Gabrielle felt a bit empty as sleep started to evade her. Her green eyes blinked open slowly as the dawn light ever so gently caressed her face. She rolled over having fallen asleep with Xena spooning her and she was still on her side but her back felt very cool. The other side of the bed was empty other than a piece of parchment. The bard took a moment to wipe the sleep out of her eyes before holding up the parchment to the light. The handwriting was distinctive and it warmed her a bit since the emptiness of waking up alone had chilled her.
Hey sleepy head. Happy Solstice! I thought we might play a little game. Are you up for it? I just have a favor or two to ask of you. Please put on the outfit I left on your writing desk. Then I want you to follow the trail. Hopefully you'll forgive me for you waking up alone. That was the hardest thing me leaving you like that. I miss seeing those green eyes sparkle at me when you first wake up. It's how I know that it's going to be a good day no matter what happens.
Will you listen to me ramble on? I'm starting to sound like you. But that's a good thing as I've always loved your stories even with the embellishments. I've always loved the little poems you wrote. All I know is that these words are coming from my heart. So please go along with this little surprise and I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll do whatever it is I have to to make you happy. Love always X
The bard blinked a couple times and had to reread the parchment a few times to let the words fully sink in. Xena had never really been a poet but she always had a way with words. She shook her head and looked over to her writing desk. There was a package sitting there she supposed was the clothing that her soul mate wanted her to wear. This was unusual for her partner. The bard scratched the side of her head and simply shrugged.
Finally she got out of bed and made her way to the water basin that sat on a small low table by the fire. Xena had stoked the fire before she left so that the water was warm to her touch. Before she could pour the water into the bowl from the pitcher a familiar smell caught her attention. She turned the short distance to the bathtub and smile. The bubbles had faded ever so slightly but the water was still quite warm when she tested it. You thought of everything didn't you Xena? But then again you always do.
Slowly Gabrielle sank herself into the warm water and let her body relax for just a moment. Her mind was racing wondering exactly what it was that her amazing soul mate was up to. The only Winter Solstice that they had done anything truly special for was their second together. That was when they'd saved the town from a miserly king. Xena had heard her tell about the lamb she received when she was a child and of course had given her one. Her eyes went to the mantle and there that same gift was after all these years.
Another smell caught her attention and she turned to see a tray setting over the far corner of the bathtub. There was the sweet grain cereal that she loved as well as some bread and dried fruit. The bard waded over to the far end of the tub and ate the breakfast that had so lovingly been left for her. She left the tray where it was and finished washing up. Reluctantly she got out of the warm water and stood by the fire drying herself off.
Quickly she made her way over to her writing desk and pulled on the strings that wrapped up her present. As she unfolded the plain scrap of fabric back it revealed the color of white. She felt the fabric not totally surprised to find that they were leather. They were not unlike the ones that Xena wore she found as she unfolded them and touched the softness. It reminded her of touching her soul mate and it made her smile. There were also thick woolen leggings and sleeves. That put a look of puzzlement on her face.
The petite blond made quick work of putting on the outfit. Underneath her writing desk was a pair of matching white leather boots. She just shook her head in wonderment. What are you up to you little sneak? Whatever it is I'm sure I'm going to love it. Trail. Gotta find her trail now don't I. Gabrielle walked back over to the bed and sure enough there was a trail all right. There was a mixture of white, pink and red rose petals that went from Xena's side of the bed to out and underneath the door. Where on earth did she get roses this time of year?
Gabrielle chuckled to herself as she thought, One of her many skills. Cautiously she opened the door and made her way into the hallway. Though it was still early she would have thought that there would be other sounds coming from the inn. Instead it was almost deathly quiet. The bard took in a deep breath and could smell the rose petals that lead a trail down the hallway and to the top of the stairs. Her pace quickened a little as she was wondering what her soul mate was up to for their first Winter Solstice in the new Amphipolis.
The bard made it to the main dining area where still no one was in sight and there still were no sounds other than the usual crackling of the fire. The trail of rose petals led to the main door so she made her way and opened the door. Overnight a nice new bit of snow had fallen. It was only a little more than a light dusting but it made everything look so new and it caused the brightness of the sun to be magnified. There was a sparkling in the individual snowflakes that put an even bigger smile on the bard's face.
Patches ,the low standing mare, was standing with a bouquet of wild flowers attached to the saddle horn. Many skills. She simply shook her head in wonderment once again at what her partner was truly capable of. All that most people saw and heard was the tougher than her leathers routine. But even from the very first she had known deep down inside that her partner had a softer side. Otherwise why save some scared kid? Why let her run all over creation with her and literally protect her with her very life.
Another parchment was attached to the bouquet of wild flowers so the bard unfolded it and read the words. It simply said to follow the arrows. Gabrielle looked around before she found arrows with varying colored feathers on them. The path she knew led straight to the apple orchard. Beyond the apple orchard was the spring that she and Xena had found when her soul mate was out of sorts. They had spent a wonderful evening finally finishing the apples that the bard had made, playing in the water though it was cool, and making love all night long.
It was a special place indeed. All of this that her soul mate had setup would make a wonderful story one that she was just starting to realize would be a love story. She urged Patches to go a little faster and watched carefully for signs. There were signs here and there of the snow being disturbed but then it appeared that the snow had been brushed back in place. Her mind was just beginning to realize what was going on when she made it to the orchard.
The lowest branches of some of the apple trees had some kind of colorful cloth hanging from them. There was every color of the rainbow and some the bard had never seen before. The cloth was flowing in the wind and made for an amazing image. As she rode through the path that was formed it was as if the cloth was reaching out to gently caress the bard. It could not be any more beautiful if the bard had done it herself.
Finally she came to the end of the path which would take her directly into the little glen and the spring that now had very fond memories for her and the warrior princess. Gabrielle stopped patches as she took in the scene before her. There were a few benches facing the waterfall that led into the spring. Each bench was covered with a different color cloth and sitting upon the benches was everyone from the village. The soldiers were off to the side and came to attention the moment that they saw her.
Xena was standing in front of everyone. She had on a similar looking outfit as to what Gabrielle was wearing. It was cut slightly differently and while it was still white it was one of those off shade of white. The bard swallowed hard as she drank in the site of her lover standing there with what she could only describe as a nervous look on her face. Ezra was standing just behind the warrior. To one side of Xena was Toris dressed in a nice blue tunic and matching blue trousers. To the other side was Lila dressed in a nice light brown dress that matched her sister's eyes perfectly.
Argo was standing off to the side and Gabrielle dismounted and slapped Patches on the hind end sending her off to the other horse. She just stood there for the longest moment just enjoying the feelings that were flowing through her. Already she could feel the tears stinging at the corners of her eyes but refused to let them fall just yet. She was going to get through this before she let all the emotions overcome her. And boy are they going to overcome me later.
Xena was twitching slightly nervously. In her heart she knew that this is something that Gabrielle wanted as much as she did if not even more. But she also knew that it was sometimes hard for both of them to express their affections for one another in such a public way. Hope this was all right the way I did this. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched her soul mate walk slowly down the little aisle way that was formed by the benches. Suddenly the warrior's mouth was so dry and an almost overwhelming fear threatened to overtake her.
Her entire body eased a bit as she saw a look of love on the bard's face. There was a twinkling in the green eyes she loved to look in and she knew just by those two things that she had done all right and that she was not in trouble. I just wanted this day to be very special for you my love. I wanted you to have a good memory. I want you to remember it for the rest of our lives together. Finally Gabrielle was standing next to her still smiling. "Hey." It was all she could manage her throat was still trying to recover from the stress of worrying.
"Hey yourself." Gabrielle looked up into blue eyes that were twinkling. She reached out and took one of Xena's hands in her own. Then she turned and looked at the familiar facing seeing one she hadn't seen in a very long time and one she never had. She waved at Meg who smiled and waved back. Once again she turned her attention solely on her soul mate. "So I see you've been busy the last day or two. No wonder I could never find you yesterday."
The warrior shrugged her shoulders like it was nothing. The day had been exhausting but it had been well worth it. Everything that had been done she had done alone. It wasn't that she had not welcomed the help it was just something she felt she needed to do for Gabrielle. "I'm sorry about that." The warrior squeezed her hand gently. "I felt bad a couple times as I heard you calling for me but I ducked away. It was so hard staying away from you."
Gabrielle pulled the warrior so that they were standing inches away. She leaned her head up and said in a barely audible whisper that she knew that her soul mate would be able to hear. "You made up nicely for it last night and now today." The bard smiled as she noticed a slight blush coloring the tips of her soul mate's ears which could have been explained by the cold weather. "So, I take it this is a proposal and a ceremony all in one?"
Xena never hesitated for a moment after that statement. She got down on one knee and she took both of Gabrielle's hands in her own. "Words are not my strong suit my little bard. We both know that in this family you are the one that has the words to express almost anything. I'm not so lucky. There was this moment years ago when I saw this kid in trouble. I never realized that it was really I that had found trouble as you stole my heart away. I fought it, we both did. But now I want to tell the whole world that I was lucky enough to find the other half of my soul and that I'm proud of the love we share and the life that we lead. I love you, Gabrielle. Would you please give me the honor of officially becoming my other half? My wife?"
Now the tears could not be held back and the bard really didn't care anymore. This was the happiest moment of her life which said something. Though she and her soul mate had gone through so many trials both physically and emotionally through the years the good outweighed it all and always would. Her throat was tight and she was having trouble speaking as the tears freely slid down her cheeks warming her slightly chilled skin.
There was a tenseness in the little glen and Gabrielle realized it was because she had yet to say anything. After swallowing several times she managed to find her voice. "I've waited a very long time to hear you say those words." She pulled Xena off from the ground and into a fierce bear hug. A few more moments passed before she released her grip but not the warrior's hands. "I've loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you. I wonder if that kid knew that when she said 'take me with you' she was really saying 'I've loved you. I've loved you for so long and in so many different lifetimes. I will always love you'. I bet she didn't. But I do. I know that I love you and will love you beyond the end of time. I will be honored to officially become your other half and be your wife." She winked at her partner. "But you know you have to be my wife too."
All the tenseness surrounding them was released with a soft round of chuckles at her last statement. Xena seemed to sway just for a moment before she steadied herself. "That goes without saying, my love." She pulled Gabrielle back into a fierce hug of her own. When they finally pulled out of it she turned both of them so that they were facing Ezra who had a huge smile on his face. One eyebrow rose at the elder and the warrior could not help but say, "You never thought this would ever happen now did ya?"
Ezra shook his head. His memories of a wild little girl that no one could tame came to mind. Even just barely being able to walk and the dark haired girl was nothing but trouble. He often wondered how Cyrene had ever handed the bundle of energy and the shear willfulness she exhibited even back then. He looked at Gabrielle and wondered just how someone so petite and still so innocent looking could have tamed a wild beast. But he knew. It was so obvious anyone should know. Love really does conquer all.
"No, my little one. I never thought that you'd allow yourself to be caught." Ezra winked at the bard. "But then I've come to realize in my old age that things are not always as they seem. Things have a tendency to work out the way that they are supposed to." He looked from the taller woman to the shorter woman. "Sometimes the heart is bigger than the body that encases it. These two share a love that transcends time. I am honored to be the one that officially joins them though I believe that the minute they were born that had already been done."
For a little while the words that Ezra spoke just seem to wash over both the bard and the warrior. They were too busy feeling. They were feeling the love through a still awakening connection. They were feeling relief that they had finally been able to do what should have been done so long ago. They were feeling acceptance. For Xena that was something she had been striving since before she had even picked up a sword to defend the very place she was standing now.
For her she was coming full circle. It had all started in this little village that even growing up had shown her only a moderation of love and acceptance. For most seeing the things that a young wild girl could do had scared them. It was like they had all expected her to become what she had. That was why even her mother had not believed her on return home and had been saved by a kid from Potadeia. But standing here next to Gabrielle and reaffirming their love and commitment to one another she knew that it hadn't been that simple. Love had saved her all those years ago. And love was making her complete now.
Xena had to shake herself out of her daydream as Ezra had asked for rings. That got a raised eyebrow from the bard. The warrior turned to Toris who pulled out a soft white cloth from his pocket. The dark haired woman nodded a thanks to him and then turned back so that Gabrielle could see as she unwrapped the little package. Inside were two rings one just ever so slightly larger than the other. White gold was intertwined with regular gold. They met at a setting of one blue stone and one green stone. In the middle of the blue and green stone was a small diamond.
Gabrielle gasped as she saw the beautiful rings. She tentatively picked up the larger one knowing that would be for her partner. The metal felt so warm and soft to her touch. The gems just twinkled in the sunlight. She was surprised at just how well the gems matched each of their eye colors. Engraved on the inside were their names separated only by a heart and the date. She knew for how long the little fink. Blue eyes captured hers and without Ezra saying anything more she took Xena's left hand in her own and slipped the ring on her ring finger.
That caused another soft chuckle from the gathered crowd. Xena took her soul mate's lead and slipped the smaller ring onto the ring finger of the left hand. The two rings symbolized so much more than just a simple joining. This was something that no one no matter how hard they tried would be able to shatter. It had taken years for the two women to be able to finally show the world that they belonged to one another and always would.
Usually a couple waited to be told to kiss to seal their joining but not these two. Xena leaned down and their lips just gently brushed against one another before they pressed against one another. Soon not only were their lips pressing so were their bodies. They lost track of all time and never heard their friends and family erupt into loud cheers and clapping hands. All they could feel and all they cared about in that one moment was each other.
Finally air became a real problem and slowly the noise that surrounded them invaded their ears. It caused a slight blush on the warrior but the bard went nearly beat red. Soon they were being overwhelmed with people wanting to either shake their hands or hug them. It was a surreal feeling for both of them. The last wedding that either had attended was Gabrielle's marriage to Perdicus and that had become a painful memory for both women.
For Xena she had thought that she had lost Gabrielle forever and then cursed herself for not reacting to Callisto fast enough. Her guilt was still there over the young man's death. For Gabrielle fear of admitting her feelings for Xena had caused a man his life. It had almost caused her her first taste of blood. Seeing Xena praying to any god that would listen had started the process but something inside had luckily stopped her. It had given her a little while longer with her blood innocence.
This wedding though had been amazing. Neither of them had expected to have so many friends and family. It just felt so unreal and yet it felt right. Finally a path was made for the newly joined warrior and bard. They made their way to their horses and both got on. The rest of the crowd stood and cheered as Gabrielle took her bouquet of wild flowers and tossed it into the crowd. Sarah neatly caught the flowers with no effort on her part.
Xena put up a hand. "We'll be back in a few hours to celebrate both Winter Solstice and the joining. Take care my friends!" Gabrielle had no idea where her wife was taking her but she just rode alongside her. She trusted her with her very soul and would follow her to the end of time. The warrior nudged Argo closer and reached out a hand which the bard took. "Well wife, you ready for another surprise?" Gabrielle only smiled and let Xena lead the way.
AN-big thanks to jinxie2013 for stepping in to beta read for me when my wife has to work too many hours to keep up with the story. Thanks for the reviews. Hope you enjoy!