Eternal Spirit

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Eternal Spirit

Part 8

"Gabrielle, are you suicidal?" She asked rhetorically through clenched teeth. "I can't wear this!" She growled in a slightly serious manner at her partner.

"Oh Xena, stop acting like a child. You look absolutely beautiful." She couldn't help but giggle at the frazzled expression on her warrior's face. "Xena it's a celebration everyone is dressed like that! Your outfit is just...well...its royalty." She finished with a nod.

"Celebration or no celebration I am not walking out there half naked in front of all those Amazons!" She pouted folding her arms across her chest.

The bard planted herself beside her warrior an innocent smile proudly lighting her face. She knelt before her and placed a gentle kiss on Xena's bare stomach. "What if," she moved slightly to the left placing another soft kiss on her bare skin. "I like you," reaching behind her placed a final kiss in the middle of Xena's bare back, "half naked." She glared up at her warrior with a smirk. Chills ran up and down Xena's spine.

"I have missed your touch so much." she breathed to herself. Blue eyes greeted the bard. "You my love can have me half naked anytime you like." She finished with a parallel smirk smugly on her face.

The bard stood up and faced the warrior. "Perhaps if you behave yourself tonight you may get your wish." A longing found itself etched within her jade gaze.

Xena crossed her arms once more and challenged her with a pout. "It felt so good to tease back and forth. I have truly missed you Gabrielle."

"If anyone should be pouting it should be me." Xena cocked a brow at her partner. "Yes, that's right, I should be the one pouting." A cunning grin swept Gabrielle's face. "After all my stubborn warrior, I will have to keep everyone's paws off you." She smiled seductively. Before Xena could utter a single protest she batted her lashes giving the sweetest face she could muster without laughing and gazed into her lover's blue eyes. "Please for me, wear it tonight?"

Xena sighed in defeat a smile forming on her face. "I feel naked in this Amazon outfit, unless that was your intention," she said, her brow going up playfully. Although it only lasted for a brief moment, a warm spirit shimmered in the emerald eyes of her bard for the second time that night. "How can I say no when it seems to mean so much to her? Besides I would do anything to see that sparkle in her eyes again." With her hand upon her hip the warrior smirked at her bard. "Oh alright, for you I will wear this shred of fabric you call an Amazon outfit," she rolled her eyes teasingly.

Gabrielle wrapped her arms around her neck and whispered sincerely, "thank you." After planting a soft kiss upon her lips she stepped away to have a good look at her pouting warrior. With an approving nod and devious grin she questioned, "Shall we join the festivities?" Xena walked over to her bard and taking her hand in her own, led her out of their hut still muttering humorously about her outfit.

Echoes of laughter and random chatters could be heard as Xena and Gabrielle approached the ongoing celebration hand in hand. Music delicately danced on the tepid breeze that swept in hushed tones around them. It wasn't a very sizeable gathering by any means but it was one of the most honored celebrations of its kind. This was the time to set aside the trials of the past few weeks and rekindle the essence of the tainted Amazon village and one very somber Queen. Today there would be dancing, music, as well as a few animated sparring competitions. For today marked the third year, that Gabrielle, Bard of Potedia, ruled the Nation as Queen of the Amazons.

"Was that your stomach I heard growling at me?" Xena inquired amusingly. The bard's expression settled into a sloppy grin. "I don't know what you feed that," She paused mid-sentence noticing the sudden silence surrounding her. She turned her head away from her partner and was greeted with numerous gawking stares and jaw dropping faces. The warrior placed her hand on her hip in a lethargic manner, her brow rising slightly at her beaming partner. "They are your Amazons," she rolled her eyes playfully making a feeble attempt to pout.

Gabrielle couldn't hold back any longer and broke into a peal of genuine laughter. Taking her lover by the hand she continued marching towards her tribe pausing briefly beside them. "Paws off," she commanded gruffly a jovial grin spreading across her face. She continued sauntering past them pulling the staggering warrior behind her. She halted about 10 feet away and turned back towards the astounded Amazons. "Are you just going to stand there drooling all day or are you coming?" she teased. Laughter trickled softly surrounding her. Wiping the sloppy grin off her face Ephiny walked towards the couple, leaving the rest of the tribe trailing a few feet behind whispering amongst themselves like young schoolgirls.

"I can't believe Gabrielle got you to agree to wear the Royal Amazon attire, Xena." Ephiny uttered in disbelief.

"Attire is that what you call this?" Xena asked, playful sarcasm in her voice. "I believe you need more fabric to have an attire!" Both women chuckled at the humor.

"Well, you look breathtaking." She smiled at her friend. "It's nice to see you out of those leathers of yours for one night."

Xena shifted uncomfortably, not keen to compliments, and decided to change the subject. "Any word from Serenity yet?"

Ephiny shook her head. "No, she hasn't arrived yet. She more than likely won't show until after the celebration." Ephiny looked in the direction of Gabrielle and her fellow Amazons, "Gabrielle seems more herself today than she has been in weeks. I hope this small celebration lifts her spirits, even for a short while."

Xena locked her eyes on the customary dance Gabrielle and a few Amazons were engaged in. Gabrielle's face showed a moment of bliss. She had been dancing for a couple candle marks now with her tribe. For a brief moment Xena's gaze met that of her bard's. The serenity she witnessed in those emerald eyes spread a tender smile across her face. Even if it did last only for a moment, that one moment was one the warrior would not soon forget. "Yes, she has seemed happier. I miss her, Eph. Her eyes hold so much emptiness now. I saw a glimmer of essence in there tonight. But as quickly as it materialized, it disappeared." her voice dropped to a whisper. "Something is still missing in her eyes, Eph. And I would do anything to put it back there." She leaned back against the cool wall with her eyes still locked upon her dancing partner.

"It is going to take some time, Xena. I think what Gabrielle is searching for is some form of closure." She looked into the teary eyes of her friend. "And that is something only Gabrielle can give to herself, Xena." Ephiny grinned, "Hey no tears, this is a happy day. Do you know what I do with unhappy warrior princess' around here?" her tone was challenging.

"And what would that be?" Xena replied, intimidation in her voice.

Ephiny's smile grew wide, "I sic drooling, wide-eyed Amazons on them." she finished with a giggle. The tension in Xena's face subsided and gave way to a muffled chuckle. "Now that is much better Miss tall, dark, and gorgeous. What is the surprise you're going to give Gabrielle tonight?" her eyes gleamed with keen interest.

Xena tapped her friend on the nose teasingly with her index finger. "Sorry Eph, you have to wait and see."

"Just a little hint Xe, please?" she pleaded with a sulk.

"Nope, not one. You will find out soon enough." a cunning smile formed on Xena's lips.

"Oh Xe!" She decided to try another tactic. "I, as the Regent, think you should inform me so I can be sure nothing harmful is in that box of surprises of yours." A smirk spread across her face.

"You're absolutely right Eph! I should inform you of any boxes or packages I give to Gabrielle," she readily agreed. Ephiny's eyes lit up. "Too bad my surprise doesn't come in a box or package. Nice try." She winked cleverly at the shocked face of her friend and started walking towards her partner.

Continued In Part 9