Xena had finished grooming Argo, and stepped out of the stables. She had left Gabrielle asleep in bed but by now she was sure that she had made it into the dining hut. Sure enough, the bard was there, finishing her breakfast with very nervous looking Solari and Ephiny. Xena gave the bard a quick kiss before selecting her breakfast and sliding in next to her. "All set," she said jauntily. Ephiny and Solari nodded their heads weakly. The events were keenly contested and there was much prestige in winning and much mirth making if you lost. As queen, Ephiny was expected to win every event she entered, and Solari knew if she didn't win tracking, as chief scout, she would never live it down. Ephiny looked at Gabrielle who was eating her breakfast serenely and laughing with Xena. She had the right idea. Perhaps I'll be pregnant next year, or an injury to get me out of this, she thought and smiled at that.
She turned her thoughts back to the present. Xena as usual was looking as relaxed and tranquil as ever. She wondered if Gabrielle and Xena knew how much pressure was on Xena to perform well. Ephiny had heard mutterings from several amazons and had been approached by Protis and Marpe demanding that Xena not take part. Fortunately Ephiny knew her laws, and the Queen's champion was permitted to substitute in for the queen if the queen was incapacitated. There were no rules stating whether the Queen's champion had to be an Amazon or not.
Ephiny knew that Xena was determined to perform well. And facing a resolute warrior princess was not settling her nerves. "Archery first," said Ephiny with a dry mouth.
"I know," said Xena evilly and carried on eating. Gabrielle rolled her eyes and stood up.
"Good luck," she said to everyone. She bent down and whispered into Xena's ear, "be nice." She planted a kiss on top of the warrior's head before leaving the hut. Xena watched her leave and carried on eating.
"So how many events have you entered?" asked Solari?
"Archery, chobos, tracking, riding and sword skills." Xena looked at the two Amazons and each wore a fearful expression.
"What about the other events?" said Solari sarcastically? It was customary to enter your best one or two events. Occasionally three. But no-one had ever done five.
"Don't want to over exert myself," said Xena smiling, continuing to tuck into her breakfast.
The amazons glared at her and got up. "See you later girls," said Xena sweetly and gave them a wave. Oh she was enjoying this!
"Do you know how much I hate you?" said Epinon through gritted teeth.
"About the same amount as your regent I guess," said Xena cheerily. They were standing on the dais with the other winners waiting to receive their medals from Gabrielle. The Amazon Queen looked splendid in her new designed leathers and took her time in presenting Xena yet another medal. Epinon smiled and clapped graciously as Xena received her Gold medal for sword skills and wore an almost apologetic smile as she herself received her Gold medal for the staff.
"Thus the events are finished. Congratulations to the winners and commiserations to the losers but I'm sure you've all had fun." Gabrielle smiled broadly as the crowd cheered. She looked across at Solari who was sporting a black eye received from Xena in the chobos and at Ephiny who was muttering about losing the archery contest for the first time in three years. Other competitors looked at Xena darkly, some with more intent than others.
"And now for the drills! Epinon, I know that your groups have been working hard. Let's enjoy our youngest warriors' demonstration first." Epinon got up and after giving Xena a sly shove she moved off the dais and to the central area with her youngsters. Gabrielle took her place next to Xena who was still grinning broadly.
"Congratulations, you must be very pleased," said Gabrielle as Xena wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Yeah, I suppose," said Xena watching Epinon's youngsters. She turned to Gabrielle smiling.
Gabrielle hooked her hand under the medals that adorned Xena and looked at them. "Shame about tracking-then you would have had the full set."
"Can't be too greedy can I?" Xena turned back to watch the youngsters drilling with a curious look on her face.
Gabrielle stared at her for several seconds. "You're right. We would have never heard the end of it from Solari."
Xena leant into her and they watched as the youngsters finished their drills. "Got to go," said Gabrielle, and gave Xena a peck on the cheek. "A Queens's work is never done."
"Just slow-"Xena called after her, but Gabrielle had moved away and was speaking to the young girls who had finished their routine. "Down," she added quietly and to no one in particular.
The festivities were in full swing. Stories were being swapped, injuries compared and the youngsters especially were enjoying the praise of the older Amazons. Xena was much in demand, with many amazons wanting to go through each fight with her blow by blow, or to hear how her technique with the bow differed from Ephiny's. She was enjoying herself at first-discussing weapons and strategic moves, as well as reliving her glories was a pleasant way to spend an evening-but now it was becoming wearing as she had not seen Gabrielle for some time.
She caught sight of Ephiny searching purposefully through the crowd. She excused herself and called after her.
She spun around, relief evident on her face.
"Xena, I was looking for you. Well, Gabrielle actually."
"I thought she was with you," said Xena with a hint of concern.
"She was for a while, but I got a bit sidetracked." Ephiny looked slightly embarrassed.
"Surely the archery contest didn't come up?" Xena smiled at the regent's awkwardness.
Ephiny shot Xena a look of disgust and then looked past her into the crowd. The music had started and several amazons were dancing. There were still many standing around discussing the day's activities, although many of the young girls had been shooed to bed much to their displeasure.
Ephiny tapped Xena's arm and they both strode to a darkened corner where there was a small crowd gathered. Xena gritted her teeth as she neared; she could hear the bard's voice-strained and tired –and saw the crowd around her: Aida, Teles, Marpe and Okayale. Aella was next to the bard, almost growling at the other ladies.
Xena picked up speed and barged past Teles in her haste to get to Gabrielle. The Amazon regained her balance and took a step menacingly towards Xena. Okayale stopped talking to Gabrielle and watched with interest. Gabrielle moved between the two, placing her hands on Xena's chest to placate her. She turned to the group of Amazons. "Thank you for this enlightening talk. You've given me a lot to consider."
"No thank you, Queen Gabrielle," Teles emphasized the word queen. "You have shown yet again you may not be versed in traditional Amazon skills but you make an effort." She nodded to Gabrielle and shook her head slightly and Aida, Marpe and Okayale followed behind her.
Gabrielle turned to Ephiny and said, "She always gets an insult in, no matter what. It's quite a talent."
Xena wrapped her arm around Gabrielle and gave her a squeeze. "Everything alright?" she asked with concern. "You're looking tired."
"I am feeling a little weary," admitted Gabrielle, "but there's something we need to talk about." She looked from Xena, to Ephiny to Aella. "Solari and Epinon too."
"There's nothing to say that we can't talk sitting down is there?" said Xena in her no arguments tone. She was concerned that Gabrielle had admitted so freely she was tired.
They walked back through the crowd, Xena not even allowing Gabrielle to stop and say goodnight to the many amazons that approached her. She shouted her greetings and waved while Xena merely glowered and kept the pace brisk. Aella had gone to find Epinon and Solari and they reached Gabrielle and Xena's hut together. Xena led the bard in and sat her down at the table and poured her a drink. Everyone else filed in and sat down-Solari and Epinon on the bed.
They all looked expectantly at Gabrielle. She was staring at Xena. "What?" asked Xena?
"Were you going to tell anyone what happened during tracking?" Four heads immediately turned to look at Xena wearing the same questioning look.
Xena looked around at all the faces and her eyes rested on Gabrielle's. "I didn't want to worry you. It was no big deal."
Gabrielle stood up. "No big deal! They weren't out to cheer you on. They were out to injure you."
Xena rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively. "It was a little distraction."
"Well this distraction caused some pain. What about Dana's injury?"
All heads turned to look at Gabrielle. Xena looked beseechingly at her, asking with her eyes not to continue. Gabrielle ignored her. "It would appear there was a welcoming committee for Xena during tracking. Thermodosa, Protis and a couple of others. What happened? The truth Xena."
Xena sighed. She wanted to spare Gabrielle this. She knew how the internal squabbles drained her. But somehow the bard had found out. "Gabrielle's right. They were waiting for me. Dana saw what was happening and joined in and got a slash across her arm for her troubles. She's ok though?"
Gabrielle nodded. "Piri didn't believe her story. You'd think by now you would know she can wheedle the truth out of you."
Solari stood up. "Anything else?"
Xena contemplated her answer. "I think Argo's saddle was sabotaged."
"You think?" Gabrielle raised her eyebrow at Xena.
"Alright, it was. The leather was cut. I told the stable master I thought it was worn and swapped it. "
"Luckily you check all your equipment so thoroughly," said Aella.
Xena looked momentarily embarrassed. "Actually it was Argo that spotted it." Gabrielle's lips quivered trying hard not to laugh.
Epinon looked at Xena. "You know this was a deliberate attempt at you."
"Yeah it's not like it was the first time. And it was hardly sophisticated. More than likely it was just to make me look silly. I'm just sorry that Dana got hurt."
"What worries me," said Ephiny slowly, speaking for the first time, "is that it's an escalation. Xena you're used to them having a go at you discreetly. This was more public." She turned to face the bard. "What were you discussing Gabrielle?"
"They were just enquiring after my health and were sorry that I wasn't taking part. Apparently in the annuls of time there have been pregnant queens who have participated. Pregnant Amazon Queens was how Teles put it."
"I'll kill her," said Xena and Epinon in unison.
"Don't worry about it-Aella pointed out a few from history who had less than worthy excuses too." Gabrielle smiled at Aella who coloured, especially as Ephiny patted her on the back too. "I just wanted everyone to be aware. The murmurings may have quietened but the discontent is still there."
There were nods all around and silence as they contemplated the day's events. Solari glared at Xena and said, "You mean to tell me you had a fight, treated Dana's injury and finished second by the narrowest of margins."
Xena smiled widely and Solari dropped her head in her hands.
"Now you know how I feel," said Epinon and put her arm around her.
"We'll leave you in peace," said Ephiny and after saying their goodnights they headed out of the hut.
"Leathers off, now," said Gabrielle. In the past Xena would have made a crack about Gabrielle being domineering but the topic was too fragile, too raw at present. Instead she raised an eyebrow.
"You've been injured too-across the ribs if I'm not mistaken, but been too stubborn to do anything. Am I right?"
Xena nodded reluctantly, and like a scolded child started to remove her breastplate. Gabrielle gave a satisfied smile and went to the medicine pack. By the time she had found what she was looking for and turned around Xena was naked.
Gabrielle took a deep breath in. She hadn't seen Xena naked for some time; the warrior had been very considerate of her feelings. She gazed at her love who was as usual totally happy to be nude. Completely different from me now, thought Gabrielle. With the swell of her pregnant stomach, the increase of her breasts as well as the markings of her torture, she had become embarrassed of her body and avoided bathing or undressing in front of Xena.
Their eyes met and Gabrielle smiled shyly. She approached Xena and looked at the marks on the right side of her chest. Carefully she spread the paste over the bruise. She could hear Xena's breath catch as she gently massaged the injured area and see Xena's nipple puckering as she breathed on it. Suddenly feeling fearless she moved her hand up to gently caress Xena's breast. She looked into Xena's eyes and saw longing and moved herself closer and their lips met.
Their kiss was gentle. Gabrielle kept her hand on Xena's breast and massaged it harder. Xena placed her hands either side of her face and as the kiss became more passionate moved her hands down to help slip Gabrielle's tunic off. Suddenly the image of rough hands ripping her clothes off and forcing her down came into Gabrielle's mind. "No," she whispered. "Stop please." She pulled away, glancing at Xena's face. There was a flash of disappointment before concern took over. Xena picked up a blanket and covered herself and Gabrielle got off the bed and walked away. She kept her back to Xena.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"You don't have to apologise," began Xena.
"I shouldn't-I mean-It's been months. I know how important sex is for you."
Xena strode to Gabrielle and turned her around. "Sex was important to me-just to get what I wanted. Another weapon in my armoury." She took a deep breath in. "But it doesn't come close to making love with you. Nothing does. That's why I'll wait as long as it takes. And I'm in no rush."
"Xena you were excited, and now you're disappointed." Gabrielle had tears in her eyes.
"Bri, I want this for both of us. Yes I love making love with you, but we both have to be ready, and it has to be right."
"I want it too, Xena. So much. But I'm scared." Gabrielle fell into Xena's arms and started to sob.
"I know." Xena closed her eyes, knowing she was going to bring up a delicate subject. "Maybe if you talked about what happened. That may help-Piri thinks so."
She felt Gabrielle sob into her shoulder. The bard hadn't reacted angrily as she had previously when Xena or Piri had made this suggestion. Maybe it was progress.
"Not tonight though. I think we could both do with some sleep." Xena released her hold on Gabrielle and busied herself giving Gabrielle time to get undressed. She was surprised to feel a gentle tug on her hand and Gabrielle was still fully dressed.
"I was wondering if you could help me get undressed." Xena knew that the bard didn't need any help-it was an excuse. Xena gave her a wide toothy grin in return. She gently pulled the tunic over the bard's head. Gabrielle looked away but Xena hooked a finger under her chin and brought her face to face. "You are beautiful." Gabrielle shook her head. Xena placed her hand on the bard's stomach. "Beautiful," she murmured.
"I'm going to get bigger," said Gabrielle.
"More of you to love," said Xena.
Gabrielle laughed. "You are so smooth." She gave Xena a quick kiss. "Can I sleep like this?" she asked. She felt embolden by the night's events, even though they had not been totally positive.
Xena nodded, her mouth becoming dry. This felt like a significant step on Gabrielle's recovery. Xena didn't want to frighten her at all.
"And I suppose it would be better for your ribs if you didn't have anything on?" Gabrielle was feeling more confident. Xena nodded again. They both walked to the bed and Xena slipped off the blanket she had around her and they both got into bed. Gabrielle turned into Xena and the older woman wrapped her arm around her, thinking that it had indeed been an excellent day.