The following story contains adult themes depicting explicit sexual relations between two consenting adults of the same sex. If you are under the age of 18 or reading this material is illegal where you live, please do not read any further. The writer and the person who maintains the website on which this work appears accept no legal responsibility for noncompliance with this warning.
The characters of Xena & Gabrielle are copyrighted to MCA/Universal and Renaissance. They are used here without intent to profit from or infringe upon this copyrighted material. The rest of the story is copyrighted to me (posted February 10, 1998--L.N. James). No original aspect of this story may be used elsewhere without prior written consent of the author. This story may not be altered in any way and this copyright information must appear with this work at all times.
I'd like to thank the Whoa Howdy girls for their infinite patience, encouragement, and feedback on all things Queen. Also a thank you to my gentle editor whose suggestions really smoothed things out.
Please feel free to send feedback to: lnjames@squonk.net
Queen
by L.N. James
lnjames@squonk.net
A light spring breeze carried the scent of blossoming flowers along the road to Athens. Green as far as the eye could see surrounded each side of the travelers. Despite the sunny day, there was very little traffic on this route, the trail barely able to handle two people side by side let alone a cart. It was the back way into the city and was much safer and more private than some of the main roads. Sometimes, safe and private was very good.
"No way! 5 dinars says I can!"
Gabrielle's eyebrow raised in challenge as she moved in front of Xena and smiled up at the warrior. Stopping, Xena put one hand on her leathered hip and smirked down at her lover. Argo took the momentary pause to nibble some sweet grass along the trail.
"Gabrielle, you don't have 5 dinars to give me when I win."
Leaning against her staff, the bard raised one hand and pointed a finger at the warrior, her playful features bright.
"Ah, you're just scared. You always do this smirky intimidation thing when you know I'm right."
Xena's blue eyes sparkled down at the bard as she smiled. The sunlight filtered through the trees and somehow caught the blond silk of Gabrielle's hair, reminding the warrior of spun gold (not that she'd ever say that, mind you). The bard stood in front of Xena, looking for all the world like her equal. The smooth muscles rippling across Gabrielle's belly were enough to drive Xena to distraction if she allowed. Of course, the warrior had been well and truly preoccupied with the rest of the bard's body numerous and repeated times in the past. But right now, Xena was intensely distracted by the cutest damn crinkle by the bridge of the bard's nose, the one she always got when she smiled. It was downright delicious.
"Gabrielle, I hate to break this to you, but no one is going to believe it, sorry. I could see them buying it if it were the other way around though..."
The bard narrowed her eyes and moved in close to Xena, her expression changing to one of scrutiny. Despite how intimidating the warrior princess could be to other people, Xena had allowed herself to be tamed just a bit by one tenacious, brave, trustworthy Poteidaian bard. Of course, how tamed was another question.
"You are afraid, aren't you?"
The warrior chuckled and looked over the bard's shoulder, adjusting her breastplate with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Hardly."
Gabrielle smiled as she reached out and placed her hand on the warm leather at Xena's hip, her fingers gently squeezing. The pressure brought the warrior's eyes back to Gabrielle's face again as she looked down at her beautiful companion. With soft words, the bard gazed into blue eyes.
"How about we just see whether anyone would believe you're my slave. If they buy it, well, then, 5 dinars is a small price to pay."
Xena smiled and leaned down, her face mere inches from the bard's.
"And if I'm right and they don't believe it?"
Gabrielle pulled back and squeezed tighter against the warrior's hip. Steeling her gaze, the bard's voice was low and seductive.
"Then you get...anything...you want, warrior."
Both of them were silent for a moment, two sets of eyes locked into each other. The nearness of both bodies caused the scent of leather and bergamot to mingle. With a slight nod of her head, Xena agreed and the bard's eyebrow raised as she smiled. If Gabrielle had a mind to, she'd demand a dinar now just for this little victory. It really wasn't fair, she supposed, especially knowing that she had the warrior wrapped around her little finger. Of course, that wasn't to say Xena didn't have Gabrielle wrapped around her own finger, because she did. The fact of the matter was that both warrior and bard were bound together so tightly that neither one was ever getting loose anytime soon. But, they liked to play as lovers do, and so they sometimes pushed just a little, to see what happened.
Stepping back from the warrior, Gabrielle turned and started down the path towards Athens without so much as looking back. With a smirk, Xena gathered Argo's reins and followed after the bard, chuckling at the thought of her being mistaken for Gabrielle's slave. It was ludicrous. Absolutely unbelievable. Ha Ha.
Xena had watched the bard from a distance as they traveled the road to Athens. Not once did Gabrielle turn and acknowledge the warrior nor make a move to wait for her. All that Xena saw was the sway of Gabrielle's hip as her skirted figure moved almost..regally ahead of her. The bard's stride was confident and smooth, each step taken with the poise of an Amazon Queen. But it was the damn distracting way Gabrielle's skirt swished and how the column of muscles in her lower back flexed with each step that caused Xena to reconsider her bet. If she were to serve anyone, it would be Gabrielle.
Once inside the city, Gabrielle made a beeline for a tavern off one of the main streets in the city. Smiling, Xena recognized the place immediately. They had stayed here during the Dionysian Festival and her friends Diana and Trista ran the tavern and inn. Good choice. It seemed as if Gabrielle was going to stack the deck in her favor and what better way to do that then choose a safe, familiar place. The warrior wasn't sure how many people would need to be convinced, but she could guarantee that her friends weren't going to be among those. With a smirk, Xena took Argo around to the stable and decided to make the bard wait for her as she brushed the mare down carefully, spending a fair amount of a candlemark with the horse. Gabrielle didn't come out to check on her once and the warrior had time to reflect in the quiet barn.
So many things had changed in her life since Gabrielle had come along. In fact, despite some of the rough times they had had, Xena never felt happier. It was a little odd to consider that she could actually feel happiness, given that her own relatively young life had been full of such darkness. It wasn't easy dealing with her past which always seemed to make itself known wherever they went. However, through the bard's gentle acceptance and love, Xena felt that she would be able to come to terms with that time and let go. Even better, with Gabrielle, the warrior was able to contemplate a present and a future that, despite life's unexpected setbacks, would at least be filled with the light of the bard's love. Xena smiled as she leaned against Argo and patted the mare's side.
"She's something, isn't she, girl?"
Argo snorted and did a little shake of her tail as Xena chuckled at her horse. Stepping towards the barn door, the warrior readied herself to find out exactly what her 'something' was up to right now. Maybe she'd play along with Gabrielle for a bit, just to make her happy because truly, it would be unbelievable that she would be Gabrielle's slave. After all -- Xena moved to straighten herself up tall, hitched her scabbard and settled her chakram -- she _was_ The Warrior Princess, was she not?
A candlemark later, Xena still sat by herself at the bar, sipping her ale. She had spent some time catching up with the owners of the place, her friends from long ago. The tavern of the inn itself was full, mostly of women Xena noted. That wasn't surprising given the owners and the fact that the inn's delightful reputation had passed through the Amazon circles and other such groups. Rumor had it that even Sappho had spent a rather quiet night here once, surprising given the poet's outgoing personality. The boarding rooms were few though, about 10 guest rooms, so most of the tavern business came from those who just stopped for the fantastic food Diana cooked. Even though she knew the owners, Athens was a big place and it appeared that Xena's celebrity went mostly unnoticed and unrecognized in the large room. There were enough women warriors in the place that one more was old hat.
Taking another drink of her ale, Xena resisted the urge to find out where Gabrielle had gone to and what was going on. She'd wait, just to be polite. She didn't want to cheat and spoil the bard's plans. After all, Xena was, if nothing else, fair; and she had every intention of letting Gabrielle try to convince this crowd that she owned the warrior princess. A slight smirk crossed the warrior's lips. It was almost too far-fetched to even consider, but Xena was in a good mood tonight. Their trip here had been pleasant and the business they had to attend to (simply dropping off some off Gabrielle s scrolls to the Academy for preservation) was hardly the stuff of danger. In fact, the warrior mused as stretched her legs and resettled them on her stool, a couple of nights in Athens sounded downright relaxing and tame. With that thought, Xena once again lifted her cup to her lips and started to take a drink.
Suddenly, the voices and laughter that had filled the tavern room came to an abrupt and jolting halt -- dead silence followed by a few gasps. All eyes were focused on the stairs as Xena turned her head as well. Absently, she set down her ale and simply stared with the rest of the room.
Walking slowly and grandly down the steps, Gabrielle was the picture of perfection, she was The Amazon Queen. With a slight lift of her chin, Gabrielle stopped on the lower step of the stairs and stood, absorbing the entire room's gaze with an almost regal indifference but yet conveying that she appreciated each and every occupant of the room. She was dressed in the regalia she last wore at the Amazon's, when she took the mask of Queen. She looked simply majestic. Around her neck, she wore a choker of delicate feather and her hair was held back with a brown woven band, a few simple braids lay entwined in the golden silk. Her suede brownish top was swirled with gold stitching in a simple but striking pattern. Fortunately, this particular item of clothing had considerably less material than her usual outfit and so the expanse of muscled flesh down her belly was deliciously exposed. Low around her hips hung the elaborate Amazon belt holding up her skirt, feathers and jewels and gold stitching formed a V pattern in front as it held the different layers of skirt in place. Barely visible, the sides of the skirt were slit up her thighs and a dark purple layer of cloth lay underneath. Along her arms were the traditional Amazon gauntlets, dark leather woven and adorned with feather and crafted bronze ornaments. On her left bicep was a simple armband circling the firm muscles Gabrielle had developed, the brown leather band also crafted with feather and metal. Finally, and most importantly, along her right arm she wore the Queen's shoulder piece. Attached to the strap of her top, the metal was molded in swirls and crafted to attach to her armband. This single emblem (along with the mask that had been destroyed) signified Gabrielle's title and position as Queen of the Amazons. And right now, standing in that inn, Gabrielle was indeed, The Queen.
Behind Gabrielle on the steps stood two beautiful and strong Amazons holding spears and looking for all the world as if they would give their lives to defend this queen. Truth was, they would and they had almost fallen all over themselves scrambling when Gabrielle had walked in earlier, saw them, and announced she would need their services for the evening to attend to her. A chance to be the queen's guard, no matter the relative lack of need in this inn, was a once in a lifetime opportunity and one the two women were honored to be given. Wait until they got back and told their friends! Ephiny, of course, ruled them at home, but Gabrielle's eminent title gave her the rights of Queenhood whenever she chose to invoke them. It was kind of like a shared Queen-thing and really, none of the Amazons minded serving either Ephiny or Gabrielle whenever or wherever they wanted. Who would?
With a sweep of her emerald eyes, Gabrielle took in the room with measured ease, her eyes catching and holding each of the occupants in the room briefly before moving on. You didn't have to tell the non-Amazons in the room that this woman _was_ royalty. That much could be determined by her dress and guard. But, the rest of the room also sensed that this woman had a gentle power and grace that came to people who ruled not by intimidation, but by sheer personality. The woman who gazed out over them was indeed someone who possessed that certain elusive quality of those who had earned respect and admiration. It was clear that the Amazons certainly acknowledged this woman's position and the rest of the Athenian women and travelers in this tavern were not of a mind to disagree. Besides, how often does one have dinner in the same room with a Queen?
Gabrielle's eyes moved across the room until finally, they settled on a set of blue. Xena, for her part, was not only speechless, but also breathless. From the first moment she saw Gabrielle walk down the steps until now, she had been totally and completely captured. Even though she had briefly seen Gabrielle in her regalia, she hadn't really had the time to witness how well her bard had fit the role of Amazon Queen. It had been a hectic time, and her mind had been elsewhere (namely struggling for her own life) the last time, but now, she could really _see_ who Gabrielle had become. The realization of how much the young woman she loved had changed was startling. This wasn't the girl she rescued from the slavers. This was a mature, confident,powerful woman who had won the hearts of the Amazons as their queen and had taken the heart of a warrior princess for her own. Five dinars be damned.
With slow deliberate steps, Gabrielle moved down into the tavern, her eyes still firmly locked into Xena's. While the rest of the room started to talk to each other, their words were definitely much softer and quieter than before. No one seemed to want to break the spell as they watched the queen walk slowly across the tavern floor, her guards following behind. In fact, most people shut up again in a hurry when they realized that the queen was headed for a rather imposing warrior woman seated at the bar. The woman was not an Amazon, that much they could tell by her appearance. Everyone was curious because they could feel 'something' radiating off both women's bodies. It was undefinable, but it was a tangible kind of thing. You could almost taste it.
For being a room full of people, Xena felt like she was alone with the queen, held by those golden green eyes. Fact of the matter is, she didn't give a damn about anyone else in that room, they simply stopped existing. Gabrielle had her. Completely. And whatever the queen wanted, Xena, the warrior princess was going to give her.
Xena swallowed as she watched Gabrielle stop next to her, tasting the unmistakable essense of her lover on the slight breeze that followed in the wake of the queen. It was intoxicatingly sweet, a mixture of soft leather, gentle spice, citrus soap, fresh air, and the queen's own subtle scent. It went straight to Xena's head in a rush and she placed a hand on the bar to steady herself. Now, Xena wasn't a schoolgirl by any stretch of the imagination, but in all her vast and varied experiences, no one ever, _ever_ affected her quite like Gabrielle did. The queen could have demanded her second dinar now just from the way Xena's body was responding.
Silently, Xena watched as Gabrielle's expression turned intense as she gazed at the warrior, the queen's lips parting slightly as she wet them sensuously with her tongue. Gabrielle's eyes slid off Xena's and moved down, resting on the drink in the warrior's hands. Slowly, Gabrielle brought her eyes back up and captured deep blue again. With a bare nod of her head towards the bar and a slight closing of her eyes, the queen demanded a drink.
Turning away, Gabrielle led her guard over to an unoccupied table and waited for one of the women to pull the chair out before she sat down with an air of smooth grace. Settling herself, she slowly crossed one leg over the other and sat back. Resting her elbow on the arm of the chair, the queen's hand went to her chin where her finger thoughtfully stroked her bottom lip in appraisal at Xena, as if contemplating how it might be to bed a warrior like her. Her eyes drank in Xena's muscled form with relaxed confidence as the fingers on her other hand began a gentle tapping on the arm of her chair. The queen was obviously waiting for Xena to attend to her.
Watching the queen move to a table and sit, Xena almost had to shake her head. She had seen Gabrielle be assertive before, of course. And certainly, she had been on the receiving end of her lover's...aggressive tactics when they were intimate (truth be told, Xena liked that. Very much). But tonight, there was something different about Gabrielle. And something different about Xena. Even though this was elaborate roleplaying, there was something more to it. Truthfully, no one in this land could make Xena submit. She was owned by none of the gods, no king, no one. But Gabrielle, Xena's mind realized, had a hold on her tighter than she would have believed possible and it was a different kind of power. Gods ruled others with their ability to manipulate mortals and intimidate them, and kings ruled with their armies and their money.
Gabrielle ruled Xena with deep, complete, intense love.
Xena threw a dinar down as she waited for Diana to fill two mugs of ale. Standing, she was acutely aware of the queen's gaze on her back, feeling two green points of light warm across her skin. She knew she was being scrutinized and almost imperceptibly adjusted herself, as if to make herself worthy of Gabrielle's eyes. Running a quick hand through the front of her bangs, the warrior had to laugh at herself. She was nervous! Gods!
Taking the two mugs, she steadied herself and turned back towards the room. As expected, the queen was watching her. The whole room was watching her. Xena moved across the floor and stood next to the table and oddly, she just kind of stopped. Gabrielle had not said a word to her and was simply running her eyes up and down the warrior's body, lingering wherever Xena's skin was exposed, burning a path on bronze muscles. Looking up at the warrior, Gabrielle raised an eyebrow and nodded at the cup in Xena's hand. This small act clearly established for those who might be watching that the queen had found the warrior's little gift acceptable. With a slow smile, Gabrielle issued her first order in a gentle voice.
"Sit."
Now, it wasn't like Xena thought about running out of the tavern or even standing much longer, so it wasn't that hard to obey the command. And as much as she wanted to smirk down at Gabrielle, she somehow found herself compelled not to smirk. Or to disobey. In fact, Xena found the queen's subtle power irresistible. Funny. It was like Gabrielle's entire demeanor and attitude had changed when she walked down those stairs and with it, Xena changed as well. The warrior unconsciously let go and decided to give the queen her entire being. Inside, her mind was bucking at the idea of being tamed, but her body's response to this Gabrielle was unmistakable. She realized body and mind would fight both the constriction and freedom the queen's little game offered. Swallowing back her pride, Xena sat down in a chair next to Gabrielle and silently placed the mug of ale in front of her. One more dinar appeared to be given as freely as a kiss.
The warrior watched as Gabrielle's hand gracefully reached out and took the handle of the mug and raised it to her lips. With her eyes, she held the warrior's blues as she took a drink of the cool liquid. The way her lips touched the mug was like a blessing, a light kiss promised only to that which was worthy. Xena couldn't help but let her eyes trail down the queen's throat, watching as Gabrielle swallowed the ale. It was almost too much and the warrior narrowed her eyes in reflexive emotion. To have been that cup touched by Gabrielle's lips or to have been that liquid the queen drank...gods, Xena would have given a kingdom.
Quietly, a serving girl came over to their table and stood between Xena and Gabrielle, her focus clearly on the queen as she waited for their order. The two Amazon guards had moved back from the table but kept an eye on anyone who approached. Slowly, Gabrielle lowered the mug and set it down, keeping her eyes on Xena the entire time. She smiled when the warrior reached out to the serving girl to get her attention and order for them both.
"We'll have...."
Before Xena could say anything else, she felt the queen's hand upon her thigh. Drawing the warrior's gaze to meet her own with the gentle pressure, Gabrielle leaned over in her chair and spoke in quiet words only Xena could hear.
"I order. You serve. Please remember that."
Xena's eyes widened as Gabrielle leaned back and spoke up to the serving girl.
"My order, please. "
Nodding, the serving girl disappeared. Apparently, Gabrielle had made prior arrangements with Diana when she first arrived. (It had actually taken a bit of quick talking from the bard to convince Xena's friend that things were well in hand and could she please just go along with this). The queen sat back in her chair as her green eyes sparkled over at the warrior. Taking another drink of her ale, she nodded at Xena.
"You may drink."
Now, wait a minute here. Xena decided when and if she drank, thank you very much. Holding up her hand, the warrior protested.
"Gabrielle, now this is just..."
With graceful speed, Gabrielle was on her feet, her hands finding the arms of Xena's chair. Leaning over the sitting warrior, the queen's eyes flashed as her lips moved to Xena's ear and her words found their mark.
"I own you, Xena."
Xena watched as Gabrielle pulled back and captured her eyes once again, this time in challenge. The nearness of the queen's body and the look in her eyes made the warrior reconsider her protest. In reality, tonight Gabrielle _did_ own Xena. The queen knew it, the warrior knew it, and the rest of the tavern could clearly see it. Gabrielle laid claim to Xena the minute she came down those stairs and she intended to rule her possession thoroughly. Xena swallowed as Gabrielle's hand moved to her face and ran her fingers down the warrior's strong jawline and stopped at her chin. Everything faded away when the queen brought her lips to Xena's and kissed her. Gabrielle had kissed Xena a million times before, but this kiss felt like it was gods' blessed in its sweetness. All the warrior could do was simply close her eyes and let the queen's gentle but insistent pressure claim her. From Gabrielle's lips, sugar could not have tasted better. And for Gabrielle's lips, Xena sold herself completely.
The warrior felt Gabrielle pull back from the kiss but her eyes remained closed. Taking a deep breath, she felt the queen's fingertips trace over her cheeks and brows in gentle possession. Each touch affirmed that Xena belonged to Gabrielle. Her fingers were soft and light as they moved their way through silky dark strands of hair at the side of Xena's head. Along her shoulder, the warrior tingled where Gabrielle's fingers skimmed across and down her arm until the queen's fingers entangled with her own. Feeling a soft squeeze, Xena finally opened her eyes.
What greeted her was the most magnificent smile she had ever seen on Gabrielle's face. Green eyes radiated light golden hues and that distractingly cute crinkle at the side of her nose couldn't keep Xena from smiling back. Gabrielle spoke gently through her smile.
"Ok?"
With an immediate slight nod, Xena agreed. To everything.
"Ok."
One last squeeze of her hand and the queen let go and smoothly returned to her chair, her eyebrow raising at some of the staring patrons. Quickly, the women in the tavern went back to their meals, satisfied that the Amazon Queen had easily captured the warrior woman for her own. If she wasn't a slave before, she was now.
Their mugs had been refilled and the conversation was sparse. Gabrielle appeared to prefer regal silence tonight in place of their normal banter. Xena was no fool, and given to reticence already she held her tongue. For the queen's part, her eyes did enough talking for the both of them.
Soon enough, the serving girl was bringing out three plates of tasty appetizers: Stuffed grape leaves, figs, and slender wheat crackers topped with melted feta cheese, ham, and sliced olives. Gabrielle's eyes went wide at the sight and she smiled grandly. Just as she was about to reach for a cracker, Xena caught her eye and the queen stopped. Silently, she nodded at the warrior, settled back in her chair, and watched as Xena reached for a tidbit and leaned over to feed it to Gabrielle. The young queen closed her eyes at the taste in her mouth and at Xena's lingering fingertips. She could get used to this. Yep.
One of the buff Amazon guards surreptitiously looked over at the other. While it was true that they had seen their queens serviced in the past, it was quite another thing to see an incredibly strong, muscled, weaponed warrior like Xena actually feeding Gabrielle. Even more startling was how sensuous that feeding was becoming. Each bite from the queen resulted in Xena's fingers being captured between Gabrielle's teeth for longer periods of time. The queen was enjoying her warrior's fingers as much as the appetizers she ate. When Gabrielle had had her fill, she sat back in her chair and gazed at Xena.
"Have a bite, please."
Xena had to smile at the order ending with a 'please'. Naturally, this word pretty much won Gabrielle anything she wanted with the warrior, but in this context it seemed a bit...redundant. Xena had already silently agreed to the current arrangements. But, the 'please' part was a nice touch and it was so Gabrielle.
Reaching for a grape leaf, Xena let her eyes fall back on Gabrielle. The queen had a slight smile on her face as she rested her chin in her hand and decided to take any and all liberties she desired. And right now, that meant watching her gorgeous warrior nibble. Xena took to the challenge and held the appetizer in two hands. Gently unrolling the leaf open and spreading it with her fingers, Xena kept her eyes on Gabrielle as she dipped her lips between the folds and scooped out the deliciously spicy contents with her tongue. Slowly, she savored the taste in her mouth, closed her eyes, and swallowed.
This image was not lost on Gabrielle.
Xena smiled to herself as a slight flush crept across the queen's neck and cheeks. There was no reason the warrior couldn't be subversively rebellious in a subtle kind of way. What she did to one of the figs scandalized the serving girl as she came by to refill the drinks, and the queen suddenly becoming rather thirsty indeed. Xena watched while she eventually chewed the sweet fig as Gabrielle's hands had gripped the arms of her chair. Perhaps she'd have to take back one of those dinars.
Somehow dinner was also a quiet affair with very few words spoken between them. It was almost as if for now, everything that needed to be said could be said with their eyes and with their bodies. Neither let their gaze drift anywhere but on the other as they feasted on roast lamb and pork, savory seafood, and other delicacies. It was no wonder that this inn was known for its food, tonight's dinner was pure hedonistic Elysia. All of Gabrielle's meal was served to her from Xena' fingertips and she wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The warrior would not take a bite for herself until Gabrielle nodded to her. It was hard for either of them to keep the smile off their faces when Xena declined further bites while the queen was still going strong. Gods, dinner was a glorious affair.
Somewhere in the middle of the second course, Gabrielle had ordered their drinks switched to wine and oddly enough, it was a smooth transition. The food they ate pretty much demanded a more refined flavor than ale and certainly, whatever the queen wanted tonight, the queen got. As much as Gabrielle wanted dessert, she was pleasantly stuffed and decided to save those sweet morsels for later.
The tavern had grown darker as some of the brighter torches were extinguished. The crowd remained predominantly female after the dinner patrons left, while in one corner, a small group of musicians set up to play. Lilting laughter and soft words floated around the room as Gabrielle stretched her legs out and leaned back in her chair. Xena had been most attentive during dinner and truly, the queen had been surprised that it had lasted this long. The way the warrior was acting, she suspected that she would be queen all night. With that thought, Gabrielle's lips curved into a smile as she took a sip of her wine and glanced over at Xena.
For her part, Xena was actually enjoying this. Perhaps it was the fact that Gabrielle's brand of..queenliness..was so palatable to the warrior. It wasn't harsh and it certainly didn't feel threatening. It was there alright and Xena could definitely feel the subtle power Gabrielle exuded, but it was entirely charming and completely acceptable to Xena. Furthermore, she wasn't at all concerned about her so-called reputation. It was no secret Xena and Gabrielle were lovers, Hades, it was pretty much a given to anyone who saw them together. And just because Xena willingly allowed herself to be commanded by an Amazon Queen tonight wasn't going to change the fact that she could well and truly kick the posterior buttock region of any fool who wanted to make something of it. So there.
The music in the room was hypnotic; soft drums thumped a beat while flute and stringed instruments provided a seductively exotic tune. The room hummed with slow rhythmic vibrations as various women stood to dance closely to the music. The wine and the food and the music all were a heady mix and soon the queen's eyes wandered to the warrior. She was a prize worthy of all the riches in the world. Gabrielle's gaze took in the muscled form of Xena; underneath all that armor and leather and those weapons, a magnificent body lay. Honed from years of battle and work, Xena was coiled power and skill. Gabrielle had witnessed enough of the warrior's deeds to know that her abilities were potent and fierce, feared throughout the land. Narrowing her eyes, the queen took a breath when she realized that she alone could control that unstoppable force should she want. That realization in and of itself moved through Gabrielle's body and mind and left a wake of warm primal arousal.
Xena watched as Gabrielle stood, again with grace, her movements smooth and august. When the Amazon guards started to move to her side, she dismissed them with a wave, all the while keeping her eyes locked on Xena's. Something about Gabrielle's expression told Xena that this young woman had more than dinner on her mind tonight. Just under that majestic veneer, the warrior caught the spark of something brightly hot. Gabrielle positively radiated.
Xena swallowed as the queen moved towards her and with a slight push of her skirted knee, spread the warrior's legs apart where she sat and claimed that spot to stand. Green eyes darkened as she stared intently down at Xena, her fingertips just barely grazing against the tops of the warrior's thighs. Reaching down, she took Xena's hands in her own and moved them to her hips, wanting to feel a powerful grip. With excrutiating slowness, Gabrielle leaned down, placed her hands on the tops of Xena's leather-striped thighs, and stopped.
Both of them breathed the same air, the queen mere inches from Xena's face. It was as if Gabrielle was trying to look as far into the warrior's eyes as she could see, trying to find the source of Xena's spring-fed liquid blue. Truth of the matter was that Xena felt Gabrielle could see everything that lay inside the warrior. This woman was her source, Gabrielle was her heart. The warrior's eyes simply reflected back the queen's image with vivid intensity.
Reflexively, Xena's legs gently came to rest against the outside of the queen's own and Gabrielle dropped her eyes to glance down. Licking her lips, the queen looked back up at Xena, took a breath, and husked out her words.
"Dance with me."
The words went straight to Xena's head, leaving her dazed as Gabrielle stood back up and kept her eyes on Xena. With her hands still on the queen's hips, the warrior pushed back her chair as she stood tall above Gabrielle. Somewhere long ago, the rest of the people in the tavern had faded out of existence and Xena felt like she and Gabrielle were in their own private world. They had danced before of course, often times alone in the middle of the woods without any music, each of them swaying with the other. They had danced at parties in front of Kings and Queens, with the Amazons, even in front of Xena's mother and brother. But tonight, Xena felt like this was the first time she had ever danced with a true queen, with Gabrielle.
Xena watched as her lover reached up and put her arms around her neck, all the while green eyes held her own. Slowly, she slipped her hands away from Gabrielle's waist and moved them to the bareness of her back, her fingers gently pulling the queen closer to her. The minute she felt Gabrielle's body press against her own, Xena closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. The queen's breasts were against her armor (but Gabrielle didn't seem to notice or care) and she could feel the warmth of Gabrielle's body under her hands and against her leather. Again, the closeness afforded the warrior another intoxicating taste of the queen's scent, even more powerful than before in its nearness.
Even though she was in the position to lead, given her size and strength, Xena let the queen dictate their movements, which were slow and sensuous. Gabrielle moved against the warrior, pressing her body at various points, her belly against Xena's hip, her hip against thigh, cheek against warrior breast. The music was subtle and pulsing, insistent in its rhythm. Xena's hands moved against the queen's back, feeling the muscles under them and the ties of her leather top. Gabrielle pulled them closer, demanding more contact as her eyes looked up and blazed into Xena's. This dance was slow and close and completely erotic.
The couple didn't notice as the rest of the room pretty much sat enraptured by the sight of queen and warrior dancing. All eyes followed as Gabrielle moved against her tall companion, her hips pressing in against the warrior. They watched as Xena's hands moved against the back of the queen, over soft curves or against warm exposed flesh. It was hard to tell which one to envy most; both of them appeared to be quietly soaking in the other's entire being. It was breathtaking to watch.
Looking up at her, Gabrielle took one of Xena's hands and turned in the warrior's arms, pulling the warrior close behind her back. Xena swayed with Gabrielle, letting her other hand glide down Gabrielle's arm and then over the queen's muscled belly. Standing behind Gabrielle, Xena closed her eyes as the queen pressed back against her and moved in a slow rhythmic dance of pure sensuality. With Gabrielle in her arms, the warrior felt like this kind of love and connection was worth every hardship she had ever faced, it was all worth it.
The queen was guiding her hand over warm skin and pressing against her; it was enough to drive Xena crazy. And then she felt Gabrielle turn back around in her arms and look at her, emotion coloring her eyes a rich green. They danced pressed against each other, never losing contact. Xena was beginning to fall deeper in this intense place of existing with Gabrielle. Every inch of her being was in tune with the queen and she felt like she had perhaps been dancing with Gabrielle forever. Those incredible eyes simply held her captive, as they would for lifetimes yet to come. Feeling the queen's hands reach up and move through the back of her hair, Xena took a breath and spoke, the emotion she felt lowered her voice.
"May I kiss you...please?"
Gabrielle's eyes shut slightly at the request. Tangling her hands in the warrior's dark hair, the queen stopped their dance just a bit and began to pull Xena down towards her. The warrior let herself be guided until she was inches from Gabrielle's lips. With a soft breath that tickled, the queen whispered her answer as she gazed into blue.
"Yes."
It was a simple answer, but Xena felt like she had been given a queendom. 'Yes' never sounded so sweet. It was a moment that would be etched into the warrior's memory with crystallized surety. Gabrielle was indeed her Queen and the promises she made with that single word simply ensured Gabrielle's reign. Taking a breath, the warrior steadied herself.
Smoothly, Xena's hands moved from the queen's back to gently touch against the sides of Gabrielle's face. The warmth of the queen's skin penetrated the warrior's palms and she took a breath when she felt Gabrielle's hands slip down to her leathered hips and squeeze. When was the last time Xena kissed Gabrielle? Gods, it felt like forever. Would her lips be worthy? Could her kiss be everything Gabrielle wanted?
Gently, Xena placed her lips against the queen's, her eyes closing on contact. For a moment, she just pressed them there, relishing the feel of softness like silk against her. Slowly, she parted her lips and she gently took Gabrielle's bottom lip between hers and kissed it, sucking it in lightly and letting her tongue glide against it. When she felt the queen's hands squeeze harder against her hips, she pulled Gabrielle closer and asked for more. With a gentle request, her tongue danced between the queen's lips, slipping over teeth until it moved inside Gabrielle's mouth. She nearly sank to her knees when she heard the queen's soft whimper and felt that royal tongue move against her own. Soft, sweet, intense...this kiss was perfection.
Breathless moments later, Xena felt Gabrielle pull back, her eyes completely dark green with desire, her lips moist with wetness. The queen had a deathgrip on her hips and her breath quickened. Pulling the warrior's hips to her own, Gabrielle pressed against her tightly and narrowed her eyes up at Xena, her voice a ragged command.
"More."
With that, the warrior was given permission to crush her lips against the queen's in a dazzling display of strength and power. They couldn't have cared less if every single eye in the room was on them and every single jaw was on the floor at such an incredibly passionate exchange. Xena delivered her primal kisses with force, nipping at Gabrielle's lips, pressing hard against her, pushing her tongue deeply inside. The queen had herself a warrior princess and that meant everything Xena did, she did with an intensity and heat none could match. Right now, Gabrielle was burning up in that blaze of love and lust.
The queen's face was completely flushed by the time Xena's lips slid off hers. Leaning down, the warrior pressed her face against the queen's neck, closing her eyes against the heated skin and breathing heavily, the sheer heat of those kisses catching Xena off guard. Her arms reached around and she pulled Gabrielle to her as close as she could, breathing in her scent as she did. Gabrielle could feel the shaking strength in Xena's body as the warrior held back, catching her breath, loving her queen.
Gabrielle had thoroughly enslaved her warrior and right now, it was the queen's duty to get them someplace less public before she commanded Xena to take her right there on the tabletop amidst the stuffed grape leaves (as appealing as that idea might be). She spoke firmly to her lover.
"Let's go."
Gabrielle disentangled herself from the warrior and took her hand, smiling to herself at how gorgeous Xena looked when she was completely aroused. The warrior's blue eyes were dark with desire and her face was heated with a slight red flush. Nodding at her equally flushed Amazon guards, she dismissed them for the night with a genuine smile. The queen proceeded to pull Xena along through the tavern room with elegant ease despite the fact that her own knees were rather weak. She just had to make it upstairs. Quickly.
Tonight, Gabrielle was going to rule her warrior princess. She was going to have Xena on her terms, the way she wanted. Taming Xena meant giving her everything she wanted but only after she earned it. And no one knew how to give the warrior what she wanted like Gabrielle did. Afterall, she was the Queen.
The entire trip up the stairs to the queen's room had actually turned into a slow affair. Whereas before Gabrielle had been in a rush to get them upstairs, now she was savoring each moment. Not that she liked to torture, but really, she loved the idea of making her very anxious and very aroused warrior wait. It sort of emphasized how well in check the queen had her body and how wild Xena's had become. She smiled to herself. To tame and rule one such as Xena, she would first have to slow her down. For now.
The tavern noises started again as they climbed the stairs, everyone abuzz about the Queen and her warrior. However, with each step, the din faded in the darkness as Gabrielle led Xena up further. The queen's hand gently gripped the warrior's, occasionally squeezing out a message of love. At the top of the stairs, Gabrielle stopped and turned, holding Xena back two steps below her and smiling. Even in the dimly lit hallway, the queen's beauty shone bright.
For the warrior, the lack of immediacy she felt on Gabrielle's part to get them to their room was killing her! The dancing had been one thing (one very good thing) but the kissing had been an entirely sensuous, inspiring other thing. Her lips still felt the gentle tingle of Gabrielle and she could still taste the queen. Xena wasn't sure when a kiss had been so...intense. Right now, her body was humming with tightly controlled need and Xena was beginning to think she really, really liked this whole queen business.
Gabrielle stood eye level to her on the top of the stairs and was smiling at her in an all together wicked way. This was not good. So Xena foolishly raised an insolent and arrogant eyebrow up at Gabrielle in query over the holdup. Uh oh. Not good again. The queen's own expression changed as her smile faded and a reddish blond eyebrow raised in return. Someone appeared to be challenging the queen and that someone was about to find out exactly how bad of an idea that was.
Dropping Xena's hand, Gabrielle put her hands on her own hips and glared at the warrior, her expression clearly one of royal ire. Dropping her voice, the queen firmly spoke at Xena.
"Are you questioning me, warrior?"
Xena bit the inside of her lip to keep from smirking. She had to admit though, Gabrielle's temper was not one she wanted to incite. Believe it or not, her peace-loving companion had one Hades of a temper when pushed. Xena's mind flashed back to a hot political courtroom in Argos and a rather temperamental bard. The one thing about Gabrielle, though, was that all of her emotions appeared to be delightfully intertwined with each other so when she was happy, she often cried. And when she got angry, she got very..intense..and passionate.
Lowering her eyes in a nod to appease the queen, Xena responded in a clear voice -- though not as respectful as it probably should have been.
"No. I'm not questioning you...your majesty."
She threw that last part in just to shake up the queen. Xena was being subversively disobedient again. However, the queen not only took the title in stride (having heard it from the Amazons enough not to be freaked out by it), but she didn't flinch a muscle or change her expression. Reaching out, Gabrielle took Xena's chin in her hand and raised the warrior's face, her stare hard. Growling, she issued a regal threat.
"Then you'd better not raise that eyebrow of yours at me again... slave."
Gabrielle threw _that_ last part in just to remind Xena that she was the Queen tonight. It appeared her wild warrior was pushing the boundaries, finding out how far she could go before Gabrielle decided to rule with a firmer hand. Leaning in close, the queen's green eyes flashed as she pulled Xena's chin to her. With her face right in front of the warrior's, her voice dropped lower.
"Because if I see it again.."
Gabrielle's other hand reached out and slid through the dark black hair at the back of Xena's head and grasped it in a gently firm kind of way. The queen's eyes were drilling into Xena's, issuing a challenge of their own and a promise of no mercy. And then, an instant later, Gabrielle's lips were driving against Xena's in a crushing kiss, rough and demanding as she claimed the warrior's mouth in an elegantly primal way. The queen's tongue pushed inside the warrior's and ruled with passionate fervor. It was hot.
Sensing that Xena was breathless, Gabrielle pulled back and captured blue eyes again. Sliding one hand up, the queen took her finger and traced it over lips she had just taken. Xena's fire had been reignited by Gabrielle's sweet consuming power. Smiling, the queen's fingertips touched over newly warmed, flushed cheeks and she let her voice soften.
"..I won't be nearly as nice."
With that, Gabrielle raised her eyebrow, wanting to make sure it was clear that the warrior understood what the situation was. Firm, but gentle. This was why Xena was serving her queen tonight and forever. Gabrielle administered her own brand of authority with such tender care that often times, the warrior never realized how much her lover influenced her. It wasn't a manipulative kind of thing and it wasn't overly pushy. It was simply Gabrielle loving Xena enough to stand firm on the important issues without ever calling into doubt her total devotion and affection for the warrior It was a comforting feeling for Xena and it made her feel more secure than she had ever been in her life. Her stability came from Gabrielle and this was something that would never, ever be questioned.
Xena let every ounce of love she felt for Gabrielle show in her eyes as she nodded. She was completely and totally the queen's for the taking. And right now, she wanted nothing more than to give Gabrielle anything she wanted. Her need to please the queen was becoming incredibly intense. She'd have gotten down on her knees right here if Gabrielle wanted. Xena was conquered.
Gently, the queen pulled Xena forward and pressed the warrior's face against her chest, closing her eyes when she heard Xena sigh in contentment. She smiled when the warrior reached her arms around and hesitantly encircled the queen's waist, waiting for permission to draw her near. Gabrielle moved closer and granted that permission and soon, Xena's strong arms were pulling the queen close in an embrace of utter worship.
For long moments, they stood there, queen and warrior on the stairs of an inn in the middle of Athens, feeling for all the world like they had been made exactly for each other in every way. It was as if two worlds collided into one perfect whole. Complimentary yet distinct. Dark yet light. Theirs was a love that would transcend time and space in its completeness.
Xena's soft nibbling roused them out of their haze.The warrior's lips moved gently against the skin between Gabrielle's breast, lightly kissing and tasting. She hadn't been given permission for this, but the queen was hardly going to complain. Xena's hunger for her lover was making itself known in the licks she was giving to bare skin. She needed Gabrielle.
Bowing her head, the queen placed a soft kiss on the top of dark mahogany hair and let her hands move through the long strands, gently stroking. She pulled back and smiled as she looked down at Xena and caught those blue eyes. The warrior had turned her head and rested her cheek between Gabrielle's breast and simply pressed her lips against the side of one of those breasts. It was clear what the warrior needed. With a gentle word, Gabrielle's hand went to the side of the warrior's face to briefly stroke against warm skin.
"Here."
With that, Gabrielle reached up her left hand and pulled the leather strap of her top down her arm a bit. Xena's eyes narrowed and she let out a heavy breath as she watched Gabrielle reach and pull her breast from its confinement. With supreme gentleness, the queen slipped her hand under the soft flesh and held it while her other hand pulled the warrior's mouth to her. Immediately, Xena's lips covered a tight hard nipple in rapture. Gabrielle's next soft command filtered down through her fading awareness of anything other than her mouth and the queen's breast.
"Suck."
And Xena did. Wholeheartedly.
The amazing part of it all was that the warrior didn't fall down the stairs. So intense was her arousal, her legs were shaking and her arms were wrapped around Gabrielle in some effort to steady herself. To say Xena was in complete and utter Elysia would probably be the understatement of eternity. Her lips and tongue and mouth focused on only one thing and that was pleasing her queen and fulfilling her order. Gabrielle's skin was sweet to the taste and Xena whimpered with each deep intake of flesh she took. She turned liquid right then and there.
For Gabrielle's part, she herself was starting to find it harder to stand with each incredible move Xena's tongue made. While one hand continued to hold the warrior's head closely to her, the queen's other hand was trying to push as much flesh into Xena's mouth as possible. Gasping at the sensations that drove straight to points south, Gabrielle closed her eyes and arched her body towards the warrior. Her body easily telling her that what Xena was doing felt very, very good.
Just as her knees were about to buckle, Gabrielle pulled back from Xena and caught those intense blue eyes with her own. Putting her hands on the side of the warrior's face, the queen delivered a most devastating kiss that was all wet and rough. They were breathing in gasps as their lips moved hungrily over each other. Tongues fought for space in first the warrior's mouth and then Gabrielle's. Xena's hands reached down and grasped the queen's firm skirted curves and pulled her closer. Wrapping her arms around the warrior's neck, Gabrielle leaned her head back and moaned when Xena's lips slid from her own and traveled to her neck, biting and sucking and kissing all at once.
That moan told Xena that she needed to get this particular queen to the throne room and quick. The warrior's strong arms lifted Gabrielle up, and with her lips still moving across the queen's neck and shoulder, she felt Gabrielle's legs wrap around her waist. Xena easily carried the queen up the two stairs and hurriedly moved down the hallway (she wanted to run!). As she was passing by a room, one of Gabrielle's arms shot out and her hand gripped the doorway, bringing them to an abrupt halt. The queen's lips were now searching for the warrior's own again as they kissed in rough and uneven measures. With one arm holding Gabrielle up, Xena felt around and easily found the doorknob and turned it. Opening the door, the warrior moved them in and shut it. They had found their room.
Finally.
As the door shut the rest of the world out, Xena and Gabrielle found themselves alone in the same room they had occupied during the Festival. At the moment though, the warrior's attention was elsewhere, namely on one certain fiery queen whose lips were blazing a wet trail across her face and neck. With skillful hands, Xena threw the bolt in place and locked the door while she turned and pressed Gabrielle's back against the wooden surface. Gabrielle kept her legs firmly wrapped around Xena's waist as her hands traveled through dark silky hair and over broad shoulders.
The weight of the queen's kisses rather than the weight of her body was making Xena dizzy. She might be the warrior princess, but she did have _some_ limits as to how much her body could handle at one time. And frankly, leaning the queen against the door freed up her hands for other activities. Kissing a path down Gabrielle's neck, Xena's hands moved smoothly through the folds of the queen's skirt and found the outsides of bare thighs to glide against. Bracing with her powerful legs, Xena held Gabrielle in place as she took liberties with her hands and lips.
That is, until she felt the queen take her face in her hands and pull her back from kissing. Gabrielle's face was flushed as she tried to regain some modicum of control before she simply let Xena have her way with her. And the way things were going, that was sounding better every second. Panting out her words, the queen's eyes were brightly green.
"Slow down, Xena...slow.."
The warrior simply growled and narrowed her blue eyes as she turned her head and captured a few fingers of the queen's hand and started assaulting them in a very suggestive manner. Gabrielle closed her eyes when she felt her fingers slip inside Xena's warm mouth and her tongue flick against and between her fingers. Gods, what Xena could do with her tongue nearly undid all of Gabrielle's careful planning. Reluctantly, she pulled her fingers back and captured the warrior's lips with her own in a kiss that was passionate and attention-getting. Pulling her lips away, the queen once again captured Xena's eyes. This time, her word was firm.
"Slow."
Xena's hands stopped mid-thigh as she stared back at the queen. She made a sound in the back of her throat that started much like another growl, but ended up more as a low dangerous rumble. The warrior was caught between obeying the queen and obeying what was becoming an overpowering need. Her entire powerful body was drawn tight and thrumming with arousal. As a warrior, Xena was intense, focused, and passionate. As a lover, Xena was very much the same way, but with a different goal in mind. She could be gentle, of course, but when pushed, she was wild and powerful. Harnessing that kind of force wasn't easy. Only a certain indomitable little queen knew how to master the warrior.
With firm determination, Gabrielle reached down and grabbed the wrist of one of Xena's barely moving hands and held it still against her thigh. Her eyes never left Xena's as she stared deeply into blazing blue. Part of being a queen was sometimes pulling back the reins just a bit in order to ensure that one's sovereignty remained unchallenged. And so they stood there, still and quiet, save for Xena's ragged breathing. The air between them was charged as they waited to see if the warrior was going to allow herself to be tamed.
Gabrielle's eyes softened as she felt the warrior's body lose some of its tension and she experimentally let go of Xena's wrist. When the queen was satisfied that Xena was going to behave, she smiled gently. Lifting her hand, the queen touched lightly over the heated skin of Xena's neck until her fingers rested on the pulsing point where her heart beat fast. Pressing against that point, Gabrielle felt how strongly her warrior princess was affected by her. With a whisper, the queen moved her hand to rest against Xena's cheek, the warmth she felt brought a smile to her face.
"Do you know how beautiful you are when you're excited, Xena?"
Xena stood still, acutely aware of her body leaning up against Gabrielle's, her hands resting against warm thighs, the queen's legs wrapped securely around her, pressing against her. Feeling Gabrielle's hand gently stroke against her cheek, she took deep breaths trying to calm herself. This was what Gabrielle could do to her; one minute her lover would be pushing her beyond her limits and the next she would be slowing her down. Both things conspired to arouse her emotions, her mind, and her body all at once. That was not all that Gabrielle did for her. Before, Xena's passion had been about absolute power without regard for or respect of the people she conquered. The warrior couldn't deny that her past was dark, but Gabrielle had taught her that the greatest power did not come from strength, ruthless cruelty, and terror. The greatest power came when it was freely given and respectfully received. It came from accepting responsibility and never exploiting. And it came from loving enough to trust completely and to be trusted completely. This lesson was one of the many things Gabrielle had easily and without conscious thought given to the warrior, mainly because this was all that her bard, her queen, her love had ever known.
Gabrielle looked into Xena's eyes to try to read where her warrior thoughts had gone. With gentle pressure from her fingertips, she brought Xena back to her. Leaning forward, the queen gently placed her lips against Xena's, kissing lightly, and pulled back. With soft husky words, she spoke again.
"Do you know how much I want you?"
Xena took a deep breath and continued to look into soft eyes. Her entire focus was on Gabrielle, on her words, on her body, on her being. She would do anything for this woman. Once again, her heart hurt at how much she loved Gabrielle and how much she wanted nothing more than to show her. Xena watched as green eyes softened when the warrior's body began to shake slightly under the strain of wanting her queen. Leaning in again, Gabrielle pressed her lips against Xena's and whispered words against their softness.
"Trust me."
Xena closed her eyes as the queen's lips moved up and she kissed one soft dark brow of her warrior and then the other. Her breath tickled against Xena's face and her words felt like warm snowflakes falling against her skin.
"I love you."
With that, Xena's body trembled as she felt Gabrielle lean further into her arms until she was no longer pressed against the door. With her arms around the warrior's neck, the queen's lips found her ear and she kissed soft and wet, the way one would if one wanted to calm and ignite at the same time. Breathing in Xena's ear, the queen issued a whispered request.
"Let me have you."
That did it. Whatever Xena might have been holding back, whatever amount of control she had saved for herself, she freely handed over to Gabrielle. She was going to give herself to a Queen tonight and she was going to let Gabrielle have it all, everything that she was. She absolutely belonged to the woman in her arms now.
Holding Gabrielle securely, Xena turned and carried her smoothly to the bed, her eyes never leaving her queen's. With infinite care, the warrior gently set Gabrielle down on the edge of the bed. When Gabrielle was settled and had released her arms and legs, Xena let herself sink to one knee on the floor in front of her queen. Gazing up at Gabrielle, the warrior took a deep breath at the beauty in front of her and swallowed. Slowly, she leaned forward and placed a kiss on top of Gabrielle's hand where it rested on her own knee. Pulling back, she let her blue eyes fill with every single emotion she was feeling. Softly, her low voice offered everything up to the queen.
"Whatever I have, is yours. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. All my love, my heart, everything is for you, Gabrielle. Take it..."
Gabrielle took a breath at this. She had heard Xena whisper words of endearment before, had heard her professions of love. They had talked about life, the past, the present, the future. The warrior might not necessarily be the most extensive conversationalist ever, but when she did talk, her words were well-chosen and honest. But these words, spoken by the warrior kneeling in front of her, were some of the deepest, most heartfelt she had ever heard. And Gabrielle took them for what they were -- an offer complete and profound. The queen had been given a gift she felt almost unworthy to accept, a gift she would hold dear forever.
Reaching her hand out, Gabrielle let her fingers gently smooth through dark hair at the side of Xena's head. With her eyes, she let the warrior know exactly what she thought about those words. Tonight, the queen intended on giving as much as she would take, loving as much as she was loved. Gabrielle smiled softly as she nodded slightly at Xena, promising as much as accepting. Leaning forward, Gabrielle placed a gentle kiss on the warrior's forehead with soft words to accompany the touch.
"Thank you."
With her lips lingering against the warrior's skin, Gabrielle inhaled the scent of Xena's silky hair. It reminded her of...cinnamon? Or was it nutmeg, with a hint of orange? Whatever it was, it was a scent that was as deeply ingrained in Gabrielle's being as the sound of Xena's voice, the feel of her touch, or the taste of her skin. She let her lips touch lightly, as she placed soft kisses one on top of the other. Each one a thank-you, each one a promise, and each one a token of love.
Pulling back, the queen let her hand remain in soft hair for a moment as she gazed deeply into the warrior's eyes. Slowly, her fingertips slid around and followed the warrior's jawline until they rested once again under the strong, proud chin of her love. With gentle pressure underneath, she silently asked Xena to stand. The queen watched with great interest as her warrior stood tall in front of her, a magnificent woman indeed. A magnificently over-dressed woman.
With a gentle word, Gabrielle smiled up at Xena, nodded, and issued her command.
"Undress"
Reaching up her hand, the queen indicated with her fingers and her eyes exactly what she wanted off the warrior. Gliding across leather and armor, her hand wandered down and ended up grabbing hold of a dark strip of leather which she tugged on with a smile. As an afterthought, she added a much needed qualifier to her command.
"Slowly."
Now, it didn't take a genius to realize that Gabrielle was quite enjoying her newfound rank. Laying on the bed, leaning back on her elbows, she watched her warrior princess carry out her orders, slowly. Green eyes sparkled as Xena kept her own eyes completely on Gabrielle while her hands reached around and unclasped her scabbard. Dropping her sword and her chakram gently to the floor next to her, the warrior continued to disrobe. Biting her lower lip, the queen watched Xena's strong fingers work at first one and then the other metal hooks that held her breastplate armor in place. Stripping it from her body, Xena paused as she stood tall.
The queen's appreciative eyes were roaming over smooth leather, taking in dark curves and graceful lines. Gabrielle smiled, remembering how soft and warm that leather was to the touch, which was part of the reason she often found she couldn't keep her hands off Xena. With a slight nod and gaze downward, Gabrielle indicated that the warrior should continue.
Bending down, Xena undid the straps and laces of boots and knee armor. Kicking her feet out of each one, the warrior raised back up and reconnected with Gabrielle's eyes. Slowly, she loosened the laces of her gauntlets and slid them off in turn. With just her armbands and leathers remaining, Xena raised a (respectful) eyebrow at her queen, gently asking if she wanted to see more.
Chuckling, Gabrielle smiled at Xena. With her hands resting on her belly, elbows propping her up, and legs dangling over the edge of the bed, she had a full view of the warrior's tall frame. The queen gave a jerk of her chin and raised an eyebrow. Of course she wanted to see more.
Obligingly, Xena twisted the ring that attached her strap to the body of her leathers and slid the metal out. After repeating it on the other shoulder, the warrior smiled slightly as she reached around behind her to loosen the laces in the back of the bodice. This reaching naturally necessitated an arching of the body that thrust two leather clad breasts out for the queen's inspection. No complaints from her royal highness.
Finally, it was time for Gabrielle to feast her eyes on her queendom. Xena wiggled her hips and body slowly, smoothly, and rather hotly as she peeled the leather down. Her eyes never left the queen as she watched Gabrielle take stock of each expanse of bronze flesh that was exposed. Green flickered across from one breast to the other as the queen quirked her lips watching her warrior. Xena saw the queen's swallow when she finally moved her leather over each hip and down. At mid-thigh, the warrior just let it drop from her hands and fall to the floor.
Taking a deep breath of air, Gabrielle's eyes moved over the warrior's naked form, admiring and loving everything about it. Xena was a beauty, no doubt about it, but truly, Gabrielle wouldn't have cared what she looked like, she would have loved her no less. The warrior stood there silently and accepted the open examination by the queen. Sometimes, Xena felt the closest to Gabrielle when she was naked before her, like she was showing her lover the real Xena without anything being hidden. She watched the queen pull herself back up to sit on the edge of the bed and the warrior moved closer when Gabrielle signaled with her eyes. Reaching out, the queen gently touched against one of the warrior's hips, smiling at the warmth. Gabrielle's fingers tingled against Xena's skin as they lightly traced a path down from the inside curve of her hip and through dark curls. The warrior's body jerked just a bit when the queen's fingers slid between her folds for the briefest amount of time. Xena narrowed her eyes and let out a deep breath in reaction to the touch. Blue eyes burned as she watched Gabrielle bring her fingertips to her lips and taste. The warrior almost fell to her knees at the sight.
The queen was in complete rapture, her eyes closed as her fingers slipped between her lips. A gentle hum of contentment escaped from Gabrielle's mouth as her tongue glided over slickly warm fingers. Now, Gabrielle liked to consider herself a connoisseur of sorts, her palate being rather refined from years of culinary experience, but _nothing_ compared, nothing _ever_ came close to Xena's taste. If she had to live on that sweetly salty substance alone, she would have done it gladly.
Slowly opening her eyes, Gabrielle's lips curved into an incredibly sensuous and completely disarming smile. Her green eyes sparkled as she gazed at the flush rushing up Xena's neck and cheeks from having watched her. Reaching out, the queen's hand went to Xena's hip and gripped it lightly. With her still wet fingers pulling, Gabrielle's voice was low as she directed Xena.
"Turn around."
Xena obeyed and turned, standing as still as possible given the circumstantces. Her warrior training had at least taught her some amount of control but it couldn't still the very slight sway of her body. For the queen's part, Gabrielle couldn't keep her eyes off the splay of muscles running across the warrior's back. With each twitch Xena made, a muscle flexed in response. Letting her eyes roam, Gabrielle followed the solid lines down, tracing over where the warrior's waist narrowed a bit and then followed the curvature of her hips down along her thighs. The queen hummed a little to herself as her eyes rested on firm, softly rounded flesh. Standing up, Gabrielle moved right behind Xena and let her hands follow the path her eyes had taken until they came to rest on those firm curves. Nuzzling her cheek against the expanse of Xena's back, she let out a soft purr.
"Verrry nice..."
The warrior closed her eyes when she felt Gabrielle's hands on her and took a deep breath when those hands stayed right where they were but began to move slowly, kneading gently. She could feel the queen's warm breath against her back. She opened her eyes quickly when she felt Gabrielle's hands squeeze just a bit and move to turn her back around. Now facing the queen again, Xena looked down at Gabrielle, loving the blush on her face. Taking the warrior's hands in her own, Gabrielle placed them on her own hips and spoke in a low, seductive voice.
"Now undress me."