Chapter 25

The couple was still in bed well before dawn. They were a tangled mess. It was nearly impossible to see where one started and the other ended. The only thing that was clear was a blonde head lying upon the ample bosom of the woman lying beneath her. The dark haired woman had been up for almost an hour. Her mind was replaying the events of the past couple days. One image was particularly engraved in her mind and sent chills up and down her spine.

While a part of her would always want to travel as living in one place had not been her thing, settling in one place was appealing considering all they had been through. Even growing up, she had spent countless nights camped outside of the home that she had grown up in. That home had been over all a loving and warm one. It had been her mother and her two brothers struggling to keep the inn going. But she had always sought solitude out in the open. I can do that again if living in one place gets to be too much. I'm sure I can talk someone into keeping company with me.

A few silent noises crept into her mind. They would not even be audible to most people but to this woman that had a heightened sense of everything they carried through. It was all the noises associated with the stirrings of going on in a castle. Another thing that I could care less about would be royalty. While Dianna and the rest of her family were not your typical royalty but still…

Xena put her arms tighter around her little bard, careful not to wake her. She's so much more than a bard. Her fighting skills are the envy of most armies these days. Her bard skills would leave anyone at the academy in the dust. But what makes her the most special person in the world is her heart. After what happened with our children, after some betrayals on both parts and learning of a past I'd long like to forget, she still loves me. She still chooses to look at the world through a heart full of light and love. Gods am I lucky!

I'll never know what I did to deserve her. I know now as I've reflected many times that I was put there on that little path outside of Potidaea for one reason and one reason only. It was so that I could meet this helpless little girl that turned out to be anything but helpless and anything but a little girl. Even then there was more to her than I could ever imagine. I do wish some of the painful experiences could have been avoided. But other than that, I would not change my life as long as we're side by side.

A muffled sound Xena knew so well put an instant smile upon her face. A blonde head rubbed on her breast a little too long for just the accidental brushing that came with waking up. That made the warrior's eyes roll back just a little but in a good way. "Good morning." Her heart skipped a beat as a hand familiar to her was in a place that was the most sensitive area on her body. "Oh Gods!"

Mischievous green eyes looked up into surprised blue ones. "Just wanted to wake you up in a good way." Gabrielle had an innocence about her that she still managed to carry out except when it came to her warrior princess. Every time the bard tried anything like that and she knew she was busted even before she tried it. "Or I was just trying to remind you a little of last night."

Xena had to catch her breath at the feelings it caused throughout her entire body. "Never need to remind me of just how good it feels to touch you." In an instant, she had turned the tables and had Gabrielle pinned on her back and was rubbing her with the entire length of her body. Up and down she went and then placed a knee in a particularly sensitive spot on the bard. A sharp intake of breath told her she had hit the right spot. "Two can play at this game."

A blonde head leaned up as far as she could and a dark head closed the gap as their lips gently brushed one another before the sparring match began. First it was Xena's tongue that was dominant. Then it was Gabrielle's. Back and forth as their bodies ground together and as hands found familiar soft places. Finally as they pulled back out of breath the bard managed, "I like this game. We should play it more often."

That got a sensual growl out of Xena. Who had almost enough of the fore play. After all I've never been one to play around. I've just taken what I want. The bard arched her back into the long slender body of the warrior as it continued to rub up and down against the petite body underneath it. In a fashion so quick the bard had not even realized just when she had it happened, Xena was now pouncing from one breast to the other.

It's so unfair! Gabrielle was squirming but with pleasure as the speed and grace that her soulmate used in battle she now used on her to create such pleasure. It's unfair that I can't do for her what she does for me. Oh Gods this feels so good. I just hope I'm even half the lover she is for me. Now Xena had made her way down to the bard's belly button while one hand was on a breast and the other was slowly playing with an ever moistening pair of lips.

Slowly Xena dipped her finger inside and felt the spasm in the body she still was tightly pressed against. Her tongue now was slowly making its way to where the finger already was playing around inside all the moisture. She licked a little at the outside as the juices were overflowing just a little. That got her to the point of frenzy. For one moment she held green eyes with her own blue ones. A shock of electricity seemed to flow between them with just that one look.

Then once again in a movement so fast that the bard could not even see the blur that had become her lover moving to take her with her tongue. With expert skill, she explored with that tongue and let her hands wander over every square inch that she could reach. Luckily her long frame afforded her many pleasurable places to touch. It definitely gave her an advantage that she relished with every fiber of her being.

Not as much pleasure as she was feeling as the bard's hips lifted off the soft bed and further into her exploring tongue. It was enough to set her over the edge once again and make her find that one spot that would soon bring a shear amount of pleasure to her partner. It was only a matter of moments and Gabrielle's screams of pleasure echoed throughout the room they shared. Part of the warrior thought that they could be heard throughout the entire castle, something not to share with the bard.

It took several moments for Gabrielle to catch her breath. Xena had pulled her body seductively up against the bard's igniting another fire in the blonde's body. It was a complete and total desire to have to be inside the woman that she loved more than life itself. Of course she would take her time just as time had been taken with her.

It was Gabrielle's turn to move with speed and precision. It might not match her lover's but it would still grant a great deal of pleasure. She began by nibbling on the collar bone while her hand was free to explore areas further south. Her hand ended up rubbing the pulsating mound. Even just barely touching it and she could feel the heat and the slight juices that were already spilling out oh so slowly.

Her body was aching for just one thing but her heart was telling her to slow down and to take her time. This led her lips to first one earlobe and then the other. Tiny moans were making their way out of her lover and the bard was feeling the rising passion inside of herself. Then slowly she trailed down the neck and into the valley between two soft peaks. First one then the other was in her mouth in an expert fashion. All the while she kept her hand gently massaging the heated mound that was beomcing hotter and wetter by the second.

Gabrielle let her tongue trail all the way down to the mound and teased it with her tongue licking the outside and the juices that were spilling out. She delayed just a little longer on giving her partner what she really wanted. Her teeth nibbled down one leg and then back up. A repeat performance of the other leg only this time pausing to suck on Xena's big toe. It was almost too much for the warrior and she could feel her body restrain a kick.

That told the bard everything she needed to know and without even another moment of hesitation she had thrust her tongue inside. Slow at first just playing around. She could feel strong hands in her hair a signal that her lover was more than ready. Her pace quickened and found that sweet spot. In and out faster and faster until she heard, "Oh Gabrielle!"

It was time for the bard to slowly pull her hot sweaty form slowly up across the equally hot and sweaty form of the warrior. Her head landed in its favorite spot just on the warrior's shoulder. The heartbeat was racing but already beginning to still ever so slightly. "That will probably have to tide us over until we get to Potidaea." The bard sighed as she knew that was one of the things they had to sacrifice out in the open. Too risky to distract Xena's natural instincts that long.

"Maybe." Xena's tone was sultry and she was still feeling too good to think about having to wait so long to feel what she was feeling now. Snuggling is nice of course but it just doesn't give you the connected feeling like this does. Pleasure of course but there is also a connection that just can't be described with words. "I hate that thought but you're probably right."

They snuggled together for several minutes before the bard sighed. "You know we should get cleaned up and see if what the queen has decided about Toris. I hope that she turns him over to you." She looked up into blue eyes that seemed to want something. "I know Toris used to help your mother run the inn. It would help to have someone there that had knowledge. Course the question would be if we could trust him or not."

"If anyone could get through to him it's you." Xena leaned to kiss the bard on the forehead. "After all you did wonders for me." She could feel rather than see her soulmate roll her eyes. "I want him there yes and I'd like to have your sister and niece. They are the only family that either of us has left except one another."

"It would be nice." Gabrielle put her arms tighter around her warrior. "But I seem to remember a wise woman once saying to me that we are born into families which is great. But even better are the families that we make. You and I are family and nothing will ever change that. We've been family from the very first day we met."

"I feel the same way." Xena this time leaned down and kissed the bard on top of the head. "I hate to break this up but you are right. I can hear them getting ready to serve breakfast in the main hall. Sometimes having this better than average hearing is a curse. But I'll gladly take it as long as it also saves you from harm."

Gabrielle groaned and stretched feeling the relaxation she had felt going away just a little. She was worried of course about their next adventure. I know that Xena wants this. But for her to stay in one spot for too long, I'm not sure that's a good thing. Even after Eve was born and we were with the Amazons she didn't want to stay there. Of course that was partially because it was the Amazons. She and Amazons only mix for so long.

Xena came up from behind and gave her a hug. Then took her by the hand and led her to the little wash room. Already hot water was heated and ready to go. They both got into the rather large tub and took their time cleaning one another. It brought back a memory of one time when they had taken time to help their Xenawannabe friend Minya. If only she'd stopped with the buckets of water, I think something more would have happened. I wanted it to.

Quickly they dressed and made their way to the main dining hall. There was quite the bustle going on. They entered from the side entrance and could see that the entire royal family was there. The queen looked almost like her old self. The king still had dark circles under his eyes. Lias looked a little weak and lost but at the same time he was smiling sadly. Gena was sitting straighter than she had before. Artmus was nowhere to be seen.

The warrior princess made her way to the front of the table, Gabrielle right beside her. They both bowed and the queen motioned to the chairs next to her. The pair slowly made their way to their assigned seats. Out of habit Xena carefully tasted the drink that sat before her and the bard receiving only a slightly rueful smile from her partner. Satisfied she took a long drink of the almost too sweet wine. There was mostly silence for the better part of the meal.

Finally the queen cleared her throat, garnering the entire halls' attention. "Once again we owe a debt of gratitude to the warrior princess and her bard." Dianna held up her glass. "A toast to them. May all your dreams come true. May you find peace and happiness. May your hearts never know darkness. May our alliance be fruitful!"

There was a chorus of cheers from around the room. Gabrielle didn't even have to look at the look on her warrior's face. If anyone knew the dark haired woman like the bard did they would know she was actually very upset. To anyone else, she looked bored. Still don't like receiving the rewards that come from our adventures. That's all right. I'll give you more rewards later. Ones I know that you will like. Gabrielle gently squeezed her love's thigh to give her her strength.

Everyone took a drink to celebrate the toast. Then all eyes turned on Xena expecting anything. The warrior squirmed in her seat only to feel another gentle squeeze. Finally she stood and raised her own glass. "To peace and prosperity." She took a drink and was followed by everyone else. Short and sweet and to the point. It's what we all want anyways.

Dianna unfolded a parchment and handed it to the bard who then handed it to Xena. She unfolded it but put it so that both of them could read the contents. It was a very fair trade agreement. It was almost more than fair. A green set of eyes sparkled as a steady hand signed the agreement. But was surprised when she was handed the quill. "Me?" A nod in the affirmative. A more shaky hand then took the quill and signed it as well.

The bard handed the agreement back to the queen who signed it. "I will have a copy made and sent back with you." Without even a word, a page took the parchment and disappeared. "Now that we have that out of the way, I know that you have a more personal matter that you want to discuss." The queen took a sip of wine. "Your brother has been quite cooperative in telling us all he knows about his part in the attempt to take over my kingdom. However, he did try to kill me."

It was Gabrielle that spoke. "He did. We will never be able to excuse what he attempted to do. However when I was talking to him I could see something clearing in his mind. I don't think it was something he could fake." She looked at Xena and then back to the queen. "If you should let him go with us, we would take full responsibility for his actions. He would be punished severely."

Dianna was surprised a little by the last statement. She sighed, a far off look on her face. Then she looked down at her youngest child who was in so much pain. Her eldest was not in a much better place emotional. Physically he would eventually be fine. But both her children were in so much pain. Time to just get rid of all memories of this whole ordeal. "I accept your terms. He will be released to you. If something should happen and it is proven he is behind it not only is he to be punished our agreement will be void as well."

Xena nodded her head. "Fine. We'll be leaving in an hour so if you could have the copy of the agreement and my brother ready we'd be grateful." After a nod of the queen she stood and felt rather than see that Gabrielle did the same. They made their way back to their room so that they could pack and get ready be on the open road once again.

()()()()()()()()()()()

An hour later they were on the road. Toris kept hanging way to the back with his head down. Every once in a while he would trip obviously that his head was elsewhere. Xena looked over her shoulder and sighed. It's gonna be a long time till he heals inside. I know. It's been forever and a day for me and I was lucky to have Gabrielle by my side.

The bard suddenly had an arm around the warrior's waist. "Thank you." Blue eyes looked at her questioningly. "I mean for having me sign too. This is your hometown, Xena. This is about rebuilding your family. I know I'm your family too, but this is all for you. I'm just along for the ride as I have been since the beginning."

Xena stopped in her tracks and turned so that they were looking directly into one another's eyes. "I thought you'd know by now that you are more than family to me. You are the other half of me. What I have is yours. Where I go you go. When you hurt I hurt. When we love we love as one. So if I'm going to rebuild the place I grew up in it's going to be with you. And once we are done it will finally be our hometown. Everything I do is for you, for us. Don't you ever forget that."

They paused for a long kiss and could hear some faint noise behind them. Toris was trying to look anywhere but at them and they both burst out laughing. "Come on my warrior princess. It's a long road to Amphipolis." They walked side by side just enjoying the feel of the sun beating down on them. Enjoying the fact that they were and forever would be two halves that made a whole.