Conquering Liaisons pt 2

Xena Warrior Princess fanfic, Conqueror. As the story starts Xena, known as the Lord Conqueror and not a nice woman, acquires a new bodyslave - not realising that she will come to love this woman, deeply and sincerely, to the point of madness. Assassination attempts, power struggles and bickering satraps all demand Xena to remain the harsh and cruel ruler, while Gabrielle without intending to draws out the woman that wants nothing more than love and family.

Has sexual themes and graphic violence, and most importantly it is a dropped story, meaning it will be years and years before I even consider continuing this.
(Xena/Gabrielle, Lila/Minya) Divided into roughly ten parts due to size.

Read Conquering Liaisons pt 2

Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle and anything else XWP belong to RenPics and TPTB, and certainly in no way to a certain little dragon.

This is a conquerorfic and contains a fair share of violence. There is mention of sex, and at a certain point a roundabout mention of rape. While I think it should not be too disturbing for anyone’s sensibilities, a warning is only fair so that you can avoid reading if this would upset you.

The most important warning I feel is this; THIS STORY HAS BEEN DROPPED. It is unfinished and shall remain that way for the foreseeable future. I do still hope to return to it sometime, years from now, but for now – and for quite a few years – I am hopelessly stuck.






Conquering Liaisons pt 2 of 10
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by Carola “Ryûchan” Eriksson






Chapter 4: Talking Things Through

Waking up in someone else's arms was another new sensation for Gabrielle, although in truth Xena was none to accustomed to it either, and it was found to be a very pleasant one. The dull ache and strain Gabrielle could feel from her lower body was equally a new sensation, but one she could do without in her opinion.

Xena, as if reading Gabrielle's mind, gently rubbed her lower back in soothing circles and told Gabrielle that the ache would soon be gone, and promised that Gabrielle would not need to do anything too stressful that day. It was a moment of utter sweetness, and Gabrielle once again wondered about the concept of slavery.

Xena sighed and shook her head ruefully. "I'm such a bastard. You cry you heart out in my arms and I promise not to push things, to leave you be for just one night. But instead I barely let you dry your eyes before I tear the clothes off your back and ravish you. So much for treating you gently."

Gabrielle blushed fiercely. "I… I think that was me that, um, started it… you know?" Peeking shyly at Xena's expression. "And I, I, umm… I… Ireallywantedyouto."

The confession earned her a soft kiss and a gloriously warm embrace. "I'm glad Gabrielle. I'm really glad. Did it hurt an awful lot?" Xena was gently cuddling Gabrielle to her. Gabrielle shook her head resolutely, it had definitely been worth that small bit of pain.

"Good, good. Well Gabrielle, as much as I would like to stay in bed with you all day, how about some breakfast?"

The answering rumble emanating from Gabrielle stomach caused the young girl to blush again and Xena to burst out laughing.



Before getting to enjoy their breakfast, Gabrielle was treated to a tour of the bath facilities. Xena took quite a delight in explaining in great detail how the warm and cold water was transported there through pipes, to both the huge sunken oriental-style bath, as well as to the spouts above porcelain bowls that was for washing hands and face. The lavatory in itself was a firmly closed off affair so that no unpleasant odour would escape, also in porcelain and more comfortable than most chairs Gabrielle had used in her young life. She was thankful that it did afford privacy for her visits, something the bath did not - giving herself a quick wash while Xena was right there doing the same was very awkward. Xena had promised her that Gabrielle could take a long soak in the luxurious tub later, but for now a quick wash with a washrag, a bit of soap and a bucket of water would do, much like back home - even if the bucket was fancy and the soap was purple and smelled like lavender.

Having no clothes left to wear did pose a bit of a problem. Xena solved it temporarily by having Gabrielle wear one of Xena's embroidered tunics together with a pair of breeches that was cut off at Gabrielle's ankles. She informed Gabrielle that she would order the seamstress to sow up an entirely new wardrobe for Gabrielle, so Gabrielle would have to take measurements later that day. When she told Gabrielle that she had gotten some really nice silk in her latest tribute from Chin that would look nice, Gabrielle choked on her honeyed roll.

"Easy now, it's not going anywhere." Xena smirked, and nudged Gabrielle’s tea closer. "Gods, but you look like such a child wearing that."

Xena was much surprised, and very amused, to see Gabrielle turn stubbornly defiant over that remark.
"I am not a child! In Poteidaia women my age would…"

"Peace, peace." Xena smirked. "I do not question that you are a woman, Gabrielle…" Xena's gaze raked lustfully over Gabrielle's form, even though it was covered in much to large clothing. "Far from it."

"I'm doing my best to be a good warrior here, and stay nibbling on my toast." Xena's voice pitched to a low sultry tone. "When I would much rather dine on a sweet breakfast of Gabrielle…" She leaned in to brush her hand up Gabrielle's thigh.

Gabrielle yelped, bug-eyed, and lunged for her tea, draining it in one long draught. Xena laughed.

As they continued to eat their breakfast, Xena with a small smile playing at the edges of her lips all the while, Gabrielle stole frequent glances at the dark-haired woman. Now, in the light of this morning, Gabrielle became aware of things she had been far to nervous to notice before.

Xena was, simply put, extraordinarily beautiful.

That face, those eyes, that smile… Gabrielle tried not to stare, and found her heart rate going up as Xena flashed her another bright smile. What was that all about?

That hair, those eyes again… Why would someone like this want someone like Gabrielle, for anything at all?

Those strong arms, that strong, beautiful body… She could have anyone at all in all the world, and yet Xena seemed to have picked her. Little Gabrielle from Poteidaia. And made her feel very desired, when they'd…


Gabrielle's thoughts sidetracked to the previous evening's events. They had. Oh gods, they really had! And how! Suddenly the strange conversations and supposedly good advice she'd gotten from the prostitutes at the brothel seemed to make perfect sense. Well, almost. Much more sense than her mother's advice regarding Perdicus, back when it was still presumed they would marry. 'Stay still, try to relax and think of something else, and with any luck he'll be done quickly.' her mother had said then.

A glance at Xena, remembering the touches and how they made her feel. 'Think of something else? Not a chance. You have no idea mother.'

'Oh Xena, I am quite sure I shouldn't be feeling this way, whatever this is. Gods, her hands, her _lips_…' Gabrielle was feeling decidedly dizzy just remembering. 'I'm going insane!' Another glance at Xena. 'But look at her! Gods, I hope she doesn't notice! If she touches me I'll die! If she _doesn't_ touch me I'll die!' Wasn't there any more tea? 'I want her to kiss me. Kiss me Xena! Kiss me now!'


Xena did notice Gabrielle's odd behaviour. The girl looked flushed and seemed to be breathing a bit more heavily. Was there anything… Ah. Xena smiled to herself. That slightly glazed look in Gabrielle's eyes…

She leaned in and purred into Gabrielle's ear. "Thinking of last night, are you my sweet?"

Gabrielle was very embarrassed to find that she moaned out loud and leaned into Xena.

"Me too." Xena whispered, and pulled Gabrielle into her lap and hungrily sought out her lips.


When after quite some time they finally separated they were both breathing heavily, and Xena was once again fighting the impulse to simply throw Gabrielle across the table and devour her. Considering that Gabrielle's lovely green eyes had gone dark with desire, it seemed likely that she would not particularly object, either. Unfortunately they did not quite have the time.

"As much as I would really like to continue this…" Xena said regretfully. "I'm expecting the Chamberlain here at virtually any moment. And I wouldn't let the old lecher lay as much as an eye on you." Grinning roguishly at a slightly embarrassed Gabrielle.

"I'll have to leave then, after going through a few things with him first, and it'll take me most of the day I'm afraid. We have a few things to go through before he gets here, then after I leave you can take that bath you wanted. The seamstress will be announced by the guards before she's let in, so you won't have to worry that she'll surprise you in the bath."

"Also, I'm going to send the Junior Chamberlain, or Chamberlain's Assistant as he prefer to call himself, to keep you company while I'm gone. His name is Jace, an agreeable young man who happens to be a true sodomite, unlike the old pervert. He'll show you around, maybe you'll want to go to the Royal Library if I'm gone long?"

"Oh… Don't look so sad Gabrielle. I do unfortunately have a score of tedious meetings I must attend to today, as much as I would prefer to spend the day with you instead. I'll try to keep the fools on a blabbering limit so I can come find you as soon as possible, allright?"

Xena sighed. "It's one of the many drawbacks of ruling the world, Gabrielle. Everyone comes to you with their problems, no matter how petty, and you're the one left to sort them out. Even when people know what they need to do, they want to come and take up my time telling their stories, and then hear me tell them to do what they already knew all along they had to."

"The General of Messini said his girlfriend is much more beautiful than the General of Parnassus' lover, and soon I had a dispute on my hands. Their neighbour throws his lot in, and suddenly all three are threatening to go to an all-out three-way war in that zone, all over male ego. So I must play their nursemaid, sit them down and tell them to play nice, or I'll give them a spanking." Giving Gabrielle a long-suffering look. "Imagine how tedious these things are to deal with all the time."

That got her Gabrielle's sympathy, and Gabrielle felt a bit sheepish that she had wanted Xena to stay with her. She opened her mouth to speak, but hesitantly closed it again.

"Yes? What were you going to say?"

"Nothing, really… It's just that, you describe those men as little boys, well… It seems like, if they can't play nice and not bother you, you should tell them someone else might get their toys." Gabrielle glanced up and saw Xena's amused expression. "Well that worked with the children in Poteidaia…" She muttered uncomfortably. "Silly me, huh?"

Xena just shook her head.

"But back to you Gabrielle. We need more time to go through things properly, but a few things should be mentioned before I go off for my meetings today. Do you remember what I told you I expected of you as my body slave?"

Gabrielle frowned, but recited Xena verbatim. Xena blinked. "I can be so charming when I put my mind to it." She muttered and scratched her chin. "Do you always remember everything people tell you, word for word?"

"Yes, mother used to put me in places to listen to what the other adults would talk about when I was little, then ask me to repeat it to her later. If I hear it I remember it, it's just the way it works."

"Interesting… can be a useful skill to have, Gabrielle. Anyway… There are a lot of do's and don’ts for you to remember, most of them are about loyalty to me. You may not, for instance, reveal things I tell you that are important or might be used against me, or knowledge you will have of me. Do you understand why?"

Gabrielle looked uncertain, so Xena took time to think of something that might explain. "Say you would be overheard saying that when we are in bed I no longer notice the world around me. That bit of information gets around, and the next thing I know there's assassins taking pot-shots at me in bed with you."

"Oh!" Swallowing hard. "I promise, I won't reveal anything like that to anyone!" Shyly she continued. "Xena? Do you, really?"

"What?" Gabrielle blushed, and Xena caught a clue."Riiight. Why yes Gabrielle, when we are together…" She gave Gabrielle a sultry look. "…my senses are all filled with you. The castle could come tumbling down for all I'll notice."

She smirked at the shy but pleased little smile that graced Gabrielle's lips at her answer.

"You may not be unfaithful to me." Gabrielle looked quite offended by that, which endeared her all the more to Xena. "It might seem a natural course of action to you right now, but in time… Should you ever… I'm not addressing this right, am I? To put this in my most blunt fashion, though it makes me sound barbaric, here goes. If a man or woman by word or deed comes on to you Gabrielle, I will have them punished, and severely. You are _my_ woman Gabrielle! Would I find that you are the one to…"

Gabrielle's hand across her lips made Xena go quiet in surprise.

"May I say something? This might sound awfully silly to you, but… " Spoken with shy hesitation. "This is how I thought of it last night."

"I will act as though you are m-my husband." She was blushing furiously and avoiding to look at the astounded Xena, but bravely pressed on to get it all out before she thought better of it. "That way I can sort of figure out what will be expected of me… I'll serve you and obey you, we umm, ahmm, well… and keep you company when you want me to, try to anticipate your needs when I can, of course I'll never be unfaithful or disloyal, and I will try very hard to please you and make you happy." Gabrielle almost gasped, having gotten that out at last.

"You humble me." Xena's voice was soft and very gentle. Gabrielle looked up, finally, and saw a strange expression on Xena's face, one that seemed both sad, affectionate and… longing? "Allright, to hear you say that is actually far more reassurance than I would have asked for, so the other details can wait. But Gabrielle? You do know that I very much want to please you and make you happy, too, don't you?" Xena's voice was almost pleading.

Gabrielle smiled, a pretty smile that warmed Xena's heart. "I do now. Thank you."

Xena shook hear head and pulled Gabrielle back into her lap. "Although it sounds good in this respect, your definition of a wife's expectancy from married life is rather depressing. Is that what you would have had to expect from life married to… the goat farmer?" She kissed Gabrielle's brow.

"I am my father's property until he sells me to another for a price he chooses. It doesn't really matter if you call it marriage or slavery, does it? It's would still not have anything to do with freedom, or choice, and then I'd be my husband's property. He would be free to do whatever he pleases to me, and have me do whatever he pleases. Should I refuse, I would be punished. So, the difference, as I see it, is that maybe I get a slave brand instead of a wedding band, and you have already treated me better than anybody ever did in my life." Quietly. ”You even listen when I speak, don't you?"

"Oh Gabrielle!" Xena's voice was choked, but she held Gabrielle so close that the young woman could not make out her expression as she spoke. "How could anyone treat you… And women's situation in Poteidaia is abhorrent! I will have to see to it that my laws are enforced better, that much is clear to me."

"And my sweet, there will be no marks put upon your lovely skin by me. I don't brand the slaves that work in the castle, they just wear the castle mark on their collars for the years they work for me. You will not even need to do that, I would not have you wear a slave collar for any reason."

"You see, my sweet Gabrielle, while I can't outlaw slavery, I have made laws that protect even the rights of slaves. It will take a long time and a lot of enforcing of those laws before they are accepted, but in time the difference between slave and merely servant will be very small. And in my castles the slaves all live by my laws, and it has proven to be a working system."

Quietly. "You are the only personal slave I have had, Gabrielle, since I in my youth defeated a warlord who had the body slave Satrina. I gave her back her freedom at once, but she stayed with me, and now she's a general in my army in Africaans."



"Does it still ache much, Gabrielle?" Spoken softly, while she lightly rubbed the small of Gabrielle's back.

"No, it's allright, it's… not that… bad…" A strange expression passed over Gabrielle’s features.

"Xena? What was that you, umm, well, you used last night? I thought I felt…"

"Oh, that!" Xena grinned sheepishly. "Did I forget to tell you about that? Ooops."

"When I was considerably much younger than I am now, I sort of had this reputation among the Olympian gods. Well Aphrodite took a shine to me, and we were lovers for this very brief time." Gabrielle scowled. "Anyway, during that she gave me a gift that not a lot of people know about…" Xena almost looked shy.

"You mean, that was… you? But you're not a…" Staring inadvertently at Xena's crotch as if it would reveal anything. "Oh! Is that what you meant by showing me the 'gift of Aphrodite'?"

"No no, I'm not, I'm all woman, believe me. And I don't turn into a male with this gift, I just get something rather similar to a certain part of the male equipment. And no, that wasn't what I meant at all… Haven't you heard that people calls a woman's pleasure the gift of Aphrodite?" Gabrielle digested that.

"Can you… Is there any chance that I might… get pregnant?"

Xena's eyes got all round at this suggestion. "I suppose it might… It should be possible, actually. It's not like I have used it a lot so I would know, though."

"Tell you what though." Xena smiled brightly at Gabrielle. "Bear my child Gabrielle, and I will make you my Queen. That wouldn't be so bad, would it?"

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Chapter 5: Distractions Most Deadly

Gabrielle was in the luxurious bath, thoroughly enjoying herself, and finding it quite a challenge to determine what the various bottles and condiments were that was stocked in the cupboards, as most of them had labels written in languages she did not understand.

The meeting with the palace Chief Chamberlain had been unpleasant in a difficult to define sort of way. There was just something cold in the old man's eyes that scared her, she supposed. That he had completely ignored her was something she didn't care about much, after all, she was a slave and he the highest ranking servant in the palace, so of course he wouldn't bother to acknowledge her. But one thing he said did rankle Gabrielle somewhat.

Xena had given him a number of instructions regarding her day, while Gabrielle was quietly munching on a piece of fruit, and the man had not acknowledged Gabrielle's existence with as much as a glance. Xena had turned and grinning leaned over to steal Gabrielle's fruit from her lips with Xena's own, taking a brief moment to exchange a few small kisses in the process. That had sparked a reaction from the old man, although Gabrielle doubted that Xena had truly noticed just how cold and angry his eyes had gotten.

With a surprisingly haughty air, Chamberlain Viceron had informed Xena that he had not known she would have entertainment that morning, and if she wished he could return later, when the 'entertainment' had gone. The words had stung surprisingly much.

Xena however had corrected him on his mistake, and with a gleam in her eye informed him that Gabrielle's presence in the castle was a permanent fixture, then proceeded to inform him of the changes Xena desired to be made to accommodate her new companion. The statement had been ended with a very sensuous kiss to Gabrielle's hand, Xena's entire posture challenging.

To his credit, Viceron had not taken the bait.

Nonetheless, Gabrielle had the unnerving feeling that she would have some trouble with that man eventually, but then again surely he wouldn't have any reason to be around a mere slave like her, and it could all just be Gabrielle's nerves. Couldn't it?



After her invigorating bath, and a rather giddy discovery of a diversity of 'mementos' from previous night, Gabrielle enjoyed an exploration of the space that apparently would be her home from now on.

Xena sure owned many beautiful and fascinating things. It saddened her to think that she, Gabrielle, was really supposed to be no more than Xena's possession now, too, much like the embroidered pillows or the stuffed chair in the corner.

But did it matter so much really? It didn't seem to be such a bad life, to be Xena's woman, as Xena herself had put it. Wasn't she already treated better than she had any reason to expect from life?

The answer was yes, of course, as she realized she had never really been free in the first place. But losing her little sister was harsh on Gabrielle, far too harsh to bear.

The guard knocking on the inner doors disrupted her brooding before she got too far. It was the seamstress that had arrived.



Xena decided that sometimes, sometimes being the Ruler of the Known World really sucked.
In fact, it could be a real hamper on one's personal life. Like now for example.

This was the third meeting in a row - or was that fourth? - and she had no idea what any of these fools was bothering her for. She had no patience for any of this today, and her concentration was… elsewhere.

Gabrielle.

Xena smiled as she let her thoughts spin away, remembering the night they spent together. Gods, but that girl was alluring! So sweet, so beautiful and oh so responsive… And even the sound of her voice awoke Xena's arousal, that had never happened before.

And more, Xena genuinely liked her, liked her company, liked holding her, liked spending time with her, liked… Hades, she even liked talking to her. Liked everything.

And everything was easy, if it was with Gabrielle. Almost too easy. Because Xena was never allowed to be really happy about anything, if she was something disastrous would soon occur.



Chief Chamberlain Viceron watched the proceedings with mounting irritation. She was doing it again!

This time Xena wasn't even bothering to look in the Roman emissary's general direction, she was quite busily staring at the canopy above her seat, while her half lidded gaze and sensual smile betrayed where her thoughts were at. He could throttle the woman!

The last three petitions had been disastrous, Xena had all but slept through them all. The first one she kept asking the petitioner, an emissary from Egypt, to repeat himself over and over, until she suddenly dismissed him mid-sentence, saying he would have to reschedule an appointment with her Chamberlain. Viceron was appalled.

Then she had looked at the Lord Menos and the Lord Lycost and asked them why in Tartarus they had come to her for. Faced with her irritated gaze both the lords had quickly agreed to settle matters privately, and peacefully, which to Viceron's knowledge would be a first for both families. The Chamberlain had regretted the outcome, since both lords were easy to manipulate in various ways when he dangled the faint hope that he might be persuaded to see things from their perspective, or mention this and that to their preoccupied ruler. But now that particular tool would be no more, thanks to a… a hormonal Lord Conqueror!

The third meeting had ended with Xena yelling at the top of her lungs at the Briton emissary, who in fear did wet himself as he was ordered out of Xena's sight. True, the man was an imbecile, pompous ass with delusions of religious superiority, but all the same he was a favoured cousin of the Briton satrap Boadicea!

And now she was apparently finding much pleasure staring at the blue canopy above her seat. Fortunately, the otherwise so politically savvy merchant from Chin were so unnerved by the Lord Conqueror's behaviour that he retracted his long-winded speech and meekly agreed to the terms as Viceron had previously written him.

This could not go on!

True, none of these petitioners were of a nature that required the Lord Conqueror's time, but they were a part of a long-term plan that Viceron devised in order to convince his Lord to leave all such proceedings to him. By being the Conqueror's voice in all trade and civil dispute, he would be one more step closer to what Viceron truly desired. But not by running roughshod over all his glorious schemes first!



The list continued, and Xena bullied her way through one petition after another. Finally she came to the end of her fuse by the time the Chamberlain announced the three generals with allegedly beautiful women that Xena had told Gabrielle about earlier.

Lost for a moment in thoughts of Gabrielle, Xena did not pay attention to the generals as they shouted at one another. It wasn't until all three was standing facing each other, reaching for and drawing their weapons right there in front of her that Xena came back to her senses.

"ENOUGH!" The angry roar and the dull boom from Xena's fist as she slammed it into the sturdy oak table on her dais made all three men freeze.

Like lightning Xena was on her feet and looming over them as Hades himself on their day of judgement. She was deathly quiet for long agonizing moments, letting her ice cold gaze tear into the men and make them tremble in fear.

"You"

The voice was quiet, but it's intensity made it sound like a shout.

"DARE"

She stepped forward.

"draw your weapons"

The generals shrank back.

"in front of ME?!! "

Eyes as cold as ice narrowed as she faced them with the contempt apparent on her face. "You know what that will cost you, now don't you."

The generals paled.

"Now… BOYS… let me clarify something for you. Your small provinces are but squalid pebbles in the vast greatness of the Realm. And I… I AM the Realm!"

"Your petty squabbles mean nothing to me, yet you insist on wasting my time. Then let me tell you this. I do not need either of you. And perhaps I will now choose to have you replaced."

"You were fools to keep bringing yourselves to my attention, I would have let you be if you did not give me reason to focus my attention upon you. In other words, boys… since you cannot play nice, I will take your toys away."

She smiled slightly as she said this, further terrifying the three men in front of her.

"But I suppose I may yet choose to give you another chance if I feel lenient enough… We shall see."

"Now let's see… The matter you brought to my attention today was based upon whose woman was the more attractive, was it not? Fools!" They cringed as one at her harsh tone. "Very well, I shall give you my judgement."

"MY woman is far more beautiful than any of yours!" She leaned towards them with an evil gleam in her eyes. "Do you care to challenge that? No? Wise choice."

"Bottom line, boys… don't get me involved in a measuring contest, because I will always win."

She turned and gestured towards one of the soldiers standing at the doors. "Send in Meleager now." Meleager, the captain of the Royal Guard, entered flanked by four of the black and silver clad guards. The four drew their weapons and surrounded the three generals at once.

"Have these three served the traditional punishment for bringing weapons into an audience with me, then held in custody until I decide what to do with them next. Then find out how it was that they all managed to get past the Castle guard with weapons on them." Xena gave Viceron an evil glare, she had no doubt who was responsible for this oversight. Meleager would find out as much and they all knew it, nonetheless the Castle guard should know their orders better than that.

"Send the Junior Chamberlain to my quarters when I leave, and make certain all my appointments for today are cancelled." Viceron looked as if he was about to protest. Xena merely lifted one eyebrow maliciously, and he said nothing. She turned to leave.

"Oh, and Meleager? Make certain they know how good their fortunes are that I am so lenient." Spoken with dangerous casualness over her shoulder as she left the room.


"Leniency!" The General of Parnassus spat in disgust. "Why that unnatural…"

The back of Meleager's hand sent the man crashing to the floor. One of the soldiers hoisted him up roughly, preparing to drag him off by his arms.

Meleager spoke. "Our Lord showed you great mercy. The punishment for bringing a weapon within the presence of our Lord in an audience is thirty lashes."

"The punishment for baring a weapon in her presence is death by dismemberment."

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Chapter 6: Learning To Dress The Part

Even without getting the information from Jace, the Junior Chamberlain, Xena would have realized where Gabrielle was rather quickly. The two Royal Guardsmen standing at the door was a fair indication, given that they previously only guarded Xena herself.

Xena noticed as she approached that both of the two men in question, Talus and Artus, were barely fighting back their smiles as they stood, apparently listening in on something spoken inside the seamstress working quarters. Intrigued, Xena motioned to them to remain quiet as she herself crept up to the door.

After listening a moment, she, too, was smiling, though probably for other reasons than her soldiers did. Or so she assumed.

Deftly she eased through the door without the occupants in the room noticing her presence. She casually leaned in the doorway and watched the proceedings, idly wondering how long it would take, and which of the women in front of her would notice her first.

The delighted smile that had sneaked its way to her lips she had expected, but the strong blast of emotion that coursed through her at the sight of her young lover, that Xena had not expected. It was strong, undeniable and completely foreign, giving Xena the sense of drowning in… what? She did not know. A fierce sense of longing was the closest she could come to define it, but still there was more.

It was… strange. And almost frightening, though she would never admit to as much.



"…are you sure? I still don't think I'm fit to wear something so, so… well fancy looking." Gabrielle's voice was soft and uncertain, as she stood in front of the large gilded mirror wearing nothing but a small set of forest green underclothes and fingering tentatively on the expanse of deep green silk that the seamstress was holding up against Gabrielle's body. The aged seamstress was clearly trying to impress upon the young woman how lovely the fabric would look on her, which appeared to conflict with Gabrielle's sense of modesty.

"Tsk child, I know me work. This here would make the most fetching evening gown, nicely matching them eyes." She made Gabrielle look at herself in the mirror, to prove her point. "Our Lord specifically told to use the latest and the finest, and that there Chin silk is it, dearie. Ye do want to look pretty for Our Lord, don't ye me dear?"

Gabrielle smiled shyly and nodded gently, blushing ever so slightly as she did so, and Xena could wait no more to hold her close.

"Now, me thought is that we do one like that red one ye tried on, but cut this part shorter like…"

"Do as many in as many styles as you wish, Myra, her wardrobe should be made to match mine." Xena interrupted from the door. "Be sure to use to use only the finest and the most complimentary to Gabrielle's beauty."

Gabrielle's head snapped around, and when she spotted Xena the delighted look in her eyes and brilliant smile made Xena swallow hard to get rid of a sudden lump in her throat. Xena pushed off from the doorframe and sauntered over to finally indulge herself in what she had thought of all day.

Gabrielle barely had time to register Xena's presence before she found herself tightly wrapped in a pair of strong arms and held closely against the taller form, with Xena's face buried in her hair. She closed her eyes and leaned back, enjoying the sensation.

After long moments of remaining that way, Xena finally lifted her head to look upon their reflection in the mirror. "Use this one, for certain." She let one hand caress where Gabrielle was wrapped in the material. "And something… in cream, I think."

The aged seamstress snapped out of her indulgent reverie, and brought a roll of thick cream coloured silk up for Xena's perusal. Xena nodded her approval of the choice, indeed she trusted Myra's sense of fashion implicitly, and the old woman had been in Xena's service for so long she was more than well acquainted with Xena's tastes and quirks.

Myra took the fabrics from Xena's hands to fold and put away, and Xena raked her eyes lustfully over the near-naked body revealed in the mirror at the act.

Pretending to lick her lips as she met Gabrielle's eyes in the mirror, Xena was thrilled to feel a shudder go through the small form. She smirked wickedly. "And Myra? Make sure there will be a steady supply of enticing undergarments for Gabrielle, will you?" She had to bite her lip not to laugh when Gabrielle turned bright red and unable to look at the old seamstress.

"Aye, ye naughty imp, I figured as much." Myra made a show of scoffing at her ruler. "Really, ruining perfectly good leggings like that, ye should be ashamed. And not a stitch of shift for the poor child to wear either. I would think ye'd have called to get some clothes that fit the child to wear for now, not let her go gallivanting around the castle and catch a cold like that."

"You're not ill, are you?" Xena murmured into Gabrielle's ear while Myra unfaltering continued her reproach. Gabrielle shook her head, or tried to, as she was shaking with silent giggles.

"Well, I got a set for the child to wear for now, and by morning I'll have something better sown up. Til then there's this set that'll fit, though hardly the kind I know ye to have in mind for the wee bit of a thing."

Xena stepped back as Myra helped Gabrielle back into the clothes that had been hung on a holder next to the mirror. It was not the pants and tunic that she had given Gabrielle to wear that morning, but rather a skirt and blouse set in muted greens and purple.

"The fabric is inferior of course, but the cut is nice Myra. Do a few in that sort of style too, won't you?" Xena said with appreciation, noticing how nice the snug wide girdle and low cut blouse looked on Gabrielle, making her look much older than the outfit Xena ruined the night before had.

"I have all the measurements needed for now, and we tried enough different styles to know about where to start. I will come tell ye when I need ye for fitting, dear." Myra told Gabrielle in her friendly fashion. "I'll have me assistants working hard to get ye some proper attire come morning."

"I'll make sure you get some new assistants soon, allright? Will I be forgiven then?" Xena teased good-naturedly. Myra pretended to huff some more and shoo them to the door, but just as they were about to leave she halted Xena with a hand or her arm.

"It does this old heart good to see ye finally find someone to make ye happy. And this is a good child, too."

Xena looked quite surprised at that, and barely remembered to nod her acceptance of the well-wishes. Happy?

She glanced at Gabrielle at her side. Yes, happy. But she was surprised it was so obvious.

"Have you eaten yet?" She asked Gabrielle.

The answering howl from Gabrielle's midsection caused the entire hallway to go deafeningly quiet. Xena's eyebrow disappeared beneath her bangs in surprise. "I'll take that as a 'no' then." She murmured slowly.

"Artus! Send word to my private kitchen that I want dinner for the both of us delivered to my chambers shortly. Whatever Ella comes up with is fine, just tell her to bring plenty of it. Also, I want a list drawn up on my schedule for the next fortnight, in details, within the candlemark." She spared a glance at Artus. "Have Jace do it and bring it to me. I think he won't mind that, will he?"

Artus, Jace's lover of some time, smiled at the prospect of telling his lover he was currently more in favour than his superior, the arrogant Viceron. He shared a knowing look with the Lord Conqueror before turning to carry out her orders.



Xena smiled at the lovely woman by her side. Quite uncaring that they were far from alone in the hallway, Xena pulled Gabrielle into her arms, dipped her down, and proceeded to kiss her senseless.

When she finally let the younger woman up for air, Xena was smiling contentedly and Gabrielle was clinging weakly to her for support. "Well well. Did you meet Jace earlier today Gabrielle? No? No, I suppose Myra was so appalled by what you wore that she dragged you here to get you dressed right away."

"I'll introduce you to him when he arrives. But first… let's get my woman fed!"

Grinning outrageously Xena steered Gabrielle through the hallways heading for the Royal private chambers.



Gabrielle silently took in the appearance of the Junior Chamberlain as she was busily feeding the noisy beast in her belly, while Xena ate at a more sedate pace, still able to hold a conversation with the man over dinner.

The sight of all the delicious food had nearly brought tears to Gabrielle's eyes, so she would have been hard pressed to tear her concentration away from stuffing herself even if it was asked of her. Fortunately enough, it was not. Xena merely smiled indulgently.

The Junior Chamberlain seemed in no manner similar to his superior Viceron, Gabrielle decided. There was nothing cold about this young man, for starters. Gabrielle tilted her head and considered.

Xena said he was a 'true sodomite', so she would trust him to behave around Gabrielle. Well, aside from the fact that Gabrielle wasn't at all comfortable with the underlying meaning in that consideration, she felt Jace would probably be a good friend to have. He was a pleasant fellow, not good looking by any stretch, rather looking slightly like a sad puppy with his sorrowful brown eyes. And quite effeminate, with newly coiffed brown curls and crisply pressed frills decorating his dark blue velvet vest.

From what she could tell he seemed a calm, gentle person, with a pleasant voice and a serious mindset. And, something which made Gabrielle relax considerably, he was not at all offended that Xena told him he was to spend time educating a person who, after all, was only a slave, in the ways of the palace.

At the present he was diligently scribbling down Xena's changes of the schedule for the next week, and Gabrielle smiled a little to see that despite the seriousness of his face, his hands kept fluttering about his face in tiny but rather feminine gestures as he spoke.

Suddenly he was looking right at Gabrielle. "Oh I'll be glad to show Lady Gabrielle the Royal Library." Gabrielle realised they were talking about her now. "Do you enjoy reading, Lady Gabrielle?" Jace inquired politely.

Gabrielle nearly choked on a mouthful of tea, and Xena's eyebrows lifted high in surprise. "W-what? I'm not a lady, I'm just plain Gabrielle." Gabrielle managed to squeeze out.

Xena turned to growl in a quiet voice. "There's nothing plain about you Gabrielle, and don't you forget it." She turned expectant eyes on Jace.

"Begging your pardon My Lord, but since My Lord has made it clear that Lady Gabrielle is My Lord's permanent companion for an unforeseeable amount of time, it seems prudent that she is addressed with the title Lady even though Lady Gabrielle is not truly of noble birth or even a free woman. It is a sign of respect for My Lord's position and choice, if not for Lady Gabrielle herself. In some courts it has been the custom to address the ruler's paramour with at least the honorific title of Lady or perchance Lord, as showing a small degree of respect for the person sharing the ruler's life is showing respect for the ruler itself."

"I know of these practises, Jace, and where they are still in use. And the thought is… commendable. However, you are well aware, I should think, that Gabrielle is a slave. What prompted this deduction on your part?" Xena's voice was turning slightly harsh, and her face was expressionless.

"My Lord, permission to speak quite boldly?" Jace was a careful politician, but not one to speak what he thought his ruler wanted to hear only. He received a curt nod to go on.

"My Lord has given orders regarding Lady Gabrielle that would indicate a far more elevated status than that of a mere body slave. It is a fair assumption by that act that Lady Gabrielle would either be My Lord's paramour or perhaps concubine. A body slave would not receive a royal wardrobe, be accompanied by members of the Royal Guard, be tutored in court etiquette, or provided entertainment." Jace was threading dangerous grounds and he knew it. "And may I remind My Lord that the biannual meeting of the satraps is approaching?"

Gabrielle looked disheartened down at her plate, her appetite had vanished all of a sudden.

In the silence that followed, Xena's face lightened slowly.

"Paramour, huh? Now why didn't I think of that?" Xena gave a wry half-smile. "Very well Jace, what you say makes good sense. Although usually no-one would ask their ruler to announce someone as their paramour within a day of the ruler meeting that person." She grinned at Jace, who ducked his head slightly in acknowledgment.

"I will not object to the usage of the honorific title of Lady for Gabrielle, and I wish it to be the rule for official occasions, however I cannot actually give her a title as she is not a free woman. Make certain all involved parties knows what they need."

"And as for the satraps… They will have enough to bicker about even without speculating about Gabrielle's position in my life, I'm sure."

There was silence for a moment.

"So, Gabrielle… Why don't you answer Jace's question then?" Xena grinned at Gabrielle's blank look. "Do you enjoy reading, Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle blinked slowly, then turned to Jace and tried to muster some kind of enthusiasm. "I l-love to read, sir, I always have."

The comical way Jace's eyes got big and round, and the way he waved his hands as if warding off something, made Gabrielle feel slightly more at ease. "No no no! I am simply Jace, My Lady!"

Before too long Jace had Gabrielle in a lively discussion about favourite bards and poets, and they passionately spoke of the skills of Sappho, discussed who had the finest rendition of the legends of Xena's great achievements, and got into a debate of the pros and cons of Eastern poetry. Jace even drew his chair up to Gabrielle's.

Xena was stunned.

What had just happened? She had assumed that Gabrielle was literate, but to find out that she was fluent in both Latin and Arabic in addition to her native Greek was more than she would ever have guessed. Had Gabrielle not said there were no schools in Poteidaia? And how had she come across all those stories in a place where travellers, and thus scrolls, were scarce?

Looking at them both Xena felt a sharp pang of jealousy. They were both deeply involved in their animated discussion, both using hand gestures in a similar fashion when they spoke, and wearing smiles. Gabrielle was smiling.

Xena wanted to be the one to make Gabrielle smile.

She coughed pointedly, and Jace snapped back from the conversation. He seemed surprised that he had gotten so lost in a conversation that he completely forgot the presence of his ruler. Xena indicated with a slight tilt of her head and a raised eyebrow that it was time for him to depart.

"Alas it must be time for me to continue my duties, Lady Gabrielle. I will be looking forward to debating court customs with you, and escorting you to the Royal Library when it is convenient." He smiled and bowed to them both, taking his papers with him as he left.

An awkward silence filled the room.



Xena watched Gabrielle looking forlornly at her plate, pushing things around but no longer eating. She cursed herself thinking she must have frightened the young woman, because mere moments ago Gabrielle had been relaxed in her company.

"Don't you… like the food?" Xena asked with some difficulty.

Gabrielle looked surprised. "Oh no, the food is delicious! I can't remember when I ate anything this good, really." Xena nodded, of course it was, Ella was the best cook Xena had. And the most reliable.

"So… What do you think of Jace?" A pointed question, although Xena was careful not to let it show how much the answer meant to her right now.

Gabrielle smiled, and for a moment Xena wanted to stand up and scream at the top of her lungs 'NO!'.

"He seems very nice. And he is very fun to talk to. He… didn't seem to mind it so much."

"Mind what?" Xena edged closer.

"Well… Having to spend time with a mere slave." Gabrielle's smile died.

For a second Xena just sat there with large eyes, looking almost dumbstruck, then she exploded. Standing up she slammed her fists so hard into the tabletop that everything on it jumped into the air. Gabrielle yelped and stared anxiously at the angry woman in front of her.

"I. Gave. Him. An. Order!" She ground out between clenched teeth. "It is not up to his whim, his likes or dislikes is of no consequence, if I say he will spend time with you then he will without question, or he will suffer the consequences!"

Gabrielle did not just look frightened now, she looked downright depressed. Her posture was very much that of a scolded child who was fighting to hold back tears, and Xena's heart clenched at the sight. No no no no, this wasn't what she had meant to do!

Xena sighed and moved closer to Gabrielle. Since Gabrielle wouldn't lift her head to face her, Xena reached out and gently urged her until their eyes met.

"You do not understand, Gabrielle." She said gently. "It is not a matter of them minding to spend time with you…" She sat back down and pulled Gabrielle over into her lap, facing her. "… it is them being graced with a moment of your company"

"I rule the world, Gabrielle. Therefore I am above everyone else in it, and everyone else's position and rank is up to my whim. And I… " Xena pulled Gabrielle closer still and ardently breathed her words almost upon Gabrielle's lips.

"I desire you, I want you, I _hunger_ for you. Not only for the maddening feel of your skin against mine, the sweetness of your lips, your body moving under my touch. No, I have experienced a hunger also for your presence, with me, by my side, all the time today."

Xena could feel the rapid hot bursts of Gabrielle's breath against her lips, and she would almost have sworn she could feel Gabrielle's heart beating in her own flesh as well, there could be nothing between them right now.

"So the time spent in your presence is a great gift I have bestowed upon Jace and the others you will meet, when there is nothing in this palace as precious to me as you are." She kissed Gabrielle with all the passion she could muster.

They continued their heated exchange until Xena, with both of them panting heavily, managed to regain some self control.

"Because you are precious to me Gabrielle, you are also above them. Do you understand?"

Gabrielle hid her face into Xena and mumbled faintly. "I just don't want to be an embarrassment to you."

"Never!" Xena swore fervently and kissed Gabrielle again. "I will be the envy of all…" Another ardent kiss "…to be the one that gets to wake with you in my arms."

A handful of passionate kisses later, Xena drew back a little to meet Gabrielle's gaze. "How do you feel now, Gabrielle?" She asked somewhat out of breath.

Gabrielle looked strangely incredulous at first, then seemed to gather her courage, shyly bit her lip and leaned in to whisper in Xena's ear. Xena's eyes got huge, and she swallowed once, hard.

"That wasn't quite what I meant…" She husked, and let one hand slip under Gabrielle's skirt to find evidence of one of Gabrielle's statements, causing Gabrielle to whimper. "…but that works for me!" Xena gasped out.

No more words were exchanged as Xena stood and unsteadily carried Gabrielle with her into their bedroom.