A battle rages in Thebes, between the armies of Argos and Thebes. Xena and Gabrielle are
there, helping in the fighting.
The two princes--one of Argos, one of Thebes (and identical twins, brothers) are fighting
against each other. There is hate and they kill each other. The princess Antigone comes out to
see her brothers dead, and is distraught by their deaths. Her uncle, Creon, is there to comfort
her as well but declares, now that the Argives have been driven from the city and many lie dead
in the streets, that a decree will go out that none of the enemies bodies, and the traitor of
Thebes--one of Antigone's brothers--will not be buried. This shocks Xena and Gabrielle.
While the city of Thebes celebrates it's victory over the enemy, Gabrielle tries to help
Antigone with her loss. She's a very head-strong girl, and does not like the fact that Thebes is
celebrating when they should be mourning the deaths of their princes, even if one of them had
sided with Argos.
Xena talks with Creon about his choice to leave the traitor unburied. She doesn't agree with
his decisions but he stands by them because he has to prove to his people that he is a good and
just king, that he stands up for them and protects them. He's only recently become King and he's
not used to it, being a person who loves reading more than warfare. But he will show his people
he is strong and capable even if he made a split second rash decision, he must stand by it.
During this, someone sneaks outside the city walls and buries the traitor prince right under
the guard's noses. When the guards come in to notify Creon of this, they show Creon a toy shovel
that was left at the dig sight. Creon is unhappy about this and declares that anyone who tries
to disobey orders buy burying the dead will be put to death themselves. This makes Xena even
more uneasy about Creon's choices.
As Creon gives this order, Gabrielle and Antigone walk in. Antigone has a very defiant look
on her face and Gabrielle realizes this--realizing the truth of who buried the body.
Later, Xena and Gabrielle talk about the situation, and Gabrielle says that she knows
Antigone buried the body. They talk about how strong-willed she is, wants to make her own
choices and live her own life, not the life that people want her to live as a princess.
Xena decides to go off to find someone who can help Creon and Gabrielle stays back with
Antigone.
Gabrielle is able to talk to Antigone just as she is about to go out and bury the body again
(which they had uncovered after they realized someone had tried to bury it). Gabrielle thinks
what Antigone does is not going to help the cause, it's only going to get her killed. Antigone
is dead set on doing this, though, and so Gabrielle chooses to help her and they go out to bury
the body together.
They get outside the city, Gabrielle distracts the guards while Antigone goes to bury the
body. During this, the guards notice Antigone trying to do this. They know she is the princess
and they arrest her. They don't realize that Gabrielle had anything to do with Antigone's
plan.
Antigone is brought to the palace where she is put before Creon. Creon is appalled by what
Antigone tried to do, a princess and all, defying his rules. She continues to defy him even as
they talk. Creon gives her a chance to make up for what she did, and get out of this situation,
by proclaiming to the people that she did it only because she's been driven made by the deaths
of her brothers. The people will understand and will not think ill of her. Antigone agrees to
tell them this, so Creon makes an announcement. When it's Antigone's turn to speak, instead of
telling them she's gone made with grief, she tells them that she has been no more level headed
in her life. She says she did it because it was the right thing to do. This shocks Creon and
he's forced to take her away, lock her in the dungeon for her execution. It pains him to do
this, and Gabrielle is shocked.
Afterwards, Gabrielle speaks with Creon about his choices. The guards come in and finally
realize that Gabrielle had a hand in Antigone's plan. Creon realizes this and prepares to take
her to the dungeon as well.
Later, Xena returns and finds Gabrielle in handcuffs. She's outraged at Creon and Creon
explains what has happened. Xena doesn't care and she will find a way to fix this as she storms
out.
Xena leaves to join up with an army led by Theseus and tells him to prepare to rid to
Thebes.
In the dungeon, Antigone and Gabrielle talk about what has happened, Antigone as defiant as
ever. Gabrielle tries to reason with Antigone, that this is not worth dying over.
Theseus prepares to attack Thebes and Creon is surprised. He thinks Xena really will attack
them if he does not give Gabrielle back and release Antigone. A Seer talks with him about this,
how Creon brought this on himself by his choices and Creon realizes the seer is right. He
releases Gabrielle. Xena comes to their rescue afterwards and finds Antigone about to kill
herself. She saves her just in time and then they go back to talk with the king. Creon realizes
he's been wrong and promises that things will be different from now on. Antigone is relieved by
this.
In the end, her brothers are buried and Gabrielle and Xena wonder to themselves if she will
make a good queen.
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