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.
Things got a little riotous after the joining. There were lots of hugs and kisses that went around and while there was some confusion as to exactly what that joining ceremony meant, everyone was in a party kind of mood and nothing was going to dilute it. The balding priest pulled Xena and Gabrielle aside at an opportune moment, feeling that he needed their attention. He guided them back into the temple, with the intent of just seeing them for the moment.
When they arrived at a fairly secluded spot, considering revelers seemed to be everywhere, even inside the temple, he addressed them. He kept his voice and attitude casual, "So, Xena," he began and he watched as the eyebrows lifted themselves and he felt her penetrating stare. He took a breath and continued, "what did you think of our prissy little ceremony huh?" He had expected to shock her, but instead his volley was returned with a feral smile.
"Oh, I thought it was fine," she purred, "right up until I thought I was going to have to kill somebody."
If the priest had been wearing a robe with a neck, he'd have been tugging on it to loosen it, however he didn't so all he could do was that nervous laugh, "heh." He ahemed, "Well, anyway, uh," he gave her a nervous smile, "the, uh, Gods left several messages for you." He pulled a scroll from his robe and began to read.
"Hey babes! Loved the bracelet! If you keep making me offerings like that you can come see me anytime. Have fun on your honeymoon! -The Ditester" He blushed and said the obvious, "that was from Aphrodite." Gabrielle was smiling widely and hugged her warrior's waist. He continued, "Xena, I still want you, but now I understand what you see in that wench of yours. Now I want you both. You'll see me sometime, but not soon. Enjoy the time off--Ares." Xena blinked, well this was a mixed blessing. Finally the priest got to the part Xena was dreading. "Beloveds," This boded well, "the next time you decide to use my room as a love nest, I want a bracelet like Aphrodite's." Gabrielle turned many shades of red. "You may trust that you may call on me at anytime if you need my aid, my children. Take care of each other--Artemis" The warrior princess and the bard turned to look at each other and grinned. There was a hint of relief in Xena's eyes.
"Oh," said the priest, "I almost forgot." He made a grab for Gabrielle's hand and got it slapped. "Ow." He looked a little indignant. "I was just going to show you something. In case you hadn't noticed yet." Gabrielle gave Xena a humorous look and lifted her hand. The priest very carefully took hold of her hand and showed them the ring. "They're all the same, but you should know that Haphaestus made them." Xena had kind of already figured that out, but didn't say anything. "You will note the four stones embedded in the rings, the see through brown is for earth, the clear deep blue is for air, the ruby red is fire and the opalescent green is for water. So you know. Plus, you see these entwined blue, green strands that are wrapped in silver?" The women nodded, "that represents you. I think. If I understand what Aphrodite was saying. She said to tell you she was sorry you didn't get to pick out the rings and that was her way of making it up to you." They looked at each other and nodded in understanding. The humble man bit his lower lip, "We don't know if these rings actually *do* anything. They're probably just symbolic, but whatever you do, don't lose them."
Xena quirked her mouth as Gabrielle withdrew her hand from the priests so she could examine the ring a little more closely, "Oh, we won't." Gabrielle decided that even if they hadn't been able to pick them out themselves, they were unobtrusively beautiful and she liked them. Xena wrapped an arm around her bard and nodded farewell to the priest, "Come on Gabrielle, let's go." The pretty woman looked up at Xena with a peaceful expression and they left in each others arms.
The party was still going on strong when Xena and Gabrielle retired for the night. Arete and Kalai stayed a little longer then found their way to the family rooms. It was a very sweet night for all of them.
In the morning, after some discussion about what the future held, it was decided that Arete and Kalai would go back with the Amazons to their capitol village . They would act as counselors to Ephiny as needed. There was to be a festival in two months and Xena and Gabrielle would arrive then. First they intended to make a few stops along the way, for Xena felt she had some promises to keep.
Toris introduced Meg and Joxer to his mother (not that she hadn't already met them, but he was introducing them in a different way). Somehow, after watching the events unfold with Xena and Gabrielle, she was able to take his revelation in stride. Especially the part where he said he was moving away from Amphipolous to be at Meg's side. She thought she saw another joining in the making, but she had committed herself to staying out of that particular arena of her children's lives. She didn't trust the outcome if she added any input. So she smiled and welcomed Meg, who looked stunningly like her daughter, and Joxer, who seemed like a nice guy, into her family. When Xena found out, she just laughed and said it was about time. She was glad someone had decided to take the poor man on.
Cherise wrote up the number of successful unions (some more official than others) in her notebooks and determined to keep track of them. She was especially proud of the one with Cynthia and Talus. That had been a stroke of genius. She began thinking about the joining ceremony and wasn't sure what to think. She wasn't sure if the joining meant that they were all married to each other, or if there were two distinct couples or what, but it seemed like they had worked it out themselves. And Joxer. Now that had worked out beyond her plans too. But that happened sometimes. At least he was with the ones he loved. That counted for something. She scanned down the list and crossed out a few names and began sorting through some of her cards looking for some more likely matches for the ones that missed. You couldn't get a hundred percent all the time.
Maphaus escaped, through no effort of his own, during the party. He and a group of nogoodniks beat a hasty exit from Amphipolous and were long gone by the time Apollo began his rounds. On any other occassion Xena would have sped after him, but everyone, especially a very determined Gabrielle convinced her that it was time for a vacation. Maphaus could wait. Of course he plotted revenge and later he would try to take it, but that is a story for another day.
A group of them journeyed back to Potedia, including Gabrielle's nuclear family and Cherise (she just happened to be heading in that direction). She pulled up next to the wagon so she could talk with the Hecuba and they chatted amiably about the wedding events. Hecuba felt she'd learned a real lesson from it and Cherise nodded her head. She had too. They commiserated in a plan that worked to well and then they laughed at each other in a good way. At some point, Hecuba jumped down from the cart so she could stretch her legs and Cherise decided to do the same (though she didn't really need it). "That was some party," the matchmaker said.
"Oh it was incredible. All that food." Hecuba's eyes glowed in fond memory.
"Yes." Cherise nodded as her long legs carried her along the worn path. "And the dancing."
Hecuba flushed in memory of one particular dance, but then slid to thoughts about dancing in general. It had been so romantic when Herodotus had invited her into his arms last night. Why they had even. . .her thoughts started on a tangent.
"Your daughter dances very well."
Hecuba looked up in surprise, "Gabrielle?"
Cherise laughed and it tinkled in the air, "Oh no. She's okay, don't get me wrong, but I wasn't speaking of her. I was talking about Lila. She's very," Cherise tried to find the right word, "supple."
"Oh." Hecuba gave her a pleased and flattered smile. It was always nice to hear good things about your daughters.
"Yep, Lila danced like a nymph. Light and lovely."
"And she is sweet like one too." More pleasant smiles.
Cherise gave Hecuba a nice warm shoulder hug. "Well she seems quite wonderful."
"Oh she is. She's good at almost everything she sets her mind to do."
"Really?"
Hecuba nodded, as her feet made tracks in the ground and her eyes watched the green around her. Her face was animated as she gave Cherise a list of all the wonderful qualities her daughter possessed. It was quite a list.
"Why that is most impressive. Her husband must be thrilled."
Hecuba shook her head, "Oh she's not married yet."
"She's not?"
"Oh well," Hecuba began blithely, "there's not a whole lot to pick from in Potedia. Why the last good one we had decided he liked life as a performer better. Why you could say it was as if he couldn't leave fast enough." Hecuba's voice carried through the forest, but it didn't reach Gabrielle and Xena's ears because they were far away in the other direction. Which was a good thing.
OH MY GoSH That Was the END! Hope you enjoyed the story! *big ol' goofy smile*