ONE HOUR BEFORE THE BATTLE

An overhead view of a valley with a large army riding across it.

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A wide shot of the army approaching; King Melodic is riding at the head of it.

Ares' stern expression is superimposed over the screen.

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The Renegades stealing through the forest.

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The walls of the Amazon village. Gabrielle and Cyane are perched on the walls, watching intently. Amazon archers stand nearby.

CYANE (to Gabrielle):
     Look--someone's coming!

Gabrielle narrows her eyes, as the camera pulls around to show her point of view. Three female figures emerge from the woods.

As they approach the camera zooms in to show Antiope with Andromache and Melanippe behind her.

GABRIELLE:
     It's them. I'll go alert Eve. (Thinks a moment, then to Cyane) Make sure they're not armed.

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A long shot of Andromache and Melanippe surrendering their weapons to Cyane and another Amazon.

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Antiope leading Andromache and Melanippe through the village.

MELANIPPE (looking around):
     It hasn't changed much.

ANTIOPE (with a little anger in her voice):
     No. But you have.

ANDROMACHE (sarcastic):
     You sound a little bitter. What's the matter?

ANTIOPE (gives her a cutting look):
     Nothing. Let's just go see the Queen.

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Eve pacing around somewhat nervously in the Queen's hut. Xena and Gabrielle stand by watching her.

EVE:
     At least she agreed to talk.

GABRIELLE:
     How do you know she's not trying to trick you? They're probably just stalling for time.

Xena gives Gabrielle a troubled look.

EVE:
     Are you saying that we shouldn't even try to talk to them?

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     No, of course not. But look, this woman is not just a victim of bad circumstances. Othila said she tried to overthrow Marga before. If you let her back into the tribe--

EVE (interrupts):
     Right now, I just want to prevent a war.

XENA (brusquely):
     No one is talking about trusting her, Gabrielle. We're well-guarded against a surprise attack.

EVE (sighs):
     Right. They'll be here any moment...maybe you should go.

GABRIELLE:
     Eve--this is my tribe too.

EVE:
     Let me handle this on my own. (imploringly) Please.

Xena looks from Gabrielle to Eve, then takes Gabrielle's arm and steers her toward the doorway.

XENA:
     Come on, Gabrielle--let's go check the defenses by the walls.

GABRIELLE (to Eve):
      Be careful.

XENA (jokes uneasily):
     I thought that was my line. Come on.

Xena and Gabrielle start to leave. In the doorway, they run into Antiope and another Amazon who are escorting Andromache and Melanippe. Xena and Andromache exchange a curious, unfriendly look.

Xena and Gabrielle leave while Andromache, Melanippe, Antiope and the other Amazon come in. There is a short, tense silence.

EVE:
     Sit down.

ANDROMACHE (mockingly):
     For talks with the Bitch of Rome?

Eve flinches slightly.

EVE:
     The past is the past, Andromache. We need to talk about the present, and the future.

ANDROMACHE (still the same mocking tone):
     The past is the past. That must be your favorite line. Livia of Rome--Queen of the Amazons.

EVE:
     My name is Eve.

ANDROMACHE (continues, unfazed):
     Who did you have to kill to the get the job?

Her barbs are clearly getting to Eve, who tries not to show it.

ANTIOPE:
     Eve inherited her right of caste from Queen Gabrielle.

ANDROMACHE (to Eve):
     I see your flunky does the talking for you. Does she do your fighting as well?

EVE (exasperated):
     Andromache, I did not ask you here to trade insults.

ANDROMACHE:
     Well, I hope it wasn't to trade pleasantries because I can assure you--

Eve strides up to her briskly and stops, face to face with her. Andromache is somewhat taken aback.

EVE (resolute):
     I want to stop this war. We can't afford any more losses. And yes, I know that that's partly my fault. But that makes me all the more determined to stop the fighting. This was your tribe--these were your sisters. You can still come back.

ANDROMACHE:
     Under your leadership? Never.

EVE:
     What makes you think you're better than I was, Andromache? You destroyed a village full of innocent people.

ANDROMACHE:
     Because you allowed interlopers to live on our lands.

EVE:
     And that justified pointless slaughter?

ANDROMACHE:
     It wasn't pointless. It was a way to send a message--that the Amazon nation is reborn, with a new purpose--a new spirit.

EVE:
     What spirit? The spirit of murder?

ANDROMACHE:
     The spirit of strength. (She looks disdainfully at Eve) I know the story of how Gabrielle became queen. That was a mistake. The mask should have gone to Velasca. She was a true Amazon--one who wanted a strong, fierce nation--

EVE (restraining her anger):
     This is not getting us anywhere, Andromache. What do you want?

ANDROMACHE:
     I want my tribe back--and I'm not coming back except as queen. You want to avoid a war? Then fight me. I want the royal challenge.

Eve stares at her, pondering this.

EVE:
     You were banished. You're not a part of this tribe anymore.

ANDROMACHE:
     I'm more a part of it than you'll ever be.

EVE:
     You challenged Marga--and when you lost, you continued to plot against her. The answer is no.

ANDROMACHE (sarcastic):
     I knew you'd say that...my Queen.

She lunges suddenly at Eve, elbows her in the stomach and wrestles her down. The other Amazon rushes toward them with a cry of alarm but Melanippe kicks her legs out from under her and sends her sprawling to the floor.

ANTIOPE (cries out):
     Melanippe--no!

She rushes toward Melanippe, who assumes a combat stance.

MELANIPPE:
     Stay out of this, Antiope! Livia has to die!

Zoom in on Eve and Andromache as they struggle. Andromache goes for Eve's neck and nearly succeeds in grabbing it but Eve manages to grab her wrists and throw her off.

As the other Amazon scrambles to her feet, Andromache leaps up, grabs an oil lamp from the table and hurls it at the wall. A sheet of flame goes up.

ANTIOPE:
     No!

Close-up on Andromache as she lets out a loud, piercing war cry.

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Phania and several other Renegades hiding out in the trees by the village.

Andromache's war cry is heard in the distance.

RENEGADE #2:
     Shh--did you hear that?

The camera pans to show the Amazon village with the flames shooting up above the hut.

PHANIA:
     NOW!

The Renegades find their explosives and run toward the village, flinging the explosives at the walls.

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The walls going up in flames.

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Gabrielle looking around, her eyes wide, as the explosives go off.

GABRIELLE (shouting):
     Get down!

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A wall crumbling in flames.

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CYANE (shouts):
     We're under attack!

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Andromache and Melanippe race out of the burning hut and run through the village.

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Amazons running and shouting.

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The Renegades advancing into the village.

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Xena runs through the village, sword drawn, as pandemonium erupts around her.

XENA (shouts):
     GABRIELLE! EVE!

DISSOLVE TO

Montage of shots:
--The Renegades advancing
--Xena fighting her way through a group of Renegades
--Gabrielle and Cyane fighting back to back
--An Amazon falls, cut down by a Renegade

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As the battle rages, Xena turns to scan the field. Eve and Antiope come running.

XENA (relieved):
     Eve--you're all right!

They hug quickly.

EVE (bitterly):
     Gabrielle was right. It was a trick. They used the negotiations as a cover for a sneak attack.

XENA (anguished, puts a hand on her arm):
     Eve...you wanted what was best. Don't ever blame yourself for trying to solve things without fighting.

ANTIOPE (distraught):
     My sister. My own sister--

EVE:
     Antiope--we don't have time to think about that right now. We have to defend the village. (to Xena) Come on.

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