Disclaimers: See Chapter 1
Additional Note (Please Read): This story is tied in with the tale, The Conqueror & Ri: A Twist of Destiny. :-)
Xena & Gabrielle
A Turn of Fate
By Ahkiken
Chapter 4: Ruined Paradise
Xena's fingers quickly finished brushing Argo and checked the mare's horseshoes for wear when her young lover came over.
"You handled that well." Gabrielle caustically announced.
"Hopefully she'll get it together." The raven-haired veteran tossed the bard her boots. "You were amazing today, Gabrielle. You kicked ass and saved a life."
Gabrielle sat down, but hesitated putting her footwear back on. "I took a life today, too, Xena."
"I thought you were accepting your path as a warrior?"
The pretty blonde let the boots slip from her clutches. "I did... I do embrace it, but it gets difficult for me occasionally."
"Gabrielle-"
"Xena." Tanya interrupted without knowing, saddled atop her dark-brown steed. "I am on my way to Scione. Maybe I'll hitch a boat back to Thessaly. Either there or someplace else."
"We're heading in...ow." Gabrielle was cut off from Xena's faint pinch on her shoulder.
Tanya was saddened that the light and dark duo's destination wouldn't be disclosed. "I am forever grateful to have met you two and in your debt."
"You're most welcome, Tanya. May your travels be safe and full of kind wonders." Gabrielle replied.
"Safe ventures." Xena said casually.
Tanya yanked the reins to get her horse in motion, and moving passed them, she avowed, "I know you told me to find my own destiny, Xena, howbeit I'm sure our paths will meet again... At least I hope so."
With that pronouncement, Tanya trotted off.
"Xena." Gabrielle mildly smacked her arm. "Why didn't you want me telling Tanya we were going to Scione?"
"She'll be fine. Besides, now that we're by ourselves, this is a good place as any for us to converse." The Warrior Princess moved closer to Gabrielle, grinning seductively. "Don't you want to talk, hmm?"
She pushed Gabrielle's boots aside, lowering herself in between the Amazon's legs.
"Forget about putting those on. Matter-of-fact..." Xena had begun lugging at the straps of the blonde's halter. "Let's get naked and jump back into the water."
"You didn't have to be so mean to her, Xena. Tanya is young and learning herself."
"She can learn herself somewhere away from us." Xena responded, her hands trying to peel the scarlet top off.
Gabrielle slightly jerked from her and walked over to the saddlebag on Argo. Taking out the item she desired to give to her soul mate, the bard made returning steps towards Xena. Noting the worried expression on Xena's face, she wanted to relieve her by slowly removing the red halter, the ornate silver belt, her skirt and undergarment, completely erasing the concerned look.
Indeed, Xena was totally allured by the nude Amazon whilst she watched her relax farther in the stream. Hence, she hastily unclothed, joining her best friend.
"What do you want to chat about?" Gabrielle queried, fighting back the minimal bloodlust.
"Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not." Closing the remaining space to Xena's sexy physique, Gabrielle asked, "Will you make it better?"
"How can I?"
"Taking a life is still something I am learning to deal with. I don't like it and, who knows, perchance later in our lives we can stop the bloodshed. The Greater Good is draining me. I just want to be with you, Xena. You are my family, my home. I love you." She proclaimed.
"I love you, too, sweetheart. That's what I needed to speak with you about when we got to Scione."
She tried to hold Gabrielle's hands, but the younger woman encircled them around Xena's lower back.
'That's even better.' She ruminated once Gabrielle's body pressed firmly with hers. "When we reach Scione, we'll go wherever you choose."
"Seriously, Xena. The choice is mine?" Gabrielle was taken aback.
"I wanted to surprise you, but like I said, what better place than here, now that we're alone."
Gabrielle kissed Xena's breast lightly. "You've been generous with surprises lately. You astound me... Who are you and what have you done with the real Xena?"
Xena chuckled. "I can persist being a tad gloomy and impassive. Nevertheless, the idiot who'd always tried to discard you is gone. You are the best thing to have ever happen in my life and I am going to show you how much you mean to me. As long as breath course through my body, I will treat you like my Queen; the true ruler of my heart."
Next, their lips came together in a calm kiss, quickly becoming a storm of tongues fighting for dominance. Gabrielle was on the verge of losing grip on the small gift in her hand from the need to touch every part of Xena's skin.
"Xena, wait. Wait."
"What is it?" Xena questioned, her teeth marked the spot on Gabrielle's pulse, prior to licking it.
A hard moan shot out from her throat, but Gabrielle fought to regain control.
"I... Mmm... I wanted to...ahh, yes, Xena... I wanted to be more romantic when...mmm... I ask... When I ask you to marry me." The naked, cropped blonde barely groaned the words.
Xena's tongue made its trail back into the Amazon's mouth, withdrawing to tease, "We've done this already. I'd proposed to you, remember?"
Gabrielle unwrapped her arms from Xena, causing the tall warrior to become puzzled.
"Just say yes." She demanded.
"Yes, Gabrielle. I will marry you." Xena did what was commanded of her.
Gabrielle grasped Xena's left hand, placing the gold ring on her index finger.
"Whoa, what's this? Where did you-"
The bard ceased her future wife's tirade with a kiss.
"You are my world, Xena. We have been through a lot. Some events I don't care to remember." Gabrielle repeated what the Warrior Princess had divulged to her a fortnight ago. "During the times when you absolutely needed me, I have not been my greatest. I've failed you sometimes as well. But I swear to you, Xena, from now till the end of my life, I'll be faithful to you, and you alone. I'll never put another above you. I will never abandon you. I'll be yours forever."
Surprisingly, Gabrielle's declaration coaxed a few tears of joy to spring from Xena's eyes.
"Xena, don't cry." Gabrielle wiped her soul mate's teardrops. "You'll make me cry, too."
"I... You didn't have to get me anything, but, thank you." Xena inspected the golden circlet, reading the words inscribed on it, "My Soul, My Life. Gabrielle...where did you get this? It must've cost you a lot of dinars."
If the query wasn't spoken in such a jubilant manner, Gabrielle would had found herself getting miffed.
"It didn't cost 'me' a lot of money. It cost 'us' a lot of money. What's mine is yours now, and vice versa." Gabrielle retorted with a gleam of mischief in her greenish-blue orbs. "It doesn't have any gems in it like the one you gave me. I hope that's alright."
"It's perfect the way it is. Plain is good." Xena confirmed. "You know I'm not a show off."
Gabrielle giggled, amazed her fiancée would emit such a comment.
"Okay. Maybe I'm a bit showy." Xena admitted. "That's because I have many-"
"Skills." Gabrielle ended the famous phrase. "You should hope and pray I don't ever get tired of hearing you profess that."
Xena scooped the petite blonde up, allowing Gabrielle to wrap strong legs around her hips.
"You should hope and pray I'll get weary of saying it." Xena shot back in advance of sharing a searing kiss with Gabrielle.
Their mouths opened, cohering as one, passionately tasting each other. Xena slowly began to grind the bard's moistened center against her stomach. The friction was incredible and it genuinely presented Gabrielle with something fantastical to write about later in her scrolls.
With her feet no longer touching the bottom of the stream, and being waist-deep in the water, Gabrielle kept her eyes locked on the Warrior Princess', imagining her as a sea goddess, sprung from the depths to take her. In her mind, Xena was a sole entity with the watery element that surrounded them, readying to take her body to pleasurable heights, which nobody had ever done, nor ever would do.
Xena's speed picked up moderately and Gabrielle knew she wouldn't last long.
"Xena." She mewled. "It feels so intense. I'm not...going to be able to hold out much longer."
"You shouldn't, Gabrielle." Xena stated, without interrupting the rhythm. "Let me just pleasure you."
"But I want to make love to you also." Gabrielle protested.
"You're making love to me right now. Giving you pleasure, brings me satisfaction, too."
That was the last she heard of Xena's husky tone before the dark-haired beauty started sucking and biting her neck again. The dominanting female's tongue trailed to her pale, pinkish nipples, bringing Gabrielle sensual bliss. Loudly moaning uncontrollably, and soon realizing it was only her voice the whole time, she'd begun wishing that she wouldn't hit her peak yet. Instead of muffling down, Gabrielle's tune got louder.
"Xena!" Gabrielle yelled when her orgasm approached.
The Amazon's hands wanted to be everywhere on Xena's frame, but her trembling digits had to find support, cuffed underneath the strong woman's arms and upper back. Xena continued licking Gabrielle's neck, carrying her into the deepest section of the stream, towards a stone boulder that was embedded in its water. She laid the delirious female on top of it, and immediately feasted on the bard's nether lips.
Gabrielle screamed aloud as Xena delicately tasted her hot sex. She tried rising up to gaze at her future spouse going down on her, albeit Gabrielle's strength was fading fast. Returning to a reclined position, she shut her eyes and felt the wonderful things the Warrior Princess was doing to her.
A tongue passed over an engorged clitoris, then two fingers entered into her, pumping in and out. Remaining busy at her finger-popping task, Xena ascended Gabrielle's lithe body.
"Gabrielle." Xena whispered, caressing the side of her fair visage with a free hand.
She opened hooded irises, her mouth continuously making erotic sounds. "Xena..."
"Watch me. Can you do that?"
"Mmm, yes."
Their tongues reconnected, and the fingers inside Gabrielle's warmth plunged deeper, faster, easily accepted by the silky wetness that flowed. Floundering, she looked on as Xena bit and licked the hardened crest of her breasts. Her hands intertwisted in sable tresses while the ex-warlord nipped at her chest, descending once more to her soaked core.
Internally vowing to curb her second climax, Gabrielle remained a spectator, taking in the sight of Xena's mouth moving in unison with her invading digits. Her clasp tightened on the raven mane when Xena started to moan whilst sucking and stroking her saturated tunnel. The short-haired blonde couldn't suppress the imminent plateau anymore. She cried out the name of her betrothed, coming this time into the Warrior Princess' accommodating mouth.
After Xena was done licking her for good measure, she gently tugged Gabrielle into tender arms, kissing her softly. The bard was well sated and wasn't sure she could reciprocate the same treatment to her lover even if the warrior begged her.
'No, nothing could keep me away if she pleaded with me.' Gabrielle mused in a haze.
"I can see you're spent." Xena jested.
"Give me a moment... Or several. I will be back in top form, you'll see."
Xena glimpsed at the sun. "We got a few hours before nightfall. That will be plenty of time for you to rest."
Anything having to do with reclining had propelled Gabrielle to stifle a yawn. "What about you?"
"I'll be fine. In all the excitement of the day, we haven't eaten. I'm going to catch us some fish, cook 'em and feed ya. I told you I'm treating you like my Queen."
"That's great and all." Gabrielle snickered, wrapping her legs to encircle Xena. "Just don't burn the fish; I like my food edible."
Xena waded to the shore with her companion in tow, riposting, "Gabrielle, I have many skills."
{X&G}
Some time later, thereafter a small rest, a nice quiet meal, and getting freshened up, Gabrielle was contented holding onto Xena, traversing on Argo II to the port of Scione. The Amazon ecstatically looked forward to reaching the harbor so she could repay her blue-eyed soul mate for the lovemaking they'd shared.
'Maybe we'll push pass my limit and I'll have a fourth-'
"Have you decided on where we will spend our wedding and honeymoon?" Xena prodded.
"Um, actually my cognition is on another thought."
"Seems I've left an impression." Xena boasted.
"You're a decent lay." Gabrielle quipped, rejoining resolutely, "I'm not sure where I want us to go. I'm overwhelmingly excited anent to becoming your wife and...I can't wait to taste you tonight."
"Turnabouts are fair play, I guess." Xena affirmed airily, steering Argo onward. "You got to have an idea where you'd like to go. I wanna know before we get to the docks."
Silence stilled the air while Gabrielle tried to think of a locale. She had the whole of Greece in her ratiocination; Attica, Daphne, Korkyra, Sparta, Phocis, Arcadia, Thasos, and Epidaurus.
All of a sudden, Gabrielle wasn't certain she fancied staying in Grecian lands. 'Perhaps some sights abroad. Rome is definitely out. The Celtic lands? Nah, too close to Britannia. Crete could be alright... No, the island is a part of Greece.'
"Sex can't be the main activity going on in that head of yours." In an effort to jolt Gabrielle's mental process, Xena expounded, "If you want, and keep in mind that this is completely up to you, we could go to the Amazons. Check up on them, make a home there. You could even claim your rightful place as Supreme Queen, and we can have an Amazon Bonding."
The Warrior Princess had a high, cheerful tone and demeanor, until she felt Gabrielle's arms clench her sides tightly. The blonde woman hadn't seen her Amazonian sisters since their grievous battle against Bellerophon. To Helicon and back, it was hell for everyone, including Gabrielle, if not more. The courageous Amazon-bard had usurped leadership from Varia, the former Supreme Amazon Queen, after a failed attempt on her life.
Gabrielle knew Varia had feasibly commenced facing charges for betraying the united Nation by trying to murder a fellow queen. When they returned to Amazonia, she'd left Cyane III as Regent, an opposite act compared to the entire tribe desiring for her to live amongst them and rule. Sadly, she just couldn't.
"You don't want to rejoin the Amazons?" Xena derived.
"No." Gabrielle uttered. "Not yet. Probably in the future if the actuality of seeking tranquility becomes boring."
Xena was thrown off by Gabrielle's reply. "Are you sure?"
"By joining the Amazon Nation, we'll be participating in one war or another."
Xena scoffed. "No matter where we end up, there will always be battles, Gabrielle."
"I assumed it was my choice, Xena." Gabrielle hid her irritation.
"It is."
Gabrielle sighed. "It's not purely war that concerns me. Being with the Amazons, there's always some type of contention, ranging from land treaties to reasonable prices for trade, thereon leading to a variety of debates. I want peace. We deserve some peace."
"Forgive me, Gabrielle." Xena proclaimed, dismayed with herself for trying to force her will on her beloved.
"All is fine." Gabrielle pecked Xena's shoulder. "I know troubles are infinitely capable of occurring anytime, anywhere. However, I don't want to be in a predicament where fights are common and we don't have a choice but to engage in it."
"And the Greater Good?" Xena wondered audibly.
Gabrielle took a moment to ponder the inquiry. "I don't have a problem helping others. Just not for a very long time... Is that selfish of me?"
Xena laughed, causing Gabrielle to titter. "No, it's not. We'll only aid those who are in extreme peril. Alright?"
"Deal. But we avoid people's petty squabbles."
"You're point is taken. I will not forget it." Xena brought back their earlier ponderment, proffering a suggestion, "Hmm, how about Egypt?"
Gabrielle started ruminating on the subject. Their visit to the Land of Pharaohs wasn't the happiest time in her existence.
"We'll get married, therefore you and I will have a very romantic experience there. No Greater Good, no quandaries, solely us. I promise." Xena averred.
"Okay, but I'll hold you to your word." Gabrielle agreed.
"I swear, it'll exceed any expectations you'll have. It will be paradise."
The blonde dwelled on the sexual acts Xena and Marc Antony partook in whilst they were there. How envious she was of the Roman as he had honey-coated strawberries fed to him; its juices kissed and licked off his lips. The memory didn't make her jealous now; he was dead, the Warrior Princess was hers. On the contrary, the memories enliven Gabrielle to higher extents, and her mouth absorbed the skin below her soul mate's ear.
"Do you know how much I want you right now?" Gabrielle urged, and she initiated a suction motion.
Xena brought a cessation to Argo II's ambling. Whirling in her seat on the Palomino, she captured Gabrielle's lips in a deep kiss. She knew her trim lover continued to be under the influence of battle-lust, and she'd grown to love it when they had sex with Gabrielle being ascendant.
They moaned together as their souls became singular. Dainty hands groped all over Xena's attire, touching every inch of flesh that was available, prior to proceeding unbuckling the warrior's clasps on her armor unsuccessfully, while Xena started pulling the straps on Gabrielle's top down, grasping her breasts.
Gabrielle and Xena was so enthused with one another till distant noises caught both their attentions, coaxing them to cease their exertions at the same time.
"You hear that?" Xena and Gabrielle probed in sync, listening to the echoes of thundering hooves.
Xena twirled back in front of the saddle, grabbing the reins.
'Please. Not a ruined paradise.' Gabrielle feared, readjusting the straps to cover her exposed chest.
"Yah!" Xena shouted.
There was no need in being silently circumspect. The sun was slowly sinking from the sky and whoever, or whatever caused Xena to feel that something was amiss, would be standing directly in their pathway. Finally looping the bend, she pulled Argo to a grinding halt, beholding three warriors doing the same atop their own horses, and were clad in different colored armor. Each was decked in elaborate helmets that covered their heads and faces, making it impossible to espy their identity.
Xena instantly pegged them to be Samurai from observing their accessories of Japian armor and weapons. One wore sunfire-yellow armor with an assortment of blades circling his hips; a wakizashi, a tachi and tanto. Another was wearing blue armor, a naginata on his back and a tanto. The third was donned in purple armor, a kusarigama chained to his left side, as well as a tanto. They all were equipped with a sword she swore she'd never see again.
Katanas.
"Reveal yourselves. Is it a fight you all want?" Xena quizzed, getting off of her mare with Gabrielle following suit.
"No." An accented vocal intoned, as the few Samurai shifted their steeds aside to allow a man dressed as a monk and armed with a staff to step forward. "Are you Xena-Sama, the Warrior Princess?"
'Xena-Sama?' The agile Amazon cogitated, cautiously prompting, "Who wants to know?"
The monk bowed in respect. "My name is Kenji. We've traveled all the way from the Land of the Rising Sun to seek her out. We are in a perilous situation and require her aid. She, who'd bestowed Xena-Sama's identity to us, imparted that we would locate her here in Greek territory."
Xena became curious. "Who sent you for me?"
"The girl who'd asked a favor of you in the house of her father who was the Shogun of...Higuchi." Kenji had given his vague, disclosing answer.
"Xena." Gabrielle interpreted her discomfort from Kenji's avowal. "What's wrong?"
An astonished feature was replaced with a stoic countenance whilst Xena asserted, "Akemi."
To Be Continued...