Chapter 3 of Bard and the Conqueror
Galen glanced about the room, light only by a single candle on the table in front of him. He didn't hold back a sneer at the sight of cobwebs above his head. He looked at Jett and Joxer.
'Well? Don't waste my time boys. I don't normally abandon my asylum during the night, but I was told that you would compensate me for my time,' he said.
Jett threw a hefty sack of dinars onto the table. Galen smirked. He took a dinar and made a show of examining it.
'Carry on, then,' he said.
'Gabrielle, my would-be-wife, needs… persuading to see her future,' began Jett.
'She keeps rejecting his marriage proposal,' interrupted Joxer.
Jett shoved Joxer off his chair.
'She and her sister are already considered quite strange by the rest of Potidaea. Lila was just in the tavern earlier tonight, raving about the Conqueror, as if she is still alive…' continued Jett.
'Well, young people do love to elaborate stories. Isn't Gabrielle a bard? Surely it is simply her stories that Lila is recalling. She is harmless in exaggerating stories. There is no danger to anyone,' replied Galen.
'But my point is that she is dear to her sister. Both their parents are dead. All they have left is each other. I know Gabrielle would do anything to keep Lila with her,' said Jett.
'Even marry Jett!' exclaimed Joxer, excited to add to the conversation.
Jett grabbed Joxer and placed a headlock on him, making sure that his brother's face was nice and cosy in his sweaty armpit. Galen rolled his eyes as Joxer's arms flailed about.
'So I guess you want me to deem Lila insane and have her institutionalised unless Gabrielle agrees to marry you?' asked Galen.
Jett & Joxer stared at each other with slight confusion.
'You want me to threaten to send her to the loony bin, in other words,' sighed Galen.
Jett and Joxer beamed at him. Joxer nodded vigorously.
'Ah, it's like you read my mind!' exclaimed Jett.
'Then we have an agreement,' said Galen, tying the sack of gold securely to his waist.
Lila packed the last of the remaining food supplies and a rope into her sack.
'I can't just leave Gabrielle in the Conqueror's clutches. It HAS to be her. Who else would be so horrible and deformed? Mother always used to say that ugliness came from an ugly heart. I don't care what the legends say, she is alive and she has my sister. I've got to rescue her, even if no one else will help me,' said Lila, out loud to herself.
She shivered as she remembered being trapped face to face with the transformed Conqueror. Who knew what the beast was doing to her sister?
Lila didn't even bother to turn and take a last look at their house before entering the foreboding woods once more.
'Gabrielle! You home? Lila?' called Jett.
Joxer peered into the window.
'Empty. Guess we can't get the plan to work,' remarked Joxer, as he started to walk away.
Jett grabbed hold of his brother's nose. Joxer cried out in pain.
'No, it's their home. They are bound to return sooner or later. So. You will wait here until they do,' declared Jett, shoving Joxer into some bushes.
'But it's cold here!' whined Joxer.
'Then you'd better hope they come home soon!' replied Jett, as he left, not bothering to turn his head to regard his brother.
The whole of the castle's servants watched from their various places as Gabrielle scattered stale breadcrumbs for a small flock of birds surrounding her in the tree overhead. Xena watched Gabrielle also, but from atop a large branch of another tree. She was within leaping distance should the birds cause Gabrielle any trouble. Little sparrows and fairy wrens they may be, but one never knew when they might turn their beaks to soft eyes. Those soft, green eyes had come to mean something more to the Conqueror when directed at her, than an annoying inquiry combined with confusion over her behaviour. Xena glared at the birds, annoyed that they could befriend Gabrielle so easily.
The young blonde was vaguely aware of her protector, as she has come to refer to Xena in her mind. She imagined that if she didn't know of the Conqueror's well-meant intentions, she imagined that she would be rather frightened. Perhaps like skittish prey sensing the gaze of a predator. However, after the events of the other night, Gabrielle found herself thinking of Xena without any fear in her heart. Had Xena really ever meant her harm she would not have rescued her, regardless of the curse. Gabrielle was sure that the charisma of the Conqueror could snare the heart of any willing person, assuming she learned how to keep her temper under control.
Gabrielle smiled at Solan as he crawled over to join her and the birds. He requested a story and Gabrielle complied. She chose to recount the tale of how the Amazons first came into being. She wasn't sure of the origins of the tale, but knew that all stories had a grain of truth to them.
Minya and Autolycus settled themselves on a nearby branch to Xena, ever ready to serve their Conqueror. Xena didn't spare them a glance. She knew that while they were listening to Gabrielle weave the tale of the first Amazon queen, they were keeping a portion of their attention to her. This had always been so, ever since she had become the Conqueror, whether it was from fear, a true desire to serve or a combination of both.
'I don't understand. Even after all I've done to her, she is smiling and telling stories. I want to do something for her. I want to give her something she'd enjoy… But what could I possibly give her?' mused Xena, out loud.
Autolycus and Minya perked up. Could their Conqueror possibly be asking for their advice?
'You could always start with flowers and chocolates. Why even just basking in your presence is a gift, my Conqueror! Or even pretty baubles. Girls always love some shiny rock on their finger…' began Minya, only to be knocked off her perch by Autolycus.
'Don't be ridiculous! Gabrielle is obviously not like other girls! She wouldn't like those sorts of empty gestures! Don't take any notice of Minya's advice, your Majesty,' chided Autolycus.
Minya flew back up towards the branch and head butted Autolycus from behind. Autolycus managed to grab her legs before he toppled off the branch. Both went tumbling down into a heap. Xena ignored them.
'She is very special…' murmured Xena.
Then she realised something as Gabrielle regaled a tale she'd heard before to a wide-eyed Solan, who was perched on the young woman's knee.
'And then the Conqueror leapt to your rescue?' asked Solan eaerly, even though he knew the end of this story.
'Yes, she certainly did,' replied Gabrielle, smiling warmly at him, only to shift her adoring gaze in Xena's direction.
'Where are we going?' asked Gabrielle.
'Somewhere I think you will enjoy. But you have to close your eyes first,' replied Xena, barely containing her anxiety and excitement.
'Why?' asked Gabrielle.
She had such an innocent and inquiring expression that Xena almost told her.
'It's a surprise. Trust me,' said Xena, immediately regretting her choice of words.
However, Gabrielle seemed content with this explanation and closed her eyes. Xena sighed internally, and then nudged her shoulder underneath Gabrielle's hand. Gabrielle grasped Xena's fur gently and allowed Xena to guide her through the darkness. Xena turned her head and licked Gabrielle's hand. She only just caught the pleased gasp from her guest.
'Stay here for a moment,' said Xena, the slight tone of command making Gabrielle giggle.
'I'm in no hurry,' said Gabrielle.
Xena padded over to the closed curtains, grasping one corner in her teeth and pulled towards the right side of the window frame. Light burst into the room. Xena did the same with the other side and soon, light was battering against Gabrielle's closed lids. Her body was screaming at her to take note of the new information.
'May I open my eyes now?' asked Gabrielle, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.
Gabrielle was already inching forward towards Xena, who glanced about and then inhaled.
'Yes. Now,' said Xena.
She barely stopped herself from pacing about in front of Gabrielle as the young blonde gazed around the room in amazement.
'A library! I have never seen so many scrolls before!' exclaimed Gabrielle, although in an awed hush.
Xena couldn't help but grin with all of her fangs showing. The glint of sunlight off of them caught Gabrielle's eye. The bard turned to look at Xena, a smile so awed that Xena couldn't believe that it was directed at her.
'You like it then?' asked Xena, still a little unsure.
'It's amazing! I can only imagine how much knowledge and lore is stored here. And the stories!' gushed Gabrielle.
'In that case, it's yours. All of it,' stated Xena.
'Oh, but I couldn't! It is in your castle!' protested Gabrielle.
'I have read most of the scrolls here, but I surely could never enjoy them as much as I know you will. As Conqueror of this castle, it is my will that this library now belong to you, Gabrielle,' replied Xena.
Gabrielle was speechless. Her eyes widened even more than Xena thought possible. Due to her honed reflexes, Xena almost leapt out of the way as Gabrielle rushed towards her. It was because she had such control of her body that Xena did NOT leap away.
'Oh, thank you!' cried Gabrielle, hugging Xena fiercely.
Cyrene, Autolycus, Minya, Flora and Solan watched as Gabrielle freely and safely embraced their Conqueror. Xena seemed to welcome the blonde's touch. Solan climbed up on top of Autolycus' head and danced about.
'I want a hug too!' he exclaimed.
Cyrene chuckled at her grandson and took him into a wing, cuddling him against her fluffy chest.
'Isn't that just precious?' she asked, glancing momentarily at her comrades.
'Indeed, I am glad that our Conqueror was able to figure it out,' replied Autolycus.
'I knew her Majesty would think of the perfect gift! She's very clever!' boasted Minya, an adoring note colouring her words.
Cyrene laughed, quite proud herself that her daughter had managed to think of someone other than herself, although she admitted that Xena had always made sure that she and Solan were taken care of.
'I think this is an event to be celebrated!' said Flora.
'What event? What did I miss?' asked Solan, his words muffled by his grandmother's feathers.
'You would, gorgeous,' agreed Autolycus, leering at the raccoon playfully.
Minya rolled her eyes at them and petted Solan on the head. She shared a smile with Cyrene. Their Conqueror had been increasingly pleasant to deal with under Gabrielle's influence. Who would have guessed that such a frightening confrontation in Xena's chambers would have resulted in Gabrielle hugging Xena without fear or caution? It was notable however, that Gabrielle no longer explored the rooms with such unguarded abandon. She would often confer with Minya or Autolycus as to the nature of the room behind a door, only then to ask Xena whether she would mind if Gabrielle had a look inside.
Xena granted her permission for every room Gabrielle asked after. Gabrielle never mentioned the northern chambers. Xena felt bad about the whole event, but appreciated the apologetic gesture, as Gabrielle also did not enquire about the surrounding rooms and corridors of her bedchambers.
'Can I go and play with Gabrielle and the Conqueror?' asked Solan.
'They aren't playing, love. But come, we've chores to do. Come along Solan, into the kitchen with you,' commanded Cyrene.
Solan followed reluctantly.
'I still want to know what we are celebrating,' he groused.
The next day, Xena watched as Gabrielle emerged from her room, refreshed from sleep. Xena leapt down and landed beside the bard. Gabrielle shrieked in surprise.
'Xena! You gave me such a fright!' exclaimed Gabrielle, clutching at her chest.
Cyrene glared at Xena with only a mother's nerve from behind a banister. Xena snarled slightly, glancing about for any other observers. Gabrielle gave a her a quick but questioning look, only to look to the floor. Solan had skittered up to Gabrielle. She leant down to pick him up.
'Good morning Gabrielle,' he chirped.
'Good morning Solan,' replied Gabrielle.
'Permission to come aboard, Conqueror?' asked Solan, directing his attention to Xena.
'Permission granted,' replied Xena, as Gabrielle placed Solan on her neck, between her shoulder blades.
Gabrielle smiled, a hand to her chest as it slows down from the fright, as Solan whispered into Xena's ear. Xena nudged him gently with her nose in agreement. She's so gentle with him, thought Gabrielle. Even before the whole I got to know them all.
'I'm sorry, Gabrielle. I didn't mean to frighten you. I won't greet you like that anymore,' apologised Xena.
'Oh Xena, I know you must be used to being stealthy. It must have been a necessary tactic in battle?' commented Gabrielle.
They made their way outside into the courtyard.
'Yes, but you shouldn't have to suffer for it,' admitted Xena quietly, her tail swishing about behind her.
Due to her embarrassment, Xena whirled and snarled at a servant who accidentally bumped into her. The gazelle, who had brought over another cloak for Gabrielle and one for Xena also, cowered mightily and was close to tears.
'A cloak? Does it look like I need a cloak?' growled Xena.
Xena only just caught the disappointment flash across Gabrielle's face. She spun away from the cowering deer and watched as the young bard approached her servant.
'Hello. Did you bring that for the Conqueror? That was wonderfully considerate of you,' said Gabrielle.
'I'm glad you think so, my lady,' came the soft reply.
Xena pretended not to notice as the deer snuck a quick and frightened glance her way.
'I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Gabrielle, what is your name?' asked Gabrielle, keeping her voice soft and gentle as possible.
'Jerra. It's nice to meet you, Gabrielle,' replied the deer.
'It's nice to meet you too, Jerra. Thank you for the cloak. I'm sure that the Conqueror had momentarily forgotten that she was no longer around her troops, and in fact appreciated your gesture.' said Gabrielle.
Jerra was still struck dumb as she did not move to hand the cloak to Gabrielle.
Xena began to feel even more unworthy of Gabrielle's sweet nature. She surely could no more consider Xena a monster from her easing into a bloody fray, to screaming and roaring at her, to how she acted with her own servants. Xena wondered at the morality of even just thinking about attempting to cement herself in the presence of a gentle soul such as Gabrielle. Surely if she did succeed, Hades would ensure that she'd rot and burn in Tatarus for it.
Perhaps it was time to try and change the way she conducted herself. Not completely, Xena knew that wasn't possible. But perhaps she could try Gabrielle's way. She cleared her throat.
'Gabrielle is right. Thank you, Jerra. I'm sorry for scaring you,' said Xena, inching forwards to accept the cloak.
Jerra was dumbstruck. Never had she ever heard the Conqueror apologise, and here she was apologising to a mere servant like herself! Eventually, much to Gabrielle's amusement, she shook her head clear, bowed to Xena and Gabrielle, and then leapt away back into the castle.
Xena groaned at herself as she has her cloak in her mouth and no way to place it on herself, let alone work the clasp together. Gabrielle touched her shoulder lightly, Xena was surprised that her muscles didn't twitch in the battle ready way that they have always reacted since she began her warlording days.
'May I be of service with these hands, your majesty?' asked Gabrielle, with a twinkle in her eye.
Xena mumbled something around the cloak before depositing it into Gabrielle's hands.
'What was that?' asked Gabrielle.
'I said, yes please. And you needn't call me that, Gabrielle. You may call me by my name. I think you have earned every right to do so and more,' said Xena.
'Although I'd imagine I'd best address you by your title in front of your subjects though,' murmured Gabrielle, thoughtfully.
'If you wouldn't mind, otherwise my authority would be lessened,' conceded Xena, inwardly thrilled that Gabrielle had voiced that problem out so promptly.
'And yet I find that many, like Minya, use your title reverently. Frightening as you often are to most, many appreciate you defending them and allowing them to continue living in the castle grounds,' commented Gabrielle.
Xena snorts.
'Yes, I am ever so generous,' remarked Xena, sarcastically. 'It's the least I can do since it is my fault that they are all animals.'
Gabrielle felt her entire being perk up. She knew when a story was nearby.
'Oh?' she asked.
Xena went on to explain how the gods had transformed her, the servants and the soldiers.
'But why, Xena? Why would the Fates do that?'
'Because I was foolish enough to believe that destroying their temple would bring my brother back. You see, Gabrielle. He was murdered outside their temple. He was a great believer of the Fates and so he'd go often to pray to them. I was foolish to let him go without an escort, but he insisted that the Fates would be offended by untrue visitors. Someone who hated me enough decided to kill him. I had believed that the Fates had forsaken my brother, an ardent follower of theirs. So I went and decimated their temple.'
Gabrielle was silent, her face contemplative. Xena took the silence as a bad thing and hunched her shoulders slightly.
'What you see now is my punishment,' said Xena.
Gabrielle looked at her with an unreadable expression on her face.
'For some reason they found it just to damn my kingdom also,' added Xena bitterly, trying to fill the silence, which was suddenly unsettling to her.
'I'm sorry that happened to you. All of it. I wish I could do something to help,' said Gabrielle, finally.
Xena was surprised.
'There is nothing one can do about the past,' said Xena, gruffly, but pleased with Gabrielle's reaction.
'Except make a better future, yes?' suggested Gabrielle.
Her expression was so full of caring that it caused a smile to force itself to settle on Xena's face.
'That is a difficult thing for a being like me. There has been too much death, destruction and betrayal. There is no hope left for me,' stated Xena, despite the warmth she felt from Gabrielle's encouraging smile.
As selfish and taciturn she had always been, with the mass scattering of her moments of fury, she retained one regret. This regret being that her mother, her subjects and her only son also had her curse imposed on their beings. How did the Fates consider punishing them alongside her as fair?
She nudged Gabrielle gently in the direction of the frolicking Solan, who was racing about pelting Autolycus and Minya with tiny mouse paw sized snowballs. Xena closed her eyes as, before she turned away, Gabrielle ran a hand across the fur on Xena's neck. Xena relished the touch, slowly opening her eyes to realise that Gabrielle hadn't noticed that she had allowed her to touch her so intimately, let alone that she had been invading the Conqueror's personal space. Gabrielle no longer felt tense at all around Xena. Her body seemed to act on it's own sometimes. Xena watched Gabrielle giggle in delight as Cyrene, with a single stern expression, caused Solan's whiskers to droop and for him to drop his newest snowball, which had been aimed directly at the cook. Cyrene fluffed herself and then stalked away triumphantly.
Xena felt her chest clench. And to desire the selfless love of one such as Gabrielle… It was too much. Xena couldn't bear the thought of condemning another for her own sake. Without alerting the now distracted Gabrielle, she slunk away back into the castle. Gabrielle noticed, but didn't let on. She decided that it was time for a bit of investigating.
'Minya, may I ask you a question?' asked Gabrielle.
The serious look on Gabrielle's face caused Autolycus some concerns and he steered Solan back into the kitchen, luring him with promises to get him a cake or two from under Cyrene's nose before lunchtime.
'What is your question, Lady Gabrielle?' asked Minya.
Gabrielle wrinkled her nose.
'Well, first off, I'd like for all of you to stop calling me that. Just Gabrielle is fine. It's my name, so use it,' said Gabrielle.
Minya looked perplexed, but then nodded, with a fluttering of her wings in a bow.
'Good to know we've got that sorted out,' said Gabrielle. 'Did the Conqueror really kill Callisto's family?'
'Oh, Miss… I mean, Gabrielle. That is wholly untrue. The Conqueror had nothing to do with that,' said Minya.
'And I can validate that story. I was there,' said Autolycus, appearing before them again without Solan in tow. 'Callisto blamed our Conqueror for the burning of Cirra and consequently the death of her family, but the Conqueror never gave that order. It was Draco, Darphus and Dagnine who commandeered that portion of the army who took torches into Cirra. They were tired and hungry from the previous day's battle. While the Conqueror and half of that scouting party had gone back to retrieve the majority of the army from the battleground, they had decided that they couldn't and wouldn't wait. The villagers refused to give into their demands, of course, because the Conqueror wasn't present. They feared her, but never truly feared her army until that day. Those men torched Cirra and by the time the Conqueror had returned, with Callisto who was in that half of the scouting party, all had died.'
'Why in Tartarus would Callisto run with those who caused the deaths of her family and village?' asked Gabrielle.
'She went crazy with grief, and an aggrieved mind is easily swayed. Darphus got to her first, telling her lies. These lies were compounded by the stories of Draco and Dagnine when they vouched that the Conqueror had in fact told them to burn down Cirra. With what she knew of the Conqueror's ruthlessness, Callisto believed this and would not be swayed otherwise,' explained Minya, shuddering at the memory of Callisto's rampage which killed half of the guilty men in the Conqueror's army.
'And of course, this all happened just before the Conqueror's own loss… The Conqueror never got around to telling her side of the story,' added Autolycus.
Gabrielle looked towards the castle.
'Her brother…' she breathed.
Minya and Autolycus watched Gabrielle anxiously, not entirely sure of how Gabrielle was taking their recount of events. She finally turned back to face them, her eyes wet, but with a small smile gracing her face. Do they know that she consumes herself with guilt about their transformations every day? She shook her head. She doesn't let them know, does she?
'Thank you both for telling me what happened. I appreciate it,' said Gabrielle. 'Shall we all go back inside for lunch now?'
Solan met them at the door. As she placed Solan on her shoulder, her stomach let out a massive growl.
'Oh, I'm hungry too, Gabrielle!' exclaimed Solan. 'That piece of cake was tiny!'
'How did you know that was me?' asked Gabrielle, mock shocked.
There was no answer except for laughter from the other three.
Over the next few weeks, Gabrielle began subtly and slowly introducing Xena to the realisation that many of her subjects were not truly bitter at all about their predicament. True, as beasts it was harder to do many things, but many of them had considered this an opportunity to use their minds and discover more innovative methods of going about their chores and lives. Once Gabrielle had asked about it, there were concessions that Xena was not an altogether unpleasant ruler. Xena's roaring temper tantrums were relatively minor when considered alongside her actions during her warlording days. There was more death and bodily harm as punishments in those days.
While Gabrielle didn't agree with how Xena had handled getting rid of her initial wannabe suitors, she came to understand the feeling behind it as the many gushings of how the servants were so pleased that she and the Conqueror were getting on so well became all a little too much to bear. What happened between herself and the Conqueror, whatever it was that was happening between them, was none of their business. She couldn't understand why everyone found their relationship to be such an exciting topic. She might be the only person they had all seen in so many years, but still!
Xena, on the other hand, was feeling less and less alone in her self-induced guilt. She conceded that Solan was rather happy for a child who knew he shouldn't be a mouse. Then again, her mother was the one raising him. Cyrene had always been an adaptable person. Xena was as proud to be able to call Cyrene her mother as much as she was ashamed to call herself Cyrene's daughter.
How she was now feeling about Gabrielle was becoming stronger and stronger every day. It was due to the young woman's influence that the servants no longer cowered in the Conqueror's presence. It was all thanks to her that Xena now heard the smiles instead of the fear in the voices of her servants, and sometimes the whispered scorn from the supposedly hidden ones. It was now that Minya no longer fluttered outside of paw swipe distance. It was now that Autolycus felt no need to dampen his cheeky and witty quips. It was now that Solan ran up to her and hugged her forepaw without asking permission. He never had needed to, but she had never told him that.
With a light heart, Cyrene watched her only daughter smile so many times more in a single day than she had for the past ten years, or ever really. She had been a relatively serious child around others, except for her younger brother Lyceus, of course. Cyrene allowed herself to shed a tear for her youngest child. She hugged herself as she realised that she no longer cared about turning back into a human, only that her daughter was happy, and that happiness was derived from being around Gabrielle.
'Grandma!' exclaimed Solan. 'I want a hug too!'
Cyrene chuckled at him, letting out a cluck. Solan laughed as Cyrene quickly settled a wing over her beak, only for him to pull it down towards him.
'It's okay Grandma. It was bound to happen. You ARE a chicken right now, you know. It'll go away later when Gabrielle turns us back into humans,' said Solan, very a matter-of-factly.
Cyrene's expression grew serious. Yes, the young woman had given them all hope, since she was certainly a joy to be around, and certainly she had affected Xena in a wondrous way… However, as far as Cyrene knew, her daughter had never had a real lover. Sure, she'd heard the stories of various slaves or warlords of both genders being beguiled into servicing her conquering offspring, but never had she been aware of Xena ever knowing true affection. And even if this was to be Xena's first it would be precarious, not to mention that Gabrielle was young. She too, surely could not have ever experienced true love and affection for another, let alone a physical relationship. She blushed at this thought.
Cyrene couldn't pick two more different and yet similar people. And then she felt a fear in her heart. If this relationship were to work, it would be dazzling. But if it were to fail, she felt that all would be lost. Not only their humanity, but something very dear to her. Her newly rediscovered daughter.
Xena used to never spend time with her and the other servants as much as possible. Now she showered a kind word on to them for fulfilling their duties. And it was only Solan who could coax her into seeing the outdoors without the intent to hone her deadly skills and muscles, and even then, only on occasion. Now, with Gabrielle's gentle influence and stark stubbornness, did Xena venture outside for pleasure. To watch the birds and eat fruit off the trees, no less. Cyrene sighed and gazed at Solan's curious eyes. Well, perhaps he's right. Children do tend to see the truth of such things.
'I think you're right, Solan,' said Cyrene, rubbing her cheek against his side.
'Grandma, your feathers are tickling me! And of course I'm right! Gabrielle knows heaps of stories, she will know the right magic spell!' he giggled, placing a mousy kiss on her beak. 'And you know what else I know?'
'What is that my dear?' asked Cyrene.
'It's Gabrielle's birthday tomorrow!' he exclaimed loudly, only to whip his head around to check if the young bard was close by.
'Is that so? Well, we had better let the Conqueror know. Will you go tell her for me, Solan?' asked Cyrene.
Solan's head motored up and down.
'I know where she is now!'
'Where?'
'With Gabrielle in the library!'
Cyrene muffled a laugh.
'Of course, she is. But perhaps you should tell the Conqueror without letting Gabrielle know.'
'Why Grandma?'
'Maybe the Conqueror will throw Gabrielle a surprise party?'
Solan's eyes widened.
'Ohh!'
With a smile, Cyrene gently placed Solan on the ground, letting him decide how to secretly inform Xena of this piece of new information.
As Solan regaled her with the news, Xena's eyes flashed. Autolycus took the moment as a good one.
'Then we must celebrate! Conqueror, may I suggest a party? Or a candlelit dinner for two?' he exclaimed, unable to not dance about.
'Tomorrow… is so very soon,' mused Xena. 'I doubt even Cyrene and her crew could muster a party for tomorrow.'
'How about both?' suggested Solan. 'You have dinner with her tonight, and then we have a party the next day? We can show her just how special she is and still have time to prepare! I'll go tell Grandma!'
He hurried off, only to skid to a stop, and then turned around guiltily. Xena just managed to halt a laugh bursting out. She gazed upon the tiny mouse and nodded solemnly.
'Make it so, Solan.'
Solan exhaled.
'He's a very smart lad, that Solan,' commented Autolycus fondly.
'He certainly is,' agreed Xena.
'Please, my lady, I really think that you would look absolutely gorgeous in one of these dresses! I design them all, my helpers sew them together, but then I remember that there is no one to where them! No one to model them, no one to appreciate them! And just imagine how thrilled the Conqueror will be to see you all dressed up for dinner tonight!' Vidalis implored Gabrielle once more.
'Okay, let's make a deal. You start calling me by my name, and I'll wear one of your dresses. Deal?' suggested Gabrielle.
Vidalis sighed in relief. It was an easy deal to make.
'Deal!'
He scurried away to choose which of his creations would suit her hair, colouring and stature best.
'Do you really think that the Conqueror will like seeing me in a dress?' asked Gabrielle, quietly, so that Vidalis only just heard her as he returned with two monkeys in tow.
'Of course, my… I mean, Gabrielle! Of course, anybody who is anybody would love to see you in a beautiful dress!' he exclaimed. 'Now, I've narrowed it down to two, well, I did have this other cute little green number, but the shade wouldn't suit you at all. It isn't the right green for you, no, unfortunately it would end up all quite hideously bilious!
Gabrielle frowned to herself. She wasn't sure to feel insulted that he thought she could look hideously bilious in anything or pleased that Vidalis wasn't about to let her greet Xena in a repulsive outfit.
'Autolycus!'
'Yes, my Conqueror?'
'Tell me, WHY DO I LOOK LIKE A LITTLE GIRL AT HER FIRST BARN DANCE?'
The force of Xena's roar caused Autolycus to tumble backwards into the wall. Xena's personal dresser was blown out the door, just as Flora poked her head in.
'Flora! Go get Vidalis!'
Flora's face flew into uncertainty, 'But… My Conqueror! He's still with Gabrielle.'
Xena frowned. Well, she couldn't very well just demand that he attend to her instead of Gabrielle now could she?
'Very well. Nevermind. I'll pick out something myself.'
Flora exhaled heavily. Although the Conqueror had been a lot more understanding about things lately, it was difficult to shirk off the wary fear that had been ingrained into her for so many years. Flora watched as the Conqueror shook her head at her mirror image. Xena gripped the collar of the ridiculously frilly dress in her teeth and ungraciously ripped it off of her body, letting the ruined garment fall to the ground, ruffles and all.
I can't wear any clothes. It all looks ridiculous on me! Fine, I'll go as I am. It's not as if I am truly naked anyway.
All the servants in the room gaped as Xena simply sat down and began grooming herself with her tongue.
'Going au naturale, Conqueror? A marvellous choice, I think,' murmured Autolycus, as he came to.
'Permission to make a suggestion, Conqueror?' came a small voice.
Gabrielle kept gazing at herself in the mirror nervously. It was a nice dress, but would it be enough? Relax! It's just dinner! You've had dinner with Xena before. Well, maybe not just the two of you… Completely alone…
It was confusing; Solan, at least, would usually dine with the two of them.
'Please don't fiddle with that ribbon, Gabrielle. I don't want to have to tie it again,' remarked Vidalis, only just hiding a smirk.
Gabrielle turned around quickly and ducked her head at him apologetically, a blush covering her cheeks.
'I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm acting like this. It's just the dressing up I suppose. Did the Conqueror say why we were dressing up tonight?' she asked.
'No. Sometimes the Conqueror just requests things, we don't question it.'
'Sorry, just curious.'
'Don't worry Gabrielle, it's alright to be curious. Relax, you look absolutely stunning.'
'Really? Thank you.'
Gabrielle looked down at the slinky, green dress that was, in Vidalis' honest and professional opinion, a foresty shade that complemented her eyes wondrously. Gabrielle felt a little self-conscious from the figure hugging quality to the material, which was as soft as downy fur to touch. After all this time from wearing the common village clothes, she had no idea that she had a figure at all. No one in Potidaea ever dressed like she was at the present.
She supposed that all that time racing Lila, and sometimes the sheep, into the barn from all the way across the paddock had done her some good after all. She and Lila had discovered that you couldn't force the sheep to go to wherever you wanted them to unless you had a dog, but their family hound had passed on even earlier than their parents had. However, by running past them, they were given the idea that there was something to run away from and so would join her and Lila in their escape from imaginary wolves. Of course, once the sheep got going, it was hard for them to stop, so the sisters had found that it was best for them to be faster than the sheep, and also to have developed adequate dodging skills.
'Well, my dear, I think that it was time that you made an appearance into the main hall. I imagine the Conqueror would like to escort you to dinner,' said Vidalis, admiring his handiwork with a single tear falling from his right eye.
Gabrielle smiled briefly before turning to exit her room. She stood just outside, took a very deep breath and then made her way to the stairs. Gabrielle took comfort from the warmth of the candles that lit her way down. This warmth was strengthened by the equally affectionate smiles from all the new friends she had made in the castle. She returned all of their soft compliments upon her flame coloured curls. Vidalis had fashioned her hair so that ringlets cascaded down a soft beehive that sat atop her head.
But it was the sight on the other side of the main hall, on the top of the stairs opposite her that stalled her breath. The Conqueror, the great feline of the darkest fur and the brightest of cobalt eyes, stood enshrouded in a royal purple cloak.
Cyrene had to cover her beak with a wing. As the only one behind the Conqueror, only she could see the slight tremble that ran through the muscled form at random moments. She stepped forward and then with as much dignity as she could muster, hopped up on to the banister next to Xena's ear.
'Don't be nervous. Be proud, my child, for you make for a striking figure and I know Gabrielle agrees,' she whispered.
Xena's ear twitched towards her and as Xena broke her gaze away from Gabrielle's shy one to look at her mother.
'Thank you,' murmured Xena.
The sight of Xena inclining her head to briefly touch foreheads with the cook brought a teary smile to Gabrielle's features. She wasn't sure exactly of the nature of their relationship, but something told her that it was one that has been living longer than the Conqueror's relationship with any of her other servants. And then Xena captured her gaze again. Gabrielle inclined her head and they both descended the stairs in unison.
She is gorgeous and kind, and sweet and loving, and she is patient and beautiful. She has become someone who I hold close to my heart. Who knew that was still around? I must tell her tonight. I must tell her now!
'Before we attend to dinner, will you please join me out on the balcony?'
Gabrielle's smile widened, Xena now said "please" without reminding herself.
'Of course. It would be my pleasure, my Conqueror.'
Xena stiffened at her title. It had never sounded more wrong coming from Gabrielle's lips than at that moment. She relaxed at Gabrielle's concerned hand on her shoulder. Gabrielle held on and let Xena lead her outside.
'Oh the sky looks wonderful tonight, look! Do you see that? That looks like a bear!'
Xena looked up. She strained to see the bear that Gabrielle was pointing out.
'… I can see a dipper,' she offered.
Gabrielle gave her a mock-scandalised look.
'You can see a dipper, but not my bear? Xena, it's right there. There's the head, the little ears, the giant belly and its snout!' said Gabrielle, providing Xena with a fingered outline.
Xena shrugged. She looked at Gabrielle through her peripheral vision while pretending to still be looking for the bear within her dipper.
'Are you happy here, Gabrielle?'
'Of course…'
Xena sighed quietly, and then she resigned herself to finishing Gabrielle's thought.
'But?'
'I would give anything to see Lila. I miss her so much.'
Xena's face fell. What were you meant to say to that when you are the reason they were no longer able to see each other?
'Climb on.'
'What?'
'Climb on top of me. Get a good grip. We're going for a climb.'
Gabrielle was a little teary from remembering Lila, but she was curious. She shifted Xena's cloak to the side and settle on top of Xena as best she could in her dress. She threw her arms around Xena's sinewy neck and clasped her hands together as tight as she could. She felt a little anxious as she felt Xena's muscles bunching up. Gabrielle let out a little cry of surprise as she and Xena exploded into the night sky, towards a nearby balcony. Xena shifted direction and leapt up on to a roof. Eventually they reached the balcony of Xena's bedchambers. Xena landed in her room and Gabrielle slide off of her. Xena urged her to approach the table where the rose and mirror lay.
'Take the mirror and tell it what you want to see.'
Gabrielle gave Xena a funny look, but did as she was told.
'I would like to see my sister please.'
The mirror flashed and then the image of Lila appeared. She was coughing and trudging through the forest. Gabrielle gasped.
'She's sick! Why isn't she at home? She's all by herself!'
Xena's ears fell flat against her head as she made a decision.
'You should go to your sister.'
'What do you mean?'
'Take my cloak and go. You are no longer a prisoner here. You are free.'
Xena unclasped her cloak with her teeth and offered it to Gabrielle, who accepted it gratefully.
'Oh Xena…' said Gabrielle, cupping Xena's furry cheek. 'Thank you.'
Gabrielle was about to say more to Xena who had closed her eyes, but then she heard Lila go into a coughing fit and it spurred her to movement.
'I'm coming Lila!'
She places the mirror back on the table.
'No. Take it with you. It will let you remember the servants… and me.'
'Thank you for understanding,' replied Gabrielle, this time placing a kiss on Xena's cheek. 'I will never forget you.'
Gabrielle raced out the door and down the stairs, into the main hall, stirring up all of the servants present. She ran into her room and changed back into the clothes she had arrived with. She then wrapped Xena's cloak around her, grabbed her bag, threw some of her belongings and the mirror into it, and then raced back down the stairs and through the front doors.
'Gabrielle! My lady! Where are you going?' cried Autolycus, waving his hands in the air.
Minya flew around frantically before finding Xena out on her balcony.
'Conqueror! I don't know what happened but Gabrielle has escaped again!'
'I freed her.'
'Oh, that was nice of… WHAT?'
'I had to do it.'
'But I thought… I… Why, Conqueror?'
Xena let out an anguished and grumbling howl.
'Because I LOVE HER!'
In her desperation to find out what was going on, she leapt from the serving cart and landed on top of Autolycus.
'What is going on?'
'Minya... She… She said that the Conqueror let Gabrielle go.'
All of the servants simultaneously started exploding with questions and exclamations.
'Oh Xena…' murmured Cyrene. 'You've learnt to love another.'
'Well, shouldn't I be a man again then?' demanded Autolycus.
'Yes, shouldn't I being growing arms and legs again?' agreed Minya with equal vehemence.
Cyrene sighed heavily.
'Gabrielle has to love our Conqueror also before the spell ends.'
'Then we are doomed to be like this forever,' said Flora, slumping against the wall.
Many of the other servants mirrored her action, others dropped their heads and some were stunned into immobility from having such a tender hope ripped from them.
'Lila! Sister!' cried out Gabrielle, spotting her sister's form hung over a fallen tree trunk.
She spurred Tobias towards Lila and slid off him quickly. She helped the barely conscious Lila onto Tobias' back and climbed on too, holding Lila upright as they rode home.