Disclaimer: The characters Xena, Gabrielle, and all other characters are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. The story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.
Summary: Those against them helped to seperate them, can love still be found or will past betrayal's forever seperate them.
Sex: Yes, consensual and non-consensual
Pairings: X/G only
Violence: Yes.
Rated: NC-17
Feedback: The most important thing I as a writer can do is cause some type of emotion from you the readers, if I have accomplished that then I have done my job. If this story moved you in anyway, if it made you feel anything let me know. Over all impressions are welcome. kodagraystone@yahoo.com
Note - Everyone I've ever talked with has viewed XWP different. Right or wrong here are my views.
Special thanks to: Amatsubu and Wizzy for the encouragement and editing.
Amatsubu on line stories can be found here.
Wizzy on line stories can be found here
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Hope of Light
By Koda Graystone
The coliseum in Athens was huge and attendance was in the thousands. The performance was concluding and a hush of breathless anticipation fell over the crowd, not even soft murmurs were heard. On stage a golden-haired woman stood facing them. Her melodious voice played over their skin like the touch of silken fingertips. She was everyone's dream of hot, steamy nights: mystical, mysterious, a mix of innocence and seduction; head held high, confidence radiated from her, she moved with the grace of a goddess.
The warriors blue gaze was held captive by the person on the stage. Then, Gabrielle of Potadeia, the world's famous bard, bowed politely receiving a standing ovation and loud thunders praise from the audience.
**
Xena had endured the last few years of emptiness; all her joy, rage, and overall desire for living, had disappeared, leaving only a gray empty mass behind. As Xena's cold blue eyes slowly moved over the bard's perfect figure, desire so deep it bordered on insanity slammed into her; brilliant colors flashed before her eyes. The force caused her to fall to her knees. She let the emotions - the pain - wash over her, through her.
The warrior's body burned for her wife. The conqueror raised her head and eyed the beautiful woman on stage, memorizing, marking and reclaiming her wife. Need, want and excitement rose sharply, dangerously and violently; her heart slammed in her chest. She waged a war of emotions as raw lust and a dark, uncontrollable need to claim her wife threatened to overwhelm her. Xena closed her eyes and inhaled sharply, barely able to suppress a low growl of frustration and burning arousal; the warrior smelled the sweet scent of her wife and lover as a myriad of emotions she hadn't felt in years raced through her. Her fingers curled into tight fists, her knuckles white. Xena let her breath out slowly as the Destroyer struggled for supremacy thrashing about her cage, refusing to be ignored.
***
Xena acknowledged she'd grown cold, hard and had treated Gabrielle badly for many summers prior to her leaving. Still the bard had forgiven her and tried to understand her. Seeing Gabrielle had made her remember what it felt like to love and be loved. Xena paced with a long-forgotten restless energy. She thought of Gabrielle's soft skin; how it would feel beneath her fingers, moving under her body, how it would taste, smell. She needed to get control of herself; the warrior enforced her rigid discipline, turned her back on the stage and her wife and left the coliseum.
Her body, muscles toned hard by many battles and superhuman strength, shimmered, forming into a bird. It dipped, circled and swept across the darkened sky; silent, lethal and beautiful. She felt sorry for mortals who would never get to experience the joy of flying. Xena reveled in the power of flight, the wind moving through her feathers, the night air speaking to her, whispering secrets new and old. If she had only truly believed that Gabrielle was her redemption, balance and her reason for living, Japa and the events following would never have happened.
***
Xena knew that only a deception the size of the one in Japa would be what Gabrielle needed to free herself from the burden, disappointment and pain that loving her had become. The trickery worked as planned except that, as the night faded, so did her emotions: love, hope and more importantly, her feelings for Gabrielle.
Ensuring Gabrielle would believe the momentary illusion on the boat leading away from Japa took very little power to perform. Once that was completed, Xena left her soulmate realizing that she couldn't go on like she was. Her first few moons were a living nightmare. Having no options left she sought out an old friend and ally. With his aid they discovered she was indeed Ares daughter, and so very much more.
Discovering she had far more powers than even Ares could have imagined, due to receiving her full inheritance from the darkest of the deities, was a shock. The warrior finally understood Ares' desperate need for her to join with him and stay by his side. Xena also realized his devastation when she turned away from him those many years ago. The time that followed had been horrific. Her gifts that she held so dear: emotions, smells, and the ability to enjoy the vibrate colors of a sunset or sunrise, disappeared until she simply existed; a vacuum of air, a ghost who drifted. Always the darkness thickened, tainting her soul forever, to turn her into one of most powerful evil beings that ever existed.
Gabrielle's love, laughter, compassion and goodness were no longer with the warrior. She was the light to the warrior's darkness, the balance to her soul. That light had grown dimmer with each passing day until all that remained were dull, unfeeling, memories - glimpses of acts so painful she forced herself to forget them.
As she returned, her feet landed softly, upon the earth she blended into the night, a shadow impossible for mortals to detect. Xena knew where the blonde was at every moment. Not even death or the coldness of her heart could break the bond that linked them. When the warrior had told Gabrielle that, even in death she would never leave her, she had meant it. She had put great distances between them until she became strong enough to learn how to handle her new powers and now she had returned to reclaim what was rightfully hers; that was Gabrielle.
The Princess of Darkness, death and destruction inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the bard's unique honeysuckle scent. She could hear Gabrielle's soft laughter; it was low, angelic and sent molten fire flowing, burning, through her veins. She was talking to another woman. Xena's excellent hearing picked up the conversation with ease as she filtered out the noises of the night, a wolf calling for its mate, a squirrel out looking for dinner, the crackle of branches as the wind blew through the trees, until nothing remained but the sound of the bard's voice.
"I'm beat," Gabrielle sighed as she sat on the steps leading away from the stage. It was becoming harder and harder to stay on stage for her entire performance. She tired more easily now. She wondered how long she had before her time was over and she could leave this cruel and harsh world.
Alesia, the bard's assistant grinned down at her. "Why don't we take some time off, enjoy the city and the sites. I've never been to Athens. Maybe we could go out for dinner and see a play."
"No thank you," Gabrielle declined softly, moving to give Alesia room as the brunette sat down beside her. "I'm going to catch up on sleep, do some reading and then, more sleep."
"Gabrielle. . ." Alesia sighed softly. "Sometimes you are so oblivious to the obvious. I'm asking you out on a date."
The bard sat up straight and looked directly at her assistant. "Oh." Her voice was soft and sympathetic. It was one of the things that made her so famous so quickly. Her voice alone was a gift from the goddess of music. She could effortlessly draw the audience in, hold them spell bonded while she weaved one tale after another. "We're friends, Alesia, and that means everything to me. I . . . ."
"Gabrielle," Alesia spoke softly. "Since we've met you've kept yourself distant from everyone. You've isolated yourself, Gabrielle. I worry about you being so lonely, so alone."
"I enjoy your company, Alesia, but I'm not ready for anything else. I doubt I ever will be."
"I look at you sometimes and see such pain in your eyes. I hear you crying out in your sleep when I walk past your tent at night. I know someone in your past hurt you badly; I only want to see you happy, Gabrielle. If friendship is all you can offer, then I will be the best friend you ever had." Alesia said with resignation.
A mocking laughter rumbled ominously through the dark. Gabrielle's head snapped up and she looked cautiously around. Alesia jumped up, peering into the surrounding darkness of the coliseum.
"Did you hear that?" Alesia reached a hand down to assist Gabrielle to her feet, eyes worriedly searching the shadows.
"Run, Alesia and don't look back, no matter what." The blonde's voice was low but forceful.
"But . . .," Alesia began.
Gabrielle cried out in warning as a blast of light hit Alesia hard in the chest, slamming her back onto the stage. The brunette screamed, her chest on fire, as if a volcano had erupted. Her gray eyes, full of fear and regret looked into Gabrielle's as she took her last breath and closed them forever.
Not taking into consideration she hadn't fought in years, was tired and weak, or had no weapons, Gabrielle moved to stand over Alesia's body to defend them against their attacker who had disappeared leaving only sparkles of colorful dust in the air. Suddenly, an unseen blow struck her face and more blows rained on her body, a kick to her stomach was so hard it tossed her like a rag doll from the stage to the ground, where she landed hard on a pile of stones. Before she could get to her feet, the tall assailant reappeared, lifted its head and turned slowly toward her grinning, victoriously revealing his handsome face.
"Ares!" she sneered as she stood. "Why did you have to kill Alesia? If you wanted to talk with me all you had to do was ask." There was disgust and anger in her voice.
He laughed, "Oh that's right, you don't kill anymore, blondie. When was your last time? Your daughter, Solan or one of the thugs you fought in Japa? Hmm, or was it Eve?" Ares raised a finger and tapped it against the side of his head giving the impression he was thinking, "Oh that's right, I remember now, the last person you killed was Xena with your holier than thou attitude. I tried for years to show Xena you were a worthless slut. You drove her to destroy herself just to get away from your sorry ass."
"What do you want?" Shame and humiliation passed through her for an instant but her face remained void of emotion as she looked at him, not daring to give him the satisfaction that his words had destroyed another part of her battered soul.
"You will join with me and be mine. I can offer you the world." There was a certainty in his voice.
She tilted her chin defiantly. "Ares, we've been there, done that. The last time you offered me the world my answer was no and my answer is the same now; no."
"Then I'll take you by force. I'm sure you're used to that by now." Ares licked his lips and rubbed his manhood in a grotesque display of pleasure.
His evilness sickened her. "Ares, I will never join with you."
"You owe me!" He bellowed. "You will pay for taking Xena from me and destroying my plans," he lashed out to grab her.
Quickly stepping back, barley missing his out stretched arm she said, "Taking her from you? Destroying your plans? Are you insane? She left you before she even knew me. I haven't seen Xena in years."
"I know all about your inheritance, Gabrielle, your powers. With you by my side, I will once again be the God I was meant to be."
"You can't be serious. I would never join with you."
"Then I'll have the pleasure of killing you."
Gabrielle took a moment to look into Ares eyes. "You promised you wouldn't hurt me if I gave up my healing powers to protect Xena."
"I lied." Ares shrugged his shoulders. "I can't allow you to reunite with Xena." He lunged toward her again.
Before Gabrielle was able to respond, a dark shadow moved out of the night and stood between her and Ares. Then the stranger's brilliant blue eyes, burning with energy, darkness and a thousand untold secrets, gazed momentarily into Gabrielle's before turning to her attacker.
"Good evening, Father." The voice was cruel, full of loathing and hatred.
Gabrielle gasped.
"Xena," Ares snapped. "I was explaining to blondie here how she would enjoy me taking her and making her mine. You remember how it was don't you, Xena? Forcing her, taking her, doing what you wanted with her."
Xena's eyes took on a murderous gleam. "It's apparent you never learn to stay away from what is mine, Daddy."
"Stay out of this, Xena," Ares snapped. "She isn't yours anymore. You threw blondie away like yesterday's trash. I want to know what it is about her that had you fooled for so many years."
Xena's blue eyes turned to cold hard steel. "Gabrielle is my wife, my soulmate and friend. If it wasn't for your interference . . ." The sentence was left unfinished. Gabrielle didn't need to be reminded of that horrible time in their lives.
Ares laughed and took a cautious step to the left, away from the stage. "You left her years ago, after you destroyed her faith in you. She's a free woman. A woman who I'm going to take just like you did."
"You touched Gabrielle; that alone seals your fate." Xena never raised her voice. "This time when I send you back to your tomb there will be no escaping it."
Never taking her eyes off Ares she spoke softly, "Please go, Gabrielle. I'll take care of Ares." She didn't want her wife to witness Ares' elimination. As it was, Gabrielle already feared and doubted her; the bard didn't need reminding of what she had become - the Princess of Darkness.
"You ruined everything, Xena. All the years I controlled your destiny, manipulated your life - for what? You were supposed to come back to me when you finished with destroying your little slut, before you became a ghost forever. We were to join forces; together we could have controlled the world and everything in it. You owe me, Xena."
"I owe you?" Xena laughed. "What you did to me, made me do to Gabrielle," Xena voice held a note of painful remembrance before she continued. "Father, was eradicate any chance of us ever being any thing other than enemies."
"I should have killed you a long time ago," he sneered. "Say good-bye, Xena, for it will be the last words you ever speak."
"There you go again, Ares, fooling yourself." Xena replied sadly. "You are a measly little God, Daddy, but even that will not help you against me. Even when I was a mere human you could never defeat me." Her smile was full of malice. "I have you to thank for what I have become. After all, because of the chain of events you began so many years ago I am now the Princess of Darkness. I hold more power in my little finger than you could ever imagine."
Gabrielle couldn't help but continue to look at her wife's face. It was a cold-hearted mask of determination and death. Not once was Ares able to lay a hand, fireball or a sword cut on Xena; she had surpassed him in every skill. Xena played him like a puppet. The Princess of Darkness, Death and Destruction was paying her father back for all the pain and suffering he inflicted in her life.
When Gabrielle was finally able to move away from the fight she heard Xena's soft, taunting laughter and it sent chills down her spine. The bard tried to block out the sounds of battle, the cry of pain, the rage of anger as Xena calmly, and heartlessly, slashed Ares to pieces.
Gabrielle glanced momentarily at Alesia, her lifeless broken body on the stage. Grief filled her soul at the senseless death of yet another friend. With one last look at the battle, the bard left the coliseum, taking shelter in the darkness of the night. Stopping a short distance away, she sank down to the ground. She wrapped her arms around her upraised knees and waited. The bard bent her head as gut retching sobs tore through her small frame. Her living nightmare had returned.
Moments later Gabrielle felt Xena's fingers curl around her shoulders and lifted her to her feet. The bard kept her eyes closed as the strong arms slipped around her waist and drew her tenderly against the warrior's body.
"Gabrielle," she whispered. "I didn't kill Ares. I sent him back to his tomb. He won't ever hurt us again."
Gabrielle finally raised her head and looked into the warrior's eyes as she pushed against her. "Why are you here?"
"You are the other half of my soul, Gabrielle. I'm sorry I didn't get here in time to stop Ares." Xena didn't add that she was too busy getting control of her lustful emotions to sense that Gabrielle was in trouble, or that, once again, she had failed to protect what was important to her soulmate.
Gabrielle's heart slammed in her chest. "That didn't matter before. Why should it matter now?"
The warrior's hand gently stroked her wife's hair in a motion meant to calm and reassure. "You are my soulmate, my wife and my reason for living. You are gifted by the Gods, Gabrielle. You are the Princess of Light. It's time for you to take your rightful place at my side. The world is waiting; sweetheart, for the power of balance to be restored."
Gabrielle bit her lower lip in fear. "Sorry, Xena, but I don't want the position. Find someone else. You will never take me against my will - never again."
Xena drew the bards stiff resisting body into her arms once again, her warm breath sending shivers down the blonde's spine. "Gabrielle, it's time to leave this place and take your place by my side."
"No. I will not leave Alesia, she was my friend." Gabrielle stated as she once again moved out from the warrior's arms. She clutched her hands into fists to hide their shaking.
Xena calmly and without remorse, looked into Gabrielle's eyes before saying. "I've taken care of the brunette's body. There is nothing left for you to do here."
"Her name was Alesia." She took a deep breath, hating what she was about to say. "I won't go with you."
White teeth sparkled at her. "Of course you will. You are the light to my darkness. My wife, soulmate my balance in this ugly world we live in."
Gabrielle looked once more into the deep blue eyes. "I don't want to go with you," she stated urgently.
The beautiful white teeth flashed again; the blue eyes glittered. "We need to leave this place, sweetheart."
"I won't go with you," she insisted stubbornly. "As Ares said, I'm a free woman now. You made sure of that."
"I'm the Princess of Darkness, my love, and you are the Princess of Light. The world waits for us to bridge the gap between us; there has to be balance, my love." Xena's voice was almost tender.
Gabrielle's eyes deepened to golden slivers. "Stop telling me what to do! I am not your whore; I was your wife. You gave that up the day you took my battered and destroyed body to the healers hut in Japa then left without an explanation."
"You were never my whore." A flash of regret clouded her eyes then strong fingers curled easily around the bard's slender wrist. Her grip was gentle, but the bard could feel the warrior's determination. "Merge with me, Gabrielle, read my thoughts."
Gabrielle dropped her forehead against the warrior's soft breast. Tears were burning in her eyes. "I'm afraid of you, Xena," she admitted painfully.
"I know of your fears, my love. We can deal with your fears and mine together." Xena stopped talking and listened for a moment.
"I can't do this. I won't let you hurt me, not again." Gabrielle struggled against Xena, trying to get away. Tears were streaming down her face.
A strong arm curved around her waist, lifting her completely off the ground and cradled her in the warriors' arms. "I will never leave you again, sweetheart, nor will I ever hurt you again. We have to leave here, my love; others are searching for you." For a moment there was only silence. Then, with no warning, they were gone, disappearing into the night, leaving a kaleidoscope of colors and a warning to all, behind.
Chapter 2
The moment they materialized in Xena's spacious home, high up in the mountains, the warrior gently put Gabrielle down. The bard moved quickly away. She refused to look at the taller woman with the piercing blue eyes, the woman she once loved so completely it would take her breath away to think about; instead, she looked around the room. The room was huge with big fluffy pillows comfortable looking furniture polished to a high sheen. Brightly colored tapestries and multiple furs covered the walls and floor. "You got your wish." she said unemotionally. "I will die before I allow you to hurt me again, Xena!"
Xena didn't answer. Her shoulders slumped in dejection. Thoughts were swarming in her head. I have to find some way to show Gabrielle the truth. How much I need her. She smirked to herself. How much the world needs her!
In spite of her determination not to, Gabrielle couldn't keep her disobedient green eyes from following the beautiful warrior's every movement, or her compassionate heart from missing a beat when she saw the moment of ultimate sadness in Xena's expression as she started a fire in the large fireplace. How the warriors' movements were jerky and her shoulders were sagging with defeat and despair, as if the weight of the world was resting on them.
Xena stood next to the fireplace, head leaning against the smooth stones certain that her wife was not paying her any attention. The bard had said she feared for her safety. Gabrielle wanted to be as far away from her and wanted nothing to do with her. The Princess of Darkness had read the blonde's every thought concerning her and none of it was good, she closed her mind to Gabrielle's the pain was unbearable. She couldn't blame the bard; she was the evil, cruel, monster Gabrielle had called her. It seemed the Princess of Light would always hate her destiny and would always wish that the Fates, Deities and Gods had been kinder and simply allowed her to die that horrible day. The small beautiful woman was the light to her darkness, the only one who could bring love and compassion into her lonely, bleak and barren life; she was her balance. There had to be balance for the world to exist. Maybe she had waited to long? Maybe she was expecting too much?
There could be no Xena without Gabrielle, two halves of a whole, incomplete without the other. She had lost her wife and friend - for the bard would never love such a brutal monster as her, again. If Gabrielle couldn't see past all that had happened the warrior would have to end both of their lives for she couldn't live another day without her lover and friend.
Gabrielle's heart broke as she looked upon the older woman leaning against the fireplace; waves of emotional sadness came from their link. Their link, it still existed. She could feel it, almost see it, waves of golden strands flowing through the air. Vibrant colors of red, blues, greens and gold were weaving, netting them slowly back together. For a moment she believed she could reach out and touch them. Her thoughts wandered back to Japa, back when Xena became an emotionless robot, uncaring what Gabrielle thought or felt. At the time, the blonde tried to get the warrior to open up to her, to tell her about Japa and what the plan was. But, the warrior had decided once again to deceive, lie, and betray her, until it was too late. Even then, when Gabrielle tried to once again save her life by returning her ashes to the well of life, the warrior had said no. Finding her wife's headless, bloody body had almost pushed the younger woman into a dark abyss of no return. The bard had labeled Xena a monster, a heartless brutal killer and finally, a rapist.
Seeing Xena so vulnerable tore at Gabrielle heart. The dark woman had moved to a chair next to the fireplace, her head in her hands, so alone and looking so defeated. She moved backward until the open window was behind her, framing her like a picture, her green eyes thoughtful as she carefully watched the older woman. She thought about trying to escape to use what remaining power she had to get as far away as possible, to put an end to the constant pain in her life. She needed to do one last thing before she ended this journey. She wanted to find the answers to her many questions.
The Princess of Light took a deep breath and made a decision to use the powers long ago given to her from Aphrodite. Gabrielle didn't like to use these powers often as they reminded her of a time when the Gods used their powers to interfere with her and Xena's life almost daily. She relaxed and allowed her mind to merge fully with Xena's for one last time. She kept her touch light, a mere shadow, soft in the warrior's mind. Gabrielle knew Xena would recognize her mind touch if she hadn't been so focused on her own thoughts, her own despair. She stayed quiet, perfectly still and simply became a sponge, seeking and soaking up the warrior's memories.
***
Xena's entire life laid bare for her to watch like a play performed on the stage in Athens. Starting with her birth and the truth of her parentage then her childhood, when she was betrayed by her Mother and friends.
Her first kill when she was a mere teenager. Glimpses of the years when rivers ran red with the blood of the thousands she had killed, earning her the titles of Ares' Chosen, Warrior Princess, Conqueror and then finally The Destroyer of Nations. Each death, each betrayal, took a piece of her soul until only a thin thread remained. She felt sentenced to an eternity of dark memories, pain and terror until she was willing to take her own life in a clearing outside of Potadeia.
She believed herself unworthy of their joining, shortly after their visit with Ulysses, when they shared their bodies for the first time. The years they traveled together; the bonding of their blood during the confrontation with Alti, linking them together forever. The ice period that froze them for twenty plus years. The godly conception of Eve, which Xena later discovered she was, used as nothing more than a human carrier. The Twilight of the Gods. She was absolute in her belief that if she hadn't tried to kill Hope her son would still be alive. The betrayal, deceit and the destruction of Gabrielle's faith in her while in Japa.
Xena believed she could never be forgiven for her past or the way she treated Gabrielle over the years. How the warrior blatantly refused any discussion of the brutality of dragging the bard behind her horse. The dismissal of Tara's beating of Gabrielle or the mortal wounding of her wife with her chakram. Xena forced the young woman to be judge, juror and executioner for Crassus. She accepted the fact that it was her obsessive desire to destroy Caesar that resulted in Gabrielle being raped by Dahok.
Gabrielle sat very still, absorbing Xena's memories. How the warrior rejected Gabrielle's love when Hope killed Solan, which resulted in the bard killing her own daughter and consequently, the decision to take her own life. The younger woman saw it all; every dark, dangerous thought, every kill, every law Xena broke.
Gabrielle finally understood what really happened with Najara and how, by her questioning her own path in life, it had brought Xena's insecurities to the forefront. She was able to view the scene clearly in Xena's mind. The warrior left her with Najara, a psychopath, with the thought of never returning. The fight Xena purposely lost just another deception in the line of many. Gabrielle had given Xena a precious gift. By her searching for her own peace, the warrior had discovered her destiny was the path of a warrior. The shame she carried for years was lifted from her heart.
When Gabrielle saw the vision of Xena going to Chin to repay the debt she owed to Lao Ma, one of her many mentors, she cringed; for so long the bard felt awful for betraying her lover. She never considered they were simply pawns in a grand scheme that Ares had for 'his' Xena. Furthermore, part of his plan worked; he used their love for each other to his advantage, once again.
Xena's thoughts concerning her older mentor were crystal clear. Lao Ma was a calmer, more focused version of a younger Xena. She was power hungry, greedy and wanted control and she saw the young warrior as her answer. She named her Xena, Warrior Princes, hoping with her careful strategy and deceptions she could convince the young woman that she loved her. Gabrielle saw clearly that Xena's feelings for the older woman were one of friendship and respect, not of lovers. Healing the warrior's legs, teaching her how to find inner peace and attempting to save her soul were all part of the plan to prepare Xena to be the killer the older woman needed. Xena realized Lao Ma had never cared for or loved her but only wanted to use her, to make her into a puppet, a pawn in another grand scheme of deception, betrayal and lies. Lao Ma was an extremely dishonorable person. When the warrior confronted the older woman, Lao Ma sent her away, sealing the belief that Xena was correct in her opinion of her teacher. Once again she had been betrayed not only by her mentor but also by Borias.
Xena knew when she went back to Chin she had no plans to return. She wasn't doing it to repay the debt she owed her mentor as she told Gabrielle. The warrior felt the Gods were attempting to take over her life and she saw this as her way out, a way to die. Before she asked Gabrielle to go with her, Xena made sure she planted the seeds of jealousy, betrayal and rejection in her soulmate's heart. She was going to assassinate the Green Dragon and the warrior didn't want the bard to ruin her plans by going with her. She made sure the bard understood that she was walking away from her as if the last few years meant nothing to the warrior, as if the blonde meant nothing to her. Therefore, when she asked Gabrielle to go with her she already knew her answer would be no. The compassionate young woman, soulmate and friend would not be associated with any attempt that would push Xena deeper into her dark side.
As Xena sat in the dungeon, her thoughts on her lover coming to Chin were not centered on Gabrielle betraying her but how she saved her once again, with love and compassion. She knew the bard felt the rejection, lies and deceit and still the young woman came, putting her own life in danger. It was difficult for Xena to understand how the blonde could love her to the degree she did, for no one else ever had. The others, Ares, Borias, Lao Mao, and Caesar only wanted to use her for their evil, greedy demands and power. There wasn't one that would die for her, but her wife would. Xena wanted - no - needed to be loved like Gabrielle loved her unconditionally and that need was her salvation.
The warrior realized Ares' hand in trying to destroy her relationship with Gabrielle. Ares knew she wasn't planning on coming back. With the seeds of jealousy, hurt and betrayal already planted in Gabrielle's heart, he magnified those emotions and persuaded the bard to go to Chin. What Ares really intended was for Xena to kill Gabrielle in Ming Tien's bed and then, because of her grief, go on a massive killing spree, securing the warrior to his side once and for all. It appeared the time for Xena to die had not yet come, as once again they were pawns in a bigger game than either of them realized.
Additionally, through it all, Gabrielle saw Xena's greatness. Time and time again, she gave of herself to heal and help others, traveling great distances, frequently putting herself in danger for people who feared, despised, and even hated her. Her skills and strengths went far beyond those of mere humans. Her leadership skills and strategic abilities were unsurpassable. She could destroy army's from a distance. She could command her enemy to destroy themselves, turning fighter against fighter. She'd taken a beaten down bunch of misfits and turned them into an army that could take over Greece and then the world, if she had wanted.
After Xena broke her ties with Ares she had nothing but her strength, determination and powerful will to keep from turning back to the dark side as Ares' Chosen, murderer of thousands, destroyer of families. She soon realized she couldn't continue to fight the growing emptiness and she no longer had the desire to live. . . a bloody battle, the honorable option for a warrior, was not a choice for Xena. She was not an honorable warrior. She had tortured, raped and destroyed too many people to be called honorable - all in the name of power, not justice. Her acts and forced judgments were the things that caused grown men to have nightmares and many committed suicide instead of staying in her army.
Gabrielle sat very still, mentally walking the path of her wife's memories. The only beauty in Xena's existence was the hope of finding her true soulmate; someone who had the compassion and understanding to look past all the death and pain and see who she really wanted to be; to give her unconditional love - something she had never had before, not even from her mother. Xena needed it, craved it, and knew that, without a doubt, that person was Gabrielle.
Xena believed she deserved Gabrielle's fear and knew that the blonde could never love her again. She understood she didn't deserve the smaller woman's unconditional love. Gabrielle held her breath as she came upon the next set of memories.
Xena didn't just want the bard because she was the Princess of Light, she needed her to bring balance and love, joy and happiness to her life, to keep her centered and focused. She needed someone strong, full of pride and compassion - even the blonde's fiery temper she loved. She was always amazed at Gabrielle's ability to get into trouble and loved her stubbornness, the way she questioned everything, leaving nothing to chance. The warrior loved her. The three words, I love you, Xena had said to only two lovers in her life and Gabrielle was one of them.
The next scenes were almost too much for Gabrielle to view, but she knew she must in order to understand what really happened on that horrible day. Ares joined with the Furies and some of the darkest Gods to separate them, to stop time, to manipulate Xena to join him once and for all. The full force of their plan took place when Xena was given a chance to be with Gabrielle in human form for a short time before becoming a ghost. In a moment of opportunity, with Xena unaware, Ares took control of Xena's mind and forced her to do his evil bidding; he had this one last chance to convince her to join with him.
At the last possible moment before the sun sat the Gods stop time and completed their task. When the Furies possessed her, Xena didn't know what she was doing. She took her soulmate with a brutality that would shock even the most seasoned warrior. When she eased herself from the lifeless body, the huge phallus covered in blood, she glanced down at her soulmate's slender form and went perfectly still, shocked and horrified at what she saw. Whip marks covered Gabrielle's back, shoulders, butt and thighs and blood seeped from the many cuts. Xena untied the bard's hands and feet and turned her lover onto her back. She gasped as she stared down at the unresponsive body. There wasn't a place on the bard's body that wasn't covered in blood, bruises, scratches, cuts and bite marks. The body beneath her was not the unscarred, perfect body of her beloved, but the result of a mad woman's lust, control and domination; in fact, a monster. Blood seeped from the inside of the young woman's thighs, yet Xena had no memory of the torturous, violent and vicious raping of her wife.
A soul retching scream erupted from the warrior's throat. How could she have done such a horrible thing? Gabrielle's unwavering love, compassion, understanding and goodness managed to guide her back repeatedly from the darkness, saved her life on many occasions, was willing to go to hell and back for her, and this was the thanks she received? Xena wrapped the limp, battered body in her cloak then picked her up with gentleness, cradled her close and carried her to a healer's hut on the outskirts of the village. She placed a soft kiss on her lover's forehead then disappeared, until today.
Ares' plan had been spoiled once again because Xena fled instead of accepting his offer. Gabrielle saw the events after that horrible day through Xena's eyes. As punishment for Xena not returning to his side, Ares replayed the events of the vicious rape over and over in the warrior's mind. The bard felt the terrible pain, then the gradual fading of all the warrior's emotions, until what was left was an empty vessel, a black void. Learning that she was not only Ares' daughter, but also the benefactor of several darker Gods was more than her lover could take. The warrior was of ancient blood, of a lineage of dark Gods of extreme powers that no one dare speak about. Xena was now the most powerful Goddess left; the Princess of Darkness.
Xena hadn't abandoned Gabrielle because she didn't love her anymore; she left in fear of the bard's life. She feared that until she was able to harness and understand the powers given her, the results would be devastating to the world and to Gabrielle. The warrior's only thought was to get as far away from her wife as possible.
Gabrielle moved out of Xena's mind leaving only a whisper of a kiss, behind. She turned and looked out the window into the darkness of the night watching the millions of stars flickering in the sky. Xena was many things; the ultimate warrior, friend, lover, and soulmate. She also was the cause of thousands upon thousands of deaths, without remorse or thought. A fine tuned killing machine. She was also a complex and fascinating person. In the beginning, the reason Gabrielle had chosen to follow the warrior was simple; she had fallen in love with the woman. An odd match but one she knew in the depths of her soul was the right decision for her. Her friend and soulmate was more powerful now than the combined forces of all of the Gods, but she was not evil. To be as evil as Xena thought herself to be she would have to have no heart and the warrior did have a heart. A heart that was full of love. Love for her wife and soulmate, her Gabrielle.
Gabrielle had power as well; Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Eurynome and many others knew what Ares had planned for Xena and for the world. Deciding to balance the scales, they gave instructions to Aphrodite. As Gabrielle was lying in the healers' hut dying, Aphrodite gave the bard her full inheritance. She was now not only Artemis' chosen, Queen of the Amazons but also, The Princess of Light. Whereas Xena had harnessed her powers, Gabrielle chose to use only certain aspects of hers. She wondered if Xena knew.
Xena wanted her, needed her, and loved her - Gabrielle, the poor farm girl from Potadeia with more brawns than brains. That bit of information changed everything. It essentially gave back control to her. She was no longer young and naïve, a believer that all things were good and that if one had enough compassion, understanding and love the world could be changed forever. She'd seen more violence in her life than most and lived through some horrible events. Some of those she caused herself. She knew she was not blameless either. Maybe her attitude had driven Xena away. Maybe her searching for inner peace was the problem. She knew she always had the need to make other people happy. She was often criticized for being too compassionate; it would come back and hurt her someday. They had been right. She squared her shoulders. She was no longer the little girl from Potadeia. The hand was dealt and she would play it the best way she could. She was Xena's soulmate and her wife, destined to bring light, balance and love to a woman of tremendous power and that was an extreme honor.
Gabrielle took a deep breath and let it out carefully. "Xena?" She kept her voice low and calm.
Xena lifted her head slowly, looking around the room until she saw Gabrielle standing at the window.
"Tomorrow will you show me the rest of our home?" She heard the warrior rise and walk towards her but she didn't turn around. She could smell her warrior; her musky, leather scent was warm and inviting.
"I would be honored, Gabrielle." A hopeful tone filled her voice. "I spent many seasons finding the perfect spot to build our home. Items I remembered you enjoyed. Things that would help you feel comfortable and secure. There is a room full of scrolls, manuscript and poetry. There is also a beautiful flower garden out back with crystal clear pools and a high waterfall."
The warrior's voice was so beautiful, alluring and sexy, just as she had remembered it to be. Many nights she dreamed she heard that voice whispering in her mind. Now she knew those whispered words were true; Xena had not left her, even in death she was always with her. She enjoyed listening to it, allowed the warmth and splendor of it to brush her mind, until the dark ugly memories surfaced.
Xena reached out to touch the smaller woman shoulder but withdrew her hand at the last minute, afraid that any movement would send the bard away and break the moment of peace they were sharing.
Gabrielle reached behind her, found Xena's hand and brought it forward to lie on her stomach, their fingers intertwining. Her worries seemed to float away like leaves on a rushing stream. As long as she was in the warriors arms, the rest of the world ceased to matter. She felt the deep intake of breath, the pulse that jumped beneath her slender fingertips and kept her smile to herself. "It's been a long day; I would like to rest for awhile." She said softly.
Chapter 3
The early morning light filtered through the windows when Gabrielle woke slowly from her sleep. At her first attempt of movement her body reminded her of the beating she had received from Ares. A soft whimper of pain escaped before she could prevent it.
Instantly, a soft warm hand moved to touch her cheek and stroke back her unruly hair from her face. "Gabrielle, why didn't you say Ares hurt you? More importantly, why didn't you heal yourself?"
Immediately, Gabrielle knew Xena was sitting on the bed next to her. She moistened her lips, felt the swollen, cracked evidence of Ares assault before she answered the anxious woman. "I gave up my ability to heal myself seasons ago." She was so tired and her entire body ached. "I guess being a punching bag for Ares and bouncing off of rocks isn't my bodies' idea of fun."
"I should have noticed. I'm sorry." The warrior sensed her soulmate trying to hide her nervousness and fear. Xena tenderly brushed her lips across her wife's forehead. "I appreciate you trying to hide your fears and confusion from me, sweetheart, but there is no need. I can read your thoughts as easily as you can read mine."
Xena's hand moved gently over Gabrielle's naked shoulder, the touch tender, meant to be soothing. Instead a jolt of fear hit the bard hard; it had been years since they were together, the last time being a nightmare which she never wanted to repeat but, in reality, they had been drifting apart for many seasons before then. Could she make love to Xena? Could she trust her again? Instantly she felt helpless, confused and very worried.
Xena sighed softly and began to ease her body from the bed. "I will never again hurt you, Gabrielle." Sad, ashamed, blue eyes looked at her wife's face, studying her intently. It reminded her, again, of all the many times she had failed to protect the smaller woman, putting her own desires and demands first.
Gabrielle winced as she tried to push herself up into a sitting position, bringing Xena back from her drifting memories.
"Easy, Gabrielle," Xena said softly, as she slipped an arm around the bard's slim shoulders she felt the uncontrollable tremors. "The way I treated you the last time we were together is inexcusable and I will carry the shame and guilt of my actions for all time." Her free hand reached out to gently hold the smaller woman's hand.
"I know you are afraid of me, our future and of the unknown; I have given you good reason over the years." Assuming Gabrielle had not yet merged her mind with Xena's, she made the ultimate sacrifice. With the next statement Xena knew she was risking everything. Her past was horrible and brutal, full of murder, lies and betrayals, but never again could there be untruths between them. The existence of the world and, more importantly, their lives, depended on total and complete honesty. With a firm set of her shoulders and a raise of her beautiful head she spoke. "I offer access to my mind so that you see I speak the truth."
Gabrielle studied the woman beside her, looked into those beautiful blue eyes and saw for a brief moment the doubt that reigned their. She noticed the sadness, darkness and guilt that filled her companion's soul for so many years. She understood the ultimate sacrifice Xena was willing to make, for her. The knowledge that the offer was given for her benefit caused the bard's heart to swell with warmth, pride and love.
Xena's life had been exceptionally hard and had never completely been her own; she had done the best she could. Neither of them asked to be the Princess's of Darkness and Light, nor did they ask the God's to constantly interfere in their lives. "Fear is an ugly emotion to have, Xena. It is not control by time and space." The young woman sighed deeply, "It creeps up on you like a thief in the night ready to steal your emotions and confidence. I believe the only way to conquer fear is with the time to rebuild trust, love and commitment, even than it doesn't always go completely away." Gabrielle drew in a shaking breath, "Maybe . . . we can take the time to get to know each other again."
Xena let her breath out slowly, not realizing she had been holding it. "I would really like that, Gabrielle." The warrior unfolded her long naked body from the bed and stretched lazily.
-------------------
Gabrielle's heart stopped then began to pound frantically in her chest, her eyes glued to her wife's beautiful tone body. Xena had never been modest or shy about being naked around others. Her confidence, beauty and strength emanated from her. Walking across the room, Xena picked up a wooden comb from the small table then returned to her side. Being careful of her bruised and battered body, The Princess of Darkness gently slid behind her wife and began to smooth the tangles from her matted hair.
When she was done the warrior's fingers brushed the nape of Gabrielle's neck with a caress as soft as butterfly wings, sending heat escalating through her body. "I've been so lost without you, Gabrielle." The warmth of Xena's breath was against her ear. "I love you. I always have." The warrior bent her head to place a healing kiss on a particularly ugly bruise on her soulmate's shoulder.
Gabrielle body jerked uncontrollably as the warrior's lips moved slowly along her neck and shoulders. The bard made a sound of protest and tried to move away. Terror filled the bard's body. Haunting memories of the vicious rape played over and over in her mind. It was going to happen all over again - Xena's brutal domination of her. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. "Wh. . . What are you doing?"
"I'm healing you, sweetheart. You said you gave up the power to heal yourself." Xena almost whimpered aloud as she saw a nasty long white scare on the bard's inner thigh, remembering she was the one who had put it there all those moons ago. "Please, let me do this for you." Xena's healing kisses found every sore place, flooding her with warmth. No scar, bruise or scratch was left untouched.
Gabrielle could barely breathe. Xena's soft touch, the warm healing moisture from her soft lips caused her body to betray her with need, want and desire. While the healing and warmth was easing every ache - even the residual ache from the rape so long ago, she felt humiliated and betrayed by the realization that her body needed her lover's touch every bit as much as her mind rebelled against it. The battle between the flesh and the mind was consuming her.
"You are so beautiful, Gabrielle, unbelievably beautiful." Memories were a far cry from reality, thought Xena. Sky blue eyes full of pride, love and raw desire lifted to meet moist emerald green. Eyes still holding, she reached for the younger woman's hand, her kisses covering the bruised closed fist.
A kaleidoscope of colors danced before the bard's eyes as molten lava flow throughout her bloodstream. A little cry escaped when Xena bent to kiss a bruise at the corner of her mouth, and then gently licked her split lips. The warrior's lips took away the sting - not only from the soreness Ares had inflicted upon her but also the pain Xena had caused. Gabrielle's fingers, instinctively, tangled in the warrior's thick mane of jet-black hair.
The Princess of Darkness could have healed her soulmate by a simple thought or a wave of her hand, but her wife needed the reassurance that she wouldn't hurt or betray her trust again. Xena was not forcing the small woman to stay nor was she using her powers of persuasion, control, or domination to make her stay. Never again would she control or force herself on Gabrielle. If the bard 'demanded' her to stop, she would - immediately.
"Enough, Xena, Please." The bard's breath was coming in convulsive gasps.
"I'm only healing you, my love." Xena whispered the words, her breath warm against the bard's throat. Sensing that the bard really didn't want her to stop, the warrior took her time, worshiping, savoring, and loving her soulmate's body. She kissed the ugly scares on her wife's breast. Her tongue stroked, teased, healed and suckled the pink nipples.
Gabrielle cried out softly, with each soft pull of the warrior's lips, a blazing inferno was building in her body. She moved towards or was it away from Xena's hands and mouth, seeking release, or seeking escape, seeking freedom from the building torment.
Xena took the opportunity to merge her mind with her wife's, wanting to understand why she'd given up her powers of healing. Hatred once again burned within her as she saw Ares confronting Gabrielle, showing the younger woman the scene he had planted in her mind to play over and over. The next scene flashed to Ares bragging about how it was driving the warrior mad and insane with guilt. He persuaded Gabrielle that by giving up her powers of healing, the scenes would fade only be remembered by Xena, if she chose to. Ares' plan for Gabrielle was that, in giving up her healing powers, she would grow old naturally or die from some accident, illness or disease. Of course, he promised to not kill the small woman in return, and Gabrielle had, without a thought to her own safety, given up her gift of healing to save Xena's peace of mind.
Xena groaned at the thought of it, aching inside, weeping silently that she was forced to commit such a horrible act against her wife. Gabrielle, the most courageous and compassionate woman the warrior had ever known, who fought demons, angels and evil monsters to save the warriors soul from complete annihilation. Who had fulfilled the warrior's wishes by carry her ashes across continents to be buried in her family crypt, even after that horrible day. Who put her life in danger so many times that Xena couldn't remember them all and now she was paying the final price, her own life.
It was no wonder Gabrielle was so thin, so tired, with dark circles under her eyes. Merging deeper Xena realized Gabrielle had resigned herself to die. She had given up on hope. Her spirit and soul were shattered. Xena also recognized that her wife's powers were far less than her own. Without the ability to heal herself, her other powers were also diminishing. In reality she was a few months from having a visit from Celesta.
Gabrielle's fingers tangled in the warrior's hair, weaving a kind of healing of their own. "It was my decision and I'm not sorry. I would have done anything to help you."
Xena blinked back tears. "You're afraid to make love with me."
"It's been so long, Xena." Gabrielle sighed. "The last time - you hurt me."
"It's only you and I, sweetheart. Our love, Gabrielle is real and true. It's a beautiful thing. Don't you remember what it used to be like?"
"Xena, my body is burning, demanding your touch b . . . but my mind is frightened and confused. I feel like I'm betraying myself, my body believes what you say is true but my logical mind refuses to accept it." Tearful green eyes glazed helplessly into ancient blue ones silently begging for help.
The connection between them was so strong; it was easy for Xena to read her wife's every conflicting emotion, her burning need, her fears, and her guilt at wanting what the warrior was offering. Their souls called out to one another, their bodies' burn for each other's touch, yet Gabrielle's strong will and logical mind was working against them. Xena needed her anchor, her soulmate, her balance. She must, for both of their sakes, encourage Gabrielle to face the truth. The warrior knew if Gabrielle couldn't get past their sharing of bodies there was no hope for the future, neither of them would live past tonight. The bard was a strong willed woman who needed to find her own way back. Xena wanted to allow her that freedom, yet they had so little time. The world was literally holding its breath, waiting for the balance of power or devastation to begin. Time was slipping through their fingers. The decision had to be made soon. Their enemies were closing in quickly.
"Read my mind, Gabrielle, see the truth. I only desire to love you."
Gently Gabrielle touched Xena's thoughts and gasped softly. The warrior's mind was a blaze of desire, erotic thoughts and sensual needs. It was filled with such tenderness and love for her that it scorched her, passion far greater than she'd ever remembered. With one thought in the forefront and that was to be as gentle as possible with her, to take away the pain and doubt and bring ecstasy to her body, calm to her mind and love to her soul. To cherish her, love her and help to remind her of what it had been like before.
Xena slowly lifted her head, "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are to me, Gabrielle? Even after all these years and everything you have been through, your soul has kept its beauty, its compassion, its love. It shines like the bright stars in the night sky. You are truly the Princess of Light, my bard."
Gabrielle touched the warrior's face as it came closer, her palm caressing a tanned soft cheek. Why couldn't she resist those brilliant blue eyes? Could she let go of her fear? She would always love Xena, but could she make love with her? She shivered with the memories of the months she was in pain, of the knowledge that Xena, her wife had committed such a violent act against her and then left her alone in a strange land.
"No pain. I only want to show you how wonderful it can be." Her tongue created such an burn, a demand for release. "Choose me, Gabrielle, for all eternity."
***
"I know you are afraid and confused, my love," the warrior whispered softly. "I'm under no God's influence. They are all dead, Gabrielle, no one can control or dictate our lives again. No influence but our own. No Gods, no Fates, no Furies will ever hurt us again."
Gabrielle felt Xena's breath against her ultra-sensitive nipple. Whose need was stronger? She was drowning in a sea of emotions, raw lust and desire.
"Remember how it used to be, sweetheart?" Her mouth closed over the bard's breast, hot and moist.
Molten lava raced through the bards' blood at the strong, erotic pull of her lover's mouth on her breast. Her hands slid through thick ebony hair, over the warrior's strong back and broad shoulders remembering every soft curve, every indentation. Tears fell from her eyes. Xena would always be the most perfect, beautiful woman she knew.
"Join with me, Gabrielle," she whispered softly as her tongue skimmed over the bard's soft skin and her hands explored small hips and baby soft thighs. "I'm so lost and alone without you. You are my reason for living, sweetheart." Xena's tongue and fingers found her wife's center, moist, hot and ready to be entered. "Choose life for us."
Gabrielle arched her body, demanding relief. She was fighting a hopeless losing battle. She needed her warrior, but more importantly, Xena needed her. "Make love to me, Xena," she pleaded as she gave into the desire to join with her wife. The universe held its breath. Green eyes met blue.
"Are you sure? Are you willing to share my life, Gabrielle? I will never let you go." Xena merged her thoughts with her wife, visions of flying free over mountains and valleys, playing under waterfalls, making love under the stars. Their adventures would be numerous full of joy, laughter and love. She also allowed the bard to see what she had become, the evil being that lurked beneath the surface, the Princess of Darkness in its full glory. Nothing was hidden from Gabrielle's eyes. There were no more secrets or lies between them.
Gabrielle could never walk away from Xena, her lover, friend and soulmate. Her body was no longer her own, but Xena's other half. Together they were complete. The decision was easy to make.
Xena's entire being was waiting. The universe held its breath. "Gabrielle?" She said it softly, boundless love evident in her voice. "If you say no, I'll stop. No fear, my love, I will never take you against your will again. I promise."
Closing her eyes, wanting her fantasy to become reality, she heard her own voice. "Yes. I choose life for us. Make me yours Xena."
Xena felt a surge of ecstasy as her finger slowly pushed deeper, while her tongue stroked the moist flesh, taking satisfaction in her wife's reaction. "Do you have any idea how much I love you, Gabrielle? How much this means to me? How I've dreamed of this day for so long? The small hands moving over her skin, in her hair, were driving her mad with desire, but most of all, it was the trust and forgiveness Gabrielle was giving to her, once again, that moved her so deeply it brought fresh tears to her eyes. "Do you feel how tight your muscles clamp around my fingers? How incredibly wet and hot you are? I've done and seen many things in my life Gabrielle nothing can compare to this. Nothing. I love everything about you, your body, your mind and your heart." Xena withdrew her fingers and brought them to her mouth. "You taste like the sweetest honeysuckle." Xena heart was ready to burst with the love she felt coming from her wife. "Thank you for choosing to spend eternity with me, loving me, allowing me to love you."
Gabrielle realized Xena's presence in her mind, helping direct her emotions away from fear and doubt, away from remembering the pain of the past.
"Let go, sweetheart. I'm here to catch you." Xena whispered. "Trust me, I won't fail you."
Gabrielle wanted to give herself into her wife's care, the only person she had ever been with. The only person she'd ever wanted to be with. She wanted Xena to extinguish the waves of flames beating at her. She wanted Xena to make her complete once more.
Xena's breath warmed her, her soft tongue tasting her again and again, stroking, caressing, and teasing, while her fingers worked their magic, until she was crying out again and again. The bard's release was shattering, as her body seemed to fragment and dissolve. The earth moved and colors burst all around her, through her and in her. She thought she heard the universe on the verge of rejoicing.
When Xena caught Gabrielle's thoughts about her being the only one the bard had shared her body with, she rejoiced. Her body moved over the bard's, a knee inserted itself very gently between the blonde's thighs to give her better access. "From that first look in each other's eyes those many years ago; in the clearing near Potadeia, we knew we were meant for each other, two halves of a whole." Xena feathered kisses on the bard's face as her hips moving in a gentle rhythm.
Gabrielle ran her hands up and down the warrior's moist back, sliding around to cup Xena's breast stroking each hardened nipple with her thumb.
Xena moved with exquisite care, slid a hand between them to spread wide their most intimate parts.
Gabrielle's was caught up in the fire, the tenderness, the moisture and heat. Once again the bard felt as if she was worthy to Xena. They fit perfectly, as if sculpted for each other their hearts beating as one. She cried tears of joy, peace, love and completion. The way Xena made love to her was incredible. It was as if she, the naive farm girl from Potadeia, was the most precious and beautiful woman in the world. Her body was on fire, moist and aching until she screamed out with the need for release. Wave after wave of pleasure swept through her.
Only then did Xena allow herself the luxury of letting go. The universe rejoiced. In that instance the creation of a new world had been born.
Immediately they felt the difference, the kaleidoscope of colorful threads united their souls together. Where before their hearts and souls ached from the loneliness and emptiness, they were now whole, complete; they were one. Xena inhaled her wife's scent deeply, so feminine and so seductive and realized Gabrielle was completely healed her powers fully restored. They were equal in every way.
Gabrielle held her lover to her, tears in her eyes, unable to take it all in, to believe that her wife was in her arms once again. They fit perfectly together, two halves of a whole. The pieces of their lost lives were realigned. No one would be able to destroy them again.
The taller woman's emotions were so powerful she was shaking. "I was so afraid, Gabrielle, afraid you wouldn't want me. Afraid you wouldn't forgive me. I love you, sweetheart."
Gabrielle's hands stroked, caressed and kissed her lover in an attempt to soothe her. "Xena, you have nothing to fear. I will never leave you. When it is time to leave this world we will go together to the next. Forgive me, sweetheart, for all my mistakes and pain I've caused you."
Xena shifted her weight, afraid to let the bard go. She couldn't. "There is nothing to forgive you for, Gabrielle. I love you. I always have and I always will," she vowed softly. "I'm so sorry, love, for everything."
"I love you, Xena," she whispered back, "and I forgive you. I've been so lonely without you. Countless times I thought I would die from it, but, I knew you were out there and someday . . . someday, when you were ready you would come home to me. We will be alright, my love, the world has been created anew. We have an eternity of wondrous adventures to look forward to."
"What's the first thing you would like to do?" Xena asked softly.
Gabrielle's smile reached her emerald eyes as she replied, "I want you to teach me everything you know."
The future might be uncertain, but their combined love, balance and power was more than enough to see them through. Together they could face any enemy or obstacle to ensure their life together for all eternity. There was no Xena without Gabrielle, no Princess of Light without the Princess of Darkness. Many legends were told about their adventures. The first legend started with the battle of Pyros consisting of the evil trio Adrastos, Lykaios and Vasilios.
The end