Xena was a warlord. Ruthless. Feared. Heartless. Cold.
For everyone except for Gabrielle. The bard girl she bought at an auction years ago now. Xena never thought that auction would be different from others. She needed new servants after all and not many would dare bid against her if she showed she was serious. But none ever caught her attention like Gabrielle.
Even as she was standing on that stage, shaking and clearly scared, she didn't drop her fierce glare. She hoped she would scare away some of the bidders, and to her credit some did quit, writing her off as clearly too much work, wanting someone more timid and obedient that the blonde girl.
But Xena, she liked her from the moment she saw her. She couldn't explain it at the time. She just wanted to take the bard with her. And she did. Gabrielle was given to her kicking and punching, and she didn't stop even after they were in Xena's tent.
"Fierce little one aren't you?" Xena spoke to her like she was a wild cat, "Do you know who I am?"
"Of course." Gabrielle sat in a corner, not wanting to move even when Xena offered to have a makeshift bed made for her, "Everyone knows you, Xena the Conqueror."
Xena chuckled at Gabrielle's sharp tone.
"You know I have a feeling we're gonna get along really well." The gleam in Xena's eyes made Gabrielle shudder, "They said you fancy yourself a bard. Tell me a story... Gabrielle was it?"
And that's how it started. Their relationship was very rocky to say the least. After all Xena bought her and Gabrielle was not happy to be there. But she quickly found that Xena was so much more than her stories. There was more to the Warlord. Things that the stories never told.
Her friends, her heartbreak, her dreams and nightmares, what makes her laugh or cry. Her favorite places to travel to. Her favorite food. Her insecurities and shortcomings. Her affection. Her genuine smiles and tears. Her gentle touches and kisses. Her love and affection.
Those were hidden stories. Stories that Gabrielle learned of over the years. Stories just for her and Xena.