ACT TWO

 

FADE IN:

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Xena is walking with Orcin through the village. She scratches her head and stops walking, forcing him to stop and turn to her.

XENA

Let me get this straight. These

Mountain people took Gabrielle

so that they can wage war on you

and take this ‘power source’?

ORCIN

Yes. They need a warrior.

XENA

Gabrielle won’t fight for them.

She’s not that kind of a warrior.

ORCIN

She won’t have a choice, Warrior.

XENA

Of course she will.

Orcin just sighs and shakes his head.

ORCIN

You do not have all the answers to

a problem that you don’t understand.

XENA

No, but I know Gabrielle and

she will not fight for them.

ORCIN

Come with me.

XENA

Look I’m really running out of....

ORCIN

Patience, Warrior.

XENA

Gods!

She looks to the heavens in frustration as Orcin slowly walks into the woods.

CUT TO:

EXT. TEMPLE - DAY

Orcin stops at the steps of the temple and gestures to it.

ORCIN

This is the root of the problem.

XENA

An old temple?

ORCIN

It is not an ordinary temple. Not

like the ones you had for your

multi-gods. This temple has

been here since before even

them. This structure has been

standing since the beginning

of time, in one place or another.

XENA

You have a mobile temple?

Interesting.

ORCIN

Not any longer. You see, there is a power

source inside the temple that gave my

kind the resources we needed to move

from place to place. But many years ago

there was an accident that broke it. It still

has great power, but not enough that we

can move. However, there was a conflict

between the people of our one clan over

this power source. Silver wanted to use

it to explore and change this world.

XENA

And you didn’t?

ORCIN

It is forbidden. We may only

observe. Never interfere.

XENA

So the tribe split into two clans

and you’ve been at war

over this thing since?

ORCIN

No, as you can probably tell, my kind is

very mild mannered. We have no desire

for war. We would happily take them

back if they agreed to live in peace

with us here. But over time they have

become more aggressive.  They want

conquest and they want the power source.

They would only allow those of us who

can have kinder to live. The others that

are too old will be slaughtered.

XENA

Then how do you keep them from

coming in here and taking it? It sounds

like they could wipe you off the map.

ORCIN

Ah well, Warrior.  We have defenses,

you see.  Just not with iron

and wooden weapons.

XENA

Ah, I get it now.  Parlor tricks

like the Gods used.

ORCIN

If it makes you happy to think of

it that way, yes. But I assure you

that our powers are significant.

XENA

I’m sure they are. So you’ve been

holding them off with hocus-pocus

and they need Gabrielle to

come down here and break

through the defenses.

ORCIN

Something like that, yes.

XENA

And once she gets in, they

follow and then scorch and burn.

ORCIN

Yes.

(beat)

So now we need a warrior

who can beat their warrior.

XENA

I can’t fight Gabrielle.

ORCIN

You must.

CUT TO:

INT. THRONE ROOM - DAY

Gabrielle is looking in another mirror... this one a full-length mirror. Her reflection shows her clothes that feel foreign to her but she can’t put her finger on why. Long pants are tucked neatly into high black boots. Thighs are covered in a light plate mail that extends down from her waist, protecting her all the way down. A long sword is hanging from her back, the hilt ready to be pulled from the right. A white blouse and tan vest with heavy black gloves complete the picture.

She shakes her head, wondering why it doesn’t feel right and not having the answer. She reaches for a golden goblet that is immediately to her left and sips from it, humming at the sweet wine. Ghin enters the room, hands tucked in the sleeves of his robe and a smile on his face.

GHIN

General?

GABRIELLE

Yes, Ghin?

GHIN

We trust that your meal

was satisfactory?

GABRIELLE

Yes, the rabbit was....

She has a flash of a roast rabbit on the spit.

GABRIELLE

(cont’d)

(slowly)

... one of the best...

I’ve ever... had.

GHIN

Then are you ready to

proceed to the war room?

GABRIELLE

Yes, of course. Lead the way.

CUT TO:

EXT. TEMPLE - DAY

Xena is sitting on the steps of the temple with her face in her hands running everything through her brain, which at this point hurts a lot. She scrubs her face and looks to Orcin, who appears to be levitating about an inch off the ground.  She is unimpressed.

XENA

That old trick.

Orcin only smiles.  He likes Xena even if he doesn’t know why.

ORCIN

Yes, I was resting.

XENA

Try a mattress.  Does

wonders for the back.

ORCIN

You’ve has similar training?

XENA

Two life times ago.

ORCIN

No, two life times ago, you

were a prince. Gabrielle

was a maid in your court.

XENA

Not my princess?

ORCIN

But she was. You may have

married another, but she had

your heart. Then and now.

XENA

You know, I thought I

was imagining it.

ORCIN

You mean that feeling you get

when you look at each other and

just naturally know what the

other is thinking? When she is

missing you don’t feel complete.

XENA

You mean like now?

ORCIN

Very much like now.

XENA

Then I need to go get her.

ORCIN

You will, but you can’t go up

that mountain. They will kill you.

XENA

Ye of little faith.

Another smile lights Orcin’s wizened features.

ORCIN

You are quite the enigma, Warrior.

Great fierceness, combined with a

tenderness rarely seen in your kind.

XENA

My kind?

ORCIN

The warrior. It has been my

experience that warriors

become so good at what they

do they forget how to love.

XENA

I had, but that was a

gift Gabrielle gave me.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOUNTAIN - DAY

Gabrielle is standing on the ridge of the mountain looking down at the small village. She closes her eyes tight and rubs her forehead feeling something, but unable to put her finger on it.

GHIN

General? Are you all right?

GABRIELLE

I’m fine. I just keep hearing echoes

of someone calling my name.

GHIN

You’ve had a tiring day.

Perhaps you should return

to the fortress and rest.

GABRIELLE

No, I want to take a walk

and try to clear my head.

GHIN

No!

(beat)

I mean, it’s not safe. You

shouldn’t be out alone.

Gabrielle’s hand comes to rest on the hilt of her sword and she allows her fingers to drum it lightly.

GABRIELLE

I think I’ll be all right.

Ghin looks around hesitantly and finally nods.

GHIN

Very well, but please stay

close to the fortress.

GABRIELLE

I will.

CUT TO:

EXT. TEMPLE - DAY

Orcin is standing in front of Xena, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe.

ORCIN

Would you like to

see your partner?

XENA

That was a rhetorical

question, I hope.

ORCIN

Just checking.

He seems to chuckle as he hands Xena a small crystal from the folds of his robe. Xena looks at it, one brow arching.

XENA

You’re joking.

ORCIN

I never joke. Concentrate on

your partner and you will

be able to see her.

Taking the stone, Xena holds it in her hands, cupping it almost reverently since it is her only connection to Gabrielle at the moment. Inside the stone there seems to be a swirling blue smoke that clears to reveal an image of Gabrielle walking through a field of stones.

XENA

(softly)

Gabrielle....

CUT TO:

EXT. FIELD - DAY

Gabrielle stops and places both hands to the sides of her head as if in intense pain.

GABRIELLE

(softly)

Xena?

CUT TO:

EXT. TEMPLE - DAY

Xena is ecstatic that Gabrielle seems to have heard her and she is about to try again when the clouds start swirling and the image is gone. Jumping to her feet she puts her hand out, thrusting the crystal at Orcin.

XENA

Bring her back.

ORCIN

I can’t.

Xena’s eyes narrow.  She’s about at the end of her rope. Taking a deep breath she straightens.

XENA

Why not?

ORCIN

She is not my partner.

I have no power to

communicate with her.

FADE TO:

INT. WAR ROOM - EVENING

Gabrielle is sipping from a golden cup and looking at a map of the valley below. There is a fire in the hearth and despite its barren walls the room seems almost comfortable if not homey. Gabrielle’s finger taps the spot on the map that indicates the temple.

GABRIELLE

I wonder....

Getting up, she crosses the room and pulls the door open, yelling for her assistant.

GABRIELLE

Ghin!

As if by magic he appears at the end of the hallway and scurries toward her.

GHIN

Yes, General?

GABRIELLE

Explain to me one more time

in very clear terms why we

need to take this temple

from the Forest Clan.

GHIN

Many years ago we were one tribe.

There was a conflict over the power

source in the temple. Our people

wanted to destroy it to keep it from

becoming a threat to this land. In their

hands it is a very dangerous weapon.

They have been preparing spiritually

to use it. We must stop them. If we

don’t, this place will be a wasteland.

GABRIELLE

Then we don’t need to hurt them...

just destroy the power source?

GHIN

I wish it were that simple. They have

great power; they will try to keep us from

the temple. We must not let that happen.

GABRIELLE

There has to be a way.

GHIN

I’m afraid not.

GABRIELLE

It doesn’t feel right.

GHIN

Perhaps it is just nerves, General.

I’m sure all will be well one our

battle plan is in place.

GABRIELLE

Perhaps.

FADE TO:

INT. BED CHAMBER - NIGHT

Gabrielle is tossing and turning in bed.  Sleep is not coming easy. She finally throws back the covers and walks to the window. Unlatching the hook, she opens the shutters and looks out over the forest. She can see the lights from several small fires.

GABRIELLE

You’re down there, aren’t you?

Waiting for me. Who are you?

Why do I need you?

CUT TO:

INT. WAR ROOM - SAME TIME

Ghin and Nhif are standing near the map table, leaning on it as if they are completely exhausted.

GHIN

Her mind is stronger than we thought.

I am having a very difficult time keeping

the other out. Their bond is stronger than

simple consciousness of each other.

NHIF

I have never seen two together like

this. They are a part of each other.

GHIN

And even separately they are very

powerful. I can barely keep the Master

Warrior out. She is distressed over the tyro.

NHIF

This is more than a student-teacher bond.

This is about what they call love, hate,

desire, joy, pain, and all their other

emotions. This is a blending of their

very essence. How they have learned

to blend and balance it. One makes

up for the weaknesses in the other.

GHIN

How do we defeat this? If we

can’t control the tyro, we will

not succeed in this quest.

NHIF

We are in control of her; she is not

remembering anything of any value.

GHIN

But you agree that it is

getting harder to control her?

NHIF

Yes, their pull on each

other is strong.

GHIN

What we take from one

is replaced by the other.

NHIF

We cannot fail.

GHIN

We will not fail.

FADE TO:

EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT

Xena is lying on the ground looking up at the mountain and the barely visible visage of the fortress. She continues to stare with steely eyes, unblinking and unmoving. A mist starts to settle over the ground and her eyes slip shut.

FADE TO:

INT. BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT

Gabrielle finally lies back down and pulls the covers over her, holding them under her chin like a child frightened by the monsters that live in the closet. She stares at the ceiling as a mist floats through the window and as it settles in the room, her eyes slip shut.

FADE TO:

EXT. MIST - NIGHT

Xena is walking through a barren mist.  Her sword is in her hand as she cautiously moves further into the mist. Ahead of her, she sees a figure with its back turned. She continues to move forward. She stops suddenly when she realizes who the figure is.

XENA

Gabrielle?

Gabrielle turns and faces Xena. There is no recognition in her eyes as she draws her own sword.

GABRIELLE

Who are you?

XENA

Gabrielle, it’s me. Xena.

GABRIELLE

I don’t know you.

XENA

Yes, you do. We’ve been....

GABRIELLE

I said I don’t know you. Who

are you and where are we?

Xena takes a deep breath. She looks at the sword gripped in Gabrielle’s hand, knowing at the moment it may be a very real threat, but regardless she sheaths her own sword.

XENA

I don’t know where we are. But you have

to believe me when I tell you that you

do know me and we are friends.

GABRIELLE

Then tell me why I don’t remember

you. Trust me, if we knew each

other, I’d remember you.

XENA

I don’t know why.  We made camp two

days ago just inside the forest and

when I woke up you were gone.

I’ve been trying to find you ever since.

Gabrielle shakes her head, trying to clear it and thinking on the information she has just been given.

GABRIELLE

You’re the one.

XENA

What?

GABRIELLE

That’s been saying my name.

I can hear you in my head.

XENA

Yes, I’ve been trying to....

Before Xena can finish, the mist goes black.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE