It was snowing outside as Gabrielle moved through the keeps halls on her way to the archives. It was just another ordinary day as she happened to take notice of the beautiful scenery that laid outside the window she was walking by, causing her to stop for a moment to admire the snow coated trees and ground that seemed to sparkle with the reflection of the day's bright sunlight.
?
Something out there?
Gabrielle jumped slightly, startled at the unexpected sound of the Conqueror's voice coming from directly from behind her, and quickly turned to face the woman.
GABRIELLE
Oh my lord. I was just on my way to the archives.
Xena arched an inquisitive eyebrow.
XENA
Really now? Because from what I can see, you seem to be standing in the middle of the hallway just gazing out of this window.
Gabrielle fidgeted slightly as she tried to think of a good excuse for what she had been doing so as not to get in trouble for not getting straight to her work.
GABRIELLE
Yes well you see was just walking by on my way to the archives when I, I...
(Lying) I thought I saw a massive flock of harpies swooping down from the sky toward the keep.
Xena's brow went higher at the explanation Gabrielle had just given her for what the young woman had been doing and had to fight to keep an amused smirk from breaking her stoic expression due to the obviously false story
XENA
(Fake serious tone) Harpies, huh?
GABRIELLE
(Lying) Yes, dozens of them. Maybe even hundreds. I only noticed because of the massive shadow they cast over the sun.
XENA
Well that could be a problem. I better take a look.
Playing along, Xena turned her attention to the sky outside as Gabrielle tried to stop her in order to protect her lie that she silently questioned why in her haste she had said something so outrageous instead of something simple that would have been much easier to logically believe.
GABRIELLE
(Lying) Oh but just I guess they must not have been really interested in actually attacking here because just before you showed up they had already begun flying away.
XENA
(Fake serious tone) Mmm even so, I have better still look into this just in case they decide to come back.
We need to be ready for any potential enemy attacks.
Xena watched the sky for a moment before she spotted a small flock of locally found birds flying high among the clouds and continued as though she had found the imagined harpies that both women were well aware were never even spotted around where the keep was located.
XENA
(Fake serious tone) Ah, I see. This could be a serious problem. I better alert the guards and have everyone ready to defend the keep immediately.
Xena returned her attention to Gabrielle wearing a very serious expression on her face.
XENA
Or at least I would if this place were actually under attack.
Gabrielle gave the Conqueror a worried look as she assumed that she was now in trouble for having been caught clearly lying directly to the Conqueror's face.
GABRIELLE
(Nervous tone) Well you see I uh...
Gabrielle was unsure of what she should say at the moment as she then saw Xena raising her hand towards her. And so certain that she was now in trouble for not only being tardy to her work, but for also lying directly to the Conqueror's face about it, Gabrielle made an attempt to step back. But then as Gabrielle tensed up and prepared herself for what might be coming, when she suddenly felt her golden hair get gently tousled as Xena chuckled slightly before taking her hand away and returning her attention out the window.
XENA
That was certainly an interesting little story. You've got quite the imagination you know that?
Surprised by Xena's nonchalant response to her lie, Gabrielle stood in silence as she watched the Conqueror who had seemingly turned her full attention to the world outside the window that both women were st standing in front of.
XENA
So would you like to try telling me again what it was that you were looking at when I got here.
Gabrielle sighed to herself, knowing there was no point in trying to lie about having gotten lost in taking in the sights that laid outside the window and decided that it would be best to just confess to having done as such.
XENA
Look at that. I suppose you're right. Huh, even after all the time I've been here, I guess I never really noticed such things. But now I'm curious...
Xena looked over at the young woman and nodded toward the window.
XENA
So tell me Gabrielle, just what was it exactly about this particular scenery that captured your attention so completely?
The unexpected question took a moment to register with Gabrielle before she realized that the Conqueror's request was in fact serious and turned to face the window as she proceeded to describe why she found the frozen landscape so eye-catching. All the while not seeing that Xena's eyes had moved from outside to watch her as she spoke for several minutes uninterrupted.
XENA
Well that was a good amount more detailed than I had expected.
Gabrielle looked down.
GABRIELLE
Sorry, I guess I got lost in what I was doing. I didn't mean to ramble on like that.
XENA
Now why are you apologizing for something that I asked you to do?
While hearing the Conqueror speak, Gabrielle felt a gentle touch of Xena's hand touch on her chin as the woman raised Gabrielle's head to look at her.
XENA
What you said was quite poetic. Beautiful even.
Xena lowered her hand slowly as she felt that Gabrielle would no longer look away.
XENA
Has anyone ever told you that you can have a real way with words when you want?
Gabrielle shrugged slightly.
GABRIELLE
Honestly all while growing up back in Potidea most people just thought of me as the annoying girl who always had her head in the clouds and talked too much.
A look of surprises flashed across the Conqueror's face, as the thought of the seemingly quiet and timid young woman she'd come to know being accused of being too talkative was nearly incomprehensible. But then as Xena thought about just a moment longer, the apparent change in this young woman's natural personality or actions suddenly didn't feel as unbelievable, as Xena knew that fear could go a long way in dictating how people acted. And it was obvious to Xena that ever since the two had first come in contact with one another, that Gabrielle had been terrified of her. A fact that while normally Xena would have been just fine or even happy with, now brought a feeling of sadness and guilt to the woman as her heart ached for the mental, emotional and even physical pain that she so callously caused Gabrielle. A terrible reality that as much as she now wanted to, Xena could never go back and change. And it was with that sobering realization that she decided then and there that regardless of whether or not her feelings for Gabrielle were ever reciprocated, Xena silently vowed that she would spend the rest of her days trying to make amends for the pain she had undoubtedly hurt the young woman who inspired of everything had somehow managed to capture the fearsome Conqueror's heart. And so, in an effort to begin to try and set things right between them, Xena smiled slightly as she looked over at Gabrielle.
XENA
Well you can talk all you want around me, and I'll be happy to listen.
Gabrielle looked down slightly as she shyly smiled.
GABRIELLE
Thank you my lord. I really appreciate that.
Xena shrugged casually.
XENA
It's no big deal
The two then stood there for a few moments in an awkward silence as neither woman really knew what else they should say as, for whatever reason, Xena remembered some of a conversation that she and Gabrielle had just after the younger women had been brought to the keep.
XENA
So by any chance you wouldn't happen to remember some of a conversation we had back when you first arrived her do you?
GABRIELLE
Which one, my lord?
Xena smiled.
XENA
I believe it involved something about your having entertained some of the people back in your home village with stories of some kind.
GABRIELLE
Oh. Yes I remember. Why do you ask?
XENA
Was that something you enjoyed doing?
Gabrielle smiled at the fond memories of being back in Potidea with her family and friends and how she would often regale many of the younger children with various tales of amazing heroes on epic adventures, unbelievable myths and legends. Stories of triumph and victory. Tragedy and defeat. And everything in between. And after a moment of thinking back to the days before being brought to the keep, Gabrielle was reminded of how some of the happiest times that she had back in her home village were when she was spinning her tales to anyone who would actually listen.
GABRIELLE
Yeah it really was.
Seeing the sudden light in Gabrielle's eyes when she was reminded of her love for storytelling caused Xena to smile as she hadn't ever seen such a look of fondness on the young woman's face. And knew that she had to see more of it
XENA
You'll have to tell 'em to me sometime.
Xena paused for a moment as she realized that her previous statement might have come off sounding more like she had issued Gabrielle a command rather than having asked her to do something and quickly continued in an effort to change how her statement might have come off as she shrugged nonchalantly to hide her concern.
XENA
You know... if you want.
Gabrielle smiled.
GABRIELLE
I'd like that.
XENA
Good, I'll look forward to it.
More silence fell between the two for another long moment as they stood looking at one another until Xena suddenly seemed to break free of the spell and turned to leave.
XENA
Don't you have work to do? You should get to the archives.
GABRIELLE
Oh, yes of course.
Gabrielle turned and began walking toward the archives, but in her haste tripped over her own feet and began to fall. However before she could Gabrielle could hit the floor she suddenly found a strong, yet gentle arm catch her and help her stand as she and Xena looked at one another.
GABRIELLE
Um, thanks.
XENA
You alright?
GABRIELLE
I'm okay.
The two stood looking at one another for another moment as Gabrielle felt the Conqueror's arm still around her as the two women suddenly broke the momentary tension as Xena let go of Gabrielle as the young woman took a few steps back from her, putting a little distance between them as Xena awkwardly cleared her throat.
XENA
You should be more careful and watch your step.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, I'll be sure to try and keep that in mind.
XENA
Good. Now if you don't mind last I checked we both had work to do.
Gabrielle watched as Xena gave her a quick nod goodbye as the woman began to walk away before getting a good way down the hall before Gabrielle herself turned to head off to the archives only to stop when she heard Xena's voice call to her.
XENA
Oh right I almost forgot.
Gabrielle turned partially to see what the Conqueror wanted.
XENA
Heads up.
Before Gabrielle could even question what Xena was doing she found herself barely able to catch a medium size pouch that the other woman had tossed her way. And as she felt the decent weight of the bundle that had just been given to her, Gabrielle looked at the Conqueror in confusion who just shrugged as she gave a casual answer before continuing to walk away.
XENA
Just something that I was overdue in giving you. Don't spend it all in one place.
Gabrielle looked on in confusion as Xena carried on to the end of the hallway and went around the corner before she looked down at the pouch in her hand for a moment before deciding to open it to see what was inside and nearly dropped the contents of the pouch on the floor as she could hardly believe what she saw.
GABRIELLE
By the gods I've never seen this much money at one time in my life!
TO BE CONTINUED...