Gabrielle was busying about the hut when she detected the cry. Laughing to herself she turned around to face the door and sure enough within moments Xena entered carrying a now red face baby who was screaming.
"Nice trip?" Gabrielle asked sincerely, and took Lyceus from Xena. He carried on crying and she sat down and pulled down her top. She looked up and saw Xena watching her intently with a look of hunger and pain, as she always did when Gabrielle was feeding her son. Gabrielle dropped her eyes down and stared at Lyceus who was now feeding contentedly. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
She carried on staring at her son until she sensed Xena approach her. She put a mug of juice on the table next to Gabrielle and the bard raised her head up. She saw no more anguish in Xena's eyes only contentment and the warrior leant in for a kiss.
"Did you manage to rest?" she asked sternly. She pulled a seat towards her and perched on the end of it leaning towards Gabrielle. She stroked Lyceus' blond hair although the baby was still feeding and took no notice.
"A bit," said Gabrielle. Xena raised her eyebrow.
"You need your rest; he's still waking you up every night."
"Us up, Xena. You are awake too, and then you look after us as well as drilling, hunting and everything else."
"I didn't give birth a little over three months ago." Xena's thoughts turned back to that bitter sweet day when Lyceus was born healthy, against all the odds, but complications had nearly cost Gabrielle her life. "You nearly died." Her voice was laced with pain.
"Xena look at me." Gabrielle voice was commanding and Xena stared into the green eyes. "I am fine and so is Lyceus. Let it go."
Xena's eyes drifted towards the baby again. "I blamed him. I couldn't accept he would live and you would die."
"That's not what my parents told me," said Gabrielle gently. "They told me of a woman who was keeping her promise to do everything for a baby and did everything in her power to keep his mother alive." There was silence and Gabrielle lifted Lyceus upright and put him over her shoulder. Xena gently rearranged Gabrielle's clothes and then cupped her face with her hand.
"Xena you have been the most wonderful parent and partner imaginable-believe me I have heard several jealous and envious comments from other mothers. Don't wrap yourself in needless guilt, please," the Bard looked beseechingly at the warrior and she nodded. They then shared a laugh as Lyceus belched loudly.
"Don't say how much he is like me, warrior," said Gabrielle with mock annoyance as Xena gave her an innocent look.
She rose and carried Lyceus to a blanket that had several cloth and wooden toys on.
Xena slapped her head and quickly moved to the bag she had taken with her on her ride.
"Here you go young master, Hoss and Blankie." Xena laid the toy horse and blue blanket close to Lyceus who immediately grabbed the horse.
"Oh did you know Pony and Piri are back?"
"Yes Pony came on the ride." Xena frowned, "it's not great for Sol. She stayed with Hippocrates."
"We'll find out more from Piri. She popped in and wants to examine me and Lyceus later." Gabrielle smiled broadly.
"What?" said Xena?
"Nothing," said Gabrielle innocently. "Fancy a cup of tea?"
Before Xena could answer there was a knock at the door. The warrior shrugged and then walked to the door and opened it. Aella walked in, wearing an apologetic look, until she glanced at the gurgling baby on the floor and she smiled in his direction.
"Aella, what can we do for you?" asked Gabrielle.
Aella looked at her and bowed slightly. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and Xena smirked. "I'm sorry, Gabrielle but we could do with your input."
Xena opened her mouth to argue but the bard spoke first," Of course Aella." She glanced at Xena who after giving her a long stare, nodded reticently.
"I won't be long," she said quietly to Xena and moved towards Lyceus.
"Leave him here," said Xena, "he's looking pretty tired."
Gabrielle knelt on the floor and gave the gurgling baby a kiss. She then sprung up and turned to face Xena. Aella had walked discreetly to the door. "Thank you," she said gently.
"Don't be too long, though," said Xena. "You do need a rest."
Gabrielle stroked Xena's cheek. "Always looking out for me."
"Always," said Xena, and they moved their heads together for a moment.
Gabrielle pulled away and walked to the door. "See you later."
Xena turned and watched her leave. She then turned to face Lyceus, who was blinking sleepily.
"Now to tend to my armour, young man." She grinned as his eyes shut and failed to open.
A pile of freshly cleaned and oiled armour lay on the table and the chakram was now being polished. Xena glanced down as she recognised the snuffling noises of Lyceus about to wake. "And he'll want feeding," she said to herself. "We'll have to get your mummy, then."
There was a rap at the door and then it was opened slightly and Piri's face appeared.
"Come in, Piri," said Xena putting down the chakram and standing up.
The healer entered and quietly shut the door taking in the sight of the sleeping baby.
"How was the trip? Tea?"
"Yes thank you warrior. It was informative. The hospice that Hippocrates has is wonderful; doing so much good work for so many people. And the techniques he uses-from all over the world. Utterly amazing. We certainly learned a lot." She eased herself down on a chair at the table and watched Xena busy herself.
"And Solari?" asked Xena.
Piri leant her elbow on the table and put her hand across her eyes. "No real change. The headaches are as bad and the vision comes and goes. Hippocrates thinks-"she stopped and looked straight at Xena.
"Please don't say nothing can be done," asked Xena fearfully.
"He's unsure if anything will help her. She could recover without assistance, or not improve with the best treatments available."
"So why is she staying?" asked Xena furrowing her brow.
"To take the pressure of her…and Epinon." Piri saw the confused look on Xena's face. "This way every minute Epinon won't expect there to be a change in Solari's condition, and Solari can learn to become independent with Epinon fussing over her."
Xena nodded. There was silence and Xena brought two mugs over to the table and sat opposite the healer.
Piri took a long sip from her mug and then placed it back on the table. "I can see from your tired eyes and The Queen's that he still isn't sleeping through."
Xena snorted. "Chance will be a fine thing. Usually it's once a night although last night it was two." She gazed at the baby with affection. Piri continued to stare at Xena and the warrior sensing this turned to face the healer.
"What?" asked Xena?
"Parenthood suits you," said Piri softly.
Xena snorted again, and looked away.
"You seem content, almost at peace with yourself."
Xena turned to look at her. "For too long I just pleased myself, took what I wanted, did what I wanted," Xena stared past the healer. "Then Gabrielle came into my life." She turned to look at Piri who watching her intently.
"Unconditional love, it's a wonderful gift," said the healer with emotion.
"I know." Xena stared aimlessly for several moments. "And now," her eyes flicked over to Lyceus. "Things are so busy, so hectic I guess-"
"You don't have time to wallow in your own guilt," said Piri.
"I wouldn't have put it like that, but yes. They are my total focus- as long as they are healthy and happy and then I am happy. I just-" She frowned and thought about"He's easy to love-like his Mother." Xena smiled although it left her face quickly. "It is hard at times-don't let anyone tell you having a kid is easy-but we're ok."
Just on cue a cry came from Lyceus. Xena sprung up and went to where he was laying and bent down and picked him up. "Phew, I can understand why you are crying," she said and carried him over to where his cloths were lain out. She started to take his clothes off and the offending nappy.
"Perhaps I can check him over now," said Piri.
Xena spun around to face her, keeping her hand securely on Lyceus' chest.
"You should wait for Gabrielle," she said.
"Warrior I-"
"No you should wait for Gabrielle," said Xena firmly.
Piri shrugged. "As you wish."
Xena had just finished changing Lyceus when Gabrielle came through the door.
"Timed that right," she said brightly, and she went straight to Xena and Lyceus. Lyceus gurgled with pleasure and Xena passed him to Gabrielle while she tidied up. Gabrielle's eyes followed Xena for a long moment before she turned to face Piri.
"Piri, who would you like first?"
"I think we'll have the young master," replied the healer. She took Lyceus from Gabrielle and gently ran her hand over the baby's head, sticking her little finger into his mouth. Lyceus immediately started sucking it.
"Good appetite?" asked Piri as she moved to the bed and laid Lyceus on it.
Xena snorted. She moved to behind the older woman and was peering over her shoulder and pulling faces at Lyceus.
"Don't say it Xena," said Gabrielle with mock sternness. She moved to Xena's side and the warrior put her arm around her shoulder.
"I take that as a yes, then," said Piri. She carried on gently running her hands over the baby. "Other than waking up, any problems?"
"No, he's-he's perfect," said Gabrielle with a catch in her voice. Xena squeezed her shoulder.
"He's perfect," repeated Xena proudly.
"Well, he's growing well, developing normally, as you say, he's perfect." Piri scooped him up and sat down on the bed with him, bouncing him gently. "Gabrielle, had you thought about introducing goats milk?"
Gabrielle shook her head. "I hadn't thought about it, not until he started solids."
"Just consider it. You can have a night off, a night to sleep."
Gabrielle looked at Xena and then at Piri and said defensively, "Xena does so much, she doesn't sleep through either."
"I wasn't just thinking of Xena, Gabrielle. I am sure there will be many offers to have him for the night."
"You're joking, the whole camp knows how loud his cry is," said Xena, and she reached forward, took the baby and held him high above her head much to his delight.
"As the Warrior has the Little Prince I think it is time to see to you, your majesty," said Piri. "On the bed, please."
Gabrielle lay on the bed and lay her hands by her side. Piri leant across her and started to push down on her stomach. Xena had moved to Piri's side and was watching with a critical eye. The healer turned to her and raised an eyebrow at Xena.
"He's playing on the floor," said Xena defensively. They stared at each other for a long moment, both asserting their role in Gabrielle's life, as they had done so many times before.
Piri flicked her eyes at Lyceus who was lying on a nest of blankets holding Hoss. She turned to Xena and said, "Fine, only remember who is doing the examination." Her smile and twinkle in her eyes took any sting out of the words.
Xena replied in kind, "As if I could forget, oh healer one," and grinned.
"Ahemm," Gabrielle cleared her throat loudly, and looked expectantly upwards.
"My apologies my Queen, but sometimes the help does get out of hand."
Gabrielle's mouth twitched especially as she saw the look of shock on Xena's face.
"Fine line, healer, fine line," she growled in a low tone.
"I think we can let Piri have this one today," said Gabrielle and gave Piri a knowing wink.
Xena looked between the two women and was about to open her mouth and speak, but Piri said, "Let's get back to the examination in question." She glanced at the irritated looking warrior. "We can chat after."
Xena begrudgingly nodded.
"Any pain or discomfort?" Piri directed her question at Gabrielle.
The bard shook her head. Piri continued to feel around her stomach.
"Feels fine. Cycling yet?"
"No."
"That's normal when feeding a baby; it'll come back in time." Piri looked Gabrielle up and down. "You've certainly lost the weight you put on, not that it was much anyway. Any questions?" She also held her hand out for Gabrielle and the bard took it, and lifted herself up into a sitting position.
"Can I start training more?"
Piri glanced back at Xena and saw her face tighten and felt the tension in the room rise a notch.
Piri frowned. "What sort of training did you have in mind?"
"Staff work mainly, but walking and running. I want to get my fitness levels up so when we leave-"
"That's not definite Gabrielle. We haven't decided if we are going yet," interrupted Xena.
"Xena if you can look me in the eye and say honestly you'd be happy here, or in Amphipolis, Potidaea or another place, we'll do it." The bard looked at Xena.
The warrior looked down and sighed loudly, and closed her eyes. She then opened them and looked at Gabrielle for several moments.
"That's what I thought," said Gabrielle gently. She got off the bed and walked to Xena and put her arms around her. Piri stepped back to give the couple their privacy.
They shared an embrace until Xena pulled apart. "OK, we'll start planning. And if Piri gives you the go ahead, we'll start sparring."
"Thank you," said Gabrielle softly, and turned to Piri.
"There is one other thing, though," said Piri, and looked at Gabrielle's hand.
Gabrielle nodded and walked to the table and pulled up a chair. Piri and Xena joined her. Gabrielle laid both hands on the table. The difference between the hands was obvious. The left hand still looked deformed, the bones never quite growing back correctly and it was slightly withered. Piri picked it up and started to feel gently around, remembering the horror when she had first seen it.
"Pain?"
"When it rains," said Gabrielle, "and-" she looked down away from Xena's intense glare, "some times it suddenly feels weak and crampy and I can't hold anything." She did look up at Xena's worried face. "Don't worry I haven't dropped the baby yet," she said trying to add humour to the tense situation.
"The sparring and fitness work will help," mused Piri. "Build up the muscles, and movement." She looked at Gabrielle. "I can't see why you can't start training again but I'll leave it up to both of you to decide how much to do."
"Thank you Piri," said Gabrielle and looked at Xena who was staring at her intently with a concerned expression. "And Piri, would you like to share your news?"
"You haven't told her," said Piri, surprised?
"It should come from you."
The healer looked down and blushed slightly. Once she had composed herself she looked at Xena and Gabrielle and then back at Xena.
"When we were away, we-I mean Joxer, well he proposed and I accepted."
"Piri, that's wonderful news," said Xena and broke into a wide smile. "Congratulations. So when?"
"AS soon as possible, we would both like that."
"And afterwards, what will you do then?" Xena exchanged a glance with Gabrielle.
"Will we do when we are married?" Piri sighed, and spoke quietly, "not sure of that, Warrior. We both love our jobs but moving to each other's village is not really practical." The healer looked despondent.
"I may be able to offer a suggestion, Piri," said Gabrielle. "We-the council-wondered if you would like to build upon the clearing? It is still Amazon land but it gives you both easy access to your villages." Gabrielle took the older woman's hand. "We don't want to lose you as a healer, or especially as a friend of this village and I know the centaurs feel the same about Joxer. This way you can both continue in your old roles, and start your new role as newlyweds-together."
The healer looked stunned and bewildered. "I-I don't know what to say. We agonised about what we would do, or where we would live, I just don't know."
"Don't decide anything now, but talk it over with your fiancé," Gabrielle smiled at the last word. "There is one snag though." Xena and Piri both looked at her. "You may have some neighbours, in time."
Piri looked confused until she saw Gabrielle break into a wide smile. "You?" she asked.
Gabrielle smiled at Xena and then looked at Lyceus. "As he grows, it'll be harder to stay here."
The healer nodded. "Yes you do need to protect him." Both Xena and Gabrielle looked confused. "After all he is growing into a tall, blonde haired, blue eyed Amazon Prince. He'll have hordes of Amazons throwing themselves at him." Piri's face was the picture of innocence but her eyes twinkled.
"What do you think?" asked Gabrielle to Xena.
"Perfect," said Xena. "We'll have to start the planning for the houses."
"And the wedding," added Gabrielle.
Piri rolled her eyes. "I would like something simple, but Joxer has big plans. With the centaurs, amazons and no doubt my family, it'll be a circus."
"No it won't," said Gabrielle firmly. "It'll be your day. So celebrations tonight then!"
"Amazons and their celebrations," muttered Xena.
Piri got up. "I must go, or Clonie will be wondering where I have got to."
"Thank you, Piri, for everything," said Gabrielle and gave the healer a warm hug.
"That goes from me too," said Xena and looked pointedly at Gabrielle.
Gabrielle walked with Piri to the door and ushered her out. When she turned around she was met by a stern looking warrior princess. "Why didn't you tell me about your hand?" she hissed.
Gabrielle sighed. "There's been so much going on, Xe. You've been so busy-"
"Not too busy for you, or your health. Gabrielle you should have told me. I could have done something to help."
Lyceus started to grizzle, and Xena walked over to him and scooped him up. She held him close but kept her eyes firmly on Gabrielle.
"I didn't want to bother you," started Gabrielle, but stopped at the incredulous look on Xena's face. "I didn't mean it like that."
Lyceus carried on crying and Xena bent her index finger and put the knuckle into the baby's mouth. He sucked it furiously. "I think he needs you, Gabrielle," she said.
She waited for Gabrielle to sit down and walked over to her.
"This was why I didn't say anything," said Gabrielle quietly.
Xena put Lyceus on Gabrielle's lap. "I don't understand," she said.
"When I feed him, the look of pain you wear, Xe. I can't ever begin to make it up to you. I didn't want to add to it."
Xena looked mystified for a moment. "Solon?" she gasped.
Gabrielle nodded and looked away. Xena rubbed her hand across her mouth. "That's why you say sorry," she whispered.
"You are so wonderful with Lyceus, he is so lucky to have you. But my heart aches that you never had this with Solon," sobbed Gabrielle.
Xena turned away and took several deep breaths in to collect her thoughts. She turned around and opened her mouth to speak then closed it again. She then repeated the action. She wanted-needed-for Gabrielle to understand the cause of her pain.
"It's not that," Xena said finally, shaking her head. "It really isn't." She looked at Gabrielle tear streaked face. "I miss Solon, of course I do, but I gave up the chance to be with him as a baby and it was the right decision. It had nothing to do with you-but me and who I was." She knelt next to Gabrielle and stroked the feeding baby's head. "That's what causes me pain-that one day Lye will know what I was, what I did."
"All he knows is a wonderful mother, who plays with him, takes him riding and gets up when he is sick. That other you is in the past, Xe."
"The other me was the cause of why he is here," said Xena sharply. She shut her eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I just sometimes-"
"See Lindos." Gabrielle swallowed. "So do I."
Xena took Gabrielle's hand. "Oh baby." She then wrapped her arms around the two of them. "I didn't want that for you." She waited several minutes until she could feel Gabrielle stopping her sobs and pulled away. "He's our child, and no one will ever change that."
Gabrielle nodded, "so why didn't you let Piri examine him?"
Xena rolled her eyes. "I just thought it better you were here, as you can talk about his feeding."
"Xena you can do that stuff too. You spend as much time with him as I do."
"I know but you are better at it. I swear that was the only reason. But you still need to tell me when things aren't right. Deal?"
"Deal. I'm sorry."
"Me too, Bri. So you really want to leave the village? We could stay in our nice new home."
"It's what we do. I really miss travelling and this is just one of our homes; Amphipolis, Potidaea, we've got lots to catch up on." Gabrielle smiled down at the sleeping infant and carefully stood up and placed him in his cot before adjusting her clothing.
Xena handed her a drink and a cloth and Gabrielle wiped her face and took several deep breaths in to compose herself. "OK, we'll start planning. But I'd like Lyceus to be eating before we leave and taking goats milk; I don't want to have to rely on finding milk if you are sick or something. And with the amount of stuff-"
"We're going to need another horse. I know." Gabrielle smiled. "I'd thought of that."
"So we are going to need a couple of months at least Bri, before we are leaving, to sort it all out."
"Good that gives us enough time to help with the wedding!"