As Xena sat in the tub, Gabrielle poured bucket after bucket of hot water over the Warrior. She then added scented oils and began to shampoo the dried blood and dirt from Xena’s hair.

"I don’t think this is proper behavior for a queen," Xena said in mild protest. " I CAN wash myself, you know."

"When I am finished with you, you can return the favor, then we will be even."

After both baths, Gabrielle had her dressmaker come. "Nothing too tight, or too long," Xena instructed. "Should the occasion arise, I need to be able to move freely. And nothing too bright, I should blend in, not stand out."

Laughing, Gabrielle said, "No matter where you go or who you are with, you will always stand out. But she is right, Dressmaker, she should not outshine the Queen."

"While we are waiting for you new clothes, I guess I should tell you about some of the rules and codes of conduct that will be expected of you when we are in public. I already told you to call me Gabrielle when we are alone together, but when there are others present you should address me as ‘my Lady’ or 'my Queen.’ You should stand behind me on my right side since I am right handed. That way if I need to hand you anything you will right there to take it. You are not to touch me at any time, unless of course there is danger of some kind and you need to do so to protect me. And you need to keep your head up to watch everything and everyone, so you are not to kneel or bow down, even if the king enters the room."

"I think I know how to guard someone," Xena said, "But if that’s the way you want it, I have no argument."

"These are not my rules, they have been handed down through the years. It’s the way things are done."

"Like I said, whatever you want."

The next few days were quiet, too quiet. There was no word from King Belos about the battle with Jobyna. Gabrielle and Xena were confined to the one room. As large as it was, it was still only one room.

"By the gods! I really hate this! I can’t even walk into my own garden. I feel like I’m a prisoner!" Gabrielle complained one afternoon.

"Yes, you’re certainly right. This certainly is not a cell fit for humans."

As she realized what an insensitive remark she just made, Gabrielle couldn’t apologize enough, "Oh, Xena, I’m so sorry I said that. You must think I’m the most inconsiderate, unfeeling, coldhearted…."

"Of course I don’t," Xena interrupted. "I know what you mean. My problem with us being locked in here is that I know there is an assassin roaming the halls of this palace and I can’t try to find out who it is."

"Well, once Belos returns, he’ll find out who it is. Trust me, I know my husband."

"I’m glad you feel that way. It’s good to know there is someone you can trust no matter what."

"Actually, I have two people I know I can trust compl
etely, my husband — and you."

Xena’s smile expressed more gratitude for the comment than any words she could find.

As the days slowly passed their time alone was only interrupted in the early morning when food was served, and when the king’s advisors and consultants brought parchments for Gabrielle to read over and to sign. Even with the king gone, the obligations of running the palace and the village had to be dealt with. Consequently, most of their time was spent just talking to each other.

Gabrielle talked about her childhood, and growing up in Poteidaia; and about the chance meeting with her future husband (he was not yet king so he spent his time traveling the countryside, and almost ran over Gabrielle when she spooked his horse as she suddenly appeared out of nowhere – running to pick the season’s first wild blueberries).

Xena would not talk much about her past after she left Amphipolis, but didn’t mind telling Gabrielle about her parents and two brothers during the earlier, happier days of her youth.