EPILOGUE
"I sing the tale of soulmates." There were audible groans causing Gabrielle to smile. When she was her grandchildren's age, she wouldn't have wanted to hear about soulmates either. Or would she? Yes, even at a tender age the bard had been idealistic. She had wanted travel, adventure and most of all to find love. Having almost to be taken prisoner was not how she had expected to find all three. But now, looking back on her life, there was little she would change.
For if you change just one moment in time, would it change how your life had been lived? Gabrielle already knew that they had been gifted with a second chance when Caesar had attempted to change fate. But that was different from what she was talking about. What would have happened had Xena not been there to save her? What if the poison dart had worked? What if the bard had chosen death, remaining in the Elysian Fields instead of returning to her soulmate after her first brush with death?
That was just in their first year of travels together. There were so many other times. What if Gabrielle had chosen to stay at the academy? What if she had continued on her path of love with Eli? What if Najara had convinced her to go with her? What if Callisto had not killed Perdicus? There were so many things that could have altered their lives that the bard knew that they were lucky to be where they were and remain together after all these years.
A rich, deep voice quieted the groans that were coming from the young audience. Six sets of eyes traveled to see the still tall and imposing warrior princess standing in the doorway. Having just come back from hunting, Xena stood there for a moment allowing her natural presence to invade the room. The seventh set of eyes never met her blue. Gabrielle's green eyes were too busy watching over her grandchildren to see their reaction.
Eve chose that moment to stand in the doorway that lead off to the kitchen. She had been getting ready for whatever her mother had brought back to feed the small army. Her brother was standing behind the warrior princess, hidden by the imposing figure. The messenger was watching the reactions of her nieces and nephews. Lyceus was leaning around the tall form of his mother also watching his children. The children had grown quite still and seemed almost terrified.
The warrior princess eerily looked the same as she had twenty five years ago. Her dark locks were barely touched with gray. Her body was still in top fighting condition. Her eyes were still that steely ice that could terrify the most hardened of warlords. Of course, she had traded in her trademark leathers long ago for a nice soft royal blue tunic that simply brought out her sapphire eyes. "Are you giving your grandma a hard time about what tale she tells you?"
Six sets of eyes were looking at each other, wondering which was going to be the one to stand up to the tall imposing warrior. Finally, the youngest of the children, three year old Cyrene, stood up and made her way slowly in front of her grandmother. Eyes that were just as blue stared into the steely cold depths the warrior princes. "We just want…" Her young mind was trying to figure out the best way to say what they wanted. "We want fights!"
Xena eyed the youngsters looking expectantly at her. She could feel the smirks from her son and daughter. They knew what was about to happen to the unsuspecting youths. "So you want fights, huh?" Little Cyrene nodded her head, albeit tentatively. The warrior princess could tell that her youngest grandchild was a bit nervous again. "You want really big fights?" There was a chorus of cheers that came from the small crowd.
Blue eyes and green locked for a moment. Neither woman had to say a word. They simply moved in tandem. Before too long, the room was filled with laughing children. Lyceus and Eve had joined in tickling the youngsters. This went on for several moments before finally the adults gave mercy to the children. The group was now sprawled against one another in disarray. Xena was smiling the smile she reserved only for her family. "Guess you didn't mean a tickle fight."
Reluctantly, the tall warrior stood. She held out a strong hand and Gabrielle took it easily being pulled to her feet. The bard took her place once again in front of the children readying herself to finish the tale that had just barely begun. Xena glared at each child until they were in the circle waiting for the tale to continue. "I want all of you to be good for your grandma or you won't get the special surprise that Lyceus and I brought back for you."
There were a couple groans and a pout here and there. Overall, the children sat still and looked expectantly at the petite blond. Her hair had not changed much. She chose to let it grow out just a little but was only just barely to her shoulders. While gray was threatening here and there, overall she was still the same woman that Xena had lost her heart and soul to almost sixty years ago. Of course, neither of them had actually lived quite that long having been frozen for twenty five of them.
Still, Xena, Gabrielle and Eve all had aged amazingly well. None of their lives had been easy. They had all been warriors and put into situations that would probably have killed most other people. But the trio had something that others hadn't. They had this ingrained fighting ability and hearts that were so big that whoever was lucky enough to be touched by the love inside, would never be the same again. It seemed a family trait as the elder version of Cyrene had started that tradition.
Gabrielle smiled as her grandchildren all seemed to settle down and quickly. Her tender green eyes took in each little cherub face. Cyrene reminded her so much of Eve it caused her heart to swell. Little Ephiny reminded her of Hope. At first it had disturbed her, but now she loved to look at the Amazon's namesake. Little Solon was the spitting image of his uncle. Amarice was quieter than her namesake but just as adventurous. The oldest, Lila, was the leader usually of the group not unlike her namesake. Solari was as strong as imposing as the Amazon ever was but also as tender as her grandma.
"Now, where was I?" The children all said 'the beginning' at one time. "That's right. I think a certain six little Bacchae spawn interrupted me. Remember, it's not nice to interrupt especially when you haven't heard the story. Who says a tale about loving soulmates can't have some fighting in it?" The six sets of eyes looked at one another and then expectantly at their grandma. "You didn't let me finish. This is the tale of your two grandmothers."
The squeals were almost deafening. Xena and Lyceus had made their way into the kitchen with Eve. They could still hear the giggles and the chants of the young tots wanting more. The sandy blond young man looked at his older sister. Cruel fate had made it so that she was almost the same age as their moms and yet she looked so beautiful and youthful still. The messenger was busy making the sauce that went along with the special surprise that her mother and brother had brought back.
Eve could feel the eyes of her mother and brother on her. It occurred to her that many people could not even begin to understand how her brother was her son's age, had he lived. Both her husband and son had gotten sick during one bad winter and never recovered. Some still felt sorry for her. However, she looked at it like this. She had been lucky enough to find someone who loved her and that love had created a life not unlike her moms twice over.
Thoughts of Livia on occasion and the messenger knew just how lucky she had been that her moms had managed to find her and rescue her from such a hateful way of life. While denied their love in her youth, it was more than made up the past twenty five years. They had loved one another, living mostly in peace. Sure, there were occasional fights. That just was part of life having to fight for the things you loved. Though, most people's fights weren't with a sword and chakram.
More squeals caught all three's attention. Xena was the first to return to the living room. Her partner's voice flowed as easily as a spring breeze and it was just as refreshing. There were many times over the years that the warrior princess had wished that she had heard her wife tell one of her tales and really be able to watch her. While traveling, she had always had to be on the alert. Her biggest regret was not reading any of her scrolls until after Eve had been born.
The giggles coming from the six children grew when they saw their grandmother. Xena raised an eyebrow in questions, wondering what it was that had her little ones in such stitches. "I was just telling them of the first time we met." The warrior princess mock groaned. The story had been told over and over again. And yet, she honestly never got tired of it. "And how, because you were staring at me, you got quite the headache."
At one time, Xena's response would have been that she still had a headache. But times had changed that response. Of course, she had never thought that about Gabrielle. True, she had ingratiated her in her life and the warrior princess had not wanted it if only out of fear for her safety. But being saved by the young peasant girl, almost like returning the favor, there had been something from the very beginning between them. It had taken them almost too long to admit their feelings.
"And I would do it again in a heartbeat." Xena was rubbing the back of her head. "I could do without the headache." That got a blond eyebrow raised. "But I would take every lump that I had to if only so that you and I could begin our journey together once again." There were groans from the little ones. That got a single tear escaping from the bard. "All right, now that I've become the sappy one, why don't we let your grandma continue with the story of two soulmates?"
Gabrielle winked at her partner. Xena knew it was a promise. That was one thing that had not changed between the two women. They were still lovers in every sense of the word. "And your grandmother can keep preparing your surprises." There were cheers from all six children. "All right, where was I?" Blue eyes and green met for a long time. Love had always shown between them. It just took them a while to figure it all out.
"Your grandmother fought as she always did, with everything she had. She not only saved me, but she saved my fellow villagers." Gabrielle watched as Xena slipped back into the kitchen. Eve and Lyceus were watching her. Her daughter had missed out on hearing these tales as she grew up. Her son had listened to them almost every day. "I just had to follow Xena. She was a mighty warrior princess and I was a girl that wanted adventure. I got that and so much more."
Eve reluctantly made her way back into the kitchen. Her mother was busy preparing the deer that she and her brother had caught. The messenger was preparing a special dessert. It was one that Gabrielle had taught, and that Cyrene had taught the bard, her once they had returned to the farm that her great grandparents had lived on and her mother had grown up on. The story of Old Ares attempting to live here when he was mortal ran through her mind. "Do you ever get tired of the stories?"
Xena paused in what she was doing. The warrior's blue eyes met her daughters. There was silence for the longest of times with the occasional giggle or squeal coming from the other room breaking through. It was as if she truly wanted to carefully think about what she was about to say. A little half smile made it upon her face. "There was a time when I would joke that, yes, I got tired of your mom's stories." The warrior princess' smile grew. "The only thing that I ever got tired of was hearing what a hero I was. I still don't think of myself that way. Your mom…"
That caused the messenger and her brother to chuckle softly. They both knew exactly what their mom thought of their mother. The entire world knew what Gabrielle, the Battling Bard, thought of the woman she spent her entire adult life traveling with and then settling down with just outside of Amphipolis. It was Eve that finished her thought. "Mom thinks that you could lasso the moon for her. Confidentially…so do I and Ly here."
The warrior princess mocked that she was going to come after both of them with the knife that she was using. They heard the giggles once again and Xena knew most likely where it was that her better half was in her tales. It had to be where Gabrielle had faced down the blinded Cyclops. Was that one of the things that the raven haired warrior regretted? Almost any harm she had inflicted on anyone she regretted, even if it had been in self-defense.
"I'm not the hero that your mom paints me to be." Xena quickly returned to her work. She was almost done and soon her son and daughter would take over. Still not the cook, Gabrielle had taught both their children how to make anything taste wonderful. It was definitely not one of the warrior princess' many skills. Just as she had finished, she felt a familiar hand on her shoulder. It took all she had not to turn around. Though it was for food, once again she had blood on her hands.
Gabrielle cleared her throat. Eve removed what she had on the stove and took her brother by the hand. It was time that they regale the children with tales if not take them out to the barn. They all loved the horses, cows and the other various farm animals. "You are a hero." Finally, Xena turned around to look her lover in the eye. The love and admiration melted her heart. The bard gently led her lover over to the sink, washing the blood off from her hands.
"We've had this argument since I met you." Gabrielle pulled her partner into a loving hug. "I'm sorry that it still makes you uncomfortable. It's just that I love you. I see what you've done. The moment we met, you were saving my life and how many others in my village." She pulled out of the hug so that she could look into those wonderful blue eyes. "I just want our children and our grandchildren and yes the known world to know what you've done and what it means to me."
"I know." Xena leaned down and gently placed a kiss upon her wife's lips. They had had a joining ceremony a short time after Lyceus had been born. The Amazons had wanted to perform it, but the warrior princess had balked. While always going to be a part of Gabrielle's life and heritage, the way that things were left with Varia, anything to do with the Amazons left a bitter taste in the raven haired woman's mouth. "And in a way, I know that I am. It's just…"
"You don't like me advertising it all over Greece." That caused Xena to chuckle softly. "I only tell the kids your tales anymore. No matter how much the people of Amphipolis and Potidaea beg me to, I don't anymore. When Virgil comes for his visits, I don't tell him." Gabrielle reached up and stroked the angular cheek that she knew better than her own. "But if you'd rather I stop telling them, I will. I have other tales I can tell."
"I'm just being silly." Xena picked up her wife and held her tight. It was silliness. They had been together for so long now one would think that the warrior princess would have gotten used to it by now. However, there were still some lingering things from her past that she was not proud of. There were choices that she had made that hurt the woman she loved. That was why she could never see herself as a hero. "If anyone is going to tell our story, it has to be you."
"Just like it has to be you." Xena smiled knowing that was most likely going to be the reply to what she had just said. "Now, I want you to come with me." When her warrior princess glanced over at the special meal that she had been helping with, Gabrielle just tugged lightly on her tunic. "You've done you're part. You've been the great warrior huntress. Now it's time for our children to do their part and for you to come with me."
Xena stopped resisting. Truth be told, she couldn't resist her bard no matter what. It had been like that since the moment they had met. Riding away from her that day so long ago had been the hardest thing in the world. But the warrior had known that it had been safer for the young farm girl. Was she surprised when she came rushing to her rescue in her mother's inn that day so long ago? The only thing that surprised her was that it had taken that long for Gabrielle to reenter her life.
Gabrielle waved at her children and grandchildren. They were all playing 'swords' with one another. While neither the warrior nor the battling bard ever wanted to see any of their offspring pick up a weapon of any kind, they knew that the world had not changed enough not to be able to fight. With the help of Eve, they had ingrained into each one of them, even little Cyrene, that words were the greatest weapon of all and only picking up an actual weapon was the last resort.
It wasn't surprising when the petite blond led the tall raven haired woman to the stables. A lone horse, yet another offspring of Argo, was saddled ready to go. Instead of waiting for Xena to mount the horse, Gabrielle got in the saddle first. That got a raised eyebrow. Usually it was the warrior princess sitting in front with the battling bard's arms wrapped around her. Who was the ex-warlord to argue with the Amazon queen?
Easily, Xena got on the horse wrapping protective arms around her partner, her soulmate. "I could get used to riding like this." That garnered a soft chuckle out of the smaller woman. "So, where to?" Gabrielle took the reins for a moment and headed the blond horse towards the east. The only thing that was near was a small spring that was well hidden and actually a secret to most travelers. The warrior princess was given the reins once again.
As they rode, Xena felt content having her soulmate lean back against her. The warrior's chin was upon the blond head in front of her. This truly was how each day should have been traveled from the very beginning. Sadly, it had been better with Gabrielle at her back so that she could have easier access to her weapon and to get the bard to safety. Of course, after only a couple years of traveling together, the battling bard was almost as good a fighter as the warrior princess.
They traveled in silence simply enjoying the feel of one another. Xena wondered what it was that her partner had in store for her. It had been a long time since Gabrielle had attempted to surprise her. Today, she was succeeding. The warrior princess was going through her extensive mind attempting to figure out exactly what it was that she was missing. There was one important date but that was still a month off, wasn't it?
It wasn't long before they were climbing steadily higher and higher. Soon, it would become impassible for Argo IV. The warrior princess slid off from the warm place she had been in. Though she knew that Gabrielle was more than capable of dismounting, she held her arms out to which the petite blond gratefully took the offered help. Xena gently smacked the blond horse on the rump. "You go play but be ready for my whistle."
As if sassing, Argo whinnied loudly. She stood on her hind legs before running off towards the sound of running water. Xena shook her head. "She's definitely not like the original. And yet, she is." That got a laugh out of the battling bard. The warrior princess took her wife's hand allowing herself to be led. Not many could tell the raven haired warrior what to do, not even gods, yet the bard could anytime. They walked along in silence, the ex-warlord's mind still trying to figure out what she was missing.
The climb was a little treacherous and reluctantly they had to let go of one another's hands. Xena kept her large hand in the small of her partner's back, not for assistance but for need of physical contact. Soon, they were entering a clearing. One side was an impressive rock face that had a waterfall cascading into the small spring that was warm all year round. The warrior looked around. Near a large rock was a campsite waiting.
Xena slowly made her way past the bard as Gabrielle paused to watch her warrior. The raven haired woman made her way over to the campsite. It was exactly how they would have kept it during their second year of travel. They had begun to sleep on the same side of the fire. There was a bag that looked familiar. It wasn't the same one, but it was an impressive duplicate of the one that had held the bard's scrolls and writing supplies.
There were other familiar things there as well. There were their old water skins. There were the identical bedrolls. There were the frying pans, pots and plates. There was even Xena's sword and chakram setting there. There was a sharpening stone. It was everything like that time so long ago when…It finally hit the warrior princess what the anniversary was of. The place was different. It hadn't been at a spring. And still, it was somewhat the same.
Xena turned around only to have had Gabrielle sneak up behind her. That was something that not even the bard was usually capable of. Normally it would have worried the warrior princess. However, she knew that she had been distracted and had felt safe at the same time so she had for once let herself go and not worried about what was lurking in the woods. "So, how many years has it been since we first made love?"
Gabrielle was beaming from ear to ear. Her smile was so big that her nose was adorably crinkled. "I don't think it matters how long. I think it only matters that we continue to make love." The bard slowly made her way up to her lover and soulmate. She put her hands on the shoulders of the woman that she loved. "I only think that it matters that we found one another so long ago and that we fought Gods, kings, warlords, psychos and death to be together."
The last word caused Xena to choke up just a bit. There were two deaths that she could just never forgive herself for having so easily given into. They would haunt her for the rest of her days, even though she had managed to come back from both and Gabrielle had gladly accepted her back both times. Why allowing herself to remain dead instead of fighting for the one thing that had meant everything to her, she just could not really answer.
Oh there were the usual excuses. It had been for the greater good. She had needed to pay for her past sins. But those were mere excuses as the love of a soulmate should have been more than enough for her to fight everything that got in the way of spending the rest of their remaining years together. Even if they had not made it back from dying on the cross, it would have been all right because they would have been together as Xena had once told Gabrielle, 'Even in death I will never leave you.'
And yet…Xena sighed. It was not the time to keep rehashing the things that she regretted. It was time to celebrate the fact that it had been almost sixty years ago to the day that they had made love for the first time. It had been one of the rare moments in life that they had taken for themselves. That was one thing that both had enjoyed the past twenty five years. Even with a child and now grandchildren to raise, they had the time and privacy for themselves.
"Why Gabrielle, you say the sweetest things." That got the warrior princess a gentle swat to her side. Before the bard could say anything, Xena was leaning down. Out of pure reflex, Gabrielle was closing the gap and they were soon locked in an intense kiss. It was another regret of the ex-warlord's having their first kiss take place when she had been inside the body of Autolycus. With the insistence of the petite tongue inside her mouth, those negative thoughts got pushed aside.
They pulled back. Both eyes had darkened just a tad. The sun was now high over them in the sky. "It's not exactly like our first time. The location is different, the time of day is different, but we're together. I want to make love to you like it's the very first time. I want to make love to you like we won't ever get a chance again." When it seemed that Xena was going to protest the last part, Gabrielle gently silenced her with a soft kiss. "I only mean that I want us to live life for today and fight for a tomorrow."
A sigh escaped the warrior. It was something that she had not really done, at least not the way that Gabrielle was meaning it, since she was a youth. She had not counted on there being a tomorrow when she was a warlord. True, she planned on her next big score. But she had never thought about the possibility of actually living to see the age she was now. She certainly never thought that she would still have the love of her soulmate, a couple of great kids and grandchildren.
"And I want to live today like that day we did so long ago." That got a raised eyebrow out of the warrior. "That means you have work to do warrior princess." Gabrielle deftly moved out of the grasp of her soulmate as Xena was attempting to pick her up, most likely to take her to the bedrolls. "Ah ah ah." That got a chuckle out of the ex-warlord. "You fed me first. I distinctly remember the best tasting salmon I've ever had. So you go catch'em and clean'em and I'll cook them."
"Yes ma'am!" Xena could have moved in time, but she allowed the petite hand to swat her on the butt as she moved away. For a long moment, the warrior princess turned around simply watching her soulmate. Gabrielle's movements were still so practiced it was amazing that they had not really traveled in twenty years. There were the occasional expeditions to either Amphipolis or Potidaea and even revisiting the Amazons, but it wasn't the same things as their constant travels in the past.
It wasn't long before the couple was sitting around the midday fire. They barely spoke instead simply enjoying one another's company. It was similar to their times long ago. Usually, Gabrielle was chatting about their day or about a story that she was writing. But for now, they were just comfortable leaning against one another and for the memories that were flowing through them. It was indeed a magical time. It was a wonderful anniversary.
Once done with their meals, they broke the tradition of how things went. Normally, it was this time that Xena would tend to Argo while Gabrielle cleaned the dishes. The bard would then return to camp and would take out her scrolls and write by the orange glow of the firelight. Xena would return and would sharpen her weapons or make repairs to her armor. They both quickly took care of all that needed to be taken care of before making their way to the spring.
"So, do you come here often?" That got another playful little smack this time on the hip. Xena could not help but chuckle softly. While it was a time to be celebrating, it was also a joyous time. She remembered well that first time. They had both been terrified even though both of their feelings had been revealed to the other when for that brief time the warrior had to take over the bard's body. "What I really want to say is that I love you. I was blessed the day we met. And I can't wait to live out our days together."
Gabrielle smiled and sighed contentedly. This was the Xena that she had fallen in love with so many years ago. True, the warrior side of her soulmate had been what first had attracted her. After all, the warrior princess had fought to save her that first day. But it was this caring side of her that people were lucky to get even a glimpse at that she fell so deeply in love with it almost hurt. "You know I love you beyond anything in the known world. I wouldn't trade a moment of my life with you for anything."
And that was the end of words for the longest of times. It was a slow process as they both removed the other's clothing. The tunics were hung with care from a bush. While always wanting to be in physical contact with one another, they knew the benefits of taking their time as well. They walked hand in hand into the warm spring. Though still in amazing physical shape, there were times when all the fights and injuries would come back to haunt them both. The warmth of the water felt heavenly.
Xena's lips upon her neck felt even more heavenly. Their bodies pressed firmly together felt heavenly. Gabrielle leaned her head to the side to grant her lover more access to flesh. Meanwhile, the petite hands were gliding over the amazing body that was pressed so tightly against her own. Every once in a while, the bard would feel an old scar. There were so many scars over the years, most not even being on the outside of the body.
The water was causing their bodies to slide gently against one another. It was only increasing the already pulsating feelings that were running from head to toe. Their lips were meeting again as both sets of hands were now gliding easily against the other's skin. Xena too noticed scars on her lover's body. Some were from her time with the warrior princess. Some were from the time when the ex-warlord had chosen to remain on the other side.
It seemed that Xena had a lot of regrets about her life. Shaming her mother, killing innocent people but the most painful regrets as always had to do with Gabrielle. Anytime that her actions or inactions had caused even a slight amount of pain, whether physical or emotional, those were the times that weighed heaviest on the warrior princess. And yet, now, feeling the smaller body glide against her thigh between her legs, it made up for it.
In fact, the warrior found herself and Gabrielle managing to rub hard their centers on the other's leg. As warm as the water was, it was no comparison for the heat that was emanating from each woman's core. They continued the motion while their tongues danced in one another's mouths. It had only been a couple of days since they had been together and yet it felt like it had been an eternity. Their bodies were once gain pressed tightly together as the grinding motion continued.
That was enough to set one another over the edge. The jolt that went from their joined nipples to their cores simply was too much. They both cried out as the waves crashed over them again and again and again. They leaned against one another very much enjoying the skin on skin sensation still. Their bodies would slide gently against the other and just like that, there was this burning in their guts that just had to be satisfied once again.
Their bodies still pressed together so tightly that no water could come between them, they began the process once again. This time it was gentle kisses of the bard that began at the collarbone and then trailed to the valley between the wondrous breasts she found there. Though there was water there, Gabrielle didn't let that deter her in the least. First one nipple was taken into her mouth and suckled as hard as she could before paying the same attention to the other.
Xena's head was leaning back enjoying the amazing feel of her lover's tongue and occasionally teeth against her sensitive nipple. Already she felt her body building to that most wonderful time and Gabrielle had not even trailed any further than her breasts. Well, that wasn't exactly true. Petite hands were grabbing both of her lower cheeks and squeezing with authority. A low growl escaped the warrior princess and her own hands began to explore the petite body in front of her.
Somehow, Xena managed to get her hands between their bodies and was cupping each breast in a hand. Her thumbs were rubbing an already blossomed rosebud. A small whimper of pleasure escaped the bard. It seemed any touch was going to elicit the same response as the warrior princess took each breast in a large hand and began to massage gently. It seemed to cause the bard to suckle with an even greater urgency.
Finally, needing so much more, their mouths crashed together as hands almost painfully slowly parted the warm water so that they could find the treasured warmth of the other's core. "By the Gods, Xena!" It was a sentiment that the warrior princess had been secretly thinking herself. Whether it was because it was the anniversary of the first time they made love or if it was the spring or if there was simply because it was them, it just seemed that this was the most amazing lovemaking they had ever shared.
They held the other steady in the water as one leg lifted slightly to give the other better access. Thumbs were rubbing from the outside as fingers dove in and out. Their mouths never strayed too far from the other as they continued their ministrations of the other. It was almost too much, the sensations that were being enjoyed by both women. Once again, the way that their bare breasts were rubbing against the other simply served to magnify those sensations.
As the ultimate high that two people can cause each other came crashing through their bodies, their legs had grown weak and they both plunged under the water. They simply stared at each other for several moments through the crystal clear water. It seemed that the love that they shared for one another was magnified even more than it was before. The two women burst through the water's surface when air became too much for them to resist.
The couple aided one another to their clothing and the shared bedrolls. They collapsed next to one another. The warm sun beat steadily down on their bare bodies. Gabrielle claimed her usual spot which was her head on a shoulder and an arm wrapped around the waist of her lover. Xena held her soulmate tightly to her body. The bard had never told her partner this, but one of the reasons she loved lying like this was because she could hear the steady heartbeat of the warrior princess.
The hoot of an owl woke the warrior princess. It was just turning dusk and she knew that she and Gabrielle had to get back. It was supposed to be a day about their grandchildren and had turned into a day about their anniversary. Or was that what it had been about all along? A soft adorable snore emanated from the petite blond still snuggled so tightly against her tall frame. It would be like her bard to do something just like that.
Of course she too had been known to do something like that. It was just their way. They always were attempting to surprise one another. They were always trying to show each other just how much they loved the other. Truly, they had a very good relationship. Perfect? No relationship was ever perfect. But after all these years, it was as about as close as you could get to perfect. Xena was sighing once again in total contentment.
That little bit of movement caused green eyes to slowly flutter open. The blond head moved up slightly and took in the love in the blue eyes tenderly regarding her. "I guess we fell asleep." Her answer was a gentle stroking of one of her cheeks. "I guess we need to get dressed and get back to the kids." She sighed happily. "Thank you for a good time. I hope that I can come here often." There was a wink of one eye as she slowly and reluctantly gave up her purchase on the tall warm body.
Xena laid there for a moment taking in what she had just said. "I say we make it a date that once a month we come back here to celebrate." The warrior was up and dressed in nearly the blink of an eye. It took Gabrielle just a little longer. Slowly, she made her way back to her warrior princess. "No arguments from me. Of course, I don't need an appointment to do this, do I?" In answer, the bard stood on her tiptoes as her soulmate closed the gap between them.
The kiss was one that would echo throughout time. As many times as Xena and Gabrielle had saved the day, had saved lives, had done what they could for the greater good, this kiss made all of those times pale in comparison. The love that was shared in that moment seemed to echo both forwards and backwards in time. It was like it was searching out their souls that inhabited another time another place. Simply put, they reached out to their many past and future lives with a love so pure and so true that there was none like it and never would there be.
When oxygen became an issue, they broke apart. Their gaze held for the longest of times. It seemed that they could actually feel the other lives that they would live or had lived. There was so much love in that moment that it almost overwhelmed both bard and warrior princess. It took quite a while for them, even after they recovered enough to move to leave this place. It had become their place. It was their place for reconnecting and for simply loving one another.
Finally they were making their way down the path. Once again, Gabrielle was in the lead with Xena's hand firmly against the small of her back. Once they got to the path that was large enough for Argo to walk upon, the warrior princess let out her whistle. The blond horse came galloping out of the trees, halting in front of them. Once again, the bard took a position in front of her soulmate. Strong arms remained wrapped around the bard the rest of the way back to the farm.
Lyceus was waiting at the stable for the return of his moms. Without a word, only a knowing smirk, he took the reins and led Argo to the stable to brush and take care of. Xena slipped a hand in her soulmate's as they made their way back into the old but well-maintained farmhouse. The warrior could not help but think how proud her grandparents and her mother would be for maintaining the family farm the way that she was now.
Of course what Cyrene and her grandparents would be most proud of was the journey that she had taken. While they would forever hate the dark past that the warrior princess had begun on, they would understand that it's our pasts that make us who we are. Xena would not have become the skilled fighter and protector that she had become if it was not for her dark past. She would never have learned to love the way that she was now capable of if Gabrielle had not entered her life when she had.
"I'm going to check on things in the kitchen." Xena winked as she turned to walk into the kitchen. She heard the screams immediately. She knew that Gabrielle was once again sitting in front of the fire and was about to continue the tale of two soulmates. This time, the warrior princess felt nothing but love and happiness. Perhaps she just needed a day to remind her that, though their travels had sometimes come at a heavy price, they had traveled together. That was the most important thing in the end.
Eve was standing at the stove putting some finishing touches on the dessert portion of the night. The warrior princess came up from behind her daughter smiling when she realized that it was cinnamon honey glazed apples that her daughter was making. Though she had known it before, she had now known it for certain that this was her mother's recipe. Mischievous blue eyes looked into the warrior's eyes. "So, I take it you and mom worked up an appetite?"
The warrior princess could not help but laugh. It had not always been like this between her daughter and her. At one time, after she had come to the farm, Eve had been quite jealous of the attention and the fact that her brother was getting what she had always wanted. Oh the messenger was never petty about it. She had simply withdrawn into herself. It had taken many talking to and stories by the bard to get the point across that they regretted the lost time as much as the former bitch of Rome ever did.
"Your mom does know how to give me a good workout." Though the comment was expected, it still caused Eve to blush slightly. That got another slight chuckle out of the warrior princess. "I haven't had a workout like that in quite some time." The blush grew as did the volume and length of the chuckle. "I'll stop now." The messenger never missed a beat coming up and enveloping her mother in a hug that was nearly suffocating. "What's that for?"
"For you being you." Eve kissed her mother gently on the cheek before returning to the stove. Xena watched her for a moment. It was true that the messenger looked mostly like the warrior princess with her dark locks and her blue eyes, but there had always been something in the way that she had carried herself that reminded her of the bard. In the ex-warlord's mind, there had never once been a doubt who was the other half of her daughter. True, it was Callisto's spirit that had been used to give her life. However, it was a combination of bard and warrior princess that shown from the eyes, the way she fought and the way she did everyday things.
There was cheering coming from the other room. Though they had not been in the kitchen long, Xena could sense why there was cheering. She helped her daughter to bring in the dinner and the dessert. It wasn't long before they were all sitting on the floor all looking at the bard with one exception. The warrior princess was positioned behind the bard and was acting like a pillow as Gabrielle leaned back into her. They took turns feeding one another as the tale continued.
"Your grandma wasn't that smart at this point." The bard felt a gentle squeeze from behind and knew that she was supposed to change her words. "It really wasn't about being smart. It was really about being so lost emotionally that I couldn't see straight. Your grandmother and I share a love and bond so powerful that when it is severed, it's like the other is not really living. So I did some things that were not the smartest things to do."
This garnered her a one armed hug and a bite of the cinnamon honey apples. She practically purred at the taste or was it the fact that Xena had fed it to her by her mouth causing a bunch of moans and groans from their young audience. Eve was laughing while Lyceus simply rolled his eyes. "Anyways, it was lucky that my friend Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, was watching out for me." Her green eyes met her daughter's blue ones. "And of course your Aunt Eve was there for me when I needed her the most."
That caused a lump in the throat of the messenger. Their gaze held steady for the longest of moments. It was true, Eve knew, that she was part of the reason that her mom had survived the most difficult time that she had ever faced. But she hated to take credit for it. Really it was just the Goddess and the raven haired woman managing to keep hope alive while Gabrielle was able to work through her inner demons and her mother could find a way back.
There was a moment of silence as everyone let that soak in. "Your grandmother fought on my behalf as she always did. Soon, we were reunited and riding off into the sunset together." The youngsters were cheering loudly and Gabrielle was receiving a full hug this time from her soulmate and partner in life. "Now, can any of you guess why it is that I wanted to tell you this?" Several sets of eyes looked from their grandmother, their grandma and then to the others.
Six heads were shaking their heads 'no'. Gabrielle had to chuckle softly to herself. This was why she told stories. True, they were meant to entertain. But they were also to teach something to everyone. Sometimes each person got their own little something out of the tales and sometimes they each got the same thing. "I told you this because I wanted you to know that you come from a long line of warriors." That got a loud cheer out of her small crowd.
A huge growl from behind the bard instantly silenced the tiny warrior wannabes. "But I told you this story more importantly because you also come from a long line of love. Our families, especially your grandmother's, have always supported us and loved us and even given us a little kick on the bottom when we needed it. Through it all, the most important thing is that we have always been there for one another. And we always will be."
It was almost deathly quiet while the children thought carefully upon what exactly it was that their grandma had just shared with them. The fighting for the greater good sounded more exciting and therefor more appealing. But always having love and someone there to take care of you was even more appealing. "Think about it." Gabrielle leaned in a little closer and made eye contact with each child before she continued. "If you have love and someone to take care of you, you have the Elysian Fields right here. And who could ask for more?"
There were nods and murmurs as each child, even little Cyrene was now understanding just how important it was to be accepted and in a family. Gabrielle felt herself being pulled back into a fierce hug. It was this moment that she knew that she had been living for. The travels, the fights and the adventures had been amazing. However, what it all boiled down to was that she had found her soulmate. She had found a love that not even death could diminish. So, this was all that mattered. And in her heart, she knew that even when both she and Xena closed their eyes for the final time in this life, they would find one another. They would always love one another. They were soulmates until the end of time.