FADE IN

Night. A burning funeral pyre. The sounds of Xena's funeral song fill the air. Flames engulf the pile of wood and the shrouded body on top of it. The camera zooms out to show the Amazons in a dance of mourning around the funeral pyre, while others stand to the side showing their respect.

The camera pans along to show Eve standing in front of the pyre, Antiope and Cyane next to her, staring mournfully into the flames. The camera pulls back down to show Xena singing the funeral song. A sad-looking Gabrielle stands at her side, with Klymene next to her.

The camera pulls back to show Lykia. There are tears in her eyes. She stares blankly ahead of her.

The camera zooms back in on the burning funeral pyre, and then moves up following the smoke into the sky.

DISSOLVE TO

Morning. A hillside. The sounds of Xena's funeral song are still heard in the background, but at much lower volume.

The Ascanian village can be seen in the background. The somber-looking villagers have gathered in front of a small gravestone. It's obviously a new grave, with fresh soil covering the area--Barkus' grave.

Teras, Caleb, and Caleb's mother and sister are seen with the group of villagers. Standing closes to the grave is a woman with tears rolling down her cheeks, holding a bunch of white flowers. Next to her are two boys, one about ten, the other no more than six; they too are crying.

The woman steps forward and places the flowers on top of the dirt. The camera begins to pull away as the music fades.

DISSOLVE TO

Day. A wide shot of the Amazon village. Everything looks quiet and subdued.

CUT TO

Eve, standing in front of the burnt-out funeral pyre.

Xena and Gabrielle walk up next to her. Xena puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. Eve continues to stare at the pyre.

EVE (sorrowful):
     She was such a brave woman--so devoted to her tribe. (almost tearful) It's my fault she died.

XENA (softly):
     Eve...it's not your fault.

EVE:
     If I had been here when they brought in Caleb, none of this would have happened. (pauses, then speaks angrily) They beat her to death, Mother. (off of Xena's distraught expression) She had a wound on the back of her head, cuts and bruises all over --

Gabrielle looks as if she is going to be sick.

EVE:
     It's against all my beliefs--but everything inside me is telling me that the people who did this to her should pay!

The camera pans over Xena's stern yet anguished expression and then over to Gabrielle, who stares ahead, struggling with her own feelings.

CYANE (off-camera):
     Queen Eve.

Eve turns around.

CYANE:
     There are people here--from the settlement.

Pan to Teras and several other villagers, men and women, who are coming toward them. They look very grim. Xena, Gabrielle, Eve and Cyane stand facing them silently. Within a few paces of them, the villagers stop.

TERAS:
     We never wanted a war with you people. But now--one of us is dead. Barkus was a good man--a husband, a father.

FEMALE VILLAGER #2 (shouting):
     Why did you have to kill him?

GABRIELLE (speaking up):
     It was a misunderstanding. The Amazons on night patrol thought he was attacking Tynne--and one of them attacked him.

MALE VILLAGER #2 (angrily):
     She didn't attack him...she killed him.

EVE (defensive):
     She was responding to a threat!

TERAS:
     Either way, she took away a man's life. We're not going to forget it. We want you to turn her over so we can take her to Ascania for trial.

MALE VILLAGER #1:
     We want justice!

XENA:
     And what would justice be?

TERAS (dryly):
     Death.

Xena's stern expression remains.

EVE:
     Then I want whoever's responsible for Tynne's death turned over to us for trial.

TERAS:
     You mean--the Amazon you sent to the village.

EVE:
     That's right. The Amazon you beat to death--when she went to you with a message from Caleb that he was all right.

TERAS (averts his eyes):
     Yes, Caleb told us about that. (sighs) We found the letter and the pendant on Barkus...the Amazon must have given them to him, just before-- (he trails off, shaking his head, then looks up at Eve and the others) Look, what happened to your friend was a misunderstanding--we thought she was reaching for her sword. (grudgingly) I'm--sorry about that.

MALE VILLAGER #1 (angrily):
     I'm not! Barbarians and killers, all of them!

The camera pulls back for a wide shot of the scene. We see more Amazons from all sides of the village coming up to see what's going on.

Zoom in on the villagers and the women facing them.

TERAS (shakes his head):
     Icarion--you're not helping here. (to Eve, Xena and the others) Look, you have to understand--there's a lot of anger in the village right now about Barkus' death.

XENA (wryly):
     So. What happened to Tynne was just a misunderstanding, but what happened to Barkus was a crime punishable by death.

TERAS (heatedly):
     That's different!

There's suddenly a commotion among the villagers.

MALE VILLAGER #3 (pointing ahead):
     That's her!

Pan to Lykia, who is coming toward them with Antiope. They stop in their tracks. There is an angry murmur among the settlers.

FEMALE VILLAGER #2:
     The murderer! There she is!

MALE VILLAGER #1 (pumps his fist in the air):
     Kill the murdering bitch!

Pan over to Lykia, who looks both scared and angry. She takes a few steps forward. Antiope puts a hand on her arm, holding her back.

Xena steps between Lykia and the villagers.

XENA:
     There's not going to be any more killing. Listen to me--

TERAS:
     She murdered one of our men. She won't get away with it! If we can't get justice from you, we'll appeal to King Melodic himself--let's see what you say when you have his army at your gates!

EVE:
     And who's going to get justice for Tynne?

TERAS:
     I'm telling you, it was an accident. We had no intention of killing her. We thought she was--

XENA (interrupts):
     Yeah, you thought she was reaching for a weapon. Or maybe that's what you wanted to think. Because (sarcastically) she was a savage, right?

TERAS:
     It's too bad that it happened, but it doesn't make Barkus' death right!

MALE VILLAGER #1:
     Enough talk! Get her!

He charges toward Lykia. Before Xena or anyone else can interfere, Lykia charges toward him. He tries to grab her but she twists his arm and throws him down, then kicks him in the stomach. He yells in pain. Teras makes a move toward them.

EVE (shouts):
     Lykia, that's enough!

Breathing hard, Lykia steps back, as does Teras. Lykia lowers her head, then looks up grimly at the villagers.

LYKIA (looking for words):
     Look, I'm...I'm sorry that your friend died, okay? If I could take it back I would. (sighs) I used to be just like you until my village was raided. I wanted to be an Amazon so I'd always be able to fight back if--something happened again. I thought I had to fight back.

As she speaks the camera pans over the faces of the villagers. A few look sympathetic, but most seem unforgiving.

Gabrielle steps forward.

GABRIELLE:
     I know you're angry. Well, so are we. We lost the same thing you did: a friend, a family member... (softly) ...we're hurting as much as you are. What happened was a misunderstanding--on both sides. People wanting to--strike first and ask questions later. Do you really want more deaths? Do you want a war over this?

The camera pans over the faces of the villagers; they look angry and hurt, but it seems Gabrielle's words are starting to sink in.

Suddenly there is a murmur again. Xena, Gabrielle and Eve look up to see a rider approaching; he is on a richly caparisoned gray horse, and is wearing a black and purple outfit with a short cloak and a gold chain around his neck. The villagers murmur.

VILLAGERS:
     --It's a messenger!
     --Looks like he's from King Melodic!

The Amazons and the villagers watch silently as the rider approaches and brings his horse to a halt.

MESSENGER (to the Amazons):
     Which one of you is Eve, Queen of the Amazons?

Eve steps forward.

EVE:
     That's me. Who wants to know?

MESSENGER:
     I've got a letter for you from King Melodic of Ascania--and-- (his eyes scan the other women and pause on Xena) for Xena, Warrior Princess as well. (looks at the villagers from the settlement, puzzled) Are you from the Lanis settlement, by any chance?

TERAS:
     We are. I'm Teras--the head of the settlement. Listen, we have --

MESSENGER:
     Good. Saves me a trip to your little village.

He dismounts and pulls three scrolls from under his belt. He hands one to Eve and one to Xena, then walks over to Teras and gives him the remaining scroll.

The camera pans from Xena to Eve to Teras as they unfurl their scrolls, then back. Teras looks puzzled and nervous; Xena smiles slightly as Gabrielle peers over her arm to see what the scroll says; Eve looks relieved.

EVE (looks up):
     It looks like King Melodic has changed his mind. He recognizes these lands as the property of the Amazons, and is calling off the further building of settlements. He's asking that we let the Lanis settlement stay here--if we can negotiate an agreement with the settlers on their use of these lands for farming and hunting.

There are cheers and sighs of relief among the Amazons, and unhappy murmurs among the villagers.

MALE VILLAGER #1 (mutters):
     Stabbed in the back.

EVE (to the messenger):
     Tell the King that the Queen of the Amazons--appreciates his peaceful intentions.

TERAS (reluctantly):
     We'll obey the King's orders...as best we can.

XENA (smirks a little):
     Tell the King Xena said hello.

MESSENGER:
     I hope everyone's happy, because King Melodic certainly doesn't want any more trouble here.

He mounts his horse and rides away. The villagers and the Amazons look after him as the beat of the horse's hooves fades.

Eve and Teras stare at each other, neither looking particularly happy.

EVE (coldly):
     I think the negotiations will have to wait until-- (she glances at the burnt-out funeral pyre) --a better time.

There is a long pause.

TERAS (holds up the scroll; with a touch of bitterness):
     If you think this means that we're going to be the best of friends from now on--

XENA:
     If it can keep you from killing each other, that's good enough.

TERAS (to the other farmers):
     Let's get out of here.

Some of the villagers mutter unhappily but follow him nonetheless. The Amazons stand silently, watching them walk away.

GABRIELLE:
     Looks like one less problem the Amazons have to deal with.

EVE (not too sure):
     I hope you're right. (to Xena and Gabrielle) I can't thank you enough.

XENA (shrugging):
     Just doing our job.

GABRIELLE (staring ahead):
     I should talk to Lykia...

Pan to Lykia, who is walking away from the crowd, a slender, lonely figure.

DISSOLVE TO

An open field. Darion is holding a kite string with both hands. Xena stands beside him, smirking. He looks up with a troubled expression on his face.

DARION:
     Xena!

XENA:
     You've got to run with it, Darion! Run!

Lykia stands on the riverbank watching from a distance. Her expression is unreadable. She regards the spear in her hands thoughtfully. Gabrielle steps up beside her. Neither woman can look at the other and keep their eyes on Darion instead.

DARION:
     I did it! It's flying!

XENA:
     You sure did. (she tugs on the string) Make sure to keep that taut.

LYKIA:
     Another thing Xena has taught him.

Gabrielle says nothing. Lykia watches Xena and Darion a moment.

LYKIA:
     Do you think I could ever do that? (off Gabrielle's questioning look) Teach him all those things?

GABRIELLE (after a brief pause):
     I think--you've got some things you need to work out for yourself first.

XENA:
     Keep running, Darion! Don't let it fall!

Xena takes off after Darion and he laughs.

LYKIA:
     Darion hates it here. (she shakes her head) I don't think I ever realized that until I saw him with you. You're the one he wants to be with.

GABRIELLE:
     You know he loves you, Lykia.

LYKIA:
     But it's you he adores. (she smiles dryly) I feel like I'm supposed to deliver some speech now about taking good care of him and keeping him safe... (she laughs ironically) And look at the two I'm leaving him with.

GABRIELLE:
     I'll keep him safe. I promise.

LYKIA:
     You'd better.

Lykia's tone is faintly threatening. A look passes between Gabrielle and Lykia that isn't friendly. The tension is broken by Darion calling out.

DARION:
     Gabrielle! Come and see what Xena's shown me!

Gabrielle waves to him and turns back to look at Lykia who is regarding her spear intently. She studies Lykia thoughtfully and realizes the girl is at a crossroads.

GABRIELLE (in a hushed voice):
     You know, sometimes you go so far down a path that you can't turn around. (after a pause) Don't go down that path unless you have to, Lykia.

Gabrielle walks off towards Darion and Xena, leaving Lykia. The girl stands still for a moment, obviously thinking about what Gabrielle has told her. Finally, she clutches her spear tightly, holding it firmly against her.

DISSOLVE TO

Night. A small campfire is sitting in a forest clearing. The camera pulls along the campfire to show Darion curled up in a blanket sound asleep.

In typical Warrior Princess style, Xena is sitting on a log sharpening her sword. Gabrielle is seated next to her. Her eyes seem to stare into the burning flames.

GABRIELLE (softly):
     Xena...

XENA (glancing up at Gabrielle):
     Hmm?

GABRIELLE:
     Do you think... (pondering her words) Do you think the Amazons can continue on like this?

Xena stops sharpening her sword.

XENA:
     Gabrielle, the Amazons have gone on for hundreds of years...

GABRIELLE (shaking her head):
     I know, its just...all this bloodshed. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. Maybe this is all a lost cause. Maybe the Amazons are just a dying breed and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it.

Xena quickly glances up at Gabrielle, as if surprised that her friend is having such thoughts.

XENA:
     Relics of a bygone age?

Gabrielle shrugs, admitting the possibility.

XENA (whispering):
     As long as there are people like you and Cyane, and Tynne...and Eve...to carry on what the Amazons stand for, they'll never fade away.

Gabrielle smiles skeptically.

GABRIELLE:
     Do you really believe that?

XENA (nods):
     I believe that.

With a faint smile of relief, Gabrielle lies down on her bedroll, lying on her stomach facing Darion and away from Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     Good night, Xena.

XENA:
     Good night, Gabrielle.

After a moment Gabrielle is breathing evenly, asleep. Xena watches Gabrielle; after a moment she shakes her head and smiles sadly, whispering to her herself.

XENA:
     I wish I could believe it...

Xena brushes her fingertips under her left eye and looks off into the forest as the camera slowly pulls up away from her until we:

FADE OUT

THE END

[Ares' presence was missed this week. These are the Shipper Seasons, aren't they?]

Xena: Warrior Princess Shipper Seasons Season 9 Episode 6 Grey Areas Story By: Ryan Written By: Ryan, LadyKate and Sais 2 Cool Collage By: Aurora Images Gathered By: Aurora Cast Xena Lucy Lawless Gabrielle Renee O'Connor Eve Adrienne Wilkinson Lykia Katrina Brownie Darion Alexander Gandar Cyane Morgan Reese Fairhead Caleb Dean O'Gorman Morai Catherine Hates Tynne Marama Jackson Barkus Jason Ryland Original Airdate May 10, 2005 Ares' presence was missed this week. These are the Shipper Seasons, aren't they? DEDICATED TO KEVIN SMITH All characters and storylines that have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess are a copyright and trademark of Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement was intended during the writing of this script. All original characters and storylines are a copyright of the respective authors and of the Shipper Seasons. No script may be reproduced on a website elsewhere without the author's consent. © Shipper Seasons www.shipperseasons.com

This script is provided by GDev Resources.