Standard Disclaimer: Okay, here goes . . . All the characters in this story belong to MCA/Universal, Ren Pic and whoever else is actually on the payroll of Xena: Warrior Princess. I’m only borrowing the characters to fulfil a desire to set things right in my own little mind (and on monitor or paper for those of you with like minds). No copyright infringement is intended. This story is gratis for all who wish to read it.

Violence Warning/Disclaimer: Nope -- This is a party story! Rest, relaxation, dancing, singing Amazons and the reinstatement of a Queen.

Love/Sex Warning/Disclaimer: This story is about love, family healing, and an explicit sexual relationship between two consenting adult women. If you are under 18 years of age, if lesbian relationships offend you or if this type of story is illegal in the state, province or country in which you live, please do not go any further. Go back to making cookies, go play with your toys or go visit the Disney site but do not read this story.

Positive feedback always welcomed and tends to keep the fingers typing. (If you don’t like lesbians – I don’t need to know -- Feel free to go somewhere else for entertainment.)

Xantheia

Carole Giorgio aka WomynBard@aol.com

Xena was the first out of bed and dressed. Looking down at Gabrielle, she felt a slight twinge of guilt for not bandaging the bruised ribs before falling off to sleep. But they were both exhausted after making love. Leaving Gabrielle’s hands unwrapped at night was okay, but her ribcage should have been bound to keep her from hurting herself more by tossing. Luckily, the wine she had imbibed kept her from doing too much tossing and the aphrodisiac she had before sleep cast her deep into the world of dreams where she hardly moved all night long. A final glance over at the sleeping bard and Xena walked through the front door, only to be greeted by a swarm of young Amazons with nothing better to do than stand around the Queen’s hut gossiping.

“If you want to do something constructive . . .” The warrior began addressing the group, until her boot struck something hard, just outside the door. Looking down she found fruit, juice, sweet breads, clean water, and towels. Hades, now I’ll have to find something nice to say. “ . . . Any of you who are in need of some instruction, I intend to hold a practice session on sword wielding in the field this afternoon.” The stern glare she set on the gathering belied the warmth and affection she was feeling for these young women who seemed to care so readily for their new Queen. Most everything that any of the Amazons standing before her knew of Gabrielle had been from older members of the tribe, and yet they all supported their new Queen whole-heartedly. Besides, if she was going to become a fixture here in the village then it would be best to make a place for herself in the village, other than the place history already supplied her with.

One of the sisters stepped forward to ask Xena when she wanted to hold the practice.

“Give me time to help your Queen get settled for the morning. I’ll meet with you half way between now and when the sun is full in the sky. Pick teams among yourselves and a leader for each team; warm up before I get there.” With a slight wave of her hand she dismissed the crowd and turned to retrieve the offerings.

The gentle breathing of her bard was the only sound in the quiet hut, as the warrior reentered with gift-laden arms. Xena didn’t want to disturb her lover’s sleep, but she needed to redress the wounds. She decided to give the blonde a few more candlemarks, while she went and checked on Argo. Perhaps she would even be able to find Eve and ask her about making the trip to Potidaea and Amphipolis with them before the next full moon.

Again outside the hut, she whistled for Argo and the young carbon copy of her beloved mare came galloping from the wooded area behind the hut. “There you are girl; did you and your friend have as interesting an evening as we did?” She jumped onto the palomino and rode toward the communal lodge that had been just candlemarks before the site of the banquet welcoming Gabrielle back to her throne. The village was abnormally quiet and the warrior attributed that to the fact that she imagined quite a few Amazons had only just recently found their way to bed.

Of course those who had to tend to the children were up and about, and definitely someone was preparing the morning meal, as the pungent aroma of freshly brewed herbs mingled with the enticing odor of cooking boar tantalized her nostrils. “Argo, we must remember to take something back to Gabrielle; she will be disappointed to know that she has missed a morning meal such as this.” Dismounting the horse, she entered the large room. Glancing down at the young girls who smiled up at her with the innocence of youth as they went about the chore of cleaning up the mess made by their elders the evening before, the warrior headed toward the kitchen area.

Minutes later, she was walking with a full plate in hand over to the Royal Table. While eating, she played over in her mind the anticipated length of time it was going to take Gabrielle to totally recover from her cuts, bruises and sore ribs. Xena counted on the fact that the bard had always been a quick healer. She imagined they would be able to leave in a week if the bard followed her instructions and spent that time taking care of her Queenly duties from a throne chair and letting others do all the running and fetching. It really would be a good time for Gabrielle to reacquaint herself with the writing of her scrolls and maybe even work with some of the bards in the village.

On her list of things to do, one of the top priorities was to get to know the resident healer, Thraso. They had been introduced when she offered to help with Gabrielle’s wounds, after the competition with Tecmessa, but Xena quickly sent her over to take care of displaced Regent instead. With knowing eyes, the healer had given the warrior no argument and in doing so had won the respect of the Queen’s Champion.

The solitary warrior ate her breakfast and was preparing to leave when Eve and Toxaris walked in. Toxaris’ hand, which was resting comfortably on Eve’s arm, was promptly removed when she saw the warrior staring up at her from her seat at the Royal Table. Xena did her best to keep from laughing at the uncomfortable look on the woman’s face. It was obvious that she was smitten with Eve but afraid that Xena would disapprove.

“Good morning ladies. How are your heads feeling today, a little fuzzy perhaps.”

“More than just a little fuzzy, Mother. But I did have an excellent time.” Eve smiled in the direction of Toxaris and then walked up and gave Xena a peck on the cheek. “How’s Mom feeling?”

“She’s still sleeping. I intend to take her back a plate of this fried boar. She’d have my head if didn’t.” She whispered the last sentence so that only her daughter could hear it. No sense in letting the entire community in on the secret that Gabrielle had her wrapped around her little finger.

“I need to talk to you for a few minutes Eve.” Xena motioned for the young woman to sit beside her.

“Hey, let me go get us something to eat, while you sit here with your Mom,” Toxaris offered.

“Thanks, Toxi,” Eve smiled up at her friend before turning back to her mother. “What’s up?”

“Gabrielle and I are going to take a trip to Potidaea and Amphipolis before the wedding. She would like both Lila and your grandmother Cyrene to be here for the event, if at all possible. We were wondering if you would like to go along with us. It would be good for you to meet your grandmother and for her to meet you, especially if it turns out that she can’t make the trip back here with us.”

“I’d love to go along. When do you think Mom will be well enough to travel? Those ribs of hers took quite a bruising, didn’t they?”

“I figure if we keep her ribs wrapped tightly and she sits still and lets her body heal, we might be able to leave here in a week, two if she doesn’t cooperate. I don’t want her joggling around on a horse until she can do it without wincing.”

“No problem for me. I’ll just make myself useful around here until then.”

“Who knows, Eve, you might want to settle in one of the two little towns.”

“I think not, Mother.” The twinkle in her daughter’s eye was inescapable and Xena read the meaning behind it quite easily.

“I see . . . maybe not . . . but visiting would give you a chance to perhaps even meet some cousins if your Uncle Toris is still in Amphipolis.”

“That sounds like fun. Listen, I don’t know if she’d want to or not, but could Toxaris come with us? I don’t think she’s ever been as far as Amphipolis.”

Xena smiled at her daughter whose eyes sparkled with the hopes of new love. “Sure, why not? Might as well descend upon the family full force.”

Toxaris came back with two fully loaded plates of food and placed one down in front of Eve before sitting next to her. “So, Xena what do you plan on doing with yourself today?”

“I don’t want to venture too far from the village while Gabrielle is healing. I told some of the younger warriors I would give them some sword lessons in the field a little after breakfast.”

“I hope you’re prepared for the onslaught that’s sure to cause,” Toxaris smiled over at the warrior who looked at her questioningly. “By the Gods Xena, you’re a legend; they’ll flock to that field to get a chance to spar with you or even to just watch you practice.”

“I don’t think . . .” the warrior began but was interrupted by a tap on her shoulder.

“Excuse me Warrior Princess . . . “

“Xena will do,” the warrior corrected as she looked directly into the face of a very young Amazon.

“Xena . . . the Queen is asking if anyone saw where you went when you left the hut.”

“She’s up already?” The wine must have worn off and she’s feeling the ribs again.

“Eve, Toxaris . . . talk to you later.” Reaching down she picked up Eve’s as yet untouched plate. “You don’t mind if I take this do you? She’s sure to be famished.”

Eve shook her head and smiled at her mother’s concern for her mate. “Tell her I send my love and will check in on her later today.”

“Thanks Eve.” Xena nodded at the two women and proceeded out of the building. Within seconds the warrior was up on Argo and headed back to the Queen’s hut, doing a balancing act with a full plate of food.

********************

“Hut service.” The verbal announcement made it through the door before Xena actually made her appearance. When she did open the door and walk through, an unexpected sight greeted her. Gabrielle was hunched over on her knees in the middle of the bed sobbing.

“Gabrielle,” the warrior’s heart ached at the picture. She put the plate of food down on the table and walked over to the bed. Gently sitting on the edge, the warrior placed a hand on the crying bard’s back. “What’s the matter, Honey?”

Between sobs, the blonde looked up into the caring eyes of her mate, her own green pools overflowing. “I hurt twice as much this morning as I did last night, (sigh) the effect of the wine has worn off, (another sigh) and to top it all off I’ve started my cycle.” Her head went back down onto the bed as a new barrage of tears began to flow.

“Well,” the warrior began trying to make a little light of the situation, “that’s probably one of the reasons you were so ferocious in battle yesterday. I should have realized you were so close.”

“Xena, don’t make me laugh, it hurts!” The bard scolded.

“I’m sorry, Gabrielle.” The raven-haired beauty tenderly took the smaller woman into her arms. “Come here my little warrior/bard.” Small arms wound around the taller woman’s waist as she allowed herself to be crooned to by her lover.

“I feel miserable, Xena.”

“I know, I know,” the warrior soothed. “But the good news is that today will be the worst day and then things will start getting better. As soon as you eat something, and I’ll wrap your ribs and your hands, and then I’m going to Thraso’s hut and see if she has something to ease the pain. I need to replenish my supply of herbs. Hey.” Placing a hand under Gabrielle’s chin she lifted the face she adored until she could again look into her lover’s eyes. “At least you won’t have any complications while we’re traveling. You know how you hate that.”

“Yeah.” She managed to smile up at her dark warrior. “We’ll probably just have you to deal with in that respect.” Changing the subject without saying a word, the bard sniffed into the air and smiled.

“I know that look,” Xena chuckled. “Your stomach finally acknowledged that there’s food in the room. Do you think I should share my morning meal with you?”

“Very funny, but I’ll bet it’s not your stomach that’s rumbling. Knowing you, Xena, you’ve already eaten . . . that plate’s for me, right?” Gabrielle glanced over at the plate laden with goodies.

“You think so?”

“Pretty sure.” Soft verdant eyes looked up and the bard batted long blonde eyelashes in her warrior’s direction. “That’s my plate, right?”

“Even the fried boar?”

“Fried boar! Gaia, Xena we haven’t had that in seasons – you best believe that’s mine.” Stopping to realize how selfish that sounded, she shyly glanced up at the dark-haired woman. “You have already eaten, haven’t you?”

“Yes, Gabrielle, I have. The plate is all yours. Do you want to come sit at the table or eat here on the bed?”

“I think in the long run, I’ll be more comfortable at the table.” She started to get off the bed and began to wince.

Xena reached over and without any problem at all carefully lifted her broken bard off the bed and carried her to the chair. “We’ll get you cleaned up, salved, and wrapped as soon as you eat.

“Thanks Xena, I hate feeling like a big baby.”

“I’ll bet you’re not the only one in the village today with aches and pains.” The warrior grinned down at her charge. “You and Tecmessa might lead the pack but there are others with heads that will be throbbing for candlemarks. That was quite some celebration, my Queen.” A small grin adorned the well-chiseled features of the champion. “I talked to Eve this morning; actually, that’s her plate you’re eating from . . .”

“What?” Gabrielle almost choked on her mouthful.

“Not to worry – She had just gotten it when your little messenger arrived telling me you were awake. Eve gave of it freely and went for another.” Xena assured the aching blonde. “Anyhow she said she wants to come with us on the trip.” The warrior’s eyes softened as she looked at her bard, “Gabrielle, I think she might be falling for Toxaris; she asked if it was okay if she came with us.”

“That’s marvelous Xena. Toxaris would be company for Eve when she starts getting tired of listening to us. It’s difficult trying to treat Eve like a daughter sometimes when she’s been through almost as much as we have.”

“Almost is the operative word, my soul.” Xena acknowledged.

“I do hope she knows what she’s doing though; I would hate for Toxaris to be hurt because Eve is experimenting with a new lifestyle.”

“No matter, Gabrielle, we couldn’t keep either one of them from getting burned. They have to live their own lives.”

“I guess you’re right,” the bard agreed as she continued to chow down on the food before her. “Are you still hungry?”

“No.” Xena assured her as she poured the blonde a glass of juice. “You need a lot of liquids and a lot of rest Gabrielle, especially if you want to leave in a week.”

When Gabrielle was finished eating, Xena helped her with all the chores of everyday living that needed to be taken care of before insisting it was time for medicinals and wrapping. Even after having a decent amount of sleep, the energy expended with moving around tired the small blonde, and Xena insisted that she either sit quietly and write or lay back down and rest.

Opting for the former, Gabrielle hurried Xena off to do whatever it was she had promised the young Amazons as she took pen to scroll and began immortalizing their adventures, going back to the fateful day they both drank the tears of Celesta.

Walking out of the hut, into a sun that was halfway to mid-day, the warrior realized that she would not have time to visit the healer until after the practice.

“Hey, you,” she called to a young sister.

“Me?” The young girl pointed to herself, as she looked around to see if anyone else was in sight.

“Yeah, you.” Xena motioned the youngster to come closer. “Here,” she practically whispered as she handed the girl the plates and cups from her hands. “Your Queen would greatly appreciate it if you would clean these and take them back to the communal dining room, she is feeling a little out of sorts today.”

“Oh,” the young girl’s face brightened into a beaming smile. “I would be honored to do that for the Bard Queen . . . “

“ . . . Gabrielle.” Xena corrected the girl. “She prefers to be called Gabrielle when it’s not a formal ceremony.”

“Right.” The girl agreed as she took the unclean dishes, cups and utensils and skipped onward toward the lodge.

Xena brushed her hands in front of her and smiled. Well that’s one way to get the dishes done. Warriors await me. I can’t be bogged down with household chores. Rest well, my soul, I’ll be back before you miss me.

********************

When nearing the practice green, the warrior began to wish that she hadn’t opened her big mouth and volunteered. From the sound of the voices, over half the Village had showed up to spar with the Warrior Princess. Coming into visual range she seconded her thoughts. What in Tartarus have I gotten myself into now? I only wanted to make a place . . . not start a Royal Academy of Swording. Taking a deep breath, she unsheathed her sword, started running and voicing her famous battle cry, Ay yiyiyiyi. She ran around the stragglers, dodged some of the startled ones as they turned to see what was happening, and jumped over the closest head to the center of the group, landing smack in the middle of them all.

“Okay kiddies.” Holding her sword out at an angle in front of her and spinning slowly, with a look on her face that sent the faint hearted among them back toward the perimeter of the field, she announced in an intimating voice, “School’s open, who wants to play with the teacher.”

********************

Having spent much more time on the practice field than anticipated, the warrior decided to check on Gabrielle before stopping off at Thraso’s. She found the bard in basically the same position she had left her . . . well . . . she was still seated in the chair. But her head was down on the table, one arm under it and the other hand still holding onto the quill. The small woman was sleeping soundly.

“Gabrielle,” the warrior whispered. No response from the sleeping bard.

She tiptoed over and gently placed a hand on the sloping shoulders. Gabrielle jumped and then winced as the pain to her ribs increased with the quick movement.

“Oh, Gabrielle, I’m sorry . . .”

“It’s okay Xena, you just scared me.”

“I tried being . . .”

“I know . . .” the blonde smiled up at her warrior who wore a concerned frown. “It’s just that I haven’t moved from this chair since you left, but I finished one complete scroll.”

“That’s an accomplishment.”

“How did your practice go?”

“Let’s say that I wasn’t expecting to be quite as popular as I turned out to be.”

Gabrielle laughed as she watched her warrior unhook her armor and lay it over a chair. “What did you expect, Xena? You are the famous Warrior Princess and you offered the warriors a first hand practice with you. I bet you had some who were frightened to death to spar with you and others who wanted to show how good they were.” She smiled broadly when she saw a crooked grin cross her lover’s face. “So you are one popular warrior, huh, my love?”

“So it seems,” the dark champion admitted as she came back and put her arms gently around her bard. “But it does feel good to be back in the quiet of this room with you.” She placed a kiss on the flaxen crown then lifted her lover’s face to meet her own. There was still a trace of pain in the sea-green eyes that looked up at her but the Shamaness inside the warrior could tell that the healing was already beginning and that it wouldn’t be long before Gabrielle would be her old self again.

“After I get cleaned up and we get something to eat, I still need to pay a visit to Thraso. The sparring ran far longer than expected. I also talked a bit with Tecmessa and she would like to visit with you tomorrow to go over some of the duties with you and to catch you up on general Village information.”

“Xena do you think it would be wise to ask her to act as Regent again, while we are gone?”

“I think she would be an excellent choice, and by doing that you would even further her commitment to you and her loyalty.”

“Those were my thoughts exactly, but I wanted to run them by you first. So . . . were you saying something about food?”

********************

Rather than take Gabrielle down to the lodge again, Xena suggested they take their meal to the lake where the bard could take in some fresh air and relax in the sunlight for a while. They first rode to the kitchen area where Xena had one of the cooks fill a basket with roast boar, goat cheese, bread, and fruit. While that was being prepared, she filled a wineskin with some Amazon wine. Gabrielle had nothing better to do but rest and heal. A little elixir of the vine would help act as an ideal sedative and painkiller and that way the warrior wouldn’t have to argue with the headstrong woman about overdoing.

The afternoon sun was warm and the lake water only slightly cool. They decided to wash up first, eat and then rest on the warm rocks that dotted the small sandy-loam area surrounding the lake. It was a secluded portion of the lake, slightly set in from the rest of the swimming areas and surrounded by bushes that offered a great deal of privacy for the Queen and her company.

Adept fingers unrolled the cloth binding the bard’s ribs and then the strip covering the split knuckles on Gabrielle’s hands. When they entered the water Xena took the bandages in also to clean them before drying them on a rock. They smelled of the strong salve she had placed on earlier this morning to help heal the bruised muscles and open wounds.

The process of bathing was always a pleasant prospect between the two women and Gabrielle insisted that today be no different than any other. Gabrielle usually did the soaping up of her lover’s long dark tresses, but Xena was afraid that the vigorous gyrations of hair washing would jar the bard’s bruised ribs; Gabrielle would not hear of not performing the ritual for her lover.

“I love washing your hair Xena, and I know how much you enjoy having your head scratched.” Gabrielle smiled when the taller woman finally got down on her knees in the water and allowed the bard to soap the raven hair fully.

“Yeah, like the village puppy,” Xena playfully answered as she grabbed the smaller woman’s hands and held them in her own. “I am so thankful to Aphrodite for allowing us to heal from the catastrophic battle with the Gods.”

“Ditto, my love. And coming here has been good for us too, and good for Eve.”

“It hasn’t done you that much good. Gabrielle, you can barely walk without hurting.” She turned the small hands over in her own. “Or write, for that matter.”

“Yes, but we both know that the aches and pains will heal in days and then we have the rest of our lives to look forward to. This was simply a necessary evil that needed to be endured before I could claim the throne again. Okay – rinse.”

The blonde watched as the love of her life went under the water, causing ripples to form on the lake surface, as she rinsed her long tresses and scattered the suds. Coming back up she threw her head back, but not before thoroughly wetting Gabrielle. The sunlight shone on the wet ebony locks and Gabrielle could have sworn she saw a prism of rainbow lights dancing around her lover’s head as she shook off the clear liquid. There was nothing more beautiful than the sight of her warrior totally naked and glistening with droplets of water.

“I think we’re about finished here, aren’t we, Xena?”

Hearing the exasperation in the bard’s voice, the warrior cocked her head to one side. “Is there something wrong?”

“Only the fact that I think it’s time I eat something, other than what is racing around in my mind to eat.” A mischievous grin greeted the warrior as fingers touched her gingerly beneath the water.

“You know we have to take it easy for a few days . . . “

“No . . . I know You have to take it easy . . . I like easy,” the blonde chortled as her fingers found the curly spot between her warriors thighs.

“Gabrielle – look at your knuckles.” Xena insisted, bringing the straying hands up and surveying the cuts that had already begun to scab over thanks to the salve.

“You know it doesn’t hurt as much underwater, maybe we can stay in the lake until I’m completely healed.”

“Good try,” the warrior chuckled as she scooped the blonde up in her arms and carried her toward the shoreline.

Putting the soaking wet woman down on a warm flat rock, the warrior went and retrieved the food filled basket.

“You know, Xena, I could get used to being waited on,” Gabrielle teased. “You do a good imitation of Delilah Domestic,” she giggled.

“Just for that I should relegate you to berries and stale bread,” the warrior replied, turning away to hide the grin on her face.

Although it was not something she would like to spend the rest of her existence doing, it felt good to be able to pamper the woman who usually handled the sensitive areas of their lives. It was a change of pace for her to be getting the meal ready as Gabrielle was always the one to make sure she had a good meal in her stomach before going off on any adventure. It was even kind of nice not to have to be going off saving the good guys and dealing with the bad for a while. Her only hope was that Gabrielle realized that occasionally the warrior side of her nature would need something to defend.

From listening to the Amazons at the practice this morning, she assumed they would have their hands full in a few moons if the negotiations with the Dramarians didn’t begin shaping up. On the other hand, arbitration was one of Gabrielle’s strong suits. Xena put the thoughts of war and retribution out of mind and turned back to her bard, wine goblets in hand.

She handed the bard a glass of the red elixir, put the basket between them and then went and got two clean shifts from Argo’s saddlebag.

“We should probably put these on; I don’t need you getting a sunburn on top of all your other ailments.”

“Is that the only reason you want me covered up, warrior?”

“No!” Xena admitted. “But we don’t need to discuss that right now,” she smiled over at the blonde and handed her a piece of cheese and bread.

Another glass of wine and a full stomach later, the smaller woman was napping peacefully under the declining sun, while her warrior was deciding whether to leave her or wake her up. The rock Gabrielle was laying on was slowly being absorbed into the shadows. Xena grabbed a blanket from Argo’s back and a scrap of scroll to write a short note on to let Gabrielle know she wouldn’t be gone long. With that done the warrior tenderly bent down and kissed her bard softly on the forehead.

“Sweet dreams, my soul, I’ll be back before the stars are visible in the sky.” With that said, she mounted Argo and headed in the direction of the healer’s hut.

********************

On the opposite side of the village from the Queen’s hut sat the hut of the Shamaness Thraso. The dwelling was situated slightly into the woods and flanked on one side by a creek fed pond. Had the pond been there 25 years ago, the warrior would have chosen this very spot for their hut, as it had all the necessities close at hand. She liked the idea of having fresh water so near and had seriously thought about changing the location of the Queen’s hut if they did, indeed, decide to put down roots here. She would have been just as pleased if Gabrielle had wanted to stay by the private lake with the grotto, but her bard was too much of a people person to hide her alone out in the woods away from civilization for too long a period of time. Who would she tell her stories to?

The sound of children’s voices brought her back to the chore at hand. She needed some replacement herbs, a bit more salve and perhaps something to help with the bruising on Gabrielle’s chest. Three young girls came running out of the hut just as Xena was about to knock.

“Bye SoSo, see you tomorrow,” the older of the three yelled, grabbing the middle child’s hand.

“Bye SoSo,” the middle girl echoed.

“Bye-bye,” came the soft remark of the third little girl who couldn’t have been more than three.

Xena watched as they filed out and began running down the path, back toward the Village. She smiled at the exuberance of youth and turned back around to be greeted by a woman equal in stature to herself. Soft gray eyes stared into vivid blue as the healer extended her hand to her visitor.

“The little ones call me SoSo,” she explained. “Good to see you again, Xena; I’ve been anxiously awaiting our meeting. It’s been a busy few days for you.”

“Yes it has. I need to ask a favor of you.”

“Yes?”

“I’m running low on salve and some of the medicines I need to speed up Gabrielle’s recovery.”

“I’m sure I have something around here that will be of service to you. Would you like me to come take a look at the Queen’s wounds?”

“I don’t think that will be necessary, thank you for offering, but they are truly superficial. I just need something to help ease the pain, other than Amazon wine, salve to help heal the cuts and perhaps something for the bruising.”

“I’d be honored to give what I have, Xena.” The healer began rummaging through her shelves and came up with everything that had been requested. “I think you will find it all here. Let me get you a bag to carry it in. Do you have enough wrapping cloth to stabilize the Queen’s ribs?”

“Yes, and Thraso . . . Gabrielle will do. She prefers to be called Gabrielle unless it is official business.”

“Gabrielle it is then. I look forward to meeting her informally when she is feeling better.”

“I’m sure she feels the same. I know she plans on having a meeting of all the elders and decision making members of the Village within the next day or so. I am certain that you are on that list.”

The other woman merely smiled and nodded as she went about finding something to put the medicines in. “I hear you are quite a healer Xena; are the tales true? I was only 12 seasons when you were here last but you reigned in my imagination for many years after. I remembered the way you carried yourself and the respect afforded you by the entire village. I prayed to Artemis often to bring you back so I could get to know you and after all these years, my requests have been answered.”

“Unfortunately, not by Artemis.” Xena admitted softly.

“Unfortunately,” the healer agreed. “I would like for us to compare notes sometime, Xena. I have all of Yakut’s recipes, and spells, some of which I know were provided her by you.”

Xena was unsure how to take the praise being lavished on her by the woman standing in front of her. This tall Shamaness had a sense of power surrounding her, a power that blocked anyone from reading the healer too easily. It would be an interesting friendship to foster.

“Perhaps when we return from Amphipolis and Potidaea we could meet and get to know each other a little better,” Xena offered.

“When are you leaving? You say ‘we’, is the Queen leaving the Village so soon after her reinstatement?”

“We won’t be gone very long, but we haven’t seen any of our relatives since before we were put into the deep freeze. Gabrielle would like . . . I mean we would like her sister, Lila and my mother, Cyrene, here for the wedding if we find that it is at all feasible. Eve will be going with us also, just in case my mother is unable to make it back, she hasn’t seen Eve since she was only moons old.”

“In that case, Xena, I wish you the best of luck on your trip and anything I can do to help prepare the Que . . . Gabrielle for the journey, please feel free to ask.”

“Thanks Thraso,” Xena offered the woman her hand. “And thank you for the supplies, I’ll be sure to pay you back as soon as I get the time to . . .”

“No need, Xena. I know you are the Queen’s companion, but I am her healer and anything I have that she needs is hers for the asking.” The gray eyes sparkled as they watched the play of emotions cross the warrior’s face. She doesn’t know whether to be thankful or jealous. Oh, warrior, you and I will be good friends; I promise.

“As you wish, but now I need to get back to Gabrielle. I left her sleeping by the lake and promised to be back before it got too very late.”

“By all means, then you must go.” She handed the warrior the satchel with the medicines and bid her farewell.

********************

Upon approaching the lake, Xena could hear the lilt of Gabrielle’s laughter and a few other voices she wasn’t quite sure of. At least it sounded like the bard was in good spirits and that was a plus. The closer she got the more she realized that one of the visitors was Eve. She was glad the young woman had been true to her word and sought Gabrielle out before the end of the day.

“So,” Xena walked over and sat down next to Gabrielle, acknowledging Eve and Toxaris before giving her lover a peck on the cheek. “I’m gone a few candlemarks and you throw a party without me.

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a party, Xena.” Gabrielle held up the empty wineskin. You and I drained this before you left. She smiled up into her lover’s eyes and whispered, “Thanks for letting me sleep; it was sweet of you to leave a note.”

“You’re welcome,” the warrior mouthed back. “So how long has your company been here?”

“We didn’t wake her up, if that’s what you’re fishing for, Mother.” Eve volunteered. “She was sitting here watching the fish jump when we arrived.”

“Then you’ve been visiting for only a little while?”

“Long enough to talk about the trip and tell Mom that Toxaris has agreed to go with us. From all Mom has told me about Lila, I’m anxious to meet her, and of course Grandmother.” Eve reached over and kissed Gabrielle on the cheek. “I think we’ll take off now, I think Mother wants to torture you with something she has in that bag she’s carrying.” Scooting off the large rock she motioned for Toxaris to follow. “We’ll try to check in on you again tomorrow Mom.”

“That’s great, I really appreciated the company this afternoon.” Gabrielle waved, as they started walking away from the area.

“Are you having another practice tomorrow, Mother?” There was a bit of a wicked glint in Eve’s eyes as she smiled over at her mother. “You seem to have quite a following.”

“Well, it does seem as though I started something and should at least give it a little time before squelching it. Maybe I’ll pick some leaders to help. Will you be there tomorrow, Eve?” Now it was Xena’s turn to grin.

“I’m not sure . . .”

“Now Eve, why don’t you go and help your mother tomorrow. From what I understand there was quite a large turnout. You could use the practice to keep in shape, I’m sure.” Gabrielle looked over at her daughter’s companion. “You, too, Toxaris. Xena needs some good swordswomen to help.”

“Is that a Royal order, Mom?” Eve wanted to know.

“Do I have to make it one?”

“No, ma’am.” Toxaris chimed in.

“Now see what you’ve done to her Mom.” Eve looked over at her mother for help and of course received absolutely none.

“Don’t know what you’re looking at me for.” Xena smiled at Eve, knowing she had just gotten the better of the young woman without uttering a word.

“Oh, all right . . . I have nothing better to do anyway . . . and the exercise would be good for me. See you at the same time tomorrow, Mother.”

“Good night Eve. Good night Toxaris.”

Toxaris bid her farewells and the two women took off back toward the Village. Xena opened up the bag and began taking out the medicines Thraso has so graciously shared with her.

“So, my love, how are you feeling this evening?”

“A little sore, but very lifted in spirit. It was good to sit and talk to Eve and Toxaris is really smitten with her. I think the journey home should be an interesting one. I hope we are not disappointed or saddened when we arrive at our destinations.”

“You know, Gabrielle, we’re going to have to trust Toxaris with the secret of the ledge?”

“I think it’ll be okay, don’t you, Xena? I think she’ll be able to keep a secret.”

“You may have to make it a Royal order.”

“So be it, if I do. Now, what it is you have there?”

“Well.” The warrior opened the jar of salve. “This is a little bit stronger salve than the one I had in the saddlebags, and it is much fresher.” She took her lover’s hand in her own and carefully covered the scabbing over cuts with the gel. “This should have these healed in a matter of days.”

“I certainly hope it does, I hate feeling so helpless.”

“Gabrielle just try to enjoy this time of healing.” The warrior proceeded to wrap the hands with clean bandages and then added a dab of the salve to her lover’s lip before replacing the lid and going for the herbs to help with the muscles surrounding the bard’s ribcage. “This should numb the area a little and then penetrate and help with your muscular pains.” That finished she re-wrapped Gabrielle’s ribs and asked her if she was ready to go home.

“What’s in the bottle?” The bard asked.

“This? Oh, this is to help you sleep if you still have pains that keep you awake.”

“I thought that’s what the wine was for?”

“We don’t need to have you relying on that everyday, do we?”

“I guess not, but I’m sure it probably tastes better than what you have there.” She smiled at Xena and started sliding carefully off the large boulder. “It’s been a lovely day, but I do think home sounds appealing. Do we have any fruit and perhaps some of that nutbread left from this morning?”

Xena raised an eyebrow in the direction of the small blonde. “Yes, Gabrielle, we have some food at the hut. In fact, I think there still might be something left in the basket from this afternoon.”

“No, nothing left in the basket.” A sheepish look crossed Gabrielle’s face as she slowly walked toward Argo.

“Why does that not surprise me,” the warrior said to herself, shaking her head, as she joined her partner and helped her onto the palomino.

********************

Five days had passed and Gabrielle was beginning to go stir crazy being cooped up in the hut most of the day. She had finished a few more scrolls. History would be advised of the situation they had found upon awakening, the battle with the Gods and the transformation of Livia back to Eve. She also held daily meetings with the elders of the Village and/or Tecmessa who was gracious enough to fill her in on the politics that were plaguing the area. During one of her conversations with the new leader of her Royal Guard, she asked the woman if she would reclaim the temporary station of Regent in her own absence, and Tecmessa gratefully accepted. The two were becoming fast friends, which seemed to be in the best interests of everyone in the Village.

Xena, when she wasn’t administering to Gabrielle’s wounds, found herself busy with the activity that had become more popular than she ever expected it to. At least now she had help, she had delegated the duty of assistant instructor to several of the more adept students, with Eve and Toxaris being two of the chosen. The warrior figured by the time they were ready to leave, which in her estimations would be about the middle of the following week, she would be able to only make a weekly visit to the training field to supervise and encourage. She had also set in on a couple of the warring councils when the elders, Tecmessa, and Gabrielle were discussing the possibility of having a confrontation with the Dramanians.

She was happy to hear that the Amazons still experienced a peaceful co-existence with the Centaurs and was anxious to see Xenan. Even though these were not Melosa’s Amazons, it seemed as though the Centaur alliance had extended to the Northern Amazons and the Northern Centaurs as well. There was rumor that the King of the Centaurs would be in Xantheia, one of the larger cities in the region and only a two-day trip from the Amazon village, within the next few days. Xena figured that traveling to visit with Xenan would be just the trial she could use to see how travel-worthy Gabrielle really was.

It seemed that as the days passed the four of women were becoming more and more anxious to get the pilgrimage underway, even Toxaris was getting excited to travel beyond her realm of comfort. But, Xena wanted to make sure Gabrielle was in no danger of re-injuring her ribs before having her undertake a long ride on horseback.

Xena had taken a group of Amazons out a few afternoons scouting for mavericks in the high country and they came back with a horse for both Eve and Toxaris. The consequences of that little excursion was that Xena also had to now give lessons on how to break a wild horse and turn them into an animal that could be ridden, as well as give Toxaris riding lessons. The Amazons were not used to venturing so far from the Village that they needed an alternative means of transportation, hence skills in catching and training horses were near nonexistent in the tribe. This new skill, along with the others Xena demonstrated, secured her place in the Village with the younger Amazons, who had only heard tales of the Warrior Princess before actually meeting her.

********************

After nearly a week of riding lessons, both Toxaris and her horse were ready for a short journey. Eve had her horse trained, as well as could be expected in the short amount of time, and Gabrielle’s hands were totally healed except for the slight scars across the knuckles. Thraso had come by to visit one day and brought some cream to help diminish the scarring. Xena no longer wrapped her ribs at night and she was riding on Ginger a little more each day to acclimate herself with riding again.

They finally decided that the time was right and knowing that Xenan would be in Xantheia the following day, they prepared for leaving the Amazon Village for a four-day journey. Since they were approximately the same distance from their destination on this trip, as they were from Amphipolis, Xena and Gabrielle decided that it would be worth the extra day to go south toward their magical forest, thus cutting a day off the actual two-day trip. They could spend the night by the lake and in the morning when they were rested and refreshed arrive within a half a candlemark of the city, so as not to cause suspicion.

Traveling this way would afford them the entire day and evening to spend with their nephew, before having to start back to the Village. Of course that would only be possible if his entire visit was not already filled with meetings and responsibilities. The duo was planning on the rumors being correct about the anticipated arrival of the King of the Centaurs.

Xena and Eve saw to the loading of the saddlebags with camping necessities, while Toxaris and Gabrielle took care of the food supplies they would need for the trip. There was no real necessity to take much food or drink at this point in time for they would be at the lake by nightfall. Most of the packing had to do with what would be needed for camping and traveling back from the town.

Before dawn on the following day, Xena woke Gabrielle up and while the smaller woman was dressing Xena loaded Argo and Ginger. Across the Village Eve and Toxaris were busy with identical chores. They had planned on meeting in the communal lodge, knowing full well that someone would have already started tea and breakfast. Communal cooking could be an absolute blessing on mornings such as this. Something warm and substantial in all their bellies would make the traveling more of a pleasure, especially if they didn’t have to stay around and clean up afterward – one of the perks of living with the Queen.

Within the hour the small troupe was ready to start. They mounted the horses and left the Village before most of the sisters were up. Neither Eve nor Toxaris had ever seen a Centaur up close before, and both of the women were anxious to hear the stories Gabrielle had to tell of Xenan’s birth. Eve had already read the story of when Ephiny first met Phantes, the Centaur, who was to become Xenan’s father, yet never live to see him born. It was a long tale and took them through most of the morning, but the ending was bitter sweet and misted eyes reigned supreme, including those of emerald green by the finish of the tale. Even Xena had to fight the moistness gathering in her eyes, as Gabrielle verbally re-enacted the circumstances surrounding the birth of the little prince. The remembrance was a difficult one for the warrior as it brought back a day when she almost lost the other half of her soul. Except for the fact that Xenan was born it was a day she did not particularly like to dwell on.

About the time Gabrielle finished the tale it was time to give the horses a rest and the riders as well. Xena didn’t want the bard pushing herself without a break. She was certain when she mentioned food there would be no problem with getting everyone to stop for a while. They had just come upon a creek, so not only was the timing excellent, but the choice of rest areas was also exemplary.

As seemed to be her lot in life these days, Eve observed that the creek was laden with fish. “No sense using rations if we can have fresh meat,” she announced and received not one word of rebuttal from any of the other three travelers. By the time Xena had the fire going and Gabrielle and Toxaris had the horses watered and tied, Eve came marching back up the embankment with more than enough fish to feed the small troupe.

“I do believe you missed your calling, Eve.” Xena smiled at the bounty her daughter was carrying, as she offered to help her scale them. Within minutes three large fish with sticks poking through their bodies, were ceremoniously draped over a semi-blazing fire.

After the mid-day meal, fresh water and nutbread, everyone felt rested enough to continue on to the secluded lake.

Toxaris begged Gabrielle until she launched into another tale. Xena beamed with pride to see the bard back into telling her stories again. Occasionally she would blush when Gabrielle would reveal something that could have been better left unsaid, but most of the stories the bard was reliving were the lighter ones. Toxaris especially enjoyed the story of the town that had Xena trapped in a circle of repetition until she figured out why she kept waking up to the same morning.

After a while the bard asked if either Eve or Toxaris knew anything about Xantheia. When they said no she insisted that Xena fill them in on the history of the area.

“That’s your job, you’re the Bard.”