CONQUERING THE CONQUEROR

pt.73

With the early morning sun hanging in a crystal blue sky, a knock on the door stirred Gabrielle from her slumber as she slowly opened her eyes and heard Elle's voice from the other side of the door.

ELLE
Gabrielle, are you awake?

Sleepily Gabrielle raised her head from her pillow.

GABRIELLE
(Sleepily tone) Huh?

ELLE
Myself, your sister and a few of the Amazons are going downstairs for breakfast before we start getting ready for the ceremony later. Did you wanna come with us?

Not fully awake yet, Gabrielle mumbled something incoherent before laying her head back down and getting comfortable to go back to sleep. She closed her eyes for a few moments before what Elle said began to finally register with Gabrielle as her eyes suddenly shot open, and she quickly sat up.

GABRIELLE
The wedding!

The keep was busier than usual as many people hustled about to finish the last minute setup for the ceremony that would be held later in the day as Gabrielle joined Lila, Elle and a number of others a quick breakfast before the group all made their way back up to their rooms to get ready for the wedding.

LILA
Wow Gabrielle, that dress really is beautiful.

Gabrielle smiled as she flattened out the few creases in the fabric from putting it on and looked at her sister.

GABRIELLE
Thanks. Cyrene really did an amazing job on it, didn't she?

After making sure the dress was on right, Gabrielle turned around as her sister helped her close the back of her dress and tie the string, before Gabrielle turned to look in the mirror. In her reflection stood a young woman in a beautiful long-sleeved, white dress that hung slightly off her shoulders with gold trim around the neck and shoulder line. It fit Gabrielle perfectly as it flowed down to just above her ankles with a material that almost seemed to sparkle when the light hit it.

LILA
Well now that we have you in your dress, come sit down, and I'll help you do your hair.

Meanwhile with a small thud, Xena stomped her boot the rest of the way on before she stood up from the edge of her bed and walked over to her mirror to inspect her appearance as she heard a knock on her door.

XENA
Come in.

Hearing the door open Xena called to her visitor to tell them she was in her bedroom as she returned to making sure everything was in place.

CYRENE
Oh, now don't you look lovely.

Hearing her mother, Xena turned and smiled.

XENA
Thanks. I know you were a bit disappointed when I told you I didn't need you to make me a dress.

The older woman smiled as she walked up to her daughter.

CYRENE
That's okay Xena. It's your day and as long as you're happy it doesn't matter to me what you're wearing.

Cyrene reached up to help Xena adjust the beaded circlet that sat atop her head and stepped back to look at the Conqueror who, along with the headwear, wore a sleeveless top that was completely covered with dozens of small, flat, silver, metal circles that almost looked like coins. On her lower half Xena had on a pair of dark blue pants that had a decorative pattern around the waist and who's bottom part of the legs were tucked into her boots that came mid-way up her calf.