Another day came at the keep as Xena stood with a small smile on her face and her shoulder casually leaning against the wall as she watched through the doorway to the dining room where she had been standing for several minutes.
CYRENE
Now don't you look happy.
Xena looked over as Cyrene walked toward her after exiting the kitchen to stand beside her daughter as she turned her eyes to where Xena's attention had previously been just a moment prior as she smiled.
CYRENE
And I have a feeling that I can probably guess why.
Xena smirked at her mother's comment as her eyes went back to the room.
XENA
(Disingenuous tone) Oh yeah. And just what might that be?
CYRENE
Perhaps it has something to do with a certain young woman who’s clearly stolen your heart.
XENA
I'm that obvious, huh?
Cyrene chuckled slightly.
CYRENE
It's written all over your face. I don't think I've seen you this happy since you were a little girl.
Cyrene placed her hand on the Conqueror's shoulder as Xena smiled, and the two stood silently for a moment before the older woman spoke again.
CYRENE
But seriously, I'm happy for you Xena. Gabrielle's been good for you.
Xena gave Cyrene a questioning look.
XENA
What do you mean?
CYRENE
Come on Xena, you can't think that I haven't noticed how much you've changed since Gabrielle's come into your life.
XENA
Have I? Can't say I've really noticed or thought about it.
Cyrene smiled.
CYRENE
You might not have, but everyone else around here sure has.
Cyrene turned her attention forward.
CYRENE
Including her.
Xena looked in the direction as her mother and saw Gabrielle who was sitting with Elle looking her way and smiled when their eyes met before looking away quickly when Elle said something that Xena couldn't hear.
XENA
She said she loved me. Me, of all people. How that actually happened, I don't think I'll ever know.
CYRENE
Isn't that what you wanted?
XENA
Yeah but I never imagined it could actually become anything more than just wishful thinking on my part.
CYRENE
Well maybe she sees something in you she likes.
Xena gave a quick, sarcastic snicker.
XENA
(Sarcasm) Right because I have such a charming personality and great track record when it comes to my interactions with other people.
CYRENE
True. But that doesn't mean that things can't be different going forward.
XENA
I don't know about that. People don't just change, mother.
YOU ARE READING
CONQUERING THE CONQUEROR
FanfictionAfter escaping from the slavers who've taken her and others from her village, Gabrielle finds her way to camp belonging to Xena, the dreaded Conqueror who's on a path to take over all of Greece. When Gabrielle is forcefully taken along with the Conq...
