For Better or Worse

Gabrielle stood apprehensively at Xena's bedroom door, not sure how
she could face Xena after her earlier angry outburst.  Xena was
just being honest with her, the bard sighed.  Placing her hand on the
door knob, the bard took a deep breath...then another.  Finally, she
opened the door and quickly entered the room, ready to face whatever
there was to face.  Her heart dropped when she saw she only faced an
empty room.  

With a heavy sigh, she walked over to a pile of their things the
stable boy apparently brought in.  She considered she could pass the
time productively and sort out what they would need for their short
stay in Amazonia.  She considered she wouldn't need much for she was
going to a well supplied Amazon camp - as Queen after all.  She
smiled, shaking her head at that still unbelievable fate that befell
her.  She hoped she would always make Melosa proud.    

She started to pack the bare essentials.  Though she knew she
wouldn't be needing their cooking supplies, she eyed the frying pan
with a smirk.  If push came to shove with Gurda, she might stand a
chance with a frying pan.  Xena HAD proven it a dangerous weapon on
numerous occasions.  And it was likely she had more experience with a
frying pan than Gurda.  Nah, better not bring it along, Gabrielle
decided, concluding it would be too embarrassing for the Amazon Queen
to be beaten up with a frying pan.    

She sighed as she picked up her bag of writing supplies and
unfinished work.  They had quills and parchment in Amazonia, no need
to bring that with her she considered.  Her work?  No need to bring
that either, she concluded, anticipating being plenty busy with those
Amazon scrolls.  Besides, if something should happen, her work was
safe in Walsas.  "Come on Gabrielle, you haven't been beaten yet!" 
she scolded herself, determined to find a peaceful way out of this
problem.

She sat down and pulled out some blank parchment.  Writing always
helped to calm her.  Yawning as she reached for her quill, she
quickly concluded she really didn't need anymore calming and was in
no condition to write.  If she tried, she knew she would fall asleep
before Xena got back.  She had to stay awake and talk to her. 

Yawning again, Gabrielle neatly placed her quill next to her
parchment and ink.

Meleager sighed as Xena suddenly walked over to some scrolls in the
Library's poetry section.  "What are you doing?"  

"You haven't finished your poem,"  Xena stated as she looked over a
few scrolls and pulled out a promising couple that might just provide
Meleager the inspiration he needed.

"You're not entirely accurate,"  Meleager replied smugly, causing
Xena to eye him skeptically.  

"Let me see it," she challenged.

"I haven't even STARTED it!!"  He blurted triumphantly, then groaned,
realizing there was no reason to be happy about that. 

"Meleager, you need to write a poem."  

"I know, I know....but I HAVE a couple weeks,"  He explained. 
"Gabrielle said inspiration could come at the most unexpected times."
He shrugged, sort of believing it might.  "I was waiting for
inspiration to hit me."

"You don't have time for inspiration,"  Xena informed him bluntly,
setting down a couple of scrolls on the table with a thunk.  She
grabbed his shoulders and pushed him into a chair.  

"Read," she ordered him, pointing to the scrolls.

"What?!? Are you suggesting I copy one?"  He asked in shock. 

"BRILLIANT!"  He blurted happily.  "I should have thought of that!" 
He added with relieved grin.

"Meleager, you'll need to...."  Xena paused, deciding how to
delicately put it.

"Make sure I don't copy one...exactly."  He quickly caught
on, correctly finishing her thought.  Xena nodded.

With Meleager in search of inspiration, Xena figured it was now time
to face her determined bard.  Walking past the kitchen, Xena found it
empty, concluding she must be in her room.                           
                                                               
Reaching for the doorknob, she paused a moment wondering what she
would possibly say to her, remembering the hurt look she brought to
the bard's eyes.  Taking a deep breath, Xena quickly entered to face
whatever there was to face.  Her heart dropped finding she faced an
empty room.  Perhaps she was still with her sister, Xena considered,
reluctantly leaving Gabrielle's room. 

When entering her room, the warrior grinned.  Her eyes were
immediately drawn to the bard.  Gabrielle sat on the bed, waiting
for her, leaning on the corner post...sound asleep.

She quietly closed the door behind her.  Though she knew Gabrielle
was a pretty sound sleeper, Xena was still careful not to make noise
while taking her weapons, armor and boots off.  She set them down by
her saddle bag on a chair, within easy reach from the bed.  Moving to
the end of the bed, she studied Gabrielle's tranquil face a long,
indulgent moment before lifting the bard up in her arms.  Gabrielle
shifted, instinctively wrapping her arms around the warrior. 
"Xena?"  Gabrielle spoke groggily.  

"Shhhh...we should get some sleep.  We have a busy day tomorrow," 
Xena said softly, laying the bard down on the bed.  She started to
take the bard's boots off. 

"Xena?"  The bard asked again with a yawn, hearing a boot hit the
floor.

"Hmmmm?"  Xena responded, tossing the second boot to the floor.  

"I'm sorry."  

"Me too,"  Xena relayed, climbing into bed and pulling Gabrielle into
her arms.  

The bard shifted, melting into the warrior's embrace.  "Hmmmm..."  

"I know we should talk Gabrielle, but right now, we both need to get
some sleep,"  Xena suggested, then heard Gabrielle sigh heavily. 

Xena's eyes rolled. 

"Unless you want to talk now,"  Xena offered reluctantly. 

The bard sighed again, making the warrior sigh with exasperation.

"Gabrielle, do you or don't you want...."  Xena's irritation
was interrupted by the low rumbling against her chest.  The bard
began to snore.  She smiled and kissed Gabrielle's forehead.  

"Pleasant dreams Gabrielle,"  Xena whispered, shutting her eyes.  For
the moment at least, all that mattered and all she needed was
sleeping safely in her arms.  For the moment at least, sleep visited
the warrior.   

Gabrielle rolled over with a muffled yawn, groggily reaching out over
the bed. Feeling only cold sheets, Gabrielle's eyes abruptly opened. 
She squinted in the morning light.  "Xena?" she blurted, a little
disoriented as she rubbed her eyes.

"Good morning,"  Xena softly greeted her from across the room. 
Gabrielle yawned and tried to focus on the warrior who put away some
things and got up from the table.

"So far, its a wonderful morning," Gabrielle relayed, eyeing the
warrior as she came towards her and sat on her bed.  Xena grinned,
gently brushing the hair out of the bard's face.  She followed up her
morning greeting with a quick hello to the bard's soft lips.  

When their lips were finished saying hello, the bard and warrior
silently looked at each other for an uneasy moment.  The Warrior
Princess knew the stubborn bard would not change her mind about going
to Amazonia and the bard knew the Warrior Princess desperately wanted
her to.     

"How about breakfast?"  Gabrielle broke the silence, making the
warrior chuckle and shake her head.  "What?"  Gabrielle asked,
narrowing her eyes in feigned warning.

"Nothing," Xena responded with a odd smile.  

Gabrielle's breath caught when she felt the warrior's strong hand
slip behind her head.  Without hesitation, she pulled the bard in for
a longer hello.  When she pulled back from the pleasant but all too
short visit, the look of longing in the bard's eyes made her regret
what she had to do next. 

"I'll see to Argo and meet you for breakfast," Xena relayed with
obvious reluctance as she got up from the bed.  

Gabrielle smiled at her warrior, who proceeded to pick up the saddle
bags and walk towards the table to collect the bard's bag of writing
supplies.  

"Oh, you can leave that Xena,"  Gabrielle told her, drawing a
surprised look from the warrior.  "I won't have time for writing," 
Gabrielle got out of bed.  Xena eyed the bag then the bard with a
curious look.

"I thought I would pack light for a change,"  Gabrielle grinned. 
"And besides, we are not going to be gone that long,"  Gabrielle
explained confidently.  Xena looked at the bag then the bard again. 
She nodded and sighed, hoping the bard was right.

In the dining room, Sarah, Lila and their parents sat around the
table being served breakfast.  Sarah and Lila agreed with Gabrielle
that their mother didn't need to know about the trouble with the
Amazons.  She already had enough to nag about.  Sarah attempted to
casually mention that Gabrielle was going to Amazonia. 

"She's leaving?!?"  Her mother blurted indignantly.  Stopping in the
doorway, Gabrielle cringed at the outburst of displeasure.  Gabrielle
contemplated an about-face and a quick escape, but it was too
late...she was already spotted.    

"Gabrielle!"  Her mother uttered in a commanding tone, making
Gabrielle feel eight again.  "Are you really leaving?"  Her mother
asked.  

Gabrielle took a deep breath and nodded.  

"You just got here!"  Gabrielle's mother blurted her complaint,
getting out of her seat.  

It was expected that her mother would not pleased, but Gabrielle felt
an unexpected twinge of guilt when her father's sad eyes met hers. 

"I know mother," Gabrielle said wearily, dragging herself towards her
family.

"She just needs to straighten some things out with the Amazons," 
Sarah explained casually, causing her mother's eyebrows to furrow.

"Don't worry, we've got the wedding under control here mother,
Gabrielle really needs to get to Amazonia," Lila added helpfully.

"Yeah," Meleager added with a half laugh as he entered the room
behind Gabrielle.  "Or else we might be getting a lot more wedding
guests than we planned for," he joked as he sat down at the table
across from his future father-in-law.  He noticed he was being glared
at by the four Poteidaian women.  "What?!?"  He asked defensively. 

Gabrielle's father shook his head and quietly ate his porridge. 

"More guests?"  Their mother blurted with concern.  "Sarah, what's
this about more guests?  You know we have only so much room in the
grand hall.  We can barely fit our family and friends that we've
invited already."  The older woman worried the wedding would
turn into a fiasco.

"Don't worry mother," Gabrielle sighed, walking over to the table and
grabbing two apples from the bowl of fruit.  "The Amazons are not
interested in Sarah's wedding."  Gabrielle looked at Sarah
apologetically.  

"You're not even going to have a decent breakfast before rushing off
to be with your little friends?"  The older woman blurted making her
three daughters sigh.  

Meleager kept quiet, realizing a little late that that was what he
should have done before.  

"Before you abandon your family for your IMPORTANT Amazon business,
you should at least..." 

"Gabrielle," Xena called out, intrepidly interrupting the bard's
mother as she barely entered the dining room.  "We should get going."

Xena's voice was music to the bard's ears and cacophony to her
unhappy mother's.

"Before you take my daughter away...again," she curtly responded to
the warrior woman by the door, then turned to Gabrielle.  " ...you
should a least stay a moment and have a decent meal," Gabrielle's
mother urged the bard, not about to give up.  

Gabrielle shook her head, feeling a headache coming on.  

"Both of you," the magnanimous older woman quickly added with a
polite smile.  

Gabrielle eyed Xena, very interested in how she was going to respond.

In addition to the bard and her mother, Xena found four other pairs
of eyes fixed on her, also very interested in how she was going to
respond.

Xena sighed and slowly crossed the room towards Gabrielle.  Reaching
her destination she stopped and raised her eyebrow questioningly,
looking at the two apples in the bard's hands.  

Gabrielle gave her warrior an apple and a warm smile.  

"This will be fine,"  Xena responded, reluctantly braking her gaze
from her bard and looked at the older woman.  

The four pairs of eyes shifted to the irritated older woman. 

With an exceedingly polite tone, Gabrielle's mother replied, "Really?
I thought that besides murder and mayhem, one of the many things the
Warrior Princess was infamous for was her voracious appetite."       

The four pairs of eyes gasped.  Gabrielle's mother gazed coldly at
the warrior, who held her tongue, not wanting to make things worse
for her bard.  

However, finally fed up now that her mother's caustic comments were
no longer subtextually subtle but directly catapulted at her warrior,
Gabrielle was unable to hold her tongue any longer.

"Oh, her appetite IS voracious mother,"  Gabrielle confirmed with a
thin smile, then lifted her own apple to her lips and took a bite.

Her mother stiffened and eyed her daughter, who wiped the juice from
her mouth and swallowed.  "Almost as voracious as mine," she added. 
"But don't worry, we do our best to never go to bed hungry."  

The four pairs of eyes widened in concert with four jaws dropping. 

Thanks to years of practice, the warrior's mask was firmly in place,
keeping Xena's surprise hidden.  However, the Warrior Princess
considered it a good thing she was not eating her apple, or she might
have choked. 

"Well...I can't say that I'm surprised," the older woman relayed
with disappointment, no longer looking at either the warrior or bard.

She briskly turned and walked towards the table to join her husband
for breakfast.  

The four pairs of eyes and Xena looked at Gabrielle, who sighed and
shook her head.  

"We're wasting daylight,"  Gabrielle spoke softly to Xena who nodded.

As they turned to leave, Xena looked back at Gabrielle's mother, who
was the only one eating her breakfast.  She refused to acknowledge
her daughter's departure.  However, Xena found Gabrielle's father
watching them.  He looked at them with a sad gaze and returned his
attention to his bowl.

As they rode away from Walsas, Gabrielle felt oddly calm despite
facing her mother's cold shoulder of disappointment.  The bard was
where she wanted to be, with the one she loved.  A small smile came
to her face when she felt a reassuring squeeze around her waist. 

"You ok?"  Xena asked softly.

"You know..."  Gabrielle started but paused, staring at the two
Amazons on horseback in front of them.  After a few moments of
silence, the warrior's curiosity grew too great to wait for the bard.

"Know what?"  Xena asked softly in the bard's ear.

"That didn't go so well," Gabrielle observed bluntly.

"Hmmm...and here I thought things went rather smoothly," the warrior
noted, making the bard giggle and the warrior smile with relief. 

"Gods,"  Gabrielle sighed heavily.  "I wonder if I'll ever be able to
talk with my mother." 

"You're not the first person to ask that, and I'm sure you won't be
the last," Xena relayed thoughtfully. 

"But I'm a bard,"  Gabrielle lamented.  "I'm supposed to be good with
words."  

"You are, Gabrielle.  But as a certain bard reminded me a few hundred
times, it takes two people to have a conversation,"  Xena relayed,
feeling the bard's hand gently squeeze her arm in thanks.  

"I owe you an apology...." Gabrielle sighed.  "I didn't mean to
embarrass you, but somehow... this appetite thing just popped out
before I could...." 

"Uh huh."  The warrior grinned.  

"Xena, I had this very tactful and heartfelt speech planned but when
she...."  Gabrielle tried to explain.

"Uh huh," Xena interjected, still grinning.  

Gabrielle shook her head, knowing there were times with the warrior
it was best just to drop a subject.  Now was one of those times.  She
sighed and remained quiet.  

"Well, you may not be good at talking with your mother,"  Xena
spoke quietly in the bard's ear.  "But you certainly communicated TO
her... loud and clear."  Xena relayed with a quick peck to the bard's
ear.  

Later that day, the Amazon camp was abuzz with excitement at the
report their Queen and the Warrior Princess had crossed into Amazon
territory. 

At the edge of Amazon territory, six Amazons gracefully descended
from the trees to greet and honor their Queen.  Solari and Sustra
smiled approvingly at the spectacle.  Gabrielle watched with
fascination as they lowered themselves down long vines in full
costume.  The masks, beads, feathers, ornately carved bows,
ceremonial swords and daggers that adorned these strong women, made
them both terrifying and beautiful.                                  

Once on the ground, the Amazons drew their ceremonial swords and
saluted their queen.  Good thing they were on her side, Gabrielle
thought with a smile.  Or were they?  Xena felt Gabrielle tense.  

"Don't worry Gabrielle, I won't let anything happen to you,"  Xena
whispered to her bard, feeling her relax a little.  However,
relaxation was something the Warrior Princess suspected neither of
them was going to enjoy during this visit to Amazonia.

When the Queen and her ceremonial guard entered the village, Eponin
entered the Queen's hut. 

"Queen Gabrielle has arrived,"  Eponin relayed uneasily.  

Ephiny nodded and followed Eponin out her hut. Ephiny found a large,
buoyant crowd waiting to greet their absent Queen.

The Amazons murmured with excitement over the celebrations and the
news and stories their bard Queen would share.  Ephiny scanned
over the crowd with a smile, until she spotted the two eldest
Amazons, Frea and Roeya, eyeing her to remind her of her task.
Ephiny's eyes rolled, not needing to be reminded and not happy about
the task.  Seeing Gurda and Raiz among the crowd with pleased smiles
didn't help to brighten Ephiny's mood.

Though not thrilled with the reason that brought them to Amazonia, or
the large and suffocating crowd around them, Xena still managed to
find pleasure watching the bard greet practically every Amazon by
name as they slowly progressed through the village.  Everyone was
made to feel special, Xena noted with appreciation, knowing that to
Gabrielle, everyone was.

"Ephiny!"  Gabrielle spotted her friend by the hut and quickly
dismounted.   The bard gave her a hug which was gladly returned.  

The Warrior Princess scanned the crowd and took her time dismounting.

"Gabrielle, welcome home,"  Ephiny responded, making the bard grin. 
"Xena,"  Ephiny greeted the stoic warrior.  Xena nodded.  "Solari has
informed you of the situation I gather," Ephiny spoke with a sad
smile.

"Yes, I wanted to read these long lost scrolls for myself," 
Gabrielle responded casually with a smile.  

Ephiny nodded. Gabrielle looked around at the crowd intently
listening to their every word.  

"But first, I believe we have some celebrating to do."  Gabrielle's
voice boomed, ensuring the Amazon's in the back would hear.  Her
comment met with crowd's approval as they burst into cheers and war
cries.  Gabrielle eyed Xena, who raised an eyebrow.  Gabrielle
shrugged. 

"If you'll come with me, your highness,"  Ephiny grinned approvingly,
sweeping her arm out to formally show the way.  As she escorted
Gabrielle to the Queen's hut, they chatted about happier Amazon news
while they passed many curious ears. 

Xena followed the women, eyeing the crowd of happy onlookers as they
started to disburse.  It didn't take long for Xena to find the enemy.

After the crowd was gone, an Amazon remained, wanting to be seen. 
Across the village, she stood tall and proud and unaffected by the
Warrior Princess' cold stare.  Xena stopped walking and slowly faced
the threat, continuing to icy stare and assess.  With her height,
Gurda had a much greater reach than her bard.    

Although she considered Gabrielle would be capable of compensating
for Gurda's reach, there was one thing Gabrielle would not be able to
compensate for - the killer instinct.  An instinct so innate to Gurda
yet, so foreign to Gabrielle, it made Xena both thankful and
terrified.  There was no way the Warrior Princess could allow this
fight.  Xena's mind raced for options.  

As if sensing the Warrior Princess' dilemma, a broad smile emerged on
Gurda's face before she turned to leave.  The Amazon could feel the
threatening stare on her back as she met up with another, much more
nervous Amazon, Raiz.  Raiz glanced back to the Warrior Princess,
then quickly returned her gaze forward unable to meet those icy eyes.

The two Amazons turned into their hut, allowing Raiz to breath
again.  Gurda sat down and started to brush her hair happily.  

"Are you CRAZY?"  Raiz blurted and plopped down on her cot, shaking
her head.  

"What do you mean?" 

"Why are you taunting Xena?"  Raiz asked, getting up to pace, unable
to sit still.

"Because I can," Gurda relayed, putting her brush down and turning
towards Raiz with a satisfied smile.  Raiz exhaled with frustration
and plopped back on the cot.

"There they are Gabrielle, all the scrolls from Ratheos,"  Ephiny
relayed with a sigh, looking to Trayla.  

Gabrielle walked over to the large pile of scrolls, immediately
noticing four were set aside. 

"Those four scrolls discuss Walsas," Ephiny explained.  "Trayla has
looked at them and believes we have a legitimate claim to the land." 

"No disrespect to Trayla's abilities, but I want to read them, all
of them, myself," Gabrielle relayed looking at Trayla who nodded in
understanding.  

The bard Queen smiled warmly at Xena when she entered the tent.  For
an instant, Ephiny observed the warrior's stoic face soften.    

"It will take you quite a while to get through all of them,"  Trayla
relayed.

"And I plan to read every one.  Starting tonight," Gabrielle
relayed, eyeing the scrolls again.  "After the celebration, of
course."  Gabrielle grinned.  

Xena stared at the scrolls.  At least there was some time to think of
a plan, the Warrior Princess considered.

That evening, the music and dancing began shortly after a feast that
was enough even to satisfy the bard's voracious appetite.  Sitting
between Ephiny and Xena, Gabrielle smiled appreciatively as she
watched the athletic women circle the fire, dancing with seemingly
limitless energy.  

On the other side of the fire, Gurda and Raiz chatted with four other
Amazons.  Ephiny and Xena kept glancing over to their table.  

"Look Raiz, our Acting Queen and the Warrior Princess find us more
entertaining than the dancers,"  Gurda called out and laughed,
lifting her mug of wine to the two women to salute them, then
continued her conversation with her dinner partners.  

Raiz gulped her wine nervously.  

"Gods she's cocky," Ephiny blurted, averting her eyes and sipping her
wine.  

Xena exhaled in agreement and bit into an apple, still eyeing the
enemy.  Xena was not concerned with being polite.  

"You two are not very subtle," Gabrielle shook her head as she sipped
her water, continuing to focus on the dancers.  

The two warriors flanking her turned and stared at the bard
curiously.

"Gurda is enjoying your attention and you two keep giving it to her,"
the Amazon bard scolded them as she continued to watch the dancers.  

"Sure she does have a commanding presence,"  Gabrielle admitted. 
"She's tall, I'd say a little over six feet...right Xena?"  Gabrielle
asked, smiling and continuing to watch the dancer that performing in
front of them. 

"Uh," Xena blurted and eyed Gurda, surprised at the bard's
observation.  "Yes," the Warrior Princess responded as small grin
crept over her face.  "A little over six feet."  

"With that scar over her left forearm and right thigh, I'd say she's
had more than her share of sword fights.  Prefers a sword to a
staff...right Ephiny?"  Gabrielle asked as she clapped with the crowd
for the dancing exhibition that just ended.

"Uh,"  Ephiny blurted, surprised at the observation, then smiled
slightly.  "Yes Gabrielle.  She does prefer the sword."  

"Well, I certainly hope you two are not as rude to the next performer
as you were to those poor dancers by gawking at Gurda throughout the
entire performance,"  Gabrielle warned them, standing up and turning
to the two warriors.

Xena and Ephiny glanced at each other with amused grins.
  
"Besides, I'll wager the next performer will be much more
entertaining than that boring ol' warrior over there," Gabrielle
relayed.

As predicted, the next performer was more entertaining.  As the bard
began to spin her tale, she easily captured the attention of her two
dinner partners, as well as the rest of the Amazons.  

Now able to indulge in the pleasure of blatantly gazing upon her
bard, Xena indulged.  Though, her thoughts wandered far from the
bard's story.   

Watching the story teller move gracefully around the fire, Xena
reflected with great pride at how much the amazing young woman had
learned.  Yet, not nearly enough to do battle with someone like
Gurda, Xena considered.  

Damn Amazon laws, Xena cursed silently.  She wanted desperately to be
the bard's champion.  She wanted Gurda to know what it was like to go
against someone who didn't have to compensate for a reach
advantage...someone who would not hesitate responding to that killer
instinct with her cold, swift steel.

Xena took a long, calming breath and a sip of wine.  Then her eyes
met the bard's.  For a moment, Ephiny noticed the Warrior Princess'
stoic face slightly smile.  

Pleased to find the warrior's eyes on her, the bard smiled brightly
and returned her gaze to others in the audience.

Fighting Gurda as the bard's champion was not an option.  Xena also
knew the bard would not tolerate her provoking a fight with Gurda
and killing her...or even maiming her badly...or maybe not so badly,
but enough to give Gabrielle an edge.  The Warrior Princess sighed
heavily at all the limitations.                                      

Xena looked thoughtfully down at her goblet, swirling the wine in it.
Possible alternatives to a satisfying direct approach began to fill
the warrior's mind.  

A poisonous herb slipped in Gurda's wine, she considered, glancing
over at the Amazon.  Or perhaps an unfortunate and, of course,
painful accident, Xena mused as she sipped her dizzy wine.

It would be so easy, the Warrior Princess considered.  It would be so
obvious, she rolled her eyes.  It would be murder, Xena sighed with a
furrowed brow.  The 'obvious' part was the biggest drawback. 
Gabrielle would never forgive her...and leave her.  There had to be
another way.  Xena's mind raced.

After the festivities, Gabrielle returned to the Queen's hut, flanked
by Ephiny and Xena.  As the two eldest Amazons, Frea and Roeya,
passed the three, they smiled broadly at their friendly Queen, who
greeted them warmly by name.  They looked at each other then smiled
at the stoic Warrior Princess, who politely nodded.  Their smiles
faded as they eyed Ephiny, who sighed.

"What was that about?"  Xena asked after the elders passed.  Ephiny's
mouth dropped as she thought of something to say.  

"They uh...are subtly trying to remind me of one of many things I
have to do,"  Ephiny blurted truthfully, then turned to the bard. 
"On some things, even the Queen can get pushed around by the elders
Gabrielle,"  Ephiny explained.                                       

"What kinds of things?"  Gabrielle asked curiously.                  

"Domestic policy, ritual details...it's amazing how much they do have
a strong say in,"  Ephiny informed her.  "If they push you to do
something, don't forget to complain a lot...it makes them think
twice before trying again,"  Ephiny relayed her advice, shaking her
head wearily, causing the bard to chuckle.  

Xena continued to eye the Amazon, who avoided answering her question.

When the trio arrived at the door, Gabrielle turned and smiled at her
friend.  "Thank you for the wonderful welcome, Ephiny."  Gabrielle
reached out and warmly squeezed Ephiny's forearm. 

"No problem,"  Ephiny blurted, not leaving.  An awkwardly silent
moment passed. 

"Oh...You have a place to stay don't you?"  Gabrielle asked with
concern, knowing it must be odd for her to just hand over her hut. 
"You're welcome to stay with...."  Gabrielle quickly offered. 

"NO!" Ephiny interrupted and laughed sheepishly.  "Uh...I'm fine,"
she added as she looked uneasily at the hut then Xena.  She was not
happy about the information gathering mission the eldest Amazons put
her on.  The elders knew she didn't want to pry and more importantly,
she did not want to annoy Gabrielle or the Warrior Princess.  She
only did this out of respect for the elders, she silently reminded
herself.  And, ok, she happened to be curious.

"Something on your mind Ephiny?"  Xena asked with a raised eyebrow,
making Ephiny slightly grimace.

"Uh...Eponin can bring in an extra cot,"  Ephiny blurted, looking
quickly at the two then the ground.  "If you need it."   

"Yes, please,"  Xena cooly responded simultaneously with the bard's
warm "No, that's ok."   The surprised bard and warrior eyed at each
other, neither pleased with the other's answer.

"Okaaaaay,"  Ephiny relayed uneasily, wanting to be someplace else.

"Well, if it's not a bother," Gabrielle added reluctantly,
remembering her promise.  "We'd really appreciate it," she added
flatly with a weak smile.  Ephiny looked at Xena, who plastered on a
polite smile.                     

The Amazon bard watched and sighed as Eponin arrived and brought in
the extra cot.  Ephiny followed with an extra pillow and blanket and
handed it to an unhappy Gabrielle.  

"Thanks," the bard said flatly.               

"Sorry,"  Ephiny guiltily relayed to the Queen, drawing a look from
the Warrior Princess.  "Uh...for not planning ahead...well...enough,"
Ephiny added uneasily, deciding it would be best to leave - now. 

"Good night," Ephiny blurted, grabbed Eponin and left.

Finally alone with the Warrior Princess, Gabrielle tossed the pillow
and blanket on the cot and sat down at the table full of scrolls
shaking her head and sighing heavily.

"Gabrielle, we've discussed...,"  Xena responded as she removed her
weapons and placed them on the cot.

"I KNOW Xena," Gabrielle interrupted her with irritation.  "I know,"
the bard muttered as she pulled out a scroll from the pile.  

Xena sighed, now removing her armor.                      

"But your argument doesn't really apply here, does it?"  Gabrielle
continued, looking up from her scroll, unable to let it drop just
yet.  

Pulling her last bracer off, Xena rolled her eyes and turned to the
bard.  "Gabrielle, if my enemies knew how much you mean to me, you
would become a target...they wouldn't hesitate to hurt you to get
back at me,"  Xena relayed, tired of repeating herself.

"Xena, here, I'm already a target because of my position...not
because of you,"  Gabrielle argued calmly, making Xena furrow her
brows at the unpleasant truth.  

"Although, I guess the reverse of your argument is something I should
consider.  If my enemies knew how much you mean to me, YOU would
become a target...they could hurt YOU to get back at me,"  Gabrielle
relayed with concern.  The bard sighed and refocused on the scroll in
her hands.  They had to have the answer to this mess. 

"Gabrielle, MY safety is NOT the issue here,"  Xena snapped, annoyed
that Gabrielle was trying to confuse the issue which was...which
was...which was perfectly clear before the bard spoke, damn it. 

"Fine Xena, you got me to promise to be discrete and not engage in
public displays of affection and...."  Gabrielle sighed heavily,
knowing if she continued, she would likely say something she would
later regret.  

"...and I've really got a lot of reading to do,"  Gabrielle abruptly
changed the subject.  "Do you mind?"  She asked wearily, looking in
the general direction of the Warrior Princess then refocused on the
scrolls.

"Gabri...," she blurted out.  Seeing the bard now reading the
scrolls, her eyebrows furrowed, not appreciating being dismissed. 
 
"I'm going for a walk,"  Xena announced angrily and left the hut. 

Gabrielle closed her eyes, feeling the cool breeze from the warrior's
angry departure and an incredible emptiness.  She willed herself not
to cry as she took a few calming breaths.  After a few moments, she
opened her eyes and found her calm short-lived.  She saw Xena's
armor and weapons resting on the cot.  

The bard stood up abruptly.  Oh gods. Calm down, she ordered herself,
Xena doesn't need them here.  Oh gods.  What if Gurda or someone
tries something?  Calm down, she ordered herself.  Xena is an
experienced warrior!  Oh gods.  She's also an upset warrior that may
not be focusing on her surroundings....

After stomping away from the Amazon camp, Xena found herself by a
pond.  She sighed heavily and sat on a boulder, staring out at
the pond's glassy surface which reflected the near-full moon.  She
picked up a rock and tossed it into the pond, causing a loud 'plunk'
and shattering the reflection of the moon into tiny shards of light
floating upon the concentric ripples.  

The effect of the rock on the moon's reflection was similar to the
effect Gabrielle's words had on her solid arguments, Xena considered
with annoyance.  How could she make Gabrielle understand?  The
warrior sighed, wondering if she really did anymore.

Picking up a flat stone, she skipped it across the surface.

Xena had to admit the bard was right about the danger here.  It was
not a result of their relationship, but her position.  Although, if
it weren't for the Warrior Princess, Gabrielle would never have
traveled to the Amazon land, never have be given the Right of Caste,
and not be in this situation now, she thought triumphantly.  Shaking
her head, she softly chuckled.  She knew what Gabrielle would say
about that argument AND her endless guilt.  

Unsatisfied with only three skips of her last stone, Xena picked up
another stone and stood to get a better angle.  She flung the stone,
causing it to skip on the surface seven times.  Just another one of
my many skills, she smirked, sitting back down on the boulder. 

Watching the ripples as they dissipated, the moon's image became
whole again.  The warrior exhaled thoughtfully, leaning back on the
rock to view the moon itself, not just its reflection.  Gabrielle
would think this place romantic.  Of course, the ever-romantic bard
would say almost any place was romantic.  Xena smiled.  

Taking a deep breath, Xena noticed the pleasing fragrances
of wild flowers filling the cool night air.  The ever-romantic bard
would say that was yet another ingredient for a romantic evening. 
However, even this warrior knew the most important ingredient was
missing.

Her nerves begging for more action than pacing, Gabrielle rushed over
to the bed and picked up Xena's chakrum and sword.  Taking a few
steps towards the door, she stopped and looked down at the weapons
her hands then eyed the door.  She grimaced with frustration
realizing it wouldn't be appropriate for an Amazon Queen to run
through the camp like a paranoid maniac, lugging Xena's weapons
around as she frantically searched for her warrior.  Besides, she
told herself as she forced a long exhale, she was just overreacting. 
She resumed her pacing with her warrior's weapons. 

As she walked back to the Queen's hut, Xena smiled, enjoying the
fragrance of the dozen wild flowers in her hand.  

"Who would have guessed...the Warrior Princess loves flowers!"  A
voice called out from the darkness.  Xena stopped calmly, slowly
lowering the bouquet.

"What am I going to do with you!" Gabrielle blurted to the weapons 
in her hands.  The bard plopped down on the cot and stared at the
weapons now cradled in her lap.  "Oh Xena," the bard exhaled softly,
an ache in her heart and concern in her thoughts.    

"Gurda," Xena spoke cooly before the Amazon revealed herself,
stepping from the black cloak of the forest.  The Amazon smiled, her
drawn sword reflecting the moonlight.  

Xena's eyes lowered to the bouquet.  She sighed, wishing it was a
frying pan.  Humiliating this cocky Amazon with cast iron cookware
would have been very satisfying.  Although, being one who enjoys a
challenge, Xena's eyebrow raised as she contemplated the
possibilities with a bouquet....  

"Hmmmm...perhaps they are not for yourself?"  Gurda smiled.  Xena's
amused smile faded and was replaced by a unimpressed yawn.  

"Ah...not one to kiss and tell I see.  Your discretion is commendable
Xena, though not your choice in flowers," she shook her head with
disapproval. 

"Have something against wild flowers Gurda?"  Xena asked.

"Oh no, not at all...its just that I think you could have selected
more appropriate flowers for the occasion."  Gurda walked past the
Warrior Princess, who slowly turned to face her.

"The lilies are on the other side of the pond."  Gurda offered with a
smile and was rewarded with a cold glare from the unamused Warrior
Princess.  

As Gurda moved to return her sword to its sheath, she swiftly and
skillfully guided it through the air with one swift motion,
decapitating the flowers from the stems of Xena's bouquet.  

"Ooops," Gurda blurted with amusement.

After watching Gurda leave, Xena finally looked down at the mangled
bouquet of stems and exhaled slowly.  She had to find a way.

Gabrielle continued to pace with Xena's chakrum still in hand.

"It's just a walk Gabrielle," she told herself.  "She'll be back any
minute...nothing to worry about,"  Gabrielle muttered to the not so
empty hut, too busy pacing to notice the quiet entrance of the
Warrior Princess.  

"Maybe she's having a friendly chat with someone,"  Gabrielle blurted
sarcastically.  "Yeah, you KNOW how she loves to talk, talk, talk."  
The bard paced more.  The warrior grinned.

"It's just a pleasant walk...pleasant and..."  Gabrielle muttered.

"Lonely," the Warrior Princess offered, causing the bard to
abruptly stop and turn to see the most beautiful sight, her warrior
standing before her. 
 
Too overwhelmed with relief and emotion to speak, the bard just
barreled into the Warrior Princess and fiercely hugged her. 

Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, an exhausted bard closed
her eyes, appreciating the simple pleasures.  The freedom to lazily
caress the warrior's long body entwined in her's, the feel of the
warrior's head against her cheek, and warm breath upon her neck, the
rapid beat of her warrior's heart which just started to calm...or was
that her own heart, she wondered.  

Her heart had no real chance to calm.  The warrior started yet
another kissing assault on her happy skin, evoking a soft moan of
pleasure from her bard.  Grinning at her success, Xena pressed on,
in search of a more important conquest.

"Gabrielle?"  Xena spoke softly, making the bard smile at the sweet
sound of her name on the warrior's lips. 

"Hmmm?"  The bard responded lazily, enjoying the trail of kisses over
her chin and the weight of her warrior's body that now blanketed
her's.

"You know I love you,"  Xena whispered in her ear words that always
brought a smile to the bard's face.

"Mmm Hmmm," the bard responded blissfully as the warrior kissed
her ear.

"You know I want you...,"  Xena whispered through kisses to her other
ear. 

Gabrielle grinned.  

"... safe."                        

Gabrielle's eyes opened. 

"There is no need...," the warrior spoke, gently peppering kisses
over the bard's cheek.                                           

"...for you to fight anyone."  Xena kissed the bard's neck.        
      
"Ephiny can handle this," Xena suggested and planted a
wet kiss on Gabrielle's neck, evoking a shiver through the
bard.
 
"Let her..."  Xena exhaled heavily over the wet skin.                

"Let her," she repeated the soft encouragement in a whisper as she
traced her lips slowly over the bard's ear.  "Please..."

Noticing the bard was quiet, Xena stopped her kisses.  Finding it
suddenly uncomfortable lying on the unresponsive bard, she moved to
lie next to her.  She nervously studied her face. 

"You want me to walk away?"  Gabrielle asked softly, turning her head
to look deep into the warrior's hopeful eyes.

"YES!"  Xena blurted with enthusiasm.  "Yes Gabrielle, I do," the
warrior quickly added, in a deliberate tone of reason, realizing she
still had her work cut out to convince her bard.  "And you CAN
..Gurda hasn't challenged you yet,"  Xena relayed, hope blooming as
Gabrielle listened. 

"You can leave and let Ephiny make the declaration the Amazons don't
want Walsas," Xena explained.

"Then Gurda will challenge her," Gabrielle countered softly.

"Yes Gabrielle, but Ephiny is an experienced warrior.  She has been
through challenges before.  She is more than capable of dealing with
Gurda,"  Xena reasoned as she sat up with the bard, who still
appeared to consider the option.

"What about Raiz?"  Gabrielle asked calmly as she moved her legs over
the side of the bed and looked down at her feet, now dangling just
above the floor. 

Xena smirked.  "What about Raiz?  She's not the type to cause trouble
like Gurda."  

Gabrielle considered that a moment and nodded.  Raiz wasn't the
overthrow-the-throne-because-I-can kind of Amazon.                

Xena felt more confident as they talked and gently stroked the bard's
back.  

Those subtle attempts of persuasion by the warrior's gentle
fingers threatened to rob the bard of the already tenuous control
over her anger.  

"What about Elea?"  Gabrielle asked between clenched teeth as the
warrior's fingers moved from her back to swept her hair aside,
exposing her neck.

"Elea?"  Xena asked, kissing Gabrielle on her newly exposed neck.

"Or Raylas, or Wynna, or Karael?"  Gabrielle blurted out three more
Amazon names as she abruptly left the uncomfortable bed.   

"Who?"  Xena asked, suddenly concerned.

"The four who Gurda dined with at the celebration,"  Gabrielle
explained as she put a robe on.  "Surely one of them is
more...ambitious than Raiz," the bard suggested, eyeing the Warrior
Princess, who sighed heavily.

"Maybe,"  Xena responded, not going to give up.  "But Ephiny can ..."

"Perhaps two of them are more ambitious,"  Gabrielle interrupted.    
                                                                     
"Gabri..."                                                           

"Maybe three...or more than those four...,"  Gabrielle quickly
added.  "Xena, you want me to walk away and leave this problem in
Ephiny's lap?" 

"YES!!"  Xena snapped curtly, her hope just wilted.

"You want me to walk away and just ignore my responsibilities?" 
Gabrielle asked, struggling to remain calm and sat down on the cot
which creaked loudly. 

"Your responsibilities are going to get you KILLED,"  Xena snapped. 
The two stared at each other a long angered moment.

"I can't walk away Xena," the bard stated with finality and laid down
on the cot.  

With incredible exasperation, Xena exhaled loudly as she laid back on
the Queen's bed, alone, in frustrated defeat.

Though the hut was silent, sleep visited neither bard nor warrior
that night.