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The word of Xena, the ruthless warlord spread far and wide across Greece. Everyone knew her tale but few lived to tell of personal encounters if they ran across her. Xena likes the fear she instills in people. Fear means respect. And to ensure that that fear spreads further she sometimes raids random villages without killing many, if sometimes any people if they choose to submit.
However she takes one person from each of those villages. No one truly knows what happens to them, are they killed, tortured, imprisoned, become a servant, part of her army or perhaps another warm body in Xena’s bed.
The unknown fate only fulled the legends and the fear people felt. But Xena began to grow bored of it. Its always the same. Go to a village, maybe meet minimal resistance, choose someone to take with her or be offered an individual as a sort of tribute, which seemed to happen more often but Xena likes to choose for herself, assign a menial task to who ever she chose while making it clear that she will kill them if they run.
It wasn’t often that Xena took them as her lovers, already having plenty of people to choose from, but when she did take them to her bed she, as in so many other things in her life, enjoyed the submission, the surrender to her and the pleasure that followed. She never found any of them particularly interesting, as a conquest maybe but as people she found that they all more or less blended together in her mind. None of them were special, none of them were her intended, her soulmate.
Xena had long given up on the idea of finding a soulmate. Believing them to be either dead or not willing to be with her. And even if she could find it in herself to force the bond, it was heavily frowned upon. Soulmates or not there was always a choice involved and it was very rare for soulmates not to like each other. But Xena convinced herself she had better things to do than look for a soulmate that was either dead or not wanting her. She had more to conquer.
This time she chose a small village of Poteidaia. Upon her arrival there was no resistance seeing as such a small village already looked pretty weak and suspected they couldn't afford losing any hard workers or potential protectors. Her terms were simple, she will chose one person to take from a house that manages to impress her the most.
Normally there would be a group of people gathered for Xena to choose whoever she likes. This way she would actually visit each house. It might be dangerous seeing as she will be in a confined space with the people she’s invading and potentially open for a ambush but she doubted that anyone would dare trick her unless they have a death wish.
So far each house was just as boring as the last. A family scared of having the warlord at their home, offering her food and drinks, begging her not to take anyone from their home.
Her last stop was another little farm. But something felt different about this one.
As she approached she saw a strawberry blonde woman running towards the house from the stables. Well at least they weren’t thinking of hiding anyone from her.
“Stop.” Her voice cut the silence on the farm. The girl halted immediately, half way to her door.
Xena stepped towards her. The girl slowly turned to face her. Blue met green. Xena saw fear in the girls eyes, but also something she hasn’t seen in a while. Defiance, fire, strength of will.
Xena chuckled in the girls attempt to stare her down. Cute.
Usually people lowered their heads, a sign of respect born from fear. But not this one. There was something about this one that called to Xena in a strange way. But she’s here to intimidate. For now.
Part of Xena wanted to stop and see just how long the girl could hold her ground, but decided to just walk past her, barely spearing her a glance as she walked up to the door. The warlord opened them without warning.
Inside she saw an older man and a woman in the middle of preparing a meal, and another girl, frozen in place carrying something in her hands.
“The warlord!” The older man bowed his head, followed by the two women, “We are honored to... be your hosts.”
Xena was about to answer when the girl from the outside ran past her and hugged the other one quickly before turning and running to, presumably her parents.
“Gabrielle!” The woman yelled, “Where were you?”
Gabrielle. A name to go with that pretty, defiant face.
“I was in the stables when I saw...” Gabrielle turned to look at Xena.
“Oh Gods!” The man whispered, “I... My name is Herodatus. This is my wife Hecuba and our two daughters, Gabrielle and Lila. I apologize for Gabrielle, she didn’t offend you... I hope.”
Gabrielle frowned a bit indicating that she has nothing to be sorry for, showing more of that fierce fire of defiance. Xena laughed, “Offend? No. Quite the opposite. I’m very entertained.”
Herodatus and Hecuba shared a panicked look. If the Warlord took a liking to Gabrielle she might be the she chooses.
“There’s food prepared for you.” Lila said suddenly, making Xena look at her, eyes narrowed that she interrupted her train of thoughts. Lila gulped.
“We suspected you might be hungry, so we made everything we had for you.” Hecuba, pulled Lila towards them with Herodatus stepping forward. He had no chance against Xena but he clearly wanting to protect them.
“No food necessarily.” Xena glanced over them, her eyes once again meeting Gabrielle’s. She smiled at her, “Just her.”
Blue met green once again, Xena feeling a tingle running down her spine. Was this girl her soulmate? She wanted to know. She didn’t think it was that likely but there was something about this girl.
Hecuba wrapped an arm around Gabrielle, “Please, we’ll give anything else. Gabrielle is one of my beloved daughters. Please.” The woman started crying.
“You knew my terms.” Xena said, her voice flat and cold, “Now... the girl. I won’t ask again.”
“Take me then.” Lila stepped up in front of Gabrielle. Xena took a step toward them, watching as Herodatus flinched. She looked at Lila and shook her head.
“Boring. I’ve seen many like you. Her though,” Xena looks back Gabrielle, “She’ll be much more entertaining.” A sinister smirk spread across her lips.
“You can’t... I won’t let...” Herodatus was scared that much was obvious but he looked ready to die right there and then despite his fear.
Xena merely held out her hand. Gabrielle closed her eyes, letting a few tears escape before stepping towards the Warlord taking her hand. Xena felt a spark as they touched and she was sure Gabrielle felt something too judging my the way her breath hitched for a moment and the brief squeeze of her hand.
“Gabrielle!” Hecuba yelled.
“Its ok! If I don’t go you... you’ll all die. At least this way she’s only taking me.” Xena nodded at that statement.
“I’m not heartless. Well not entirely. Nor I or any of my soldiers will touch this village. Everyone will be spared.”
“Promise?” Gabrielle looked at her, as if she was giving Xena a choice, as if she held the upper hand.
Xena chuckled, “Yes.” Gabrielle nodded, she turned to her family tears in their eyes.
“I love you.” She said and turned away.
Xena smiled, wrapped an arm around her and lead her outside. As they walked out and closed the door she could hear the sobbing from the inside. She leaned in to whisper, “If they try to come for you they die, if you run they die. Understood?”
Gabrielle didn’t answer, tears running down her face. She nodded.
“Good. The camp is just outside the village. Try not to cry too much, it ruins your pretty little face.” The Warlord whistled, summoning a horse, “Argo.” Xena’s voice sounded affectionate, she patted the horse before climbing up and offering her hand to Gabrielle.
Gabrielle was suppressed that Xena was offering to take her along for the ride.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight until we’re at the camp.”
Gabrielle took her hand was seated in front of Xena, one arm wrapping wound her waist and the other holding the reins.
“Hello Argo.” Gabrielle whispered. She had a pretty voice, even though Xena only heard her say a few words.
Their ride back was short, with looks and whispers throughout the village as they passed. As they reached the camp Gabrielle noticed that it wasn’t particularly fortified. Of course, as if a farming village could even fight Xena’s army.
Xena instructed Gabrielle to be taken care of and watched until she holds a meeting about their next move. Gabrielle saw a few men leering at her, but quickly stopped when Xena looked at them. If looks could kill. Clearly Xena was possessive but Gabrielle had no intention of being another one of Xena’s conquests without putting up some sort of resistance.
She was here to save her village, she agreed to come to the camp with Xena, but that didn’t mean she can’t make things difficult for her. Maybe she can catch her off guard.
There was something about her though. Something Gabrielle didn’t understand. Something that pulled her to the Warlord.
It was already nighttime when she was brought to Xena’s tent. There wasn’t much there. There was a table with food and drinks, a bed with soft looking pillows and sheets and a chest at the foot of the bed. Looking around there wasn’t anything that she could use as a weapon. She didn’t have much time too look either as she heard footsteps approaching.
“No one enters unless I say so.” Xena instructed before entering the tent. She looked at Gabrielle briefly before making her way to the table. She picked up a cup and filled it with wine.
Gabrielle watched her intensely.
“Wine?” Xena offered.
“No.”
“Its not poison. Neither is the food.” That must have been Xena’s way of saying help yourself to as much as you want.
Gabrielle watched as Xena drank the wine, then walked up to Gabrielle. She walked around her, circling her like a predator. Well Gabrielle would prove to be quite the fierce prey.
Xena stopped in front of her, “Gabrielle right?”
“Yeah. That’s my name.” Gabrielle looked her directly in the eye.
Xena laughed, “You’re adorable when you’re trying to be intimidating.” Xena walked around her and sat at the edge of the bed, watching Gabrielle, “Sit.”
Gabrielle froze. She suspected that Xena might want to bed her as she has heard the stories like everyone else. Still why would she want someone like Gabrielle? Surely she had lovers who were more experienced. Gabrielle just glanced at the bed then back at Xena.
“I said sit.” The Warlord’s voice was firmer now.
“I... I’m not... I won’t be toyed with.” Her voice was a bit shaky yet still determined.
Xena raised an eyebrow at her, “I won’t force myself on you if that’s what you’re thinking. Now I told you to sit. I don’t like disobedience.” Xena patted the spot behind her.
Gabrielle looked around once more, conscientiously and slowly making her way towards the bed not wanting to anger Xena further. After all she could still attack her village if she wanted to. She sat on the bed, Xena turning to face her, a smile on her face.
“Now then, I’m gonna be blunt with you. You interest me. And I don’t know why,” That wasn’t entirely true. Xena suspected that this girl might be the one meant for you, but she can’t tell her that yet. “Tell me about yourself. What’s special about you?” Xena cocked her head to the side curiously.
Gabrielle was a bit taken back. There wasn’t anything special about her. She had no idea why Xena would take an interest in her specifically. Although the girl couldn’t deny that she understood what Xena was saying, there was also something special about Xena apart from her legends and reputation.
“I grew up in the village. My childhood wasn’t anything exciting. I help... helped my family on the farm like the other kids.” Gabrielle didn’t know what Xena wanted her to say, there really wasn’t anything unusual about her. Well maybe one thing, “I always wanted to travel around. The village always felt a bit suffocating. I want to be a bard.”
Xena laughed lightly at that part, “A bard that’s never left her home? You must not have many stories then.”
“I know your stories. Everyone does.” Gabrielle wondered how long she’ll be alive for to be part of that story.
Xena hummed, “You know what I want you to know. I’ve heard some of these stories myself but I think they’d sound better from you. So tell me one. Amuse me, little bard.”
“You want me to tell you a story?” Gabrielle was surprised at the Conqueror’s request. Surely there must be more to this.
But Xena merely nodded. She lied back on the bed, hands behind her head.
“I find your voice pleasant.” Xena smirked and her eyes shined as they met Gabrielle’s.
Gabrielle blushed and averted her eyes. She told Xena a story, and another and another. Xena listened to her every word.
“That’s enough.” Xena raised her hand, signaling Gabrielle to stop. Gabrielle can’t believe she just spent several hours telling stories to the Conqueror of Nations.
Xena stood up making her way to the chest at the foot of the bed. Opening it she pulled out two long sleeved shirts, tossing them on the bed, after which she began taking off her armor. Gabrielle blushed more, turning her back to Xena. She heard a laugh behind her followed by more shuffling.
“Here.” Xena tossed the other shirt, it landing next to Gabrielle. She looked back at Xena who was now wearing just a shirt, that reached just past her thighs. It was also a low cut shirt which meant it left very little to the imagination. Clearly the Warlord wasn’t concerned about modestly much.
Gabrielle picked up the shirt Xena tossed at her, “Uh...” She knew Xena expected her to change into the shirt but she wasn’t about to do it while Xena was watching, “Could you turn around please?”
Xena laughed, “Why? Its not anything either of us haven’t seen before.” Xena enjoyed the way Gabrielle blushed, she was cute and Xena liked knowing she was the cause. It was fun to tease her.
She rolled her eyes and complied with Gabrielle’s request. It wasn’t like her to take orders from others. But from if Gabrielle really was her soulmate then Xena wanted to make the effort to get along as best as they could, even though she knew the circumstances could be better. Hell the poor girl probably thought she was gonna be forcibly deflowered right here and now.
The thought of anyone doing that to Gabrielle made anger rise within Xena. She sucked in a sharp breath. It must have come off as aggressive because she head Gabrielle’s breath hitch. Xena turned her head. The girl was currently in the middle of putting on the shirt.
“You’ll get cold if you stay like that much longer, little bard.”
Gabrielle was quick to put the shirt on. It was a little big on her, the sleeves a bit long.
Xena hummed in approval. She made her way to the right side of the bed. She got under the covers, looking at Gabrielle. She was frozen on the spot, gripping the shirt with a death grip.
“Come here little bard. You might have heard otherwise but I won’t touch you without your consent. I just want you to sleep. Its been a long day for you and we’re gonna start getting ready tomorrow morning.” Once again Xena patted the spot next to her, waiting for Gabrielle to join her.
Gabrielle didn’t know if she could fully believe Xena however she couldn’t deny the want to believe her. To be next to her. She gulped, slowly making her way to the other side of the bed. Getting beneath the covers she turned her head to look at Xena who beamed at her. It was the first time Gabrielle noticed how pretty her smile was. She felt a blush spread across her cheeks.
“You’re even prettier when you blush Gabrielle.”
Xena liked the sound of Gabrielle’s name on her lips. And judging by the deeper blush on the bards cheeks she liked it too.
“I... Um...” Gabrielle turned around quickly, not wanting the Warlord seeing her so flustered over her saying her name.
“There are some things I’d like to talk about tomorrow, but sleep for now. You don’t have to worry about being attacked. Only a person with a death wish would attack you while you’re with me.” Xena knew that her words probably did little to comfort Gabrielle, but maybe she’ll feel a bit better after hearing what she has to say tomorrow.
Gabrielle found herself tossing and turning for a while before she finally managed to fall asleep. It shouldn’t have been a pleasant feeling, sleeping next to someone who she’d never meet, someone who she’d heard terrifying stories about. And yet once she finally managed to fall asleep she wasn’t plagued by nightmares or anything of the sort.
As she blinked her eyes open, welcoming the rays of the morning sun she felt one of Xena’s arms draped across her shoulders. She turned around only to find the bright blue eyes of the Warlord looking at her, a smile on her face, “Good morning.”
Xena was close, too close. Gabrielle moved away quickly, too quickly almost falling of the edge of the bed.
“Whoa there,” She was saved by Xena catching her, pulling her towards her chest, “You’re a clumsy one aren’t you?” Xena chuckled.
“I am not!” Gabrielle could feel her cheeks heating up, “I was surprised that’s all!” The blonde pushed herself away. She glanced at Xena before walking over to her clothes. She looked back at the Warlord who rolls her eyes.
“Fucking Hades,” Xena groans as she sinks back on the bed and throws a hand over her eyes. She hears Gabrielle putting her clothes on, “You’re gonna be a real pain of a soulmate.”
The sound of shuffling clothes stops. Xena doesn’t move, just listens. There’s a sound of running feet, quickly accompanied by the bed dipping, Xena can hear Gabrielle coming closer to her.
“What did you just say?” Gabrielle says in almost a whisper.
Xena moves her arm and looks at Gabrielle. She was fully dressed now but the straps of her top were hanging slightly off her shoulders.
“It’s you. You’re my soulmate. Didn’t you know? Wasn’t that why you agreed so easily?” Xena raised herself on her elbows to get a better look at the bard. She looked adorable with hear hair unkempt.
“I... No... I agreed because you said you’d kill everyone I know and love. You and I can’t be soulmates. I’m supposed to marry Perdicus.” Gabrielle leaned back, putting a bit more distance between herself and Xena.
Xena’s eyes narrowed, “I don’t know who this Perdicus is but I’m willing to face him in battle if that’ll satisfy you.”
“What?! No! Don’t do that! I don’t want that at all!” Gabrielle made a move to grab Xena by the shoulders but stopped her hands just inches away, “We can’t be soulmates.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself? Because I already know the answer. As do you. I know you feel the pull, to bond. Its why I chose you, why I’m acting so... soft.” Xena grumbled that last part, not liking how it sounded and even less admitting that it was true.
Gabrielle pulled her knees to her chest, thinking about Xena’s words. There was something about the Warlord. Something that did call to her since she first laid eyes on her. But Gabrielle didn’t know what it was, or maybe she did and she just didn’t want to admit it to herself. It wasn’t a lie that she wanted to protect her family, friends and her home, she would give anything for them. But now there was also no denying the string of fate that was pulling her towards Xena.
Xena made no move to approach the girl. She didn’t like how she looked scared, and she didn’t like how her chest hurt at the sight. Wasn’t she a hardened warrior? How could she allow herself to be weak, and before a girl like that no less.
“Look, I won’t go back on my word. Everyone will be safe. But you my little bard,” Xena moved ever so slowly, placing a hand under Gabrielle’s chin and lifting her head up to meet her eyes, “You’ll be accompanying me. That was our deal.”
“Will you... will you ever let me go home again?” There was a tremble in Gabrielle’s voice, Xena didn’t like that.
“Sure I will. With me by your side that is.” Xena’s hand moved to cup Gabrielle’s cheek, gently rubbing it with her thumb, “For now there’s places to be.” She pulled away quickly, making her way off the bed and unlike Gabrielle she wasn’t at all modest when changing back into her armor and leathers.
Gabrielle took a deep breath, “Ok, ok I understand.” She picked herself up, she will be brave, she will make the best of this opportunity, she will come back to her family, and she will do so a stronger person.
“Glad to hear that, my little bard. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of stories to tell by the time we get back.” Xena offered her hand to Gabrielle, who hesitated a bit before taking it. They walked out of the Warlords tent. Gabrielle didn’t know what awaited her on her adventures, but she was never the one to back away from a challenge. Maybe that’s why fate had chosen Xena for her. Well they’ll just have to wait to find out. Why they were destined for each other, and how they’ll learn to love and cherish each other along the way.