Return of the Valkyrie
Lord Erick leads a group of Viking through the Eastwind bog.
This way.
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Lady of the Ring, the legend of your beauty does
you no justice. Your destiny has arrived.
I have come to save you.
Lord Erick! My lord...this is madness. You cannot
penetrate the ring of fire. Only Gabrielle's soul
mate can pass through the flames. All other flesh...
...is doomed.
LORD ERICK
A boar on a spit has reason to fear the flame, not
a Viking lord.
BEOWULF
That is not the only thing that stands in your way.
LORD ERICK
I should worry about getting mud on my boots?
Actually, that is not what I was referring to.
Lord Erick, call them off!
Call your men off. This is suicide!
LORD ERICK
Ra-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ah!
To the ship!
We must return with them to Denmark.
WIGLAF
You're giving up?
BEOWULF
No, I'm seeking help from an old friend.
WIGLAF
King Hrothgar.
BEOWULF
If any mortal can defeat the demons in this cursed
bog, it is Hrothgar.
I will return, Gabrielle...I promise you.
Hey! It looks like we arrived in time for some kind
of party.
O-oh. Excuse me.
BEOWULF
What conquest are you people celebrating?
VILLAGER
The conquest of King Hrothgar's heart, sir. He's
marrying the noble and fair Wealthea.
BEOWULF
Hm-m. Thank you
Wealthea - that's not a Norse name.
BEOWULF
Hm-m.
WIGLAF
I wonder what it means.
BEOWULF
My guess would be that it's uh, Celtic for...
...Warrior Princess.
ACT ONE
Wealthea, greetings! Welcome to you!
BEOWULF
(whispering) Xena! Xena!
Dad, I thought you said there's no way she could
have survived.
BEOWULF
I was wrong.
EXTRA
Lovely!
Uh, sorry. I'm sorry. Excuse me.
EXTRA
Hey!
Sorry. Uh, I'm sorry. Excuse me.
Hrothgar...the ancient ritual of the exchange of
blades, seals your pledge of fidelity, to Wealthea...
Beowulf! This is not the time.
BEOWULF
This changes all of our plans. Now that I have
Xena to help me save Gabrielle, I need Hrothgar
for nothing.
WIGLAF
Yeah, except his wife, whose name is Wealthea.
BEOWULF
Her name is Xena. Trust me.
WIGLAF
Xena - th--the mighty Warrior Princess. I don't
think so.
PRIEST
Make you vows.
HROTHGAR
Wealthea, I make the Viking pledge of eternal
love and devotion.
I'm sorry. I, uh...
HROTHGAR
You're overcome with joy.
XENA
Yes, I'm overcome.
It was the ring. It's the ring that's changed her.
XENA
Oh-oh, um...I, Wealthea, promise to be a devoted
wife to Hrothgar and a...
XENA and PRIEST
Mother-
XENA
To his people.
Oh...oh, I am the luckiest woman in Denmark!
Let us prepare the sacrifice to the goddess Freya.
Why are men so foolish?
SIEGLINDA
You think it's silly for a man to risk his life for a woman?
WALTRAUTE
A normal man with no other good use, no. But
Sven the Lion Heart? Noble John Thomas? Ingmar
the Valiant?
SIEGLINDA
Hm-m, does seem a waste of talent.
WALTRAUTE
If they died in pursuit of the ring, I'd understand.
But to spill their blood for the ordinary woman
who lays entrapped beside it...
Our sister Brunnhilda turned herself to flame to
protect that Gabrielle. Perhaps she's not so ordinary.
And Xena, Xena seems to care a great deal
for her, too.
You speak the name of that conniving bitch in
the presence of heroes? Thank the gods she's
dead and fed to the fishes. Now hurry it up! Odin
wants the best of these in Valhalla by nightfall.
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Skoal!
EXTRA
Skoal!
Ah-h. You've come to congratulate me at last, Hildegyth.
HILDEGYTH
You've made a terrible mistake, Brother. This
Wealthea will never care for you or our people
the way I do.
HROTHGAR
Never speak of my marriage that way again unless
you wish me to order my own sister banished!
You look as if this was your funeral, not your wedding.
XENA
Hrothgar...at the ceremony I had such a strange
sensation.
HROTHGAR
As did I. It besieges me whenever you are near,
and I know of only one cure for this malady.
No, Hrothgar - Hrothgar, tradition says that we
cannot be together until the moon is high. Otherwise,
you would jinx our union.
HROTHGAR
I've waited so long to make you truly mine.
XENA
I know, Hrothgar. Yes, and you know that I have
been devoted to you since you pulled me from
the icy waters. But would it be so very hard to wait
just a few more hours?
HROTHGAR
I would wait even longer if I thought I had your heart
as well.
XENA
Yes, but-
Hrothgar, my husb--husband - Hrothgar! No.
You - our union has given me a new purpose.
You have always known that my priorities are
different than other women's.
You are a Viking queen. Your priorities are as your
master decides.
Hrothgar...
HROTHGAR
Beowulf! You've come to celebrate our most...
joyful day. My wife, Wealthea.
Perhaps we have met before.
I think not.
Well, women, huh?
Come on.
How intriguing - when you saw my sister-in-law
this evening you looked as if you'd seen a ghost
and now, she looked right through you as if you
were one.
It's kind of a long story.
HILDEGYTH
Perhaps if you told if to the right audience you'd
get the happy ending you seek.
Come in, my lord.
You wish to play a game...master?
You're a lunatic. Stay away from me.
BEOWULF
Xena, your life is in danger. When Odin learns
you are alive, he will kill you and Gabrielle will
never be saved.
XENA
(whispering) Gabrielle?
BEOWULF
Please try to-
A-a-a-a-a-ah!
Odin's raven - he already knows you are here.
You see, Brother? It's as I said - she cannot give
you her heart because she's too busy giving it to
your old friend.
ACT TWO
XENA
Hrothgar, this madman has mistaken me-
HILDEGYTH
Enough. My brother has heard too many of your
false words. Seize them.
Are you absolutely certain?
HILDEGYTH
Yes.
HROTHGAR
We were as brothers, Beowulf.
I would have loved you until the end of my lifetime.
Now it seems it'll only be until the end of yours.
Dispose of them as you choose.
Hrothgar...Hrothgar!
HILDEGYTH
As if I would ever have allowed my brother to share
our city with some...foreign witch. Take them to
the dungeon.
(to Beowulf) Why did you not tell him the truth?!
BEOWULF
Because I need you to help me save Gabrielle.
XENA
What for?!
You see? I told you I needed you.
Please?
I'm lost without you, Xena.
(to Wiglaf) What's the matter with your men? They
look like they've seen a ghost.
WIGLAF
No, not a ghost - a legend.
All these men can talk of is a chance to see you
in action. To tell you the truth, I'm-
BEOWULF
About to go and polish your blade. Is that right, Wiglaf?
WIGLAF
Fine. Send me away.
You feeling seasick?
XENA
No. But I am uneasy. I was betrothed for life and
condemned to death on the same die, by the same man.
BEOWULF
Hrothgar. He's not the man that I knew. He rescued
a beautiful woman who had lost her memory,
gave her a new name and then some lame story
about being the sole survivor of a shipwreck.
I thought he loved me, and now you tell me that
this name "Wealthea" is not even my own.
BEOWULF
You are Xena.
XENA
I could have done so much good for the Viking people.
BEOWULF
The Xena I remember-
-could do more good with this sword than a hundred
Viking queens could ever do. And the Xena I remember
could never forget what happened in that swamp - the
face of Gabrielle, the most loyal friend in the world.
XENA
I remember none of these things.
You may not remember them...but they are inside you.
Odin...you missed the great skill I've achieved
in your honour.
Well, you'd better get ready, Waltraute, Xena is
about to test it.
WALTRAUTE
Xena is alive?
ODIN
At this very moment, she and Beowulf are crossing
the great sea, heading towards the ring.
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You two!
I told you have to hide it, right here. Put it in the
tent over there.
Uh, Xena...can I offer you some water?
XENA
Yes.
VIKING #1
No! Because I'm gonna offer it to her.
WIGLAF
I don't think so.
Please stop!
EXTRA
Here we go again!
XENA
(to another Viking) Why don't you stop them?
(yelling) That's enough!
Stop! Stop this! This madness! Must you seek
the merest excuse to fight?!
WIGLAF
That's what Vikings do! Fighting gives our lives meaning!
XENA
Fighting gives your lives meaning. Do you have
any idea how stupid that is?!
BEOWULF
Yeah? Well, it didn't sound stupid when it came
from you.
XENA
From me?
BEOWULF
Long ago it was Xena who first taught Odin to
embrace violence and bloodlust.
XENA
Well, if that is true then I know I am not this Xena.
Yah-h-h-h! Yah! Yah! Yah!
BEOWULF
They know who you are, and they want you dead.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
Yah! Yah!
Yah! Yah!
BEOWULF
Ready your weapons, men!
Beowulf...I won't have this resolved by violent means.
BEOWULF
It's the only means they know, or would you rather die?
XENA
Have your men put down their weapons!
Xena!
XENA
If you want me to help you save your friend Gabrielle,
then you'll do as I say!
Put your weapons down. Put them down!
Right.
There will be no blood shed here today!
WALTRAUTE
Long time no see, Xena. I'd like to catch up, but
I'm afraid killing you is gonna make that a bit difficult.
XENA
I'll not fight you.
WALTRAUTE
Yeah, right.
Enough!
It's Odin!
ODIN
I said enough! (to horse) Whoa. Whoa.
Xena...this isn't much of a reunion.
XENA
You can kill me if you want, but I am not the Warrior
Princess you seek.
WALTRAUTE
You heard the woman, Odin! Kill her!
ODIN
Silence, Waltraute! If you're not Xena, who are you?
XENA
I don't know.
ODIN
Do you know who I am?
XENA
She said your name is Odin, but I don't know you
from your horse.
Waltraute...return to Valhalla at once.
Leave these noble warriors to their mission.
Yah! Yah! Yah-h-h-h!
Yah-h-h-h-h!
See? We saw them off without violence.
BEOWULF
Only because he considers you more valuable
alive than dead. He'll be back soon enough.
You're upset, because I didn't kill Xena.
WALTRAUTE
I'm upset my lord has lost his mind. Have you
forgotten Xena has the power to kill gods?
ODIN
No, but she has and with all her memories gone,
so are her motivations. Once she has retrieved
the ring from the flames, it will be very easy to
wrest it from her.
WALTRAUTE
Odin, you intend to keep the ring for yourself?
Only those who have forsaken love can use it.
What can I say? My heart is hardened.
WALTRAUTE
No, you promised that ring to me. You love me.
I love no one and once I've secured that ring from
Xena, I will fear nothing.
WALTRAUTE
Grinhilda will never let-
ODIN
Grinhilda will do nothing to stop Xena, because
you and the other Valkyrie will make certain nothing
stops Xena from getting to that ring. Hm-m?
On my life, Xena will die before she gets close
enough to those flames to singe an eyebrow.
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Are you a demon...or own mind made mad?
GABRIELLE
I am the truth of who you are. Our souls are united, Xena.
Xena?
Xena...are you all right?
Yes. This Gabrielle truly loved Xena, didn't she?
BEOWULF
And will till the end of time. Gabrielle saved you
from what you were, as you must now save her.
XENA
I've heard the men talking. They say that Xena
created this monster that awaits us.
BEOWULF
Grinhilda.
XENA
It's true, then.
BEOWULF
I have waited a long time to return this to you.
What's it for?
BEOWULF
You'll know. When the time comes, you'll know.
We're in Grinhilda's domain.
Beowulf, if I'm not the one...
BEOWULF
You are. Brunnhilda's flame will recognize you
as Gabrielle's soul mate.
Xena...Xena...
The love in your heart burns stronger than any
flame. You belong together, Xena.
Hi-i-i-i-i-yah!
Hi-i-i-i-yah!
It makes me sick to see you've grown so soft.
XENA
Softness and weakness are two different things.
I have no quarrel with you. I'm here only for Gabrielle!
WALTRAUTE
You sound like one of those pathetic lovesick
boys who burned themselves to a crisp.
Xena!
Wiglaf!
Wiglaf!
I've waited a long time for this.
XENA
Wait longer.
Xena, you must go now. Go, or all this is for nothing.
A-a-ah. Ugh...
ACT FOUR
Xena, go. Gabrielle needs you. Xena, go-o-o-o-o!
You're my best friend, my family.
GABRIELLE (voice-over)
Hey, I just saved your life! I'm not the little girl that
my parents wanted me to be.
XENA (voice-over)
It's hard to be alone.
GABRIELLE (voice-over)
You're not alone.
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Xena.
Oh, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
I dreamed you'd come back for me.
XENA
It was like I was in a dream, too. I forgot everything.
But even though I didn't remember you...I felt your
presence...and knew that I would never be complete
unless those shadows were brought into the light.
Beowulf!
BRUNNHILDA
Xena...the ring.
GABRIELLE
The ring.
Xena, don't put it on again.
I forged this ring. Now I have to use it to undo the
evil it has caused. A-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-she-yah!
Grinhilda...listen to me. You weren't always this way.
It was my actions that turned you into this beast.
Grinhilda...I put the evil into this ring.
I can undo it, too, if only you-
Grinhilda, you must listen to me.
Grinhilda...look inside your heart. Find the woman
you once were. Forgive me. Forgive me. Forgive me!
Xena!
Go!
Ah! Ah-h-h! Uh!
BEOWULF
Uh!
Wiglaf.
Okay?
WIGLAF
Hm-m? Oh, yeah.
Grinhilda?
XENA
That's right.
Beowulf, I'll always be indebted to you for bringing
me back here.
BEOWULF
Hey, I needed the best. The legends didn't lie,
Xena, you are the greatest warrior I've ever known.
XENA
Thank you, friend.
Let's take you home.
Thank you.
I'll miss you.
GABRIELLE
You have a good heart, Beowulf. If it weren't for
you, I'd still be in Brunnhilda's flame.
BEOWULF
I think we both know Xena would have found
you eventually.
Thank you, Brunnhilda.
BRUNNHILDA (voice-over)
Godspeed, Gabrielle.
All right.
XENA
Chk-chk. Yah! Get on!
Hi-i-i-i-i-i-yah!
Not a word, Wiglaf - not a word.
You all right?
GABRIELLE
Yeah.
(to horse) Let's go. Chk-chk.
Things haven't changed much around here, have they?
Xena? It seems as though you've found yourself again.
XENA
Odin.
Perhaps you've decided to return to me that which
belongs in Valhalla - the ring?
XENA
I have brought something back that belongs
here, yes.
Grinhilda?
XENA
Grinhilda was the best thing that ever happened
to Valhalla, Odin, before it was poisoned by my bloodlust.
ODIN
What do you want?
GRINHILDA
Return me to my position as chief of the Valkyries.
XENA
She'll teach them a nobler use for their powers, Odin.
ODIN
I'll think about it.
Don't think too long.
Welcome back, Grinhilda.
Thirty-five years ago - the shame of it makes if
feel like it was yesterday.
Memories are powerful, Xena. I'm so thankful that
yours brought you back to me.
XENA
But there's one that's still troubling me.
Stay back, Xena! You took all we had years ago!
XENA
I know. I came to apologize...
...and to bring you this.
It belongs to you.
What magic has made Xena into such a noble
creature, that she would give up the power of
the Rheingold?
XENA
It wasn't magic.
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Brittney Powell as Brunnhilda
Renato Bartolomei as Beowulf
Alexander Petersons as Odin
Victoria Hill as Waltraute
Dean O'Gorman as Wiglaf
Roger Morrissey as Monster Grinhilda
Luanne Gordon as Grinhilda
John Leigh as Hrothgar
Genevieve McLean as Hildegyth
Loren Horsley as Sieglinda
John Wraight as Lord Erick
Marama Jackson as First Rhein Maiden
Lucy Thomas as Second Rhein Maiden
Stephanie Bertram as Third Rhein Maiden
Denys Hoskins as Priest
Ben Brown as Villager
Steve McQuillan as Viking #1
Written by: Emily Skopov
Directed by: John Fawcett
Disclaimer: Any similarity between our story and the classic children's fairy tale is purely coincidental.
