Chapter 12

Xena emerged from the hut unsure if Ephiny was playing a joke on her or not. The amazon had painted the warrior's complete right side, front and back, and from head to toe, with the brown goo. Then the regent had carefully helped her dress, being cautious not to smudge the straight line that defined the two halves of the warrior. Xena was sure she looked like someone had split her down the middle, and then glued her back together. By closing her right eye, she could see the brown on her nose and face; when closing the other eye, she still looked like the regular Xena with the tanned skin and clear features. She really hoped Ephiny wasn't pulling a fast one on her. Just as she was about to turn around and confront the woman, she heard a horn blow, it's wailing tone lingering in the warm air of the morning.

"That's our cue," Ephiny smiled, coming up behind the warrior. "Kaleipus is ready to begin."

Xena said nothing as she let Ephiny lead the way through the village and to the large meadows beyond. When they reached the clearing, the two women saw that all the centaurs of the nation had formed a large circle around a trio in the middle. Kaliepus had a royal blue cloak wrapped around his shoulders, signifying that what was to happen was an official centaur matter; in his hand he had a small scroll, tied closed with a piece of leather that had been dyed the same color blue. Xena smiled when she saw Solan; he had on a different set of leathers than his usual day-to-day clothes. She also noticed that he had a new headband to keep his hair back, and it too was the color of his uncle's cloak. Then she saw Gabrielle. Xena positively grinned when she saw that her partner too had been painted by Ephiny, but she would have smiled anyway when she saw the familiar green eyes twinkling at her. Ephiny led Xena to Gabrielle's right side, and then moved into the background to become part of the circle of centaurs.

The centaur leader waited for everyone to get settled, and then slipped the leather from the scroll. "We are here today to witness the binding of our two friends, Xena and Gabrielle, in our most honored of ceremonies. They are like halves of the same whole, waiting to be united so each may be complete. Xena and Gabrielle, are you ready to become one, and to be welcomed into the Centaur Nation?

"Yes," both replied at the same time, drawing a smile from Solan, who saw the love his mom had for Gabrielle.

"Xena, Warrior of Amphipolis," Kaleipus began. "Your courage and honor are well known to our Centaur Nation. Do you swear to bring these qualities to us, to share with your new family, and with your partner? To love and protect what you hold dear, and to love and protect those of your new Nation and family, as they will honor you? Do you swear?"

"I swear."

"Gabrielle, Bard of Poteidea, Queen of the Amazon Nation, your respect of life and your gentleness are known to us. Will you share your compassion with us, the centaurs of your new family, and with your partner? Will you teach us and remind us that honor is sometimes quiet and giving, not loud and taking? Do you swear to honor us with this binding?"

"I swear."

The centaur took a breath, and leaned down a little to get Solan's attention. "Ready, son?" The boy nodded, and approached the two women, taking his headband off as he did so. First, he picked up Gabrielle's right hand, and then Xena's left, and had them entwine their fingers together. The he took the blue leather band, and bound their wrists together. When he was finished, he returned to his uncle's side but not before gently squeezing the joined hands.

"Centaur bards and Amazon bards! Write down this date in your best scrolls and remember it well! Today our Nation's number increases by two! Join with us in celebrating the binding of our friends and Nations! Welcome all!" A loud cheer went up among the centaurs as each shouted their greetings of welcome. When Xena finally bent down and kissed Gabrielle, a second shout went out in encouragement, not that either woman really needed any. "And now, the Blending Ceremony."

The centaur circle broke apart as they hurried to get the area set up for a party. Some of the villagers went to their homes to return with different meats to be cooked over a pit fire that two centaurs were working on to bring to life. Others brought kegs of ale and port to quench the craving of what they knew would be a thirsty day. Everyone pitched in to make sure the work got done quickly so all could enjoy the party. Already someone had brought out a drum and was keeping a steady beat. waiting for his musical brothers to join in. Alone among all the activity, Xena bent down and gave Gabrielle a more intimate, passionate kiss. "I love you, Gabrielle. You've given me so much, maybe more than I deserve."

The bard pulled the woman down for another kiss. "All I know is that I deserve you...and I love you more each day." With her free hand, she threaded her fingers through Xena's hair, pulling her closer for a soul searching kiss. Her eyes closed as Xena deepened the kiss, needing to feel the closeness as much as Gabrielle did.

A light cough nearby brought them both back to earth. The dark haired woman looked up in exasperation. "You again?"

"Is that any way to talk to one of your best friends?" Ephiny smiled when she saw Xena trying to keep scowling before laughing. "I just wanted to tell you that Kaleipus is giving you his home for the evening. We'll all be staying at Danaus' to give you some privacy."

"Ephiny, did you really get painted like this when you married Phantes? Somehow I just don't see it." Xena squinted her eyes at the other woman.

"Of course I did, and so did Phantes. It's tradition. And I kinda like it."

"Ok, I believe you. Now tell us what 'The Blending Ceremony' is all about."

"That's the easiest part. In fact, you're already doing it. Everytime you touch each other, some of the paint comes off on the other person. You're blending together, and with the Nation, everytime you touch one of the centaurs. You should see your faces now...all my hard work...gone." Ephiny sighed forlornly as if truly sad at the loss of her artwork, and then laughed. "But it was worth it, right?"

"Definitely," Gabrielle answered, and kissed Ephiny on the cheek, leaving some of the paint behind. "It's definitely worth it."

"Good! Then let's go see what these guys have to drink, because I think you'll be getting a lot of toasts from them, and you need to be prepared."

Xena and Gabrielle followed after the amazon, taking their time and just enjoying their being together, and at last ended up near the kegs of ale. Accepting a mug of amber liquid, Xena took a sip and then offered the drink to Gabrielle. While the bard was tasting the brew, the warrior clasped Ephiny around the shoulders, smudging the paint on her arm, and leaving a defined dark streak on the amazon's back. "So...Eph...how long do we have to stay at this party? Are we supposed to keep our hands tied like this?"

"Yes, you'll have to keep the band on until you're alone tonight. It's to remind you that you are now one, and that your actions should be as one. And even though you want to leave right now, warrior," the amazon jabbed Xena in the chest as she made her point, "...you're going to have to hang around and at least look like you're having fun. The plus side is that you can only dance with each other...the bad side is that this day is going to seem torturously slow for you. So keep your chakram on your belt, and we'll have no trouble."

Xena scowled at the regent, but even Ephiny could see the laughter behind the sparkling blue eyes. "And just how long did you and Phantes last at your party?"

Smirking, Ephiny rolled her eyes away from the warrior. "Uh, we're discussing your Blending Ceremony."

"That's what I thought," the dark haired woman smirked right back at the curly blonde, convinced she had Ephiny on the ropes when the smaller woman wouldn't meet her eyes.

Gabrielle decided to come to her friend's rescue. "Did someone say 'dancing'? Xena?"

Looking down at the beloved features of her partner, Xena felt her heart beat faster in her chest as she recognized the love she saw in the bard's eyes. "Yes, my love?"

"Would you mind dancing with someone who loves you?"

"No, my love." Xena closed her eyes as she felt Gabrielle's lips brush against hers. All thoughts of teasing Ephiny left her when she felt her lover's warm hand slip into hers gently. "I love you," she whispered and let herself surrender to the magic of the bard's touch. Only having one free hand, Xena wrapped it around her woman, and bent down for another taste of Gabrielle's sweet mouth as Ephiny discreetly left the two of them alone. Soft, gentle, delicate kisses where given and returned as the moments slipped away, each lost in the exploration of the other. At last breaking free, Xena grabbed Gabrielle's free hand, and placed it on her own chest right above her heart. "Only you can make my heart race like this, my bard. Only you can make my breath stop when you love me. Only you know the way into my soul."

Moving her hand out of the way, Gabrielle rested her cheek against Xena's chest. She could feel the steady pounding rhythm that told her what Xena said was true. The bard inhaled deeply, not only to calm her own racing heart, but also to drink in the scent of her partner. She placed a kiss over the woman's heart and then on the small scar the warrior had on her right breast. "And you are my soul. I would give you everything I have, just to have you by my side."

"All I want is your love," the warrior replied as she locked eyes with the blonde, melting at the depth of feeling she saw there.

"I love you...all of you...you make me complete," the bard whispered, and started tracing the outline of Xena's face, her fingers blurring the paint as they traveled over the full lips. After one more lingering kiss, Gabrielle sighed and closed her eyes in contentment. She felt so much at peace being with the woman she loved.

"Mommmmm!" Solan yelled as he ran up to the two women, followed closely by Xenan. The little centaur circled the women in his excitement, the grin on his face infectious. "Some of the centaurs are going hunting for a special surprise. Is it ok if I go too? Ephiny said Xenan could go when I told her I'd watch him."

"Well, ok, Solan. Just remember that Xenan is a lot younger than you, so make sure you keep an eye on him."

"I'll watch him, I promise! C'mon, buddy!" the youngster called as they ran to catch up with a small hunting party that was just leaving the meadows.

"Do you notice how much his eyes look like yours?" the bard asked Xena, thinking about the boy. "His smile is all you, too."

I know...it seems Solan got a lot of my physical appearance. But striving to be honorable, to watch out for others, that's Borias."

"Well...I know a certain Warrior Princess that has those traits too."

"Hmmm...maybe," Xena looked lost in thought. "He has a new hobby...it seems he met your friend Homer, and he's even written a few stories of his own. He feels that they're not good enough to show anyone. Would you talk to him a little? I think he only needs some encouragement."

The bard nodded in agreement as they wandered over to a table filled with breads, cheeses, and some cold meats that were set out for a noon snack. Their promised dance momentarily forgotten, Xena held a plate while Gabrielle picked a few morsels of everything for them to share. Chewing on a grape, the bard offered her woman some of the fruit, holding a juicy grape between her thumb and forefinger. Xena let Gabrielle place the grape on her tongue, while also taking the opportunity to capture the finger in her mouth, sucking on it gently, and promising more with her eyes.

The bard drew in a sharp breath and pulled her hand back. "Gods, don't do that. We have the whole afternoon to spend here with the centaurs. I'll never make it if you tease me like that."

Xena chuckled quietly. "Well...I'll try to be good, but you know how headstrong we warriors can be."

"You two still at it?" a feminine voice asked.

"Eph! Did Zeus make you my conscience without telling me?"

"Nope," the amazon shrugged. "I just like to torture you, Xena. And I brought you something to drink. You're both looking a little...hot," Ephiny paused. "...And bothered," she added as the all too familiar smirk reappeared on her face.

"You know, even though you're such an annoying amazon, you do come in handy sometimes."

"I'll take that as a compliment. I know you meant it lovingly." The regent helped herself to some of the cheese and bread, and then followed the two women to sit on the grass and listen to an older centaur beating a slow rhythm on a drum. After a few minutes, Kaliepus wandered over and joined them on the ground.

"He's good," Gabrielle noted as the drum player finished one song and began another.

"Yes, he's been playing for years. Taught himself the rhythms. You'd never know he's almost deaf."

"Deaf?" the bard questioned, taking a closer look at the mysterious centaur. "But how..?"

Tenio slowly lost his hearing over years, but his passion for life remains the same. He feels the rhythm through his hands, through his body. He plays the flute too, but the drums are his specialty."

"I don't think I've seen him before today," Xena took a sip of ale and passed the mug to Gabrielle.

"You wouldn't. He can be terribly shy around women. But he can never resist an opportunity to play. Our nation is lucky to have such a fine artist."

The conversation died down as the group listened to Tenio play intricate melodies on the drums, while finishing the meal they shared amongst themselves.