The Dreams of Children

Written by TZ
Edited by PD Wonder

Part Seven
Copyright December 22, 1998

See Part One for Disclaimers

Time passed quickly from fall to winter. Amphipolis, under the spell of the coming Winter Solstice celebration as well as the piercing regard of Xena, forgot about the trial that had taken place not so long ago.

People began to greet Gabrielle with honest goodwill once more. The bard's melancholy lifted the night she told a story to a packed crowd at the tavern; it had been her first performance since she had argued for and won Atrius' life. In her excitement, she never noticed how the crowd occasionally glanced nervously towards the warrior sitting in a foreboding corner.

Xena was grateful that her lover was once more treated like the kind and compassionate woman she was instead of the criminal she had been called after the trial. It was getting tiring exerting a subtle intimidation over those who were unwilling to forgive and forget. When she was not busy glaring at those that snubbed or were rude to the bard, the warrior made a conscious effort to help those that supported the young woman.

Closer to home, Gabrielle and Xena spent the time training Hope, teaching the little girl all they thought necessary for her Initiation Rite into the Amazon Nation.

Together, they had gone to Cyrene and broken the news. Understandably, the innkeeper was upset to learn that her granddaughter would be leaving in the spring, possibly for good. However, she was compensated when Estepani began to come out of her shell of grief. She eagerly fawned over baby Lyceus as her daughter-in-law became more involved with the tavern as well as, Cyrene suspected a mysterious man.

When Gabrielle and Xena were not tutoring Hope, they were helping out at their mother's inn. Their nights, however, were theirs alone. They kept the room upstairs even after Meleager and Eresthenes recovered from their injuries and moved back to their respective homes. It afforded them the privacy they needed to continue exploring their relationship.

The two women made love late into the night, bathed in candlelight and an aura of romance. They learned about each other's bodies; they talked for hours, learning about each other's soul. The years that they spent apart were reconciled and they became closer with each new sunrise. As the days progressed, so did their love and devotion towards one another.

As they became closer, however, they each kept a secret from the other. Both stole time away from each other and their responsibilities to visit Joxer. They were having trouble hiding their excitement and anxiety as the days drew closer to the Solstice celebration.

Hope was practicing a new staff maneuver in the back yard when Xena snuck up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. The little girl spun and swung her staff towards her target.

In a blur of motion, Xena blocked the strike with her bracer; she smiled and nodded with approval. "You're getting faster," she said with a hint of praise. "If I hadn't been expecting that, you would have hit me."

"Really?" the little girl asked with awe. "I've been practicing really hard."

The warrior chuckled and knelt so that she was at eye level with her pupil. "I know you have. Some day, you are going to make a fine Amazon."

Hope beamed and rested the butt of her staff on the hard ground. She leaned forward and kissed Xena on the cheek. "Thanks, Xena." For a moment, the young blonde's eyes narrowed and she cocked her head. "I thought I was allowed to play today?"

"Oh, you are, little one," the warrior replied as she took the girl's hand. "But I thought that today, we would go find a tree for Solstice."

"You mean you and me?"

"Of course," Xena replied with a chuckle. "If anyone knows the forest as good as I do, it's you. I figure you and I could find the best one. What do you say? Wanna help me find a tree?" Xena asked as she adjusted an ax at her hip.

"Oh, boy, you bet." Hope ran to the house and came out a moment later with a heavier tunic. As she crossed the yard, she struggled to pull it on while she was carrying her staff. By the time she reached Xena, she was still trying to fix it.

Wordlessly, Xena reached out and straightened the hem that hung nearly to the girl's knees. When Hope smoothed a few wrinkles from the front, the warrior patted her on the shoulder and stood. "Ready?"

Nodding with childish enthusiasm, Hope grinned and fell into step beside the tall woman.

Xena was following Hope through the forest; the warrior's long-legged stride enabled her to keep up easily with the child's excited pace.

"I know just the one," Hope said over her shoulder as she used her staff to propel herself along the path. "And I know that no one else knows 'bout it 'cause it's so hidden. Only Mama knows about it."

The warrior grinned; she could feel Hope's zeal seeping into her bones. As she followed the little girl, her thoughts drifted to her lover.

Once everything had settled down after Atrius' trial, Xena found the time to visit Joxer. In halting words, she explained what she wanted to give Gabrielle. She forced the words past the lump that formed in her throat; she accepted the smithy's congratulations with nervous cheer.

After the details were settled with him, Xena spent her free time thinking of how she would present the gift to her lover. She knew that she wanted to do it at Solstice. She wanted to show Gabrielle how much the younger woman meant to her. She was ready to cradle her own heart in her hands and offer it to the one person that meant everything to her.

She could only hope that the bard would accept what she had to offer.

"Here it is," Hope said as she paused to lean against her staff.

Xena blinked away her memories and focused on the tree to which the girl was pointing. The warrior arched a brow. "Did your mother ever tell you why she liked this tree so much?" she asked as she moved to stand under its branches.

"She said it's magical," Hope replied. "Just what we need for Solstice."

"C'mere," Xena said as she beckoned to the girl with a crooked finger.

Hope walked over to stand next to the tall woman; she followed Xena's finger to where it pointed.

Above in the branches, was a large bird's nest. There was no sound or movement, for the birds had deserted their home for the season, but Hope seemed awestruck nonetheless.

"When we were little, your mother and I were playing and she heard the baby birds calling to their mother. She made me help her climb up so that she could see them."

"Can I see it?"

Xena stepped back and nodded but said, "Don't touch it, though. If you do, the birds won't come back."

"You mean it'll lose its magic?"

"Something like that." Xena grinned crookedly and took Hope's staff. "Go on now, up with you."

She watched as the little girl walked around the tree and studied its branches. Nodding imperceptibly when Hope finally chose an avenue of ascent, Xena moved into position should the girl fall.

Nimbly, Hope climbed the tree until she was high enough to see the nest from the opposite side of the tree. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she saw the bowl-shaped home.

The nest was littered with soft, downy feathers and a few droppings. There was even a piece of bright red cloth woven into its framework.

Steadying her grip on the tree's trunk, she closed her eyes and pictured what the nest would look like in the spring when the birds returned. She smiled as if she could hear the cacophonous chatter of babies crying out for a meal.

Hope opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She sat for a moment thinking of another tree that they could use for Solstice. With a wide grin, she made her way carefully back down to the ground. "I know another one we can use," she said as she accepted her staff from the warrior.

"All right," Xena murmured as she took another look up at the nest. "Let's get a move on. If we don't hurry, your mother will worry about us."

After another fifteen minutes of following the little girl, Xena's eyes glittered with admiration. She was being led to the tree she had originally thought of. When they arrived at the clearing, she took a critical look at the fir tree. "What do you think?" she asked as she studied its shape and color.

The tree was full-bodied and the color deep green. It stood about ten feet tall and was free of the diseases that would normally rot its bark.

"I think this one's magical, too," Hope answered as she carefully fingered the needles. "Mama's gonna love it."

"Well, I couldn't want anything more from a tree myself," the warrior agreed. "Go on and step back while I cut it down, all right?"

Hope nodded and stood back; her eyes lit up with excitement when Xena pulled the ax from its protective sheath. Her heartbeat fell into time with each descending stroke of the blade; when it finally fell a few minutes later, she gasped. "Oh, boy! This is gonna be the best Solstice ever!"

Thinking of the surprise she had planned for Gabrielle, Xena nodded. "I think it has a chance," she replied as she reached into the body of the tree to grasp a branch. "Come on, let's get this home so we can decorate it."

While Xena and Hope were out looking for the perfect tree, Gabrielle was at the inn, directing Toris and Eresthenes where to move the tables so that they could make room for it.

The two men followed her instructions to the letter, aware of the fact that she could change her mind at a moment's notice. When the bard stepped back to the front door so that she could imagine what the tree would look like, they took a moment to sit and rest.

They were unaware that the bard was only paying half of her attention to their work; the young woman was distracted by thoughts of a warrior, a sword, and a child.

With Hope's help, Gabrielle managed to create a rough sketch of the sword to give to Joxer. She and the smithy went over it, discussing in detail the gift. It took Joxer a month to find the time to craft the weapon; the sword was finished and sitting in a locked box in the forge.

After taking one look at it, Gabrielle knew that it would be perfect for Xena. She became nervous, though, when she thought about giving it to the warrior. She prayed that her lover would understand the meaning behind it. Gabrielle wanted Xena to know that she accepted the warrior for who she was. She accepted the other woman's past. The new sword would be a gift of a fresh beginning - one that meant Xena did not have to walk in her father's shadow anymore; one that was free of the tainted blood of conquest.

In turn, Gabrielle hoped the warrior would look towards a future for them. It did not matter if they lived in the tavern or found a place of their own. She only wanted to be with the woman she loved. Doggedly, she attempted to ignore the fear that leapt in her belly that Xena would tire of her and Amphipolis and leave both of them behind. She promised herself that she would take each day as it came; she prayed fervently that Xena would not leave her.

With Hope possibly leaving for the Amazons, the bard knew that she would need someone to help her through the period of the loss of her daughter. She felt at times that she had not had enough time to be a mother and to teach her child all that she knew. The separation would be difficult considering that as mother and daughter, the two of them were as close as two could be. And although any number of people could help her through the bleak time, Gabrielle wanted her warrior lover; she wanted her best friend.

Gabrielle smiled slightly as she thought about Xena as her lover. The past couple of months, aside from the town wanting to stone her after the trial, had been blissful albeit busy.

Every day at sunrise, she woke to the feel of strong arms cradling her body; it was the perfect way to begin the day. After she and Xena shared a few tender kisses, they dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. On the days that the warrior trained Hope, Xena would take Argo out for a ride while her student did her chores. Gabrielle was content to help Cyrene in the kitchen or to serve the patrons their morning meal.

After Hope was finished with Xena, she usually helped with lunch; sometimes when it was slow, though, Cyrene would send her out to play with her friends. After lunch, the little girl returned to her room where she learned about Amazon history and philosophy from her mother and the scrolls Ephiny left. Occasionally, Gabrielle had to deal with Hope complaining about being tired or bored. Usually, the bard only had to ask her daughter if she was sure she wanted to become an Amazon and the girl would sigh heavily and return to her studies.

A small part of Gabrielle's heart begged for Hope to forget about the idea. The greater part, though, silently cheered and supported the little girl. Gabrielle became sullen on a few occasions when she was alone and had time to realize that Hope was going to have a chance at adventure that she herself never experienced. One look at the glow on her daughter's face always dashed those dark thoughts. The bard berated herself for feeling jealous.

Gabrielle grunted softly with her own thoughts; she shook her head in disbelief at the irrational behavior she exhibited when she was alone. She believed that perhaps she thought too much about things that she should just accept.

The distracted woman was brought out of her solitary world when a hard crust of bread struck her. Turning to face her assailant, she raised her brow in what was a fair approximation of her lover's. "Why did you do that?" she asked in confusion.

Toris grinned wickedly and raised the soft flesh of the bread to mouth. "I asked you how it looked," he said before plopping the bread into his mouth. "You didn't answer me the first time."

"Looks good," Gabrielle finally said after she took a good look at the common room; the men breathed a great sigh of relief at her approval. Stepping away from the door, the bard chewed her lip as she thought about the next step. "Now we have to find the decorations," she informed them as she began to make her way towards the storeroom.

Eresthenes moaned with good humor; he fell sideways onto Toris' lap. "Make her stop, please," he cried. "I'm wounded," he said ruefully, attempted to win the bard with a soft-eyed look.

Gabrielle snorted at the act and shook her head. "Save it," she snorted with amusement. "I can't do it by myself, you know."

"Winter Solstice was so much more fun when we didn't have to do all the work," Toris complained with a feigned moan.

"Oh, get off it you two. You'd think that we did this every day. Now get up and get moving," the bard ordered sternly.

The two men followed the petite blonde to a room under the stairs and beside the bathing room. The winter sun filtered through the room's two windows, shedding enough light for them to see by.

Fisting her hands upon her hips, Gabrielle continued to chew her lip. "Well, it looks the same as it did last year," she sighed.

Trunks and crates were arranged haphazardly throughout the room; they were stacked in some places higher than Gabrielle was tall. A heavy layer of dust coated everything. The only new things were two empty trunks that belonged to Estepani.

Eresthenes leaned against the storeroom door; he covered his eyes dramatically with a ruddy hand. "Oh, Dionysus preserve us," he muttered.

Toris chuckled as he wrapped an arm around his lover. "Come on, it's not that bad. How buried could the decorations have been since last Solstice?"

Gabrielle hitched up her long skirt and began to scramble over the tops of trunks and crates; she snickered when she recognized a color-coded crate against the far wall. "Well, I found them," she called as she sat back on her heels and dusted her hands off on her skirt.

Realizing the impish gleam in the bard's eyes, Toris dropped his head onto Eresthenes' shoulder. "Every year this happens. I don't know how it happens, but every year it does."

"They're on the bottom again, aren't they?" the wine merchant asked with a pinched look.

Gabrielle nodded slowly; she pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. "I tell you guys what. I'm going to go get us something to drink. You two can start moving those trunks so that we can stack the crates on them."

When Xena finally struggled into the tavern, pulling a large tree in her wake, Gabrielle, Toris, and Eresthenes were just coming out of the storeroom. The warrior smirked when she saw their dust-coated clothes and florid complexions. "Buried again, were they?"

"Do you know how it happens?" Toris asked his sister as he set a crate carefully on an empty table.

"It's the pixies," Hope said as she peeked from around the tree.

"The what?"

Gabrielle giggled and turned to Eresthenes who had a quizzical expression on his face. "Pixies," the bard repeated. "They're small creatures from Eire that like to play practical jokes."

"Yeah," Hope said as she stepped out from behind the tree. "Mama learned about them from another bard."

The bard grinned at her daughter and then looked at her lover that was still holding the tree. "Is that it?" she asked with raised brows.

Xena's eyes narrowed and her lips thinned. She could not tell from her lover's tone whether she was pleased with her and Hope's choice. Flexed her arm that began to ache from hauling the tree all the way home, she asked, "Is there something wrong with it?"

"I can't say until we put it in the stand," Gabrielle replied with an indulgent smile.

Sucking in a deep breath, Xena dragged the tree over to the corner that Gabrielle indicated. With some help from Toris and Eresthenes, she was able to lift and fit it into the stand that would hold it vertical. "Well?"

"Hmm...turn it a little to the right," Gabrielle ordered as she stepped back a few paces.

Xena complied and waited with her arms akimbo.

"Try a little bit more," Gabrielle said as she cocked her head left and then right.

The warrior carefully turned the tree a few inches and stood aside.

"Just a liiittle bit more," the bard said in a tiny, high-pitched voice as she held up her fingers that were spaced an inch apart.

Sighing heavily, Xena followed her lover's instructions and stood back, holding her breath.

For a moment, Gabrielle's face was a blank slate. The bard studied the tree; she tried to picture which decorations would go where.

Xena began to panic when the younger woman did not say anything. When the bard smiled brightly, however, the warrior's sigh joined Toris and Eresthenes'. "What now?" she asked, dreading a night of being ordered around by a bossy bard.

"Now we get something to drink and wait for Mom to get back."

Xena nodded in relief and collapsed on a bench. She looked aside when Hope approached her cautiously. Meeting the little girl's eyes, she nodded.

With a wide grin, Hope settled on Xena's lap. Awkwardly, the girl's small hands began to massage the warrior's arms like she had seen her mother do in the past. "I told you it was magic," she whispered as she watched her mother pouring a pitcher of ale and a tankard of juice. "If Mama likes it, then it's gotta be."

Tucking a lock of errant hair behind the girl's ear, Xena chuckled low. "I was a bit worried she wouldn't like it myself. Has she ever not liked a tree?"

"Gosh, no. Uncle Toris always took her so she couldn't blame him for picking a bad one."

"Well, your mother always knew the perfect tree when she saw it."

Hope looked at the Solstice tree and then at Xena. "She always says that if she was a tree, she'd want you growing b'side her."

Xena arched a brow at the little girl's serious expression; the warrior watched as her lover approached the table with a tray of tankards and a pitcher of ale. Seeing the love that radiated from the smaller woman's eyes, the warrior knew that she had chosen the right Solstice gift for the younger woman. Nevertheless, she broke out in a nervous sweat just thinking of presenting it to her lover.

It would mean changing both of their lives and she was afraid that she would not be able to follow through at the last minute.

By the time that Cyrene returned to the tavern, her family was going through the crates of decorations, sharing the stories behind each one. The innkeeper smiled fondly as she looked at her children and grandchild. When Estepani timidly joined them to listen to the familiar tales, Cyrene's heart swelled with love and pride.

Clearing her throat as she crossed the common room from the kitchen, she made her presence known.

"Did you get your things settled in at Uncle Mel's house?" Toris asked with a teasing glint in his eye.

Cyrene rolled her eyes and grinned with good humor. "Not that it's any of your business, Toris, but yes, I did get my things settled in at Meleager's house. And not a word from you, Sunshine," she ordered Gabrielle who was about to say something. "If you say 'I told you' one more time, I'm liable to put you on chamberpot duty."

The bard shrugged but smiled nonetheless. "We found all of the decorations," she said, changing the subject. "We were just waiting for you to get back."

Xena, who was drumming her fingers on the table, turned to her mother and asked, "So, Mother, do you want to decorate the tree now or do you want to wait until after dinner?"

Checking the candle that marked the time on the nearest wall, Cyrene rubbed her chin. "If we work hard, we can get it done before dinner."

"OK," Gabrielle said as she leapt from the bench and clapped her hands. "Everybody take their positions."

Xena straightened her shoulders and looked around in confusion as the bard began to order the others around. The warrior turned a questioning look towards her mother when the bard went over to stand by the tavern's door and struck an imperious pose.

Hope grumbled a bit but walked over to kneel at the foot of the tree; Eresthenes stood next to it. Toris gathered the crates from the table and set them on the floor where he sat back on his heels with a slight grimace. Gabrielle took a deep breath.

"Can't I do some on top this year?" the little girl asked as she looked up to the top of the tree that scraped the ceiling.

"No, Hope," Gabrielle answered curtly as she immersed herself into her role of authority, "Eresthenes does those ones."

The warrior looked askance at her lover; she shifted her glance to her mother when the older woman sat down next to her. "What is she doing?" Xena asked in a whisper from the corner of her mouth.

"Watch," Cyrene said as she took a seat on the bench, "she's in control." Cyrene cast a sympathetic glance towards the three near the tree. "You think you know how to command...watch this."

Xena, Cyrene, and Estepani, who was sitting across from the couple and gently rocking Lyceus, watched as Gabrielle assumed her role.

Nodding her head, the bard informed them, "All right, I'm ready."

Toris rolled his eyes as he took an ornament from one crate and held it up.

The bard narrowed her eyes as she studied the bauble; she then raised them to the tree. "Eresthenes," she said, waiting until Toris handed his lover the decoration, a carving of a small owl. When the merchant was ready, she added, "Right of middle, waist high."

Xena watched as the man did as the bard told him. The decoration was tied to the tree branch and another was raised.

Again, Gabrielle took a moment to think before directing its placement.

"How long has she been doing this?" Xena asked as she turned incredulous eyes to her mother.

"Oh, the past five years," Cyrene answered as she nodded with approval to one ornament's placement. "I at least get a final say about the placement," she added with mild sarcasm.

"But whatever happened to the entire family doing it?"

"They are, dear. Everyone is helping," the innkeeper replied. "Besides, have you ever argued with Gabrielle? She won't let anyone do it differently. I found out a long time ago that if I wanted the tree decorated at all, to let her have her way." Cocking her head, Cyrene asked, "You had no idea that she could be like this?"

Xena shrugged in response and answered, "Not really. I mean, she was a little bit when we played as kids...she usually decided what we did." The warrior's eyes narrowed as Gabrielle continued to turn out orders. "But this isn't how we did the tree when we were kids. This isn't right."

"You're welcome to tell her, dear. I'm not in the mood to debate with her."

"I'll do that," Xena muttered. With the fire of determination bright in her eyes, the warrior stood. Holding up a hand as she approached Gabrielle, she commanded in a low voice, "Stop."

"What?" Gabrielle asked as she raised a brow at the interruption. "Do you have a different opinion?"

"Yes, I do," the warrior replied with frankness. Xena stepped close to the smaller woman and looked down at her with puzzlement. "What are you doing?" she asked softly. "This looks more like a work detail than a celebration."

"But we've been doing it this way for the past few years. No one really minds."

"That's only because no one wants to fight with you about it," Xena responded evenly. "You got a taste of power and now you don't want to let go of it," she said quietly. "Trust me, I know the feeling."

"But...."

Xena pinched the bard's lips closed with two fingers. "No buts, my bard," she said, shaking her head. "This is for the family...for them to enjoy the holiday. Do they look happy to you?"

Gabrielle peeked around Xena's shoulder; she saw Hope pouting and looking up at the tree. Eresthenes was rolling his head on his shoulders and Toris was rubbing his lower back. With a frown, she admitted, "No, I guess not." She lowered her head and bit her lip.

Frowning when she could not hear what the bard was mumbling, Xena took hold of the smaller woman's chin and raised it. "What?"

The bard cleared her throat and said again, "I didn't realize. This is the way that my father did it at our house. I guess I just wanted to do the same."

"Were you happy when he did that?"

Grunting with the memories, Gabrielle replied, "No. I was never allowed to take the ornaments out of the crates. Lila always got to do that."

"And you thought that if you got to boss everyone around, that you'd be happier?"

Gabrielle shrugged slowly; a blush spread over her face. "It is a good feeling getting them to listen to me."

"Believe me, Gabrielle, I know," Xena said with a wry grin. "How about we try things a different way, huh? If you don't have any fun, then we'll try something else. But the important thing is that everyone enjoys themselves."

Bowing her head, Gabrielle leaned into the warrior's body. Without any armor in the way, she was able to get close without fear of getting pinched. "Did I ever tell you that deep down inside, I'm a control freak?"

Xena wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and squeezed her tight. "Yeah, I know," she whispered into Gabrielle's ear. "I even let you order me around a bit. But not this time...all right?"

"Hmm, you do, don't you?" the bard agreed as she snuggled for a bit. "All right, Xena, we'll do it your way. But if I don't have fun, you're gonna have to make it up to me," she warned.

"Oh, I'll make it up to you even if you do have fun," the warrior promised as she bowed her head and kissed Gabrielle's hair.

Turning to the family that was attempting to ignore the couple's quiet confrontation, Xena smiled. "All right, folks, it's a free for all. But...Gabrielle here gets to hand out the ornaments."

Cyrene and Toris gave short barks of cheer as they rose and massaged various body parts that were tingling uncomfortably from a lack of circulation. Hope jumped up and down, clapping her hands even though she did not know what Xena was talking about. Her confused joy turned into a whoop of glee when the warrior swept her up high and sat her on strong, broad shoulders.

Gabrielle shook her head at her own stubbornness and handed her daughter a wooden ornament.

The little girl looked down at her mother and then at the tree. "Can I put it up here?"

"Yeah, it goes up there," the bard replied, offering her lover a look that begged forgiveness.

"Hey, Gabrielle, can you give us that one with the painted pony?" Toris asked.

Finding the right one, the bard handed it to him.

Toris grinned as he showed it to Eresthenes and then they both tied it to a branch.

Cyrene studied the crate for a moment before deciding on a small silver star, which Gabrielle handed up to her.

Even Estepani became involved whereas before, she sat at the table watching.

The family worked together to decorate the tree. They shared many laughs as Xena stood on her toes so that Hope could tie the ornaments as high as possible; they chuckled with good humor when Gabrielle could not keep up with their calls for more trinkets.

Finishing faster than she would have thought, the bard turned the crate over to show that there was nothing left. "All we have left is the bow," she said as she stood to fetch the satin craft from the table.

Cyrene took the bow and ran a trembling finger across its smooth surface. Her eyes began to fill with tears and she cleared her throat to speak. "This bow was made by Lyceus when he was just a little boy," she began, telling the story that had been forgotten until now after Lyceus' death.

"We never had anything to go on top of the tree, so he used some of his birthday dinars to buy the cloth from Salmoneus. On Solstice morning, we all gathered at the tree to see that he had placed it at the top." The innkeeper took a shuddering breath and wiped a rolling tear from her cheek.

"Every year after that, he would always have the privilege to place it there. This year, though, we are without him," she whispered, as the common room was utterly silent. "So," she said, taking a deep breath, "it's time to find someone else to do it."

"I think Estepani should do it," Toris suggested.

The widow looked up at the crown of the tall tree and shook her head. "Oh, I appreciate the thought," she said, "but that's higher than any god ever intended me to be."

"You've got to 'Stepi," Gabrielle joined in as she took the baby from the other woman's arms.

"I'll help you," Xena said when she stepped forward hesitantly; her eyes were naked with the fear of rejection.

Looking at each member of the family, the young woman sighed in resignation. "All right!" she cried in mock defeat. Turning to the warrior, she smiled stiltedly. "You'll help, right?"

"I won't let you fall," Xena swore as she stood straight and threw her shoulders back.

Estepani accepted the bow and took a deep breath. She looked at the ladder that Toris and Eresthenes propped against the wall. "All right, here goes," she said.

As she climbed the ladder, Estepani could feel Xena right behind her. Looking down, she saw that the two men were holding the ladder still. As she was looking around the common room from her higher perspective, she saw Gabrielle holding Hope in an embrace; both were offering encouragement with their emerald eyes. Cyrene, who was holding Lyceus, nodded with approval.

When she reached the top of the ladder, Estepani closed her eyes and sent a prayer to the gods that she would not fall. As if in answer, she felt two arms rise up around her sides to firmly grip the top rung. With Xena's powerful and confident presence at her back, the widow leaned across to tie her husband's bow to the top of the tree. As she stretched, her abdomen pressed against the steely strength of Xena's arm and she knew that she was safe.

When she finished her task, the others clapped and cheered; she blushed in response. Briefly, she squeezed Xena's arm in thanks.

"I'll be right behind you," the warrior said as they began to descend the ladder.

When they reached the bottom and Estepani's boots touched the floor once more, everyone stepped back to take in the Solstice tree.

"It's crooked," Gabrielle said after a moment. "See? The bow's crooked," she said, pointing to the top of the tree.

Toris reached out to smack the blonde woman on the arm, but his wrist was caught in a vice-like grip.

"No one hits her," Xena growled. The menacing effect was ruined by a wink. Playfully, she reached down and swatted at the bard's bottom.

"Ow! I thought you were protecting me!" Gabrielle yelped as she jumped out of the warrior's reach.

"From Toris," Xena clarified. "I never said that I wouldn't spank you."

Gabrielle blushed profusely and backed up as the warrior advanced on her. Before she could be blocked against a table, however, the smaller woman turned and ran for all that she was worth through the tavern.

Cyrene raised her eyes to the rafters when she heard the door slamming in the kitchen. "I wonder how many times I've replaced those hinges," she muttered.

"Come on, Mom, let's get ready for dinner," Toris said as he draped an arm over the shorter woman's shoulders.

Xena let Gabrielle keep her lead until they reached the barn. With a burst of speed, the warrior seized her lover and tossed her onto a pile of hay.

Gabrielle squealed with laughter when the taller woman then proceeded to jump on her and tickle her without mercy. "I yield, Xena," she gasped with a screech.

"Do you surrender your command over all things associated with Solstice?" Xena asked as her long fingers stilled to rest against the bard's ribs.

"I surrender," Gabrielle replied as she fought to catch her breath. "What are you going to do to me now?"

Xena lowered her head to nuzzle the other woman's neck. "Hmm," she sighed as she dragged her lips across silky skin, "being such a ruthless commander yourself," she said, "I'm sure you can offer a few suggestions."

Arching her back in an effort to get closer to the warrior's heat, Gabrielle reached down to capture her lover's hand. Without any hesitation, she placed it upon a heaving breast. "Why don't you use this idea and just run with it," she offered.

"Oh, I will, my bard," Xena groaned, "but not in here. How about we go back, get some wine, and go up to our room?"

The bard nodded her approval just before her lips were caught in a fierce kiss. "There's something we have to discuss, though," she said when she found her breath and her wits.

"What's that?" Xena asked as she pulled the smaller woman to her feet.

"The sheets," Gabrielle said. "We have to be careful not to spill the wine anymore. I think Mom's getting suspicious. She asked me what was on them."

The warrior leered suggestively and replied, "Well, then, I guess I'll just have to lick it off you faster."

Gabrielle shook her head with amusement even as her arousal was heightened by the mere idea of Xena drinking wine off her body. "I hope your tongue's up to it," she murmured.

"Oh, I think I can handle it," Xena replied just as softly as they entered the tavern and stole away to their room before it was time to help serve dinner.

That evening in the kitchen after dinner and cleanup, Xena stayed behind while Gabrielle went to their room. The warrior stood by the worktable opposite her mother; the tall woman's head was bowed in thought.

Cyrene was about to ask her daughter what she needed when the warrior nodded to herself and looked up. Patiently, the mother waited, knowing that something important was keeping Xena in the kitchen.

Xena cleared her throat a few times before she could speak. When the words finally came out, they were strained with anxiety. "Mother, I want to do something for Gabrielle, but I need your help."

Curious as to what her daughter was planning, Cyrene folded her cleaning towel and leaned her elbows on the table. "I'll see what I can do," she replied slowly. "What do you want to do for her?"

Lowering her eyes to the worktable's surface, Xena shrugged slightly and shifted her feet. She found a slight gouge in the heavy wood and began to trace it with a blunt fingernail. "Well," the warrior said quietly as her shoulders began to tense and her heart began to beat faster, "I got her something special for Solstice...a surprise...and I want to present it to her properly."

Cyrene nodded for her daughter to continue. When Xena finished quickly on an exhalation of breath, the innkeeper screamed and ran around the table to pull her daughter in a fierce embrace.

Gabrielle was making her way carefully down the steps into the common room when she heard the scream. Afraid that something was wrong, she threw caution to the wind and ran the rest of the way to the kitchen. She opened the door, expecting something terrible; her heart was beating heavy with adrenaline. When she saw Xena trapped in her mother's arms, the bard asked, "What is it? What's wrong?"

Xena looked down at her mother; the warrior's eyes were almost as panicked as Gabrielle's.

Patting Xena's arm, Cyrene released her daughter and stepped back. As she wiped a tear from her eyes, she explained, "I saw a mouse and it surprised me." The lie slipped easily past her lips.

"Is that all?" Gabrielle slumped back against the door and held a hand to her heart. "I thought you were hurt or something."

Cyrene glanced quickly at Xena and smiled at the warrior's relieved approval. "Well, it's good to know that you can respond so quickly. You did get down here from your room pretty fast."

Gabrielle chuckled as she stepped away from the door. "Actually, I was coming down the steps. I realized when I got upstairs that I forgot my cider on the table," she said as she collected her mug from the eating table. "You know, if you want, I'll find that mouse for you," she offered with a cheeky grin.

"Please," Cyrene responded with a snort, "at my age, a measly mouse is nothing."

"Uh, huh. Whatever you say."

Xena looked at her mother meaningfully and asked, "Mother, do you need someone to walk you to Mel...I mean...." The warrior tapped herself on the forehead with a fingertip and sighed. "Can I walk you home?"

"I would like that, Xena," the innkeeper replied, letting the slip go by without comment.

Turning to the bard, the warrior said, "I won't be long. Why don't you go upstairs and get ready for bed?"

"You'll hurry?" Gabrielle asked with a slight blush.

"I promise." Xena walked over to her lover and kissed her gently. "I'll be home in a little bit."

The bard smiled softly and nodded. "I'll be waiting."

Xena grabbed her mother's shawl and draped it over the older woman's shoulders. After one last look over at Gabrielle, the warrior wrapped an arm around the innkeeper's waist and left.

Gabrielle stood alone in the kitchen for a moment, listening intently for the sound of a mouse scampering around. When she finally turned to leave, she was nearly hit with the kitchen door.

Estepani stood on the other side, awkwardly brandishing a poker from the common room's hearth. "I thought I heard someone scream," she said in explanation.

The bard held up her hands and stepped back. "Just Mom. She saw a mouse. Other than that, everything's all right."

With a sigh of relief, the other woman let her arm fall. She stepped aside so that Gabrielle could pass. "That's good to hear."

When Gabrielle moved around Estepani, she saw Hope standing back a few paces; the little girl had her staff ready for defense. "What are you doing up?" the bard asked.

"I heard the scream, too, Mama," the little girl answered. "I wanted to help."

For a brief moment, Gabrielle was angered by the fact that her daughter would involve herself in something that might be dangerous. But then, pride overruled; the bard glowed for her child's courage. "That was very brave of you, sweetheart, but I would rather you wait until you are a warrior before you rush into something you're not sure about."

"But I am a warrior, Mama," the girl protested.

Gabrielle shook her head firmly and replied, "Not yet, you aren't. For just a little while longer, you will be my Hope. When you pass your Rite, then you can learn to be an Amazon warrior."

"Then I can help?"

"Yes. But right now, tonight, it's time for you to go to bed."

"Will you tuck me in again?" the little girl asked as she lowered her staff.

With an indulgent smile, the bard sighed. "Yes, I'll tuck you in again." Taking her daughter's hand, Gabrielle waited until Estepani returned the poker to the hearth and joined them. "Lyceus didn't wake up, did he?" she asked the widow.

"No, he's sleeping through pretty good now." Wrinkling her brow, the other woman shook her head. "Xena gave me this bladder of warm water a couple of weeks ago. She said to put it against his belly when he slept. Ever since then, I've done it every night and I get all the sleep I need. I can actually go out when he's napping now instead of dozing off."

"Yeah, Xena's like that," Gabrielle sighed. "She's a problem solver."

"She is, isn't she?" Estepani chuckled wryly. "I think I'm beginning to understand what you see in her," she admitted.

Thinking about the more obvious and physical reasons why she loved the warrior, Gabrielle blushed. "Well, off to bed for you," she said, struggling to get the words out evenly as she tucked her daughter under the blankets. "I'll see you both in the morning."

"Good night, Mama."

"Good night, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle lay in bed, waiting for Xena to return. After she had said good night to Hope and Estepani, she rushed upstairs and undressed. She crawled under the blankets and began to fidget. Every so often, she would shift her weight, trying to find the most seductive pose she could. She turned onto her side and propped her head in the palm of her hand. The movement caused the blanket to slip below her breasts. She was about to pull it back up when a strong hand arrested her movement.

The bard gasped in surprise; she never heard Xena enter the room over the rustle of her movements. "You're back," she said, stating the obvious.

"I'm glad," Xena returned with a tender smile and burning gaze.

The warrior lowered her lanky body to one knee; she stared at her lover with naked adoration. Reaching out to run a finger along the slope of one firm breast, she asked coyly, "Were you waiting for me?"

"All of my life," Gabrielle replied breathlessly as she closed her eyes in pleasure. Bolts of lightning were streaking from her nipples to her groin.

Xena concentrated her attention on the pebbled flesh for a moment before leaning forward over the pallet. The warrior moaned in response to her lover's gasp.

Gabrielle's hand immediately went behind Xena's head; she buried her fingers deep into raven tresses in an effort to keep the other woman close. Soft mewls of heightened desire escaped her throat as the warrior's tongue and lips manipulated one aching nipple and then the other.

"I love you, Gabrielle," Xena said against the bard's breast. "Only you until the day I die."

"I love you too, Xena," the bard groaned. "Please get undressed and get into bed. I need to touch you."

Xena pulled back from her lover as sudden thoughts about the earlier conversation that she had with her mother cooled her ardor.

The walk to the house Cyrene now shared with Meleager took longer than expected, for the innkeeper had stalled for time, convincing her to give Gabrielle her gift before Solstice.

"There's something I want to ask you first," Xena said before her courage deserted her; she opened her mouth to say the words, but her tongue was paralyzed. The warrior began to panic, but an easy caress against her cheek vanquished the fear.

"What is it?" Gabrielle asked as she looked deep into the warrior's blue eyes.

Xena shifted her weight; she lowered her head to rest against her knee. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her back and pulled something out of the warm nest of her cleavage. "Gabrielle, I realize that we haven't been involved as lovers all that long," she began; she fought against the urge to clench her fist, knowing that it would damage the bard's gift. "I thought about giving this to you for Solstice, but I can't wait any longer."

Intrigued by her lover's behavior and words, Gabrielle pushed herself into a sitting position. Her weight was braced on her right hand as she pulled the blanket up to cover her chilling flesh. She waited expectantly for Xena to continue. When the warrior opened her hand to show what she was holding, Gabrielle surrendered the blanket; her hand flew to her mouth in surprise. "By the gods," she whispered.

Swallowing the lump that crawled up from her nervous stomach, Xena asked, "Gabrielle, will you become my betrothed? Will you wear this bracelet as a sign of our intentions to join in marriage?"

The gold chain, polished lovingly to a brilliant shine, glittered even brighter as Gabrielle's eyes filled with tears. "By the gods," she repeated with stunned astonishment. Without thought, she replied hoarsely, "Yes, Xena, I pledge my heart to you."

Xena took another deep breath when she realized that her lungs were burning with the need for air. Her hands began to tremble as she took both ends of the bracelet between her fingers. Raising it towards her lover, she carefully fastened it around Gabrielle's left wrist.

"I give to you this symbol of my love for you," she said, repeating the traditional words in a firmer voice than before, "so that others may know that I hold your heart and soul as you hold mine."

"And I will bear it as a witness to all, man and god, that none shall render us apart," Gabrielle replied with a muted sob.

The bard squeezed Xena's hands and pulled them to her mouth for a kiss. When she looked up, the warrior's lips were there to meet hers. "Come to bed, Xena," she said softly when the sweet embrace ended. "I want to pledge my body to you as well."

The warrior's limbs began to quiver for another reason as she stood to remove her clothing. Her mouth ran dry and her fingers became clumsy. When Gabrielle lay back on the pillows to watch her with eyes full of love and desire, Xena forgot all about the other surprise that was planned for Solstice Day.

Cyrene began to pace quickly as she tossed ideas at Meleager in a rapid fashion. The innkeeper stopped for a moment and stared blankly at a wall in the house she now shared with the man that became her lover.

Meleager looked up from the parchment upon which he was writing; the ex-soldier's forehead creased with worry. "Cyrene?"

The woman blinked and then covered her eyes with her hands. "I can't believe it," she said after a short silence. "My little girls are getting married."

Unable to resist teasing the innkeeper, Meleager corrected her. "That's if Gabrielle accepts," he said, knowing that the bard would without a moment's thought.

"What are you talking about?" Cyrene asked as she turned on her new lover. "Did she ever say anything to you about not wanting to get married?"

Berating himself for causing the sudden fear in Cyrene's eyes, Meleager hurried to calm her. "I'm kidding, Cyrene. Everyone in town knows that Gabrielle is crazy for Xena. Of course she'll accept."

Cyrene's eyes narrowed with feigned menace when she realized what Meleager had done. "Oh, you...one of these days, old man...I'm going to poison your food."

"I'm surprised you haven't already," he replied with a grin. He turned more serious and asked; "Do you think Xena knows what she's getting into?"

"Xena rarely does things without thinking them through," Cyrene answered as she sat beside Meleager. "She's thought about this and she wants to marry Gabrielle. Right about now, they should be celebrating the betrothal."

Meleager pulled the innkeeper into his arms and asked, "How about we celebrate for them, too?"

For a moment, Cyrene was tempted, but she shook her head. "I can't. I have to plan the wedding ceremony. Solstice is only three days away." Pulling out of Meleager's embrace, the innkeeper stood and began pacing again. "I'll have to see Jarris about buying a lamb. I could make that casserole that Xena loves so much. And I'll have to speak with Phaedra about dresses...."

"Are you really going to make Xena wear a dress?" the ex-soldier asked; his brow rose in disbelief. "You'll have to be ready for a fight."

Cyrene's eyes lit with the fire of challenge. "She wouldn't dare argue with me about it. She asked me to help her plan the wedding, and I am. Part of those plans includes both of my girls wearing dresses. If she doesn't like it, she'll just have to deal with it until after the ceremony." Cyrene unclenched her fists and clapped her hands. Again, she began to pace. "Of course, I'll ask Auto to perform the ceremony. And we can get the girls to help decorate the temple."

Meleager continued to write the endless list of missives on his parchment. Occasionally he looked up to mark the passing of time. When he saw that it would be dawn in a few hours, he laid his quill on the table and rose. He was grateful when he noticed that Cyrene was just as weary. "Why don't we continue this tomorrow," he suggested. "I'm sure that you can take a couple of days off from the inn to work on the wedding."

"Toris will ask why, then," Cyrene said as the ex-soldier led her to bed. "Xena doesn't want anyone to know. She's afraid that Gabrielle will suspect something and start bothering people to find out what's going on."

"Don't worry about Toris, love," Meleager replied. "I'll tell him that you want to rest before Solstice. Everyone knows how much you overdo yourself with the baking and cooking. He'll understand."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Especially if I tell him that I ordered you to take a break."

Cyrene began to shrug out of her clothes; she sat on the bed to unlace her boots. "Meleager, we haven't even been together for more than a couple of months and you already claim the right to control my life?"

"I would never assume such a thing," the man said dryly with a chuckle. "I figure by now, you'd know how to run it on your own without any problems."

Slipping under the blankets, Cyrene sighed. "Do you remember your wedding?" she suddenly asked.

Meleager joined her and pulled her into his embrace. He laughed at the memory and replied, "I do. I was a nervous wreck for the entire ceremony and the first year of marriage."

"It's funny," the innkeeper said drowsily, "that's the way it was for me." Turning, she snuggled against her bedmate and sighed with a pleasure she had not known for many years. "Do you think that it'll be the same for Xena?"

"May the gods preserve us if it is. I don't think Amphipolis is ready for a skittish colt like her."

Cyrene yawned and said just before she fell asleep. "I'll have to at least tell Eresthenes. We'll need a lot of wine."

"That's good, dear," Meleager mumbled as he fell into an exhausted sleep.

For Cyrene, two days passed quickly. She met with various townspeople that would supply their services for the marriage ceremony. She had a fattened lamb, two dresses, the magistrate, and more wine than the entire town could drink twice over.

The tavern was closed down the day before Solstice, but the innkeeper put Gabrielle to work in the kitchen. Since most of the townspeople eventually ended up at the tavern as part of their Solstice celebrations, there was a need for many sweets and cookies. It was even more important to have plenty on hand since this year the Solstice would also be celebrated as a wedding reception.

In a way, the bard's forced seclusion aided Cyrene's plans. One by one, she drew people into her confidence; the possibility of incurring Xena's wrath for spoiling the surprise was more than enough incentive to keep a secret.

Various women volunteered to cook side dishes; Callisto offered to direct the children, Meleager, and Joxer in the decoration of the temple. Toris and Eresthenes spent half the day just going through the storeroom, looking for a wedding gift that Cyrene wanted to give the couple.

By midday, things were well on their way. Cyrene stopped for a moment at the temple to check on the progress there. When she walked through the door, the gay chatter of children and the gentle tones of Callisto met her.

"Children, settle down, now. We have to put the flowers at the base of the altar. Everyone gather a basket and follow me."

Nodding in approval, the innkeeper scanned the temple until she found Meleager and Joxer. The two men were busy tacking garland and bows to the wooden benches that stood as silent sentries to the spectacle.

Walking over to them, Cyrene knelt and kissed her lover. "How are things going here?" she asked.

"Smoothly," Meleager answered as he held a bow in place for Joxer. Phaedra gave us plenty of bows. I think she's having more fun with this wedding than you are."

"Remind me to make her something special for all of her help," Cyrene said as she stood. "She must have worked the entire two days to get those dresses done so quickly." Sighing when she realized that there was still much to be done, the innkeeper pressed her hands into the small of her back and stretched. "Is there anything you two need?"

Joxer shook his head and mumbled around a mouthful of tacks, "No, ma'am. I'm fine. Calli brought a basket and a bottle of wine for me."

"I'll just eat his," Meleager said as he punched the smithy with good humor.

"No you won't," Cyrene said with a frown of disapproval. "I'll bring something over for you in a bit. I want to check on Xena any way. Last time I saw her, she was making sure that Gabrielle stayed in the kitchen."

"By the time she's done, our bard will have enough treats for the neighboring village across the valley."

Cyrene arched a brow and grinned. "Not if you get to them first, Meleager." Bending low to kiss him again, the innkeeper promised to return with some food and drink.

As she left the temple and made her way back to the tavern, her steps became a flurry of motion. For a wild moment, she imagined that everything at the inn was falling to pieces.

All in all, Gabrielle was left unaware of what was happening around her. When the day of Solstice Eve came, she was up to her elbows in dough and Xena busied herself nearby with an assortment of small jobs that concealed how badly her hands continued to tremble.

With every passing moment, the warrior believed that she was going to be sick. There were even a few times when she stood with uncertainty and escaped to the outhouse. Her stomach was tied in knots and she had not been able to eat an entire meal since the morning after the betrothal; her mother reminded her of the surprise yet to be revealed.

Thinking of all of the activity happening outside the confines of the kitchen, Xena nearly groaned in disbelief. When she had asked her mother to help with the wedding, she never thought that it would turn into this. The warrior had envisioned a simple ceremony with her family and her lover with dinner and wine served afterwards.

The entire affair was turning into a spectacle that would have the village talking until the next Winter Solstice. And to top off the growing nightmare, her mother was demanding that she wear a dress for the ceremony. Just thinking about it made Xena ill. The last dress she could remember wearing was the one for the harvest festival before she took up the sword. Wearing one then certainly had not improved matters.

But then, this is Gabrielle, Xena thought as she looked up at the woman that would soon be her wife. The warrior knew that she was joining with someone that meant far much more to her than her first lover. She buried the sliver of fear that rose from the dark corners of her soul. She silently vowed that she would not fail her bard. Everything would be perfect for the wedding and Gabrielle would say the words that would bind their souls together even into the Afterlife. Silently, she went over her own, which she agonized over for two whole days.

From this day forward, I dedicate myself to you. I willingly give you my heart and soul. My life, my sword, and my hands are at your service. You are my reason for doing good, for finding the light in my own darkened soul. You have restored my honor and my reason to live. I want to return to you all the joy I possibly can. I will love you always, my beloved Gabrielle. Even in death, I will never leave you. I promise you this...and promises are sacred.

As Xena repeated the vows in her head, her eyes followed the bard.

The younger woman wiped some sticky dough off her hands and grinned invitingly at Xena.

The warrior returned the smile crookedly when her lover walked over to her, offering the sweet film that still clung to her slender fingers. Her clear blue eyes became hooded and dark with restrained passion as she accepted the gift.

Opening her mouth slightly, Xena leaned forward and cleaned the dough off Gabrielle's fingers with slow passes of her tongue and a gentle sucking motion. She closed her eyes to savor the erotic combination of flavors; the dough was even sweeter with the bard's unique essence.

Gabrielle moved closer to Xena and eventually sat in the taller woman's lap. As the warrior diligently cleaned the dough from her fingers, the bard's mouth found the graceful curve of her lover's neck.

"I want to take you upstairs," Gabrielle said thickly as the flames of her desire melted her reasoning. "I want to make love to you so badly that I ache."

"We can't," Xena replied around her lover's fingers. "We promised Mother that we'd finish the baking for her."

The bard groaned with frustration; she rested her forehead against Xena's shoulder. "What's she doing, any way, that she isn't here? I've never known her to miss Solstice baking."

Xena's eyes darted across the kitchen as if she would find an answer written somewhere. She pulled Gabrielle's fingers from her mouth and thought hard. "Um...I don't know," she finally said as calmly as possible; she shrugged her shoulders carefully, praying that Gabrielle would not press her for a better reply.

"Must be really important, whatever it is," the younger woman sighed. Sitting straight in Xena's lap, the bard cocked her head and asked, "why can't we...you know...right here?"

"Gabrielle!" Xena exclaimed as her eyes went round with disbelief. "You know we'd be dead if Mother found out we were making out like rabbits in her kitchen."

"I don't need the entire rabbit, Xena. How about just a lucky paw? Or even just a couple of fingers?"

Raising her hands to cover her ears, Xena shook her head. "I am not hearing this," she mumbled. "This is not my sweet, innocent Gabrielle."

Gabrielle resituated herself so that she could straddle Xena's lap. She laughed heartily as she pulled her lover's hands from her ears. "Xena, please. It's almost that time of the month and you know how I get. I'm going crazy here." When the warrior remained unconvinced, the bard pouted; her eyes filled with sultry promise. "Do you have any idea of how sensuous dough is? Do you know how it feels between your fingers as you squeeze it and shape it?" she whispered.

Xena gasped as the words dripped seductively from the bard's mouth, one by one. Her wall of resistance was breached brick by brick. Her hands found a firm grip on the underside of the chair and her hips began to move in time to Gabrielle's subtle thrusts. "We can't," she said futilely, knowing that Gabrielle had claimed another victory over her.

"Just a little, Xena. I just want the ache to go away. I need a warrior and a healer to slay my desire and heal my wounds."

Their breath mingled as the warrior and bard moved closer to one another. The bard gripped the back of the chair at Xena's sides; her lips hovered a mere whisper away from the warrior's. "Have I ever told you that you have incredible fingers, Xena?" she asked as her hips lurched forward at the thought. "They're so long and slender. When you reach up inside of me, not only do you take my breath away, but you touch my heart and my soul."

Against all good intentions and reasoning, Xena surrendered. With a growl, she wrapped her arms around Gabrielle and stood. With as little wasted movement as possible, she grabbed her chair and braced it between the floor and the door to the common room. After a few more long strides, she bolted the door that led outside. "Gods help us that Mother doesn't find out," she groaned as she laid Gabrielle on the table. With two quick motions, she threw up the bard's skirt and thrust her hand inside of the smaller woman's breeches. She parted her own legs and straddled the bard's thigh.

Immediately, Gabrielle wrapped her free leg around Xena's waist. She reached down between their bodies to push the warrior's leather skirt out of the way; with arms made strong from hard work and staff practice, she pulled the other woman close.

"By the gods," Xena whispered as her mouth found Gabrielle's. "I love you."

"Yes!" the bard cried as she resumed her thrusting. She could feel the weight of Xena's body pressing the warrior's hand hard against her mound and her fingers deep inside of her quivering sex. Her climax was rushed along when Xena moaned into their kiss; the warrior was coating the bard's thigh with passion's evidence.

Flames fanned out and began to consume Gabrielle's flesh. Her solid shape turned to liquid and she cried out in ecstasy.

Xena buried her face in Gabrielle's neck as she gave voice to her own release. When it was over, she laid as she was on top of her lover. She was astounded as she finished making love on her mother's kitchen table and her fingers were still snug inside a pulsing heat. When she found her breath, she whispered, "I can't believe we just did that."

Gabrielle chuckled as she pushed the hair off her lover's face. "Well that's one less fantasy I have now," she joked. "Now that I'm cured," she said, "I can finish the baking."

"Use me and leave me," the warrior huffed as she braced her weight on her left forearm and pushed herself up to look at Gabrielle. "You realize of course, that we'll never be able to eat at this table without thinking about this."

The bard's hips squirmed and the young woman replied, "I know." A soft glint of future seductions shone in her eyes.

"You like to get me into trouble, don't you?" Xena asked as she stood and reluctantly pulled her hand out of the bard's britches.

"You're so sexy when you're bad, Xena."

"And you are a glutton for punishment. Now go wash your hands and finish up before Mother gets back."

Gabrielle grumbled as she sat up and adjusted her clothes. She stood and walked over to the wooden tub near the stove where she washed her hands. After Xena returned her chair to the table, the bard asked, "Would you be interested in helping me?"

"Yeah, right. You know I can't cook or bake."

"Too girly for ya, huh?"

"I never said that," Xena replied with a crooked grin. "I would be willing to learn if you'd teach me, but after what you told me about dough, I'm not sure that I'd ever be able to finish anything before we threw each other to the floor."

"Well, maybe some day, we'll have our own place and no one will care what we do, where we do it, and how we do it."

Xena considered Gabrielle's words; her humor turned to serious query. "Gabrielle, is that what you want? A home to settle down in, a place to call your own?" Afraid of the answer, Xena's hands returned to their former task of fixing Argo's bridle.

The bard shrugged as she began to knead the dough once more. "I used to think that was what I wanted. After Hope was born, I couldn't imagine anything else but having a place of my own and hopefully finding someone to marry me."

"Why would you have any problems finding someone to marry you?"

"I wasn't a virgin anymore. You know that and how much it means to a man." The bard's brow furrowed. "Did it bother you that I wasn't a virgin?"

"No, of course not," Xena replied as she cleared her throat. "That was beyond your control. I fell in love with you, not your experience or lack of. But we went and changed the subject here," she said. "What do you want to do. Some day we will get married. Should I start building a house now?"

Gabrielle cast her gaze down to her hands and shrugged again. "I don't know. It seems as though, with Hope going to the Amazons, that my possibilities are open again. I guess as long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter where I live or even...how I live."

Xena nodded slightly and bent her head to her chore; she pretended to concentrate on the bridle as she worked through her lover's words. She turned them over and thought about what Gabrielle would want and what Hope had to do with it. Then she realized and she fought hard not to look up at the bard.

Gabrielle still had her dream to travel. She wanted to see distant lands and meet the people about whom she only heard or read. When Hope had been born, that dream had been forgotten; it was sacrificed to the greater good of raising her daughter in a safe environment. But now that Hope was applying for initiation into the Amazon Nation, there was a chance that Gabrielle would be freed from her immediate responsibilities. If Hope were accepted, the bard would have the chance to travel and even to hone her craft in the way that it was meant to be.

In that moment of clarity, Xena was astounded by the possibilities.

She could take Gabrielle wherever the younger woman wanted to go. Every so often, they could stop by the Amazon village to visit Hope to check on her progress. They would attend all of the important festivals and Ascension Rites. That way, mother and daughter would still have each other, but they would also have their dreams as reality.

At the thought of living on the open road with her wife, the wild part of Xena's soul reared its eager head. The warrior's eyes closed with the memories of fresh air and warm sunshine. She could imagine and hear the night insects as they chirped a serenade for two women under a blanket. They would make love as they had the first time, under the celestial heavens for all the gods to witness. It would be glorious.

"So," Gabrielle said, breaking Xena out of her thoughts, "should I take the wagon down to the port and start picking up supplies? Or are we just going to live in the tavern?"

Xena blinked and then shrugged. "With the worst of winter yet to come, it wouldn't be a good idea to start building a house," she replied, grateful that the weather offered an excuse to postpone any permanent domestic arrangements.

"Oh, yeah," Gabrielle mumbled as she shaped her dough into a pan. "Silly me. I can't have you outside in that skimpy leather ensemble pounding nails, now, can I?" With a wicked leer, she added, "I'd much rather have you inside pounding me."

Raising her hands to cover her face, Xena shook her head. If this kept up, neither of them would have any energy for tomorrow night - the first night they would spend as a wedded couple. Thinking of the surprise wedding once more killed the warrior's wry examination of Gabrielle's libido.

Xena's body tensed and then began to tremble again. With a muted growl, she picked up the bridle and continued to work on it. She prayed that the hours would pass quickly so that tomorrow would come and be over with before she lost her sanity.

Gabrielle stretched and groaned as she greeted the morning. It was two hours past sunrise; she had slept in after a long day yesterday. Even in her sleep-fogged state, she immediately noticed that something was missing.

Xena was gone.

Normally, Gabrielle would wake up, cushioned by her lover's body even as Xena watched her struggle through the fog of sleep to greet the dawn. This morning, however, even the mattress where Xena usually lay was cold to the touch, as if the warrior had never been there.

But Gabrielle knew that the warrior had gone to bed with her last night, even if things were just slightly fuzzy from the night before.

When Cyrene returned to the tavern, she asked Xena to help her gather some eggs to replenish the ones that Gabrielle was using for the treats. The warrior and innkeeper had been in the coop for a while and Gabrielle was about to go find them when they returned on their own. Cyrene set the refilled basket on the worktable and Xena returned to her bridle, attacking it with even more enthusiasm than before.

The baking had gone on long into the night. The three women broke out a bottle of wine and worked together to fill trays and packages with cookies, tarts, cakes and sweetbreads. They relived memories of past Winter Solstices when Gabrielle and Xena were children. In turn, each woman blushed, chuckled, or became teary-eyed at one time or another.

By the time they finished, the moon was just past its high mark. Xena was a bit calmer than she was earlier. Cyrene rolled up her sleeves, knowing that she had to return home to start on the lamb for the wedding feast. Gabrielle fought to keep her eyes open as the wine in her blood sang a lullaby.

Seeing that the bard was about to fall asleep over the tray she had just finished preparing, Cyrene nodded to Xena and told her to take Gabrielle to bed. The innkeeper promised that everything would be finished and ready for the next day.

Gabrielle remembered that. She remembered Xena carrying her upstairs to their room where the warrior spoke words of love while undressing both of them. They cuddled up against each other under the blanket and fell into a dreamless sleep. That had been after midnight.

Realizing the time and how early Xena must have left this morning, Gabrielle became alarmed. She wondered what could have drawn her lover away from their bed on Solstice morning.

Pushing the hair from her face and rubbing her eyes, Gabrielle quickly stood and gingerly walked across the cold floor to where her clothes lay on a chair. Her brow furrowed upon seeing a note on top of her long skirt and tunic; she wrapped an arm around her naked torso after snatching it up.

Gabrielle -

Mother wants us to wear our new dresses for Solstice. Yours is hanging on the back of the door and your boots are on the table. I have to do some things this morning, but I'll meet you at the temple. Autolycus thought that it would be a change of pace to hold the opening celebration there. When you get there, go to the back door into the acolyte's sanctum. Callisto mentioned something about needing some help with lyrics to a song that she has to sing.

I'll see you then.

Know that I love you with all of my heart.

X.

Gabrielle wrinkled her brow again and shrugged her shoulders. She knew that she was expected to wear the dress; she allowed herself to chuckle at her lover's misfortune for the same. Gabrielle knew how much Xena loathed wearing such delicate and restricting clothes. The bard's chuckle became a laugh as she conjured a picture of a morose Xena forced to shorten her stride and check her movements. Wiping at the tear that coursed down her cheek, Gabrielle sighed.

Crossing to the door, the bard carefully took her dress off its hook. The garment was of the finest linen she had ever seen. The emerald shade matched her eyes and brought out the fiery highlights in her hair. Cyrene had given her the dress the day before, telling her that it was a gift to be worn today.

Gabrielle knew that Xena had also been given a dress, but the warrior would not let her see it. The bard assumed that it was because her lover was embarrassed about having to wear it.

Laying the dress across the bottom of the bed, Gabrielle quickly washed herself and donned a heavy shift and britches. Carefully, she put her arms and head into the dress and let it fall around her body. She reached behind and tied what laces she could reach without popping her shoulders out of their sockets. With a sigh, she figured that she would find someone downstairs to help her finish dressing. The bard slipped into her boots and sat on the bed to tie them. When she was finished, she read Xena's note once more and left the room; her step was punctuated by a small bounce as she thought of the Solstice feast and presenting the sword to her betrothed. She hoped that Xena would be pleased.

When Gabrielle reached the bottom of the stairs, no one was around. She went into the kitchen to only find it empty except for the trays of cakes they had finished the night before. She knocked on and entered Estepani and Hope's door to find that room just as silent.

It was unusual that everyone would have left already. Gabrielle wondered if perhaps something was going on about which she was unaware. There may have even been an emergency that called everyone away. But then, she thought, why would they leave her alone at the inn? Feeling as though she had stepped into an odd dreamscape, the bard's thumb caressed the note she inadvertently brought with her.

She opened it and confirmed once more that she was supposed to meet Callisto at the temple. Shaking her head, the young bard left the tavern. She refused to acknowledge that the streets of Amphipolis were eerily quiet. There were no children running around or women greeting each other as they performed their domestic chores. The only consolation was that from various chimneys came the savory aromas of an assortment of holiday dishes - all of which she could singly identify.

When she came to the temple on the outskirts of the village, Gabrielle followed Xena's directions and went around back where she entered through a small wooden door. She found herself in a small hallway off which, only one door stood ajar.

Carefully, the young woman approached the door and knocked cautiously. She jumped when the door was swung wide open and Callisto pulled her into a great hug. Leaning precariously over the pregnant woman's extended belly; the bard patted the other woman on the back. "I'm glad to see you too, Calli," she said wryly. "What's going on? Until I saw you, I was beginning to believe that I was the only person left in the village. It's way too creepy and quiet out there."

The taller blonde released the bard and stood back; she held Gabrielle at arm's length and critically studied the gown. "Wow, looks nice on you," she commented. "I bet I have some things here that'll make it even more stunning."

"I thought you needed help with some song," Gabrielle said with confusion as Callisto led her to a small bench.

"Well, I do need some advice," the other woman said as she pushed Gabrielle down to sit. "But while you indulge a pregnant woman's nesting urge, there is something that you can do."

"Oh?" Gabrielle asked with an arched brow.

"Well, Auto thought that it would be fun to play a game this Solstice."

"What kind of game?"

"Everyone has to write something about the person he or she loves the most on a small piece of parchment. Auto wants to put all of the scraps into a bucket. Part of the game is that he will pull a scrap from the bucket and read it out loud. Everyone has to figure out who wrote it and whom it's for. He thinks it'll be fun."

"Did you do Joxer's already?"

"Oh, sure. His was so easy. There's so much to love about him." Callisto sighed as she thought of her husband.

"I'll take your word on it," Gabrielle said with a small chuckle. Even though Joxer had grown up into a fine man, the bard could not erase the mental image she had of a gangly, whining youth. "When's Auto going to do this?" she asked.

Callisto moved around to Gabrielle's other side to work on her hair. "Cyrene invited everyone back to the tavern after the morning celebrations. I guess he's going to do it then. So...you don't have much time."

"Speaking of Cyrene," Gabrielle said as she turned a questioning gaze on Callisto, "where is everyone? I woke up alone and didn't see anyone at the tavern or on the way here. It was pretty weird."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," Callisto said as she swatted the bard's shoulder. "Cyrene mentioned that Xena wanted you to catch up on your sleep after baking all day yesterday. They're both out there helping Auto with something and I know I saw hope and Estepani with them. Everyone else is out there waiting for Auto to begin." Turning the bard's face forward and returning to the younger woman's hair, Callisto said, "you really should work on that thing for Auto. I think he's collecting them before the morning celebration."

Nodding in understanding, Gabrielle closed her eyes and thought of Xena. She saw an eleven-year-old girl that took her under her wing; she saw the warrior that took her on the kitchen table yesterday. The bard cleared her throat briefly and shook her head to clear the last thought. She took a deep breath and concentrated on the other feelings besides those that centered in her groin.

"Do you have a piece of parchment," the bard asked. "This sounds like it might be a lot of fun."

"Right here," Callisto said with a bright smile as she handed the parchment and a small quill to the bard. "And it will be fun...trust me," the other woman said with a gleam in her eyes.

When she finished braiding and arranging Gabrielle's hair, Callisto laid her hand on the smaller woman's shoulder. "I need to go check on something. Stay here, all right? When I get back, you can help me with that song."

Lost in her feelings about Xena, Gabrielle nodded absently. "Sure, Calli...I'll be here."

Xena's head spun towards the door at a low knock. She stepped back out of sight as Cyrene answered the call. From behind a screen, the warrior saw her mother pull Callisto into the room. Knowing that it was safe, the raven-haired woman stepped out into the room again and began to pace.

"Well?" the innkeeper asked.

"It wasn't hard at all," Callisto said. "She was worried about where everyone was, but I told here that you were all here and that Xena wanted her to get her sleep after yesterday."

"What about the vows?"

Callisto chuckled deviously. "I told her it was a game that Auto wanted to play as part of Solstice. She's down there writing them as we speak."

"Oh, Calli...you are an evil little one aren't you," Cyrene said with amusement as she pulled the other woman into a hug.

"How are things in here?" Callisto asked as she studied Xena's tense form. The blonde's eyebrows rose when she saw the alterations Xena had made to her dress.

Cyrene followed Callisto's gaze and frowned. "Xena makes the worst expectant bride."

The warrior lifted her brow and continued to pace; her thumb found a home resting on her lips as she nervously chewed her nail.

Callisto shook her head and shrugged. "Well, I'd better get back there. We don't want her to write an epic or anything."

"Just listen for the bell," Cyrene said. "When Auto rings that, you can do your part."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," Callisto said. "See you after the ceremony, Xena."

The warrior grunted a farewell. She vaguely noted that Callisto left and that her mother sighed; the innkeeper returned to her seat in the corner where she watched her daughter prowl like a caged panther.

When Callisto returned to the room, Gabrielle looked up and smiled. "Is there a time limit on these things?" she asked. "I don't want Auto to be reading mine for too long."

Callisto looked over Gabrielle's shoulder to note what had already been written. "Not only that, but if you go on and on, everyone will know that it's yours," she said with a wry grin. "What you have there looks really good."

The bard read her words and chewed her lips. She narrowed her eyes and tapped her cheek with the quill. After a moment's thought, she bent to her task once more. She forgot all about the song with which Callisto needed help.

After a few adjustments, Gabrielle read the parchment aloud.

"Well?" the bard asked after she finished; she looked at Callisto and cocked her head. "How does that sound? Is it too obvious?"

"The only thing that's obvious, Gabrielle, is that you are deeply in love."

The bard blushed and absently fingered her betrothal bracelet. "I've loved her forever," she said softly with a sigh.

"She's a lucky woman." Callisto smiled and reached out to straighten a mussed lock of hair. "Now, just hold on to that parchment. Auto will tell you when he needs it."

"All right." Gabrielle looked up when a bell sounded through the temple. "What's that?"

"Oh," the other woman said as she glanced towards the door, "the ceremony is about to start."

"We never used a bell before."

"Yeah, well, this year, we're doing something different."

"Why am I the last to know?" the bard asked as she shook her head. "I guess this is what happens when I get stuck in the kitchen baking all day."

"I suppose so," Callisto mumbled as she took Gabrielle's hand and led her out into the hall.

Gabrielle stopped and pulled her friend up short. "We forgot about your song."

"Actually, all I need you to do is walk out as I'm singing," Callisto said as she wiped her palms on her dress. "I'm supposed to walk out there and sing as I go towards the altar. All I need you to do is follow behind me and smile."

"What do you mean?" Gabrielle stopped in front of the door that led to the temple. She could hear the excited buzz of chatter on the other side. Suddenly, all of the oddness of the celebration struck her. She turned to Callisto and asked, "all right, what's going on?"

Callisto's eyes were wide with feigned innocence. "What do you mean? It's Solstice and this is the village celebration."

"This isn't how it's usually done," the bard said as she narrowed her eyes.

"Don't be so suspicious, Gabrielle," the other woman chided. "We're just doing something different this year."

"Why?"

Searching for an answer, Callisto pursed her lips. "Because we are," she finally replied. "Just go with me here, all right?" she asked pleadingly. "I promise, it'll be fun...really. You're going to love it."

"Is this a practical joke?"

Callisto sighed wearily and rubbed her belly. "Please, Gabrielle, all of this standing is starting to hurt my feet and my back. Can you just do as I ask so I can go sit down?"

The bard chewed her lip with indecision. Finally, she acquiesced. "All right. But if this is some kind of trick...."

"You can throttle us all," Callisto finished as she took her place in front of Gabrielle. "Now, just follow me," she said as she grabbed a basket that was sitting on a table near the door. "And relax already."

Gabrielle still felt uneasy about it all. She had not seen anyone besides Callisto since she woke that morning. The hairs on the back of her neck pricked up when the other woman opened the door and the crowd in the outer temple hushed.

Callisto reached into her basket and extracted a handful of flower petals. As she began to scatter them in her and Gabrielle's path, she began to sing a haunting tune of love lost and love found.

Looking around at her surroundings, Gabrielle was perplexed. The temple was not decorated with the traditional Solstice banners and garland. It looked more like it had the last time someone was married.

With that thought, Gabrielle stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes grew wide with suspicion; her knees began to tremble. She noticed that everyone was watching her intently and she hurried to catch up to Callisto. When they rounded the bend and turned left towards the altar, Gabrielle stopped breathing.

"By the gods," she whispered as she raised a hand to hide her quivering mouth.

Xena stood rigidly in front of the altar. Her dress was identical to Gabrielle's except that it was a soft blue and the seams in the skirt had been opened from hem to thigh.

As the warrior shifted uneasily from foot to foot, Gabrielle saw a flash of long, supple flesh.

Cyrene and Toris were standing behind Xena; both had similar looks of knowledge and relief that the secret was finally revealed.

Callisto led Gabrielle to the warrior where she littered the floor with the rest of her petals. She stepped back and stood behind the bard.

"Xena?" Gabrielle asked with some confusion. "I don't understand."

The warrior looked at her smaller lover; her heart was pounding wildly with the fear that the bard would turn and run away. "Surprise," she deadpanned, unwilling to let her careening emotions loose.

"I'll say," the bard retorted. Her mouth opened and closed as she looked at the crowd that was watching them expectantly. "I had no clue."

"You weren't suppose to, Gabrielle," the warrior said with a tight smile, "that's why it's called a surprise. If this is too much for you, though, we can just call this off and do it another time."

Gabrielle studied her lover. The warrior seemed as if she was balanced precariously over a ledge and was just waiting for something to push her over; Xena's body was taut as she waited. Cautiously, Gabrielle reached out and pulled the taller woman back from the chasm of fear. "No," she whispered as she took the last step that separated them. "I've dreamt of this moment ever since I could remember."

Xena nodded and took a deep breath. She flashed her mother a tremulous smile before turning to Autolycus saying, "Let's do it."

The magistrate smiled wide and raised his arms. "My friends, we come here together on this Solstice Morn to witness the binding of two souls - of Xena and Gabrielle. If any here protest this match, please rise and state your reason."

Both Gabrielle and Xena turned to stare at the crowd. Several observers cringed back at the daring looks in both women's eyes; blue and green contained an equal fire that would have incinerated any naysayers. No one spoke.

"Very well," Autolycus said after a moment's silence, "let us continue."

The magistrate waved to Callisto. When she stepped up to the altar, he took from her two garlands made of vines and flowers. Carefully, he set one on top of each bride's head.

Gabrielle's eyes followed his movements; when she met Xena's gaze, she smiled warmly and blushed. She could not believe that the warrior had planned their wedding without her knowledge. Little clues became apparent as she held her lover's eyes. Now she understood why she was baking the entire day before; all of the time that the warrior and her mother spent together recently took on a whole new meaning.

Xena mentally sighed when Gabrielle's eyes lit with understanding, mischief, and then love. The warrior had been afraid that her lover would be upset by the surprise. She was not sure how the younger woman would react to having a wedding sprung upon her. All of her fears were conquered when the bard mouthed an 'I love you.'

With their fears and confusion out of the way, the two women concentrated on what Autolycus was saying.

"At this time of year, we are reminded of those that we love. With this ceremony today, these two women will be borne into a new family, one that is their own. They will be two souls joined as one in this life and beyond."

Autolycus looked at Xena and Gabrielle and said, "Please kneel and face each other." When the women did as they were told, he nodded. "You may read your vows."

Xena closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She panicked for a moment, believing that she had forgotten the words that came from her heart. Exhaling slowly, she smiled and opened her eyes. She gazed lovingly into Gabrielle's eyes and repeated her vows.

"From this day forward, I dedicate myself to you. I willingly give you my heart and soul. My life, my sword, and my hands are at your service. You are my reason for doing good, for finding the light in my own darkened soul. You have restored my honor and my reason to live. I want to return to you all the joy I possibly can. I will love you always, my beloved Gabrielle. Even in death, I will never leave you. I promise you this...and promises are sacred.

Gabrielle began to cry; Xena reached across the minute distance that separated them and dried her tears. The temple was silent as they watched the two women share a moment of profound love.

Autolycus cleared his throat for the two lovers to continue with the ceremony. "Gabrielle," he said nodding.

The bard's face went blank with fear until Callisto leaned over and whispered into her ear. She chuckled wryly and dug into the bodice of her dress. Grinning crookedly at Xena, she read the vows she wrote earlier.

"You are my heart and my life. Your love is like water and I the sated traveler. Your courage and strength sustain me; they nourish me to carry on. I live in your presence and die with your touch. Your soul and mine are forever entwined to dance among the heavens above. We will reach together for that promise of tomorrow and we will feast off every moment."

Gabrielle looked up from her parchment and added, "Even in death, I will never leave you. I promise you this, and promises are sacred."

"You may transfer the bracelet," Autolycus said with approval for the vows.

The bard held up her wrist and watched as Xena removed the betrothal bracelet. When the warrior finished, she raised her right wrist.

Xena clasped the bracelet closed and laced her fingers with Gabrielle's. The warrior looked expectantly to the magistrate.

"You may kiss to seal your promise," he finally said after Xena's eyes narrowed with menace.

The two women leaned towards each other. Xena cupped Gabrielle's face in her hands and smiled. "I love you, my bard," she whispered before capturing the younger woman's lips.

Although chaste to the watching eye, Gabrielle and Xena shared a wealth of emotion during the brief moment that their mouths were joined; their souls splintered into oblivion and then rejoined whole - part warrior, part bard.

"And so we have witnessed this binding of souls, from two into one, as it was long ago. Let none, man or god, rent asunder this union so blessed by love and joined in the eyes of family and friends." The magistrate raised his hands. Gabrielle and Xena as well as the audience rose to their feet.

"May we usher the young couple to their home," he said with a laugh.

The women clasped hands and walked between the rows of benches to the great doors of the temple. As they walked past, the crowd filed out and formed behind them. The entire way to the tavern, the villagers cried out pieces of advice that would grease the gears of marriage. Most bits were humorous and some were vulgar. All, however, were in the spirit of love and goodwill.

When they reached the inn, the crowd followed them inside. Gabrielle was astounded by the array of dishes and gifts spread out upon two tables.

"By the gods, Xena," she said under her breath, "was I the only one that didn't know about this?"

"Seems to be," the warrior said with an affectionate smile. "Do you forgive me for hiding a secret from you?"

Gabrielle grinned crookedly and wrapped her arm around the warrior's waist. "Just this once," she allowed. "But don't do this to me again. I thought I was going to die out there when I realized what was going on."

Xena pulled the smaller woman into her arms and chuckled. "I would have been right there to bring you back to me," she swore. "I didn't go through Tartarus planning a wedding just so that my wife could up and leave me, did I?"

The bard was speechless for a moment before she blinded Xena with a smile. "I'm your wife," she said with awe. "I can't believe it." With great enthusiasm, Gabrielle pulled Xena down for a kiss. "When I was little, I knew that I wanted to marry you. And here I am...wife to the Warrior Princess."

"Just don't call me that in bed," Xena deadpanned. "Listen," she said when she saw Toris stand up on a table.

"Considering the circumstances," the innkeeper said after the crowd quieted, "I think we can forego the inspection of the sheets...."

The crowd broke into a round of laughter and Gabrielle blushed hotly.

"Therefore," Toris continued, "I say we get this party underway. The bar is open and the food is available. But," he said as he raised a hand, "the bride...and bride will serve each other first."

It took some prodding from Cyrene for Xena and Gabrielle to move towards the banquet table. Once they were standing in front of the food, however, they eagerly piled a plate high for the other. After finding the table that was reserved for them, Xena guided her wife to sit.

The two women were left alone for the remainder of the meal. It was a time traditionally left for the new couple to feed each other.

"I'm glad you got me so much food," Xena said as she carefully took a piece of fowl from Gabrielle's fingers. "I was so nervous the past couple of days that I couldn't eat."

"You were really nervous?" Gabrielle asked incredulously. "Why? You knew that I wanted to marry you."

The warrior shrugged and looked down at her plate. "I know what you said, but I wasn't so sure about it until we'd actually said our vows. I was afraid that all of it was some nightmare cooked up by the gods to punish me. I thought that I would wake up and you would be far away from me."

Gabrielle wiped her hands off on a towel and then traced her fingers down Xena's cheek. When she reached the warrior's chin, she raised her wife's eyes to meet her own. "Oh, Xena," she breathed sadly, "I am real and so is my love for you. No false image could love you like I do. My heart beats only for you."

Xena was about to reply but something caught her eye. Turning, she found Hope watching them from the crowd.

Following her wife's eyes, Gabrielle asked, "what do you think?"

"I think we're missing someone," the warrior answered, squeezing Gabrielle's hand. Xena raised her free hand and pointed to Hope. With a wink, she motioned the little girl over to them. "Come on over here and eat with us," she said as she scooted over and pulled Gabrielle into her lap.

"I really like this quilt," Gabrielle said as she unfolded it and wrapped it around her and Xena's shoulders. "Thank you."

Cyrene bent low and kissed her daughters on the head. "Thank Toris and Eresthenes. They braved the storeroom to find it."

Xena freed an arm from the quilt so that she could reach out and punch her brother playfully on the leg.

The innkeeper yelped and scooted closer to the tree. When his hand brushed against something hard under the branches, he arched his brow. "What in the...?" Carefully pulling up the lowest bough, he extracted a long, heavy box made of polished wood. Flipping the tag over, he smirked. "It says it's for you, Xena," he said with a smirk. "Wonder what it is?"

Everyone looked at each other in question; Gabrielle and Hope shared a secretive smile.

Xena pulled the box onto her outstretched legs. She studied the clasps a moment before releasing them and opening the lid. The warrior's eyes went wide with surprise; a childish gleam of Solstice joy glimmered in her eyes.

"Well, what is it?" Cyrene asked from her seat at the table.

The warrior ran her fingers across the polished blade of the sword before lifting it from its cushioned bed. Setting the box aside, she struggled out of the quilt and moved away from the others. She traced a few lazy circles around her body to test the weapon's balance. Finding it suitable, she looked at each person in the room. When her eyes settled on her new wife and daughter, whose eyes were filled with happiness, she laughed and studied the blade again.

Crossing back to her family, Xena fell to her knees and kissed Gabrielle soundly. "It's beautiful," she said. "I won't tell you that you shouldn't have gotten it and that it probably cost you too much money, but I know this is one thing I'm not going to argue with you about."

"Joxer did a good job then?" Gabrielle asked, mentally wiping her brow that the weapon was acceptable.

"He did really good," Xena said as she turned the sword so that she could study the hilt.

While the blade itself was simple and strong, the hilt was lightly decorated with swirls that matched the warrior's armor. It was inlaid with three stones - a blue one flanked by two green ones.

"That's you," Hope said, pointing to the blue one in the middle, "and this is me and Mama."

Xena traced the green stones tenderly with two long fingers. "Thank you both," she whispered.

"Now, is that the last of them?" Cyrene asked as she adjusted a new shawl around her shoulders. "I'm not sure that I can last much longer," she sighed. "This has been too much excitement and too long of a day for an old woman like me."

"I'm with her," Meleager said as he stretched is arms wide. "I've been up since before dawn."

"Why don't you two go home," Gabrielle said as she stood and pulled Cyrene to her feet. "We can clean up in here."

"Just take everything into the kitchen," the innkeeper said after a kiss. "We can deal with the dishes tomorrow."

"Sounds good," Toris said as he hugged his mother and shook hands with Meleager. "Happy Solstice to you both."

"That it was," Meleager said with a grunt as he stood. "What say ye, pretty maiden, shall I escort you home?"

Cyrene rolled her eyes as she wrapped an arm around Xena's waist. "Weddings make him romantic," she whispered up to her daughter. "Make sure she gets the same," she advised as she tilted her head towards Gabrielle.

"Oh, I promise, Mother," the warrior said. "Now go home so we can clean up."

When the older couple left the tavern, Gabrielle looked at her daughter. "I think that it's time for the little ones to go to bed," she said.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes," Xena agreed as she ruffled Hope's hair. "Lyceus is going to bed."

"Lyceus is a baby," the little girl retorted with a yawn. "I'm an Amazon warrior," she protested as she clutched a small leather skirt and top to her chest.

"Well, even Amazons have to get their sleep, now scoot," the bard ordered gently with a chuckle. Xena watched the two blondes disappear.

Estepani, cradling a sleeping Lyceus, followed with a goodnight tossed over her shoulder.

When they were out of sight, the warrior turned in a circle and studied the common room. She sighed and ran her hands through her hair. "How did this happen?" she asked rhetorically.

"'Tis the season," Eresthenes replied dryly as he moved to the closest table and began stacking dishes.

"With a wedding feast to boot," Toris added as he draped an arm over Xena's shoulders. "All in all, I'd say it was a good day."

"That it was," Xena murmured as she recalled the celebration.

The tavern soon grew warm with the crowd milling around the common room. Taking a long drink of ale, Xena tugged at the collar of her dress and envied the men in their more comfortable attire.

"Don't even think about it," Gabrielle warned lowly as she leaned close. "I'm surprised Phaedra didn't pass out after seeing what you already did to your dress. Any more alterations and she'll take a header into the punch."

Xena chuckled as she fingered the left seam that she had torn. "How was I supposed to fight in this the way she sewed it?" she asked innocently.

"I'm sure that she never considered that hand-to-hand combat would be part of the ceremony," the bard retorted.

Grinning wide at her wife's dry tone, Xena pulled the front panel of the dress aside and flashed a lengthy expanse of bare thigh. "I saw your eyes light up when you saw me."

"That's because I saw you, Xena...not your legs."

"You like my legs, bard," the warrior replied with a knowing wink, "admit it."

"Well, everyone else doesn't need to know that, warrior," the smaller woman growled with a crooked grin as she straightened the dress. "And what's with you? I haven't seen you like this since we stole those apple treats from mom's kitchen when we were kids."

"You're kidding me, right?" Xena rolled her eyes and pulled Gabrielle close. "Today I married the most beautiful and wonderful woman I've ever laid eyes on. What else could I need to make me happy?"

Suddenly, a few people climbed to the stage and began to play some hand-made instruments. "How about some dancing?" the bard asked as she grabbed Xena's hand.

The warrior balked, saying, "Gabrielle, I hate dancing."

"Not with me you don't, now come on," she commanded playfully as she tugged on her wife's hand. "On your feet, soldier."

Xena relented and stood. She blew a stray hair from her face and bowed her head to whisper, "I don't mind the power show in the bedroom, Gabrielle, but I do have to maintain an image here."

"This is our wedding day, Xena," Gabrielle reminded her with wide eyes. "It is expected that we dance. Now quit whining and dance with me."

Xena chuckled as she remembered the fun that they had once she was able to relax and enjoy the music.

They had danced with each other, family, and friends. As the hours wore on, most of the food was consumed and the wine continued to flow freely. When night began to fall, Cyrene began to usher people towards the door, many of them intoxicated, so that her family could celebrate Solstice and share their gifts with each other.

When the tavern was empty save for the family, the carefree mood carried over. They opened their gifts with much joyful banter, especially when Xena shrugged as she handed her new wife yet another gift.

"I had to give you something to unwrap," she said with a chuckle.

The bard gasped when she found a new bag amid layers of cloth. Inside, it was full of new scrolls and quills.

The loving look that Xena got in return assured the warrior that her bard was indeed happy with all of her Solstice gifts.

Xena spied her sword lying on a nearby table. The weapon gleamed in the low light of the common room.

With or without the wedding, both of them would remember this day for a long time.

Forgetting about the tables that needed to be cleared, she walked over and ran her callused fingertips along its length. A lump rose in her throat when she realized just what kind of gift it was.

From Gabrielle, it meant that her wife accepted the fact that at heart, she was a warrior.

As the blade reflected light into her eyes, the warrior prayed that her life could be just as new. For the first time, she envisioned starting over and doing things right.

"Do you really like it?" Gabrielle asked softly as she wrapped her arms around the warrior from behind.

"Yes," Xena answered when she was sure that she had control of her voice. "I'm still not sure why you got me a sword when I already have one, though."

"Because this is your sword, Xena. What you do with this one will make the difference in your life and mine. You don't have to be anything for your father anymore. If you want to, you can be a simple woman protecting her village."

"Or I can be your hero," Xena whispered.

Gabrielle stood on her toes and nuzzled the back of her wife's neck. "You always were, Xena. Nothing ever changed that. Whatever you decide to do with that gift, will not change how I feel about you. That isn't what matters deep down. Our love is what matters. As long as we are together, I don't care what we do."

Xena turned in the bard's embrace; she gazed down fondly at the smaller woman. "Within reason, I assume," she chuckled.

"Of course," Gabrielle replied; her nose crinkled with a grin. "I wouldn't want you to go chopping vegetables with that thing."

"Hmm...Xena, Warrior Cook?"

"I don't think so, darling," the bard said with the odd affectionate term. "You may have many skills, but cooking is not one of them."

Xena ducked her head and kissed Gabrielle quickly but thoroughly. "I like that," she said when she straightened.

"What's that?"

"I have many skills," the warrior repeated in a gravelly rumble. "What do you think?"

"I can attest to a few," the bard said as she pulled Xena close and kissed the warrior's chest.

"Oh, really?" Xena drawled with a wicked leer.

"Uh, huh."

The bard was about to go into detail, but Toris interrupted the couple.

"Uh, ladies," he said dryly as he stood with his hands on his hips, "you would be a bigger help if the two of you just disappeared somewhere instead of making Ere and me clean around you."

Gabrielle craned her head back so that she could look at her brother. Even upside down, she could see the playful glint in his eyes. "Are you sure?" she asked throatily from her position.

"Yeah," he said with a firm nod. "It's your wedding night, so get lost."

Gabrielle straightened and arched a questioning brow at her wife.

The warrior shrugged nonchalantly before sweeping the bard off her feet and striding confidently towards the stairs.

Using the warrior's neck for leverage, Gabrielle pulled herself up so that she could see the two men over a broad shoulder. "Thanks, guys," she called out. "Happy Solstice."

Toris and Eresthenes returned the farewell; when the two women were out of sight up the stairs, they looked at each other and shook their heads. Toris snorted when a door above slammed closed behind a burst of giggles. "To be young and in love," he sighed.

Eresthenes smacked the innkeeper on the arm and grinned. "We aren't that old." The merchant stacked a few more dishes and joined his lover walking to the kitchen. "Do you think that your mother will expect us to get hitched next."

"Gods, I hope not," Toris replied with a shudder. "I don't think that I could survive this for another few years."

"Xena, wait," Gabrielle gasped as she struggled to pull her arms free of her dress. "I don't want to rip the seams."

The warrior stepped back to catch her breath and to allow Gabrielle to disrobe. When the dress was removed, she claimed her wife again. "You make my blood hot with need," she murmured as she captured her wife's lips once more.

Gabrielle clung tightly to the warrior; she feared that if she let go she would fall into a boneless heap. She groaned breathlessly in response. She willed her fingers to cooperate as she untied and lowered Xena's dress.

When they were left wearing their shifts and britches, the two women came together again.

With negligent ease, Xena bent a little and grabbed the bard around the waist, then she lifted the smaller woman up and against her body. As Gabrielle wrapped powerful thighs around her torso, Xena leaned her face forward to bury it in her wife's cleavage.

"Do you want me to get a bottle of wine?" she asked as she took a deep breath and turned her face to rest against the swell of a breast.

"I think I've had enough wine for the day," Gabrielle replied with a soft chuckle. "All I want right now is you...my wife."

Xena smiled and tightened her arms around Gabrielle. She reluctantly left her warm pillow and lifted her face to gaze at the bard. "You are a beautiful woman, Gabrielle," she said throatily. "I'm afraid that one of these days, I'm going to start making love to you and never want to stop."

"We never have to stop, Xena," Gabrielle responded as she shook her head slightly. "Never."

Slowly, the bard lowered her mouth until it hovered above the warrior's. Gabrielle exhaled softly; her skin became warm with excitement when her breath mixed with her lover's. "Xena," she whispered, not allowing their lips to meet.

"Yes?"

"Make love to your wife."

Xena closed her eyes; she arched her neck and strained until her lips brushed against Gabrielle's.

The fleeting contact was enough to convince Gabrielle not to tease the other woman. With a deep groan, she eagerly consumed Xena's mouth. As the kisses became deeper, she could feel her wife's long fingers wandering higher up her spread thighs.

Just as the warrior's skilled hands reached the bard's behind; Xena lowered them to the bed. "Forever, my bard, forever," she replied.

Gabrielle wrapped her arms around herself as she followed the path through the forest. She chastised herself for wearing her brief halter-top despite Xena's warnings.

The warrior had told her that the morning's warmth would be fleeting. Sure enough, the clouds rolled in as the afternoon progressed. And now, in the hour before dusk, the bard was near freezing as she was out searching for her family.

Knowing that there was a greater chance of them finding her, however, Gabrielle used the quiet time to reflect back upon the past few months. They had been filled with love and laughter. It had been a gradual build up to the time that she would have to say goodbye to her daughter.

After the wedding and Solstice celebrations were over, things fell into their previous routine. Hope's lessons continued, although the warrior and child tended to spend more time in the surrounding forests rather than the back yard. Every night, Gabrielle would eagerly await their return; every night, Cyrene gave them all the night off so that they could spend more time together.

With the business slowing at the tavern, they had more time for each other. Together, her, Xena, and Hope were learning how to be a family. Eventually, the warrior joined her wife and child during the written lessons. In addition to the history and philosophy, the little girl also learned about the Amazon chain of command and the concept of rank.

The time passed quickly for the family and soon, the songs of the men as they began to plant their crops filtered through their opened window. The chill of winter passed in the wake of Persephone's return to Demeter; the new growth of spring began to dot the landscape with vivid shades of green.

Normally, Gabrielle would have been thrilled to simply walk the meadows and forests, discovering the new life with each blossoming day. This year, however, each bit of growth meant that she was one day closer to losing her daughter to the Amazons. As hard as she fought its pull, a melancholy rose within. She knew that she should have been excited for her daughter's chance at making her dreams come true, but the mother in her could only mourn the loss.

Although Xena held her through the night in arms strong enough to battle the strongest of foes, the bard fought her own demon. It was usually during this time of inactivity that Gabrielle's frantic mind played out the separation in a thousand ways. As the tears cascaded hotly down her cheeks and onto her wife's chest, Gabrielle privately dealt with her anxiety.

In public, however, she was supportive of her daughter. She beamed proudly as the little girl flourished under Xena's tutelage. The bard managed to hide her desperation when she showed her love to Hope; she resisted smothering the girl in her arms to never let go. The struggle of hiding her fear left her more exhausted each night as the day for their journey neared.

And through it all, Xena was there at her side. Gabrielle knew that the warrior understood her tumultuous mood swings. She fell in love with the tender warrior all over again each night as she cried herself to sleep.

The warbled call of a bird in the trees caught Gabrielle's attention. The bard shook her head and grinned crookedly when she saw a dark cloak dangling from a nearby branch. Gratefully, she tugged it gently to herself and wrapped it around her body. Her nostrils flared and she buried her nose in the heavy wool; she inhaled her wife's unique scent of leather, brass, and musk. "Thank you," she called out softly into the forest.

"You're welcome."

Gabrielle turned in place and glanced up at the most beautiful woman she ever had the fortune to lay eyes upon. And to her occasional disbelief, the bard realized all over again that she was married to her. "Xena," she breathed as she closed the distance between them. "I was looking for you."

Arching an eyebrow, the warrior wrapped her arms around the smaller woman. "Any particular reason?"

"Dinner will be ready soon...and I missed you," Gabrielle answered.

The bard closed her eyes as long fingers threaded through and combed her hair away from her face. "I really missed you," she repeated.

"I missed you, too," Xena replied with a gentle kiss. Straightening, the warrior cleared her throat quietly and cocked her head. "We were actually on our way home," she said as she narrowed her eyes and followed a barely discernable movement in the tree above them.

"Where's she at?"

"Above us on our right," Xena replied. "I think she's a natural at tree stealth."

"Figures," Gabrielle deadpanned. "I'm scared to death of heights and she's a squirrel."

"We'll work on that," Xena replied as she raised a finger to the bard's lips.

The bard waited until the pressure was released before asking, "Should we just walk home and let her follow us, or are the two of you playing a game?"

Xena looked off to their left and then behind them. "She'll follow us home," the warrior said as she turned around and moved to her wife's side. "I want to know why you didn't change before you came out here," the warrior said as she detected a slight shudder beneath the cloak.

The bard shrugged her shoulders for lack of an answer.

"Stubborn woman," Xena murmured. "When we get back, will you please change into something warmer? I really don't want you to catch a cold."

"I'll consider it if you help," the bard retorted suggestively.

Chuckling as they made their way home, Xena asked with a drawl, "So, tell me, what kind of help were you looking for?"

Cyrene looked up as the tavern door opened. She stopped counting the bottles behind the bar and smiled at her two daughters. Xena and Gabrielle were whispering between themselves; considering the flushes on both women's faces, the innkeeper knew that she wasn't going to ask what the secret was. A moment later, Hope came bounding through the door.

Turning with Gabrielle still in her arm, Xena smiled at the little girl. She nodded with approval and raised her other arm.

Eagerly, Hope took her place at Xena's side; she leaned her head into the warrior's warm, leather-clad side as a strong hand squeezed her shoulder affectionately.

Xena smiled and led her family towards the kitchen.

The innkeeper's eyes began to sting with tears and Cyrene raised a hand to rub away the discomfort. She sighed when she realized that soon, everything would change. Soon, Hope would be gone and with her, Xena and Gabrielle.

Soon, she would only have the occasional visit and her memories.

The innkeeper looked up as the door to the tavern burst open followed by three small bodies running towards the kitchen. The woman sighed as she threw her towel onto the board and followed them. When she caught up to them, the three children were sitting at the table, devouring small cakes that were left over from dinner the night before. Her hands rose to rest lightly over her hips; she pursed her lips when the oldest looked up and blushed guiltily.

"We were hungry," Xena mumbled around a mouthful of cake.

"You should know better, Xena," Cyrene said, shaking her head. "Eating sweets like that is going to give them a belly ache."

"I never get belly aches," Gabrielle answered before trying to shove a second cake into her mouth.

"Me either," Lyceus added as he licked his fingers clean.

"No arguments from you," Cyrene said as she picked up a towel and cleaned her son's face. "Where have you kids been?" she asked when she saw the dirt in the children's hair and the splinters that were embedded in her son's hands.

"We were playing in the forest," Xena answered as she stood and brushed her hands off on her britches.

Cyrene scowled at the crumbs that were scattered all over. She was about to chastise her daughter when a small hand tugged at her blouse. Turning to find round, innocent green eyes looking at her sweetly, the innkeeper could not help but smile. "What is it, Gabrielle?"

"Xena let me play with her. I got to be a hero."

"You did, huh?" Cyrene asked as she looked up at her only daughter with open affection.

Xena blushed under the attention and shrugged. "Yeah, well, everyone else was in trouble or away. I couldn't play by myself."

Cyrene chuckled as she stood and laid a hand on Xena's thin shoulder. "She's a charmer, Little One," the innkeeper advised in a low voice. "Let that one into your heart, and she'll curl up and never want to leave. I think you're stuck with her now."

Looking over at the little blonde girl that watched her avidly with naked worship, Xena rolled her eyes. "Great," she muttered with a pout. "I'll never get to do anything fun if she follows me everywhere." As much as Xena bemoaned the new circumstance, she could not help smiling when Gabrielle offered her a gap-toothed grin.

"Oh," the innkeeper said as she pulled Xena into an embrace, "I think you'll survive somehow."

Cyrene opened the kitchen door to find Xena and Hope sitting at the kitchen table. Gabrielle was at the stove, filling three bowls with a hearty stew that was simmering over the fire. "May I join you?" she asked them.

"Of course," Xena said as she stood and pulled out a chair for her mother. "I'm surprised that you are even here. Why aren't you home with Meleager?"

Shrugging as she took her seat, Cyrene said, "The tavern may be closed because of planting season, but that doesn't mean there isn't work to be done. Besides, Meleager went to port with Toris and Eresthenes. You know how he gets after a long winter...he just needs that one long ride before he can settle down until the next spring."

Xena knew exactly what her mother was talking about; she herself often struggled with the need to move beyond the village and surrounding forest and valley. Her promise to train Hope, however, tempered that instinct somewhat. And of course, Gabrielle managed to drain even what was left from her at night when they made love with at times, an animalistic passion.

Since Gabrielle began dealing with the prospect of leaving her daughter with the Amazons, the bard was throwing herself into everything she could to bury her feelings inside. In an effort to handle the powerful emotions of desperation and impending loss, the young woman became intense in her work, her play, and her sexual need to please.

Xena surged up against Gabrielle's body; she barely came to her senses when her wife's relentless thrusts were taking her to the brink of another climax. "Oh, gods," she cried as she was swept away. She was left trembling in the bard's arms, and still the younger woman continued to pleasure her. "Gabrielle, please," she gasped as she fought for air, "please, let me rest for a moment."

The bard growled as she buried her face between the warrior's breasts; her fingers continued to delve into and search for an ecstasy that was spent. She did not stop until Xena's larger hand closed over her wrist and gently pulled her hand out of its warm haven. "No," Gabrielle whimpered.

"Just a little break, Gabrielle," Xena murmured. "We need to slow down for a moment."

"I can't," Gabrielle cried softly. "I can't stop."

Xena arched a brow at the admission. "Gabrielle, what's going on?"

The bard raised tear-swollen eyes to her wife and whispered, "I can't stop...I can't let her go." She shook her head emphatically as she explained.

The warrior's eyes lit with understanding. Tenderly, she caught the bard by the chin and raised the younger woman's face until they were eye to eye. "Gabrielle," Xena said, "you don't have to let go. She'll always be with you...in your heart."

The bard took a deep breath and gulped as a sob rose in her throat. "I don't think I'm strong enough to let her go, Xena," she managed to get out before she broke down.

The warrior held her and rocked her soothingly until the sobs wore down to the occasional sniffle. "Besides, we will visit every chance we get," Xena added when she was sure that the bard could hear her again.

Gabrielle wiped her face with a weary hand. "You promise?" she asked timidly.

"I promise, my bard," the warrior vowed.

Ever since that night, their lovemaking still had a desperate edge to it, but on the whole, Gabrielle seemed to be dealing with her raging emotions better.

And there was no doubt that Hope would be staying with the Amazons. The little girl was soaking up every bit of information Xena and Gabrielle handed to her. She proved adept at learning staff defense. She remembered practically everything that Gabrielle taught her about the history and philosophy, especially since the bard put it together in little stories.

Listening as Hope told Gabrielle about how she managed to follow them home without being seen, Xena knew that they would be saying goodbye soon. Mentally, she began to prepare a list of things that they would need for the trip. If they wanted to leave themselves enough time, they would have to leave in another week.

That evening as Xena and Gabrielle prepared for bed, the warrior outlined her plan of travel.

Gabrielle handled the news that they would be leaving in a week fairly well. She did not break down into tears until her wife laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. She fell into the warrior's arms and cried for a while. Her tears were not as scalding and her sobs were not as wracking as the first time she exposed her raw soul to Xena. Nevertheless, her chest hurt when she was laid upon the bed.

She snuggled in tight when Xena lay down beside her. "Sleep now, Gabrielle," the warrior said. "We'll all take the week off from everything and just spend time together. Then we'll go watch Hope pass her Rite. And then I'll help you get through the pain...all right?"

The bard nodded slowly against Xena's chest; her thumb absently caressed the soft fabric of the warrior's shift. Gabrielle busied herself thinking of everything that they could do before Hope was gone from her life. "Xena?"

The warrior blinked in the darkness, acknowledging the call before rasping, "Yes?"

"Do you think that Hope will be all right? I mean, I know that she's good with a staff, but do you think the other kids will get along with her?" Before the warrior could answer, the bard continued. "I mean, she'll be an outsider to the other girls. What if they make fun of her or won't let her play with them?"

Xena sighed heavily. She should have known that something like this was bound to come up. As a child, Gabrielle suffered some cruelty because she was different - she could read and write and she told amazing stories even at a young age.

The only thing that saved Hope from the same fate was that there were so few children in the village. The children either learned to play without issues or they were stuck by themselves. Given the choice, the kids usually disregarded the things that made them different from each other. In the Amazon village, however, there were many more children. Xena could, and had, attested to that fact. In fact, she still had a picture of a dragon among her belongings.

In an effort to calm her wife's fears, the warrior smoothed the smaller woman's golden hair. "Gabrielle," she replied after a moment's thought, "I'm sure that there will be those that will tease her because she's new. But there will be others that will accept her because she smart and fun. Plus, Ephiny and Melosa will be there to make sure she doesn't have any real problems."

"Are you sure, Xena? I don't want her to be hurt by the other kids. She'd never forget that, you know. I don't want to cause her that pain."

Xena wrapped her arms even tighter around the young woman that was remembering the pain of her own childhood. "I know, my bard. I don't want her to be hurt, either. But we can't hover over her like a blanket, either. She chose this path, Gabrielle. We sat down with her and discussed it. She knows what will be expected of her. And you read Ephiny's scroll. She and her partner will be happy to foster Hope until she's of age."

Gabrielle took a deep breath and released it. "We'll visit, right? She won't forget me, will she?"

"Oh, Gabrielle," Xena sighed. "I don't know of anyone that could ever forget you, yet alone a child that adores you. You will still be her mother...and she will love you for everything you did and everything you sacrificed so that she could have this chance."

"Why do you always make me sound so much better than I am?" the bard asked as tears began to fall again.

"What are you talking about?" Xena ducked her head to look at her wife's face. "Gabrielle, you are the most incredible woman I know. You brought me home; you gave me new life. You've survived the dark and found the light." When the smaller woman shook her head in denial, Xena growled softly. "You know, you're always telling me that I'm your hero...well, guess what? I wouldn't be anything if it weren't for you. You are my hero, Gabrielle. Whenever I find myself lost or alone, I think of you or I imagine what you would do in the situation. You've done more for me than you could ever know. And you've done so much for Hope that she'll never, ever forget you. You are her mother and you're her hero, too."

"No," Gabrielle whispered as she shook her head again. "You're her hero, Xena. You are the tall, strong one that she looks up to."

Xena collapsed back onto the bed. As much as she loved Gabrielle, sometimes it was torture getting the smaller woman through her emotional crises. Suddenly, the warrior smiled into the dark. "Gabrielle, do you remember what Hope said Solstice night after you gave her the skirt and top?"

The bard thought back to that night. Her daughter's eyes had shown bright with joy upon receiving her first Amazon outfit. "She said that it was better than nutbread especially since I made it myself."

"Do you know what that means?"

The bard shrugged and furrowed her brow. "Well, nutbread is her favorite food...."

"No surprise there," the warrior muttered playfully. When Gabrielle said nothing for a few moments, Xena finished for her. "Gabrielle, no offense, honey, but your sewing is terrible. Yet, you took the time to make Hope something special...and it was good. I looked at the stitches myself. When she told you it was better than nutbread," Xena concluded, "it meant that she loved that outfit more than anything in the entire world. She loves you more than anything else. She could never forget you. No one in their right mind ever would."

"Really?"

"Trust me Gabrielle," the warrior assured her dryly, "when you or Hope compare something to food that you like, I know it's important."

The bard laughed heartily for the first time in a month. "We're like that, aren't we?" she asked as she wiped a happy tear from her cheek.

"Yes, you are," Xena answered, grateful that her wife was feeling better. She sighed in gratitude when they finally sank into the mattress once more.

"I love you, Xena," the bard whispered into the dark. "Good night."

"I love you, too, Gabrielle." Letting her eyes drift shut, the warrior pulled her wife closer and nuzzled her hair.

The week passed quickly for those that lost their heart to the little girl. Autolycus stopped by when he heard that Hope would be leaving. He shared some gruff words of encouragement before giving her a small, wrapped gift.

As the magistrate walked away, she opened the surprise to find a small wooden pendant of a hawk tied onto a thin leather strip. Calling out a 'thank you,' Hope slipped the pendant on over her head.

On the night before they were to depart, Cyrene had a party for her granddaughter. The triplets - Diana, Meg, and Leah - were there, as were Joxer and Callisto's children Jett and Cirra. What surprised the innkeeper was the number of adults that showed up for the farewell. Even Apagron, who had been bed-ridden for months, sent along his wishes of luck.

The party broke up early, for Xena wanted everyone to get to bed; they were to leave early after sunrise so that they could get to Amazonia.

The next morning, Xena woke to a light knock on the door. Raising her head, she made sure that their blanket covered her and Gabrielle. "Come in," she called softly.

Hope opened the door and poked her head into the room. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," the warrior answered as she sat up in bed; she patted the mattress beside her. "C'mere."

Hope tiptoed over to the bed and crawled onto it. She whispered out of respect for her mother that was still sleeping. "Are we really leaving today?"

"Yes, we are," the warrior answered with a grin. "Are you excited?"

Hope shook her head. "I'm scared, Xena. I'm so scared that my tummy hurts."

"Well, you know that your mother and I will be there for you the whole time, don't you?"

The little girl nodded hesitantly. "I think maybe that's why I'm scared. I don't wanna mess up and make Mama mad."

"Hope," Xena said as she cupped the little girl's face. "You mother is very proud of you. It doesn't matter to her if you pass or not. As long as you try your best, she'll be happy."

"Then how come she always cries when she sees me?" Tears began to well in Hope's eyes. "I don't want her to cry."

"Shh...come here," Xena crooned as she pulled the little girl onto her lap. "You're mother's just sad because you're growing up and going to live with the Amazons. She's going to miss you a lot."

"I'm gonna miss her, too...and you."

"We'll stay until after the Rite is finished," Xena said as she wiped a lonely tear from the girl's face. "Then we'll come back and visit whenever we can. You'll hardly know that we're not with you. You'll be so busy learning how to be a warrior," she chuckled.

"Thanks for helping me, Xena." Hope laid her head on the warrior's shoulder. "I'm gonna be the best warrior 'cause I got the best hero to help me."

"And your mother."

"Mama's a hero, too," Hope agreed, "'cause she's so brave to be alone."

"Well, she won't be alone," Xena replied. "I'll be there to make sure that she's happy."

"Will you make her laugh?" Hope craned her head so that she could look into Xena's pale blue eyes. "I always got her to laugh even when she was sad."

"Well, I'm hoping that she isn't sad too often, little one. I guess that will be my job after you're gone."

"What is that?"

"Making your mother happy."

"Oh...I think you can do it."

The warrior laughed lowly and kissed the child's head. "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence."

Changing the subject impulsively, Hope sat up and looked into Xena's face. "When are we leaving?" she asked.

"Let me wake your mother up and then we'll have some breakfast. I packed everything last night, so we can leave after that."

Hope petted the warrior's hair where it rested over a strong shoulder. "All right. I'll go change and get cleaned."

"We'll meet you down at breakfast."

Hope nodded and crawled off the bed. With a smile, she left the room and closed the door as quietly as possible.

"I know you're awake, Gabrielle," the warrior said as she scooted down and embraced her wife from behind.

"Has anyone ever told you that you always say the right things?" the bard asked as she rolled in the warrior's arms.

Xena bowed her head to kiss the bard good morning. "I've learned from you," the warrior admitted. "During the time that we were apart, I hardly spoke more than five words a day outside of commanding my men. I was barely human. The day that I met you again, I found my soul."

Gabrielle sighed and buried her face in the warrior's neck. "There you go again, Xena. I'm telling you...you keep this up, I'll let you be the bard and I'll practice looking moody and fierce."

"Oh, aren't you funny so early in the morning," Xena laughed as she grabbed the blanket and pulled it over their heads. "Have I ever told you what I do to wise crackers like you?"

The bard's answer was cut short by a fit of giggles. "Xena...we have to get ready for breakfast." At that moment, Gabrielle's stomach growled.

The blanket moved as Xena rolled the smaller woman to rest on her longer frame.

"You realize, of course," the warrior said with mock seriousness, "that you are saved by that monster you pass off as an appetite.

"Hmm...you love my appetite," the bard purred as she crouched over her wife. "You like to indulge me."

"There's no need to convince me of that, bard," Xena moaned as a moist heat surrounded one aroused nipple. She allowed herself to ride a wave of heat before taking control of her own passion. "Gabrielle, we have to get dressed. Hope is waiting for us."

Reluctantly, the bard pulled back from Xena's breast. "I suppose we do have to get up," she said with a pout. As she sat up, the blanket fell from her head to pool around her hips. "This is it, isn't it?" she asked as her face turned serious. "My little girl is leaving me."

Xena watched as her wife took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Yes," she replied. "We'll be on the road for a couple of weeks. That will give you time to say goodbye."

"I hate good-byes, Xena."

"It isn't forever," the warrior reminded her. "We'll see her often."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Gabrielle nodded and closed her eyes. She raised a hand to her chest as if that would still the desperate pounding of her heart. "All right," she finally said. "We'd better get dressed and go downstairs. Mom's probably dealing with this as bad as I am."

When they entered the kitchen, Cyrene was indeed misty-eyed as she spoke with Hope over a bowl of hot cereal. The innkeeper looked up at her two daughters; she barely contained the urge to cry over their departure. Clearing her throat, she stood and busied herself with preparing breakfast for Xena and Gabrielle. "I hope you're hungry," she said thickly as she lowered her swollen, tear-stained eyes. "I made plenty so eat up. Who knows when you'll get to eat next."

Xena glanced down to her wife before walking over to her mother. "Mother," she said as she wrapped her arms around the shorter woman, "I won't let us go hungry."

"What about bandits and thieves?" Cyrene asked quietly, mindful of the child that was watching them with interest.

"I can take care of them...and Gabrielle's pretty good with her staff. We'll be fine."

"What about...."

Xena tilted her mother's face up so that she could look her in the eye. "Mother, I will make sure that we are safe. I won't take them anywhere that there might be danger."

"I just worry about you, Xena. And now that you want to take...." Cyrene's eyes went wide as the warrior placed a hand up to still her words.

"I'll take care of everything, please trust me."

After a breathless moment, during which Cyrene stared hard at her intimidating child, the innkeeper acquiesced. "All right, Xena. I do trust that you will see to their safety. But don't put your own life in danger to do so, do you understand me?"

The warrior nodded and mentally breathed a sigh of relief. "I won't, Mother. I have two big reasons to watch out for myself, too."

"Well, then, I suppose you all should eat. You don't want to starve or anything, now, do you?"

"Food sounds good right now," Gabrielle agreed as she sat at the table; she blushed when her stomach rumbled again.

The four sat at the table and ate quietly until Hope broke the silence. The women listened as she spoke excitedly about meeting the Amazon girls Ephiny had told her about during the Princess' last visit. Soon, Xena and Gabrielle were sharing the child's excitement in wanting to be out on the road. Before long, breakfast was consumed and there was little that could be used as an excuse to keep them from leaving.

A small crowd gathered in front of the tavern as Xena checked the bags that were tied to Argo. The warhorse threw her head, eager to be traveling once more. Townspeople left their fields and their flocks to see the young family off on their journey.

Meleager was the first to step forward. He clasped Xena's arm and smiled. "All the luck to you, Xena," he said as he glanced to Gabrielle. "Keep your head out there."

"You know I will," the warrior replied as she straightened and pulled a determined expression over her face.

The ex-soldier nodded and stepped back so that Toris and Eresthenes could step forward.

"Take care, Xena," Toris said with a wink. "Don't be gone too long."

"Toris," Gabrielle said with a grin, "we're only going to the Amazon capital and then we'll be back. You won't even have time to miss us."

"I'll miss you the second you leave," Toris vowed as he pulled the small woman into an embrace. Over Gabrielle's head, he shared a knowledgeable smirk with his sister.

"Me, too," Eresthenes said as he wrapped the small bard in his arms and lifted her with his burly strength.

"Put me down, Ere!" Gabrielle cried with a breathy laugh.

The two men turned and waited their turn behind Meleager as he was on a knee, saying goodbye to Hope. When the ex-soldier stood, they both knelt and gave the little girl a group hug.

"You take care of those two, runt," Toris said as he jerked his head back towards the warrior and bard. "Keep them out of trouble, all right?"

"I will," Hope replied as she squeezed her small arms around their necks.

"Good luck with your Initiation," Eresthenes said when they pulled back.

The two men stood and watched as Joxer and Callisto approached the group.

"I made extra bread this morning," the pregnant woman said as she held out a bulging sack. "I thought you could use it for your trip."

"Thank you," Gabrielle said as she leaned over Callisto's stomach and hugged the other woman.

Joxer cleared his throat and pulled his hand from behind his back. "I had some materials left over after I did your sword," he said as he unwrapped a small package. Inside was a small dagger; its hilt matched the design of Xena's sword. "Since it's a matched set, I thought you should have it."

The warrior took the dagger and studied its design. With a lopsided grin, she slipped it under her armor and between her breasts. "Nice fit," she deadpanned. "Thanks."

The smithy shrugged and dodged aside as his son pushed his way into the group.

Jett walked over to Hope and scowled. "I'm still mad 'cause you're so lucky," he mumbled, "but I got this for you."

Hope extended her hand and took the dead bug that the little boy gave her. "My favorite," she said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.

Several muted chuckles erupted in the gathered crowd. Xena shook her head and raised her eyes to study the rise of the sun. The rest of the well-wishers took that as their cue to hurry their farewells. By the time that the crowd had dwindled to just a few people, the bard was holding more food than they could eat in a week. When Eresthenes added two wineskins to their cargo, Xena sighed and busied herself with tying the loose packages.

From out of the corner of her eye, she saw the triplets approach Hope.

"We're really going to miss you," Diana said as she bowed her head and scuffed her boot in the dirt.

"You'll come and visit, won't you?" Leah asked as she frowned.

Hope nodded and replied, "I won't be allowed for a while 'cause I'll be training, but as soon as I can, I'll come back so we can play."

"Hey, Hope," Meg whispered as she stepped closer, "get them Amazons ready for me. I'm gonna join, too, as soon as my mom says it's okay."

"Really?"

The dark-haired girl nodded quickly. "Yeah, that's what I want to do, too."

"Okay," Hope replied as she hugged each girl in turn. "I'll see you guys later."

When Xena finished her chore, everyone was standing around awkwardly.

"Well," Gabrielle said, trying to ease their departure, "we'll see you in a little bit."

Cyrene lost her battle against her tears; she broke down with a sob as she pulled the bard into an embrace. "I'm going to miss you, Sunshine."

"Mom," the bard gasped as she tried to breathe, "I'm coming back."

The innkeeper looked up at Xena and saw the warning in the warrior's face. Realizing what she was doing, Cyrene stepped back and smoothed Gabrielle's hair. "Of course, sweetheart. I'm just being emotional." Taking a deep breath, the innkeeper turned to her other daughter.

Raising her hand, she pushed Xena's bangs from the taller woman's eyes. "Take care of yourself, Xena," she said. The unspoken welcome for their return was evident to the warrior's eyes.

"I will, Mother," Xena replied.

When Cyrene stepped back, Estepani moved forward uncertainly. "Be careful," she whispered as she kept her eyes on the ground.

Gabrielle glanced at Xena who was still uncomfortable dealing with the widow. Stepping forward, she reached for Estepani's shoulder. "We will look out for each other, 'Stepi," she said as she pulled the widow into her arms. Gabrielle smiled when she felt the warrior's arm snake around her back to clasp the widow's arm.

Xena allowed the warmth to flow through her soul for a moment; she closed her eyes at the healing she could feel. When a throat cleared behind them, she looked up and stepped back.

"If you don't get going," Meleager said as he looked at the sun that had ridden higher in the sky, "your mother will force you into staying for lunch."

The warrior grinned slightly at the practical advice. She nodded as she crossed to Hope. Smoothly, she lifted the girl and deposited her on Argo. She patted the child's leg and turned to her wife. "Ready?"

Gabrielle took a moment to look at everyone; a tear fell down her cheek. "Yes," she replied. An excitement began to creep through her veins as she thought about her first, and probably only, adventure. "Let's go."

Xena paused a moment as Cyrene said one last goodbye to Hope. When Meleager pulled his lover away from Argo, she wrapped the reins in a powerful grip. Without another word, she led her family out of Amphipolis.

They traveled in silence until they topped the far rise of the valley. Xena scowled as she turned and scanned the way from which they came. Her warrior instincts flared as she realized that with the next step, they would be stepping out into danger. She knew that she was possibly leading her family into trouble. The threat of Ares lingered in the back of her mind. Away from Amphipolis, they had no protection from the vengeful god.

The warrior narrowed her eyes and her nostrils flared with the challenge. She knew that she could not hide from him any longer. She was first and foremost concerned with getting Hope to the Amazons. After that, she would have to rely on her own skills to keep her and Gabrielle safe. With the bard at her side, though, she was more than prepared to deal with the god's dark seduction. He no longer had that power over her. Her soul was completely under the protection of one fierce and stubborn bard.

Wherever their destiny led, she was determined to see the end with her love. Hope's, however, was with the Amazons and she would go down fighting in order to see the child's dream come true. With that thought, Xena straightened her back and took that step out into the world.

Xena looked up and cocked her head. With her elbow, she nudged Hope's leg. When the little girl looked at her, the warrior glanced up at the trees to their left.

Hope grinned; she began to fidget as adrenaline coursed through her slight body. A moment later, she saw Xena raise her arms in a sign of peace. Immediately, she did the same from atop Argo.

Gabrielle leaned her staff against her chest and copied the action. She jumped when six Amazon guards dropped from the trees.

"State your business," one masked woman said as she let her hand drop to a dagger at her waist.

Slowly, Gabrielle reached into her bag and withdrew a scroll. She handed it over to the guard that had spoken.

The guard read the scroll quickly and nodded. "Follow me," she ordered.

Hope grinned wide and watched as four of the Amazons disappeared into the foliage. She contained her excitement, though, as Xena gathered the reins and followed the two that were taking them deeper into the forest.

Half an hour later, they stepped out into the bright sun; the Amazon capital spread out over a square that had been cleared generations ago.

Gabrielle laughed as a familiar face appeared among those that gathered to watch their arrival. Stepping away from Xena's side, she approached the other woman. "Ephiny!"

The Amazon's face crinkled up in a warm smile as she greeted her old friend. "Hey, Gabrielle, I can't believe you're all here." The Princess looked over the bard's shoulder and nodded towards Xena.

The warrior grinned crookedly and shrugged slightly. When the Amazon returned a cocky smirk, she turned to help Hope dismount.

Hope stood on shaky legs. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she looked around the village at all the warriors and craftswomen that were gathering around. When one little girl poked her head out from behind a red-haired warrior and smiled timidly at her, Hope grinned brightly.

Gabrielle saw her daughter's reaction and mentally frowned. She could see the happiness in the girl's expressive green eyes and the fear of losing Hope was heavy in her gut. The bard cast a helpless look at her wife.

Xena saw Gabrielle's eyes and took control of the situation. Wrapping one arm around Hope, the warrior took the bard's hand in her own free one. She addressed Ephiny formally. "Princess Ephiny, I bring you an initiate for the tribe."

Ephiny arched a brow and replied, "I'm glad to see that you made it this year. Who is it that delivers this child into our care?"

"We do," Xena answered, "her parents."

Gabrielle's shock was evident as she looked up at her wife. Although Xena and Hope had grown close over the past few months, the warrior had never before claimed a parental right over the child. "We do," the bard repeated breathlessly as her emotions began to swell again.

Reaching down to grasp Gabrielle's wrist, Ephiny laughed. "I'll be a centaur's wife," she mumbled. "I always knew you two would get together."

The surrounding Amazons knew of Xena and her reputation, both past and present. Either way, they were in awe of the warrior's skills. Many were disappointed that she was no longer available.

Xena shrugged as she squeezed her wife's hand. "She gave me an offer I couldn't refuse," the warrior retorted playfully.

"Well," Ephiny said with a chuckle, "you're a lucky woman, then." Becoming serious once more, the Amazon Princess clapped her hands twice. "Come on, let's get you three settled. Hope will need her rest for the Rite tomorrow. And I want to hear how your trip went."

After arranging to have Argo divested of her saddlebags and stabled, Ephiny led Xena and Gabrielle to a guest hut. She stood stoically as Gabrielle kissed Hope for good luck.

The little girl would not be allowed to have any contact with her parents until tomorrow afternoon.

When Hope was led away to the children's dorm, Gabrielle crossed the guest hut to sit on the pallet. Xena and Ephiny followed her. Setting her bag on the floor, the bard took stock of the room.

It was bare with only the necessities afforded to guests. There was an adequate bed and a small table with two chairs. A small stand held a washbowl and water pitcher. The floor was hard-packed earth and strewn with fresh rushes.

"So, how was the journey? Did you have any trouble?" Ephiny asked as she sat on the bed.

Gabrielle looked at Xena and saw no support from the warrior that only grunted in response. Rolling her eyes, the bard recalled the past two weeks that passed as she slowly fell into a deeper hole of despair.

The trip to Amazonia took a little bit longer than was expected. Once word was out that Xena was riding again, they were forced to take a random route to the capital. They avoided most of the warrior's adversaries, but they had to fight their way out of situations twice. Both times, Gabrielle feared for her daughter's life. Both times, when the short-lived battles were over, she searched desperately for Hope. To her relief, the little girl managed to escape up a tree to avoid injury or capture.

She never feared for own life, only that of Hope and Xena. In both fights, all she did was watch the warrior's back to make sure that no one snuck up behind her. The skirmishes ended quickly with no injury to anyone but those that were foolish enough to attack them.

The food they had taken from Amphipolis lasted for a week and a half. When that ran out, they either fished or Xena trapped their meals.

If the bard had not been so worried about the welfare of her family, she would have been able to enjoy the newness of the experience - of finally travelling the road of adventure. Between fearing the next attack and dreading the loss of her daughter, Gabrielle never heard the birds singing or saw the flowers blooming.

When they finally spotted the Amazon markers, the bard heaved a silent sigh of relief. She prayed that within the boundaries of the Nation, she would finally be able to get a good night's sleep.

When Gabrielle finished with the impersonal details that neglected her own tumultuous state of mind, she sat on the bed next to Ephiny.

The Amazon Princess smiled and hugged the bard briefly. "Well, I'm glad you made it. Dinner will be in the dining hut in about two hours. You two should get some rest until then." She lithely rose from the bed and nodded towards Xena. "Don't do anything I wouldn't, because tomorrow's the big day."

Gabrielle smiled sickly at the thought of the Initiation Rite. When Ephiny left the hut, she lowered her head into her hands and sighed raggedly.

Xena offered silent comfort by sitting behind her wife and wrapping strong arms around the smaller woman. She knew there were no magical words to ease the pain of separation. She too was feeling a pang of loss. It would take time and something else to replace the emptiness.

That evening at dinner, Melosa stood and offered words to the handful of initiates that were sitting by themselves at a table near the queen. Melosa knew that Hope was Gabrielle's child and she spared the child, who was the youngest initiate, a sly wink. It was the only gesture of favor that Hope would find until the Council made its decision whether to accept her into the tribe.

After her speech, Melosa sat and ate her dinner as she listened to Ephiny's news. When the queen heard of the joining between her kinswomen, she smiled and raised her goblet of wine in a silent toast to the couple that was sitting in the back of the room.

Xena saw the toast and returned it. She drank deeply of the strong Amazon wine and continued to observe the warriors that watched her with undisguised lust. Casually, Xena draped an arm across Gabrielle's shoulders and pulled the smaller woman close to her side. She smirked when most of the Amazons turned their gaze away.

Gabrielle realized what Xena was doing. It warmed her that the warrior was showing her suitors that she was already taken. That feeling, however, could not ease the bard's pain.

As she sat in the back of the dining room, she could barely see Hope. Occasionally the bard would catch a glimpse of fine golden hair the same color of her own. When Gabrielle thought she heard her child's laughter above the din of the crowd, she was compelled to find her daughter. She was driven to answer the natural instinct that existed between mother and child.

She longed to break all of the rules; she was ready to defy the Amazon Queen just to sit next to her daughter.

Xena felt the bard tense next to her; the warrior could feel the smaller woman's muscles bunch and hold tight. When Gabrielle went to stand with her eyes focused on the table of initiates, the stronger woman had difficulty holding her down. Setting her jaw, Xena held her in place. The arm that lay across the bard's shoulders became immovable. "Gabrielle," she hissed low, trying to appear casual so that they would not make a scene, "what in Tartarus has gotten into you?"

The bard's eyes were desperate; her skin became flushed with the heat of exertion to move against her wife's hold. "I can't do this," the bard rasped. "I can't."

Realizing that Gabrielle was on the verge of an emotional explosion, Xena wrapped her arm firmly around the smaller woman's shoulders. She pulled the bard to her feet and forced her to walk out of the dining hut. The warrior did not say a word as she guided Gabrielle to their hut where she grabbed the bard's staff.

Five minutes later, they were on the Amazon practice field.

"When I couldn't deal with something," Xena said as she unsheathed her sword, "I fought. I used up all my energy fighting until I couldn't stand."

Gabrielle looked back to the dining hut and then to her wife. The bard's eyes were round and shiny with tears. "What are you saying?" she asked in a choked voice.

"Attack me."

The bard shook her head and backed up a pace. "No, Xena, I can't do that."

"Gabrielle," the warrior growled, "attack me!"

"No!"

Xena snarled and at half-speed, swung high at Gabrielle's shoulders. Ready until the last second to pull her stroke short, she was relieved when the smaller woman brought her staff up to block the blow.

"Xena, I can't do this with you!" the bard cried. "I'm afraid of...everything!"

"Gabrielle, you have to do something," the warrior replied as she stepped back to give the smaller woman her space. "You can't go on like this. You're losing control, and I don't know what else I can do to help you deal with it."

Gabrielle looked around the practice field frantically. She needed to find her way out of the pit into which she was sinking. A mental image of claws tearing at her skin came to mind and she released a sound that was like a wounded animal.

The field was empty save for her wife, a few practice staffs, and a wooden post that served as a demonstration model.

Looking once more to Xena, the bard finally saw the compassion, love, and naked pain in the warrior's eyes. Knowing that her wife was right about losing control, Gabrielle gripped her staff until her knuckles turned white. With a strangled sob, she ran over to the demonstration model and began to beat it savagely.

Xena watched as her wife vented all of her energy on the wooden post. A tear trickled down the warrior's face when she realized the depth of Gabrielle's feelings. Just because Gabrielle was normally bright and cheery did not mean that she did not have to deal with the darker, heavier emotions of other people. As someone who dealt with those impulses all her life, Xena understood the need to lash out. Sometimes the easiest way to express oneself was through violence. People like Gabrielle, however, refused to release it on other people.

The warrior sheathed her sword and waited until the storm passed. She winced a little less as the blows became weaker and less frequent. When the bard was near collapse, she moved up behind the younger woman and caught her with gentle arms.

Gabrielle was breathing harshly; her skin was coated with a heavy layer of sweat and her hair was damp against her brow.

"I'll take care of you, my bard," Xena whispered as she lifted and cradled Gabrielle. When she looked up, the warrior saw Ephiny standing at the edge of the practice field, watching in concern. As the warrior walked past the princess, she asked, "Can I please have a bath readied for her?"

"Of course," the Amazon replied before jogging off to relay orders to several women.

By the time that Xena arrived at the guest hut, a tub was being delivered and the fire was being stoked. The warrior eased Gabrielle onto the pallet and pried the staff out of the bard's hands. Leaning the weapon against the wall, the warrior knelt at her wife's feet and began to undress her until the drained woman sat only in her shift.

Within half an hour, the tub was half full of steaming water.

The warrior nodded her thanks to Ephiny as they walked to the door.

The Amazon Princess looked over Xena's shoulder. Her brow puckered with worry and she asked quietly, "Is she all right?"

"She'll be fine," Xena responded with a glance to the bed. "This is just the first time that she's been separated from Hope. She's...very emotional right now."

Ephiny stared at Xena for a moment before nodding. "All right. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask someone. Just don't sneak up on the guards if it's late...they're liable to be hurt when you defend yourself."

Xena offered her friend a wry grin. "I'll remember that." When the blonde woman turned to leave, Xena laid a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you," she said, "and please, don't mention this to Hope. There's no reason that both of them should be upset."

"Understood," the Amazon murmured as she cast one last look at Gabrielle. "I'll see you in the morning."

When they were alone once more, Xena returned to her wife and removed the last of the bard's clothes. With an easy tug, she coaxed Gabrielle towards the tub. Lifting the smaller woman, Xena sat her in the water. After removing her armor and leathers, the warrior lowered herself to her knees and began to bathe her wife.

The fierce warrior's hands were gentle as they washed away the evidence of Gabrielle's outburst. Her long fingers massaged over-exerted muscles. Her lips uttered soft words and bestowed tender kisses to fill the emptiness of the bard's soul.

Once the bath was finished, Xena carried her wife to the bed and dried her. Removing her own shift, Xena crawled into bed beside Gabrielle. When the bard rolled to her side away from the warrior, Xena spooned the silent woman until there was no room between the length of their bodies. She held Gabrielle tightly and silently vowed she would not let go until the bard was strong again.

Gabrielle stared blankly at the wall until the low sounds of Xena's voice penetrated her exhaustion. Concentrating, the bard could feel the warrior's breath against her ear; she could hear the soft tones of the lullaby that the warrior was singing.

Unable to fight against the pull, the bard fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. Her last thoughts were of Hope and Xena and the love for them that knew no bounds.

The next morning, Ephiny looked up to see Xena and Gabrielle enter the dining hut. The Amazon studied the bard's face intently; she smiled faintly when she saw that the other woman looked better than she had the night before. She waved to the couple as they passed by the head table on the way to a buffet that was laid out for the morning meal.

"I heard that Gabrielle nearly destroyed the dummy on the practice field last night."

Ephiny turned to her aunt Melosa and replied, "Yes, my Queen. She is having some issues about being separated from her daughter."

Melosa watched as Gabrielle spoke quietly to her warrior wife. To the Queen's trained eye, the strain was still evident in the shadow of loss in the younger woman's eyes. "Talk to her this morning during the Initiation. Make sure that this is what she wants. Explain to her that she is welcome to stay here whenever she wishes." The Queen turned to her niece to make sure that the orders were understood.

The Princess smiled warmly at the love that was reflected in her aunt's eyes. Ever since her mother had died in a raid many years ago, the younger Amazon had been raised by Melosa. Their bond was strong and both understood the pain with which Gabrielle was dealing. "I'll make a point of it, my Queen."

Eager to see the Initiation Rites, breakfast was a brief affair and most of the Amazons wandered over to the training field for the ritual.

In the middle of the field, ten initiates stood, waiting for their trials to begin. Of them, Hope was the youngest; the oldest was a middle-aged woman that appeared to be apprehensive as she scanned the crowd.

Gabrielle pushed her way to the edge of the sea of people. She was aware of the warm hand that rested on her back as Xena followed her closely. The two women listened closely as the instructors outlined the three basic tests.

Hope, listened intently, even though she already knew all the details from Ephiny and Xena. Her small body was thrumming with nervous excitement.

The bard never heard a word that was said although the instructors' words were loud and clear across the silent gulf that separated her from Hope. Gabrielle, instead, focused on her daughter; she fought against the emotional havoc that threatened to rise up from her gut like noxious bile. Seeking support, she leaned back against the strength that always seemed to be there when she needed it. When Xena wrapped her in powerful arms, the bard raised her hands to clasp her wife's forearms. The connection was the only thing that kept the younger woman sane.

When the instructors finished speaking at last, an archer fired an arrow into the morning sky. It was the signal that the first test was to begin - the mile run through the forest.

The initiates lined up behind an Amazon scout. As they got into their places, Hope remembered to stretch like Xena showed her. As she was doing so, the little girl searched for and found her parents on the edge of the crowd. Smiling with a shrug, she took a deep breath and wiped her hands on the skirt her mother had made her.

With an Amazon birdcall, the scout signaled the group to follow and they took off into the woods.

After the last of the initiates disappeared into the forest, the group of Amazons broke up into smaller groups to talk amongst themselves as they waited for the results.

Xena led Gabrielle to a patch of fragrant grass where she urged the other woman to sit. When the bard complied, the warrior sat behind her and wrapped her once more in comforting arms.

They sat in silence until Ephiny joined them moments later. The Amazon spoke of the tradition of the Rites and what each successful initiate could expect as they were accepted into the Nation.

Gabrielle listened as well as she could, considering that she was distracted and kept glancing at the place where she had last seen her daughter go into the trees. When the first initiate returned, a tall, powerful-looking woman, Gabrielle tensed and leaned forward, watching for her daughter.

Tightening her arms a little, Xena glanced at Ephiny and then to the forest. "Ephiny, would you mind keeping Gabrielle company?" the warrior asked. "Nature's calling."

The Amazon nodded and reached out to take the bard's hand as Xena stood and trotted off into the woods. Turning to the other woman, the Princess spoke. "Melosa wanted me to make sure that you wanted to do this," she said as she cupped Gabrielle's cheek to get her attention.

The bard lowered her eyes and shrugged. Weary from fighting her own pain the past few months, she was unable to stop the rush of words.

"I do, Eph, I want this to happen for her. But I can't seem to let go...even though part of me wants to take these tests for her." Gabrielle sighed and looked at her friend. "When I was Hope's age, I had all sorts of dreams for adventure. I believed that I would grow up and just take off one day and never stop until I reached the end of the earth. But then...Perdicus...and well, I saw my dreams curl up and die in a corner even as Hope began to grow inside my body."

The bard took a shuddering breath as she remembered those dark days eight years ago. "When Hope was born, I thought that I had a new purpose for living. I thought that I was meant to teach her all about the ideals I learned to value. I taught her to dream to believe in the impossible."

With a rueful grin, the bard continued, "When she first told me that she wanted to be an Amazon, I just assumed that it was some crazy idea. I forgot how badly a child can desire and how real those dreams could be. I couldn't be the one to kill her dream, Eph. I can't do to her what Perdicus did to me." Gabrielle lowered her head and added, "It just hurts so much to think of life without Hope."

Ephiny pulled Gabrielle into an embrace and sighed. "Oh, Gabrielle, you haven't changed. You are still the sweetest person I know. You'd rather go through your pain than to cause it for others."

"That's not true," the bard reflected softly. "I know that I'm driving Xena crazy with this. I'm surprised that she hasn't had second thoughts about our marriage."

"Now you listen to me," Ephiny said emphatically as she tapped the bard's temple with a finger, "that warrior loves you for a few damn good reasons. I can't believe the change in her since the last time she was here. You should have seen her. She looked like she was about ready to throw herself off a cliff. But now, it's like she was reborn. She isn't having second thoughts because you are her life. She'd sooner cut off her sword arm."

Gabrielle could not help but to smile wryly. "Very romantic, Eph. Is that a skill that the Amazons teach? Romance and how to woo with words?"

Ephiny was about to reply, but a movement from the edge of the forest caught her eye.

Seeing the other woman look across the field, Gabrielle followed suit and frowned when three more women came into view. "I hope she's all right," the bard murmured, speaking of her daughter that was still out in the forest.

"I'm sure she's fine," Ephiny replied as she noted the sandglass that marked the time of the trial.

When Xena entered the forest after leaving Gabrielle and Ephiny to talk, she looked over her shoulder to make sure that no one saw what she was doing. Sure that she was unobserved, she broke into a fast sprint so that she could catch up to the initiates.

It was not long before she heard three different groups of them making their way back towards the field. Stopping so that she could go undetected each time as they passed, the warrior stood and continued, running parallel to the marked trail. A little later, she came upon the subject of her hunt.

Hope was running slower than her usual pace. She and Xena made it a habit to run through the forests of Amphipolis in preparation for this test. Despite her desire to finish the test, however, she was reluctant to leave a fellow initiate behind to run on her own.

Xena saw what was keeping her daughter. The little girl was keeping pace with the oldest initiate. The two of them ran in silence; the air was only punctuated by the older woman's heavy breathing. Xena kept a silent track on their progress. The warrior slipped among the shadows of the trees as she made sure that neither the woman nor the child was injured.

There was still a quarter of a mile to go when the older woman began to falter. Hope reached out a steadying hand and advised the woman. "Just breathe right. Control it, don't let it control you," she said, repeating Xena's words. "See? Like this," she explained as she gave an exaggerated demonstration of her technique.

The older woman nodded and attempted to do the same. Within a few heartbeats, she found a rhythm and continued, even as her legs began to feel like rock weights.

"See? You can do it," Hope said with a smile that encouraged her fellow initiate. "You just need to focus." When the woman arched a brow, the little girl continued. "That means keeping your head. Xena says that when I start thinking 'bout other stuff, I don't pay attention. And that's really important...paying attention. If you don't, then you can get hurt."

Xena chuckled silently to herself as Hope repeated the lessons that she learned. Like her mother, the little girl tended to daydream. The warrior was constantly telling her that she had to keep her mind on the lesson at hand. Xena listened as her daughter continued to explain to the woman about running - all of the things she learned. When the warrior realized how close they were to the edge of the forest, she picked up her pace. Stopping just before she exited the tree cover, Xena smoothed her hands over her hair and took a deep breath.

Gabrielle looked up when Xena rejoined her and Ephiny. The bard's brow rose in question.

Xena shrugged and said, "You know how I get...it must have been that hard cheese we had last night."

"Do you want me to get you some prunes?" the bard asked solicitously.

"Nah, I'm fine now." Xena looked up as she heard Hope's voice that continued to chatter. The warrior grinned and pointed, saying, "Hey, look who made it back."

Standing as her daughter emerged from the forest, Gabrielle began to wring her hands. "Is she all right?"

Xena wrapped an arm around her wife and nodded. "She's just fine, Gabrielle."

Ephiny looked sharply at the warrior when she heard the odd tone in the taller woman's voice. "Gabrielle, why don't you go find your place to hear about the next test."

The bard eagerly complied without an argument.

When the other woman was out of earshot, the Amazon turned to Xena. "You weren't relieving yourself, were you?" she asked suspiciously. "You were checking up on Hope."

Xena blinked innocently but ruined the effect when she grinned with pride. "She stayed behind to help that other woman finish," she said, attesting to her guilt.

The Amazon Princess nodded with a faint frown. "That's Nelsya. She was married to a soldier that was killed in battle with the Persians. I tried to explain to her that being a soldier's wife did not make her qualified to take the Initiation, but she was too stubborn to listen. I don't think she knew of anywhere else to go. She has no family and those that were left in her village after the battle just picked up and moved on."

"She does seem out of shape," Xena observed as the older woman tried to collapse to the ground. The warrior arched a brow as Hope refused to allow Nelsya to do so and instead, encouraged the woman to walk slowly around the field.

"Well, the next test shouldn't be too hard for her...unless she has trouble sitting in trees," Ephiny commented.

"So," Xena said, changing the subject, "how was Gabrielle while I was gone?"

The Amazon turned her attention to her friend and smiled. "I think she's going to be all right. She knows what she is doing and why she feels the way she does. Just give her time. There's going to be a celebration after this evening after the new Amazons are accepted. She'll have time to spend with Hope."

Xena's brow furrowed as she thought about the child. "Do you think Hope will be accepted? I mean...she is pretty young."

Ephiny's eyes twinkled as she replied, "I don't think there's any doubt. Considering that you trained her, she's probably better than some of our advanced students."

Grinning wryly at the compliment, Xena shrugged. "I only taught her a little. Gabrielle taught her the important stuff."

"Uh, huh." The Amazon's smile widened. "Why do I get the feeling that if I asked Gabrielle, she would say the same thing about you?" When she got no reaction from Xena, Ephiny turned and began to walk towards the field. "Tell me, Xena, are you going to disappear again to hide up in a tree? If you do, I get the feeling that Gabrielle would probably force-feed you prunes until you've shit your brains out."

The warrior's sudden snort of laughter rang out over the crowd as the two women joined the rest.

Gabrielle picked at the grass between her outstretched legs as she waited for Hope to return. Occasionally, she would glance towards the barn where Xena had gone to check on Argo. She sighed and then blushed when a hand took one of her own. She looked up and said, "I'm not real good at waiting."

"It's just a little longer," Ephiny said as she patted the bard's hand. "Five more minutes and they'll be allowed to come back."

They waited the short time in silence. Gabrielle continued to pull blades of grass and Ephiny waited expectantly for Xena to return. When the warrior did appear a few moments before the hour was up, the Amazon smirked. "So, how's your horse?"

"Fine," Xena replied as she fell to the grass and kissed her wife. "Couldn't be better. I think I'm hungry, though. I bet Hope's hungry, too," she mumbled. "They break for lunch before the weapons test, right?"

"Yeah," Ephiny drawled as she fought to stay her knowing grin. "They're already setting up the buffet outside of the dining hall...of course, you'd know that, since you passed that way when you went to the stables."

Xena's dry reply was cut short when the group of initiates emerged from the forest for the second time that day. She stood instead, and pulled Gabrielle to her feet. "You ready for some food?" she asked her wife.

Gabrielle cocked her head back and forth a few times and shrugged. "I guess so."

The two of them collected Hope and made their way towards the tables that were set up outside for lunch and the party after the Rites were concluded. After finding an empty seat, the warrior left her family to get them all a tray of food.

Turning to her daughter, Gabrielle asked, "So, how was it? You didn't get any cramps sitting there for all that time, did you?"

Hope nodded and replied, "Just a little one in my leg, but it wasn't bad. I had trouble being quiet, though, 'cause my tummy kept growling."

Gabrielle stared at her daughter as one and one came together in her mind to make two. The bard looked up at Xena when the warrior returned with their food. "I'm glad to hear that Argo's good. Of course, you were with her for almost an hour," she said sweetly as she batted her eyes. "And I'm glad to hear that cheese isn't causing you anymore problems."

Xena began to stutter as a blush rose and covered her sculpted cheeks. She knew that Gabrielle discovered the reasons behind her convenient disappearances. Setting the tray on the table, the warrior deadpanned, "The barn was comfortable." Without another word lest she incriminate herself further, she sat down and began to pile her plate high.

Hope ate enough to assuage her appetite, explaining to her mother that she did not want to throw up during the last test. The little girl spoke animatedly about completing the Rite and finding out whether she was accepted or not.

Studying Gabrielle's reaction carefully, Xena was pleased to note that a small glimmer of excitement sparkled in the bard's eyes.

Hope's infectious mood was easing Gabrielle's pain.

When the little girl saw that Nelsya was eating by herself, Hope excused herself and walked over to the woman. After a moment, she returned with her fellow initiate. "Mama, is it all right if Nes sits with us?"

The bard glowed with love for her daughter. "Sure she can, sweetheart."

Hope introduced her parents, saying, "Nes, these are my mamas, Gabrielle and Xena."

The older woman blinked at the warrior as she sat. "The Warrior Princess? I didn't think anything when she told me that Xena trained her. But now that I've seen you close, you are her, aren't you?"

Xena stiffened, readying herself for a bad reaction. "Yes," she answered simply.

Gabrielle, however, could see the tight lines of the warrior's jaw. "Xena's has done many good things besides training our daughter."

Nelsya narrowed her eyes as she studied the warrior. Having been married to a soldier for over twenty years, she knew a good fighter when she saw one. "I heard the stories," she replied. "If half of what they say about you is true, then the Greeks can use someone like you to help rid the country of those damn Persians."

Clearing her throat, and easing her posture, Xena narrowed her eyes and cocked her head towards Hope. "I had other things to attend to while I was at home."

"Hmmph," the older woman snorted as she took a bite from her apple. "Well you did a good job of that." Offering a smile of gratitude for Hope, she explained, "Your daughter helped me with that first test. Didn't think I would make it, but she got to talking and before I knew it, we were back on the field. If it hadn't been for her, I'd probably be on the road by now."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Gabrielle chided gently as she reached across the table to lay her hand over Nelsya's. "All you need to do is believe in yourself. That's half of the battle right there. And if Hope believes in you, well...that's most of the rest of it."

"I see she didn't just learn from the warrior there, neither," Nelsya said after a brief moment of looking into Gabrielle's eyes. "She's a fine girl with two fine parents. You must be very proud of her."

Gabrielle glanced to her daughter and smiled. "We are," she said. Another layer of pain dissolved as the bard realized that in her short time with Hope, she had managed to teach her daughter how to be a good person.

After a brief rest after lunch, the initiates once more convened on the practice field. Hope stretched again and warmed up with a few simple maneuvers. When the weapons instructor began to speak, she stood still and listened.

"My name is Eponin," the Amazon said as she took a staff from a woman at her side. "I will test you on your weapons skills and then pair you for a sparring match with someone equivalent to your abilities. As I call your name, would you please step forward into the marked circle."

Eponin judged the women one by one as Hope watched with barely restrained eagerness. When her name was finally called, the little girl bit her lip in an effort to quiet the butterflies in her stomach. When she stepped up to her line, she had to look up at the intimidating instructor. Remembering what Xena had told her, she tried not to show her fear.

Raising her staff to the ready, Hope planted her feet and waited for the instructor's first move.

In deference to the initiate's age and size, Eponin went for an easy and slow leg sweep. She was pleasantly surprised when Hope blocked the move and then countered with an unexpected strike to the shoulder. The Amazon blinked and stepped back; she ignored the chuckles that reverberated through the crowd. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw black leather sun glinting off brass. Turning in that direction, she saw Xena standing agilely on the balls of her feet. Eponin then remembered that the legendary warrior had trained her opponent. Understanding that this was no common child, the instructor stepped up her tactics.

While Eponin was getting her bearings, Hope waited patiently for the next attack. She controlled her breathing and refused to let her eyes wander from the woman that was testing her. When the Amazon stepped into the circle again, the little girl was ready.

Xena watched, clenching her hands, as Hope defended a faster flurry of blows. When the little girl managed to get in a few more hits of her own, the warrior was satisfied. There was no doubt in her own mind that she was going to be the mother of an Amazon.

Gabrielle watched in amazement as her daughter defended herself. She had not realized how good Hope had gotten with the staff. Usually, when she watched Xena training the girl in the back yard, they were just doing through drills or slow motion defense. Never had she witnessed her daughter going full out against an opponent. When Eponin finally stepped back from Hope, Gabrielle could not contain her shout of praise. When other women around began to laugh at her enthusiasm, the bard blushed and lowered her head.

"She is damn good for a kid her age," Xena commented with a whisper to her wife. "I bet she could take half the girls in the village for their dinars."

"Xena, Eponin wasn't going that hard on her. Even I could see that," the bard replied when she finally looked up at her wife. "But you are right, though," she agreed. "She is damn good."

"She is going to be a fine Amazon," the warrior murmured as she lowered her lips to claim a kiss. "She is going to be a fine woman, just like her mother."

Gabrielle lost herself in Xena's eyes until someone nudged her in the side. Looking up, she shook her head until her sight cleared.

Ephiny was grinning wide. She jerked her thumb towards the Amazon instruction and chuckled. "Pony will never live that one down," she said mirthfully. "Make sure and rub it for me, huh, Xena?" she asked. "If I did it, I'd be sleeping in a cold bed for a month."

"Eponin is your partner?" Gabrielle asked.

"Oh, yeah," the Princess replied with a wink. "We've been joined for almost two years now. But that still doesn't mean that I can make fun of her when a child beats her up...even if that child was trained by the mighty Xena."

"Keep it up, Princess," Xena warned with a growl, "and I'll tell her that you enjoyed watching it."

"Nasty, nasty," Ephiny chuckled.

"Be quiet," Gabrielle hissed. "Hope is facing her sparring partner."

The three women turned to watch as a tall, wiry girl stepped from the crowd. She was at least a head and a half taller than Hope and her staff a foot longer.

"Good choice," Ephiny mumbled with a nod.

"Who is that?" Gabrielle asked as she studied the slight girl with long, brown hair.

"That's Velasca. Melosa adopted her a few months ago. She's pretty good with the younger girls...knows when to go easy."

"How old is she?" Xena asked as she studied the tall girl critically.

"Fifteen."

The bard sputtered a moment before asking, "How can Eponin expect Hope to spar against someone twice her age?"

"Relax, Gabrielle," Ephiny said as she stepped in front of the bard. "Velasca won't do anything to hurt Hope. Eponin couldn't match anyone else because your daughter's better than the girls her own age. You have to remember she's been working with a staff since she was little. How old was she when I gave her the first one?"

Gabrielle grinned wryly and replied, "Four."

"That's a long time to be working with a weapon. She already had some skill before Xena got a hold of her and turned her into a...."

"Watch it, Eph," Xena warned.

"I was going to say a talented fighter," the Amazon replied with a whoosh as she was surprised when Gabrielle pushed her to the side.

"They're starting," the bard explained.

"Sweet Artemis," Ephiny grumbled. "I'm an Amazon Princess on my home field and I'm getting pushed around by a bard."

Xena smirked at her friend before turning her attention to the match.

True to Ephiny's assurances, Velasca sparred fairly with Hope. The hits that she landed were light and caused no damage. Twice, Hope fell and Velasca stepped back to allow the smaller girl time to get back on her feet. Never did Hope quit. She continued to spar even when her arms began to tire. They traded blows until Eponin stopped the match.

Velasca bowed respectfully and moved her hands rapidly, flashing a few signs.

Hope shook her head and said, "I don't know too many hand words."

Eponin chuckled and bent low to say, "Velasca can't talk, but she said that you fight well."

Smiling brightly at the older girl, Hope's face crinkled and she said, "Thank you, Velasca." When the older girl cocked her head towards the sidelines and arched a brow, Hope nodded. "Can I go with her?" she asked the instructor.

"Sure you can, although I'm sure your parents would like to see you first."

Looking over at the warrior and bard, Hope caught Velasca by the arm. When the older girl looked down at her, she said, "I have to go see my mamas. Do you want to come meet them?"

Velasca glanced over at the couple and blushed when she saw Xena. Despite the awkward heat that flushed her young body, however, she agreed.

When they reached the edge of the crowd, Hope was drawn into a strong embrace. The little girl looked up at Xena and winced.

"Gabrielle, you're going to squeeze the life out of her," the warrior said as she bent close to her wife's ear.

The bard eased her grip but continued to hug her daughter. "You were so wonderful," she said with her voice full of praise. "How come I never saw you like that before today?"

Hope looked up at Xena who looked in the other direction. Shrugging, she replied, "Xena was afraid that you'd make us stop, so we went to where she practiced when she was little."

Looking askance at her wife, Gabrielle shook her head. "I wondered what you two were doing out in the woods all that time. You did very good." Seeing the older Amazon standing behind her daughter, Gabrielle smiled. "Hi," she said as she held out her hand. "Ephiny said that your name is Velasca."

The Amazon girl nodded and returned the smile as the bard pumped her hand a couple of times.

"Can I go with her, Mama? Can I go sit over there?" she asked as she pointed further down the field where a small group of girls were watching them.

Gabrielle's heart clenched for a moment, but she nodded her assent. "Don't wander off, though."

Hope jumped up and caught her mother by the neck. When Gabrielle bowed under the weight, the little girl kissed her soundly. "Thanks, Mama." Turning to Xena, she said, "I'm gonna tell 'em how I got two mamas and they taught me to be an Amazon."

Before Xena could reply, the two girls were running over to the others. After she was gone, she said to her wife, "Well, that's one thing she has in common with the other kids."

"What's that?" the bard asked as she watched her daughter interacting with the Amazon children. Seeing that her daughter was accepted bled away a little bit more fear.

"Us," Xena replied as she turned the bard's gaze to watch the rest of the initiates. "You and me married as partners and her mothers," she explained as she wrapped the bard in an embrace from behind and watched the rest of the Rite over a blonde head.

"That's good, right?"

"Yes, Gabrielle. You and married is definitely good."

The bard chuckled and smacked Xena's arm in reaction. "That's not what I meant, and you know it, warrior."

"Any more abuse like that, bard, and I'm liable to send you to bed without dessert."

Gabrielle snorted with the playful banter. "Right, Xena. Don't you know by now that I always find the best dessert in my bed...especially when it's you."

Xena rolled her eyes and grunted, "Watch the sparring, my bard. I'm sure not everyone wants to hear about how you take advantage of me."

"Whatever you say, Xena," Gabrielle murmured. "But after the party tonight, I think I'm going to hold off on dessert until we're back in our hut."

The thought of such a treat started a slow fire in the warrior's body. It was all that she could do to keep her mind on the sparring match. She could almost feel the tension and strain leaving her wife's body. She knew that before long, they would be all right. And once they were, Gabrielle would be able to enjoy the honeymoon that the warrior had secretly planned.

Gabrielle was nervous as she stood in the front of the crowd of gathered Amazons.

Melosa was standing on a dais; she held an official scroll in her hands. Clearing her throat, the majestic queen unrolled the parchment and began to read.

"It has come to pass on this vernal equinox in the 124^th year since the birth of the Nation that the Amazons accepted new sisters into their arms. These women have proven themselves capable of serving the Nation and their fellow sisters.

"As the Ruling Council has accepted their petitions for acceptance, so may the goddess Artemis in her divine love embrace them as well.

"This spring, the Amazons welcome you, our new sisters to join with one another, with nature, and with the goddess that protects us all."

After reading the traditional words of the Initiation Rites, the queen read off a list of eight names.

As Melosa went down the list, Gabrielle caught herself crossing her fingers in the hope that her daughter would be accepted. When she realized what she was doing, the bard took a moment to wonder when her feelings had changed. She tried to determine the turning point when her fear gave way to wholehearted support. She acknowledged the tiny seed of sadness that remained, but she realized that her chest no longer hurt with the ache she had been carrying around for so long.

The bard was seeking so deep within herself that she did not hear the last named call off the list. She was startled when Xena grabbed her from behind and squeezed her. "What?" she asked, obviously embarrassed that she missed something.

Xena nodded towards Hope who was standing in front of the dais.

Gabrielle's eyes filled with happy tears as the little girl was hugging herself and smiling wide enough to outshine the sun. "She's been accepted," the bard gasped, raising her hands to cover her face.

Thinking that her wife was still struggling with the loss of their daughter, Xena turned the smaller woman and pulled her into her arms. "Shh...we'll get through it, Gabrielle."

The bard pulled back enough to look up at the warrior. When she saw the deep concern on the other woman's face, the bard began to cry. "Oh, Xena, I love you and I love Hope, and this is the most incredible thing," she said with a laugh while shaking her head. "My little girl is going to be an Amazon."

Xena's eyes were full of confusion when Gabrielle pulled her down for a kiss. "You're all right?" she asked, just as confused as the bard as to when the emotional crisis ended.

"Oh, I'm fine now," Gabrielle replied as she kissed her wife again. "I'm just fine. It still hurts inside a little, but I know that she'll be happy here. She already made some friends and Ephiny and Eponin will make wonderful foster parents." The bard wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Besides, Melosa extended an open invitation for us to visit any time. We can come see her whenever we want."

The warrior sighed and looked over Gabrielle's head. She flashed a thumbs-up to their daughter and beamed with pride. Into the bard's ear, she suggested, "Why don't we go get our little girl and celebrate her passage?"

The bard nodded as the Amazon drums began to pound out a calling for all to join the party.

Gabrielle looked on from her seat between Xena's legs. Her eyes were following Hope as the little girl joined a circle of dancers.

"Would you like to dance?" Xena asked softly.

The bard shook her head and reclined even further against her wife. "Not this time, Xena. This is her party. I just want to watch her enjoy herself."

The warrior caught the bard under the chin and gently turned the other woman's face around. "Can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"What happened? What changed everything for you?"

Gabrielle chewed her lip a moment before answering. She shook her head and grinned ruefully. "I don't know. I don't think that it was one thing. Everything today...all together, maybe. Between Ephiny telling me about Melosa's invitation, watching Hope help Nelsya during the first trial, and then realizing how good she was with her staff...I knew that this was the right thing for her. She's worked so hard ever since we told her she could apply for acceptance. I couldn't destroy her dream. Not when she wanted it so much."

Xena smiled in understanding and relief. She leaned in and kissed Gabrielle tenderly. "My bard," she whispered, "our daughter is one lucky girl to have you for a mother and I'm lucky to have you as my wife."

For a moment, Gabrielle lost herself in the kiss and words. Her heart swelled and her soul sang out its joy. "The same can be said about you, my warrior."

The women pulled apart when a throaty voice purred close to them.

"Well, if I wasn't afraid for what your warrior might do to me," Ephiny said with a waggle of her eyebrows, "I might ask if Pony and I could join you."

Gabrielle chuckled and pulled the Amazon down to sit next to her. The bard nodded a greeting when the instructor mimicked Xena and sat behind the Princess.

"Things turned out pretty good this year," the blonde Amazon said as she nodded to the group of older initiates that were talking among themselves.

"Nelsya seems to be in better spirits now," Gabrielle observed. "She was so nervous before."

The Princess' lips curled into a small grin. "She just made it," she revealed. "Once the Council found out that she could cook, that pretty much clinched it for her." Ephiny's brows furrowed and she snorted with wry humor. "You'd think among a nation of women that it would be easy to find a good cook."

The bard shook her head and replied, "If there's one thing I've learned quick, it's that cooking is usually the last thing on a warrior's mind."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Xena deadpanned. The warrior's stoic features dissolved into a leering smirk. "I seem to keep you simmering in your juices without burning anything."

"So you think," the bard retorted playfully.

Ephiny threw back her head and laughed. "Oh, you two are wonderful together. Are you sure that you don't want to join us also?"

The bard sighed and shook her head. "We can't. Mom expects us back in Amphipolis. I help out around the tavern and Xena helps out around town. Besides, what would I do here? I'm not a warrior or good crafting anything. All I do is tell stories...and who really needs an Amazon bard?"

"You don't give yourself enough credit," Ephiny chastised before taking a sip of her wine. "The Nation is more than warriors and craftswomen. We accept anyone that has a learned skill, no matter how irrelevant it might seem. At one time or another, that person will benefit her sisters. There is no such thing as useless knowledge."

"Still," Gabrielle replied with a small sigh, "I don't think that I'm ready for something so structured. I think that I'd like to take the time to just be with Xena. We've only been married for a few months. And that whole time, we were so busy that we rarely saw each other outside of the bedroom or during meals. I think we just need some quiet time to ourselves."

"Well, just letting you know. We accept petitions every spring. If you want, come back next year. By then, Hope should be used to our way of life, so it won't disrupt her studies. Xena's already been accepted without the Rites and I'm sure that you wouldn't have any problem."

The bard turned narrowed eyes to her wife. "You've already been accepted? How come I didn't know about this?"

Xena had the grace to blush before shooting a few visual daggers towards Ephiny. "I told you that I was here before I came home," she said, "I just didn't give much thought to it. I was too busy trying to get my head screwed on straight."

"Oh, it's all unofficial, of course," Ephiny added in an attempt to smooth ruffled feathers. "It's just that Xena's already proven herself capable of being a worthy Amazon warrior."

"After I get done with her, she might not be," Gabrielle threatened, although the humorous light in her eyes was in contrast to her tone.

The volley of suggestive banter was inte3rrupted when Hope bounded over to her parents.

"Mama, I'm getting sleepy now, so I'm gonna go to bed."

"Do you want me to tuck you in?" the bard asked in a low voice, not sure whether the young Amazon would want the attention.

Hope looked over at her friends for a moment before asking, "Can Xena come, too? It'll be the last time since I won't be a little girl anymore."

For what seemed to be the hundredth time that night, Gabrielle's eyes began to sting with tears. She knew the warrior's answer when she was pulled to her feet. "Come on, sweetheart," the bard said as she held out her hand for her daughter.

When they arrived at the girls' dorm, there were already a few young Amazons lying in their small beds. Hope led her parents to the one that was hers. After undressing and donning a shift, the little girl crawled into bed and under her blanket. She opened her arms wide to accept hugs and kisses.

Gabrielle sat on the edge of the pallet; Xena stood behind her with a hand on the smaller woman's shoulders. The bard reached out and smoothed the hair off Hope's brow. She smiled gently and said, "I'm very proud of you, you know. You worked very hard for this and you deserve it."

"Are you still sad, Mama?"

"A little," the bard admitted. "But the happiness I feel for you is making me feel better."

"You're smiling for real again," the little girl said as she reached up to touch her mother's lips.

"Yes, I am."

Hope yawned and grinned and looked up at her parents. She blinked sleepily as she said, "I've got the best mamas in the world."

"And we've got the best little Amazon," Gabrielle whispered as she bent to kiss her daughter once more. When Xena squeezed her shoulder, the bard stood and backed away from the pallet. Turning to her wife, she took the warrior's hand and walked back out into the night.

The party was still going strong, but Gabrielle no longer had the desire to participate. She hesitated as they were walking away from the dorm. When Xena stopped and arched an inquisitive brow, the bard answered, "I don't really feel like going back there, Xena. Would it be all right if we go to our hut? I just want to be alone with you."

"Sure, Gabrielle, anything you want."

The bard smiled fondly and reached up to caress her wife's cheek. "Right now, I'm so tired, all I want to do is listen to your heartbeat.

"And it does, thanks to you," the warrior replied as she changed their direction and headed for the guest huts.

Gabrielle scratched Argo's nose absently as she watched Xena tie their belongings to the saddle. When all was finished, the bard turned to Hope and the girl's foster family. The bard mentally sighed before pulling her daughter into an embrace. "Be good, my Hope," she whispered against the girl's hair. "And listen to Ephiny and Eponin, all right?" When the little girl nodded, she added, "we'll be back to visit as soon as we can."

"We'll take good care of her, Gabrielle, I promise," Ephiny vowed as she raised a hand to her chest, "on my Amazon mask and Artemis' sacred ground."

"You better," Xena said as she narrowed her eyes. "Or else I'm liable to come back here bust some limbs."

Eponin moved to stand protectively in front of her partner, but Ephiny laughed and held her back. "Relax, Pony, if Xena didn't trust us with her daughter, she wouldn't leave Hope here in the first place."

Xena grinned crookedly and shrugged at the Amazon instructor. "Fierce one you have there, Eph. Doesn't talk much with her mouth, but doesn't mind using her fists when the need arises. I like that."

"That's because she's from the same mold you are, you old warhorse," the Amazon Princess retorted. Ephiny raised a brow and rolled her eyes for effect.

Gabrielle shook her head and grabbed Xena's arm. "Just say goodbye my fierce warrior. If we don't leave soon, they'll have to carry me off their land."

Sighing with resignation, Xena fell to one knee. She took Hope's hands in hers and said, "You know, kiddo, some day, when you're better, I'm going to come back here and expect a real good sparring match. You'd better be ready for me."

The little girl nodded and leaned forward to kiss Xena's cheek. "Thanks for teaching me, Xena." Then she looked up at her mother. "You too, Mama. I'm gonna have to find a new dream 'cause this one came real."

Xena nodded and squeezed Hope's hand. She leaned forward and whispered, "Don't lose it...you know its magic." Quickly, then, the warrior stood and mounted Argo. She stared stoically towards the forest.

"Well," Gabrielle said as she pulled Hope close for one last hug and kiss, "I guess that's my cue. We'll be back, sweetheart. I promise."

"I know, Mama," Hope said as she squeezed her small hand into a fist. "Mama," she whispered as she looked up at the mounted warrior, "I think Xena's gonna cry and she doesn't like to cry when people see her."

Gabrielle glanced over her shoulder and saw the slight tremble in her wife's chin. She returned her eyes to her daughter and nodded. After a few more quick kisses, she stepped back and waved. "Soon, I promise," she repeated.

"I love you, Mama."

"We love you, too, sweetheart." Gabrielle blew the little Amazon a kiss as she mounted behind Xena. The bard tightened her arms around the warrior's waist as the warhorse began to walk towards one of the main paths through the forest. Turning in the saddle, the bard waved good-bye and winked. The memory that she would carry with her until the next time would be one of her daughter smiling and blowing her kisses.

A mix of emotions welled in the bard's heart and she turned forward to bury her face in Xena's back. "Please," she rasped, "get us out of here before we both break down."

Without a word, Xena tapped her heels to Argo's flanks and they were suddenly trotting for the private cover of the old forest. When they had gone a respectable distance, Xena pulled Argo to a halt and dismounted. She offered her arms to her wife and lowered the smaller woman to the ground. Leading her by the hand, the warrior escorted the bard to a small stump. She sat and pulled Gabrielle into her lap.

Together, with their heads bowed, the two women allowed themselves to release the emotions that had been building. Gabrielle buried her face in her wife's neck and Xena nuzzled the bard's fine blonde hair. When they were at last cleansed of their tears, Xena straightened and pulled back.

When the warrior went to wipe her nose on the back of her hand, Gabrielle smacked her lightly. "I swear, Xena, that bothered me when we were kids. Here," she said as she fished a small scrap of linen from her cleavage, "use this."

After wiping her nose, Xena kept the scrap for herself; she smirked when the bard had to retrieve another from the saddlebags. As Gabrielle was tying the bag closed, Xena joined her and together, they began to walk down the road.

They enjoyed the silence for a while; for the first time since they left Amphipolis, Gabrielle noticed that spring was exploding all around in a blaze of color and sound. She smiled impulsively at the feeling of being somewhere different.

Seeing her wife's joy, Xena asked, "So, where do you want to go now?"

"Home, of course," the bard replied with practicality.

"Really?" Xena asked, drawling as she rubbed her chin. "I would have thought that with all the options open to us that you would have chosen something more exotic."

The bard cocked her head and looked at her wife with suspicion. "All right, what have you done now?"

The warrior shrugged and continued to walk. "I don't have any idea what you are talking about."

Raising her eyes to the forest canopy, Gabrielle sighed. "Well, let's see, the betrothal bracelet, the wedding, the scroll bag...you're getting really good at keeping secrets from me. If I didn't love and trust you so much, I'd begin to worry."

"So you think I'm keeping a secret from you?" Xena asked with a grin. The warrior bent to pluck a bright pink flower from the soft soil. She twirled it between her fingers before offering it to her wife.

"I'd lay all the sheep on it," the bard replied as she stopped walking; she continued to twirl the flower in one hand as her other one cupped her hip. "What did you do?"

Xena halted at the same time as the younger woman; she arched her brows in innocence. "I have done nothing yet. But I figured since we were officially on our honeymoon, that you would want to pick somewhere to visit."

It took a moment before the warrior's words registered. Gabrielle gasped and jumped into the taller woman's arms. "Are you serious? A honeymoon?"

"Yeah," Xena replied with a chuckle as Gabrielle began to lay sloppy kisses all over her face. "Just me and you. We'll go wherever you want for as long as you want to."

Gabrielle stopped kissing the warrior as she realized that the future was wide open like the road that waited at the end of the Amazon trail. She let herself down to her own feet and began to pace in a small circle. Narrowing her eyes in thought, she asked, "Do you know any pirates or royalty?"

"Well," Xena replied slowly, "I think a few years ago, I drank with a pirate captain. And we met our quota of royalty."

"You're kidding, right? I want to meet all the rulers of the great nations of Known World."

"Some of them might not be too happy to see me, Gabrielle," Xena replied with a light grimace. "I've got a history, remember?"

The bard's face was blank for a second before she understood. "Oh, yeah...the warlord thing." She began to chew her lip. "How about Chin? Iolaus told me the most incredible stories from when he was there. I'd like to see if some of them were true."

"That's an option to consider," Xena agreed. Subtly, she began to walk again; she smiled when Gabrielle followed and then caught up. For a few minutes, the only sounds were Argo's hooves and the bard's staff.

"Gosh, Xena, there's so much to do, so much to see. I wouldn't know where to start," she finally admitted.

"Well, why don't we just take it one town at a time?"

"What about those people that don't like you?" the bard asked with concern for her wife's welfare.

"We'll deal with them."

"What about you know who?"

Xena glanced at the bard to see the younger woman doing a fairly good impression of a brooding Ares. "I'll deal with him," she responded with a small grin.

"What about...."

Laying a long finger against her wife's lips, Xena sighed. "Gabrielle, please, tell me a story or something. Let's just enjoy this without worrying about every little pissant that doesn't like me."

Gabrielle thought about a story, but a thought occurred to her that she could not let go. "Xena?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm not going to have to ride Argo a lot, am I? You know I don't like heights, and she's really tall."

"No, you don't have to ride Argo unless it's necessary. You might want to ride a little, though, until your feet and legs get used to the travel."

The bard nodded in relief. "All right, I can accept that." She took a deep breath and held it for a moment. As she exhaled noisily, she said aloud, "A story...what kind of story do you tell to entertain the fierce Warrior Princess?" Arching her brow as she gazed at her wife, she asked, "A love story?"

Xena blushed even though there was no one in the immediate vicinity to hear the question. Clearing her throat she nodded. "Can you tell that one about the two halves searching for each other?"

"A repeat performance," the bard purred as she stood on her toes to kiss Xena. "I'm beginning to think that my wife has a favorite story."

"You know it is," Xena replied softly. "It's the story of our lives."

"Hmm," Gabrielle murmured as she wound her arms around Xena's neck and the kiss deepened. When they separated, she rasped, "And it's only just begun."

When Gabrielle and Xena finally rode out of sight, Hope looked down at her fist and unclenched it. She smiled when she saw what Xena had given to her.

"What do you have there?" Ephiny asked as she bent to look at the gift.

"It's a magical bear tooth," Hope replied.

"Oh, yeah? What makes it so magical?"

Hope looked up at the clear blue sky and said, "You know the little bear that you see at night? This is one of his teeth. Xena said that if I hold this and follow the bear, I'll always find my way home."

"Does it really work," Eponin said, curious about something that the staid Warrior Princess would give a child.

"Xena says it does. She said that it led her to my mama."

Ephiny looked up at the trail that led the opposite direction of Amphipolis. She sighed at the romance that Xena kept so well hidden from outsiders. "I'd say then, that it's very special."

"I think it makes dreams come true," Hope replied softly with awe as she studied the tooth and said a silent goodbye to the warrior and bard.

The End

Author's Post Note

I want to thank first and foremost, my editor PD Wonder. She's honest and she never cut me any slack...and I bless the day that I decided to ask her to help me with this story. This story is as good as it is because of her. She taught me a lot and I want everyone to know how much I appreciate her.

I also want to thank all of the readers that e-mailed me over the course of this novella. Your words have inspired me to continue trying to make one of the best stories I possibly can. I'm glad that you all stayed with me despite the occasional long-term absence. Thank you so much for taking the time to send those e-mails. Often, feedback mail is the only thing that keeps a bard sane during a writing crisis <G>.

I do plan on doing some follow-up episodes to this novella. I believe that I created (actually, TPTB did that, I just messed with 'em) characters that are on the whole, deep enough to follow around for a few seasons <G>. I want to work on a couple of other stories...The Way of Life Series is screaming to be worked on <sigh> and I have an actual Uber that will be next in line for inspection and vivisection.

Well, this dream is over for now. I'll leave you with the follow lyrics. I didn't use this song when I was writing, but I was in the middle of a "tortured Xena" scene when it came on the radio. Although a favorite of mine, I never noticed how appropriate it was.

Comments can be sent to [email protected].