"Gabrielle!"
Xena sprang up from bed. Her heart was racing, breathing irregular and heavy. She had the worst dream. Her and Gabrielle had gone to Japa and she had died. Worse, she had to stop Gabrielle from bringing her back. She had held her best friend, her soul mate for the last time. Looking around she realised something wasn't right. She blinked the tiredness form her eyes and strained trying to see through the dark to figure out where she was.
First she was inside. That was a rarity in itself. What was really different was the fact that she was in a bed larger than she had ever seen. The mattress was soft and plush and the sheets were silk. She ran fingers over it again and it flowed beneath them like water. On the wall on the far side of the room was a fire. It was just embers now but from the amount of ash it had been roaring earlier. A couch sat in front of the fire place covered in exotic furs and plush pillows. On the opposite wall was a desk covering in scrolls, ink and quills all in disarray.
It took her a moment to notice the breathing beside her. It took her so long because it was a sound she was used to. She often fell asleep to Gabrielle's soft snores and deep even breaths. This was not Gabrielle's breathing. Startled she flung the sheets back to see a young man sleeping there. He was naked as was Xena. A visible shudder ran through her. Where was Gabrielle? What was going on here?
She jumped from bed. A silk robe sat was thrown across a nearby chair and she quickly wrapped it around herself. Her second thought was a weapon. Scanning the room she noticed a dagger on the table with all the scrolls. Her whole body relaxed and her pulse slowed just gripping the hilt in her hand. She felt more naked without weapons than she did without clothes. She sank into the chair that had held the robe she was wearing and attempted to think.
The last thing she had remembered was sitting with Gabrielle atop Mount Fuji. The sun had been setting and Gabrielle was just resting against her shoulder. The millions words that should have been said but nothing was coming out. Xena had been devastated but at the same time she couldn't have been happier. She had wanted to spend many more years with her adorable bard but at least she was spending the rest of her life with her. If she had to die, at least she did have her chance to say goodbye and she got to spend the last few moments of her life with the person who loved her more than anything and whom she loved more than life itself.
There was a pounding at the door. Xena was instantly on her feet. The knife was out of site but just a flick of her wrist away from a kill. After another knock the door slammed open. A man strode in quickly followed by to her surprise Salmoneus clutching the man's sleeves and attempting to pull him back.
"Sir, I must apologise but this is unacceptable. The Conqueress will have both of our heads. She is not a fan of interruptions." Upon seeing Xena he released the other man and sank to his knees. He prostrated himself on the floor before Xena. "Oh almighty Conqueress please pardon the interruption. The lord here insists that he has travelled far and must see you immediately."
Ah that was interesting. This must be some crazy made up scenario from Ares in which he had succeeded in making her Lord of Greece. Once she figured out his plan everything would be ok. She relaxed back into the chair and put on an impassive face. She would obviously have to play the part before she could figure out anything.
"Please, this is a guest in my home, we must make him... welcome." Her eyes turned to ice. She pulled the dagger out and started playing with it. She saw the man who had dragged in Salmoneus swallow nervously. She allowed a slight smile. She still knew how to play people.
Xena heard a small noise coming from the bed. The man who had been in it was awakening. He looked at her with frightened eyes.
"Out." She didn't want to know why he was there but knowing her former self she could imagine. She almost shuddered. It had been years since anyone had laid a hand on her besides Gabrielle. She didn't like to think about what Ares had made her do in this fake world. The man sprang to his feet and paused only to grab a pair of trousers on the floor. She shuddered again. He left closing the door softly closing the door behind him.
She quickly turned her attention back to the intruder. "So, why do you feel like you have the right to enter my chamber without an invitation at any time, left alone the middle of the night?"
"Empress, I come because I bring a favour to you. A gift of good will. My people have had a bad year for crops and we expect the harvest to be under your quota. I have heard of your affections for young, beautiful people and have brought you an offering to make up for our short comings."
Xena's eyebrow arched. This was different. Suddenly she placed the man. He was the inn keeper from Potidaea. She had only seen him a few times when they had been in town to visit Gabrielle's family. In fact, she had stayed at his establishment a few times when Herodotus had gotten to her. Finally she nodded.
The door opened and her breath caught in her throat. Gabrielle stood before her. She was young. Her hair was still long and she was dressed in her old peasant clothing. Her beautiful green eyes sunk to the floor, determined not to make eye contact. She was visibly shaking, her arms wrapped around herself as though attempting to comfort herself. Xena's heart broke. She ached to take her in her arms but knew that whatever Ares scheme involved, Gabrielle didn't know her here. If she tried to touch her, it would just frighten her.
The inn keeper went back and pushed Gabrielle forward. She stumbled and fell to her knees before Xena. Xena got up and went to look at Gabrielle. She had seen a fair amount of slaves examined in her lifetime and knew what was to be expected. She pulled Gabrielle off the floor and began to walk around her. Xena felt her way down Gabrielle's arms and legs as quickly and as platonically as possible. Finally she turned her chin up and pulled her lips down looking at her teeth.
The fear in Gabrielle's eyes made her want to throw up. She took the opportunity to lean in and whisper, "trust me. You're going to be okay, I swear on my life."
Gabrielle pulled back with a gasp. Xena grabbed her by the chin again. She couldn't let anyone suspect she was anything less than the terrifying warlord who had conquered, who knew what. "Act normal. They have to believe I'm a monster." With that she kicked out Gabrielle's legs but held onto her so she could lower her to the floor without hurting her. She turned back to the inn keep.
"She'll do for now. See that next year you make up for this year's shortcomings. If not I'll expect more of the same to make up for your... inadequacies. Now go. Salmoneus, see the peasant scum from the palace and bring hot water. I want my new bed slave clean."
She held her breathe for a moment but everyone quickly jumped up to obey her commands. That was good. She was in character with what these people thought of her. Plus with servants rushing in and out to fill the bath she could find it. She never thought things out as well as when she was relaxing in the warm stream of a bath. It took only a moment for the room to be empty except for her and Gabrielle.
Her bard was crying softly. She longed to do nothing more than envelope her in her arms and whisper everything would be alright. Affirm that she loved her as she had so many times in the past but this Gabrielle didn't know her. She did walk up to her and help her to her feet again. She grasped her softly by the elbow and escorted her to the couch, with a nod she indicated that Gabrielle should sit down. She did so hesitantly and then sat on the very edge still not meeting Xena's eyes.
"What's your name?"
"Gabrielle." Xena resisted the urge to brush the hair back from Gabrielle's face and kiss her on the special place, just behind her ear that always elicited a soft moan.
"Listen Gabrielle," she kept her voice low. She knew from her past places like this had ears and she did not wish to be overheard. "I have no intention of hurting you in anyway. I will not strike you and I will not touch you in any way you don't wish me to. I have an image to uphold and I will ask you to help me to keep that." She was being selfish now. "People expect me to take you as my bed slave and as far as they know I will. All I ask is if questioned you tell them I'm as debauched and horrible as they believe I am. That and you share that very large bed with me." She motioned over her shoulder. "It is large enough for ten people and I won't come anywhere near you in it but if people bust in as they did tonight, well it had to look believable ok."
Gabrielle's eyes searched hers. Some of the fear was gone but not all of it. "Fine."
"It's not a bad deal Gabrielle. You will get the best food, a comfortable bed, warm clothes and a roof over your head. If you wish I'll also send assistance to your family. Once enough time has passed for them to believe I'm bored with you I'll send you back to your family."
"They're gone. Raiders came to the village. They took my mother and sister and I after killing my father. I escaped and went home but they sent me here so I wouldn't be a burden." The last word was full of fire. There was hatred there that Xena had only heard in regards to Callisto.
"Well then I'll find you some place here. Or I'll give you enough money to send you wherever you want to go. Deal?"
"Even Athens?" Finally. A small spark of the Gabrielle she knew. "They have an academy there that I've always wanted to study at."
"Whatever you like Gabrielle. I don't believe in slavery. Once I have a strong enough hold on the country I plan to put an end to it, once and for all."
At that point the door creaked open. "On the floor, quick."
Gabrielle sank from the couch and onto the floor as the first group of servants carrying steaming buckets of water. They went through another small door. Ah so that's where the bath was. She was glad the evil version of herself enjoyed a nice relaxing bath just as much as she did. After three groups they stopped coming and shut the door behind them.
"I'm guessing your bath is ready. Come on, it looks like you've spent weeks on the road." She crossed the room sensing Gabrielle close on her heals. The room was small but the bath took up the majority of it. A small smile crossed her lips as she dropped her robe and stepped in. She leaned against the back waiting for Gabrielle to join her like normal but then realised this wasn't normal. She opened her eyes and saw the nervous young blonde starring down at her.
"Come on, I won't bite, promise." She offered a reassuring smile. Seeing Gabrielle still looking nervous she turned her back. "Here, I promise I won't turn around till you're in the tub." She heard Gabrielle start to undress and sighed knowing exactly what she was missing. The water rose up to her chin as the bard stepped in. Once the water settled Xena asked, "Can I turn around now?"
"I... I mean, I guess."
Xena turned around and consciously avoided scanning Gabrielle's fit body like she normally did. She looked at nothing lower than her mouth. "Sorry, I had to get you into the bath before I let you in my bed." Gabrielle lowered her head in shame. "Hey I was just kidding. I know how nice a good, hot bath feels after a few days on the road. I thought it might help you relax."
"Than...Thank you"
"Don't mention it. Seriously it would make me look bad." She noticed soap on the side of the tub and grabbed it. Washing herself quickly so that she could just relax. Everything had come so fast that she needed a moment. One moment she was dead and the next she what she had always wanted to be until she met Hercules. Once she finished she handed the soap over to Gabrielle who took it nervously turning her back on Xena as she began to wash. After a few moments she couldn't resist.
"If it's ok with you I'll get your back." Gabrielle thought it over for a moment and then nodded handing the soap back to Xena.
She gently washed her shoulders and the dirt fell away. Seeing the marks beneath though she realised it wasn't dirt. Shallow lines crossed Gabrielle's back just beginning to scab over. Xena absentmindedly ran her fingers over the marks causing Gabrielle to shudder.
"I'm sorry I didn't realise this was under here. What happened?" Her voice was too steady. She felt fire race through her veins ready to kill something.
"I didn't take to training well. I'm apparently a disobedient slave." There was venom in her voice.
"God's Gabrielle, I'm sorry. Wait here please." She reluctantly got out of the tub and looked around. A few shelves lined the walls and they were filled with lotions and herbs. She grabbed a few and returned to the tub. "Ok, this may sting a little but it'll help."
Gabrielle nodded and Xena went to work. First she took some aloe to take the burn away. The flesh under her skin was hot and in flamed so after she tried to sooth it with the aloe she massaged in some oil infused with thyme. It would help fight the infection. Gabrielle tensed every time Xena's fingers came into contact with her though so she worked quickly before stepping back.
"That should help but I'm going to have to reapply the oil until its healed and we can put on the aloe whenever it fells too hot for you."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome Gabrielle. Wait here a moment. I'll go find something for you to wear." She got out of the rapidly cooling tub and wrapped the same silk robe as before making her way back into the bed chamber. Seeing a tall wardrobe she opened it and inside were many silk robes like the one she was wearing. She pulled out an emerald one embroidered with gold. It'll match Gabrielle's eyes. She brought it back to the bathing room and left it on the side of the tub leaving Gabrielle privacy to get out of the tub. She went to the bed and slipped between the covers. Gabrielle appeared not long after looking around nervously.
"Do you have a side of the bed you prefer."
"Not really. My bed wasn't big enough to have sides." I remember Xena thought to herself and the few nights they had attempted to share it, clinging to one another just to stay on the bed.
"Well climb in and get some sleep. Who knows what tomorrow will bring." Despite being nervous Gabrielle walked around the bed and slipped in as far from Xena as possible. She was exhausted. Despite the situation almost as soon as her head hit the pillow Gabrielle was fast asleep. Xena looked over at her wishing for everything to be back to normal. She too soon slipped into Morpheus grasp.