A/N: Special thanks to zigpal, CrazyE, and Lilly for the beta.
WANTED
by rebelrsr
elizabethrex1@hotmail.com
“It’s so hard to meet the right woman.”
Ephiny’s lament jarred Gabrielle out of her intense
examination of the grape in her hand.
She turned green eyes to her friend. “Eph, in case you
haven’t noticed, you’re surrounded by women.” Just in case
Ephiny had forgotten, Gabrielle used her grape like
a pointer. “In this room alone, you have Aello, Clete,
Doris, and Kydoime.”
Ephiny wasn’t impressed. “I’ve known them since we picked
up a bow for the first time.” She sighed and stood, pacing
in front of Gabrielle’s pile of cushions. “It’s time for
something…someone new, my Queen. We need a better way to
discover our soul mates.”
“What did you have in mind?” Gabrielle tilted her head and
popped the fruit into her mouth. “A tournament? That might
bring in women from other tribes. And I know how much you
love a woman with big,” she paused, tongue in cheek,
“shoulders.”
A blonde eyebrow rose. “That hurts, my Queen. Truly, I may
never recover from your mockery of my predicament.”
Reaching for more grapes, Gabrielle grinned. “So that’s a
‘no’ to the tournament?”
“Gabrielle!” For such a fierce warrior, Ephiny looked like
any temperamental five-year old when she stamped her foot.
Gabrielle tried to stifle her smile. “I’m sorry, my friend.
What did you have in mind?”
“That’s just it, my Queen,” Ephiny admitted. Her pacing
slowed. “I can run the Nation in your absence, but put me
to work finding a solution to our dating dilemma, and I am
hopeless.”
“What about this?” Tapping her lips thoughtfully, Gabrielle
offered the first solution to pop into her mind. “What if
we started a scroll… a list of women looking for their soul
mates?” As she talked, the idea began to take shape. “Not a
list,” Gabrielle amended. “Short descriptions of themselves
and what they are looking for in their dream woman.”
Ephiny didn’t share her enthusiasm. She merely looked
confused.
“Like this.” Hopping up and waving her
hands, Gabrielle announced in a firm voice, “Short blonde
seeks tall brunette. Blue eyes preferred.
Sexy look a plus.”
She wasn’t expecting the laughter that echoed through the
room.
Clete was nearly bent double.
“What?” Gabrielle demanded. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m s-sorry...” Clete gasped out between chuckles. “You
don’t need to write about your dream woman, my Queen. You
simply need to hit her over the head with your staff.”
Face burning with a deep blush, Gabrielle dropped back to
the floor. “I wasn’t talking about me,” she mumbled. “I was
speaking hypothetically.”
A grunt interrupted her embarrassed explanation just before
Clete crashed to the floor.
“Hypothetically speaking,” Xena said in a deadly voice,
holding Clete’s own spear against the downed warrior’s
throat, “if I was an assassin, you’d be dead, Gabrielle.
When did guarding the queen become funny?”
Glancing quickly at Clete, Gabrielle saw the terror and
shame on the young woman’s face. The need to protect Clete
warred with a need to know just how much of the
conversation Xena had heard.
“Xena!” Gabrielle’s voice cracked on the name. Clearing her
throat, she tried again. “What are you doing here, Xena?”
That was better. She sounded more like herself. Calm, under
control. As long as her friend didn’t see her pulse
pounding in her neck or notice the sweat slicking her
palms, she was OK.
“What does it look like, Gabrielle?” Xena never glanced
away from Clete.
Picking up another grape, Gabrielle lobbed it across the
room. The ripe fruit thunked against Xena’s bare right
shoulder. “It looks like you’re in a mood. Let Clete up,
Xena.”
“Gabrielle…” Xena growled.
A lecture was coming. Probably the one on personal safety
and taking life more seriously. It was far too beautiful a
day for that. Besides, Gabrielle told herself, she had a
new Women Seeking Women scroll to think about.
“Come on, Xena.” She pulled out all the stops. Gazing
imploringly in Xena’s direction, Gabrielle pasted on her
most helpless expression. “I need your help with
something.”
Xena scowled in her direction.
Without a scintilla of shame, Gabrielle fluttered her
lashes slightly and leaned forward just enough that her
tunic dipped to reveal her cleavage.
Blue eyes followed the falling line of fabric before
skittering away.
“Please,” Gabrielle finished softly.
Clete’s spear clanged to the stone floor, and Xena strode
swiftly across the room. “What is it this time, Gabrielle?”
Figuring her friend expected a big battle in their future,
Gabrielle rushed to explain, “We’re planning a tournament,
Xena.” She’d save the addition to the news scrolls for
herself. “Ephiny needs our help finding a date. I thought
inviting Amazons from other tribes would be a good idea.”
The long stride checked and then slowed. “It’s not a bad
thought,” Xena commented.
“Really?” Eyes wide, Gabrielle looked from Xena to an
equally stunned Ephiny. “I mean, yes, it is a good idea.”
Sounding surprised usually got her an amused smirk from
Xena, and Gabrielle tried to avoid those. “Do you think we
could get everything organized in the next couple of days?
It might get a bigger draw if we held it during Artemis’
birthday celebration.”
“You’re the Queen of the Amazon Nation, Gabrielle.” There
was that amused smirk. “Warriors don’t need a lot of
convincing to take part in a tournament. You could put up a
placard a candlemark before the event and you’d have enough
women to fill two arenas.”
Xena had a point. Her subjects did have a liking for steel
and hot, sandy practice fields. “OK then.” Gabrielle was a
bard, not a warrior (despite the staff residing next to her
cushions). She’d leave the battle planning to her top
fighters. Voice taking a commanding note, she announced,
“Eph, you and Xena set everything up. Use whoever and
whatever you need to make it work.”
Both of the other women started to protest.
Raising an eyebrow in a stately gesture, Gabrielle waited.
A low mumble and the sound of shuffling feet were her only
answers.
“That’s what I thought.” Nearly humming in happiness,
Gabrielle waved a dismissive hand at the sullen pair. “Go
on. If you try to work in here, you’ll only get in a fight
and break things. I’ve had to replace the table and that
map stand three times in the last week. Work someplace
safer – like the armory.”
Ephiny, good subject that she was, only sighed in
exasperation before clumping out of the room. Xena was a
harder sell. “Gabrielle, I’m not…”
“Thanks for helping Ephiny, Xena,” Gabrielle jumped in
quickly. “She was really depressed earlier, and I think
planning the tournament and having something constructive
to do will really make a difference.”
It had been the right thing to say. Despite their sometimes
antagonistic relationship, Xena liked Ephiny. “You’re
welcome,” Xena responded softly. With a small smile, she
commented, “I think you’re getting the hang of being Queen,
bard. The little girl I saved from slavers would never have
been able to get one, let alone two, warriors to hop to her
bidding.” She spun on one booted heel and strode after
Ephiny.
As soon as Xena was gone, all of Gabrielle’s relaxation
disappeared. She had work to do. Climbing to her feet, she
got the ball rolling. “Clete, send a runner to
Prothoe. I need to speak with her about the next
edition of the Amazon Chronicler.”
“Yes, my Queen.” Clete ducked out into the hallway.
“Now what?” she asked herself. “Do I write the first ad?
Let the Nation know their Queen is looking, too?” Gabrielle
shuddered. That was a very bad idea. She’d already been
plagued with offers and gifts and some very vulgar
suggestions. Such an open declaration would only encourage
more of the same.
Wandering around the room, Gabrielle automatically picked
up a scrap of parchment and a quill. Tapping the feather
against her lips, she began to write.
My fellow
Amazons,
It has been brought to my attention that many of you seek
the love and companionship of the perfect
mate.
Gabrielle paused. Was that too blunt? Mate…it sounded
almost animalistic. She started to cross that part out. The
quill tip hovered over the offending word. No. It stayed.
Women or not, even Gabrielle had no illusions about her
Amazons’ needs for something more active than a walk in the
forest or flower picking. Mate was a good word for some of
what she’d heard floating through the hallways at night.
Starting
today, there will be a new section added to our daily news
scroll. A place for you to write out a brief description of
yourself and the qualities you would most like to see in
the woman of your dreams. Check with any of the bards at
the Chronicler’s office for
assistance.
There. That would work. Tossing the parchment onto the low
table at the back of the room, Gabrielle resumed her
pacing. Now she simply needed to write her ad. After all,
Clete’s suggestion might have been made in jest; it did,
however, have merit. Xena was so dense! She looked –
Gabrielle knew the warrior princess liked what she saw –
but she never touched or talked, no matter how hard she
flirted or hinted.
And Gabrielle knew that taking the initiative was not the
way to go. Even after all their journeys, Xena still saw
her as that babbling girl from Potodeia.
“Queen Gabrielle?” A rough voice interrupted her musings.
“You wished to see me, my Queen?”
Shelving her internal strategy session for another time,
Gabrielle refocused on the world around her. “Prothoe, yes.
Ephiny gave me a wonderful idea for the Chronicler.”
Prothoe’s grey eyes widened at that. “She did?”
Grinning, Gabrielle admitted. “Well, let’s just say she
said something that got me thinking about a new addition to
your scroll.”
“Thank you, my Queen, for relieving my mind. For the barest
of moments, I imagined a new column of battle
recollections. I could see the words and the descriptions
of blood lust, battle cries, and the screams of the wounded
and dying in the next issue.” Prothoe shuddered
dramatically. “Had that been the case, I would have
immediately requested you choose my successor.”
Gabrielle goggled at the other woman for
a second. “You thought…” Her giggles were not in keeping
with the dignity and reputation of an Amazon Queen.
They did, however, earn hastily hidden smiles from her
subjects.
“No, Prothoe, Eph is not going to put quill to parchment.”
Gabrielle did her own shudder. “She and Xena are planning a
tournament for Artemis’ birthing day celebration.”
Gesturing for the other woman to join her on the cushions,
Gabrielle continued, “I have another project in mind.”
***
By the time Prothoe left, the candles
burned low and Gabrielle’s speech had become punctuated
with yawns. She glanced around the room before wandering
over to the desk in the far corner. Scrolls, quills, ink
bottles, and a pile of parchment pieces littered the
surface.
Doing an internal check, she decided she could wait at
least a few more candlemarks for bed. “Aello, I’m just
going to sit here and do some work before bed. You can
clear the room now.” Unless a problem popped up, she
wouldn’t be entertaining anymore. Soft footfalls and the
creak of leather preceded the soft thump of the closing
door. “Alone at last,” Gabrielle muttered to herself. “Who
knew I’d miss the quiet of my parents’ farm?”
She picked up a freshly sharpened quill and peered at a
scrap of parchment. It was time. Xena wasn’t going to make
the first move. Gabrielle had to do it, and the new
Personal Ads (as Prothoe had named them) offered a perfect
chance.
The scratch of the quill on the rough writing surface
didn’t bring the usual peace and contentment. Frowning,
Gabrielle stared at what she’d written.
Wanted:
someone who likes to travel, listen to music, dance, and
beat off the occasional drunken mercenary
“Goddess,
what am I doing? That describes nearly every single Amazon
over the age of five.” Crumpling up the offending
parchment, Gabrielle tossed it at the
fireplace. “I’m going to have to do better than
that,” she told herself firmly. This was Xena, after all.
The Warrior Princess wouldn’t respond to just any pathetic
plea. The quill flew across a new piece of parchment.
Another scrap lofted into the flames.
More scratching sounded in the room.
“Ahhh! What is wrong with me?” Gabrielle threw her writing
materials down and stomped back and forth across her
office. “I can write epic tales in hours. Create pretty
poems in minutes. One tiny little anonymous description of
Xena…”
She stopped abruptly.
“I’ve got it!” With a nearly crazed laugh, Gabrielle raced
across the room and retrieved the quill and parchment. This
time, there was no new fuel for the fire. Holding her
finished add aloft, Gabrielle whispered a soft entreaty,
“Just let Xena read it. She’ll have to respond once she
reads the ad.”
Gabrielle folded the parchment into a neat packet and
sealed it with warm wax. Her hand hovered near the Royal
Seal before dropping back to the desk. No Seal. Gabrielle
would send this as a simple Amazon woman and not the Queen.
Scribbling Amazon
Chronicler on the
back of the sealed letter, she tossed it into the pile of
outgoing dispatches.
***
“What is wrong with you, Gabrielle?” Xena
demanded. “You’re bouncing around as if fire ants invaded
your tunic.”
Immediately ceasing her excited hopping, Gabrielle denied,
“I am not.”
A dark eyebrow tilted over amused blue eyes. “Really?”
“Really. I…I had cramp in my calf. That’s all.” As her face
heated, Gabrielle vowed to learn how to stop blushing. It
was undignified for a queen to be that transparent. “It’s
much better now. See?” Gabrielle walked a few steps in a
stately stroll. “No more bouncing needed.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Xena was still amused. “If it
happens again – that cramp – let me know. Massaging is far
better for that than rapid hopping.”
Gritting her teeth at the comment, Gabrielle lifted her
lips in a forced smile. “I’ll remember that. Thank you.”
Her slow and measured steps now resembled stomps as they
continued through the busy main marketplace. Ignoring the
many women vying for her attention and dinars, Gabrielle
maintained a course for the Chronicler’s news stand.
A crowd of women blocked her path.
Gabrielle tapped her foot impatiently. The group was so
intent on the new Chronicler, however, that no one noticed
their queen behind them. Wandering closer, Gabrielle went
up on her toes and peered over the broad shoulders in front
of her. That didn’t work. All she got was an eyeful of
tunics stretched tightly over muscles or the backs of many
heads.
A shrill whistle sliced through the air.
“Good morning, ladies,” Xena announced calmly when the
crowd spun in her direction. “Queen Gabrielle would like to
take a look at this morning’s news scroll.”
A path magically appeared amidst the gathered Amazons.
Face burning, Gabrielle pasted on a small smile and grabbed
Xena by the arm. “Thank you,” she said with as much regal
dignity as she could muster. She paced down the narrow
opening, dragging her friend behind her.
The scroll stretched the length of the Chronicler’s office.
Gabrielle pretended interest in the articles on trade talks
with the nearby centaur villages and scanned the expose on
the embezzlement charges against Greece’s chief
moneylender. Finally, she decided she’d devoted enough time
to subterfuge. Skipping the entire Sports and Hunting
Section, Gabrielle planted herself in front of the new
Personal Ads. “Have you heard about this, Xena?” she asked,
hoping her voice sounded casual.
“Heard what?” Xena sounded distracted.
Glancing at the woman next to her, Gabrielle rolled her
eyes. Xena was engrossed in a description of yesterday’s
sparring matches. “About this new Personal Ad section to
the scroll. It’s a place women can...well, send in a
description of their perfect mate. The Chronicler puts it
in the next scroll so everyone can read it, and then women
can reply.”
Xena’s chuckle wasn’t the response Gabrielle wanted. “It
sounds like the slave auctions, Gabrielle. Are your
warriors that desperate?” She stepped closer and peered
over Gabrielle’s shoulder. “I mean, look at this one.
‘Single retired bowman, loves hunting, fishing, and riding,
only a few battle scars.’ Is she looking for a date? Or is
she auctioning herself off to the highest bidder?”
“That’s not a really good example,” Gabrielle declared. She
scanned the few ads Prothoe had included in this scroll.
“You know most of the warriors aren’t poets. They write
what they know – and what they want. What about this one?”
One shaking finger pointed to the ad she’d written.
Silence fell between them as Xena leaned closer to read.
Her breath brushed Gabrielle’s ear, and the younger woman
shivered at the warm (and unintentional) caress.
“It’s better, I guess. If you’re looking for someone who
can’t get to the point,” Xena said as she straightened up.
“At least the first one was only three lines long. This one
is…” she paused to count, “almost ten. If the woman writes
like she talks, her date would never get a word in all
night long.”
Shoulders slumping, Gabrielle turned from the scroll and
trudged back through the crowds. “It was a little long.”
Maybe the ads hadn’t been such a good idea after all.
“Gabrielle, are you alright?” Xena took her arm and pulled
her to the side of the path. “You’ve been acting strange
all morning and you shivered a minute ago. Are you coming
down with something?” A callused palm pressed into
Gabrielle’s forehead.
“I’m fine,” Gabrielle told Xena. “Really. I’m fine,” she
repeated when the blue eyes peering into her own green ones
didn’t seem convinced. “I didn’t sleep very well last
night, that’s all.” That, at least, wasn’t a lie. She’d
tossed and turned and worried about that horrible ad all
night long. With good reason, apparently. Moving out from
beneath Xena’s palm, Gabrielle plodded away from the
Chronicler’s office and toward the large outdoor arena.
“Didn’t you say you needed to check on something for the
tournament?”
The question had been a mistake. One dark eyebrow rose.
“Yes, I did.” The second eyebrow joined the first in
perfect twin arcs. “Since when were you interested in
planning ‘war games,’ as you call them, Gabrielle?”
Since she’d lost her mind. With a brilliant smile,
Gabrielle answered, “It’s important to my warriors, Xena. I
want to make sure everything is set. After all, not only
are we inviting all those women here, we’re making it part
of Artemis’ celebration.” Her smile grew a little wry. “Did
you want to explain to an angry Goddess why her big party
was a disaster?” That didn’t sound right. Xena wasn’t known
for her respect for the gods. “How about explaining it to
one very irritated former bard-turned Amazon Queen?”
That was better. Xena’s eyebrows dove and met between her
eyes. “Good point. Maybe we should get Ephiny and go over
all the plans.”
Doing an internal happy dance, Gabrielle congratulated
herself on successfully distracting Xena. “Well, if you
need to do that…” She pretended to think. “Why don’t the
two of you handle that, and I’ll make sure all of the rest
of the arrangements are set? You know, places for the women
to sleep, the banquets, the prizes…” She trailed off as
Xena trotted off. “Maybe Clete was right. I should just hit
her over the head.” With a grimace, Gabrielle contemplated
another option. “Better yet, I should hit
myself
over the head.”
***
Trying not to shift in the terribly
uncomfortable throne, Gabrielle smiled and waved to the
women packing the arena’s stands. There wasn’t an empty
seat anywhere. In fact, Gabrielle scowled as she scanned
the crowds, there were even Amazons standing on the stairs
and in the aisles. What if a torch fell and started a fire?
They’d never get everyone out safely.
Before she could think of a solution, Xena’s booming voice
silenced the raucous shouts and whistles from the
spectators. “Sisters, welcome to the first annual Birthday
Bash.”
Chuckles broke out at the name.
“Exactly. I’m sure Artemis will enjoy your dedication to
her and to the warrior’s arts. We have forty women here to
show off their skills and try and impress their Goddess and
their Queen. Each warrior will fight a randomly selected
opponent. The winner will advance to the next round.” She
paused and Gabrielle saw a fierce smile cross her face.
“The loser…Well, she gets to find a nice, caring woman to
comfort her.”
Now the crowd roared, and a few voices rose over the din.
“I’ll volunteer for that!”
“Me, too!”
Gabrielle stood and the voices died abruptly as all eyes
turned her way. “Sisters, please remember that our
tournament honors Artemis. While each of the contestants
may strive for first place today, each of them deserves
your support and your respect.”
She could almost hear the silent grumbles of protest.
Refraining from rolling her eyes at the palpable air of
impatience from the crowd, Gabrielle announced, “Let the
games begin.” She returned to her seat and watched as the
arena quickly filled with pairs of women.
The Amazons in the ring were some of the best in the
Nation. Gabrielle watched appreciatively until Clete’s
voice interrupted her. “My Queen, let me be the first to
congratulate you on your wonderful plan.”
“Which one was that?” Gabrielle replied. “I mean, I have so
many of them I lose track.”
The young bodyguard grinned. “The personal ads, my Queen.”
Gabrielle didn’t count that among her best or brightest
ideas. “Thank you,” she said anyway. “I haven’t had a
chance to speak with Prothoe. Were there many women who
placed ads?”
“So many that they published a special edition with
nothing but the ads, my Queen.” Toxaris
joined the conversation. “In
fact,” she bounced excitedly, “I have a date right after
the tournament.”
A sudden and very uncomfortable silence fell, and all of
the guards seemed intent on the action in the arena.
“Ladies, I was your age once, too.” Not that Gabrielle was
much older than many of them now. “I recognize those looks.
Tell me what terrible secret you’re trying to hide.”
None of them moved.
Intrigued by their behavior, Gabrielle sat forward. “Don’t
make me have to torture it out of you,” she threatened
softly. “I’ve been working on my interrogation techniques.
Do you really want to sit through the entire Chronicles of the Amazon Nation? If I
remember, there are at least fifteen scrolls devoted to the
peace treaty of Queen Antrande.”
For a second, she thought she might have to carry out the
threat.
“I…I overheard Xena and Ephiny talking, my Queen.” Clete
shifted nervously. “Xena answered one of the ads; she has a
date tonight, too.”
The warm summer day turned wintry cold. Gabrielle shivered
and wrapped her arms around herself. “A date,” she repeated
numbly. A date with someone not her. Blindly reaching for
the goblet on the low table next to her, Gabrielle took a
long drink of wine. “She didn’t say anything about that
this morning.”
Again, no one responded to her comment.
Clutching the smooth cup tightly, Gabrielle knew she
couldn’t stay there. She needed a few minutes…maybe a
candlemark or two, to get herself together. She stood up
abruptly. “I’ll be in the Pavilion,” she announced. “Don’t
come with me. It’s a short walk, and I’ll be surrounded by
Amazons.” Gabrielle strode swiftly from the covered box.
Her departure caused a flurry of activity. Her bodyguards
scrambled in her wake regardless of her wishes. Ephiny,
sweat-stained and flushed from her bout, tried to wave her
down.
Gabrielle ignored it all. Barely holding back tears, she
dodged women and threaded her way through the crowd with a
single purpose in mind – privacy. Her control shattered the
second she raced through the silk curtains serving as the
door to the large, lavishly appointed tent that served as
her palace during the celebration. Sinking to the carpeted
floor, she covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
“Gabrielle?” Of course, it had to be Xena.
Swallowing another choking breath and wiping desperately at
her eyes, Gabrielle stood and staggered to the far side of
the tent. “Yes, Xena?” Her voice wavered and broke on the
name. Not wanting to have to look at her friend, she sifted
through a pile of dispatches on her desk.
Soft footfalls announced Xena moving closer. “Is something
wrong?” Her concerned voice started a new river of tears.
“No.” The denial came out shaky and choked. “I’m fine.” A
tear dropped onto the folded parchment in her hand,
smearing the ink. “I just needed to get caught up on the
paperwork. Being queen…there’s a lot of paperwork to do,”
she babbled. It hurt to breathe and her throat and chest
ached from trying to keep her voice even and normal
sounding.
“Good.” Xena’s large hand landed lightly on Gabrielle’s
shoulder. “I got worried when you almost sprinted out of
the viewing box.” Her callused thumb stroked over
Gabrielle’s neck, kneading the tight muscles. “If
anything…or anyone hurt you, you know I’m here for you.”
The ache in her chest sharpening to a stabbing pain,
Gabrielle could only nod shortly. “I know.” She managed a
rough whisper. “But I’m fine; I promise.” It was a lie, but
Gabrielle intended it to be the truth. She simply had to
find a way to convince her heart that Xena was better off
with someone else.
Xena leaned into her back and plucked the now-mangled
scraps of parchment from Gabrielle’s hands. “This one looks
important, Gabrielle. Why don’t you start with this one?”
She slid a finger under the wax seal, breaking it open. The
parchment crackled as Xena unfolded it.
“Xena…” She didn’t want to read the letter. Gabrielle
wanted to be alone.
“Read it,” Xena commanded softly, and the parchment settled
in front of Gabrielle’s eyes. “Please.”
With an impatient sigh, Gabrielle read the flowing script
in a monotone, “Wanted, a woman who enjoys travel, cool
nights in front of a blazing campfire, and writing
incredible tales of adventure and love.” Her eyes skittered
ahead as her heart beat faster. When she resumed reading
out loud, her voice was choked with new tears. “Must be
willing to help one recovering warlord find redemption.”
The paper dropped from Xena’s fingers as she moved to grip
Gabrielle’s chin and pull her around. “Sounds risky,
Gabrielle. I’m sure you could find someone much better for
you here, surrounded by your Amazons.” The usual confidence
was noticeably absent from Xena’s voice.
“Safer, maybe, Xena.” Gabrielle blinked back tears and gave
in to the wide grin trembling on her lips. “Not better.”
The fingers on her chin tightened, and Xena’s head lowered
slowly…very, very slowly until her lips hovered above
Gabrielle’s. “Are you sure, Gabrielle?” Xena asked again.
Gabrielle realized she had to say the words. Xena needed to
hear them. “Yes, I’m sure, Xena.” She leaned forward and
closed the tiny gap until their lips met.
THE END