|
Disclaimer:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, Argo and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.
NOTE: All works remain the © copyright of the original author. These may not be republished without the author's consent.
XENA
FADE IN
EXT. OUTSIDE A CAVE AFTER HEAVY RAINS - DAY
Joxer emerges from the cave and trips on a stone. His face
with mud, he picks up the chiseled stone and is about to
heave it when the top of the stone falls off. He looks
inside at the parchment and pulls it out, shoving the stone
down into his armor.
JOXER
Hmmm. A map. Hey! I found something!
XENA
(as she passes by Joxer, shoves him out of the way)
Yeah, what mud tastes like.
JOXER
(wiping his face as Gabrielle passes him by, holds the map to her face)
I think that it’s lost treasure.
GABRIELLE:
Joxer, the only thing that’s lost, as usual,
is you.
XENA
(standing with Argo)
Well, we have a few days to kill. I say we go
fishing.
GABRIELLE
(curling her lips at the idea)
I say that we just enjoy nature, the peace and quiet.
Relax.
XENA
(curling her lips at the idea)
Gabrielle, the definition of relaxation is fishing.
It’s peaceful, quiet. How much closer to nature
can you get than by fishing?
JOXER
(frowning)
I say that we find the lost treasure.
|
Xena and Gabrielle ignore Joxer and keep talking.
| GABRIELLE
I’d rather stay in the cave than go
fishing.
XENA
Well, I think that we should fish. That way
we’ll have fun and supper.
GABRIELLE
Why is it that you always get to choose what
we do whenever we have a few moments to
ourselves?
XENA
(shrugging)
Because I’m bigger and stronger?
GABRIELLE
Well, that and the fact that I always let
you. But the Denar stops here.
JOXER
What Denar?
GABRIELLE
It’s a figure of speech, Joxer.
XENA
Well, Gabrielle. You don’t have to fishing.
But I think that deep down inside, you really
want to. It’s you just haven’t gotten the hang
of it yet.
GABRIELLE
I like fishing as much as Joxer likes taking a
bath.
XENA
You hate it that much, huh?
JOXER
Hey!
GABRIELLE
(inhaling deeply)
Smell that nature, Xena. The birds, listen to
the crickets. Feel the sun upon your face.
|
CUT TO
DISTANCE IN THE FOREST - DAY
Everything is soggy, drips of waterfall from the leaves.
The clouds are just starting to fade.
| JOXER
(inhaling deeply)
Hey, there’s no sun. All the crickets are
hiding and all I smell is Argo’s wet
dung...
|
Joxer peers over to Xena and swallows.
| JOXER
Hmmmmm. Roses. Was Argo eating roses?
GABRIELLE
Perfect example of what I’m talking about.
Argo’s wet droppings do not smell like roses,
but in order not to offend the Warrior
Princess, Joxer would probably make a bouquet
out of it. And what’s this fun part you
mentioned a moment ago? Don’t you mean that Xena
will have fun?
XENA
Come on, Gabrielle. You obviously have
some issues on your chest, so why don’t you
just get them out?
GABRIELLE
My issue is fishing! I don’t want to go
fishing!
XENA
What if I promise that I’ll take my time
and teach you?
GABRIELLE
Forget it. Your eyes are already starting
to bulge out of their sockets. I’d rather
starve than go fishing. Besides you know how
you get when you’re around fish.
JOXER
Since you can’t decide on what to do, let’s
find the lost treasure.
|
Xena and Gabrielle snap their heads toward Joxer.
Joxer swallows and looks around at the trees, as if
he had said nothing.
| XENA
What do you mean, ‘the way I get’?
GABRIELLE
Xena, please. Your eyes bulge out, like just now.
You get all hyper and you babble on without end...
You talk to the fish.
XENA
(insulted)
I do not! I mean I love fishing but my eyes do
not bulge out!
JOXER
(clearing his throat)
As a matter of fact, Xena, yes they do.
|
Joxer begins to form huge circles around his eyes with his
hands, to mimic the size of Xena’s eyes.
Xena growls at Joxer.
Joxer quickly closes the circles into fists and rubs his
eyes and then stretches. He yawns.
| JOXER
Yep. This weather sure makes me sleepy.
GABRIELLE
(shaking her head)
Well, it’s not one of my favorite extra-curricular
activities. Besides, I don’t see any water around
anywhere.
GABRIELLE
(whispering under her breath)
Thank the Gods.
XENA
OK, Gabrielle. If you can find one dry spot
after such heavy rains, then I’ll be the first
kick back, relax and gaze at the sky. As you
everything is drenched.
XENA
(whispering, under her breath)
Thank the Gods.
JOXER
(mumbling)
One wants to do something; the other wants to
do nothing, while I have in my hand, a map to
lost treasure...Hmmm, let’s see.. tough decision
on what we should be doing.
XENA
(without turning to Joxer)
Did you say something, Joxer?
JOXER
(eyes widen)
Me? No. Of course not.
|
Joxer clenches the map in his hand.
| GABRIELLE
(shaking her head)
Joxer! Stand up for yourself. Say what
what want to say without cushioning every
word or backing down! What are you going
to do? Hurt Xena’s feelings?
JOXER
Maybe, but she might hurt me.
GABRIELLE
(frustrated)
I just don’t get it. I say something and
it’s a joke. No one takes me seriously
without a challenge. Xena say’s go to
Tartarus, and everyone says, point the way.
XENA
Oh, I see what this is about.
GABRIELLE
Oh, you do now, do you?
XENA
Gabrielle, there is no honor or pride in fear.
And that’s what most people respond to when I’m
around; taking or receiving something because
people are afraid of you only means that there’ll
always be someone out there ready to plunge a
dagger into your back. And there will always be
people who see what I used to be, who only remember
the bad things about me and respect me not for who
I am now, but what I used to be, because of fear.
My past could never be erased, not in my mind nor
anyone else’s that was a part of that dark time. At
least you gain respect by proving that you deserve
it, by demanding it in an honorable way.
GABRIELLE
At least no one questions you.
XENA
Except for you.
|
Gabrielle smiles.
| GABRIELLE
You’re right. I stand up to you don’t I?
XENA
You sure do.
GABRIELLE
Then we’re not going fishing!
XENA
We are to!
GABRIELLE
Are not!
JOXER
And the battle comes to a standstill!
The Warrior Princess and the Bard...
|
Gabrielle cut’s Joxer off.
| GABRIELLE
Excuse me. It’s the Bard and the Warrior
Princess.
JOXER
Come on, guys. We’re not getting anywhere.
|
Xena and Gabrielle both sigh and look around.
XENA
(sighing)
You know, we’ve never been this far east.
GABRIELLE
Why are we this far east?
|
Xena and Gabrielle turn to Joxer.
XENA
Because someone got lost.
GABRIELLE
(frowning)
Oh Yeah.
JOXER
(hesitating)
I was not lost. I just wasn’t sure of
where I was going.
XENA
Joxer you would have never been chased by
that warrior if you weren’t such a bumbling
fool.
JOXER
How was I supposed to know that his foot was
still in his shoe? I was only trying to scrape
the little yellow bird...
XENA
(cutting Joxer off)
Please Joxer, spare us the details.
GABRIELLE
(shaking her head)
Only you, Joxer, only you.
XENA
We’re lucky that you left enough tracks behind
for us to find you. I mean, just when did you plan
to stop running? When you reached Tartarus?!
JOXER
(slapping his chest)
Warriors never run... Jog, maybe, sometimes
but never run.
XENA
Let me put it this way, Joxer. You were
running so fast that you blazed a trail
behind you. We followed the singed grass.
GABRIELLE
(leering)
Let’s flip for it.
XENA
(eyes turning to slits)
Heads I win. Tales you lose.
GABRIELLE
It’s a deal.
JOXER
(suspicious-rubbing his chin)
That’s good, Xena. You win in either case.
You see, a Denar only has two sides and if
it lands on the head you win. If it lands on
the tale, Gabrielle loses and you still win.
|
Xena rolls her eyes, baring her teeth at Joxer.
Joxer’s eyes widen and he gulps.
| GABRIELLE
(eyes becomes slits as she looks at Xena)
Heads I win; tales you lose, ha, ha, very funny,
Xena. We’re not going fishing!
XENA
(running to Joxer and flipping him into the air)
Who said anything about a Denar?!
|
Joxer flips though the air and lands on his head against a
tree.
Joxer falls to his side.
GABRIELLE
Ha! you lose!
XENA
(looking at Joxer)
I don’t see him standing on his feet. You
lose too.
JOXER
(struggling to stand but falling back down)
I win... Maybe not.
|
CUT TO
MIDDLE OF LUSH FOREST - DAY
JOXER
Now let’s see...
Xena snatches the map from Joxer.
| XENA
You idiot! You’ve been reading it
upside-down!
|
Joxer has disappeared.
| GABRIELLE
Where’d Joxer go?
|
Gabrielle walks a few feet and disappears.
| XENA
(running in direction Gabrielle disappeared)
Gabrielle!
|
CUT TO:
EXT. GARDEN OF ROSES -DAY
| GABRIELLE
(looking from within the massive trees)
It’s beautiful!
|
XENA frowns. It as if they had walked through an invisible
wall and are in another world filled with roses.
Xena and Gabrielle see Joxer a few feet away.
Joxer tries to pick a red rose but it won’t uproot or break.
He pricks himself with the thorns. He finally sits down and
begins to pluck the petals.
JOXER
She loves me. She loves me not. She loves me...
|
Female Apparition appears - Keeper of the Gates.
| KEEPER
You have awakened them from their sleep,
by plucking the petals that were yours not
to reap.
GABRIELLE:
Who are you? What are you talking about
XENA
(as Joxer smells the rose)
Joxer, no!
|
Joxer has already inhaled the scent of the rose and his eyes
roll in his head. He yawns and falls to the ground. He
begins to snore.
| KEEPER
(swinging her arm over to Joxer)
Roses are red,
Some are white,
to inhale those colors,
will bring you eternal night.
GABRIELLE
(running to Joxer)
Now you tell us!
KEEPER
(peering over at single black rose in garden)
Black is the sacred color of she,
but to be cut by one, death will come instantly.
XENA
What is this place?!
KEEPER
(uninterested, looking at her fingernails)
She with two heads and four eyes you will
have to slay,
or your souls will be hers,
comes end of day.
|
| KEEPER
(yawning)
Oh, I forgot, the yellow ones turn you into
stone, so try to keep clear of them. At least
you’ll have a sporting chance.
|
Xena looks around at the eternal rose garden. She stands
where they entered the garden, but beyond the row of trees
are more trees. She runs to Joxer and begins to feel his
body. She finds the stone. She rubs her hand over the
engravement that was filled in with mud. The engravement is
of a woman with snakes as her hair... Medusa.
XENA
(whispering-fear and desperation)
Garden of the Gorgons.
|
ACT II
FADE IN
EXT. GARDEN OF THE GORGONS- DAY
Gabrielle is trying to slap Joxer awake.
XENA
It’s no use, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Xena, where are we, really?
XENA
The Garden of the Gorgons.
GABRIELLE
The Gorgons? But Medusa was killed by Perseus.
XENA
There were three sisters. Medusa was the only
mortal one. The other two were Gods.
GABRIELLE:
That’s just great.
|
Gabrielle kicks Joxer.
XENA
The other two sisters were Sthenno and Euryale,
demi gods, before the Titans. After Medusa’s
head was taken by Perseus, Athena condemned
the sisters to a lost garden of roses. It
represented the beauty that only they could never
have, internally or externally. And although the
roses were beautiful, the sisters could never touch
them or they would be condemned to the fate that
each rose carried.
GABRIELLE
I’m ready to leave now. How do we get out?
XENA
I don’t know, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
There was a way in so there must be a way out.
XENA
It was said that only fools could enter the
garden.
GABRIELLE
Well, he did, so what are we doing here?
XENA
I guess that we were fools to follow him. Argo
seems to be the only logical one between us.
|
Gabrielle kicks Joxer.
| XENA
Gabrielle, we need to figure out the riddle or
we won’t stand a chance.
GABRIELLE
(taking a deep breath and exhales)
OK. First, we have no stay away from the
roses.
XENA
(sarcastically)
Brilliant idea. I knew that we should have gone
fishing.
GABRIELLE
You know, it’s odd that I’ve never heard of this
place. I know many of the tales, but not this one.
XENA
Not many have, Gabrielle. It’s said that once
every hundred years, this garden appears to reap
from the world of as many fools as it can snag...
in that one day.
GABRIELLE
(abrupt laugh of desperation)
What are the odds that we’d come upon it? One
day, in one hundred years, we happen to pick the
unlucky one?
XENA
Let me put it this way. If there was a needle in a
haystack the size of Athens, Joxer would be the
first to find it, when he wasn’t even looking for
it.
GABRIELLE
(talking to herself)
When we get out of here, Joxer is going to be
scraping himself off of the bottom of my shoes. He
thinks that little yellow bird, that got us into this
mess, was flat, he’ll feel really flat when I’m
through with him.
XENA
Gabrielle, it’s mid-day. We don’t have much time.
GABRIELLE
(snarling down at Joxer)
Well if I start now, will he be able to feel as
I jump up and down on his chest?!
XENA
(grabbing Gabrielle’s shoulders)
Calm down. We’ll find a way out.
|
Xena paces back and forth.
| XENA
Come on, Gabrielle. Help me...
You have awakened them from their sleep,
by plucking the petals that were not yours
not to reap.
GABRIELLE
They know that we’re here.
|
Pause of desperation:
| GABRIELLE
She with two heads and four eyes you will
have to slay,
or your souls will be hers
comes end of day...
So we just sneak up on them and chop of their
heads.
XENA
It doesn’t make sense. The Keeper referred
to the Gorgons as ‘them’ but then she said ‘she’
which is one. She with two heads and four eyes.
And just how do you slay a God?
GABRIELLE
Xena, she said that we would have to slay her,
so there must be a way... The Hynds Blood Dagger?
XENA
That would come in handy right about now, but
as you can see, we’re not that fortunate.
JOXER
(talking in his sleep)
What an ugly woman.
|
Xena and Gabrielle turn to Joxer.
GABRIELLE
Only Joxer could be condemned for eternity but
still talk in his sleep.
XENA
(frowning, looking at the stone in her hand)
He never saw the engravement. The map!
|
Xena looks on the back side the map. There is a drawing of
Athena and below her, the sisters Sthenno and Euryale in a
side profile, one head but two faces on either side. There
is a dagger running through the body.
| XENA
(angered)
This was on the map and the fool saw it?!
GABRIELLE
(dumbfounded, softly)
And we followed him.
|
Gabrielle kicks Joxer.
| XENA
Of course we could enter. Who else in Tartarus
would even contemplate following the village
idiot?
|
Gabrielle kicks Joxer again.
| GABRIELLE
What does it mean, Xena?
XENA
The sisters were the only ones that could look
at each other. Athena must have merged them into
one, their head having faces on separate sides so
they could never see each other again.
GABRIELLE
There goes sneaking up on them.
KEEPER
(appearing)
To figure out the riddle of two heads and
four eyes,
the Sword of Perseus is your prize.
Remember, she must be slain by end of day,
prepare yourselves for now, the Gorgon comes
this way.
XENA
Wait!
KEEPER
(reappearing)
I don’t do overtime. Figure out the next riddle
and I’ll be back.
GABRIELLE
What riddle?!
XENA
Come on Gabrielle. We have to get going!
GABRIELLE
Where and what about Joxer?
XENA
They’ll be after us. He’ll be OK. He’s asleep.
He can’t see them and it’s better this way.
After all, he’ll only get in our way.
|
Joxer rolls and his hand falls near the black rose.
Gabrielle quickly hits the rose with her staff.
A terrible cry rises from the distance.
Xena and Gabrielle drag Joxer into the clear and lay him
next to a tree.
CUT TO
DISTANCE IN THE GARDEN - DAY
A quick view of the Gorgons as they head toward Xena and
Gabrielle. The Gorgons sniff into the air and let out a
roar.
ACT III
FADE IN
EXT. GARDEN OF THE GORGONS- DAY
The Gorgons hunt Xena and Gabrielle. Xena and Gabrielle stop
to rest against a tree.
XENA
(exhaling, looking at the Sword (of Perseus))
The sword of Perseus. Even if the Gorgons were
belittled from Gods to immortals and merged into one,
Perseus’ sword killed a mortal not an immortal.
GABRIELLE
By taking her head. She had one head.
KEEPER
(appearing)
You’re good at riddles, aren’t you? Finally some
live ones.
The Gorgon’s head the sword can take...
|
Keeper pauses.
GABRIELLE
Well?!
KEEPER
No mortal has ever gotten this far, OK. So just
keep your shirt on.
|
Keeper searches her pockets.
| KEEPER
Can’t find my hand scroll, so I’ll just have to
improvise.
The Gorgon’s head the sword can take...
but the sword can only swing at a mark
that it can see.
|
Keeper shrugs her shoulders.
| GABRIELLE
That does not rhyme.
KEEPER
(frowning - disappearing)
Don’t push me, Blondie!
XENA
So she’s immortal but Perseus’ sword can take
her head. She can die. How in Tartarus can I take
her head if she has two faces? Surely I’ll turn
to stone.
KEEPER
(appearing-clapping)
Find the one that the sword can see
that it’s blade will cut and set you free.
GABRIELLE
My head hurts.
KEEPER
Does it have anything to do with being blonde?
|
There is crackling within the trees.
Keeper disappears.
Xena and Gabrielle begin to run.
CUT TO
DISTANCE IN THE GARDEN- LEGS RUNNING - DAY
Gabrielle has been separated from Xena and as she runs,
peering over her shoulder, she collides with something from
the opposite direction.
Gabrielle scurries to her feet and presses herself against a
tree behind her.
Princess Ariea rolls forward and springs to her feet,
swinging her sword at Gabrielle’s neck.
GABRIELLE
(shrieking scream)
ACT IV
FADE IN
EXT. GARDEN OF THE GORGONS- DAY
Princess Ariea’s sword stops centimeters from Gabrielle’s
neck. She reaches out and feels Gabrielle’s face.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
To pretty to be a Gorgon.
|
Princess Ariea suddenly drops to her knees, facing
Gabrielle, and thrusts her sword backwards, stabbing a
barbarian in his stomach. He falls to his knees with his
sword raised above his head, falls to the ground.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
(kneeling down and touching Barbarian’s face)
If it sounds like a Barbarian and smells like
a Barbarian, then it’s a Barbarian.
|
Xena suddenly appears and Princess Ariea quickly stands,
clutching Gabrielle behind her and places her sword to
Xena’s throat.
PRINCESS ARIEA
If it is like the wind on a windless day,
then it must be Amazon. Be you friend or foe,
Amazon?
|
Gabrielle runs to Xena.
| XENA
I am no emery of yours.
Gabrielle, are you all right?
GABRIELLE
(shaken)
Yes. I mean, she almost took my life and
then she saved it.
XENA
Who are you?
|
Gabrielle observes the young woman warrior.
| GABRIELLE
You’re blind aren’t you?
|
Princess Ariea turns away. She slides her sword into her
sheath and begins to walk away.
| GABRIELLE
Wait... Xena, maybe we can use her help.
|
At the mention on Xena’s name, Princess Ariea stops and
turns in Xena’s and Gabrielle’s direction.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
Xena? Warrior Princess?
XENA
Yes.
PRINCESS ARIEA
Perhaps... That’s why I thought you were
Amazon, but Xena is no fool. This garden
would never allow her entrance.
|
Princess Ariea sighs and turns to walk away.
| XENA
This garden allowed us entrance because we
were fools to have followed a fool here...
Now who are you and who’s he?
|
Xena uses the tip of her foot to roll the barbarian over.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
I am Ariea.
|
Xena grows suspicious. The young woman warrior reminds her
of someone from her past, but surely, it could not be the
same person. Xena knew of a Princess Ariea, met her once a
long time ago, in battle. Flashes of Xena’s past run through
her head. Xena’s Army had attacked King Dante’s kingdom. But
his army, led by his daughter, had fought them to a
standstill. The battle was great and the losses many, but,
Princess Ariea had refused to back down. During a cold
night, Princess Ariea had silently entered Xena’s tent. Xena
could still remember the cold steel of the dagger’s blade
against her throat.
CUT TO
(XENA’S PAST) IN A TENT - NIGHT
Princess Ariea has a healing cut across her left cheek as
she presses the dagger against Xena’s throat. She brings her
face inches away from Xena’s.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
(whispering)
I can end this right now.
XENA
(smirking)
Then end it.
PRINCESS ARIEA
You welcome death as quickly as you welcome war.
To kill you this way carries no honor. If we were
in battle, it would be different.
XENA
(confused then gargled laugh)
You better learn quickly, little girl, because I
wouldn’t give it a second though of killing you if
I had the chance. War has no honor, except among
fools.
PRINCESS ARIEA
Take what’s left of your army and leave. The battle
is over.
XENA
We haven’t begun to fight. They send a gutless
little girl to kill me. A way in but no way out.
You didn’t think of that did you.
|
Princess Ariea looks around. Xena grabs the dagger and flips
Princess Ariea onto her back. Xena straddles her. She raises
the dagger into the air and stops. She reaches down and
pulls the crest that hangs from the gold chain around the
girl’s neck. Xena frowns and then grins. She uses the dagger
to rip the girl’s clothes open. There she sees the birthmark
in close likeness to the Crest of the Dante Kingdom.
XENA
(surprised and angered)
You?! You’re the one leading King Dante’s
army...that fought my army to a standstill... Well,
you should fetch a handsome price... I smell
profit...lots of it. You’re a fool for not killing
me when you had the chance, Princess.
|
Princess Ariea’s men suddenly burst into the tent. They have
surrounded and captured most of Xena’s men. Princess Ariea
has rolled away from Xena and as her men converge upon Xena,
Princess Ariea steps in front of them.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
No more. There will be no more bloodshed.
1ST WARRIOR
King Dante has order her death.
PRINCESS ARIEA
(drawing her sword)
And Princess Ariea, the leader of this army, has
ordered her release. Now step aside, soldier.
2ND WARRIOR
(pointing to Xena with his sword)
That hydra dies this night.
PRINCESS ARIEA
And so will you, soldier, if you do not step aside!
|
The warriors step aside as Xena and Princess Ariea exit the
tent. Princess Ariea walks Xena to a horse.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
(shouting to her men)
Let no sword be drawn and let no arrows fly! Xena
has been granted safe passage from our kingdom!
|
As Xena rides away, she peers over her shoulder to princess
Ariea.
CUT TO
GARDEN OF THE GORGONS - DAY
| XENA
Why didn’t you kill me when you had the chance?
PRINCESS ARIEA
(drawing her sword and then lowering
it)
We had already dismantled your army but I saw
something within you, Xena that I simply could not
destroy. You and your army had slaughtered
hundreds of my subjects, killed many of my best
men, but there was something within you, a light
that none other could see, that I could not kill
or let die. There were several times in battle
when I clear shots that would have easily ended
your life, your reign of terror and I could never
understand what held my hand fast, until I was in
that tent, watching you sleep.
|
Xena has disappeared and suddenly reappears in front of
Princess Ariea, taking her sword from her hands.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
(hanging her head)
I guess I welcome death after having been in this
forsaken place for so long.
|
Silence.
PRINCESS ARIEA
(unbuttoning her shirt)
You hesitate... Yes, Xena... I am Princess Ariea.
Do what you so wished so long ago. There is no
profit here.
|
Princess Ariea opens her shirt to expose the Dante Crest,
hanging from the gold chain and the birthmark in close
likeness to the crest.
Gabrielle gasps and turns her face at Princess’ Ariea bare
chest.
Xena reaches out and touches the birthmark.
A sharp gasp escapes Princess Ariea’s lips.
Xena hands Princess Ariea her sword and buttons her shirt.
| XENA
I have no intention of killing you. I am
not the same person that I used to be.
GABRIELLE
It’s true. Xena has changed.
XENA
What are you doing here?
PRINCESS ARIEA
The wrath of the God of War.
XENA
And your sight?
PRINCESS LIEA
Punishment by Ares.
GABRIELLE
I don’t understand.
PRINCESS ARIEA
That night that I granted Xena safe passage
from our kingdom, but took prisoner most of
what was left of her army, Ares visited.
He was angered that I ended the battle,
refusing to further kill in his name by
executing the prisoners. He was even more
furious that I did not even attempt to kill
Xena when I had the chance. I told him that I
was not nor ever would fight in praise of him,
nor shed blood unless it was to defend my
kingdom. That I simply could not see myself
killing Xena, who was unarmed.
GABRIELLE
Xena is always armed, weapon or not.
PRINCESS ARIEA
Like Xena, Ares called me a fool. He said that
if I could not see myself killing Xena, then I
could not see myself at all, nor anything
else, ever again. In his anger, he threatened
to destroy my kingdom and everything that
moved within it. If I joined him, my kingdom
would be safe... All I had to do was find Xena
and join her...
XENA
And you made a deal with Ares?
PRINCESS LIEA
No. I refused and he expelled me to this place
without sight, until I call his name and
prepare to do his bidding. He granted me
immunity from the roses and the beast within
this place... by taking my sight. The beast
does not hunger, at least not for flesh,
but when it thirsts for sport, it hunts.
|
Princess Ariea turns and lifts her shirt. There are several
claw marks running down her back.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
I don’t know how long I’ve been here.
XENA
It’s been five years.
PRINCESS ARIEA
What of my father, my kingdom?
XENA
(placing her hand on Ariea’s shoulder)
I’m sorry... Your brother is now King. Your
father had given up hope that you would ever
return. He’s been heartbroken ever since you
disappeared. Your brother reported that
that they had found your body, only
recognizable by the crest in a nearby an
abandoned camp site and declared himself
the new king. Your father resigned himself
to the royal chambers and has not been seen
since. That was two years ago.
GABRIELLE
(looking down at the dead barbarian)
So who’s the Barbarian?
PRINCESS ARIEA
Now and then, for what ever spur of the
moment foolish deed, decision, or deal with
the Gods, someone like him is sucked into this
place, or sent. Those that I have encountered
have been sent by Ares to persuade me...
XENA
Well, we have but one chance to get
out of here before this garden disappears
for another hundred years. You’re protected
by Ares but we’re not. We have until dusk
to find a way out.
XENA
Has the Keeper ever given you any hints?
PRINCESS ARIEA
The Keeper of the Gates? Her words upon
my ears were silence by Ares. All I ever
heard was her speak her own name and then
silence. I was deaf and blind to her.
GABRIELLE
Well, she’s been giving us hints that
don’t make sense. Xena was given the
Sword of Perseus and the Keeper said that
we’d have to find the one that the sword
can see, whose blade will cut and set us
free.
|
There is a whizzing sound of an incoming arrow. Princess
Ariea leaps through the air and Xena catches her in her arms
as the arrow enters Ariea’s back. Princess Ariea grunts in
pain.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
What a bitch... The beast is near.
|
Xena reaches to touch the arrow embedded in Princess Ariea’s
back.
PRINCESS AIREA
No! That of which is hers carries her
damnation. You touch it and you’ll
turn to stone.
GABRIELLE
What are we to do? Let you bleed to death?
PRINCESS ARIEA
I can be hurt, but I cannot die... at least
not by the hands of the Gorgons. You must go.
Now.
|
Princess Ariea grits her teeth as she breaks the arrow that
protrudes from her shoulder. She screams in pain. She pulls
the other piece out of her back. She walks to a tree and
slides down to a sitting position.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
(as her eyes close)
Go. I will be asleep until my body heals
itself. It’s not the first arrow....
|
Xena and Gabrielle drag Princess Ariea deeper within the
trees.
1st GORGON
(sniffing the air)
I smell them, two of them.
2ND GORGON
We will hunt and they will run,
but hope will be no more with the setting
of the sun.
|
Xena and Gabrielle run in the opposite direction of the
voices.
ACT V
GARDEN OF THE GORGONS - DAY
| XENA
Find the one that the sword can see. Hmmm.
We are the wielders of the sword, and the sword
can only see what we can see. Its blade can only
cut what our eyes can behold. Gabrielle, it’s
not the Gorgon’s head that we’re after. It’s
something else. Something much more obvious.
KEEPER
(appears sighing)
All this appearing and re-appearing is getting
me air sick.
GABRIELLE
You know, that must feel like seasickness. Boat
rocking back and forth, your stomach churning
like...
KEEPER
(turning to Xena)
My condolences. You must suffer a great deal to
put up with the likes of her.
XENA
We figured out the last riddle. So what’s the
next one.
KEEPER
(rolling her eyes and peering at Gabrielle)
I’ll be back. I have make sure that my riddle
rhymes.
GABRIELLE
Wait! I was just kidding. You don’t have to
rhyme.
(Voice drops)
Great, an apparition with
an attitude.
XENA
We’re missing something, Gabrielle. Something so
simple that only a fool would find it.
GABRIELLE
Xena, if you haven’t noticed, Joxer isn’t
available.
KEEPER
(reappearing)
Upon the last, I think you’ll see,
the color in this garden that will set you free.
|
The Keeper grins as she peers over to Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
(shaking her head)
Better, but a bit repetitious aren’t you?
XENA
(angered)
Gabrielle!
KEEPER
(as she disappears)
After you’ve turned to stone, if you’re that
lucky, I’m going to bury you upside-down in the
garden, with your feet sticking out, so I won’t
have to see your face, which would remind me of
your aggravating voice!
XENA
Great, now you’ve gotten us on her bad side.
GABRIELLE
Xena, she doesn’t have a good side.
XENA
Point taken. Now let’s put our heads together and
figure this out.
GABRIELLE
Upon the last I think you’ll see,
the color in this garden that will set you free.
|
Gabrielle gasps and turns to the roses.
| GABRIELLE
Oh no. Xena. It’s all a lie. The riddles. They
all lead back to those forsaken roses. The only
way to freedom is to choose they way we want
to die, before the Gorgon gets to us.
|
ACT VI
GARDEN OF THE GORGONS -DAY
Xena leans against a tree, thinking.
GABRIELLE
We’re really going to die. Xena at least I get the
chance to say goodbye. (monotone) Ha, I just made a rhyme. Die - good-bye.
XENA
Gabrielle, we’re not dead yet. Now be quiet. The
Keeper has given us all of the riddles. Each one
contains something that equals the final answer
that we’re looking for.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, death.
|
| ARES
(appears, looking at dead warrior)
They’re damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.
Fools for accepting the deal and fools if they
don’t. Godhood could be such a sweet thing.
XENA
There is nothing enticing about controlling mortal
fates, twisting lives to suit your own petty wants,
Ares.
ARES
Don’t knock it till you try it, Xena. You would make
a great God.
XENA
What do you want, Ares?
ARES
Xena, Xena, Xena. All of this time, I’ve been
pitting my best warriors against you, and all it took
was a bumbling fool.
XENA
If you came to gloat, Ares, do it and go!
ARES
Xena, you’re not fighting a warrior this time; you’re
not even fighting the God of War. You’re fighting
fate and it is inevitable.
XENA
Like I said, what do you want, Ares?
ARES
Must you even ask? What I’ve always wanted.
Join me, and I’ll take you out of this forsaken
place.
|
Xena looks to Gabrielle.
ARES
I still don’t know what you see in her, but hey, to
each his own. I’ll take you both out.
GABRIELLE
And what about Joxer?
ARES
(laughing)
The fool that led you here? His existence has no
bearing in this world. If he lives or dies, it
doesn’t make a bit of difference to anyone, or
anything. As a matter of fact, I would think that
you would want to rid yourselves of him. Have you
noticed that every time he’s around, you end up in a
situation like this? You know, if he’s good for
anything, it’s the amusement that he gives the Gods
by his foolish hindrance upon mortals.
GABRIELLE
Maybe he means nothing to you, Ares, but he has
something that you will never have.
ARES
And what’s that? Ultimate stupidity?
GABRIELLE
Joxer has us. We love him and care about him.
ARES
You didn’t love him when he led you here.
What was that about jumping on his chest? Xena,
time is of the essence. What will it be? The
Gorgons, or me?
XENA
(turning to Gabrielle)
Gabrielle, do you know what this would mean?
ARES
It would mean leading my army, where you belong!
It would mean power and fear... and being where
you once were. On top of the world, where your name
was spoken of as if you were a God.
XENA
Power through fear...It would mean killing, shedding
of innocent blood.
ARES
Only for those that defy you. You are the shepherd
and they are the flock. You lead; they follow.
It’s as simple as that.
XENA
When it comes to you Ares, nothing is as simple as
that.
ARES
Well, now that you mention it, I expect that when
you’re not at war or pillaging some helpless
village, that you join me for some, rest and
relaxation, if you know what I mean.
GABRIELLE
(angered)
Maybe it would be better to choose our own fates.
After all, the God of War is hardly known for
keeping his word.
ARES
Oh, I will take you out of here, if Xena
accepts my offer. I’ll even throw in the idiot,
if it sweetens the offer. What’ll it be, Xena?
XENA
Gabrielle, saving you is more important to me than
saving myself.
ARES
Come on. It’s not like you have a choice here. Soon,
it will be day’s end. You can either turn to stone,
lose your souls, or accept my offer.
XENA
You know the answer, don’t you Ares? You know the
answer to these riddles.
ARES
(looking to the roses, then Xena)
Beautiful to look at, forbidden to hold,
Having so many truths, left untold.
They remind me of you, in so many ways,
By Zeus, how long I’ve waited and counted the days.
Not by a warrior, but by a fool you were delivered
unto me,
At last you’re mine, no fight, no trickery.
GABRIELLE
What is it with this place? Everybody’s a poet.
ARES
Come one, Xena. Wake up and smell the roses. It’s
obvious that you have but one chance, here. Join
me. One chance, no matter how dark it may seem.
XENA
That’s it! One dark chance. The roses!
|
Ares frowns.
XENA
No deal, Ares! It’s going to take more that a Gorgon
for me to join you.
ARES
(as he disappears)
Well, my sweet, it was nice knowing you.
GABRIELLE
Xena, you could have tricked him like you’ve done
before. He was our only way out.
XENA
Gabrielle, the Keeper said, ‘Upon the last, I think
you’ll see, the color in this garden that will set
you free.’
GABRIELLE
(frowning)
Pick your poison, right, Choose between facing the
Gorgons or the several different ways to die that
the roses can give us.
XENA
I think that the last means the only one. Upon the
last, we can see the rose in the garden that will
set us free. Black is the sacred color of she
but to be cut by one, death will come instantly.
The thorns prick, not cut. The black rose is the
only one of its kind in the garden... so obvious at
the entrance.
GABRIELLE
Maybe you’re right, Xena. The black rose
brings instant death, not just to mortals but to the
Gorgon.
XENA
She cried out when you bashed it with your staff.
GABRIELLE
(gripping her staff)
Let’s go whack it a couple more times to be sure.
XENA
(thinking-nodding)
That’s it. The sword was never meant for the
Gorgon’s head. It was meant for that one black
rose. The sword can only swing at a mark
that it can see. That’s why it’s so sacred to her.
It is as immortal as the Gorgon and she suffers the
same fate as the roses. And all this time, it was
right under our noses.
GABRIELLE
Hey, you just made a rhyme. Roses, noses.
|
Keeper appears wearing a bib with food stains on it. She
frowns.
| KEEPER
You’ve figured out the riddles, now be quick from
this place,
For the Gorgon has gone to guard the rose, with
her ugly face.
GABRIELLE
How’d she know that we figured the out riddle?
KEEPER
A little bird told her, so she can finish eating in
peace! These constant interruptions are annoying
me.
XENA
(begins to run)
Come on, Gabrielle. We have to get to that rose!
And the sun is about to set.
|
They can hear the Gorgons talking.
1ST FACE
This is all your fault. All you want to do is sleep.
If you’d gotten your lazy carcass up when the petals
were plucked, they’d never have gotten this far.
2ND FACE
How was I supposed to know that there were three
of them?
1ST FACE
Like I said, if you had gotten your lazy carcass
up.
2ND FACE
All you ever do is complain. I should have been
the only one to have a mouth.
1ST FACE
At least, my scenery all day isn’t my backside.
2ND FACE
Look, the sun is about to set. They will never
get to the rose, even if they try. We’re either
going to have three more statues, or three more
roses spring up in the garden, so don’t get your
scales in a bind, sister.
GABRIELLE
Xena, did you hear that? These roses are the souls
of their victims, if they’re not turned to stone.
So many of them. We’re doomed.
1ST FACE
Little pigs, little pigs, please come near,
2ND FACE
Look at our faces and the snakes of our hair,
1ST FACE
Lose your soul or be you stone,
2ND FACE
Your time has run out and you’re all alone.
1ST FACE
The riddles you’ve solved and freedom is the rose,
2ND FACE
But how will you cut it, when it lays at our toes?
|
Gorgons begin to laugh.
| 1ST FACE
Tick, tock, tick tock.
XENA
I’m going to go out there Gabrielle. At least you’ll
have a chance if I can get to that rose.
GABRIELLE
No, Xena. I can’t let you that. I could never live
with myself knowing that you sacrificed your life
while I stood by. We do this together.
|
Keeper appears
GABRIELLE
How was dinner? You big rat.
KEEPER
(to Xena)
Never have I met a fool so intelligent, tantalizing
and brave,
Perhaps this once, a soul I can save,
But my every word shall come at a price,
all you have to do my pretty, is be extremely nice.
Comply with my wish and your reward shall be,
warrior by my side, this garden, forever yours to
oversee.
KEEPER
(to Gabrielle)
Hit the road, Blondie, or should I say the roses.
XENA
I think that you’ve been here a tad bit too
long. Stick to your riddles.
KEEPER
Have it your way. I think that I’ll put you, right
over there when the Gorgon turns you into stone.
GABRIELLE
Xena! What are you doing?
|
Gabrielle runs over to Xena and begins to whisper:
| GABRIELLE
Xena, we’re at the end. Save yourself. Tell her how
beautiful she is; how creative her riddles are, be
nice.
XENA
I don’t think that she means nice in that way,
Gabrielle and besides, it’s like what you said.
We’re in this together.
XENA
(to Keeper)
Nice try, Ares.
|
Keeper transforms into Ares.
ARES
(shaking his head)
By Zeus you’re still so good! What gave me
away?
XENA
(curling her lips)
That insatiable look in your eyes and the fact
that the Keeper couldn’t rhyme to save her
existence.
ARES
(as he disappears)
I’m really going to miss you, Xena.
|
All of a sudden, they hear kissing and the Gorgons crying
out.
Joxer is sleepwalking and dreams that he is kissing
Gabrielle, but is trying to kiss the Gorgons.
The Gorgons begins to run, never having been accosted before
by a mortal, especially one who attempted to kiss them, who
did not turn to stone as their face met hers.
Xena springs over to the rose and chops it at the stem until
it separates and falls to the ground.
Lightening ignites in the sky. Perseus’ sword leaves Xena’s
hand and imbeds itself in the Gorgons’ chest. She screams
out and turns into dust. Each rose begins to vaporize and
form into a person, their souls having been set free from
within the roses. The look to Xena in appreciation and
disappear.
KEEPER
The garden is no more, and again shall never
be,
so leave this place and take with you, this fool
that kissed himself free.
GABRIELLE
(to Keeper)
What was it you were saying about burying me
up side down?
KEEPER
(shaking her head, looking over to Xena)
Again, my condolences. (Keeper disappeares)
|
The scenery transforms into the forest that they had been in
before entering the garden.
Princess Ariea walks from within the trees.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
(softly)
I’m free, finally free.
JOXER
(standing and stretching- looking around)
Hmmm, I could have sworn that I fell
asleep in a bed of roses.
GABRIELLE:
And I bet that you just had the most wonderful
dream.
JOXER
Now that you mention yeah. I dreamed that
I was kissing... uhm.. You know, that type of
dream.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, the type where you were kissing
a Gorgon?
JOXER
Yeah, right. I mean no! You’re not a Gorgon...
Oooops.
XENA
Actually, Joxer, you were kissing Medusa’s
sisters.
JOXER
You guys...
|
Joxer realizes the seriousness in Xena and Gabrielle’s stare
and begins to rub his lips harshly and spits.
| JOXER
If that’s true, then where are they?
XENA
You kept them occupied long enough for me
to get to the black rose.
JOXER
I think that I’m missing something here.
GABRIELLE
(as she passes Joxer)
Joxer, you’re always missing something, like
a few Denars up there (She pokes the side of his
head)
JOXER
Will someone fill me in. I’m lost here.
XENA
(as she passes by Joxer)
As usual.
|
ACT VII
FOREST - DAY
Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, and Princess Ariea walk through the
forest.
GABRIELLE
Joxer, Joxer, pudd’n and pie,
kissed the Gorgons and made them cry.
JOXER
Oh yeah. Well, Very funny, Gabrielle.
(sniffing) Hmmm? What’s that order that I smell.
XENA
Joxer had an accident earlier today,
when from the mean old warrior, he ran away.
|
Laughter fills the forest. Joxer peers behind to Princess
Ariea who is lost in her thoughts.
| JOXER
What’s with the her?
XENA
Nothing that we can’t fix.
|
CUT TO
DANTE KINGDOM - DAY
| XENA
(to princess Ariea)
I’m just making sure that it’s safe for you,
that’s all. A lot has happened in five years.
PRINCESS ARIEA
I can take care of myself. Besides, there is no
soldier or subject of this kingdom, that would
deny me entrance.
XENA
And what of your brother who is now king?
Do you think that he’ll just step down after
having tasted the throne?
PRINCESS ARIEA
My brother is hardly a fighter. He cared not
of our kingdom or our people. Only the
comfort and luxury that was offered him
by royal blood. He was heir to the thrown
until my father decided otherwise.
GABRIELLE
All the more reason for Xena to made sure
that it’s safe for you.
PRINCESS ARIEA
(looking around)
It does feel strange here. I do not see the
prosperity in our land. Where the surrounding
villages were plentiful, it is now barren. I do
not hear the children’s laughter or the maiden’s
song from the falls.
XENA
Your brother has taxed your people into
poverty... What used to be your army are now
just enforcers of your brother’s every whim. The
water from the falls is no longer free. Even it
comes at a price to your people. Some have
abandoned your land, but many have stayed, praying
to the Gods for your return.
PRINCESS ARIEA
(angered)
I’m coming with you.
XENA
No. When I’m sure that it’s safe, I’ll give a
signal.
PRINCESS ARIEA
Am I to hide like a frightened rat in my own
kingdom from a brother that has reaped my people
of that of which they created?
XENA
No. You are a great warrior but you would
make an even better queen.
PRINCESS ARIEA
This is my kingdom and I will do as I please.
GABRIELLE
It’s also your life that we’re taking about,
and the future of your people.
|
Gabrielle, Joxer and Princess Ariea peer through the brush
as Xena approaches the guards at the entrance of the Dante
Castle.
| XENA
I’d like to see King Dante.
1ST GUARD
And I’d like... you.
|
Xena backhands the 1st Guard and knocks him out.
| XENA
(to second guard)
As I was saying, I’d like to see King Dante.
2ND GUARD
(drawing his sword)
The only thing that you’re going to see
is Tartarus
XENA
(shaking her head)
They never learn.
|
As the guard thrusts his sword, Xena grabs it and takes it
away from him. Xena collars the guards and pushes him into
the castle wall.
| XENA
Why is it so quiet? And why just two men at
the castle entrance.
2ND GUARD
The king and his friends are having a...party.
XENA
It’s mid-day.
2ND GUARD
Every day. He uses the soldiers still loyal to
Princess Ariea as personal servants and those loyal
to him are allowed to feast at his parties. Many of
the people work for scraps in the castle or in the
fields, drawing water, anything for food. Hoping
where hope has already died for the return of the
deliverer of our kingdom. She that bears the crest
upon her chest.
XENA
And are you loyal to the new king?
2ND GUARD
Never. He has brought us misery and poverty.
We once flourished like the roots of the
trees near the river’s edge. Now, we thirst;
we hunger. His taxes continue grow with his
desires for luxury.
|
Xena turns and whistles.
Gabrielle, Joxer and Princess Ariea approach the Xena and
the 2nd guard. The guard becomes confused as he looks at the
princess.
| 2ND GUARD
It cannot be. Is it truly you?
|
The guard’s eyes fall to the Dante crest that hangs from the
chain on Princess Ariea’s neck. He falls to his knees and
bows his head.
| 2ND GUARD
Thank the Gods.
PRINCESS ARIEA
No. Not the Gods. Xena... Rise Soldier.
2ND GUARD
We have bled and wept your name in our misery
for so long... my queen.
PRINCESS ARIEA
I am not your queen. Where is my father?
2ND GUARD
He has been in the royal chambers. Rarely seen.
I have always made sure that he is kept well.
Your brother has little patience with that of
which he considers to be a nuisance.
|
CUT TO
INSIDE OF CASTLE - DAY
Party is underway. Drunken soldiers litter the floors.
A feast is on the table. Poorly dressed and tired commoners
clean and serve. The huge doors to the hall swing open.
Xena, Princess Ariea, Gabrielle, Joxer and Guards 1 and 2
enter. Music stops and all eyes focus on the group.
| PRINCE LYCOS
Party crashers. Do you know what we do with
those uninvited to our parties?
|
Princess Ariea steps forward from the group and looks
around.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
What have to you done to our kingdom and
our people... Brother.
PRINCE LYCOS
Brother?
|
Prince Lycos realizes that his sister, the true heir to the
throne has returned.
| PRINCE LYCOS
Impostor! Kill them all!
|
As they fight the soldiers within the castle, one by one the
servants recognize and begin to help to Princess Ariea.
Soon, Prince Lycos stands alone with a few guards.
| PRINCE LYCOS
Well, don’t just stand there! Get them!
1ST SOLDIER
(shoving Prince Lycos aside)
Get them yourself, you big wimp.
2ND SOLDIER
(dropping his sword)
We stopped being soldiers and protectors
of this kingdom when you took the throne.
You were never meant to be king.
PRINCE LYCOS
But I made you fruitful! I gave you luxury.
3RD SOLDIER
(throwing his sword at Lycos’ feet)
At the cost of having our families go
hungry... I steal bread from you lavish
table to feed my children.
PRINCESS ARIEA
Step down, Lycos, and leave my kingdom.
|
Princess Ariea’s Father appears from the top of the balcony,
looking down into the great hall.
| ARIEA’S FATHER
No one exiles my son from the throne!
|
ACT VIII
INSIDE DANTE’S CASTLE - DAY
Everyone looks up to the retired King.
| PRINCE LYCOS
(surprised)
That’s right. No one expels me! Tell
them father.
RETIRED KING DANTE
No one expels my son, but me.
PRINCE LYCOS
But, Father.
RETIRED KING DANTE
Your fate Lycos, will be determined by the
true heir to the throne. Kneel to your queen.
PRINCE LYCOS
Never!
PRINCESS ARIEA
Guards, take Prince Lycos to every door within
this kingdom and have him tell our people that
their true King has reclaimed his throne and all
within our kingdom is as it was before Lycos.
|
Three guards seize Prince Lycos.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
Oh, and let them know that tomorrow night we shall
have a feast for which they are all invited...and
we’ll be having a royal servant to satisfy their
needs.
PRINCE LYCOS
Father, stop this madness, please! She can’t make
me do this!
KING LYCOS
Do what, son? What you have been doing for the
past two years to our people? Now go, before
you become the royal water boy. The rest of your
punishment will be decided in due time.
|
Princess Ariea runs up the steps and hugs her father before
a cheering crowd below them.
CUT TO:
OUTSIDE OF THE CASTLE - DAY
| PRINCESS ARIEA
Xena, none of this would have been possible
if it wasn’t for you and Gabrielle.
|
Gabrielle nudges Xena.
| GABRIELLE
Did you hear that? She actually said, and
Gabrielle. Someone has finally acknowledged
my participation in a heroic deed.
|
Joxer clears his throat several times.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
And Joxer, I thank you for your role, whatever
it was, in my freedom and the restoration of my
kingdom.
JOXER
Don’t mention it. You know, they don’t call me
Joxer the....
PRINCESS AREIA
(cutting Joxer off)
Anyway, I will be forever grateful to all of
you.
|
Princess Ariea walks over to Gabrielle and hugs her. She
kisses Gabrielle on the cheek. Gabrielle’s eyes widen.
Princess Ariea then walks over to Xena and shakes her hand
firmly. She stares into Xena’s eyes and Xena stares back at
her. They both acknowledge the past.
| PRINCESS ARIEA
The past is done. It has died with this
hand shake and should you ever need anything,
anything at all, just send word and I will
be there.
XENA
And if you ever need me...
(Xena peers over to Gabrielle)
us, we’ll there, Princess.
PRINCESS ARIEA
Xena, if anyone has earned the right
call me as equal, it is you. So please
call me Ariea.
|
Gabrielle’s mouth opens as she looks at Xena and Princess
Ariea. It is as if a bond has formed between them in that
handshake.
| GABRIELLE
Well, Ariea....
GUARD
(standing with Princess Ariea)
That privilege, Little One, was extended
only to Xena.
GABRIELLE
(mimicking the guard)
That privilege was only extended to Xena.
What’s new?
|
Ariea looks to the ground and releases her grip on Xena’s
hand but Xena does not let go. Princess Ariea looks back
into Xena’s eyes. They both nod and break the handshake.
As Xena, Argo, Gabrielle and Joxer walk away in the distance
from the castle.
| GABRIELLE
Xena, what was that staring thing about?
XENA
What staring thing?
GABRIELLE
Not that selective memory lapse again.
Words were being said in that stare. I
just wanted to know if it was a warrior
princess kind of stare. After after all,
you both are warrior princesses.
XENA
And you’re an Amazon Princess.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, but I don’t lock eyes with the
Amazons like that.
XENA
You wouldn’t understand.
GABRIELLE
Try me.
XENA
(Exhaling)
Once in a lifetime, Gabrielle, if you’re that
lucky, you change someone’s life, or they
change yours in a way that’s infinite. Any you
would do anything at any time and any where for
them, just because they’ve asked. It was an
acknowledgment of an eternal debt.
GABRIELLE
From Princess Ariea?
XENA
From both of us.
GABRIELLE
(frowning)
But you were the one that saved her life.
Her kingdom.
XENA
Yes, this time. But she saved mine long ago.
It was a debt that I only acknowledged in that
forsaken garden.
GABRIELLE
And what do you call the many times that I’ve
saved you? Chopped hydra? You don’t look into
my eyes acknowledging that eternal debt.
|
Xena grabs Gabrielle and spins her towards her, looking into
Gabrielle’s eyes.
| XENA
Ariea was the second to have changed my life,
and save it as well; you were the first.
GABRIELLE
(frowning)
But, Xena, what happened between you two
was way before you met me.
XENA
Any was only acknowledged by me two days ago.
GABRIELLE
(smiling)
I love being first.
JOXER
(clearing his throat)
Xena, remember the time that... uhmmmm,
remember when...
GABRIELLE
Joxer, remember this!
|
Gabrielle turns and punches Joxer in the nose.
Joxer cries out.
| JOXER
(covering his nose)
Yeah. I remember that, when we first met.
And it hurts just as bad.
GABRIELLE
(grabbing Joxer by his ear)
Next time you get the urge to scrape a bird
off of a warrior’s boot, which is still
attached to his foot, just think of the pain,
remember the pain, remember...Gabrielle.
XENA
(inhaling deeply)
Ahhh, just like old times.
|
Xena turns and looks at the castle one last time and is
surprised to see Princess Ariea standing in the same place
looking at them as they make their way out of the Dante
Kingdom. Xena stops and looks at Gabrielle and then Princess
Ariea, who is still in her soldier’s attire.
Joxer has ran far ahead, escaping from Gabrielle. Gabrielle,
smiling turns to see Xena looking at Princess Ariea who has
not yet returned to the castle. Gabrielle frowns, as she
waits on Xena. She sees Princess Ariea make a step towards
Xena when King Dante places a hand on her shoulder. Princess
Ariea turns and walks away with her father, peering over her
shoulder in Xena’s direction. Xena exhales.
| GABRIELLE
Xena?
XENA
Gabrielle, there’s something deep within about
Ariea that I can’t quite put my finger on. A
feeling that we’re closer than we appear to be.
|
Gabrielle hangs her head.
| XENA
It’s a lost feeling. Like the way I feel when
I think about Lycious.
|
Gabrielle exhales a sigh of relief.
| GABRIELLE
Do you think it’s possible that she’s related
to you?
XENA
No. I don’t think so. I guess that it’s just
me. Grateful that she spared my life so long
ago and the regret that I never acknowledged
it.
GABRIELLE
OK. Now that’s over with, let’s go terrorize
Joxer. It’s kind of fun.
XENA
Gabrielle, we don’t need to do that. He does
it to himself all on his own... I say that we
go fishing.
|
END
|
Convert this page to Pilot DOC Format