The Joining

by

Kamouraskan

For disclaimers, see part 1

Part 10

Chapter 1

The afternoon was bright and clear. Certainly clear of any members of the wedding parties. Robin was watching from her perch in the trees that grew high above the platform. `Just your average wedding,' she thought. `I'm in ancient Greece, at least, sort of, like, ancient Greece. I'm waiting for the groom, who is a woman, with the bride, in a tree. Yeah, I can handle this.' She remembered James dealing with her objections.

"First off, Xena isn't a factor," he'd told her. "Whenever she does figure out what's going on, she won't do anything to stop us. The rest know that we're a group of mainly Amazon warriors, but they won't realise that we've selected all the archers. And they think we'd never do anything crazy with Gabrielle's Mom and her family involved. But with Hecuba safe on the ground, and Lila willing to try anything once... we do have the element of surprise."

"Gee. Why would they be surprised?" she'd replied. "Why wouldn't the groom's party expect a fully armed attack by the bride at the wedding? Unless they're planning the same thing?"

"That motley crew of Kings, forest dwellers, Gods and thieves? They couldn't agree on lunch. They're going to roll down that aisle like it was the beginning of the Bugs Bunny Show. All that will be missing is someone singing 'Overture, turn the lights...' And maybe the kangaroo."

Robin smiled at the memory and looked over to see a matching grin on her companion in the tree. She whispered to Gabrielle, "Is this REALLY how you pictured your wedding?"

"No. Never thought I'd be this lucky."

Robin just shook her head. "I thought you were afraid of heights?"

"Grrls gotta do, what a grrls gotta do!" The bard snickered.

Robin laughed, and covered her mouth quickly. "Then all I can say, is you Go girl!"

There was a blare of some sort of trumpet, and the Warrior Princess' caravan came into sight. Robin had gotten to know the name and reputations of many of Xena's friends, but was surprised at the amount of heavy artillery they were carrying. Even Salmoneous had been convinced to carry a sword for the ceremonial disarmament, and Robin began to have new doubts about the intelligence of this plan.

There were several carts, each hauling a different grouping of dignitaries, all joyfully waving at the seated guests. Xena, of course led, riding Argo, who was in full battle regalia.

Behind her was a somewhat recovered Hercules and Iolaus driving the cart with Cyrene carrying Lycea, while Toris walked alongside. Xena's eyes scanned the ground, no doubt noticing the large bales of hay placed on the right hand side of the road. When her eyes did glance upwards, Robin felt as though the warrior was staring directly at her, even though she knew that she was hidden in the dense foliage. Gabrielle was carefully checking that each cart was in the expected position, her green eyes dancing with inner excitement. Another birdcall sounded, and Robin watched Xena's head jerk. `Wondering what that new one meant, eh warrior?` The caravan came to a halt. Xena, her tense posture indicating she was anticipating something, dismounted slowly. She climbed the steps to the platform directly below Robin, and stood waiting like a martyr.

Unusual in an Amazon attack, there were no war cries. The first intimation that something was planned were the crashing sounds as each cart had its rigged right wheels pulled off by ropes hidden in the path, and the shouts as the passengers lurched and fell onto the handily padded sides. Dozens of archers appeared from behind each hay bale, and more warriors vaulted from the trees. Each with a specific assignment, only one or two surrounding the royalty, five archers in a ring around a chagrined Hercules and Iolaus. Grabbing their ropes and closing their eyes, Gabrielle and Robin landed just out of sword's reach of Xena. The Queen of the Amazon's gave her soulmate a dazzling smile before turning towards the now surrounded carts.

"All members of the Warrior Princess's contingent, DISARM! All weapons, NOW."

In the stunned silence, a voice could be heard cursing fluently. "Three furking years." Eponin was saying, "Three furking years, trying to get the drop on her...and finally someone does it...and I'm...." The rest was unintelligible but one of the Amazons had her hands pressing on Xenon's ears anyways. James appeared along side, carrying a detailed weapons list. Salmoneous had already tossed his sword away the moment his cart had tilted, but most of the rest were looking to their commander. Xena dropped to her knees before the Queen and without hesitation formally presented her with her sword.

From her kneeling position, she spoke clearly for all to hear, but her eyes were fixed only on the Queen. "My sword, and whatever else I have, whatever I am, or will be... yours." For a moment it appeared to Robin that Gabrielle was ready to melt and call the whole thing off, but she gathered herself, took the sword, and pointed at the warrior's side.

"The round killing thing, the breast dagger, the thigh knives, the boot dagger, the new whip… let's have it."

James was going through a similar list, and many of the guests were astonished at the pile of equipment that appeared in front of Autolycus alone. After a quick inspection by Ephiny, each victim was allowed to join the seated wedding guests. Finally when the last chobos, knife and spear had been removed, Gabrielle again called her warriors to attention. She raised her arms and a cry of victory rang out through the woods. Then, before the echoes had died, she lowered her hands and commanded

"Amazons, HOLD! Amazons, DISARM!" and their weapons were dropped in military precision, Gabrielle moved to her warrior's side, and presented her staff, her eyes tearing slightly, saying with her love shining in the words, "Whatever I have. Whatever I will be. Yours. Forever." She then pulled her soulmate up with her, and for a moment they were alone in each other's eyes. The Amazon Queen kissed her Consort; to the cheers of all the warriors present, and they were brought back down to mortality. As Ephiny mounted the platform to begin the ceremony, Gabrielle whispered, "You knew, didn't you, and yet the Warrior Princess led her friends into a trap?"

Xena smiled. "All I knew was that the Amazon Queen was unlikely to disarm her Nation first, not if there was a choice. And the Amazon Queen is very clever about coming up with choices. As for traps, I trust you, my love. And I was trapped a very long time ago."

Gabrielle buried her head in her warrior's shoulder. "Please, don't call this a trap. Or else we're both prisoners. It's home."

"Always. Where you go..."

"And where you go. I go. Always."

The Regent interrupted with a harsh whisper. "I am glad to say this for the very last time, but Break It Up! Because in less than candlemark, the three of us are going to be very wealthy."

Gabrielle was about to ask for a definition of wealthy, but Xena asked, "No one else bet on us?"

Ephiny grinned and rubbed her hands together and said, "Consider it as... a sort of compliment," before regaining her Regent's poise and turning to the crowd and beginning the first of the prayers to Artemis.

After a soaking them in an alcohol mixture, Ephiny raised the couple's hands and placed a double-edged dagger between their palms and withdrew it quickly, slicing identical wounds along their lifelines. She reached for the leather to bind their hands together, when she was surprised by a strong arm pulling her gently away from the couple.

The Patron of the Amazons dismissed the Regent, who dropped to her knees. Pleasantly aware of the sensation she was causing amongst her gathered faithful, Artemis spoke to Xena first. "Warrior?" Xena dropped her eyes for a split second before nodding, and Artemis almost smiled at the unexpected deference. She turned to Gabrielle, and said softly "Chosen?" and Gabrielle nodded as well. Ignoring the proffered leather strap, she reached into her ever-present quiver and drew out an unused bowstring. Running it through the drip of blood which had started to form at the base of their joined hands, she then began to tie their wrists together, speaking the words of the ceremony as she did so. "As your blood is joined, so shall your hearts, your souls, and your futures."

She turned to the hushed audience. "I. Artemis, Patron of the Amazons, bless this union, and all of their progeny, as long as the faith remains."

There was a bright light and Artemis was suddenly joined by her sisters; Aphrodite for once showing the regal bearing of her status. Athena, bold and strong as always, but with one eye looking through the crowd to verify the whereabouts of a certain child.

The Goddesses each raised their hands above the couple, blessing them, and then they were gone.

The crowd was hushed, staring in awe at the literally thrice-blessed couple.

Robin whispered to James, "Geez. After that, I hate to think of what they'd have to go through for a divorce."

James knew he should be wondering where she got this nerve, but once again, ignoring the stern Amazons about them, broke up.

Chapter 2

'They must have a whole subdivision in this tribe that just works as brewers.' thought Robin as she watched as several more casks of ale were rolled out. She looked around at yet another Amazon celebration. She had secured a place near the throne as the line of guests continued to offer their gifts to the happy couple. Throughout the evening, groups of dancers, performers and musicians had come and gone, the only constant, Gabrielle's squeals of delight as she had received each present. Armour, weapons, clothing, exotic foods lay scattered about, and still her enthusiasm did not diminish. Though Robin had taken this position in the hope of spotting James, who had disappeared on some mysterious errand, she almost missed him hiding behind a tree trying to catch Xena's eyes surreptitiously. She strolled over to him.

"Where the hell have you been? You're not back to avoiding me..."

"No, of course not, not you, love," and he gave her a long kiss that left them both breathless. "There's something going on with Gabrielle, and I'd just like to talk to Xena without..."

"Jaa-ames?" Gabrielle's voice carried over the music to them. James stiffened.

Gabrielle was doing the old crone imitation that she used in performing her stories. "Come over her and give your sweet grandma a kiss."

James shot a look at Robin.

"I didn't say anything," she protested.

The traveller slouched his way over to the Queen.

"That's my sweet boy. Cute, and smart as a whip, I'll have you know." Still joined by Artemis' string, she cackled to her amused partner.

James faced the grinning bard with hands folded across his chest.

"OK, what do you think you know?" he demanded.

"What's that?" She cupped her free hand to her ear. "Can't quite hear you..."

"Neshia couldn't have known. Robin says she hasn't talked..."

Pure pleasure was shining from the jade eyes. "You nearly passed out looking at drawings for an urn?"

"Maybe I recognized it as a classic and valuable piece of art?"

She changed back to a her normal tone "Not saying that it isn't. But with all your travelling, you've had the chance to stash any amount of gold and artwork long ago, if that's what you were interested in. Nope," she rested her chin on her palm, " It's a link. You've seen that pot before. And if you've already seen it, and it doesn't exist HERE yet, then it exists in your future." She cackled again. "Pretty smart for an old lady, eh? Now where's my kiss, Sonny?"

James hated being forced to smile. Now was no different. "One, I am not going to start treating beautiful 24 year olds, like grandmothers. And two, you're right, I have seen that urn before, but when I saw it..." he paused dramatically, "... it had five Amazons killing that same panther." He almost added 'so there'

The dinar dropped. "Centaur droppings," Gabrielle cursed softly.

Xena looked over to Robin. "Five Amazons were supposed to kill that cat? You changed the future?" Robin shrugged. She grinned at her lover. "So, no more conversations about flying machines for you, huh?"

Gabrielle actually started to sulk. "Never needed yours or anybody's help..."

James looked at the unusual picture. Xena relaxed and smiling, Gabrielle sulking.

Xena used her free hand to placate her. "Why don't you open some more presents, love. Cleopatra sent that huge chest, Zeus knows what's inside?" Still grumbling, the bard signalled to a member of her retinue.

Xena turned her curious eyes to James. "So what have you been up to all day?" she purred.

"Yeah?" Robin interjected, joining them.

"Well, you already opened the telescope, so I thought I'd work up a new gift."

"It's OK, you know, Lao Ma's daughter sent a compass..."

"No, No. I want to introduce a fine new custom from the future. It's called: 'A Honeymoon'."

"Oh?" Xena seemed intrigued.

"Yes, you see, basically what happens is the joined couple skips out in the middle of the party and goes off to be alone..." he paused as Xena's eyes lit up. "And they don't tell anyone where they're going. Sometimes for days..." Pausing again. "Usually somewhere private no one knows about. Well, almost no one... Sound like fun right about now?"

Xena contemplated James' face, knowing that both of them were thinking of a certain nearby cave.

The warrior spoke cautiously. "But wouldn't this place be a little... uncomfortable for tonight?"

"Not if it had been completely and totally restocked, very recently," James hypothesized

"How well stocked?"

"Xena, you just stood up in front of the whole nation and saluted my survival training. I would have thought that you would have faith, and trust, that I know most of the basic and essential items needed for such an... outing."

"Basic essentials?"

"One extra large, fully loaded cartload of basic essentials, yes."

"Hmmm." The corners of Xena's lips twitched. "And when would you advise that this... 'honeymoon' begin?"

"Well, I don't know if you were aware that there are of several rather pay-back minded types who have their eyes on a certain Amazon Queen..."

"Anyone I know?" Xena was only mildly curious.

"I'd think it's safe to say, after today's capture, pretty well everyone you know."

"Oh, yeah."

"I'm told at one point there seemed to be a plan involving moving the Queen's hut to another, ah, less desirable location..."

This struck a chord with Xena. "I knew I should have finished the house. Like to see them move that! This is just like Gabrielle's story about the straw and stick houses."

Robin was stunned. "Gabrielle wrote the original Three Little Pigs?"

James grinned. "Yes, but in her alternative version the smart little pig ends up making it with the big bad wolf."

"I heard that!" came a voice from the throne.

Xena reached over to the bard. "Be nice, love. James has been telling me some very important strategic information." She turned back. "What else is planned?"

"Well, someone suggested burning some parchment and substituting it in her scroll cases...but it was explained that there were rules to this if they wanted to escape being ...sternly lectured by you, possibly firmly and repeatedly ah... lectured, and one of them was; Don't Touch The Scrolls."

"Good to know people are listening," The warrior commented.

"Not necessarily. There was a plan to drug her and haul her..." He stopped, seeing the expression on Xena's face.

The warrior spoke with precision "I'm guessing that person didn't get the basic concept contained in Don't Touch The Scrolls."

"Don't Touch The Bard?"

"Yeah. So?"

"Well, as we speak, several small sacks of dye are being readied for an unusual attack late tonight."

Xena looked at James and smirked. "And why are you ratting them out?"

"As interesting and erotic as a multicoloured Bard might be, you would no doubt be forced to retaliate."

"No Doubt."

James smiled. "I'm just trying to stop the cycle of violence."

"Uh huh."

"Oh, and by the way, not that you need the help, but King Laius agreed to speak to the guards of the night shift, about specific travellers wandering south east..."

"They have the Southern quadrant?" she questioned. He nodded. She looked around the room and James could see that flicker of frustration. "When is night, night?"

"Finish with the presents, then there's a toast... " Xena rolled her eyes and growled deep in her throat. "That's all, that's it...and then both of you head for the back of the platform. There will be a friend waiting behind it."

"A four-footed friend?"

"None better."

"Oh I don't know," and with her free hand, the Destroyer of Nations gently pulled him into an embrace.

Chapter 3

"You told me, " said a comfortable and pleasantly sloshed Robin, taking another sip from her cup, "that one of the reasons that the Amazons party so much, is 'cause only a third can attend at the same time. The rest are sleeping or on watch. But it seems to me that just about everybody is here." She was sitting on James who was using her shoulder as a chin rest.

James pulled his lover even closer. "One of the advantages to inviting royalty to your wedding is that they tend to travel with a small to middle size army."

Robin almost jumped up. "Are you saying the Our Land is being guarded by foreign troops?"

"Our Land? Whoa, Amazon!" She settled back down in his lap. "Technically no. Actually it's being guarded by troops sworn to obey their Amazon Commanders, at least for tonight."

"They swore fealty to Amazons?"

"Something about having each of their rulers captured and released by the Queen seems to have influenced their... trust." They both shared a grin.

"She probably considered that, didn't she?"

"She can be a very devious lady."

A voice came from behind them. "Talking about Xena?"

"Uh, yeah, who else, Joxer?" Robin resentfully stood up.

Someone had convinced Joxer to remove his armour, and he stood before them in a shift, hair brushed, looking, well, almost competent. "I think it's time to do our thing," and he thrust out the instruments he was carrying, nearly striking them on the table.

Gingerly taking his guitar, James asked, "Are the music sheets distributed?"

"Worked all day, as many copies as we could make," was the reply.

Robin looked at a copy. "Is this the translation? It doesn't rhyme."

"That's how we know it's the translation," Joxer explained patiently.

Robin nodded, and then gave him a double take.

"How about the original Afrikaans Lyrics?"

"Handed out"

James looked to Robin. "What do you think, time to bring it all to a close?"

Robin eyes wandered over the scene. Gabrielle was happily ensconced in her Xena, Warrior Chair. The bound hands were supporting her cheek, her free arm draped around her Consort's back. Laughing and intoxicated, the guests filled the clearing right to the edge of the trees, lit by the torches and the stars. James caught her suddenly pensive expression.

"Memorizing it all?" he guessed.

She turned to him and said firmly. "No need. I'm not going to forget this. Ever. You'll see." She took his hand to her lips and repeated, "Ever. Now go up there, and finish this off."

To be concluded in the next section