Time seemed to be flying as of late for everyone in Amphipolis. The latest little distraction with the two leaders of the village having to go off somewhere to solve one problem had of course that had led to another problem. That had been solved in a unique way as had a lot of their adventures over the years. Settling everyone had also caused time to fly by. But after nearly a week back after their latest adventure and there was now a routine that had been developed.
The routine had been broken by one thing. Xena had asked Virgil to get his mother and his sister and bring them back to the village. The timing of the odd request considering all the upheaval and the fact that it would mean two more mouths to feed was unusual to say the least but the warrior had insisted. To speed up the travel time the warrior had sent four of the soldiers along with one of the wagons. Meg was getting older and riding a horse might not be that easy for her.
There was a reason for all of this. It was now the day before Winter Solstice and Xena had something very special planned. Though she knew that Gabrielle suspected that at least something was going on it didn't matter. She still wanted to try and surprise her with the wedding. Ezra was already in on all the details and was preparing for his part of everything but he was the only one that really knew what was going to happen.
It was difficult sneaking away from Gabrielle. Since the warrior's return from the land of the dead the soul mates shared a connection. It was growing every day. It was truly like they could even sense where the other one was and what the other might be doing. Emotions definitely flowed through this connection and that was a problem. But it was a good problem and the warrior was relishing every minute of trying to surprise her soul mate.
The only ones that she had at least somewhat brought in on the little surprise were Lila and Sarah. Xena had refused to tell them why but she had insisted that they make a special dessert for Winter Solstice. Right away Lila recognized it as a favorite of her sister's and an unusual offering for the special day. But she had learned a long time ago through some tales of her sister that it was best not to argue with the warrior princess.
After having gotten everything ready it was now time for dinner. Xena was happy with what she had accomplished in such a short amount of time. The next day would be interesting and she knew that it would mean there wouldn't be a lot of alone time for her with her soul mate. That caused another plan to form in her mind and so she made her way to the kitchen through the back door.
Sarah was just about to move the big pot of venison stew to the big room. It was far too heavy for her and was startled when it moved with ease. Then she released her hands finding the pot still floating in air. She looked behind her and jumped back a step as a tall dark haired woman was standing holding the pot. "Wow! Always knew you were quiet but that was quieter than a mouse, Xena." That got a smirk of a smile in return. "I saw Gabrielle headed up to your room. She had said something about getting cleaned up before she joined everyone for dinner."
"I better hurry then." Xena put the big pot down on the center table and found a wooden tray. She put to large bowls on it and portioned out the stew. She also added a loaf of bread with some soft cheese spread that she knew Gabrielle loved. "I'll take this out there for you and come back for my tray." The warrior disappeared through the door to the dining area of the inn.
Sarah watched after the warrior for a moment before she turned and gathered up some nutbread. She knew it was her aunt's favorite and kept some on hand just for that reason. In her mind she would never be able to repay both of her aunts for what they had done for her. The warrior slid almost as silently back through the door. She noticed the nutbread and that garnered the young woman a genuine smile. Her niece said, "I figured my aunt would want some dessert. Now g'wan and have a good night."
Xena smiled at her niece. Funny to think of her like that sometimes. Gods it feels so good to think that. I have family and more than just Gabrielle and Toris. "Thanks. I was going to look for something sweet to try and satisfy her sweet tooth." Plus the chat… "You have a good night and tell Liam I said hi. Oh and if Meg and the others show back up just get them settled into one of the huts. I'll talk with them in the morning."
"Got it." Sarah watched the warrior carrying the tray that she had also added some apple cider onto. The door closed with barely a sound. I got it all right. I'll put a big old 'do not disturb' sign on your door. She laughed at the thought. She was surprised by the outer door to the inn opening. Virgil's form could just be made out and he was holding the door open for someone. An older version of Xena walked in along with a girl not that much younger than Sarah was. "Hello! You must be Meg!" Without hesitation she came over and hugged the woman.
Meg's eyebrow rose. She wasn't used to affection. Her time with Joxer had been good and yet it hadn't been. He had been a wonderful husband but neither of them had a knack for business and struggled over the years. Still her time with him had given her two wonderful children and she wouldn't change it for the world. His death had been a shock and she still wasn't quite over it. In fact she had been wondering how she was going to take care of herself and her daughter. Finally she was released from the hug. "You must be Sarah. Virgil described you quite well. This is my daughter Angela."
The girl only waved shyly. Since her father's death she had retreated inside of herself. Meg was hoping that starting over in a new place would help her daughter. A part of her was also hoping that either Gabrielle or Xena could talk with her and maybe just maybe get her back to the person she had been. In so many ways her daughter reminded her of her late husband. Not the bumbling idiot part but the part that cared for everyone and inside her was a heart of gold.
Sarah understood the look of a shy woman just barely out of her teens as she had once been that before her ordeal. Take it easy with her. She is fragile at this point. The look she has on her face is the same one I had when I looked in the mirror after… Mom used to get the same look too. I remember what it was like when they killed… "Angela. That's a beautiful and unusual name. Would everyone care for something to eat? The soup is in the other room. I was just about to take the bread and the dessert out."
Virgil had made his way over and grabbed up the tray of bread. Sarah smiled at him and she took another that was filled with cheeses and some fruits. The young man led the way for the young woman along with his mother and sister. Inside the dining area were the citizens. The soldiers in general had their own cook and rations but from time to time they would come in to talk with the rest of the villagers. Tebis was the lone soldier tonight. He spotted Angela and nodded his head in greeting. She managed a nod but not before turning a nice shade of red.
Lila was sitting at one table with Toris and the two elders. As usual Gregious the healer was sitting in a chair next to the heat stove. Xenon was in another corner with his wife and their son. Liam and Gabriel had been sitting next to one another until they saw them enter. The blacksmith quickly stood and made his way to the newcomers an instant annoyed look on Virgil's face as he knew that the captain had feelings for Sarah as he himself did. "Well I see our new friends have arrived." The blacksmith ignored the look on Virgil's face
"I'll quickly introduce everyone and then we can get settled." Sarah went around the room introducing the two newcomers and finally guided them all to the table where Liam and Gabriel had been sitting at. They ate in silence for a few moments listening to the others chatting. Finally when she noticed how Virgil kept staring to the stairway she figured she'd have to say something. "Xena told me to tell you all that she would meet you in the morning. I think well…" She trailed off blushing a little bit.
"You go girls!" Meg just shrugged at the looks she was receiving. It did her heart good to know that after all these years, well only around seven or so for the soul mates, that they still loved one another. From the moment I met them there was something there. Glad they figured it out. "What?" She shook her head and rolled her eyes not unlike a certain warrior princess. "Just saying that it's nice to see love alive and well. I…" She trailed off as a wave of emotions hit her. She felt Angela's hand on her own and smiled. Her eyes closed and simply thought how much she missed Joxer.
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Xena managed to open the door to the room that she shared with Gabrielle and quickly close it behind her. She stopped immediately at the sight that greeted her. The bard had just gotten out of the golden tub that had been placed in the corner near the fire place. The tub was more than capable of holding the both of them and they had indulged in a few nights of pampering since it had been installed. Just seeing the water streaked fair skin almost made the warrior drop the tray of food she had been carrying.
Gabrielle turned and took in the look on her soul mate's face. With a bit of an evil look on her face she laid the towel over the now empty tub and walked over noticing the little twitches that were coming from every part of her lover's body. The bard took the tray out of her hands and placed it on the little stand next to the bed. Without missing a beat she began to the fun task of undressing the tall warrior that stood just barely controlling herself.
The sword and chakrum were hung on their little hooks while the daggers were placed still in their sheaths in the little draw in the stand next to the bed. The boots and all the armor that went along with them were the next things to be neatly set aside. Bracers and arm bands were neatly tucked away in their spot leaving just the heavy breast armor which came off easily. Last but not least were the leathers, the leggings and the woolen shift that the warrior had begun wearing as the temperatures had begun cooling.
The bard stood back and appreciated very much what she was seeing. "Would you like me to draw you a bath?" There was no response of words. Suddenly the blond found herself swooped up into strong arms and was gently tossed onto the bed. Their eyes met for a long moment and Gabrielle could not help but chuckle softly. "I guess I'll take that as a no."
Lips against her own was the answer that she received. Before Gabrielle knew what was happening Xena was rubbing her own pulsating mound against the bard's. There was pressure then it eased and pressure once again. Green eyes closed and low murmuring sound escaped her mouth. Xena kept up the steady little dance for a long time and before long she felt strong hands on her ample breasts. It only heightened what both women were feeling and driving for more. They wanted so much more.
Now it was body gliding against body in a slow but rhythmic dance. It was almost like there were drums pounding out a seductive beat that only the two women could hear. It was the dance of lust. It was the dance of sultriness. It was the dance of love that goes beyond the fabric of time. Steady and strong the beat continued with breasts rubbing against breasts with stomachs against stomach. Every part that fit perfectly together was intertwined and held for the longest of times.
Xena was leaning on her elbows her head slowly lowered so that her forehead was touching Gabrielle's. By now both the warrior's and the bard's breath was racing as were their heartbeats. If one listened closely they could hear that the breaths and the heartbeats were almost perfectly as one. For the longest of moments the warrior just stared into green eyes. Their breathing slowed just a little as they just drank in the love that they had for each other.
Then restless hands began moving. The warrior felt hands finding her most sensitive spots. First it was her breasts. Then the hands trailed against her ribs. Her breath caught slightly and her eyes closed as hands played ever so gently with her hips. There was a burning deep down inside that wanted it all and wanted it now. The dark haired beauty managed to keep her balance as she leaned on one elbow and caught the roving hands. She caught them and guided them to her most sensitive spot.
Now it was the warrior's turn to moan softly as Gabrielle found her target. One finger slid into the warm and ever so moist folds. The lips part neatly for her and Xena's body jerked slightly at the sensations that inflamed her. The warrior managed to find her partner's soft warm juicy lips and began a similar exploration. In and out went their fingers. It was as if their bodies were one and the cravings needed to be satisfied and this was the only way.
Somehow Xena managed to keep the space between their bodies as they both continued the gently in and out motion that was slowly but surely gaining speed. She managed to lean down and capture lips that tasted of sweet cider and of the very essence of her soul mate. They continued the kissing as the pressure inside of each of them was peaking to a frenzy and needed to be released. The other's name was gasped and the warrior managed to collapse just to the side of the bard fear that her weight would be too much for her partner.
Gabrielle took the opportunity to slide on top of her lover and for a moment just looked into eyes that were now just a little sleepy looking. She finally laid her head down on Xena's shoulder watching little trails of goose bumps as her breath traveled across her soul mate's skin. "I guess even after all these years that hasn't changed." She paused as she felt strong arms wrap around her in a fierce hug. "I hope it never does."
The bard's body was shaking slightly as Xena chuckled lightly. "Trust me my sexy little bard that will never change." She loosened the hug just a little to allow them both to breathe properly. "Until the day that I die I will always, always find you sexy." Another breath only longer raced across her breast. "I just hope that you feel the same way."
That brought Gabrielle's head up full to look her in the eyes. "You're kidding, right?" There was a slightly sheepish look on the warrior which told the bard she was only half joking. "From the first minute I saw you I was in love with you." She kissed the collar bone gently. "I about lost it the first time that I saw you naked. I never knew what desire was until that moment. I never knew what the fuss was about until I saw you. So yeah I will until the day I day find you sexy and irresistible."
Another fierce hug was the reward for the words that echoed inside the warrior's head. "Happy Solstice my bard." Xena's voice was husky with desire. She was over the sleepiness the words having stirred something inside of her. Then something surfaced in her mind and regrettably she slid out from under the bard and grabbed the tray of food. "I hated to break the mood but I hear someone's tummy rumbling and I know yours is too."
Gabrielle reluctantly sat up and welcomed the tray of food. The stew was now lukewarm but tasted good anyways. The bread was wonderful. It was a grain bread that had been a recipe of her mother's. The bard had quick flashback of being the kitchen in their home in Potadeia and helping her mother fix dinner. It was one of the few times she felt she belonged. The cider was sweet and she was feeling really, really good.
Xena watched as the bard scooped up the last of the stew with the last of the bread. Carefully she unwrapped the sweet nutbread to the delight of the bard. Again they ate in silence for a long time before the warrior put her slice down and looked into green eyes. "I, um, have something I've been wanting to talk to you about." She watched as Gabrielle swallowed her last bit of the sweet bread. "Have you had a chance to look at the scrolls Araphat left?"
The bard took her last swallow of cider to clear her dry throat. Instantly she knew what her partner was talking about. A devilish grin was on her face before she spoke. "I read them all." She saw her soul mate as she took a deep breath in. "You wanted to know how it is we could someday have a child together." The warrior only managed a nod. "I hate to tell you this, Sweetie, we just did the main thing. It's not a lot unlike the traditional way with only one other thing."
Xena's eyes widened for a moment but realized all that the bard had said. "Well I wanted to talk to you about us having a child together. I mean, I've already had two. I don't think my body has it in it anymore to do that." The bard raised an eyebrow. "Oh I'm healthy enough. It's just that I've always been so hard on myself and the older you get the h8arder it is to have for a child." She took the last swallow of her cider her throat suddenly very dry. "That would mean it would go to you. And I don't know if you are up to that, um, emotionally."
Gabrielle looked at her partner who was now gazing at the empty bowl on her lap. Her hands were on her knees her hands opening and then closing. For a moment she couldn't understand what her soul mate was talking about. Emotionally? I'm not stable enough to have a child? Since when… Then it dawned on her what Xena must have been thinking and right then and there she felt more love for her soul mate than she ever had in her life. "You mean because of Hope and Dahok?"
Finally Xena forced herself to look at her lover. There was no fear in her eyes. There was no hurt. There was no anger. Instead all that she could see was an almost overwhelming look of love and adoration. "Well I know it's been a long time since all that happened and we've dealt with it together throughout the years. When I was pregnant with Eve the only issue was who was the father which was scary after Hope. But this is different. This is you having a baby in that adorable little belly for nine months even though it is a part of me. I mean…"
The warrior's speech was cutoff nicely by a pair of lips. The tray was expertly moved so that the bard could not only be kissing her soul mate but could also be touching the soft skin that was still exposed so nicely ending up in her lap. "You mean that you are worried that it'll be too emotional for me to have a child inside me." Blue eyes looked at her with love and support just shouting from them. "Every time I think I can't love you anymore you do or say something and my heart just explodes with another level of love. I'll be honored to carry our child." She captured her partner's lips. "Happy Solstice to you, my soul mate."
Xena's heart soared. She wasn't sure she could get any happier than she was at that moment in time. There was tomorrow when she would make the bard her wife officially. There was a time in the near future when she would be holding their child in her arms. Not to bring in dark thoughts but she knew that there would be trouble and probably soon in the near future. But for now she had so much love in her heart and so much to look forward to she really didn't care. All she cared about was the woman she was in bed with and the family that they would soon have. Life was indeed good!