I remember one of first times we didn't necessarily argue, but we definitely had a moment where our everyday habits began to get on one another's nerves.
Xena is already whistling. She knows what she did. From using our only good frying pan to my scrolls as a leaf, she found so many ways to aggravate me.
Not that I was innocent. I continued to prove that I could be just as good as my warrior princess. Of course, Xena would allow me to get that close just to tease me.
In reality, I think the tension between us was because of the pressure of our last few adventures. Xena dying. Having to rely on Callisto. Wondering when she would return.
I think we were in need of a little stress relief. While Xena would say making love or kicking ass were the best stress relievers, I find levity to be just as good. As lovemaking.
My warrior princess winks at me before heading to her warrior room as she likes to call it. It's where her swords, chakram and various weapons are kept.
Even though Xena is mostly retired, she loves to keep her weapons at the ready. It's also her training room. My warrior princess will forever keep in shape. She knows the state of the known world.
While we've strived to make it better, times haven't changed a great deal since we traveled full-time across the known world.
Our daughter has attempted to spread the word of Eli, but even peacemakers like herself can only do so much. I'm proud of her continuing to preach love and forgiveness.
Off topic. Hmm. Is that what I should entitle these tales instead of Chronicles? It would seem rather fitting either way. For me, there's just been so many adventures that all affect the others.
In this case, our adventure was more about wrapping up a debt Xena owed to Goliath. It was introducing us to an amazing woman warrior and friend in Minya.
And it allowed for the two of us to be who we are every day. Even if that meant we disagreed, even argued, at times. Us being together. Traveling. It was just another day in our lives.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
It wasn't the first time Gabrielle was awakened suddenly to join the fray. It wouldn't be the last time. But it was the first time Xena had used the bard's only frying pan as a weapon.
Gabrielle held the battered frying pan not believing that the warrior princess had used it as a weapon. Creative in a fight was one thing. But could they cook with Xena's juices?
At least Xena hadn't lost sight of the bottom line. Gabrielle listened as the warrior who had had the pinch placed on him inform them of who and which village were involved.
It was looking like just another day in the life of the warrior princess and the bard. Gabrielle had a feeling it would be anything but ordinary.
There seemed to be a little tension between bard and warrior princess. Gabrielle had to admit to still being upset at how she had been awakened and the loss of her frying pan.
Would Xena have appreciated it if Gabrielle had been bold and interjected during a pinch interrogation? She said that she would have been, but that wasn't in the heat of battle.
Another stranger was calling them interrupting their discussion. If one could call it a discussion. For some reason, Gabrielle felt as if she had been brushed off to avoid a full-fledged flight.
Why had Gabrielle suggested putting the pinch on the stranger when they didn't even know who he was? Probably because she had actually been told she asked good questions.
As it turned out, the man needed help. It was another village that was in danger. This time the danger was from a giant. Gabrielle knew just mentioning a giant would have Xena wanting to help.
They couldn't just leave the other village to an evil warlord. Gabrielle suggested they make a list so they knew the merits of saving either village.
In fact, Gabrielle had taken several moments in making a list. She wasn't certain if it would help ease the burden of deciding which village. But it was a start.
Gabrielle's mouth literally hung open. She had gone to all the trouble of making the list and what does Xena do? The warrior princess merely flips a coin to make the final decision. So typical of the irritating warrior.
The bard managed to get in one more dig before they began following Hower to his village. Were there any shops that sold frying pans?
When Xena snapped that she didn't want to hear it all day long, Gabrielle knew she had made a point. She had to make one as well. Raw meat wouldn't kill them. She hoped.
Not bothering with the fact they weren't alone, the traveling duo fell back on one of their favorite ways to pass the time. Gabrielle also wanted to, as usual, outdo her warrior princess.
The problem was, Xena was the most intelligent being Gabrielle had ever come across. And she was tricky. The warrior princess would use a play on words or blur lines just to make it seem like she was the winner.
The fact whoever it was Xena was thinking of was killed by the warrior princess did little to narrow down things. Gabrielle still had to try.
Meanwhile, there was the chance Gabrielle could get Xena while she was distracted. She came within a millimeter of hitting the warrior princess. Of course, Xena said she had only allowed her to get that close infuriating the bard further.
Nice change of subject. Gabrielle shook her head as she listened to Hower and Xena. She had to ask how they even knew there was a giant. So far, it was all hearsay.
What wasn't hearsay was how loudly Xena's stomach growled. It was normally the bard's stomach that growled that loudly. It was quite amusing.
What wasn't amusing was the fact they had nothing to cook the fish in. Gabrielle wasn't about to get off it as Xena had told her. It had been thoughtless to use their only frying pan as a weapon with no other means to cook their meals in.
The questioning continued as Xena fished in warrior princess style. Gabrielle sat next to Hower waiting. She had to explain how her soulmate rarely did anything the conventional way.
Gabrielle annoyed Xena merely by saying she would have preferred salmon. It did seem both were easily on one another's nerves. The bard wondered if it was leftover stress from Xena dying and having to deal with Velasca and Callisto.
After having the horse tracks pointed out, Gabrielle couldn't help getting in a dig about the poor people of Piedmont. Of course, Xena had to shoot back she wasn't about to allow that to happen. While the bard had witnessed many impressive feats by the warrior princess, even she couldn't be in two places at once.
Then the fun began. At least it was fun for Xena. Gabrielle lost count of how many times a fish or eel came flying at her, only to hit her square in the face or chest.
Gabrielle sensed Hower was under the warrior haze. He asked if Xena ever planned on settling down and getting married. The fact was, the warrior princess liked what her bard did. Though her answer was interrupted by yet another flying fish.
Needing a moment to inform Xena of the latest adorer, Gabrielle asked Hower to gather some wood so they could have a fire. Now how to cook them since they had no pans left was another thing.
It was interesting how Xena could not understand how anyone, male or female, so easily fell for her. It was the blue eyes, leather and the dangerous mystique.
Wardrobe change. Gabrielle was inwardly shaking her head. While the leather had its appeal, it was her soulmate that was the attraction.
Though if one were to add certain things like chainmail, it would probably attract a different sort that neither of them wanted. Then there was the lack of bathing. Xena would find herself with one less bard if that were to happen.
The moment was interrupted by Hower. He had picked a flower and given it to a flower. Gabrielle shook her head. Did anyone truly think flowers were the way to Xena's heart? Leather. Weapons. Massages. Now those were the ways to the warrior princess' heart.
Worse was the fact Xena accepted the flower. It gave Hower false hope there was a chance in Tartarus he would have a shot at the warrior princess.
Definitely were doing things that annoyed one another. In Gabrielle's defense, they had nothing to cut or cook the eel and fish with. Xena's creative juices had seen to that.
At least Xena wasn't allowing anything to get in the way of her plans. Gabrielle wasn't certain what her warrior princess was up to and suggested Hower do as she did. Just go with it.
A pause in traveling while Xena attended to nature had Gabrielle attempting to write. She still wasn't a hundred percent after their latest ordeals, but it felt good to at least try.
The only problem? When Gabrielle went to retrieve her scroll, she discovered a huge chunk of it was missing. It hit her what exactly had happened. Xena had used a piece of her scroll to wipe her butt on. What did that say of her writing?
Before things could escalate, Gabrielle was nearly knocked off her feet. The giant was coming. It meant they had to make certain he made it to the village. The tugging on her top wasn't expected and the bard nearly left her staff behind.
Even with the giant on his way and the warlord after the other village, Gabrielle continued the questions. She was interrupted by the fact Xena found something interesting. As it turned out it was an empty village.
That was until a voice caught their attention. Gabrielle noticed the strength of the dark-haired woman as she wrestled with the squirming goat.
Once they made their presence known, it was hero worshiping all over again. Gabrielle merely leaned on her staff as she listened to the stranger gush over her soulmate.
Even when Xena attempted to interrupt, the woman continued her worshiping ways. It wasn't until she asked Gabrielle if her warrior princess slept in the nude the questions were halted by Xena.
Gabrielle was impressed that Hower and the young woman volunteered to remain behind. It took a brave person to attempt to stand up to a giant, even if they were expecting help of some kind.
Think it out. Gabrielle wasn't certain what that meant. Normally, Xena's plans simply seemed to come to her. At least they were receiving a nice warm bath out of the deal.
As they soaked, Gabrielle had to continue her questioning. As always, she wouldn't let go until she had the answer.
Changing gears since she was at a loss as to who Xena was thinking of, Gabrielle decided to make a suggestion. Why not round up all the mirrors. It worked with Goliath, not that it wasn't a sore subject for her warrior princess.
Xena didn't take to the idea. Why not? Because she had already done the whole mirror and sun bit. Gabrielle, in a way, could understand wanting to do things differently. A bard wouldn't be any good if they wrote the same story over and over but with different names and locations.
As they washed one another, Gabrielle had to inform Xena that Minya had fallen under the 'I'll do anything for the warrior princess' haze. It was as bad as Hower having fallen in love with Xena. And it meant the bard would have to do the sensitive chat, as usual, thing.
Deciding who could or would do the sensitive chat thing turned into a competition. The pair were a bit competitive at times.
Minya finally took the hint and stopped bringing water. She asked if there was a plan in hand. When Gabrielle suggested the mirrors, her warrior princess balked. It meant there would be no plan involving mirrors.
Flexible? If Gabrielle were anymore flexible when it came to changing plans, she'd be a pretzel. The number of times when good, solid plans somehow went awry one had to be willing to change things up.
Gabrielle had just made it to Xena when her warrior princess informed her one of them would have to have a chat with Hower when he returned. Things must be really getting out of hand for the warrior princess to make that suggestion.
The bard had another plan for the immediate future. She did something she knew would rile her warrior princess, but they needed a frying pan.
Waiting for a plan to unfold was the worst part. Gabrielle chose to attempt to pull one over on Xena as she practiced in the barn. She didn't even manage to come close.
As for the person Xena had been thinking of, the warrior princess had cheated. There was no way Gabrielle would allow for it. Just because the murder had taken place while Callisto was in Xena's body did not make her the one to kill Theodorus.
And the centaur dung hit the wall. Xena realized Gabrielle had traded her whip to Minya for a frying pan. The warrior princess thought it was about her using the scrolls and not needing something to cook their food. Or it could be a little of both.
Gabrielle had to hide a smirk when Minya began telling her what was hers and what belonged to the warrior princess. The fact was Xena wasn't the only tough broad around.
Just as Gabrielle seemed to be making headway with Minya about Xena's good deeds, Hower had to interrupt and tell Minya he was in love with the warrior princess. Things were becoming complicated.
Gabrielle nearly shuddered when she heard the giant they were fighting was Gareth. Not only was he the toughest, meanest giant around, he was the one who had killed Goliath's family. The oncoming storm clouds would prevent them from using the mirrors. There had to be another way.
Xena had invented quite a few things during their travels together, Gabrielle just wasn't so certain about the latest one. Could they really get it airborne?
And the argument began. All because Gabrielle didn't share Xena's vision. There was the fact rarely, if ever, had one of the warrior princess plans failed. Eventually, one would have to, wouldn't they?
It was all about faith. If Gabrielle had faith, anything was possible. She believed in her warrior princess. She knew her soulmate was capable of amazing things. Including crashing her new invention right into the bard's face.
Luckily, a few more tries, and the parchment was flying high. Gabrielle was as excited as Xena to see it up in the air. Though she still wasn't certain exactly what her warrior princess had in mind.
Lightning bolts? Gabrielle wasn't certain if Xena could follow through on that. And yet, she had all the faith in the world with her soulmate. Except when it came to speaking with Hower.
With the parchment experiment nearly fully successful except for it being stuck in a tree, Gabrielle went in search of Xena. If she had only not done the warrior cry, she might have been able to tackle the warrior princess to the ground.
Though landing on the ground did have at least one perk. Gabrielle had to use Xena's breast plate to help her into a standing position. Something she'd never tire of.
Gabrielle sighed when her turn to speak with Hower didn't go over any better than the warrior princess' had. The bard was intrigued to find Xena whispering to Minya. Hopefully whatever had been said would prove beneficial.
Things turned somber for a moment. Gabrielle reached out as Xena admitted what was at stake for her. Finally settling the old debt she had with Goliath would be the best side-effect of a plan they'd yet to accomplish.
By the sounds of it, Goliath had a really good time stomping the warlord's army. Now was the worst part once again. Waiting. The bard attempted to be patient, but it wasn't easy.
Gabrielle and Xena stood at the ready when the warlord appeared in the village. He had seen better days and was angry. He wanted to take his anger out on the warrior princess.
To everyone's, but Minya's, surprise, Minya showed just how tough a broad she really could be. In her new warrior princess like leathers, she easily took care of the warrior.
Another pleasant side-effect. Hower was more than impressed with how Minya had handled the warlord. The pair snuck off. There was only one problem. A giant had to be dealt with before he crushed their village.
It was time. Gabrielle was to remain in the village as Xena evened a score. Their apologies were said. A bad day had made them say and do things they normally wouldn't. Now, the bard waited and worried, as always, about her warrior princess.
It was Gabrielle's favorite time. Not that she didn't like traveling and meeting new people, but being snuggled next to Xena as they gazed at the stars was something the bard could never get enough of.
It was the one thing Gabrielle had missed most. It was what had made the nights so difficult to get through when she was missing the other half of her soul.
They never could agree on what the stars looked like. It didn't matter. As long as they were side by side, that's all that mattered.
That and Gabrielle attempting to get one over on Xena one last time. The bard was more than shocked when she actually hit her warrior princess.
A kiss was to take away the pain, even though Xena attempted to make it appear it wasn't wanted. As Gabrielle lay there content, she realized something. Her warrior princess had allowed her to hit her just so she would stop trying.
It was frustrating. And yet, it was also loving. Xena wouldn't allow anyone else to do what Gabrielle had done. She had to say she loved her, if only by using the words she knew what her soulmate had done.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
One of the best ways to get the juices flowing is a battle first thing in the morning. Xena was in her element. Though it didn't hurt to be creative, no matter the time of the battle.
It wouldn't do for Xena to have all the fun. It took a bit for the bard to awaken, but when she did, she was ready to enter the fray as well.
Just after placing the pinch on one of their attackers, Gabrielle's tone of voice sucked some of the good mood the fight had caused for Xena.
Why was her bard so upset over one frying pan? True, they needed it to cook things in. But it was replaceable. And it really had Xena's juices flowing. Unfortunately, they couldn't cook with her juices.
They were interrupted when the warrior reminded Xena she had placed the pinch on him. Another warlord the warrior princess was familiar with attacking a small village.
Piedmont was their destination. Xena really was off now that Gabrielle had yelled at her. The warrior princess was annoyed. She had been in such a delightful mood.
For once, Xena hadn't been somewhere. She was unfamiliar with her surroundings. Gabrielle once again was making a point of having asked the man before knocking him out. Why didn't the bard ask herself? She had good questions too.
Before deciding on which way to go, a stranger called to them. It seemed Gabrielle was in a mood. Why not ask instead of placing the pinch on the stranger?
Before her bard could ask, the man was asking if she was Xena. It looked like there was double trouble. Instead of another warlord, a giant was threatening a different village.
It was quite the quandary. Unlike Gabrielle who had made a long list of the pros and cons, Xena approached the problem in a simpler approach. Heads they took on the giant.
As they began their trek to Hower's village, Gabrielle had to get in another dig about the frying pan. Xena was tired already of the subject and didn't want to hear more about it. Though her bard had a point about raw meat…
Hopefully a little guessing game would calm both bard and warrior princess. Xena could sense they were both on edge. She wasn't certain why, but could guess it had to do with returning to a normal routine after dealing with her resurrection.
As Gabrielle continued to ask questions, Xena knew she would never guess. Why? Because the warrior princess would make certain it was obvious, but also impossible, to guess.
For some reason, Gabrielle was attempting to see if she could outdo Xena. The warrior princess had allowed her bard to get so close because she wanted it.
Back to the problem at hand. At least the unknown giant had never been to Hower's village. It could aid in surprising the giant. Plans were already flowing through Xena's mind.
A rumbling of Xena's stomach meant they would need to take time to eat. Of course, Gabrielle had to mention cooking it. It was starting to really rub the warrior princess raw.
As Xena stood in the stream, Gabrielle continued her questions. This was how the warrior princess loved fishing. While fishing poles had their place, there was nothing like hands on. It was her style pretty much all the time.
Xena wondered if Gabrielle intentionally said she wanted a fish that couldn't be obtained. It really did seem they were on one another's nerves more than usual.
The horse tracks proved the large army on its way to Piedmont. Gabrielle felt sorry for the village, but Xena didn't. She just knew she'd find a way to save both villages.
Now to allow for the real fun. Eel flying at Gabrielle. Smack in the face with the trout. Xena was enjoying herself more than she should.
When finished with the fishing duties, Xena settled in the spot vacated by Hower. She sighed heavily when Gabrielle informed her another one had fallen for her.
If it were merely the leathers, a wardrobe change would be in order. But then again, kinkier men could be attracted to her. As far as not bathing and wearing a smelly wolf skin, it wouldn't go over well with Gabrielle.
As much as they might be annoying one another at the moment, Xena would be lost without her bard at her side. She knew Gabrielle felt the same way.
Flowers for a flower? Xena reluctantly thanked Hower. She wasn't certain what else to do. She had to let him down gently.
Once again, irritation could not be curbed when Xena found her bard using her chakram as a cutting tool. It would smell like fish for days. Never mind it was the warrior princess' fault, in a way, since she'd used their last cutting knife on a warlord not that long ago.
Hower's offer to wash her chakram was rebuffed. After being informed of the village's location, Xena sent her admirer on his way with a message for the warlord she knew he couldn't resist.
Nature's call halted their trek. The only problem? Xena couldn't find a decent leaf. She resorted to something she normally wouldn't do and that was use a piece of Gabrielle's scroll.
There hadn't been much writing on it and it was an emergency. Xena hadn't thought Gabrielle would be quite this upset. She should have known better.
Xena was saved from whatever wrath Gabrielle could come up with, at least momentarily, when the ground began to shake. The giant wasn't that far off.
A sign giving directions to the bad guy wasn't technically the first time Xena had done this. It was the first time with a giant. The fact there was a giant burial ground this way nearly made it certain the giant would head this way.
Back to the questions. While Xena loved stumping Gabrielle, she was becoming annoyed with the continual questions.
Gabrielle rattled on and on when Xena noticed something interesting about the village. Her bard had missed the simple fact there was no one in the village.
At least there hadn't appeared to be. A woman with dark hair was suddenly attempting to wrangle a goat. And the immediate hero worship began.
Major hero worship as Xena couldn't even get a word in. It took Minya asking the question of whether or not she slept in the nude for the warrior princess' voice to be heard.
Hower was fawning all over her. Now Minya was drooling over her exploits. It wasn't helping Xena to think of a plan to deal with the giant.
One way to relax was a nice, warm bath. Of course, Xena couldn't bathe alone. Her bard had to be by her side. And they had to continue the guessing game.
Mirrors? Xena didn't want to do the same thing she already had. Besides, she hated to think how it had taken out her friend. Someone who had risked everything just to save her.
Xena had lost count on how many times she had to tell Minya there was enough hot water. The last time she had been distracted as she washed her bard thoroughly. Time to return the favor.
Sensitive chats? Xena wasn't a fan of them, it was true, but that didn't mean she couldn't do them. She'd be the one to straighten out Hower.
Competitiveness seemed to be one thing Xena and her bard had in common. It was another reason, at times, they sometimes weren't always on the best of terms. Today seemed to be one of those days.
For now was not lost on Gabrielle. Xena would use the mirrors if necessary. But the warrior princess loved to be creative and try new things.
Xena walked out of the hut they had been bathing in. She swung her head to help drain some of the water from her long locks.
Hower was back. As much as Xena needed to speak to him about his crush, Zagrayas needed to be stopped. If she worded the next message just right, he'd easily fall for it.
It wasn't good when Hower wouldn't say goodbye to Minya without Xena interfering. She felt bad for her new friend. She definitely didn't want Hower.
Xena needed to work off some of the stress she was feeling. Practicing always helped to ease the pressure and it helped her to think.
The fact Gabrielle had yet to stop attempting to better her or guess who Xena was thinking of only made her practice time that much sweeter.
The warrior princess couldn't help the smug smile when she informed Gabrielle the man was Theodarus. It wasn't her fault there was the technicality that it was Callisto in her body at the time.
What was Minya doing with her whip? When their new friend began informing Xena of what was hers and what wasn't, she knew she had Gabrielle to thank for being minus one whip.
It wasn't about cooking, though they did need to cook their food. It was about the fact Xena had used one of Gabrielle's scrolls for nature's call.
That would have to be settled later as Hower had returned. He came with tidings that at least part of Xena's plan was working. The army was on their way. But what about the giant? As it turned out, it was Gareth.
Xena saw the reaction when Gabrielle heard who the giant was. Her bard knew he was the meanest of the giants. But more so, he was the one who had killed Goliath's family. It was the reason the warrior princess had had to kill her friend.
This time it wasn't about the mirrors having been used once before. If the storm clouds continued, it meant they wouldn't work. Fortunately, Xena had another crazy plan involving lightning bolts.
It took a little bit for Xena to rig what had been pictured in her mind. She only hoped it worked as well as she thought it would. It would be trial and error. And a few major misses before finally success.
In between failures, Gabrielle was questioning Xena's vision. Did her bard have a plan? And the fact a majority of her plans had succeeded, did not mean this one would fail. Percentages were something that the warrior princess would defy.
Once the parchment seemed to be working all right, it was time for a sensitive chat. Xena found Hower brushing Argo like she'd never been brushed before.
Spelling it out plain and simply had no effect. Xena couldn't understand why those in love had so much trouble understanding when the other didn't share their feelings.
If Xena was honest with herself, she'd remember it was why she and Gabrielle had remained friends for so long, before allowing their love for one another to take hold. Fear of rejection and having the other not return the love that was felt.
It was in search of Gabrielle the warrior princess went. Once again, Xena allowed her bard to come that close because she wanted her to. There was the benefit of having those petite hands in certain places…
Xena managed to retrieve her parchment from the tree. As she returned to the village, she could hear Hower's shouts. Something had to be done. Obviously the man wasn't listening to either of them.
For a moment, Xena became sober. She became sentimental. If the parchment worked and Gareth was killed, it would settle an old debt. She only hoped Goliath could hear her thoughts. She was doing this for him as much as to save the village.
The loud crunching sounds and the ground moving informed Xena part of her plan had worked. It was Zagrayas' amry being stomped to death. One less worry.
Boredom. It was why Xena loved actual battles and planning. But once the planning was done, sitting back waiting for the battle drove her nearly insane. And her chakram flying was doing little to ease her boredom.
Before settling down, Xena had given Minya some advice. Why she hadn't thought of speaking to her friend before Hower was beyond her. Usually females were a little more open to certain suggestions.
Xena watched bored as Zagrayas rattled on and on. Obviously watching his army be stomped by a giant had done something to him. Or had he always been this way?
Impressive was one word to describe how Minya handled the warlord. Xena nodded her head in approval. That was until Hower once again found Minya attractive and they disappeared into a hut.
It was time to face Gareth. Before going, Xena had to make certain her bard and their new friends made it to safety if things didn't work out as planned.
Even better was making up with Gabrielle. It was merely an exchange of apologies and saying neither should have done what they did. But it eased Xena's soul.
Xena took great delight in torturing Gareth. First with her speed. Then with her words. Soon, her parchment was doing exactly what she wanted it to. As if Zeus himself had sent down a lightning bolt, Gareth was no more.
Peace. It was what lying next to Gabrielle gave Xena each night. Playing the star shape game was also easing the tension of the day.
Xena had finally settled an old score. Or at the very least, she had done what Goliath had attempted to do. She wasn't certain she was worthy of forgiveness, but would savor the victory for what it was.
The warrior princess felt it coming, but did nothing to stop it. Xena knew Gabrielle would not stop until she had somehow bested her soulmate.
The kiss was something Xena loved, but wouldn't show she did. Not when Gabrielle had supposedly bested her. As they settled and attempted to sleep, she heard it. Her bard knew she had allowed for the hit. It was going to be a long night.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Xena was snuggled up to her bard. She was reflecting on the day they had experienced. While it was on her mind how she hopefully evened an old score for Goliath, what was really on her mind was how she and Gabrielle had interacted.
It wasn't Gabrielle attempting to get the better of her. It wasn't how Xena had, in a way, cheated to win the question game. It was how they had seemed a tad bit irritable with one another.
As she held her bard and allowed the deep, even breaths to comfort her, Xena wondered why they had irritated one another so. They had just been reunited with one another and dealt with Callisto and Velasca.
So why would they be so irritated with one another? The sounds of a nightmare caught Xena's attention. She held Gabrielle closer and whispered words of love into her bard's ear.
It wasn't the first time since Xena had returned that Gabrielle had suffered through nightmares. It was the warrior princess' fault Gabrielle suffered the nightmares.
Finally, breathing evened out and the body Xena held relaxed once again. She hoped never to cause her soulmate these kinds of nightmares ever again.
Back to why they had been so irritable with one another. It was probably the adjustment. From having nearly lost one another to being thrown into the normal routine.
Or was it something else? Xena wondered if it could be because of her proposal. That would be silly. Wouldn't it? Yet, they were even more like a married couple than before.
If that was so, maybe it was the little things. Like Xena not thinking when she used the frying pan and cutting knives as weapons. Of not asking before using Gabrielle's scrolls as leaves. The bard trading Xena's whip for a frying pan. Gabrielle's continual attempting to better the warrior princess.
Xena couldn't help chuckling at the thought. Especially if it meant they truly were a married couple. While the warrior princess wanted to exchange vows, she wasn't certain when she'd be ready to.
Irony since they traveled together, slept together, ate together and made love whenever their travels allowed. The very definition of marriage.
Azure eyes closed. Xena felt content. She'd finally accomplished what had cost Goliath his life and that was to revenge his family's deaths.
It was another on the too long list that Xena would never allow to end of making things up to others. She never could. How could one be granted redemption when their soul was as tainted as hers was?
Those negative thoughts were shrugged off. Instead, Xena held onto the reason she felt so content. It was because of her bard. She made her whole. She made her feel like she could do anything. And that's what made life worth living. "I love you, Gabrielle."