With the early morning sun hanging in a crystal blue sky, a knock on the door stirred Gabrielle from her slumber as she slowly opened her eyes and heard Elle's voice from the other side of the door.
ELLE
Gabrielle, are you awake?
Sleepily Gabrielle raised her head from her pillow.
GABRIELLE
(Sleepily tone) Huh?
ELLE
Myself, your sister and a few of the Amazons are going downstairs for breakfast before we start getting ready for the ceremony later. Did you wanna come with us?
Not fully awake yet, Gabrielle mumbled something incoherent before lay her head back down and getting comfortable to go back to sleep. She closed her eyes for a few moments before what Elle said began to finally register with Gabrielle as her eyes suddenly shot open, and she quickly sat up.
GABRIELLE
The wedding!
The keep was busier than usual as many people hustled about to finish the last minute setup for the ceremony that would be held later in the day as Gabrielle joined Lila, Elle and a number of others a quick breakfast before the group all made their way back up to their rooms to get ready for the wedding.
LILA
Wow Gabrielle, that dress really is beautiful.
Gabrielle smiled as she flattened out the few creases in the fabric from putting it on and looked at her sister.
GABRIELLE
Thanks. Cyrene really did do an amazing job on it, didn't she?
After making sure the dress was on right, Gabrielle turned around as her sister helped her close the back of her dress and tie the sting, before Gabrielle turned to look in the mirror. In her reflection stood a young woman in a beautiful long-sleeved, white dress that hung slightly off her shoulders with gold trim around the neck and shoulder line. It fit Gabrielle perfectly as it flowed down to just above her ankles with a material that almost seemed to sparkle when the light hit it.
LILA
Well now that we have you in your dress, come sit down, and I'll help you do your hair.
Meanwhile with a small thud, Xena stomped her boot the rest of the way on before she stood up from the edge of her bed and walked over to her mirror to inspect her appearance as she heard a knock on her door.
XENA
Come in.
Hearing the door open Xena called to her visitor to tell them she was in her bedroom as she returned to making sure everything was in place.
CYRENE
Oh now don't you look lovely.
Hearing her mother, Xena turned and smiled.
XENA
Thanks. I know you were a bit disappointed when I told you I didn't need you to make me a dress.
The older woman smiled as she walked up her daughter.
CYRENE
That's okay Xena. It's your day and as long as you're happy it doesn't matter to me what you're wearing.
Cyrene reached up to help Xena adjust the beaded circlet that sat atop her head and stepped back to look at the Conqueror who along with the headwear, wore a sleeveless top that was completely covered with dozens of small, flat, silver, metal circles that almost looked like coins. On her lower half Xena had on a pair of dark blue pants that had a decorative pattern around the waist and who's bottom part of the legs were tucked into her boots that came mid-way up her calf.
CYRENE
And besides I think what you have on suites you perfectly.
Xena smiled as she shared a brief hug with the older woman.
XENA
Thanks.
The two separated.
XENA
But there is still one more thing I need.
Turning around, Xena walked over to her bed and picked up a long-sleeved dark blue, velvet cloak-like robe with a hood that was lined with golden silk on the inside as well as the bottom third of the loose fitting sleeves. Once she put it on, Xena turned to face Cyrene once again as the older woman smiled.
CYRENE
It's perfect.
Mirroring her mother's expression Xena took one last look at her reflection before turning back toward Cyrene.
XENA
Well I guess all that's left to do now is to actually go get married.
And with that Xena walked over to Cyrene who was also dressed up for the event and offered to woman her arm as Cyrene accepted the gesture and looped her own arm around her daughter's.
CYRENE
(Joking tone) We wouldn't want to keep your lovely bride waiting after all.
Xena let out a small chuckle as the mother and daughter walked out of Xena's bedroom together to make their way downstairs.
XENA
No I suppose we wouldn't.
It was just a short time later as Xena stood at the end of a corridor on the first floor of the keep as she took a deep breath to try and calm the nerves that had suddenly surfaced when she got there.
LEONIDAS
Last second prepositions, my lord?
Xena looked over her shoulder and smirked as her lieutenant that was dressed in a set of ceremonial armor approached her and Cyrene who was standing beside her.
XENA
Something like that.
Stopping beside the two women, Leonidas greeted Cyrene as he complimented the older woman's appearance for the wedding before offering his appreciation for the Conqueror's outfit as well that got a sarcastic head shake from the dark haired woman.
XENA
Is everything prepared?
LEONIDAS
Yes my lord. We're all set to begin whenever you're ready.
Xena took one more calming breath as she looked at the door in front of her and smiled as she thought of what now laid just on the other side.
XENA
Well we can't just stand here all day. So I suppose there's no better time than now to do this.
With a smile and quick bow of his head, Leonidas walked by the two women as he opened the door and stepped outside to give the signal to begin. It was only a moment later that soft music began to play and the Conqueror's lieutenant stepped back into the doorway as he stood at attention to the side and gave Xena a small nod to say that everything was as it should be. Xena looked to her mother and the two smiled for a moment before walking forward to stand next to Leonidas who offered his arm to Xena and after Xena taking the gentlemanly offer, and still having her other arm linked with Cyrene, Xena was walked out into the sunlight as everyone who was in attendance for the wedding fell silent as they rose from their seats that sat on either side of a straight walkway when they saw the Conqueror come into view and slowly make her way up the walkway to stand under a large arch that had been set up on a small platform at the front of the crowd and was made of wood and had ribbon, flowers and other plant life woven throughout it. Once Xena was standing below the arch, Leonidas politely escorted Cyrene off to the side and to their seats as Melosa walked over to stand in the center of the arch and she and Xena exchanged nods to greet each other before they looked down the isle and stood waiting for the second participant in the ceremony to arrive.
EPHINY
Looks like it's time Gabrielle. Are you ready?
A peaceful smile found its way to Gabrielle's face as she pictured the woman that stood outside waiting for her and had to silently remind herself that as much as it mighthave felt like it, this all wasn't just some magical dream.
GABRIELLE
Yeah.
Gabrielle paused for a moment when she felt her sister's hand taking hers, and she looked at Lila as the sister's shared a smile as Gabrielle continued.
GABRIELLE
Honestly I don't think I've ever been more ready to do anything in my life.
MELOSA
Then let's not keep you or Xena waiting any longer.
The Amazon queen walked to stand in front of the two young women as she gave the signal for Ephiny and the other Amazons with them to begin to file out as she followed shortly behind and Gabrielle and Lila hear the crowds excited response before walking out together behind her and followed the trail of Amazonian women down the aisle where the line split up and gave Gabrielle and Xena the first view of one another since the day before as Gabrielle was led up to where the Conqueror stood and the two joined hands as Lila and the Amazons walked to take their seats.
XENA
You look beautiful.
Xena smiled as she and Gabrielle stood facing one another, lacing their hands together as they gazed lovingly into one another's eyes for a moment before hearing Melosa speak as the Amazon began the ceremony.
MELOSA
What a beautiful day it is for a beautiful celebration...
The crowd went completely quiet upon hearing the Amazon queen begin to speak while Xena and Gabrielle turned their attention to the woman as she continued.
MELOSA
Today we gather in a ceremony that will mix both Amazon traditions with the marriage customs of the Amazons as well as your standard traditions as we celebrate love and the union of two becoming one. Of Gabrielle, princess of the Amazons and Xena, the lord Conqueror of Greece.
As small round of applause came from a number of people in the audience as Melosa paused for a moment to prepare for the next step and Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other and smiled before returning their focus to the Amazon when she continued.
MELOSA
Gabrielle, do you enter into this union freely and of your own accord? And do you understand the seriousness and impact of going into this marriage to someone who is not a part of the Amazon people.
Having already been informed by Xena while the two leaders were still discussing the details of the new treaty that Melosa and Xena had previously discussed a few days earlier and agreeing to the stipulations before the deal was even signed, Gabrielle glanced oveer to the Conqueror and smiled at the woman as she answered.
GABRIELLE
Yes.
Hearing Melosa carry on after giving her response, Gabrielle turned her eyes back to the Amazon in front of her.
MELOSA
And Xena, do you also enter into this union freely and of your own accord? And do you understand the seriousness and impact of going into this marriage to not only woman who is not only a part of the Amazon people, but Amazonian royalty that will likely one day take the position of queen to the Amazon nation
XENA
I do.
Melosa continued.
MELOSA
Alright now to continue I believe that you both have your own words that you want to say. So, Gabrielle you may go ahead and go first.
In response Gabrielle and Xena turned to face one another as they joined hands and the younger woman began.
GABRIELLE
Xena, When I first met you I never would've imagined that we'd be standing here today. But now that we are I have no doubt that there isn't anywhere I'd rather be right now than standing here with you. Before finding you, I always felt so incomplete, like there was this part deep inside of me that just felt empty, like no one really saw me for the person I was instead of who they wanted me to be. But Xena when I'm with you, it's like that empty loneliness I'd felt for all that time was never there. You see me for who I am and everything that I hope to be, and I can never tell you how much that means to me.
Gabrielle felt tears of joy being to slowly fill her eyes as she continued.
GABRIELLE
Back in my village I used to dream of the day that I could somehow break away from the small, closed world that I knew I would never fit into. But since finding you and living here, I've seen and learned more than I ever dreamed. And though the road to get here wasn't an easy one to travel, if I woke up tomorrow to find that I was back where this all started, I would do it all again in a heartbeat if it meantthat I would make it back to standing here with you right now. Because there isn't anywhere else in the world that I'd rather be then here with you. Which is exactly where I finally found that I know I belong. And for that I will always love you, Xena.
Feeling unbelievably touched by Gabrielle's words, Xena wiped a couple tears from her eyes as the younger woman finished her heartfelt speech and the Conqueror smiled as Melosa spoke up again.
MELOSA
That was lovely Gabrielle. Xena...
The Amazon queen looked to Xena next as she saw the woman trying to compose herself.
MELOSA
You have something you wanted to say as well.
XENA
Right.
Taking a quick moment to let her emotions settle a little, Xena took a breath before looking into Gabrielle's eyes and began to speak.
XENA
Gabrielle, I don't really know where to even begin. Or what I can say that could ever fully express just how much you mean to me. When you came into my life I was so lost in my own darkness that I never imagined I'd find a way out. Not to say that I even wanted to at the time. But then when I saw your light, I knew that I had to follow it, but I never imagined that by doing so it would lead me to standing here today.
Xena paused as she saw a small tear escape the corner of Gabrielle's eye and reached up to gently wiped it away before softly caressing the young woman's cheek with her thumb.
XENA
I know you don't think it's true, but the only reason I was ever able to make it out of that darkness is because of you. The kindness you show to everyone around you, including myself will never fail to amaze me. Because while I know I could never hope to deserve it, I will forever be grateful to you for the love and compassion you've given me. I don't know how but inspire of everything I am and all the unforgivable things I've done, you're still able to look beyond all of that to see the person that you led me to become. Even with all the hardships and pain you've had to endure, it's through your ability to still somehow remain unchanged at the very core of your being that allows you to still look for and see the good in the world as well as the people around you that caused me to look deep inside myself and truly see what I had become. It was only then that I finally saw that the person I was looking at was someone who was completely unrecognizable from who I had set out to be so long ago. And was someone who because of you I knew I no longer wanted to be. So I know while it may seem to everyone else that during everything that's happened since you've come into my life that I was the one that had at multiple points come to your rescue. The truth is Gabrielle, that it was you who was actually the one saving me.
Finishing her short speech Xena took Gabrielle's hand and raised it to her lips while Gabrielle stood speechless as she tried to stop the joyful tears that were running down her cheeks as Melosa waited a few moments while Xena wiped Gabrielle's tears away and the young woman gathered herself.
GABRIELLE
That was beautiful Xena.
XENA
I meant every bit of it. Although no words could ever come close to being anywhere near as beautiful as you.
Gabrielle smiled as she looked away and shook her head slightly.
GABRIELLE
(Half Joking tone) Come on Xena, you keep saying stuff like that, and you're gonna make me cry again.
MELOSA
Well we don't want that. Now if the two of you have said everything you wanted, we can carry on with the rest of the ceremony.
Hearing Melosa speak, Gabrielle and Xena returned their attention to the Amazonian woman showing that they were ready to continue.
MELOSA
Now if you would please each of you hold out an arm in front of you and join your hands together.
Following Melosa's instructions, Gabrielle and Xena took one another's hand and held them out in front of them as the Amazon queen turned around and picked up one of the few items that sat on the small table behind her before turning back to face the other two women who saw her holding a small, thin, worn length of rope that she then held stretched out between her hands as she raised it up for the audience to see as she spoke.
MELOSA
A rope like this...
While continuing to speak, Melosa took one end of the small rope and loosely tied it around Gabrielle's wrist.
MELOSA
in our tribe represents the bond between two people...
Carrying on in her task, the Amazon queen took the other end of the rope and like she had done with Gabrielle, put it around the Conqueror's wrist as well before taking hold of the middle section of the rope.
MELOSA
However that bond, like a rope that has been left to weather, if it isn't cared for, can be broken.
Suddenly the woman quickly pulled on the thin rope in opposite directions which caused it to snap before she removed the now two separate pieces of rope from Gabrielle and Xena's wrists and held them up for everyone to see and understand the symbolism before turning around for a moment and picked up another item. Then after facing everyone once again, Melosa held up the item to reveal it to be another shot piece of rope, that was a good deal thicker and in far better shape in comparison to the first.
MELOSA
But if you pay attention and maintain your relationship properly...
Like she had with the thin rope, Melosa put one end around Xena's wrist and the other around Gabrielle's. And again like she had before with the thin one, pulled on the middle section of the thicker rope, but unlike the previous one, the new piece of rope didn't break.
MELOSA
It can remain strong and enduring no matter the strain that this life may put on it.
Letting go of the rope, Melosa turned to the small table one more time and took the last remaining small items before turning back toward Xena and Gabrielle.
MELOSA
I hold here what in accordance to Amazon tradition will become the symbols of your love and the commitment that you've made to one another. That when worn will hopefully serve to remind you of the love you have for each other.
The queen of the Amazons held up two identical bracelets that were beautifully and clearly painstakingly carefully crafted out of a thick, sturdy wood with matching intricatedesigns that included the symbols for each of their names woven together. Then she handed one of each of them to the two women in front of her.
MELOSA
Next I hold a pair of rings that in the lord Conqueror's kingdom not unlike the bracelets that we Amazons use, has become the symbol of two people's devotion to one another. So like the bracelets, may they also be a reminder to always hold true to the love you share here today.
After holding up the rings that were made to match the bracelets for a moment, Melosa gave the Conqueror and the younger woman each one of the rings before having the two face one another.
MELOSA
Gabrielle, do you take Xena to be your wife and from this day on swear to keep the vow you've made here today to always love and care for her for the rest of both this life and beyond.
Gabrielle smiled as she stood looking into Xena's eyes and answered.
GABRIELLE
I do.
Having both of them previously been told what to do next a few days prior, Gabrielle held out her hand as Xena slipped the bracelet on to the young woman's wrist before placing the ring on Gabrielle's finger. And once she was done, Melosa repeated her question to the Conqueror.
MELOSA
And Xena, do you take Gabrielle to be your wife and from this day on swear to keep the vow you've made here today to always love and care for her for the rest of both this life and beyond.
With both women still looking at each other, Xena replied.
XENA
I do.
Repeating the same action as Xena just a moment ago, Gabrielle slid both the bracelet and ring on to the woman in front of her, and the Amazon queen spoke for one final time as the long anticipated ceremony came to its conclusion.
MELOSA
Then with the blessings of the god's and everyone in attendance here today, I officially announce Gabrielle of Potidaea, princess to the Amazons and Xena, the lord Conqueror of Greece wife's for life.
And with that announcement, the crowd that had been sitting quietly watching the ceremony cheered as Xena put her arms around Gabrielle and held her in strong embrace while their lips met for a meaningful and passionate kiss that to the two of them seemed to go on for a blissful eternity before they separated only a few moments later and Gabrielle looked up at the taller woman.
GABRIELLE
I love you Xena.
XENA
And I love you. More than I can ever say. I only hope that some day I can find a way to show you the depths of my love for you that I know my words alone could never express.
The two kissed once again before the Conqueror turned to the audience.
XENA
Well now that we've taken care of business here, I believe it's time for a celebration.
With the audience cheering in response to what she had just said, Xena offered her arm to Gabrielle and then walking arm in arm the newly-weds made their way back down the aisle and inside where everyone soon followed and a festive celebration that was filled with a rather large number of congratulatory comments to the happy couple. Along with an extensive banquet of good food and drink, lively music and even better company as the lively party carried on for the remainder of the day and ran a decent way into the night. And as it grew late and while the celebration looked to be showing no signs of winding down any time soon, after the long day and the hectic goings-on that had taken over the keep for some time, wanting to share some time with just each other, Xena and Gabrielle slipped away from the party and walked quietly together around the keep as they just simply enjoyed being with one another before eventually making their way to Xena's private quarters where they would spend the rest of what had been an unforgettable day and would soon become an even more magical night.
TO BE CONTINUED...