A/N: First attempt at writing my own fan fiction, so I'd really love to hear any feedback you guys might have!
I'm a relative newcomer to the Xenaverse, but man, do I love that show :D
I may have taken some liberties with its plot lines and characters in this story, not to mention actual historical figures... But I'll try to stick as closely as I can to the feel of the show. This is set really early on, a few episodes into the first season, so you can probably expect a little hesitancy in the pair's relationship.
However I am a massive Xena/Gab shipper. So that will be a thing.
A loud rumble echoed through the morning air followed by a short, nervous giggle.
"Xena?" said the blonde placing her hand on her stomach, a slightly embarrassed flush coming into her cheeks.
"Yes Gabrielle?" replied the darker woman, ceasing her rhythmic sharpening of the long, battle-worn sword placed across her knees. She gently dropped the whetstone at her feet and looked up at her new friend.
"You wouldn't happen to have any apples left would you? I mean... well... my stomach..." Gabrielle broke off and grinned ruefully at Xena.
The two women sat on either side of the smouldering remains of the campfire in the early dawn light. One was tall with a powerful build, undeniably feminine, yet radiating the calm, sure strength possessed of all skilled warriors. She wore a short leather dress, plated with uniquely weaving bronze designs across the chest and back, striking in the way it seemed to fit her so naturally, like a second skin. She was clearly comfortable in the world of war-mongering, yet right now her posture was relaxed, even easy, despite the sword on her lap and the chakram hanging loosely by her hip. Her hair was long and dark, framing an arrestingly beautiful face, yet it was her ice blue eyes to which people were immediately drawn. These eyes were currently occupied with the scrutiny of the small blonde sat opposite her.
Gabrielle was indeed small. Petite, she thought was the word, which suited her. Her long reddish blonde hair fell down her back, with a small plait she had woven this morning tucked behind her right ear. Green eyes flashed from her face, yet to Xena they had seemed almost blue at times. She had rapidly become aware of them as they had repeatedly flickered towards her during the process of packing her bedroll into one of the saddle bags. She was still wearing the long sleeved jacket and long brown skirt she'd brought from home, which appeared rather tattered and muddy at the bottom, mainly thanks to the large distances she had walked of late. Impractical, thought Xena, how is she meant to keep travelling around in that? Then again, she had managed to make that frantic leap from the back of Argo onto Xena's moving chariot, which she'd been loath to admit was rather impressive, if not entirely graceful...
Her eyes moved to Gabrielle's face, which betrayed a touch of fatigue, the look of someone not yet used to sleeping outside under the stars. Regardless of this, a tangible sense of excitement and anticipation clearly emanated from the girl and she studied the playful smile which hung around her lips.
She was undeniably pretty, but she looked so...naive. If she sticks with me for much longer she'll lose that and fast, she thought, feeling a pang of sadness at the back of her mind. Why had she not tried harder to send her back home? Her world was harsh, ruthless, and dangerous. It was completely inappropriate for a small village farm girl who couldn't even ride a horse, let alone swing a sword. A sudden sense of guilt nagged at her. For the hundredth time Xena asked herself why she had agreed to let Gabrielle tag along with barely any protest. Then she remembered her words...
"You've got to take me with you – teach me everything you know."
"Xena...?"
The warrior princess stared for a few more seconds, her face stoic, her thoughts impenetrable, before reaching down into a nearby bag and pulling out the last of the red apples she had purchased back in Potidaea. The corner of her mouth suddenly twitched upwards in a brief, amused smile as she threw the apple over to Gabrielle.
"That stomach of yours is insatiable" she growled.
Gabrielle's grin widened as she bit down into the juicy fruit.
"Thanks Xena! I don't know how you do it... I'm just hungry all the time!" Gabrielle spoke cheerfully between mouthfuls. "All this walking, bringing down warlords, saving people... Lila and I used to have three big meals a day back in Potidaea and well I guess I'm still used to the finer things in life eh? I mean, don't get me wrong, who doesn't love campfire rabbit stew? But every night for a week? Sometimes the soul just needs a little variety."
She paused, realising what she had said, "Not that I don't love your rabbit stew Xena! It's great stew. Really great stew. I just mean, sometimes I miss, you know... other food ..." she trailed off as she noticed the older woman staring at her.
"That's living on the road Gabrielle. You'll just have to get used to it."
"Oh I know, I will!" Gabrielle replied, jumping up with her bag as Xena also rose from the ground, "I love travelling with you."
The earnest note in Gabrielle's voice made Xena pause as she adjusted one of her shoulder straps. She glanced again at the young woman. She hadn't quite figured her out. She seemed so small, so innocent; she couldn't understand why she was so keen to stick by her. Xena knew her incessant chatter should have grated on her nerves long before now; she was definitely not one for deep conversation, but thinking about it, she quite enjoyed the girl's steady stream of idle ruminations. She had a way with words, it was true. In fact Xena had already found she could talk her way into, or out of, pretty much any situation. She also seemed to possess a certain wit that made her rather endearing. After being alone for so long, Xena believed she was actually beginning to enjoy the company of this petite blonde.
Mentally she kicked herself. It was too dangerous for Gabrielle to be here; she really should be sending her home. She grabbed Argo's reins.
"So where are we going today Xena?" Gabrielle asked readily as she fell into step alongside her, keeping Xena securely between herself and Argo.
Xena smiled, an occurrence becoming increasingly common as she spent more and more time with this girl.
"There's a small town up ahead, no more than an hour or two. We need to replenish our supplies so I thought we'd stop there. Argo also needs new oats and we seem to be out of apples..."
A small blush blossomed on Gabrielle's cheeks once more as Xena shot her a sly look out of the corner of her eye. Gabrielle felt the teasing tone of the Warrior Princess and smiled inwardly.
"Maybe that's why Argo doesn't like me, because I've eaten all her apples!" She laughed and stretched a hand across Xena to the beige mare's nose.
Argo begrudgingly allowed Gabrielle to stroke her, her large dark eyes undeniably intelligent, almost human in their steady appraisal of the girl.
"Hey look, maybe we're becoming friends after all!" Gabrielle grinned, looking at Xena.
At that, a loud snort sprang from the horse, causing the girl to jump back and rapidly reclaim her hand.
"...or not."
Xena said nothing; however a small smile played once more at the corners of her mouth and humour sparkled in her light blue eyes. Gabrielle noticed this with a strange surge of warmth as she folded her arms and looked down at the ground. She smiled herself.
"I guess Argo was never meant to be my other tree in the forest eh?" Gabrielle said jokingly, looking at Xena, whose grin had slipped, her eyes withdrawn once more. Gabrielle's face dropped instantly.
"...Xena?" she said haltingly, her joking tone gone, replaced by the warm care lacing her voice, "Are you still thinking about Darius?"
Darius. The man Xena had stayed with last week, the one who had treated her injuries while Gabrielle was stuck waiting at that inn, desperately fighting off the rather lewd intentions of a couple of patrons. She'd seen the way Xena had looked at him, and especially at his children, just before they had left their village. It had been one of her rare looks of happiness. It was like the home she'd never seemed to admit to herself she wanted. Gabrielle knew that Xena was her home now, despite the relatively short time they'd known each other, in fact she'd practically told her so in as many words. But maybe it wasn't the same yet for the warrior princess. What if Xena had wanted to stay but felt an obligation to her? Gabrielle started to panic slightly. She didn't want to stop Xena from being happy.
Xena sighed.
"I'm fine Gabrielle. I just..." explaining her emotions had never been one of Xena's many skills. "It was just nice. To be with a family like that."
Xena broke off and they continued to walk in silence for a few minutes, both women lost in their thoughts.
"I couldn't stay there though." Xena finally said. "I need to be here. I need to be helping people... How could I do that if you weren't with me?" Gabrielle brightened and Xena shrugged. "Besides, I clearly need someone to teach me how to cook something other than rabbit stew..."
Gabrielle laughed again. Gradually over the last 3 weeks Xena had seemed to relax in her company. Even to the point where she was making jokes, mostly at her expense of course, but Gabrielle didn't mind the light teasing. Xena's guard was far from down, Gabrielle didn't know if she would ever take it down fully (or even if she could take it down), but the last few days she had seemed more willing to actually talk to her and laugh with her. The first leg of their travels had been comprised of either brooding silences or gruff, monosyllabic answers to her endless questions about Xena's exciting life. She had learnt quickly that Xena was not a fan of talking about her troubled past – she had noticed the obvious pain in her typically unfathomable eyes when she had raised the subject, so hadn't pressed her further.
However she seemed to find that she couldn't stop talking when Xena was near. She almost made her nervous. It was strange, it wasn't a bad nervous, in fact, Gabrielle couldn't remember ever having this feeling around anyone else. Xena was... well different. She assumed it must be a touch of hero worship; she knew she was still in awe of this woman, even after the last few weeks of travelling together. That fight with Draco, her effortless skill and breathtaking power... it had been slightly more thrilling than her daily life on the farm...
Getting lost in her thoughts, she grimaced as she tried to remember if she'd ever stared at Xena for a little too long, admiration probably written all over her face.
As a result, Gabrielle didn't notice when the Warrior Princess came to a sudden halt beside her, her head whipping around to the left to stare into the woods bordering the path, listening to a faint sound carried on the wind.
Gabrielle continued onwards, until a wide branch in her way caused her to stop and hitch up her skirt so she could step over it with more than a little difficulty. She immediately turned to the side, opening her mouth to ask Xena if she could perhaps see about a shorter skirt in the next town, one much more practical for walking and climbing over bits of trees. However the words caught in her throat and her mouth hung open as she finally registered the absence of the other woman, whom she saw, after turning around, still standing about ten metres further back down the path.
"...Xena? What is it?" She called as she registered the intense look that now dominated her friend's features. She'd entered warrior mode. Her stomach turned nervously as a small thrill ran up her spine.
"Gabrielle. I need you to stay right here with Argo. Do not move, okay?"
Gabrielle gingerly took the reins from Xena's hand.
"I'll be right back."
And without another word, she stalked off into the trees, leaving a nervous Gabrielle standing awkwardly next to Argo.
"It'll be alright girl" said Gabrielle, more to comfort herself than the horse, "She said she'd be right back..."
Xena crept slowly through the low vegetation and stopped behind a particularly large tree at the edge of the copse. She had moved in complete silence, meaning the men marching about five metres in front of her were entirely oblivious to her presence. Xena surveyed the wide plain. It was completely filled with hoplite soldiers, all carrying long spears and rounded shields, the sun glinting off their bronze breast plates. There must have been thousands of them, their fierce demeanor and obvious military training instantly identifying them as Spartans. Xena grimaced. Spartans were notoriously ruthless soldiers. For whatever reason this army was on the move, Xena knew no good would come of it. They appeared to be heading in the general direction of Athens, which was also, unfortunately, the direction in which she and Gabrielle had been travelling. There was nothing she could do now. She needed to get to that town. Hopefully once she was there she could find out what the hell was going on.
Suddenly, two of the commanding soldiers on horseback came to a brief halt in front of her hiding place. Their rich red cloaks and golden armour signified that they were definitely not Spartans.
Romans, thought Xena, her face contorting instantly, deep loathing twisting her features and darkness flashing from her eyes. What were Romans doing leading a Spartan army? The younger of the two riders spoke, his snide voice carrying easily over to Xena's position.
"How much more of this detestable countryside do we have to trample over?"
"Athens isn't much further, about 100 klicks or so east." The older man replied, his graying hairs visible beneath his plumed helmet.
"I'll be glad when this is finished with", came the younger voice again, "I know it's 'for the glory of Rome', but I really don't see the worth in this dull land."
"Greece has more culture than you'll ever have Marcus." The old centurion retorted, looking down his long nose at his companion. "Not to mention vast hordes of wealth that even you must agree would be useful to the Empire."
"I heard they're all deviants in Athens," Marcus drawled, ignoring the other man, "Centaurs marrying the women and other abominations like that. They deserve to be crushed. I don't know why we had to buy a barbarian army to do it though."
Xena felt the dark anger suddenly blossom within her.
"They want the city taken quickly, preferably without loss of Roman life. The Spartan army was here, and that twisted King of theirs was more than willing to sell it. Besides, the Athenians will never see it coming."
The men were close; she knew she could take them out silently, without alerting any of the guards. Her hand crept towards her chakram as she bared brilliant white teeth, the familiar sinister grin crossing her face.
"Well I hope their fight is as strong as their smell." Snorted Marcus, as the old centurion resignedly shook his head. Marcus rubbed the small of his back.
"Jupiter, could we not have found a road to march along? Surely these people must have heard of roads?"
Instantly Xena froze, her arm pulled back and poised to throw, as the thought of Gabrielle standing alone and unprotected back on the road sprang into mind. She must have been gone for a good 20 minutes now. What if a few of the Spartan scouts had actually decided to take the road? Her stomach jolted and for the first time since seeing the huge army, she actually felt slightly afraid. Returning her chakram to her hip, Xena hurriedly turned and, as quietly as before, made her way back through the undergrowth. Her mind was already racing with uncomfortable possibilities.
At last, she stepped back out onto the path, her eyes immediately drawn to the girl standing nervously, still holding Argo's reins, white knuckles betraying the strength of her grip. Her feet were shifting restlessly from side to side, and her eyes kept darting to the trees ahead of her, vigilant for any sign of movement.
The moment she saw Xena, her tension seemed to melt away; her face relaxing into a semblance of her usual steady smile.
"Xena!" She cried, then lowered her voice as the warrior, although clearly relived herself, shot her a disapproving look, "Argo's been worried about you. You took ages! What's going on? Where did you go?" Questions fell out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Xena fixed her with an uncompromising stare and she fell silent.
"The Spartan army is marching across the plain just beyond those trees. They're headed for Athens. We need to get to the town up ahead and fast." Xena said, somewhat brusquely, taking the reins from Gabrielle's hand and jumping with practiced ease up onto Argo's back. She reached an arm back down to pull Gabrielle up behind her.
Gabrielle had gone pale and was ignoring Xena's hand, hovering near her face.
"Gabrielle." Xena said impatiently.
No response.
She paused, registering the look the girl was wearing.
"...Gabrielle?" she tried again, this time more softly, trying to catch her friend's eye.
Gabrielle suddenly shook her head. "Sorry... I... sorry Xena. It's just... those slave traders, the ones back in Potidaea, they were Spartans and I..." The usually eloquent blonde seemed at a loss for words.
"It's okay Gabrielle," Xena said, her tone soothing, causing Gabrielle to finally lift her eyes to her face. "I understand... But you know you'll be safe with me."
"Will she really?" a small voice in Xena's mind interjected, before she could stop it. She pushed the thought aside roughly.
"Now grab my hand."
Gabrielle reached out and was swiftly pulled onto Argo. Perched behind Xena, she wrapped her arms around the warrior's warm leather waist, and was engulfed by her soft musky scent. She smelt faintly of lavender soap and Gabrielle felt herself relax.
It was strange how comfortable this position was. She realised that the few times she'd actually felt secure on a horse she'd been sat behind Xena just like this. Gabrielle thought it was slightly odd how much she enjoyed the closeness. She barely even knew this woman. They'd only been travelling together for a few weeks and she'd heard the tales of the fierce warlord Xena used to be. But she was right. Gabrielle did feel safe with her. It already felt like home. A small smile returned to her lips.
"Hold on tight." Xena husked before letting out a shrill cry, spurring Argo into motion.
Gabrielle yelped and clutched a little tighter, all thoughts of lavender soap suddenly banished from her mind. She tried desperately not to fall off the back of the horse.