The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
Iovene wasn't positive about what she expected, but is sure wasn't silence. She couldn't read their expressions, both warriors now had that stoic I'm bearing with the world look. The newlyweds held hands and walked slowly, absorbing the newest revelation. The only thing that could be heard was the soft crackle of the wind through the leaves. Amazons always walked silent upon the earth. That is, when they weren't talking up a storm or partying or otherwise NOT walking silently.
It was Kalai who broke through the quietude that surrounded them, "Well that explains the letter, huh." A booted foot kicked at a loose stone and it bounced ahead, coming to rest at an odd angle. Arete let go of the young woman's hand and wrapped a loving arm around Kalai's shoulder.
The blonde looked up at a sky that was pinking into night, then at Iovene, who still looked worn. Funny, she hadn't once interrupted them. She must be more tired than she looked. Good thing they were closer to the village than they thought. "Yep." The green eyed woman squeezed Kalai's shoulder reassuringly. "So you gonna tell me about it?"
Kalai looked at her lover, then meaningfully at Iovene. Arete laughed, "Kalai!" she spoke in disbelief. Why was the woman suddenly being shy? Iovene had just told them they were obligated by some ancient law to consummate their relationship with the queen in public. No point in being shy now. There was a moment of intense, yet nonverbal communication and Kalai finally got the look that said, "oh, alright."
"Before we left Amphipolis. . ." Iovene turned around and looked at Kalai with an intense expression. The small woman kicked absently at the stone again, sending it further down the road. It clattered to a stop against a bigger rock and the Amazon made a choice not to continue picking on the little thing. For all she knew, it could be a young one. She shrugged that thought away. Nah, didn't feel like it. The rock was just a rock.
"yeah?" Arete prodded.
"I took a bath." Kalai sounded hesitant. Her two companions looked at each other. What was so unique about a bath?
"And," Iovene led. Kalai gave the dowser a look and then shook her head. Okay, they wanted the story, fine.
"Xena was there." She was surprised at herself, Kalai had fully intended to just spill it out, but the words simply wouldn't cooperate.
Both Iovene and Arete went, "Oh," in that, oh, now I get it tone of voice. They looked at each other, then back at the road and waited for the punchline as they continued to stroll down the main path.
Kalai stopped and put her hands on her hips, "Hey, I'm not finished with the story yet!" Then she shook her head and grinned at herself. They waved at her to get on with it.
"Anyway," She looked to see if there was going to be anymore interruptions. The two women kept their expressions neutral. "Xena was there and I talked to her." Arete was getting that warrior, get to the point, look, so Kalai put on some speed. "So I asked her if they, you know," Kalai waved her hand, trying to carry the story along with her body language, " shared."
"YOU WHAT???" spluttered out of both of their mouths and everybody stalled on the next step. Arete and Iovene paused out in the middle of nowhere, with glazed, "I don't believe it" expressions on their faces. Now Kalai remembered why she hadn't said anything. She expected this reaction and had been hoping to figure out a delicate way to approach the topic with Arete. She hadn't found one yet. Good thing nobody was drinking anything.
Well, maybe it was better this way. "Yeah, well, Arete and I had discussed it, because we didn't know." The blonde nodded in memory and nodded that they should get moving. She should learn. Kalai was a wonderful lover and very discreet, in her own fashion, but sometimes she had a way of putting things right to the point that could be positively shocking.
Iovene walked to Kalai's other side. "And what did Xena say?"
There was a rush of blood through Kalai's body. She remembered every word, every touch as if it had been yesterday. She gave them the edited version, "Oh. . well, she said they'd been discussing it too and that we ought to think about it, but no rush, you know."
Iovene blinked, "so they were aware then, that something like this might come up." Gods, she'd been impressed with Xena before, but the warrior was simply amazing. How could she anticipate something like this? Though come to think of it, with the way the Gods liked to play, how could she not? The dowser smiled softly to herself. Yes, there was wisdom in that one.
Kalai shrugged, "I guess so, but I . .didn't ask for that reason." The young woman blushed and grinned. "I mean, with the way everyone was acting. . you know. . who knew?" Arete grinned in memory. Yeah, there had been good reason to wonder. Kalai changed the subject to prevent any more questions. She'd talk to Arete about it tonight. "So now we. .uhm. .gotta, hmm, in front of everybody?"
Iovene shrugged and sighed, "Well, that wouldn't make sense. Would it? But the way the Queen explained it, well, the law says there will be witnesses. Not everybody."
Arete looked thoughtful, "Iovene? Do you think we could," she blinked, "choose our witnesses?"
It was Iovene's turn to blink, "I don't know. I never kept track of those things, you know."
"Mmm." Arete made a mental note. Then she pointed, "Look, there's Anipe."
Iovene's voice was filled with pure relief, "OH thank Gods!!!" She picked up the pace. She was tired of walking, tired of talking and ready for bed. The only bad thing, was the bed would be lonesome, but that she was used to. Tonight, at least, she would get some rest.
Arete and Kalai looked at each other and shared a moment. They were also glad to be back and looking forward to some time with each other. Arete knew there were things that Kalai hadn't addressed and she intended to find out what it was. There would definitely be talking tonight, among other things.
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These pages were last updated: October 14, 1997
İOctober 1997