Conclusion

Xena left her exhausted bard to wake by herself, and made her way to the bathing hut. Because the day had grown late, the warrior thought she would be alone at the hut, but heard little splashing noises when she approached. She opened the door cautiously, only to realize that Ephiny was the bather that beat her to the tub.

"Took you long enough to get up."

"I was busy." Xena removed the over sized towel she was wrapped in, and greatfully lowered herself into the still hot water.

"Yeah, I heard...," Ephiny began, but when she saw the dangerous glint in Xena's eyes, she finishd quickly, "...that you have many skills."

"Eph-i-ny," the warrior warned, the glint becoming electric blue.

"C'mon, Xena, even if the entire village didn't hear you, we all know what happens on wedding nights."

"Oh really, Eph? And what happens on the following morning?"

"The following...?" was all the regent got out before her head was plunged unceremoniously underwater, her breath coming out in uneven sputters when she was immediately released and broke the surface. "You are going to pay for that, warrior!"

One look at the dripping wet, bedraggled amazon leader had the darker woman laughing at her friend's plight. The once curly hair was plastered to Ephiny's head in such a way that it looked more like a helmet than the usual golden curls that flattered the woman's features. "You and whose army?"

"Oh, I don't need an army for what I have planned for you." Ephiny shot right at Xena, giving herself extra momentum by pushing off from the bottom of the large round tub. Unfortunately, she didn't count on Xena's quick dodge. She completely missed the bigger woman, and instead of finding herself on top of the warrior, she felt two strong hands on her back, pushing her under effortlessly. Rolling over underwater, Ephiny rose half way out of the tub, water glistening on her naked skin. Her look of disbelief turning to admiration, and then to a determined look of vengeance, she cupped her hands in anticipation and renewed effort. "You devilish bacchae, you don't know what you started."

Xena half stood up in the tub also, and moved in time with Ephiny, never letting her get any closer than she already was. The look of satisfaction was more than the regent could bear, and using a slight feint to the left, she managed to grab Xena around the shoulders from the right. She shifted her hips a quarter turn, and even though she went under the surface for a third time, the smaller woman managed to drag Xena down with her.

"Oooh, you're good," the dark haired woman complimented the other, once they had both popped out of the water. She again took up a crouchd position, readying herself for Ephiny's next move.

"What's going on here?"

Both sets of eyes tracked slowly to see Gabrielle standing inside the doorway, her hands on her hips.

Xena lowered her face a little, so she could look at her love from the tops of her eyes, hoping the bard would fall for the contrite look.

"And don't even think of trying 'the look' on me, Xena. I could hear you both all the way across the square." Feigning annoyance, Gabrielle placed the towel she had brought with her on a stool, and then wriggled out of the shift that she had hastily thrown on when she had woken up.

"Were we as loud as you two were last night?" A soft chuckle escaped from the regent when she saw her queen's face turn a nice shade of pink.

Gabrielle's eyes grew wide in astonishment as she realized what Ephiny was implying. She stepped into the tub and sat down in the warm water, motioning for Xena to join her.

"You see, Gabrielle? I had to defend your honor." By unspoken agreement, the married couple turned on Ephiny, splashing and throwing as much water in waves at her as they could.

Helpless against the turn of events, the regent sunk to the bottom of the tub, only returning to the surface once the two had quieted down. "You're right, Xena. I would need an army to top you. So I guess I'll just have to call a truce with my sister."

"Deal."

Xena's lopsided grin was infectious, and Gabrielle found herself laughing along with the others. "Well, I'm glad that's taken care of. I don't want my wife and my family fighting over me."

"No, I think we can share you during the day. As long as you come back to me at night."

The bard grabbed Xena's hand under the water. "I think I can live with that."

"Well, you two, I hate to break up such a happy group, but I'm turning into an over ripe grape. I should start saying my good-byes to Kaliepus and the others before I pack up to leave."

"Hmm, we should be getting ready to go, too," Xena agreed. "We'll see you when we're through here. Kaliepus and Solan have something to discuss before we go."

"Ok, see you soon." Ephiny got out of the tub, and wrapped herself in a towel she had thrown on a bench earlier. "And no more screaming!" A huge splash of water headed her way, but the regent avoided it by ducking out the door quickly.

"What am I going to do with her?" Gabrielle's mock disapproval made Xena smile.

"You could always demote her."

"But she's the best warrior I have." The queen seemed to think about it, moving closer to Xena all the while.

"Oh, she is, is she?"

"Well, you know what I mean." A raised eyebrow and twinkling eyes greeted Xena a few inches from her face.

"And what if I don't?"

"Then I'll just have to show you all over again," and leaning in, eyes already closing in anticipation of the contact to come, Gabrielle kissed her woman with the gentlest of touches and the warmest of hearts.

"I believe you." Xena's hands ran up and down her lover's spine, exciting in the tiny tremors she felt there. "How couldn't I when you kiss me like that? And I love you too."

"Good. Because you exhausted me so much I couldn't do anything else to convince you."

"My little bard tires so easily. I think you just want me to continue rubbing your back, but don't want to ask."

"Hm, would you?"

"For you, my queen, anything." Xena moved behind the bard, and let her lean back against her chest. Moving her hands again along the woman's back, she washed away the last traces of the ocher that Ephiny had used to paint them the day before. Unable to resist, she leaned in a bit closer, and nipped at the sweet skin at the side of Gabrielle's neck, where the thin column met her shoulder. "Are you cold? You're shivering."

"You know I'm not. It's always you that makes me tremble."

"I hope so. For as long as we live." The questing hands now trailed over the silky arms, rubbing and cleaning the brown pigment off. Xena kissed her woman at the base of her neck one last time before turning her in her arms. "Now if I can get my wife to wash my back, we'll be able to get out of this cool water."

"For you, my warrior, anything."

After getting out of the tub, the two women dried off and helped each other dress. While Xena went to the stable to saddle Argo and check the saddlebags, making sure that they didn't forget anything, Gabrielle headed for Kaliepus' house. Hoping to find Solan, she was surprised when she saw only the centaur leader inside.

"Oh, Kaliepus. I'm glad I get to see you before we leave. Xena and I would both like to thank you for all you've done for us. I know what an honor it is to be made a member of your tribe. It's something I'll hold close to my heart always."

"Thank you, Gabrielle. It means a lot to me, and to my nation too. Ephiny has already mentioned opening new trade negotiations between our two villages. It looks like a prosperous time ahead for all of us."

"That's wonderful! I know Solari and the rest of my sisters will be glad to hear that when Ephiny returns. I'm glad things are working out so well."

"Yes, they are." A shadow crossed over the centaur's face. "And then there's Solan."

From the look on the man's face, Gabrielle knew that the boy must have talked to his uncle about his choice to stay or leave the village. The bard tried to be as delicate as possible. "What did he tell you?"

"He didn't have to tell me anything. I could guess from the look on his face. Gabrielle, please promise me to protect him. He's all I have."

"Kaleipus," the small woman started. "You know both Xena and I will do everything we can to raise him as well as you have. But are you sure his decision is to leave? He hasn't said anything to us about it yet."

"I'm sure. He was headed to the burial ground, carrying some of his things in a bag. Probably to see Borias' grave one more time."

"I wish there was something I could say. There's no easy solution to this."

"I know. Please. Just promise to take care of him."

"You know we will." The woman threw her arms around the strong shoulders of the centaur leader, and then went in search of Solan.

Xena found her partner and her son at the centaur's burial ground. She jumped down from her war horse and tied the reins to a tree in the small grove that bordered the area. Things had changed slightly from the last time she was there. There were a few more burial spots, but the thing she noticed right away was the balancing stone on Borias' marker. At one point it had been broken, but the three pieces were now tied together with what looked like the blue leather thong that she and Gabrielle had been bound with at their Binding Ceremony. She was going to ask Solan about it, but completely forgot when she saw the happy smiles on both the boy's and Gabrielle's faces.

"Hi, Mom. Gabrielle's been helping me with my stories."

"So you've showed them to her?"

"Yeah. She says I have a way with words."

Xena ruffled the boy's hair. "I knew you did." The warrior looked at the happy face of her boy, and imagined being able to see it every day. Solan sat on the ground next to Gabrielle, a sack of his things between them. Hoping that the sack might be a good sign, Xena plunged ahead with the question that was foremost in her mind. "So...have you thought about our talk and your decision?"

The boy immediately looked away and pulled in his lips a little. Xena knew instinctively what the answer was. Pulling the boy up so she could hug him, she squeezed him tightly into an ambrace. "It's ok, sweetheart. I think you're making the right decision."

"You're not mad? I'm sorry..."

"No, don't be sorry. You need to be here with the centaurs. They can still teach you so much, things you probably wouldn't learn on the road with us. And it's not like we won't come by to see you...I love you, Solan."

Solan returned the hug, and felt Xena kiss his forehead. "Thanks, Mom...for understanding."

Gabrielle stood up and brushed some grass off her skirt. "And next time we're here, I want to see more of your centaur stories. You really do a good job describing your uncle and the nation, Solan." The bard gave the youngster a good-bye squeeze of her own, and kissed him on the cheek. "We'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too...and Mom, um...I want to give you a scroll." He pulled one out from the bag at his feet. Xena could see a few others in there, and knew the boy had been busy. "Don't read it now. Read it when...uh, you get a chance."

"I will honey. And thank you."

Xenan ran up to the small group, followed closely by Ephiny. The amazon regent had already packed up their things, and was headed towards the amazon village. The small centaur danced around the young boy, his youthful enthusiasm evident in his smile.

"Ssoolllon," the little kid chanted when the older boy ruffled his hair,

"Hey, buddy. I'm going to miss you too. Do you think I can visit sometime?"

Ephiny was quick to answer. "Of course you're invited anytime you want, Solan. We'd love to have you stay with us. And then you could get to know some of Gabrielle's and my sisters. Have you ever been to an Amazon village?"

"No, but I'd love to meet more of Mom's and Gabrielle's friends."

"Anytime you want, you're welcome to visit." Ephiny turned to the women. "And what about you two? Will you be coming with me and Xenan?"

Gabrielle spoke up. "Not this time, Eph."

"We're going to visit Gabrielle's sister in Poteidea," Xena explained. "But you know I won't be able to keep my sweetheart away forever. You'll be seeing us soon."

"That's good. I still need to get back at you for the near drowning you gave me."

"Well," the dark haired woman drawled. "You can try." She rolled her eyes, letting Ephiny know what she thought the amazon's chance of success was.

"I'll do more than try, warrior. Consider yourself warned."

Xena smiled and shook her head at the promised threat. She knew Ephiny was already planning something.

Gabrielle stepped between the two women. "Bye, Eph," she said, and gave her regent a hug. "I'll see you soon."

"I hope so." Ephiny waved at Xena, and then started on the way to her village, Xenan running ahead of her.

Xena turned back to Solan, not really wanting to leave, but knowing they had to. "Bye, honey. Remember that I love you."

"I will Mom." The boy couldn't resist one last hug. "Bye, Gabrielle. Thanks for your help on the story."

"You just keep writing, sweetie. I expect to see plenty of filled scrolls next time we visit."

"You will," the boy promised, and watched as the two women walked away, his mom leading Argo away from the burial ground. They stopped once and waved, and then disappeared into the surrounding woods.

Xena was quiet for the first candlemark of their journey, as she thought about her boy. At last breaking her reverie, she put her arm around Gabrielle, and gave her a quick kiss. "So what story did you and Solan work on?"

"It's the first story he wrote, and you'll read it tonight. A heroic story, about the Warrior Princess."

Xena smiled and gave the bard another kiss.