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.
Gabrielle, the lovely traveling companion of Xena, the warrior princess, was up pretty much before almost anyone else save Eponin and Solari. It wasn't as an unusual occurrence as some might suppose from her usual morning behavior. Just because she liked to sleep in didn't mean that she couldn't be up and at 'em when she wanted to be. And boy did she want to be up this morning. She grinned in anticipation.
Her two guards jumped to attention, some crumbs spilling to the floor, and greeted their queen. Gabrielle smiled brightly, her good humor seeming to be restored from last night's festivities. Her guards returned her greeting. "Eponin, shouldn't you be napping or something." the Queen asked.
"Gabrielle, I'd just as soon stay up as nap. There are big things ahead and I want to see them." Eponin grinned in anticipation. Xena was gonna wipe the field, she was sure of it. In fact she had a fifty dinar bet going with an overly confident male coach. The Amazon already knew how she was going to spend the money.
Gabrielle nodded in understanding. She licked her lips unconsciously and said, "Well, I'm heading to the kitchen. I suppose you'll want to accompany me?" (as if they'd ever not. . .) Eponin and Solari bowed out of the Queen's way and followed at a respectful distance.
Because the festivities would be going on at least two days, the cooks had created a system of shifts to ease the burden of having to be in the kitchen for extended periods of time. The raven haired beauty scooped a cup of fresh berries in preparation for her latest morning pastry masterpiece and set it on the table, then she looked up and saw the face of her friend, "Gabrielle!" she squealed. Fortunately for the bard, Meg was not one to hold a grudge.
The bard's face lit up when she caught sight of the familiar face. She was glad the cook was wearing the apron with the big M on it and praised the wisdom of whoever thought of that idea. "Meg!" she squealed back while two Amazon onlookers staggered to a halt in amazement. (They looked at each other, flabbergasted, the likeness was uncanny, and trust the Queen to know about it).
The two friends found their way to each other and exchanged genuine hugs. "Little bit early for breakfast aren't ya?" Meg asked, well aware of Gabrielle's propensity towards morning snoozes.
Gabrielle managed not to blush. She'd had this idea stirring in her head for quite a bit of the evening. Xena's small bundled gift had provided the inspiration. "I wanted to make Xena something special for breakfast."
Meg raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh?" Solari and Eponin looked at each other again. UNcanny.
"Well she needs her energy and," Gabrielle paused significantly, "I wanted to provide a little inspiration."
Solari delivered the breakfast, her expression composed in that Amazon stoic manner. She knocked, careful not to tip the tray in any way. A wide awake, already dressed, self-composed warrior answered the door. "Gabrielle sent you breakfast." the Amazon said quietly.
Xena nodded, her bard was so thoughtful, "Oh, yeah, set it on that table would you." She wasn't quite ready to eat as she was still mentally preparing herself for the day. Solari glided into the room and carefully set the tray down. She turned around and wished the warrior luck and sailed out of the room, her expression as serious as ever. Xena thought to herself, *That woman has just got to lighten up one day.* and went about her morning's discipline.
Once Xena's door was closed, gold exchanged hands. Meg giggled, "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it," she told Eponin. She tried to mimic Solari's stern expression. "How does she do that? I gotta learn it." She poked the grinning Amazon in the ribs, "You Amazons are a kick and a half you know?" Then their expressions turned semiserious when Solari turned the corner.
They were all startled at the burst of "Oh my Gods, Gabrielle!" followed by hearty laughter that exploded out of Xena's room.
They looked at each other for a few solemn seconds and then all of them burst into quiet hysterics. Who knew food could be arranged to pattern after a woman's lovely inner folds? Solari had a vivid flash of the colorful (and obviously tasty) pattern that Gabrielle and Meg had concocted. The location of the cherry was a stroke of genius, not to mention the fig. Eponin spoke first, "Meg, *you* are a true artist!" There was more laughter and Meg bowed. Then she excused her self with a huge grin. After all, she did have to prepare breakfast for everyone else. Though she didn't think it would be quite as much fun. Eponin accompanied Meg with the intention of getting to know the spirited cook a little better. She liked the woman's sense of humor and besides, it's always good to know someone who knew how to spice things up.
Solari was still chortling when she went to relieve Roen from guarding the queen's room so the tall Amazon could go back to bed. She was glad she'd be able to tell the queen of her success.