Episode Guide Teaser Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4

ACT FOUR

 

FADE IN:

 

INT. TRIBAL HUT - NIGHT

 

Xena is seated against the wall on a chair, legs crossed and clearly  pissed off.  Gabrielle is seated at a long table with several members of both factions of the tribe.

 

GABRIELLE

So what you’re telling me is basically, if

Xena and I get married, she will share

the rank of Queen and everyone will

have no choice but to follow her?

 

 

ADELIA

Yes.

 

GABRIELLE

How stupid is that?

 

Gabrielle looks to Xena who rolls her eyes and looks to the ceiling. Xena is still clearly upset this has been mentioned.

 

ADELIA

It will solve the problems.

 

GABRIELLE

And forcing Xena into something

she doesn’t want? What about

that? How is that right?

 

ADELIA

It will allow you both to lead us.

 

GABRIELLE

Ah yeah, the greater good.

 

Gabrielle stands and leans on the table, staring down anyone who has the courage to look at her.

 

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

You know what? I think this is the most

ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life.

Xena should not be forced into this because

half of you are too damn stubborn or too plain

stupid to do what is best for the tribe.

(pointing to Xena)

That woman is first and foremost my

best friend and I won’t make her do

something like this to mollify you.

 

Gabrielle turns, angry and leaves the hut. Xena watches her go, touched and surprised by her words.

 

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. TEMPLE - NIGHT

 

Xena enters the old temple. It’s clear it hasn’t been used in many years, probably since the twilight. She looks up through holes in the ceiling and watches stars cross the sky. Then she moves to the altar and feels around the edge until she releases a lever and slides the top away. She reaches inside feeling for something and obviously frustrated that it’s not there.

 

Adelia moves from the shadows, holding up a cloth bundle.

 

ADELIA

Looking for these?

 

XENA

Give them to me.

 

 

ADELIA

I can’t do that Xena. You know they are

one of the last true Amazon relics.

They’ve been with the tribe since the

beginning, waiting for their rightful owners.

 

XENA

That is a very old legend, Adelia.

There is nothing to prove it.

 

ADELIA

Really?

 

The old woman moves to the altar and places the bundle on it, unrolling it. Inside there are two ceremonial knives. She holds up a bone-handled dagger with intricate carvings.

 

ADELIA

This was Nicia’s, given to her by

Aurelius, just before she left.

 

She picks up the other one and they seem to be drawn to each other.

 

ADELIA

(Cont’d)

And this was his, taken from his body by

Nicia when she found it in the ruins.  She

tried to save them. She tried to get the

Amazons there in time to defend the

city. She knew he was in danger.

 

XENA

Old legend that has no place in fact.

There is no evidence to support

the legend of the bonding.

 

 

ADELIA

Then why did you come for them?

 

XENA

So that you wouldn’t give them to Gabrielle.

She has enough problems without

your adding to it with old stories.

 

Adelia smiles at Xena as she carefully wraps the knives back up.

 

ADELIA

She is an Amazon Queen.

She can handle a little history.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. FOREST - NIGHT

 

Gabrielle is out walking alone in the forest. She is listening to the sounds around her and seems to be contemplating on them. She stops for a moment and looks up into the trees.

 

GABRIELLE

All right, you three. Don’t get

cocky just because you passed

your Rites. Get down here.

 

 

Esme, Dori and Jinx drop from the trees. They’re all smiling and wearing the tribal leathers that signify adult members of the tribe.

 

ESME

We’re never going to get

one over on you, are we?

 

GABRIELLE

Never.

 

JINX

We just wanted to tell you. Well, we’ll

follow you and Xena anywhere.

 

She looks to her sisters, who are nodding their agreement, and then she shrugs.

 

JINX

(Cont’d)

I mean I know we’re not much, but….

 

GABRIELLE

(smiling)

You are so very much. You are what will

keep this tribe strong and healthy. You are

the beginning, without you there is nothing

to try and save. You are true Amazons.

 

 

The girls beam under their Queen’s compliment. And they fall in beside her trying to match her stride.

 

DORI

Can we walk with you?

 

ESME

I don’t think Xena would be happy

that you’re out here by yourself.

 

GABRIELLE

I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself,

but I’d be happy to let you walk with me.

 

ESME

So will you join with Xena?

 

GABRIELLE

No.

 

JINX

Why not?

 

GABRIELLE

Because that’s not Xena’s style.

She’s not the joining type. We have

a good relationship the way it is.

 

 

ESME

What about you? What do you want?

 

GABRIELLE

(laughing nervously)

It’s not about what I want. It’s

about what the Amazons need.

 

DORI

They need you and Xena to lead

them. The only way you can

do that is to join with her.

 

Gabrielle sighs and shakes her head.

 

GABRIELLE

Xena and I have always done what we

needed to do for the greater good, but

forcing her to do this is crossing the

line. I have to find another way.

 

She looks to a clearing in the forest and smiles at the girls.

 

GABRIELLE

(Cont’d)

Head back to the village.

I’ll be back soon.

 

 

JINX

You sure?

 

GABRIELLE

Absolutely.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. FOREST - NIGHT

 

Gabrielle is seated in the clearing with a small fire burning. Her eyes are closed and she is clearing meditating. Slowly she opens her eyes. Ephiny is seated across from her.

 

EPHINY

Hello.

 

GABRIELLE

Hi.

 

EPHINY

Quite a mess huh?

 

 

GABRIELLE

Yeah. Ephiny, Xena

made you a promise….

 

EPHINY

Yes, she did.

 

GABRIELLE

But I didn’t. I can’t ask her to do

this just because they won’t listen.

 

EPHINY

You’re thinking of leading those who

will follow and leaving the other behind?

 

GABRIELLE

I don’t think there is an option. Those

who want to leave will be taken to

a safe place. Those who don’t….

 

EPHINY

Will die.

 

GABRIELLE

I’m sorry.

 

 

FADE OUT.

 

END ACT FOUR

 

TAG

 

FADE IN:

 

INT. HUT - NIGHT

 

Gabrielle is up at a table. She’s leaning her head in the palm of her hand and drawing shapes on the table with her finger. Xena comes in, sees her and slowly closes the door. She moves across the room and kneels down by her chair, gently running her fingers through Gabrielle’s hair.

 

XENA

Not a banner day huh?

 

 

GABRIELLE

Not really.

 

XENA

I’m sorry.

 

Gabrielle turns to Xena and smiles, leaning in and kissing her on the tip of the nose.

 

GABRIELLE

So am I.  I’m sorry that they

bought up that stupid ritual.

 

XENA

It’s not a stupid ritual.

 

GABRIELLE

Okay, it’s not stupid for them.

 

XENA

Is it stupid for us?

 

GABRIELLE

Yes.

 

 

XENA

Why?

 

GABRIELLE

(chuckling)

Like you’d join with me just because

we need to move Amazons.

 

XENA

No, but I’d join with you

because I love you.

 

Xena takes both of Gabrielle’s hands in her own.

 

XENA

(Cont’d)

Join with me.

 

 

FADE OUT.

 

 

DISCLAIMER

No amazons were actually hurt during the making of this motion picture.
Gabrielle just used the bruised knee thing to get a little sympathy from Xena.

 

 

TO BE CONTINUED....