"THE PRINCESS & THE QUEEN" series -SCROLL VII: SACRAMENTS FOR SUBSTANTIATION

pt.28

It was a pleasant trip back to the village now that Gabrielle had put her insecurities about not being good enough behind her. She smiled to herself as she leaned her head against Xena's back and lightly squeezed her arms a little tighter around Xena's midsection, watching the scenery they slowly made their way through as they rode Argo across the open valley. Feeling the extra pressure, Xena smiled and lovingly ran her hand over Gabrielle's arm, knowing for certain that Gabrielle must've been feeling better now. She glanced back at Gabrielle as they continued seeing a much more peaceful and relaxed expression in her eyes than what Xena had seen there in a while.

GABRIELLE
I can't wait to get back home.

XENA
Me too. But unfortunately, it's gonna take an extra day or two than our trip up due to the addition of our injured new friend here.

Xena and Gabrielle looked back to see the horse that Gabrielle had rescued and named Arrian following behind them as they rode.

GABRIELLE
Yeah, but I think we'll manage. Besides I couldn't just leave him.

XENA
I know. You did a good job dealing with that whole situation too. I'm sorry if I don't say stuff like that to you enough. I'll try and be better about that.

GABRIELLE
It's okay. I don't necessarily need you to do that, but thanks. I really appreciate that.

Xena smiled as they continued home. After several days of travel, the two finally arrived back in the village. After dropping the horses off in the field with the others from the village, Xena and Gabrielle headed straight to Skyla and Clover's house. Once there, Gabrielle and Xena held Aurora as the baby giggled, happy to see her mother's. Skyla and Clover smiled at the little family that were all so happy to be reunited.

SKYLA
(Joking tone) Darn, now that you're back we can't keep her.

Skyla looked at Clover and smirked.

SKYLA
(Joking tone) I told you we should've taken off with her before they got back Clover.

Clover gave Skyla a nudge and a disapproving look.

CLOVER
You shouldn't joke about that Skyla. Don't you remember? Aurora WAS kidnapped.

Skyla immediately felt terrible for the joke as she remembered what Xena and Gabrielle had gone through during that time. As well as what happened afterward due to the injuries that Gabrielle had suffered in their efforts to get their daughter back.

SKYLA
Gabrielle, Xena, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. You both have become two of my closest friends, I swear I would never do anything to...

GABRIELLE
It's okay Skyla. We know you didn't mean anything by that.

SKYLA
Still, I shouldn't have made such a careless joke like that. Especially after everything that the two of you have been through.

XENA
Yes, but all of that is behind us now. So there's nothing to worry about.

Xena gave Gabrielle a look as she spoke and Gabrielle knew that the statement was really meant as a question for her and smiled.

GABRIELLE
Xena's right. It's all in the past. So everything's fine now. Really.

Seeing the calm demeanor that Gabrielle now had, Xena was convinced that she was telling the truth. Then their attention returned to their conversation with Skyla and Clover who were relieved that they weren't upset with Skyla for the joke she said without thinking. After thanking Clover and Skyla again for looking after Aurora while they were gone, Xena and Gabrielle took Aurora out and went home. On the way they ran into Cora who congratulated them again on completing their tests and told them that they could come see her the next day, figuring that they would want a day to rest after their long trip. That night Xena and Gabrielle slept soundly. Happy to be home and no longer having any ill feelings towards one another, they had returned to the comfort of sleeping in one another's embrace on the trip home and continued doing so as they had before.