by
Bard
Editor
Bleu Gato
Xena: Warrior Princess is copyright MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. All original content of Xena: Warrior Princess 2.0 is copyrighted by the author and is not to be used or modified without permission. All rights reserved.
Contact: bard@xena2.com
Blog: www.xena2.com/blog
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. WILDERNESS CAMP PRE DAWN
While Xena continues to recline, Gabrielle adds more fuel to the fire and sets water to boil. She gets ready to find breakfast by picking up her bow and quiver.
Xena, stretching languidly, lazily
XENA
Eggs would be nice.
GABRIELLE
This Amazon and trees don't mix.
XENA
This Amazon better learn fast, because my sword is bigger.
Gabrielle, sighing
GABRIELLE
Warriors and their sword inadequacies.
XENA
I don't have sword issues.
GABRIELLE
Defensive much?
XENA
We warriors are proud of our tool.
Gabrielle, goading
GABRIELLE
You name your sword, you sleep with it, and you talk to it, why yes I can see where things might be open to interpretation.
Xena, indignantly
XENA
I do not talk to my sword. And it rests in my bedroll for defense.
Gabrielle, grinning
GABRIELLE
You do when you practice. You sometimes kind of zone out and start talking things thru. I now know its name.
XENA
Gabrielle!
GABRIELLE
A
XENA
Drop it Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
R
XENA
I am warning you bard.
GABRIELLE
E
Xena, resignedly
XENA
All right, you win. No eggs.
Taking no joy in her victory Gabrielle's face clouds as the exchange sparks a recollection in her.
Gabrielle, her mind appearing somewhere else, discontentedly
GABRIELLE
It is the Gods who bless and protect us, who guide our lives and punish our transgressions. We worship them, we sacrifice on their altars, and we go to them when we die. So we are told.
XENA
You don't believe that?
GABRIELLE
I used to. Now the familiar phrases are but ash in my mouth.
XENA
What changed?
GABRIELLE
It got personal.
Xena, stunned
XENA
You slept with a God?
GABRIELLE
No, I lost my faith.
XENA
Oh, right. How?
GABRIELLE
The Gods toyed with me and I don't like to be used. I will make my own fate.
XENA
Gabrielle, you are not making sense. What did they do to you? Is it the gift?
GABRIELLE
I will not lie to you so I will just say: it's complicated.
XENA
Then I will tell you the something. Gods' power flows from their followers' faith. The Gods walk among us, lie down with us, and choose their champions, all to further their dominion. They bestow weapons of great power to select few, so that their glory will shine on their sponsor God. My chakram is a gift from Ares, forged by Hephaestus himself.
Gabrielle, amazed and surprised
GABRIELLE
You met a God? In person?
XENA
Gabrielle, the Gods are cruel and petty. They treat people like game pieces and constantly scheme against each other for position. They backstab on Olympus and wage wars by proxy on a mortal plane. Pray you never meet one.
Gabrielle ponders this as she leaves to hunt. She gets to edge to the clearing and stops.
Gabrielle, curious
GABRIELLE
I know you are a warrior and war is your craft, but Ares?
Xena, lying and unable to meet Gabrielle's eyes, deflecting with humor
XENA
I have a weakness for bad boy Gods in black leather.
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. WILDERNESS FOREST DAWN
Gabrielle has found a mulberry bush and is about to start harvesting when movement catches her eye. YOUNG WOMAN is walking towards her, with a smile on her face. She has long, flowing brown hair, white skin, and is wearing a sheer white dress. She saunters forward with grace and agility. Gabrielle is captivated from the moment she sees her. YOUNG WOMAN heads right for Gabrielle. Just before she gets too close, she dances away and laughs. She steps to the bush and plucks a ripe berry, then offers it to Gabrielle. Gabrielle stiffens and locks her eyes with the YOUNG WOMAN for a moment, only to relax; she grins and reaches for it with her hand. YOUNG WOMAN nimbly slides away, laughs, and shakes her head no. She offers the berry again and Gabrielle is now smiling in return. A game. Gabrielle uses her mouth to take the berry from the YOUNG WOMAN's fingers. Gabrielle captures the fruit carefully and then chews and swallows it. Finished, Gabrielle licks her lips while looking at the YOUNG WOMAN. Encouraged, the YOUNG WOMAN picks another berry and offers it. Gabrielle leans with her mouth and as her lips touch it, the YOUNG WOMAN takes it away and kisses the spot of contact. YOUNG WOMAN eats the berry, slowly and with pleasure, not taking her eyes off Gabrielle, her own twinkling merrily. Gabrielle takes in the show with a vivid interest and inches closer to the YOUNG WOMAN, all without thinking.
Gabrielle, reaching out with a hesitant hand to touch her face, intrigued
GABRIELLE
What manner of creature are you?
YOUNG WOMAN spins around and away from contact, her dress floating around her.
YOUNG WOMAN
You like?
Gabrielle, taking a half step towards her tormenter, drawn to her, shyly
GABRIELLE
Are you a forest nymph leading lost travelers astray?
YOUNG WOMAN, tilting her head, coyly
YOUNG WOMAN
Only the pretty ones.
YOUNG WOMAN punctuates this by dancing around Gabrielle, letting the fabric and her fingertips lightly brush. YOUNG WOMAN ends the dance by picking another berry. She grins and offers it to Gabrielle, who is eager to play. This time, Gabrielle tries to take it with her teeth, only to have the YOUNG WOMAN smear the berry on Gabrielle's face.
GABRIELLE
Hey!
YOUNG WOMAN, suggestively
YOUNG WOMAN
I can clean it off.
Gabrielle, blushing and searching for something to say, flustered
GABRIELLE
Gabrielle.
YOUNG WOMAN, breathily
YOUNG WOMAN
Hello sweet Gabrielle. I'm Anastasia and your face needs attention.
Gabrielle regains her composure quickly and now the attractive stranger has a name. Words are her forte and this she knows.
Gabrielle, getting into the spirit, innocently
GABRIELLE
And how will that task be accomplished?
ANASTASIA
Not with my hands.
Gabrielle giggles and Anastasia takes Gabrielle's right hand into both of hers.
Anastasia, softy
ANASTASIA
Walk with me.
Anastasia gives her a slight tug as she rubs her thumb on the top of Gabrielle's hand and Gabrielle willingly follows. Anastasia drops her right hand, and they walk side by side thru the forest holding hands. Anastasia is slightly ahead, guiding them both. Gabrielle steps lightly, almost bouncing.
Gabrielle, happily
GABRIELLE
Leading me to Dionysus or Pan?
ANASTASIA
There will be dancing, wine, and music
Pause.
ANASTASIA
and just us.
Gabrielle, dreamily
GABRIELLE
I like a good plan.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS CAMP MORNING
Xena is sitting and staring at the fire morosely, her stomach growling. She glares at it.
Xena, grumbling
XENA
Knowing her, Gabrielle probably fell from a tree trying to get eggs and broke her damn neck. Good job Xena, you know she would do anything you asked. Had to have eggs for breakfast today.
Xena sighs, gets up, and then heads into the forest in the direction Gabrielle went.
Xena, calling out loudly
XENA
Here bard, bard, come on out.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS SMALL HOUSE MID MORNING
Gabrielle and Anastasia walk hand in hand out onto a large clearing. The wooden house in the middle is small yet well maintained. Flowers are planted at both sides of the entry door and it is very peaceful. The whole place seems to be in a kind of a haze. They stop a small distance in.
Gabrielle, looking around, softly
GABRIELLE
I feel at peace here, it feels like a dream.
ANASTASIA
Is it a good dream?
GABRIELLE
It is getting better with every passing minute. Just that
ANASTASIA
Anyplace you rather be?
Gabrielle frowns, thinking hard, and then makes a decision.
Gabrielle, shrugging
GABRIELLE
Xena can wait. It would do to spend few hours apart.
Pause.
Gabrielle, quietly, continues
GABRIELLE
And the company here is nicer.
ANASTASIA
Just nicer?
GABRIELLE
Did I say that?
Pause.
Gabrielle, casting the dice, discards caution and risks, blurting
GABRIELLE
You are beautiful!
Anastasia, laughing
ANASTASIA
Come inside and let's partake of the beauty.
Gabrielle, joyfully
GABRIELLE
This is the best day of my life.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS FOREST MID MORNING
Xena walks around until she spots the bow and quiver on the ground by a berry bush. She picks them up and slings them. She examines the ground then looks in the direction Gabrielle and someone else went. She follows a bit then stops and scratches her head.
XENA
An experienced and highly trained Amazon leaves her best weapon behind and stomps thru the woods like a herd of wild boars with someone walking alongside her. It makes no sense.
Xena takes out her sword and unhooks the chakram, then grimly follows the obvious trail.
XENA
This is going to be one of those days, I just know it.
CUT TO:
INT. WILDERNESS SMALL HOUSE MID MORNING
Gabrielle is sitting at a small table, starring around the small space. Wooden cabinet, few chests and a bed complete the picture.
GABRIELLE
Where do you cook?
ANASTASIA
Outside. More space for other things.
Anastasia glances at Gabrielle, then at the bed, and then back at Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
You have the official Gabrielle signet of approval for your choice of comfort.
Anastasia brings over a wineskin and two wooden cups. She pours in each cup and sits across the table from Gabrielle. Their heads are close.
ANASTASIA
Bit of a nectar to start things off.
GABRIELLE
Let's keep it at a bit.
Gabrielle notices the look Anastasia gives her.
GABRIELLE
Long story and even longer family history.
They toast and empty the cups. The wine is strong and bit of color enters Gabrielle's face. Fire spreads thru her body.
Gabrielle, her confidence fortified, eagerly but with a hint of apprehension
GABRIELLE
What's next?
In answer, Anastasia leans forward, eyes closed, leading with her lips. Gabrielle closes hers as she repeats the motion. They meet and kiss, a touch of lips frozen for an eternity of rapid heartbeats. Gabrielle breaks if off, breathless, heart hammering.
GABRIELLE
Woo Aphrodite!
Gabrielle shakes herself.
GABRIELLE
Wow, let's do it again.
Suddenly, Gabrielle becomes lightheaded and the room starts spinning. Gabrielle tries to stand up, but her feet give out and she collapses to the floor.
Gabrielle, fading
GABRIELLE
What a first kiss.
Gabrielle passes out and Anastasia disappears. The small house changes into a temple. The walls are stone and moss covered and so is the floor. A large stone altar is in the middle. On the altar lies a very OLD WOMAN. She is dying, each drawn breath becoming more labored. Around her stand three PRIESTS in plain white robes. Gabrielle is on the floor, unconscious. OLD WOMAN dies while the PRIESTS watch.
HEAD PRIEST
Rest Anastasia, wife of Morpheus.
CUT TO:
INT. WILDERNESS TEMPLE LATE MORNING
Xena enters the temple. Gabrielle appears to be sleeping on the stone altar. Three PRIESTS are wrapping the body of OLD WOMAN in linen.
Xena, pointing at altar
XENA
First we do it Gabrielle's way. Then if that does not work, I start chopping pieces off. Important pieces. What have you done to her?
HEAD PRIEST steps forward, blocking her way.
HEAD PRIEST
Gabrielle married Morpheus and will spend the rest of her natural life sleeping in this temple. She will awake shortly before her death once another bride is found.
HEAD PRIEST motions at partially wrapped OLD WOMAN for emphasis. Xena brushes past him and stabs one of the PRIESTS thru the heart.
Xena, displeased
XENA
I did not like that answer.
HEAD PRIEST, bargaining, supplying hopefully
HEAD PRIEST
The marriage is official if Gabrielle accepts her fate. Once she submits in her dream, the contract is valid and she becomes Morpheus's wife.
Xena runs the remaining PRIEST thru the chest with a sword.
HEAD PRIEST, scared, stammers
HEAD PRIEST
But but I told you the truth.
Xena, indifferent
XENA
I liked that answer, just felt like stabbing someone.
HEAD PRIEST, shaking with fear
HEAD PRIEST
You are mad, killing Morpheus's priests and defying his will.
Xena, stating the obvious, coldly
XENA
One left.
HEAD PRIEST, quickly
HEAD PRIEST
Touch her to enter her dream. Know this. No one ever refused the offer and once she accepts, you will wonder the dreamscape alone, a plaything of Morpheus. Only her death will free you and you will be aged as well.
Xena takes his head off.
Xena, practically
XENA
Can't have you stabbing me in the back when I'm sleeping.
Xena, looking at all the bodies, concerned
XENA
Gabrielle will be mad when she wakes up.
Xena cleans her sword and sheaths it. She considers the size of the altar, taken almost entirely by Gabrielle. She takes Gabrielle's hand instead and sleepiness overcomes her. She slumps down to the floor and the contact breaks, leaving Gabrielle's arm hanging halfway down the side of the altar.
Xena, considering her options
XENA
Well, tried to be discrete about it. Time for direct approach.
Xena unceremoniously lies down on top of Gabrielle, using her as a pillow.
Gabrielle, without waking up
GABRIELLE
Ooof.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. DREAMSCAPE MIST LIGHT
Thick clouds of fog surround Xena, with soft light coming from all directions.
VOICE, speaking from above
VOICE
Choose the part of Gabrielle's dream.
XENA
Let's get this over. Take me to the end.
VOICE
So it is.
CUT TO:
INT. DREAM POTIDAEA TEMPLE MORNING
It is the wedding ceremony. The temple has altars to all the major gods arranged on all three sides, with Zeus' at the front. Before the local PRIEST are Gabrielle and Perdicus. Gabrielle appears to be thirteen and Perdicus looks older by couple years. Gabrielle is wearing a pale rose dress and Perdicus is wearing a fancy tunic with decorated belt and matching boots. The doors open and Xena starts walking down the aisle. Everything stops, silence falls, and the VILLAGERS look at Xena. Xena walks all the way down, and just as she gets there, she smoothly draws her sword and beheads Perdicus. Gabrielle stands frozen in shock, blood on her face and dress and a scream dead in her throat.
Xena grins at young Gabrielle and faces her with a bloody sword.
XENA
You look great, lost a few years. Listen Gabrielle, the wedding is over. You are free of your forced obligation and Morpheus no longer has power over you. Wake up, Gabrielle.
Nothing happens. Xena looks around, puzzled.
Xena slaps young Gabrielle.
XENA
Wake up!
Young Gabrielle starts screaming hysterically.
CUT TO:
EXT. DREAMSCAPE MIST LIGHT
Xena is back where she started.
XENA
Kill the groom, check. End the wedding, check. Well, the second goes with the first without saying, but with those Potidaea people you never know.
Xena, musing
XENA
Should have killed everyone except Gabrielle just to be safe. Take me back.
Xena speaks the last part to the fog above.
VOICE
Gabrielle chooses the future.
XENA
The woman is wearing trousers daily for Zeus' sake! Between you and me, she is clearly mad. Let me speak for her, I'm sane.
VOICE
Not your decision.
Xena, hopefully
XENA
Which part?
VOICE
Both.
XENA
All right, pick one.
CUT TO:
INT. DREAM POTIDAEA HERODOTUS' HOUSE MORNING
Ten year old Gabrielle is helping in the kitchen. She is wearing a plain dress and an apron. She is sitting at the table and dicing vegetables for soup. Someone enters their home from the outside and both she and her mother smile. The steps go up to the kitchen door and it opens.
Hecuba, warmly
HECUBA
Hello husband.
Gabrielle, bursting with happiness
GABRIELLE
Da!
Gabrielle gets up, runs up to Herodotus and jumps into a hug. He spins her around a few times as she laughs with glee. He sets her down and holds her.
HERODOTUS
Careful, if I let you go you will just spin around the kitchen and fall into a pot. Then we are going to have Gabrielle soup.
Gabrielle giggles.
Herodotus, looking at Gabrielle intensely
HERODOTUS
I was walking home and something rustled in the bushes. I walked up to the bush, stuck my hand all the way in and was grabbed by
Herodotus, pausing dramatically and leaning towards Gabrielle
HERODOTUS
Ribbons!
Herodotus wiggles a pair of hair ribbons in front of Gabrielle's nose and she squeals.
HECUBA
You spoil them. Gabrielle, give one to your sister.
Herodotus, affectionately, love palpable between them, looking up
HERODOTUS
You spoil me, wife.
They approach and kiss.
GABRIELLE
Ewww.
CUT TO:
EXT. DREAMSCAPE MIST LIGHT
XENA
If that's a real memory I will eat my armor.
VOICE
Become Herodotus.
XENA
I don't like the sound of that.
VOICE
Become the truth.
XENA
I know where this is going and I can't. You don't know what you asking.
VOICE
Save her, lose yourself.
Long silence falls. Xena steels herself for the inevitable and takes action before she loses her nerve.
Xena, accepting
XENA
Yes.
CUT TO:
INT. DREAM POTIDAEA HERODOTUS' HOUSE NIGHT
Ten year old Gabrielle is helping in the kitchen. She is wearing a tunic and trousers and her head is covered with cloth, hair hidden under it. Gabrielle is sitting at the table and dicing vegetables for soup. Someone enters their home from the outside loudly slamming the door shut and she and her mother share a look of concern.
HECUBA
He is in one of those moods tonight Gabrielle. Let me do all the talking.
Heavy stumbling steps go to the kitchen door and it opens. Xena staggers in and drops down on the chair at the table. Xena glares at Gabrielle's cloth covered hair. Hecuba adds some spices to the pot and stirs it. She picks some of the diced vegetables and adds them to the pot. Gabrielle continues to chop the vegetables as Xena continues to stare. Gabrielle finishes with the vegetables and Hecuba puts them in the pot. Xena suddenly rises and rips the cloth from Gabrielle's hair. Long hair spills out and Gabrielle holds her breath. Xena sits down again and now stares at the top of Gabrielle's head. Hecuba brings some lamb meat from storage and Gabrielle begins to slice it into cubes. Xena is still fixated on the hair. Hecuba comes over to take some of the meat and as she leaves, Xena grabs Gabrielle's knife hand with one of hers and with the other grabs her hair and slams her head into the table. Keeping her grip, Xena comes around to where Gabrielle is sitting. Xena takes the knife from Gabrielle's hand and starts cutting her hair. Xena is slicing roughly and with unsteady hands and manages to cut Gabrielle numerous times. Gabrielle's hair becomes darkened with blood. Xena mostly finishes cutting hair, then throws the knife down and walks out. Gabrielle says nothing during the entire thing and only begins to cry when her father leaves. The tears are for him.
CUT TO:
EXT. DREAMSCAPE MIST LIGHT
XENA
I think I'm going to be sick.
VOICE
Gabrielle is changing.
XENA
If I was not going to Tartarus before, I am now.
VOICE
Worse.
XENA
You mean they built a special place just for me? Figures.
VOICE
Again?
XENA
How many are there?
VOICE
Lifetime.
Xena, gritting her teeth
XENA
Again.
CUT TO:
EXT. DREAM POTIDAEA HERODOTUS' HOUSE NIGHT
Twelve year old Gabrielle is sitting at the kitchen table across from Xena. She is wearing her usual outfit and her hair is covered. The air is uneasy and filled with menace.
Xena, smiling cruelly
XENA
Gabe, Dionysia festival is coming, did you want to go?
Gabrielle, unsurely
GABRIELLE
If it pleases my father.
XENA
What will you do at the festival, Gabe? Dance with the girls?
Gabrielle, carefully
GABRIELLE
Yes.
XENA
Because you are my son, right?
GABRIELLE
Yes.
XENA
You like to dance with the girls, Gabe?
GABRIELLE
Your will, father.
XENA
I asked you a question, Gabe; answer your father. Tell me if my son likes to dance with girls.
Gabrielle, sensing disaster, hedging
GABRIELLE
Yes, Gabe likes to dance with the girls.
XENA
And you?
Gabrielle wrangles her hands and stares down at them.
GABRIELLE
Um no?
XENA
You are my son. Which is it?
GABRIELLE
I I like to dance with the girls.
Xena, purring
XENA
See, that was easy.
Xena, suddenly remembering something
XENA
You know, Perdicus departs for garrison service and he will be at the festival. What do you want to do Gabe? Do you want to dance with Perdicus?
GABRIELLE
Yes?
XENA
You want my son to dance with a boy?
Gabrielle, thinking fast
GABRIELLE
I will wear a dress.
XENA
My son in a dress dancing with a boy
Xena slams her fist into the top of the table and Gabrielle jumps.
XENA
You know I love you Gabe.
Gabrielle keeps silent as tears start flowing.
XENA
Why do you disrespect your father?
Gabrielle, crying
GABRIELLE
I don't want to go to the festival.
XENA
You will go to the festival Gabe. You will dance with the girls. You will show respect for your father. Now, tell me you love me.
GABRIELLE
I love you, father.
XENA
Proper.
GABRIELLE
I love you, da.
XENA
Good boy.
CUT TO:
EXT. DREAMSCAPE MIST LIGHT
XENA
I thought it would get easier, but it is getting worse. I went thru a dozen of those memories and I can't won't do another.
VOICE
Not ready.
XENA
I am done hurting my friend.
VOICE
Not real.
XENA
My guts are on fire, my head is splitting, and my heart is pounding. Real for me.
Pause. Xena, determined
XENA
Gabrielle knows herself and Gabrielle will find herself now. Take me to the end.
CUT TO:
INT. DREAM POTIDAEA TEMPLE NIGHT
It is the wedding ceremony. The temple has altars to all the major gods arranged on all three sides, with Zeus' at front. Before the local PRIEST are Gabrielle and Perdicus Gabrielle is back to her old self and Perdicus is about nineteen. Gabrielle is wearing a pale rose dress and Perdicus is wearing a fancy tunic with decorated belt and matching boots. The doors open and Xena enters. Everything stops, silence falls, and the VILLAGERS look at Xena. Xena walks down the aisle and stops at Gabrielle. Gabrielle is now looking around and appears to be confused about where she is and what she is doing.
Xena, grinning
XENA
Hello Gabrielle, nice dress.
Gabrielle, looking down at herself and gasping
GABRIELLE
Wedding dress?! Am I getting married?
Perdicus, confused and concerned
PERDICUS
Beloved, is something wrong?
Xena, looking directly into Gabrielle's eyes, feeling something click
XENA
What do you say I take you away from Potidaea and into a life of adventure and danger? The food is lousy, the ground hard, the weather capricious, and Gods and men will stand against us. I promise you heroic deeds, last minute escapes, stands against impossible odds, and a friend who will stand with you shoulder to shoulder thru the good and the bad.
Gabrielle, smiling warmly
GABRIELLE
I do.
Perdicus grabs Gabrielle by the arm.
Perdicus, possessively
PERDICUS
You are mine!
Gabrielle slugs Perdicus and knocks him out.
Xena, beaming proudly
XENA
That's the bard I know.
CUT TO:
EXT. DREAMSCAPE MIST LIGHT
Xena is back in the mist.
VOICE
Morpheus comes.
Morpheus appears, as if coming together from the fog itself.
MORPHEUS
Gabrielle is not your friend.
Xena, with disdain
XENA
You lost.
Morpheus, tapping his head with his finger
MORPHEUS
I have Gabrielle's memories and among them is a very special one. Consider it your reward.
XENA
Lies.
MORPHEUS
Admit it, you enjoy hurting Gabrielle. Don't feel bad, she deserves it. She deceived you and lied to you. Reward?
Xena, refusing, less strenuously now
XENA
No.
Pause.
Xena, much quieter
XENA
Yes
Morpheus, mockingly
MORPHEUS
Never.
The swirling fog clears and there is an image from the past floating in it.
GABRIELLE
Deep down, in the very core of my being, I am drawn to Xena. It is a compulsion, a madness I can't comprehend or put into words. It scares me. I told her I would never leave her. I don't think she understood the true meaning of that statement. Toris, I know it will always be Xena and I. It goes beyond logic, beyond life, and even beyond death. I have a gift to see things in others. And a curse to see it in myself. And what I see is eternity with her dark soul bound to mine. I am damned for all time, a victim of cruel fate. I did not ask for it, I did not deserve it, but I cannot change it, so I accepted it. And I made a decision. I will not bend to the whims of the Gods and capricious Fates, I will shape my own destiny. Xena is the key. She is a good person who took a wrong step at every turn and is now lost in the darkness. Free her and I free myself.
The image fades and the fog is as it was.
Xena shoulders slump and she is clearly crushed.
MORPHEUS
Learn anything interesting?
XENA
The truth of the bond between Gabrielle and I.
MORPHEUS
There is no truth, only facts. And a price to pay for knowing them.
XENA
Meaning?
MORPHEUS
A choice, Xena. Keep the knowledge gained in return for painful memories
XENA
Or?
MORPHEUS
let it all return to the mist like the dream it was.
Xena considers her options, and then smiles, having made a decision. It was easy.
XENA
I want to live a lie. I choose to believe in it and I choose to believe in Gabrielle. My answer is: never.
MORPHEUS
Sands of time take away, free this woman from her gain.
Morpheus fades into the fog.
Xena shakes her head to clear it and looks around puzzled.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. WILDERNESS TEMPLE EVENING
Gabrielle, stretching tenderly
GABRIELLE
Ow, what fell on me? I remember kissing and then something was crushing me.
Xena is already sneaking out of the temple.
Xena, doing her best angelic impression, guilelessly
XENA
Probably part of the ritual
Xena stops both abruptly and her head snaps back.
Xena, surprised
XENA
Kissing?!
Gabrielle, backtracking
GABRIELLE
Um did I say kissing? I meant um um oh, by all the Fates, yes, there was a kiss. One kiss ...
Gabrielle smiles at the memory, lost for a moment.
Gabrielle takes in her surroundings, from the walls to the floor. Her eyes pass over the dead PRIESTS, clouding her visage for a second, and then fall on OLD WOMAN. Xena catches her disapproval and swallows.
Gabrielle, trying to remember, frowning
GABRIELLE
She looks familiar.
XENA
Last wife.
GABRIELLE
Whose wife?
XENA
Morpheus. Her life was one endless dream till she died and you took her place.
GABRIELLE
I was married?!
XENA
You were a bride, but no marriage took place.
GABRIELLE
What was it like in my dream?
XENA
I have no memory. You?
GABRIELLE
Nothing. Feinted, mountain fell on me, woke up. You know, I do lead an exciting life. Between the blackouts, that is.
Gabrielle drops down from the altar and walks to the OLD WOMAN. She stares deeply into dead woman's brown eyes and she guesses the truth. Recognition dawns.
GABRIELLE
Anastasia
Gabrielle cradles Anastasia and tenderly kisses her on the lips. She holds her close, seeing the young woman and not the weathered shell in her arms.
Gabrielle, weeping
GABRIELLE
Xena, please build a pyre. And take them with you. I want to be alone.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS TEMPLE CLEARING NIGHT
The funeral pyre burns against the night sky. Gabrielle turns to Xena and spreads her arms. Xena nods and Gabrielle hugs her. Xena does not hug her back, she just stands there. Gabrielle breaks off and steps back.
Gabrielle, gloomily
GABRIELLE
This is my life now, a series of funeral pyres.
Xena, compelled to speak, being there for her friend, confessing
XENA
I considered the bodies of the fallen to be tools. Used in sieges to break their will or their health, left on fields to mark my glory, and hanged in various pieces and places to mark my reign of terror. That changed in Draco's camp.
Pause.
Xena, gently
XENA
Everything you do, everything you touch, is filled with compassion and care. You extend this to everyone without judgment. Only the truly forsaken don't feel your warmth and yet you embrace them anyway. You hurt for the virtuous and the wicked equally, and even in this darkness I am in, I can see your light shining brighter than the sun. I may turn on you, I may betray you, I wait let me finish.
Xena, lowering a hand raised to stop Gabrielle's objection
XENA
I know what I am, and I am the best at it. I realize that one day it could happen where we both stand apart, swords crossed. There is a part of me that wants to corrupt and destroy you. I speak of it as fact, as I know myself and have eleven years of bloody proof for it. However, that part is dying.
GABRIELLE
That is one funeral pyre I will be happy to attend.
XENA
Gabrielle, what you have is the rarest gift of all: unconditional love. It draws others, like my brother, as strongly as moths to a flame. Embrace it, yet temper it with wisdom.
Long silence descends on the clearing, broken by the sounds of the fire and nightlife.
Xena, clearing her throat
XENA
The priests died for the wrong reason, but it was right to kill them to ensure our safety. I did not know how long the sleep would last.
GABRIELLE
Why did you tell me?
XENA
Because it is important to you.
GABRIELLE
You did good.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS CAMP EARLY MORNING
Xena and Gabrielle finish up sword practice. Xena sets the sword down and picks up a square of linen and soap. Xena is about to walk off for a quick wash when she stops and turns to Gabrielle.
Gabrielle, sighing
GABRIELLE
Time for lessons learned?
XENA
You followed a stranger to an unknown temple.
Gabrielle, protesting
GABRIELLE
Anastasia was good.
XENA
A good person with bad intent is just a dangerous. What happened to those instincts of yours, Gabrielle?
GABRIELLE
I was distracted. She was Gods she was beautiful.
XENA
The pretty woman routine is for men.
GABRIELLE
Um it sort of it works on me too.
XENA
So Toris
GABRIELLE
No sparks.
XENA
Agapios?
GABRIELLE
Played like a harp, felt bad deceiving him, but it was for greater good.
XENA
Sphaerus?
GABRIELLE
Daddy issues.
XENA
Me?
GABRIELLE
Not into leather and bad girls.
XENA
Hey, that hurts.
GABRIELLE
What, the not interested or the description?
XENA
I could wear a dress.
GABRIELLE
Tartarus must be freezing. Xena, the bards' tales speak of your conquests over men. They don't mention women. Funny that.
XENA
The tales, while true in those aspects, are greatly exaggerated.
GABRIELLE
Xena, you are teasing me. Stick to what you do best.
XENA
Conquests?
GABRIELLE
Men and war.
XENA
All right Gabrielle, but I offered. Threw myself at you and you broke my heart.
GABRIELLE
I will live.
XENA
You are a cruel bard.
GABRIELLE
Yet another burden I will bear in the service of the good.
XENA
You are not making this war of words thing easy.
GABRIELLE
Xena, you are an exceptional warrior with outstanding communication skills, augmented by years of experience manipulating people, but you are going against a bard with natural talent who started talking when she was born and never stopped. This is my field of battle.
XENA
I accept the challenge, let the conquest begin.
GABRIELLE
Wait, are we talking about the same thing here?
Xena, smiling mysteriously
XENA
Wouldn't you like to know.
GABRIELLE
Xena, what are you planning?
GABRIELLE
Xena?
FADE OUT:
THE END