Earlier
The other day Gabrielle had given the warrior the brilliant idea of having a lap desk made so that she could better tend to her leadership roles. Xena loved the thought so much that she secretly had two of them commissioned so that Gabrielle could also have a desk of her own and they had just been delivered. During the night while Gabrielle was sleeping Xena had carefully snuck in the twin desks along with everything the bard would need to write the tales that she often told to the warrior.
Xena's heart raced nervously as she did her best to hide the dark stained mahogany gift. Not knowing exactly where gave her time to think even more about the gift itself. Mahogany being from a tropical tree the wood had to travel a vast distance. Making it one of the most expensive but it was worth the high price tag to make Gabrielle happy. Since she had spent a lot of money on it the warrior was a bit worried.
Deep down Xena knew it was because of the way Gabrielle had tried to turn down the wardrobe she had tailored for the woman. Xena fingered one of the many engravings with a devious grin. Thinking that Gabrielle would not turn down a gift with her own name literally written all over it. Now that she had held it in her hands she was extremely happy with how it turned out.
Xena stole a deep breath and with a grin she slipped into the warmth of her shared bed. In a newly honed habit she scooted over beside Gabrielle who moaned Xena's name in her sleep. Her body instinctively snuggled into Xena's side who helplessly let their bodies meld together comfortably. Xena sighed happily fuzzy holding Gabrielle close; she really hoped Gabrielle would like her gift as she drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
The morning came only after a blissful night tucked into the warmth of each other. Xena was on her back and the first one to wake up; her eyes remained closed as she began assessing herself. Gabrielle was still tucked into Xena's body, her silk covered leg over Xena's all while Gabrielle's hand held her close with a firm hold. Xena grunted her approval of the intimacy she was sharing with her bard.
Eventually Xena opened her eyes to the breath stealing sight of Gabrielle's slumbering face next to her own. They were already turned towards each other. Now that the swelling was starting to recede and Gabrielle's color was beginning to return to normal Xena felt stunned. The sexual nature of their connection was never more painfully evident to the trembling warrior.
Xena grabbed the hand on her body and placed it along Gabrielle's side; she needed to get up and move. Exercise is just what the doctor ordered. Anything to get her body to calm down. Just as she was about to roll away from her, Gabrielle groaned, her body readjusting and wiggling even closer to Xena. All but climbing on top of her. Bringing their lips all the more closer and to a fuzzy headed warrior it was hard to resist the urge to kiss her. Xena moans, enjoying the wild feeling of aroused sensations ripping through her.
Feeling trapped, because of the injuries Gabrielle still suffered from, Xena licked her lips and rolled her eyes at her predicament, "Gabrielle." her voice deepened by her desires.
"Five more minutes Xena, please." Gabrielle grunted, her hand squeezing the side that she had unconsciously reclaimed.
Xena's heart raced as her mouth instinctively gave a frustrated laughing moan feeling feral all while she closed her rolling eyes. Desperate Xena tried again, "Gabrielle."
Gabrielle huffed in frustration before she groggily opened her eyes taking in the flushed face right in front of her. Gabrielle backed up a bit and smiled at Xena. Thinking internally that no anger would be enough to survive waking up next to Xena's gorgeous face, "Morning."
"Gabrielle." Xena used her aroused face to gesture to the hand still holding her in place.
Gabrielle looked down at her own hand as though it was someone else's. Her smile widened for half a breath as she realized it was her own. Gabrielle blinked her eyes groggily trying to tell her hand to move before finally quirking her surprised brows at her hand and giving it an even louder mental command in her head before it swiftly retreated.
Gabrielle with her brightest blush yet looked up to see Xena smirking at her only for her to turn and look up at the ceiling with her eyebrow in her bangs. Slowly shaking her head in disbelief. Slowly Xena took a deep breath and licked her lips. Willing her body to relax but quickly conceding that it only partly worked. Gabrielle grinned as she realized just how flustered her warrior was in the moment. The fact that she had made the warrior feel that way intrigued her in so many ways.
In a moment she would never take back Gabrielle's hand drew Xena's face back down, her eyes closing in anticipation when Xena slowly moved forward and delicately pressed her lips against Gabrielle's. Relishing the moan that slipped from their connected lips. After a few breathless moments Xena pulled back dazed but intent on asking if this was okay. However no words could form as they delved deeply into the other's hooded eyes and fully displayed soul.
Xena's hand slowly traced and softly cupped Gabrielle's face watching as the bard whimsically moved forward and began another delicate kiss. Xena moaned letting her soft lower lip flick Gabrielle's in an effort to deepen the exchange. Soon the sweet kiss was joined by soft caresses. Carefully exploring each other without trying to push their relationship past this new border too soon.
Their bodies were ablaze when Xena rapidly approached her own limitations with controlling her hungry desires. With a gasp she pulled back and with a smile she met Gabrielle's aroused eyes. Pleasantly surprised by Gabrielle rushing back to start yet another searing kiss, this one fueled by Gabrielle's fiery passion as she pushed Xena back into the bed.
Xena groaned as her desperate hands clutched Gabrielle's hips. She turned her head to the side to remove the bard's temptation and tried to reason with the woman, "Gabrielle, slow down. You're still hurt."
Gabrielle's body vibrated as she tried to relax, both women going through several electrified levels of arousal until they were able to think more clearly. They shared a smile filled with whimsy. Their eyes joined, sharing a vast sea filled with devoted love. When Gabrielle again moved forward Xena placed her hand delicately on Gabrielle's soft shoulder.
Xena's excitement from last night had returned with reckless abandon as she remembered the gift laying beside the bed. Smiling, Xena bargained, "I got you something. If you let me up I can get it for you."
"Xena you don't have to get me things." Gabrielle said with a surprised smile though in all honesty she would much rather get back to what they were doing before the troublesome interruption.
"I know, but I wanted to." Xena's smile was as wide as it came which made Gabrielle curious enough to reluctantly move off of the tall warrior.
"Well I'm really going to have to step my game up. I don't have a gift for you." Gabrielle's words poked at herself; it honestly bothered her that she couldn't give back to the overtly generous queen. Normally she wasn't the type of person to receive gifts at all, her family and friends never really had money to splurge on gifts for each other. They only bought things out of necessity never out of nicety so Gabrielle had no experience in the act. It even somehow felt awkward.
"Gabrielle. You are a gift to me." Xena smirked after she had said the words. Acknowledging the fact that Gabrielle was swiftly turning the warrior queen into a poet.
With Gabrielle properly stunned once more Xena bit her lower lip and got up with a proud flourish. Gabrielle, infected with Xena's enthusiasm, carefully sat up. Xena was smiling when she picked up the carefully crafted table made just for Gabrielle. Noting happily that it looked even better in the daylight. Putting the leather bound writing accessories on top of it. Xena got back in the bed sitting next to Gabrielle. Xena was beyond nervous when she shyly gave it to Gabrielle who was clearly taken aback by the beautiful gesture.
"I didn't have time to wrap it." Xena muttered disapprovingly of her own inaction.
"Xena… It's gorgeous." Gabrielle was looking into Xena's sparkling eyes that reflected the worry being obliterated. From the victorious smile it was clearly very important to Xena that she liked the gift.
Gabrielle looked over the extremely thoughtful gift with wonder and joy. The desk was truly gorgeous and it even had her name carved in the side along with elaborate designs. The legs swung out easily but had enough friction to be able to set it to multiple heights. Gabrielle's fingers trembled as she opened the soft lambskin leathers that also had her name proudly burrowed into the skin.
Gabrielle was stunned when she saw the brand new gold assortment of handmade quill stems and the rare gems that adorned the top of them. When she picked one of the spines up she saw that her name was also carved into them adorned with tiny sparkling diamonds. Along the top of the leather was a vast assortment of different sized writing tips also made of gold. The kit also had a healthy supply of the most expensive ink you could buy in both black and blue.
It was an extremely customised gift and the bard couldn't even fathom the value of the priceless gift. Tears threatened to overwhelm the trembling bard. She fought them back before turning grateful eyes to Xena.
"I can't accept this. It's way too much." Gabrielle's voice trembled.
Xena let out a short teasing breath of laughter. She had prepared for this argument just after she had sent the custom order in, "Gabrielle, they won't take it back, it's engraved to the person I had it made for. Besides, I want you to have everything you need to write. I even put some blank scrolls in your bedside table drawer and I have more in the receiving chamber for you." Xena was enjoying every minute of her argument winning, happily thinking, 'What kind of ruler doesn't deck out her favorite bard?'
"I do love it, Xena." Gabrielle carefully placed the leather down before she moved into Xena pushing the smirking warrior back down and claiming her soft lips in a fiery kiss.
Xena's eyes sparkled in delight when Gabrielle pulled back. Both of them were gasping heavily, "I'm glad you like it."
"No one has ever given me something so thoughtful. How did you know I've been wanting to write?"
"I didn't but I do believe that there should be more people like you in the world and you tell your tales so elegantly. When people read your work I'm certain that it will be a catalyst for them." Xena was sure of her statements and it showed.
"Wait, do you really think that people would want to read them?" Gabrielle was shocked, she never in a million years thought anyone would ever read her works.
Xena smiled warmly, placing a careful hand on Gabrielle's elbow and looking deeply into her eyes so there could be no doubt in the honesty she was about to display, "Gabrielle if you write half as good as you sing. The world will read whatever you write and they will be made better for the wisdom you impart on them."
Gabrielle was speechless and happy tears were again threatening to overwhelm the fragile feeling bard. Xena smiled softly, her eyes lingering in Gabrielle's thoughtful eyes and stunned expression. Inevitably Xena was drawn back to the soft lips of her trembling bard, with a grin she moved forward and closed her eyes just before their lips met in a reassuring kiss.
Gabrielle moaned as the warrior's warm hand once again softly caressed her face pulling her close. The unstoppable fire between them rekindled in an explosive instant. Both women were so lost in their shared feelings they carelessly let their lust take charge of the moment. Gabrielle's hand softly touches the queen's side next to her breast. Xena could feel Gabrielle's hand moving slowly to encompass her heaving bosom.
Xena was never more thankful for a distraction than that of the single knock and the sound of the door being pushed open. Although neither woman bothered to greet their blushing guests who couldn't help but to sneak a look at their much happier ruler. Seeing the intimate entanglement they rushed into the room and set the table for breakfast. When the women were done they quickly left.
As the door was closing behind them one of the chambermaids softly questioned, "So how much did I win again?"
Hearing that her relationship with Gabrielle was bet worthy, Xena smirked and called to the retreating women, "Thank you ladies."
"My empress." they answered in chastised acknowledgement. Before closing the door the maids were already grinning and elbowing each other playfully.
Alone once more the women still comfortably snuggled together smiled at each other, just in time for Gabrielle's stomach to make its presence known.
"Hungry?" Xena smirked, knowingly.
"Apparently very." Gabrielle admitted.
After they got up Gabrielle attempted to slip on her new silk robe, but her ribs were still tender so after a brief struggle Xena appeared like magic in front of her. With a smile she helped her to put the robe in place to cover her matching silk sleeping shift. Her hands were delicate when she loosely tied the straps together.
"Thank you Xena." Gabrielle felt that her words were inadequate even as they left her mouth. Xena always seemed to be right there, giving her things she didn't know she needed until the warrior placed it in her hands.
Xena gave half a grin, her eyes already filled to the brim with incalculable love, "You don't have to thank me Gabrielle. I'm just happy to help." with a smile Xena straightened the collar on Gabrielle's sleeping shirt with gentle hands she smoothed the robe over the top, "There we go. Now that you are perfect, let's eat."
Gabrielle looked properly surprised at the clever use of the word perfect in her regard. Xena placed a chaste kiss to stunned lips and after a smirk went to her side. Even though Gabrielle really no longer needed it, Xena cuddled close to her bard. With a caring supportive arm around her lower back she guided Gabrielle to 'her' seat at the table. As they dug into the food and much to Xena's ample delight Gabrielle burst into a fantastical story.
After they finished breakfast Xena and Gabrielle sat side by side on the large comfortable bed. They were doing their absolute best to focus on their individual task and failing miserably. At some point they each curiously looked at the other and broke into smiles.
"Xena?" Gabrielle smirked and bit her lower lip as she watched the queen immediately, if not predictably, wiped off her quill tip with the cloth before placing them down on her new desk.
Xena's blue eyes quickly moved to inspect the mending face next to her. Ready to fight off and kill the horde themselves once more if the bard so much as implied. The more that Gabrielle healed the more the warrior couldn't help but notice the beauty of the woman shining through. Xena had spotted it from the moment she saw Gabrielle. Simply smiling through her pain and waving at the kids that day they had met. Now she was often left speechless when her war plagued eyes filled with her enchanting friend.
"Yeah?" Xena was smirking not so secretly loving Gabrielle's numerous interruptions to her day to day life. It quickly became enjoyable and she always relished the nourishing conversations that usually followed the use of her name.
"I was kind of hoping you wouldn't mind taking me outside. I would love to feel the sun for a while but I don't think I'm strong enough to make it on my own just yet." Gabrielle was nervous but it felt unmerited. Knowing that the warrior queen had given her everything she had asked for and so much more.
"I'm confident you haven't broken anything so I don't see any problem with you moving around. I want you to feel at home here so you should explore a bit. If you don't mind, I could show you around and we could have lunch in the garden today."
Gabrielle grinned, feeling absolutely blissful that the queen was willing to not only let her move again but that she was willing to accompany her while she did it. So far all the bard had seen was the bedroom and the bathroom. Not that she had been bored. In fact she had been experiencing the most thought provoking and intelligent conversations she had ever partaken in with Xena. The woman was absolutely enthralling inside and out and to make it even more magical it was a mutual thought shared between the two for the other.
"Do you want to head out now?" Xena's smile was careful. The part of her that was falling in love couldn't wait to show Gabrielle around her palace. A place she hoped to soon share with Gabrielle.