AN 1: Full title is 'This Wedding Isn't A Dream, Though It Could Be.'
AN 2: Chapter 12. Finally, lovely chapter 12. This has been the chapter we've all been waiting for. After this, there's one more chapter, which will be the epilogue that finishes everything out. Unfortunately, because I am moving, I will be unable to upload the chapter on Sunday, so it will be uploaded once I have internet set up at my apartment. Or maybe I'll upload it early. Who knows? We shall see how things go over the next few very hectic days. Anyway, I hope you guys all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Xena.
Even with the overwhelming smell of smoke, even with the thick, disgusting mud that tugged at everyone's shoes and threatened the bottom of their clothes, it was a beautiful day for a wedding.
It had originally been scheduled for mid-morning, Cyrene and Hecuba figuring that an entire day of celebrating would allow the party to end before midnight rolled around (a vain hope. Even if the wedding had been at dawn, the after party would have continued long into the next, the last of the drunks wandering off only after a full twenty four hours of drink and fun). But by the time Xena and Gabrielle had dragged themselves into bed, the sun had just been a few hours away from rising.
The two had come back exhausted, Xena covered in muddy ash and Gabrielle just dripping wet, both cold enough that, even by the fire, their bodies still shook. Baths had been heated, wine had been mulled, and warm food had been brought to them while they bathed, but still it had taken a good, long while for them to warm enough that Cyrene felt it safe to send them to bed. The last thing anyone wanted was a sick bride or two, too sick to walk down the aisle, and sending them to bed still with a chill would have accomplished just that.
So, the wedding had been pushed back until early afternoon, leaving everyone more than enough time to sleep before having to get up and head to the temple to get ready.
Xena was mostly awake by the time Lila knocked on the door, poking her head into the room with a smile. The smell of meat and freshly baked bread followed behind her as she slid into the room, along with the sounds of people laughing. Gently closing the door behind her, Lila nodded at Gabrielle as she came and knelt next to the bed, reaching out to move some of her older sister's hair from her face to confirm she was sleeping.
"Did you sleep well," Lila asked softly, glancing up at Xena with a warm, sisterly smile. When Xena nodded, her smile grew. "Good. Would you like to wake her up, or should I?"
"You go ahead," Xena said, sitting up and putting some space between her and the still sleeping bard, who gave a small, distressed noise as the source of warmth she had been cuddling disappeared.
Lila's smile grew wicked as she reached over and stole Xena's pillow. Shifting most of the feathers inside to one side, Lila stood, took her stance, and whapped Gabrielle, the pillow making a dull, almost painful whump as it connected.
"What th-"
"Wake up, wake up, wake up," Lila laughed, smacking her again and again with the pillow as Gabrielle tried to sleepily defend herself, searching for her own pillow. Getting ahold of it, Gabrielle fended off one smack with her forearm and retaliated with her own, catching Lila on the side. Surprised, Lila hesitated for a moment- a fatal mistake, as Gabrielle ripped the pillow from her hand and grabbed ahold of Lila's arm, pulling her onto the bed and pinning her.
"Good morning, Lila," Gabrielle said with a laugh, kissing her little sister on the cheek before letting her up. While Lila sat up and started to pull feathers from her hair, Gabrielle scooched over in the bed, curling back into Xena's side, the blankets pulled up to her chin as she yawned. "Now go away. I'm tired."
"But Gabrielle," Lila whined, rolling her eyes as she shot Xena another smile. "You have to get up. The sun is shining, the weather is beautiful, a huge breakfast is waiting on the table downstairs…" Lila let her words trail off, only to laugh as Gabrielle's stomach made it very loud and clear that breakfast sounded good right about now. "And," she added, "you're getting married in a few hours. So you have to get up."
"Or," Gabrielle said, "I could stay here with the woman I love and you could bring us breakfast in bed?" Her voice was hopeful if a bit sleepy, and she cuddled closer to Xena as she spoke, her head resting on Xena's thigh. "That sounds nice."
"Gabrielle," Lila reprimanded, "we have to be at the temple soon. You have to get up, now."
"Make me."
Lila raised her eyebrow and was about to pounce when Xena just held up her hand, her own smirk positively evil.
"Xena, no," Gabrielle whined as Xena moved away, her head falling to the mattress as Xena got out of bed. "Just a few more minutes. Come back to bed, and then I'll get up, ok?" Snuggling down more into the warmth of the blankets, hoping that her plea had worked on the warrior, Gabrielle waited, sure Xena would slide back under the covers in a moment. Xena would never admit it, but both of them knew she was whipped.
Only this time, this time Gabrielle found herself utterly betrayed as Xena ripped the covers from her as Lila tipped the bed, sending Gabrielle sprawling. She would have hit the floor if Xena hadn't caught her, an impressive display of agility even for her.
Xena just laughed and kissed her nose as Gabrielle pouted, helping her to her feet so she could stand on her own.
"I think I'm going to like having Xena as a sister," Lila chuckled, shaking her head at the affectionate sight. "I'm going to tell everyone that you're awake. Breakfast is ready, so don't wait too long to come down, ok?" Leaving them to get ready, Lila quickly disappeared from the room.
A warmth filled Xena as Lila left. She had always wanted a sister.
"She's a good kid," Xena commented as Gabrielle came up behind her, wrapping her arms around Xena's waist and hugging her close.
"Lila," Gabrielle clarified, resting her chin on Xena's shoulder. "Yeah, she is. She's a brat sometimes, but I love her. And I love you too, even when you're one as well." Dropping a kiss onto Xena's shoulder, Gabrielle pulled away and began to get dressed. "Let's go get some breakfast," Gabrielle said, tying shut her shirt and running her fingers through her hair. "I don't know about you, but I could eat a horse. Maybe even two."
"So long as that horse isn't Argo," Xena said threatening, though her eyes twinkled, "go right ahead." Pulling on her own leathers, arranging herself into a semi-decent form- not that she had to do too much, since their real preparations would be done at the temple- Xena started towards the door to head down to the main room. From what she had heard the few moments Lila had been going in and out of the room, it sounded like most of their friends were downstairs eating. Meaning the moment they entered the room, they would be swamped. "Ready?"
"Yep." Gabrielle took Xena's hand, intertwining their fingers, smiling up at her as she did.
Xena squeezed her hand and smiled back, opening the door and leading the way to their food and friendship.
The water was surprisingly cold, sending a chill down Xena's spine as she stepped in. At least the room had been kept warm by the fire, though it stunk of the herbs the priests insisted on burning. Grabbing the soap that had been left on the edge, Xena began to scrub her skin as the priestess who was supervising her for the last ceremonial cleaning began to speak. The same things Xena had heard over and over again- about how big of a responsibility marriage was; of the duties the married were to perform, not from obligation but from the love within their hearts; of the sacredness of their newly created family, blessed by Hera and Hestia, who often walked hand in hand with each other, blah blah blah.
All things Xena had heard before, all things she was tired of hearing over and over again, and all things she would gladly listen to again and again if it meant getting to marry Gabrielle.
She washed as quickly as she could, thoroughly scrubbing her hair and skin, trying to remove the last traces of the smell of smoke that had clung to her since the night before. Even though she had bathed last night, the ash and mud darkening the water as it swirled around her hips, removing most of the smell, the last hint of it had lingered. Taking the bottle of scented oil from the priestess when she held it out to her, Xena poured some into her hand and ran it through her hair, squeezing out as much of the water as she could to dry it as she did.
It was nice- a hurried bath from excitement, not necessity. Xena wanted to leave the water she normally luxuriated in so she could face what was coming next.
Rising from the water, Xena quickly dried herself with the towel the priestess handed her, the other woman looking away to preserve her modesty- something Xena couldn't help but laugh at, being treated like the blushing virgins that normally visited these halls instead of who she really was. Wrapping a robe around herself, Xena tapped the woman's shoulder, who turned with the last piece of the event cupped in her hands- a piece of apple for Xena to eat, which she did, happily.
"Follow me," the priestess- an older woman, Xena was able to see now, now that she was close- said, nodding her head towards a far door. In silence they walked, exiting the baths, through the maze-like halls that were the priest and priestess' living quarters, heading back towards the main area they used for ceremonies. She led her into one of the waiting rooms, where Cyrene waited as well.
"Xena," Cyrene said with a smile, reaching out and pulling her into a hug, kissing her cheek as she did so. "Come, come, we don't have much time. Only half an hour before everyone starts arriving, and another before I have to leave to take my place."
The priestess nodded at them both before leaving Cyrene and Xena to get ready.
It didn't take long. They decided, while Cyrene brushed Xena's hair, to leave it down, with only a few pins to keep it from covering her face, framing it nicely instead. The dress took no time to get her into- it was so masterfully made, fitting almost as perfectly as the leathers she wore on a day to day basis, perhaps even better, it seemed as if the dress wore her instead of the other way around. The sandals were simple, the laces tightening around her calves to keep them in place. It took them no time at all, leaving them with plenty of time to chat.
"I'm proud of you, you know."
Xena started slightly when Cyrene spoke- they had been sitting in silence for a couple of minutes, each deep in their own thoughts. Turning to look at her mother, running her hands over her dress to smooth out the wrinkles, Xena waited for Cyrene to speak again; it was clear she had something she wanted to say, so Xena waited for her to say it.
"I'm proud of you," Cyrene said again. Standing from the chair she had sat in once they had finished getting ready, Cyrene took the few steps to close the space between them, her hands reaching out to take Xena's. "I don't say it quite as often as I should, but I am. Even," she said, holding up her hand to cut off whatever Xena was about to say, "even with your past, I'm proud of you. You've grown into such a beautiful woman, someone who does so much good in the world, and I'm proud of you. And I love you, Xena, so very much."
Xena, blinking away the tears that had started to well up in her eyes, just stood there herself, pulling her mother into a hug. Kissing her on the cheek, Cyrene was wiping away the few tears that had fallen when a knock came at the door, Toris poking his head in when they said it was alright for him to enter.
"Xena," Toris breathed, smiling softly as he took in the sight of her. "Xena, you look beautiful. Mom, it's almost time. You need to take your position."
Cyrene nodded and kissed Xena on her forehead, smiling softly at her as she departed.
"Are you nervous," Toris asked as he stepped forward, pulling her into a careful one armed hug. "I know I would be."
"No," Xena said, leaning against him slightly, her head resting against his shoulder as she spoke. "Gabrielle is my everything. She's the person I love most in this world, and this is right." She chuckled to herself and shook her head. "It's strange to think that this is only happening because Mom believed a rumor, but in the end, this is right."
"I'm glad," Toris said, giving her waist a quick squeeze before stepping away, his hands slowly rising in a defensive position. "I'll admit," he continued, "when I first met her I was hoping I would be the one to wed Gabrielle, but I'm glad it's you." The last part was quickly said, Toris trying to calm his sister before the murderous glare she threw at him became a punch, or worse. "You two belong together," he added, relaxing when Xena smiled at him, rolling her eyes at his worry. "You're lucky she's yours."
"That's where you're wrong, Toris," Xena said, shaking her head as a priestess knocked on the door, signaling the wedding was about to begin. Looping her arm through his own, Xena and Toris took their places before the doors, waiting as they fully opened before taking the first steps.
"Gabrielle isn't mine. I'm hers."
The first few steps were the strangest. The moment they began to walk down the aisle, Xena could feel the stares, knew there were hundreds of eyes upon her- while she was used to the feeling of being watched, it was normally accompanied by obvious feelings of anger, mistrust, suspicion, hate. The normal welcome she got when she entered a place where she was well known for the wrong reasons. So it was strange, entering a room and feeling the love, the excitement, the joy that radiated off of everyone there.
People who were utterly forgotten as Xena saw Gabrielle.
Her hair pulled up, only a few strands left to frame her face, Gabrielle was a vision in her ivory colored dress, the cut and style reminiscent of her amazon regalia, though as one piece instead of two. Feathers and beads-looking almost as if they had been taken from her Queen's mask themselves- decorated the neck and waist lines, shifting softly as she walked.
She was the most beautiful thing Xena had ever seen, and it was only Toris' strong grip on her arm that kept Xena from tripping over herself as she walked.
"You ok," Toris hissed as Xena fully righted herself- it hadn't been bad, just a sudden lurch that had jerked the two of them a step forward, but still. Xena, ever since she had grown into her overly large children feet as a teen, had been the picture of grace (at least in public). It was rare for her to misstep.
"She's beautiful," was the only answer he received.
Slowly they walked down the aisle, listening to the Priest of Hera as he spoke, reciting the Jobs of the Father- to protect, to teach, to provide, to love. The words were a blur- she had heard them so many times over the last week, she could have run the ceremony herself, had she not been a part of it. But the words themselves didn't matter. They were just a part of this play, leading to the end result: Gabrielle.
Reaching the end of the first third, Toris kissed each of her cheeks before handing her off to Cyrene (they had laughed about it a few days ago, when Xena had first found out about the 'handing off' ceremonies. As if she were a toy to be passed between parties. A precious toy, but a doll nonetheless). Tucking Xena's hand into the crook of her elbow, Cyrene and Xena took the first step as the priest began to speak about the Jobs of the Mother- to nourish, to encourage, to tend, to love.
Looking at Gabrielle as they took their next step, Xena recognized the hint of panic in her eyes- while Gabrielle never got stage fright, she still feared a failed performance, a fear that had, early on, when she was just beginning to ply her trade as a bard, almost led to a few canceled performances. And just like always, Xena felt her features soften into the reassuring look Gabrielle would need, the one that told her everything would be alright, that she could do this.
Gabrielle, after a few moments and deep breathes, nodded that she was okay. She kept time with her mother Hecuba, each step bringing them closer together.
Reaching the end of the second third, Xena kissed Cyrene on her cheeks, pulling her into a quick hug- against the rules, technically, but no one would say anything about it, at least not to her. "I love you too, Mom," Xena whispered. "Very much so."
Cyrene's eyes were glistening as she pulled away and went to sit down, her quick nod a signal that she had heard.
The last third they walked themselves, and it took everything within Xena to keep herself from throwing tradition to the wind and running down the aisle to reach Gabrielle that much quicker. It took everything she had, but Xena kept her steps slow and measured as the priest talked about the Jobs of the Wed- Be loyal, be caring, be careful with each other's hearts and souls.
Things they two of them had already been doing for a long time, and would for so much longer.
Finally, with one last measured step by each, they reached the center of the temple as the priest finished reciting the jobs, leaving them standing there, facing each other.
"Hey," Xena said softly, her voice barely a whisper. Glancing down, she bit back a laugh as she watched Gabrielle's hands twitch towards her, only for Gabrielle to curl them into fits, keeping them by her side. She smiled though, a soft, gentle smile.
"Hey."
"And now," the priest said, the first word sung while the other was spoken, looking out into the crowd. "I have to ask. Is there any among us, man or woman, young or old, who think Xena of Amphipolis and Gabrielle of Poteidaia should not be wed on this day, in this, our mother Hera's temple? If there is someone who does, speak so we may confer and decide if your grievances are enough for Hera to turn from this union."
Xena knew there would be nothing, that no one was brave enough to say anything, but still she partly turned to stare out into the crowd, watching in case anyone did. She would listen to them if they spoke up, address whatever fears they might have, and remember their faces. Just in case. But no one spoke up.
"Brides, turn and face me and kneel before Hera to have this union blessed."
Turning to face the priest, both Xena and Gabrielle knelt before him, their heads bowed as he spoke, asking Hera to allow them many long and happy years together. Although they were supposed to keep their eyes on the floor, signifying humility before the goddess, they couldn't help it- every few seconds they would glance out of the corner of their eye, turn their head ever so slightly to see the other, and their gazes would lock, neither able to stop looking at the other until the priest's singing first word to every sentence reminded them of what they were supposed to be doing. It was only then that their eyes would drop, only to eventually find them staring at each other once again.
"And now, as the High Priest to Hera, Goddess of Marriage, I say that this union is a blessed one. Rise, Xena of Amphipolis and Gabrielle of Poteidaia, for you are now…"
For a long moment the priest went silent, the last word hanging heavily in the air as they all waited for it to fall. Feeling Gabrielle stiffen besides her, her breathing becoming panicked, Xena reached out and took her hand, glancing up at the priest standing above them.
He was looking down at them, watching them with a gentle smile.
"Rise, Xena of Amphipolis and Gabrielle of Poteidaia," he said again, gesturing with his hands that they should, in fact, rise. Pushing themselves to their feet, both women continued to look at him as they waited.
"Rise, for you are now wed. You may share your first kiss as wives."
It was Gabrielle who pulled her into the kiss, Gabrielle who threaded her hands into her hair to keep her close, Gabrielle who caught her off guard with the ferocity of what was supposed to be a quick, simple peck. Not that Xena was complaining- the second the initial shock wore off, Xena was kissing her back, her arms around her waist, both of them oblivious to the cheers filling the hall around them.
They were married, and that's all that mattered.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
Looking down at where Gabrielle sat next to her at the wedding table, Xena had to be honest- the music was too loud and off key, most of the guests were flat out drunk, several fights had started that she had had to finish, and she had heard more inappropriate jokes in the last hour then she normally had in a week among her men. Although the meal- especially the dessert; the baker truly did know his stuff- had been lovely, it had taken them an hour to eat, every other bite interrupted by well-wishers who wanted to congratulate them, quickly allowing their food to go cold. Lila, at least, had been sober when she had stood to say her speech, though Toris hadn't been able to say the same (Xena made a mental note to punch him later for telling the barn story. It had sent the guests and Gabrielle howling, but it was supposed to be kept between the two of them). And then Joxer had stood for his own speech, barely making it through the first few words of the one he had practiced before he threw the entire thing off to the side and launched right into how they had met.
She was going to have to do damage control with her in-laws tomorrow, since from the moment Joxer started talking about Gabrielle dangling from Callisto's burning rope, Hecuba and Herodotus had locked her with angry, terrified glares. They had known it was dangerous traveling with her, that Gabrielle's life was often in danger, but this was the first time they had actually heard just how so.
So Xena had to be honest.
"Yeah," she said, smiling softly, leaning down to place a quick kiss against Gabrielle's cheek. "I am."
Because even with all of that combined, this was their wedding party, celebrating the fact that they were married, and Xena was enjoying every moment of it.
It was starting to get late- the sun had set a few hours ago, and already some of the oldest and youngest partiers had left for the night, grandparents and small children wandering off to home, leaving their parents to party. The seamstress had been one of them, coming up to them with her grandchild on her hip to thank them once again for giving her the honor of making their dresses. A conversation that had ended up going in circles as they thanked her for the dresses, ending with them laughing amongst themselves and the child whining for bed. Leaving them with a wave, the woman had disappeared into the night to go home.
"Since you're enjoying yourself so much," Gabrielle said slowly, chewing on her bottom lip, "what would you say if I suggested we leave and go back to the tavern?"
Gabrielle wasn't looking up at her, instead staring at her hands, folded in her lap, a flush across her cheeks. Almost shyly, she glanced up at Xena out of the corner of her eye, only for her gaze to fall back to her hands, the blush deepening.
"Gabrielle," Xena said softly, realization washing over her. Reaching out, she took one of Gabrielle's hands in her own, lacing together their fingers and giving her hand a squeeze. "There's no rush. We have the rest of our lives together. If you don't want to, we-"
"I want to," Gabrielle said, looking up and meeting her gaze, though her cheeks were still a deep red. "I want to."
"Then," Xena replied, lifting Gabrielle's hand so she could kiss her knuckles, "if you're making the suggestion, I would say we should go." She worded everything so it was Gabrielle's choice, Gabrielle who would decide what they would do that night, what their next move would be. She was leaving the ball in her court.
"I'm making the suggestion."
"Then let's go."
They both stood from the table, nodding their good byes to those who were sober enough to notice- so not many, though a few of their friends nodded back and raised their drinks in a miniature toast. Slipping from the square, the two began their walk back to the tavern.
They walked in silence- companionable, not awkward, the kind that filled most of their travel when Gabrielle wasn't telling a story or Xena wasn't teaching her about the world around them. It was a silence they were both used to, one they actually enjoyed. But even still, Xena could feel Gabrielle's pulse through their conjoined hands as her heart raced.
Xena was sure Gabrielle could feel hers as well.
Reaching the tavern, Xena pulled them to a stop, smiling as Gabrielle turned to look at her. Without warning, Xena lunged forward and scooped her into her arms, laughing as Gabrielle squealed.
"Xena, what are you doing," Gabrielle laughed, her arms wrapping around Xena's neck to steady herself, her feet giving a few little kicks for emphasis. "I can walk the last few feet."
"It's tradition around here," Xena said as she walked up the stairs that led to the tavern door, using her hip to nudge it open, "to carry the bride over the threshold of wherever they live. Since we're staying here for a while…" She shrugged as well as she could, maneuvering them through the door into the tavern proper. However, when Gabrielle moved to get down, Xena just held her tighter, heading towards the stairs. "I like having you in my arms," Xena admitted softly, taking the stairs easily.
"I like being here." Gabrielle rested her head on Xena's shoulder, nuzzling the bare skin. She sighed, softly, kissing her shoulder.
Reaching the door to their room, Xena gently put Gabrielle on her feet, the two of them just standing there, staring. Reaching up, Gabrielle cupped Xena's face, a movement she leaned into, brushing her lips against Gabrielle's palm. Neither moved, not until Xena cleared her throat and gestured to the door.
"We can go back to the party if you're not ready," she said softly. "Or even just go to bed. We can-"
Xena stopped as Gabrielle placed her thumb against her lips, only to trace them with its pad when Xena had quieted.
"I love you, Xena," Gabrielle said, "and I have for a very long time. Be with me?"
Leaning down to capture her lips in a long, slow kiss, Xena fumbled open the door to their room and led her in, closing it hard behind them.
