed over at the balcony. "I think it’s ‘cause I’ve been with Arthur for so long."

The young woman nodded. "How long have you been with Arthur?"

Galahad sighed and thought. "Forever it seems." He took a long breath. "I was a squire first to one of the older Knights of the Round Table." He smiled a little. "He was like a father after a time and one night he died in his sleep." Galahad had lost his smile. "He’d ask me before he died to take his place in the Knight Hood of Camelot and I promised I would. I was around seventeen then." Galahad crossed his arms against his chest. "After his death his will was read naming me to his position and I took it."

Gabrielle sadly smiled. "I am sorry."

Galahad shook his head. "Don’t be, he was a great knight and he’s honored." He took a deep breath with a warm smile. "Sso how long have you and Xena been together?"

The bard shifted to her weight to her other foot in slight nervousness. "Awhile."

Galahad furrowed his eyebrows. "You don’t… have to talk about if you… don’t want to." A shrug of the shoulders. "Understandable." He paused with a bit of a smile. "Thought maybe you would like to since you probably haven’t spoke to anybody in ages I bet."

The woman smiled and looked away. "You’re right. It’s been a long time since I spoke about Xena and I."

"Well…" Galahad shrugged his shoulders. "I am all ears if you feel like ever talking about it. I am interested… for some reason or another." He grinned a little and reached up to brush back some of his curly hair behind his ear. "I still think I’ve met you both."

"Maybe." Gabrielle sighed a little unhappily. "But we better go before Xena busts in here."

"And that she would do." Sir Galahad walked to the door and opened it, once he did he found a dark warrior standing there. He sheepishly smiled up to Xena. "We were just… talking about you."

"Really?" Xena placed her hands on her hips and gazed back at Gabrielle. She arched an eyebrow at her Soulmate.

The small warrior grinned. "Yup." She stepped pass Galahad and put her hand on the warrior’s right arm. "Dinner?"

Xena lowered her hands from her hips but her right hand took Gabrielle’s hand. "Yeah." She squeezed the smaller hand and released Gabrielle’s hand. "Let’s go."

"Right beside you." The smaller knight started walking beside her partner.

Galahad walked beside Xena’s other side after he’d closed his door. "Well I hope this is a good dinner since I’ll be our last here for a while."

Gabrielle lost her smile and she looked down to the stone floor. "Yeah definitely." She had a bad feeling this would be the last time Camelot held all it’s Knights of the Round Table ever again. One thing was for sure, Gabrielle may let Arthur die but she would not let Galahad die. No, she’d formed a deep bond with Ephiny so long ago and here was Ephiny again as a knight in a man’s body. She would not let Ephiny leave this body quickly without living a happy life. Ephiny was too much of a priceless friend of hers, a sister.

Xena sensed what her partner’s thoughts were and placed her right hand up on Gabrielle’s shoulder and squeezed tightly.

The younger woman peered up with a warm smile.

The warrior smiled back and winked in understanding. Her hand fell back down and she turned her attention to Galahad. "Are you ready for the battle soon?"

Sir Galahad smiled up to Xena. "Always ready for action." He grinned. "Nothing like a good war for entertainment."

Xena quietly laughed as they begun going down the stairs. "I agree but only if we win."

"Naturally." Galahad nodded and placed his right hand on his sword’s hilt.

The three friends all made their way to the dinning hall. And there they ate heartily knowing tomorrow night’s meal on the road will not taste quite as good. Wars and food never mixed together.

~*~*~*~

Xena silently closed the door behind to Gabrielle’s room. She watched her partner move to sit on her own bed. Looking a little ahead, the warrior saw the full moon’s light streaming into the room. Moving about the Warrior Princess easily lit a number of candles in the room to see. When she glanced over to Gabrielle, she saw the younger woman sitting on the bed thinking. Slowly the warrior came over and sat on the side of the bed near her partner. "We need to talk."

The smaller warrior took a deep breath and lifted her eyes to Xena. "Yeah." She reached out to take Xena’s closes hand. "How are we going to work this?"

The older woman gazed down at the laced hands and she gradually looked up to Gabrielle. "We’ll have to leave after the surprise attack."

"What about the army Xena?" Gabrielle shook her head. "If we disappear from there it won’t look good."

"True." The warrior thought for an instant and considered a plan. "The thing to do would be to leave right when the main force attacks Mordred’s army."

The bard nodded. "What about Galahad? I don’t want to leave him in that battle to get hurt or even killed."

Xena nodded a few moments but her face was sad. "I don’t think we can do anything Gabrielle."

"Xena." The small woman shook her head. "I won’t let anything happen to him." Her eyes narrowed faintly. "That is Ephiny’s soul in him."

"I know." Xena tore her eyes away. "But we can not stop Galahad from fighting when he wants to." Her eyes came back to Gabrielle. "We both know how Ephiny is, she would not back out of anything she committed herself too. Galahad is the same way, he won’t back away from the battle."

The warrior bard released Xena’s hand a hopped off the bed walking over to the other side of the room. She whirled around. "No Xena. Ephiny deserves a happy life as a knight."

The tall woman sighed. "I agree Gabrielle." She stood and slowly made her way over to Gabrielle. "But Ephiny’s soul has a destiny Gabrielle."

Gabrielle shook her head and wrapped her arms over her stomach. "So we’re here to help her with that destiny."

"No we are not Gabrielle and you know that." The warrior grasped her partner’s shoulder. "We’re not suppose to be here Gabrielle, we never were. We’re not suppose to be immortal and not suppose to be toying with personal lives, only history. Whatever is suppose to happen to Ephiny’s karma is not suppose to because of what we do."

The younger woman looked up with burning eyes. "Toying with history, history is everybody of time and we are toying with every one’s personal lives. Why can’t we help Galahad survive in this battle?"

"Because Galahad will die none the less. Either in this battle or later on."

"How you figure Xena?"

The warrior kept her eyes pinned as she spoke quietly. "Because it is Galahad’s destiny, it is the path Ephiny’s karma follows." She paused and squeezed Gabrielle’s shoulders. "If we toy with a karma’s path then we will possible destroy it Gabrielle. Is that what you really want to do to Ephiny’s soul just so she may be happy in one lifetime?"

The bard shut her eyes as she remembered the day she fought against Alti. That was so long ago yet it was so fresh in her mind. How she learned so much about her soul and Xena’s own soul. They were destined to be together and Alti had threatened that. If Alti had won their own karmas would have forever been destroyed. Slowly Gabrielle’s head bobbed up and down. "Alright." Her eyes open and were rich with sadness. "We won’t do anything to help Galahad."

Xena sighed sadly and pulled her Soulmate in tightly. She hated the idea much as Gabrielle did. The warrior herself had come to find out how much she cared for that Amazon regent so long ago. Xena had realized through the days Ephiny aged that she held a sister relationship with the Amazon. Yet the warrior never took the chance to tell Ephiny how much she cared or loved her because she thought she had all the time in the world. She did have all the time in the world but Ephiny never did.

So that left Xena standing in front of Ephiny’s funeral pyre so long ago. Gabrielle wrapped in her arms and tears streaking down her cheeks. The warrior finally telling Ephiny how much she meant to her in her thoughts. To go back, if only to go back and tell.

Gabrielle opened her eyes and lifted her head to kiss her Soulmate lightly. "She knows Xena."

"I know." The warrior sighed sadly and gave a sad smile. "I was rather stupid."

The bard shook her head. "I never told her either."

"But she knew that you considered her a sister."

Gabrielle sighed unhappily. "I had to wonder during those days." She smiled rather sadly. "But she knows none the less."

Xena nodded. "She does." She leaned down to kiss Gabrielle on the forehead. Bring up her right hand she brush back her partner’s short hair. "How you feel?"

The small woman grinned a little. "A bit mentally tired."

The Warrior Princess chuckled. "Agreed." She looked over to her right at the chairs. "Let’s go sit outside."

Gabrielle took a glimpse back to the chairs. "Sounds good to me." She walked over to the chairs to grab one.

Xena was about to follow her partner’s idea but a knock came. She turned her head towards the door then back to Gabrielle.

The smaller warrior lowered the chair’s legs to the stone floor. "Who is it?"

"Galahad."

The warrior walked over to the door and opened it and there stood Galahad with a smile. "Come in. Gabrielle and I were going to just sit outside."

"Ahh." Galahad walked in with his smile. "May I join?"

"Definitely." Gabrielle smiled across the room.

Galahad flashed a smile and walked up to Gabrielle’s side, he lifted a chair.

Xena shut the door and come up to grab a chair.

The three friends strolled out onto the balcony and sat around each other. They all had a view of Camelot at night and a view of each other.

"Xena?"

"Mmm?"

The warrior bard grinned. "Galahad has a balcony and passageway."

Xena quickly turned her head to the man. "Really?"

Sir Galahad laughed quietly. "Yes."

The warrior narrowed her eyes. "I am jealous."

Gabrielle started to chuckle and rested her arms in her lap. "We could trade rooms Xena."

The tall woman glanced over to her partner. "Nope." She grinned. "I’ll just come over here more often."

Galahad blushed at hearing the comment. He coughed and crossed his legs at the ankle. "Right on ladies."

Both Xena and Gabrielle fell apart laughing together.

The knight ran his right hand through his curly hair. "Sure is a lovely night huh?"

Both Soulmates calmed down to chuckles and took deep breaths.

Gabrielle glanced over to the man. "Very lovely evening."

Sir Galahad grinned and took a deep breath. "Well… since you two are so inclined to talk about each other and rooms. How did you both meet if you don’t mind my asking?"

The bard gazed over at her partner and saw Xena just faintly nod. Gabrielle shifted her eyes to the knight again. "In a grove outside my village."

Galahad furrowed his eyebrows. "That’s a bit of an… odd spot to meet somebody."

Xena grinned. "Very odd." She rested back in her seat. "Gabrielle’s village at the time were trying to be enslaved, at least the women."

"Really?" Galahad nodded. "I didn’t think that sort of thing still happened these days."

Gabrielle quickly jumped in. "Well not really. It’s a rare thing to happen but it does every now and again in Greece."

Galahad considered that. "Well you two would know better then I would. I am hardly worldly." He gazed over at Xena. "So I assume you were the one saving Gabrielle."

"All the time."

"Hey!" Gabrielle straightened up in her seat. "Remember who was the one that saved you from getting pelted by rocks warrior?"

The warrior devilshly grinned. "I can’t quite recall… was so long ago Gabrielle."

"Pfft. Right Xena." Gabrielle sat back in her seat with a smug look. "Or the time I brought you back with Autolycus. Or the time you blacked out from that dart Callisto shot at you. Or when I hit you with the stick when you almost took over that village. Or-"

The warrior cut her off. "Or the time I saved you from the slavers. The time we fell down the well or perhaps the time you almost got killed in your dreamscape. Or rather the time you became a blood sucker. And I remember that time you, Joxer, and Autolycus all tried to stop Jett and the plan wasn’t working. Then there was always-"

"Okay okay okay…" Gabrielle huffed and sat back in her seat with a small glare. "You’ve made your point."

Galahad was sitting back in his seat with an amused look. He’d never seen anything like it. "I’d say you both have been through quite a lot."

Xena sat back in her seat with a smug look. "Oh yeah."

The smaller warrior gazed over at Galahad. "To many things." She grinned a little. "We could tell you stories Galahad you’d never believe."

The knight laughed and he smiled. "I’d be quite interested." He sighed. "But I imagine I don’t have quite that much time."

The taller woman smiled over to the man. "Tell us a little about your past Galahad."

The man sadly smiled over to Xena. "I am afraid there’s not much to tell." He shrugged his shoulders.

"You mean being a squire at a young age didn’t bring… adventures?" Gabrielle grinned over to Galahad.

Sir Galahad quietly laughed. "It did bring adventures." He took a deep breath. "Well… like I told you both I’ve lived in England all my life." He paused and stared down to his hands. "My parents were both killed in the several civil wars in England." His eyes lifted back up to the two women. "I left home and headed up north towards Whales where I heard about Arthur." He shrugged his shoulders. "Arthur was young then himself and I was filled with rage." A long breath as Galahad recalled his past. "I came to Whales in hopes to escape my past of course you never can do such a thing. And I also heard about Arthur and his battles against the old ways with Mab. I wanted to join but I couldn’t because I was rather young. So I ended up becoming a squire to Sir Henry when I was around… fourteen or so." Galahad stared down at his feet. "That was right around the time Camelot first began and peace was beginning again." He lifted his head with a sad smile. "It’s amazing what can happen over time."

"It is." Gabrielle’s head bobbed up and down in agreement. "Any siblings?"

Galahad shook his head. "None. Only child."

The bard nodded. "I know all of that feeling."

The knight quickly gave a confused look. "You’re an only child?"

Gabrielle dropped her eye contact. "No… my family was killed a long time ago."

"I’m sorry. What happened?"

The small knight gazed over to Galahad. "My town caught on fire some how and everybody was killed. I had a sister and then my mother and father."

Galahad moved his head in understanding. "It’s not easy." He sadly smiled. "But always find people to help you feel that lost love again."

Gabrielle nodded. "Luckily I have."

The man smiled and looked over the warrior. "You have any sad tales to tell?" A sad grin.

Xena quietly laughed. "I am afraid I can join the pity party." She chuckled with everybody else.

The man crossed his arms in his lap. "What happen in your past?"

"A lot." The Warrior Princess crossed her legs. "But it began when I was rather young. Somebody attack my village and at the time I was destined to stop the attack. Ssso I took up arms with my village and stopped the attack." She shrugged her shoulders. "For the following twelve years or so I fell into a lot of darkness."

"Really?" Galahad shook his head. "You don’t strike me to be the one to… well be dark."

"Mmm." Xena grinned faintly. "And you never strike me to be the one to have lost family."

The knight chuckled quietly. "Very true." He smiled warmly. "But it’s obvious you got off that path."

"I did." Xena smiled warmly and her eyes shifted to Gabrielle.

Galahad then knew the exact depth of things between these women. "Very interesting." He gazed over at Gabrielle who had her eyes locked with Xena. Her eyes were sparkling deeply. The knight grinned a little. "Well I do hope I find my other half like you both have." He sighed and stood up. "And I best be leaving to leave you both alone."

The bard suddenly flushed at the words. "Hell." She lifted her head to Galahad. "You don’t have to leave."

The man smiled. "Actually, I really should. Tomorrow we leave early and we’ll all need the rest." He took a deep breath. "And I believe it’s best to let you both have the night together."

The bard reached out to take the knight’s hand. "Thanks Galahad."

"You’re welcome." Sir Galahad squeezed his friend’s hand for a second and released the small hand. Gazing over to Xena he smiled. "Goodnight Xena."

The warrior smiled very warmly. "Goodnight Galahad. Sleep well tonight."

"I will." He lifted his chair. Ambling over to the balcony’s doorway he peered back. "And I am sure I do not have to tell you both to have a goodnight." He turned around with his own grin. "Goodnight to you ladies."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Goodnight Galahad.

"Goodbye Galahad." Xena listen to hear the chair settle down inside Gabrielle’s room. Next she heard the front door open and close.

The younger woman stood up from her chair and came up to her Soulmate. "He’s a smart knight."

Gabrielle sat in Xena’s lap. "Ephiny was a smart Amazon."

Xena grinned. "Very true." She brought her right hand behind her partner’s head and pulled her head down. "And you’re a beautiful woman."

The bard’s lips swept into a grin as her eyes went a shade deeper. "Mmm but you’re a lot sexier then me." She finished the small distance to take Xena’s lips.

The warrior moaned in the kiss and felt her friend’s hands slip up her shirt. When they pulled back from the kiss, Xena brushed her lips carefully against Gabrielle’s neck. "Don’t be so sure about that." A response to earlier.

Gabrielle shut her eyes and let her head fall back. "Xena." A whisper of plea.

The warrior grinned and wrapped her arms tightly around her partner. She stood while lifting her Soulmate.

The darkness around hid them.

Xena carried her partner into the bedchamber and settled her onto the bed.

The small warrior quickly reached up to grab Xena by her sword’s belt and pulled her down. Gabrielle took her Soulmate’s lips into a dangerous kiss.

The tall woman held herself over Gabrielle with her arms and crawled over the small woman’s body. "You before me Gabrielle." Her lips shifted to the bard’s neck and chest.

Gabrielle grinned and moved her hands to go up the warrior’s shirt and directly to her warm breasts. "Don’t be to sure about that."

Xena closed her eyes and lost the battle.

Just the Soulmates of Time. It would always just be the Soulmates of Time in history. This pair of immortals believed to hold the power against time and it’s destiny it would bring against mankind. Do they really hold such power? Have they ever? As we say, time would tell. Time would tell, time would only tell.

And the next coming days time would tell what would happen to Arthur and his dream. The Soulmates would see the destiny of light end and a new begin. That was the way it must be.