Episode Guide | Teaser | Act 1 | Act 2 | Act 3 | Act 4 |
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
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