Chapter 5: On the way to Amphipolis
Xena and Eve returned to the inn. They entered the room where Gabrielle was gathering what she had left. Xena had already loaded all her gear and it was waiting with Argo and Amber.
"I'll settle up the bill with the innkeeper, take Eve with you to Argo," Xena offered.
"Hiya cutie!" Gabrielle said as she was handed Eve. Eve chortled in excitement.
"Lets go give pretty Argo and Amber an apple," she said as she headed out the door with Eve in tow. As she reached Argo, Argo snorted, acknowledging the two.
"How's the rest been Argo?," Gabrielle inquired as she produced the apple for Argo and Amber to enjoy. Eve reached for the mare's mane and patted in an overexcited manner.
"Well I hope you enjoyed it because its time for a trip to Amphipolis!" Gabrielle announced. Eve picked up on the excitement and wiggled and squirmed.
"Everything ready?" Xena asked as she too joined the group.
"Yeah, everything is stowed and I got our lunch of bread and dried meat out. Maybe we can have a picnic if we pass by a pond or lake or something." Gabrielle suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," Xena said as she returned Eve to the carrier on her back and got them both safely onto Argo. Gabrielle soon follows suit and mounts Amber then matches Argo's gait. Around midday, in the distance they fall upon a meadow.
"How's that for a picnic spot Xena?" Gabrielle pointed.
"Sure, why not, I think Evie here is ready for lunch" sighed Xena. The past few minutes before they had come upon the meadow, Eve was starting to fuss. Both women got off their horses and Gabrielle proceeded to lay some of their bedding to picnic on. She also laid out the food and drink she had put aside for lunch. Xena was feeding Eve and having some of the food that had been laid out. Gabrielle leaned back in a thoughtful reverie.
"Xena, I was just thinking. Since we have decided to settle down, does it bother you at all that people seem to think we are more than just friends?" Gabrielle asked. Xena, who had just gulped quite a bit of cider, sprayed the cider in a trajectory that would have rivaled her fire breathing technique.
"Did Phaon ask you that too! I'm going to wring his neck!" Xena said as her face and neck tightened in focused anger.
"Well I guess I don't really blame people for what they think they see." Gabrielle continued, despite Xena's obvious discomfort. Xena shook her head in a double take.
"What do you mean you don't blame them! It doesn't bother you?" Xena asked incredulously.
"No of course not Xena, we've said we love each other, we'd die for each other. For goodness sake, when Ares asked who the Father of Eve was, you said it was me," Gabrielle noted.
Xena lightened up, "True," Xena said, "and I got a kick out of the look on his face when I said that."
The two both began laughing lightheartedly in remembrance of the event. Eve crawled across the bedding that they were having the picnic on.
"It's quite funny if you think about it," Gabrielle smirked. A gleam in her eye signaled a playful ruse.
"Why Xena my love, would you like me to feed you some grapes?" Gabrielle joked in an exaggerated manner.
"Why yes daaarling bard, don't mind if I do!" Xena joined in mock love-fest as she partook in the grapes Gabrielle dangled above her.
"As fun as this role playing is, we need to get going. If we travel nonstop from now, we could make it to my Mom's inn by nightfall," Xena stated in good humor as she chewed on the grapes.
Near sundown the weary travelers started to perk up at the closeness of their destination.
"Xena, you never did answer me if it was bothering you that people think we are more than friends. If it does bothers you, I can give you more space. While we are here at your Mom's inn, I could get a separate room or stay somewhere else?" Gabrielle finished.
"Don't be ridiculous Gabrielle, I was angry at Phaon because he was suggesting and assuming things. I didn't want people thinking lewd things about you or me. They have no right to. To be honest I don't really give a damn what anyone thinks most of the time. I'm happy with our life and our family, so don't you try to be anything other than what comes naturally" Xena said. She smiled to soften the demand.
Gabrielle was relieved. Her mind lingered at the word naturally. She pondered how easily that impromptu love fest came to her. It was one of those rare moments where Xena had her guard down and Gabrielle was able to reap the benefits. Away from the danger and enemies, Gabrielle was hoping the rare moments would soon become a common occurrence. She loved to see Xena happy.
