The Ring
TEASER
Gabrielle, Beowulf and Brunnhilda follow the tracks of Grindl through the woods.
BEOWULF
We're deep in Grindl territory.
BRUNNHILDA
The chances of finding her are getting less and less.
GABRIELLE
Then we pick up the pace.
BRUNNHILDA
What I'm trying to say is, don't get your hopes up, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
I'm not relying on hope. Xena's tough to kill.
They stop. Beowulf moves ahead and finds blood on a tree.
BEOWULF
Xena's blood. This is where it ended.
Brunnhilda and Gabrielle run over to him.
GABRIELLE
It's where she got away...not long ago.
Gabrielle sees one of Xena's gauntlets on the ground. She picks it up.
BEOWULF
Gabrielle...are you being totally honest with yourself?
I mean, all of the evidence points to the fact that Xena-
GABRIELLE
She got away. She waited for her chance and
she escaped.
BRUNNHILDA
Where are her tracks?
GABRIELLE
Xena is alive! If we split up, we can cover more ground.
Gabrielle moves off and they all split up.
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Gabrielle walks through the woods. There's the sound of rustling. She stops.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
Xena jumps out from behind a tree, grabs Gabrielle by slapping a hand over her mouth and pulls her aside.
GABRIELLE
Xena.
XENA
(whispering) Sh-h.
Xena takes her hand of Gabrielle's mouth and points.
XENA
There.
Grindl is walking not far off, growling and snarling. Beowulf can be heard shouting.
BEOWULF
Gabrie-e-e-elle!
Grindl reacts to the voice. He growls then moves off. Gabrielle hugs Xena.
GABRIELLE
Oh-h-h-h-h. Don't ever leave me again.
Gabrielle pulls back and looks at Xena. Xena's face is bloody and bruised all over. She has a bleeding nose and cuts on her forehead, cheeks and lip. There is a large gash in her leg and smaller one on her arm.
GABRIELLE
Look at you.
XENA
Yeah, I know.
Gabrielle helps Xena sit down.
XENA
It's all right. Don't fuss, okay?
Gabrielle hands Xena her gauntlet. Brunnhilda and Beowulf arrive.
BEOWULF
Gabrielle!
BRUNNHILDA
Gabrielle! Are you all right?!
GABRIELLE
I'm fine. Xena needs water.
Brunnhilda is amazed.
BRUNNHILDA
Xena.
BEOWULF
Yeah. Clean yourself up. You look awful.
He smiles as he hands her a skin. Xena smiles back.
XENA
Thanks.
Grindl growls.
BEOWULF
I'm gonna go check on our friend.
Beowulf leaves.
XENA
Be careful.
BRUNNHILDA
Xena, I have waited my entire life to meet you.
Xena starts to put her breastplate back on while Gabrielle tends to the wound on Xena's leg.
XENA
If I knew I had a fan coming, I would have combed
my hair.
Gabrielle looks at her and smiles.
BRUNNHILDA
I never should have doubted that you'd be alive.
Only the legendary Xena could survive against
Grindl and the power of the ring.
XENA
I would have thought the legendary Xena wouldn't
be too welcome up here.
BRUNNHILDA
Weaklings don't like you. I have nothing but the
utmost respect for you and your philosophy. From
the very first story I ever heard-
Gabrielle ties a bandage onto Xena's leg and she hisses.
BRUNNHILDA
-I knew I wanted to be a warrior like you, to live
for battle, die with valour.
XENA
Well, I've gotten a lot smarter since then. I've
learned to respect life, love, and peace.
BRUNNHILDA
Why? What happened?
Xena and Gabrielle share a look.
XENA
Lots of reasons.
Gabrielle smiles. Beowulf comes back.
BEOWULF
It seems to be gone.
XENA
Yeah, she's out there somewhere.
BRUNNHILDA
When it heard us looking for Gabrielle, it doubled
back behind us. With the cliffs behind us, it cut off
our path of retreat.
XENA
That's right.
Brunnhilda smiles.
GABRIELLE
Let's get you outta here.
Gabrielle helps her up.
XENA
No, Gabrielle, I can't do that. Grindl and I have a
date with destiny. Gabrielle, I know better than to
try to talk you into leaving, but you two should go.
Live to fight another day. This is my battle.
GABRIELLE
Our battle.
BRUNNHILDA
I won't leave Gabrielle.
BEOWULF
Neither will I.
Xena looks at them all slowly.
XENA
Well, I guess we're in this together, then.
Grindl roars.
XENA
This way.
Grindl roars.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
The woods.
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The gates to the mine are bent open. Xena, Gabrielle, Brunnhilda and Beowulf arrive.
XENA
This is it. This is its lair.
GABRIELLE
Are you sure about this?
XENA
I'm sure.
Xena goes in and the others follow.
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Inside the mine. Torches are lit everywhere.
BEOWULF
So, what's your plan?
XENA
I'm going to lure Grindl in here. When she's in
position, I want you bring the mountain down on
her head.
GABRIELLE
Her? What is this Grindl?
XENA
A mistake...from a very long time ago. I defeated
the Rhein maidens to steal their gold, not for the
wealth it could have brought me, but for the power
foretold by Odin's rune stones.
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Clips from "The Rheingold."
XENA (voice-over)
I melted down the Rheingold, harnessing all its
power into a single ring...a ring that could give a
mortal the power of a god.
The clip ends as the continuing footage plays. Grinhilda fires an arrow which captures the ring on the point. It bounces off of a shield and flies back at Grinhilda who catches it. She takes the ring off of the arrow.
XENA
Give me that ring.
Grinhilda holds the ring, ready to slide it onto her finger in response.
XENA
I've thrashed you before, Grinhilda! I can do it again.
GRINHILDA
I won't let the power of the Rheingold fall into the
hands of a monster like you.
XENA
It's no use to you. You know what the runes say,
"Unless you have forsaken love the power of the
ring will destroy what you value most."
GRINHILDA
The runes also say that anyone who puts on the
ring has a surge of godlike strength before the
destructive power kicks in.
XENA
You'd gamble that you can beat me before the
ring destroys your essence.
GRINHILDA
I'll take that chance to destroy you. The Valkyrie
had honour once, before they learned to prize the
thirst of blood. You taught us that, Xena.
XENA
Let's see if you took notes.
Xena gets her sword. Grinhilda puts on the ring and blue mist moves around her. She picks up her sword. Xena runs at her.
XENA
A-a-a-a-a-ah!
They battle. Grinhilda gets the upper hand and hits Xena a few times and then knocks her back. Xena gets to her feet.
XENA
A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-h-h!
She does a spinning jump towards Grinhilda, but Grinhilda kicks her back. Grinhilda holds her sword up, ready to strike, but then she drops it and falls to her knees. She starts to scream. The ring glows blue. Grinhilda is morphed into Monster Grinhilda. She stands, snarling. Xena rises with a smile.
XENA
It's a whole new you, Grinhilda.
Xena sees Grinhilda's Valkyrie necklace on the floor and picks it up with her sword. She tucks it onto her back.
XENA
Now we see what you prize the most, Grinhilda.
You've lost what you hold dearest in your heart - your
humanity, your beauty.
Monster Grinhilda growls. Xena cuts off the finger with the ring and it lands in her hand. Xena pulls it off as Monster Grinhilda roars in pain. Xena looks at the ring. Monster Grinhilda falls to her knees. Xena puts on the ring and the blue mist moves around her.
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In the mine.
BEOWULF
You mean this monster that's been killing my
people is actually Grinhilda, the Valkyrie?
BRUNNHILDA
Then why didn't you just use the ring to kill her?
XENA
Killing her would have been kind compared to
what I had in mind for her. As fearsome as she
was in her new form, she knew that she was no
match for me with the ring. She fled.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clips from "The Rheingold."
XENA (voice-over)
Using chains I stole from Odin and Grinhilda's
own necklace as a lock, I transformed this mine
into her prison. Then I drove Grinhilda towards
her fate. I knew being trapped in that hideous form
would be the ultimate torture for Grinhilda. I wanted
her to suffer with her own ugliness forever.
Monster Grinhilda roars.
XENA
Don't think you've won anything! These chains
will hold you for eternity, and you will never use
the power of the ring - never!
XENA (voice-over)
I wasn't going in that cage without the ring and
Grinhilda wasn't about to give it to me. It was a
stalemate. I knew that the power of the ring-
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In the mine.
XENA
-would be useless to her unless...
GABRIELLE
She learned to forsake love.
XENA
That's right. Thirty-five years of imprisonment is
enough to drive love out of anyone's heart. And
once that happened, the power of the ring was
hers. She broke free. Now nothing would stop her
murderous rampage.
Grindl roars.
XENA
You ready for this?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena moves alone through the mine with a torch and her sword drawn. Grindl growls. Xena moves towards the sound. Grindl comes in from around a corner and growls.
XENA
Come and get some.
He moves to her. Xena slowly starts to back up and he follows, growling.
XENA
Come on. Come on. What are you waiting for,
huh? Come on. Ha-ha!
She moves with a little more speed but still slow enough that he can easily follow.
XENA
That's it. Come on.
Gabrielle, Brunnhilda and Beowulf are hiding above an outcropping where they are ready to drop a bunch of boulders.
BEOWULF
Here they come.
GABRIELLE
Wait for Xena's signal.
Xena teases Grindl who continues to growl.
XENA
You know you want it. You remember me, don'tcha?
Huh? Come on.
Xena steps out past the outcropping, but Grindl stops.
XENA
(whispering) Come on.
Grindl looks up, sensing something, then runs back into the mines.
XENA
Stay here.
Xena runs after him.
GABRIELLE
Xena, no!
Gabrielle and the others get down and follow her.
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Gabrielle and the others catch up with Xena.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
XENA
I thought I told you not to come in here!
GABRIELLE
I never listen!
Grindl plows through them, roaring. Xena and Beowulf fight him. Beowulf is knocked back and then Xena is knocked into the wall. Gabrielle draws her sais. Grindl takes a swipe at her, but she ducks and he hits Brunnhilda instead. Then he hits Gabrielle. Beowulf attacks with his ax. Xena attacks. Grindl turns to her and hits her into the wall again. Gabrielle attacks. Brunnhilda draws her sword. Gabrielle is knocked back.
BRUNNHILDA
No!
Brunnhilda attacks. Grindl picks her up and throws her hard against the wall. A beam is broken and the mine shows signs of being about to cave in.
XENA
Beowulf, get to the other side!
BEOWULF
What about you?!
Xena has her chakram drawn.
XENA
Don't worry about me. Go.
Beowulf runs to the other side where Brunnhilda and Gabrielle had already been thrown. Xena battles Grindl. She waits until Beowulf is out and then throws the chakram at the beam that is barely holding up the rocks. She tries to run past Grindl, but he knocks her back. The rocks fall.
BEOWULF
Gabrielle, look out!
Gabrielle coughs.
BEOWULF
Gabrielle, are you hurt?
BRUNNHILDA
Are you all right?
GABRIELLE
Xena-a-a-a-a! Xena-a-a!
Xena is trapped on the other side.
END ON ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Gabrielle looks at the rocks.
GABRIELLE
Xena?!
BEOWULF
She's right behind here!
They start to dig.
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Xena battles Grindl. He growls. Her chakram is just peaking out from under the rocks, but Xena can't get to it. Xena fights Grindl with her sword and then grabs a torch.
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Gabrielle, Beowulf and Brunnhilda dig.
BEOWULF
Xena-a-a-a-a-a!
GABRIELLE
Xena-a-a-a!
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Xena battles Grindl. He hits her and she falls to the ground. She gets up and runs deeper into the mine.
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Gabrielle, Beowulf and Brunnhilda dig.
GABRIELLE
Watch out! Help me!
They remove rocks from the top.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena runs, Grindl right behind her.
XENA
Yah!
Xena battles Grindl. He sends her flying back. Her sword is useless against his tough skin. He picks her up and starts to slam her into the walls before tossing her again. Xena gets up and keeps fighting him with her sword. He sends her flying again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle digs a big enough hole for her to crawl through.
GABRIELLE
Xena-a-a-a!
Gabrielle crawls through.
BRUNNHILDA
W--wait! Gabrielle, wait! Wait!
Gabrielle sees the chakram and picks it up.
GABRIELLE
(whispers) Xena.
Gabrielle runs into the cave.
BEOWULF
Gabrielle!
Beowulf starts to slowly crawl through the hole.
BRUNNHILDA
Ah-h-h-h-h.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena gets to her feet, only to be knocked down again. Grindl roars. Xena rises and he grabs her and lifts her off of the floor. He starts to crush her. Gabrielle runs in and jumps on his back, stabbing him in the neck with his chakram. He roars. Gabrielle keeps stabbing him. He drops Xena.
XENA
(whispering) Gabrielle.
Grindl tosses Gabrielle and the chakram flies straight up into the air. It comes down and Xena catches it.
XENA
A-a-a-a-a-a-a-ah!
Xena stabs Grindl just under the chest with the chakram, which breaks past the tough skin. She digs the chakram in deeper and deeper as Grindl roars. Finally, when it's deep enough, she pulls it up his chest. He roars as and falls down, dead. Brunnhilda and Beowulf enter.
XENA
Forgive me, Grinhilda.
GABRIELLE
Are you all right?
XENA
Yeah. I'm all right.
Xena takes the ring from his finger and looks at it. Xena looks at Grindl's hand and there's a worried look on her face.
GABRIELLE
What is it?
XENA
Let's get out of here.
Xena heads out and Gabrielle and Brunnhilda follow. Beowulf lingers and looks at Grindl's body, then follows.
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Woods.
GABRIELLE
Xena, you killed it. It's over.
XENA
No, that monster that I locked in the mine long
ago, I cut off one of its fingers. What I killed just
now - it had all of its fingers.
GABRIELLE
If then wasn't Grinhilda, then what was it?
There's a roar heard in the distance.
XENA
That's Grinhilda, and whatever it was I killed, she's
not happy about it.
A raven lands in a tree.
XENA
We gotta get to the Rhein maidens. I got somethin'
that belongs to them.
Xena, Gabrielle and Beowulf move off. Brunnhilda looks up at the raven which caws at her.
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Monster Grinhilda looks over the body of Grindl, then stands and roars.
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The raven flies to Valhalla.
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The raven caws at Odin who is looking at a tapestry of Xena.
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Woods. Xena is up front, Gabrielle and Brunnhilda walk together and Beowulf behind.
BRUNNHILDA
She really is giving up the power of the ring. She
is not the Xena of the legends.
GABRIELLE
She fights for good now.
BRUNNHILDA
I don't know. I mean, in battle she's everything that
I imagined, yes.
Xena stops and kneels. She checks the bandage Gabrielle put around the cut on her leg earlier. The others stop at Xena's side and Xena hears what Gabrielle says.
GABRIELLE
There's more to being a warrior than skill. There's
fighting for what you believe in, for people that you love.
BRUNNHILDA
You know, before I met you, I never thought of a
warrior as having any love but the love of battle.
Xena looks at her leg.
XENA
I'm gonna tend to this. Brunnhilda, could you
scout up ahead? See what's over that ridge?
Brunnhilda moves off.
XENA
Thank you.
Xena stands and faces Gabrielle.
XENA
I don't like her.
GABRIELLE
Why do you say that?
XENA
I don't know. She's just not who she says she is,
that's all.
GABRIELLE
Xena, she's searching. She doesn't know what
she believes in.
XENA
No, she believes in exactly what I used to believe
in. I don't trust her.
Xena moves on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brunnhilda walks through the woods. A raven caws. She looks up and sees a second one that caws as well. Odin is behind her.
ODIN
You don't like my friends, Brunnhilda.
The Valkyrie ride in, now lead by Waltraute.
ODIN
They're my eyes and ears in the field. So, what
went wrong, Brunnhilda? The plan was once Xena
had the ring, you were to attack her in a wakened
state and take it!
BRUNNHILDA
Yes, but there were complications.
ODIN
Complications. My ravens they tell me you've fallen
in love with her partner. Is it possible you thought
that killing Xena would kill any chance you had
with Gabrielle?
Brunnhilda mutters under her breath.
BRUNNHILDA
Those mangy stool pigeons.
A raven caws.
BRUNNIHILDA
Odin, I had to play up to Gabrielle so she wouldn't
suspect my true motives.
ODIN
You failed to bring the ring to me.
BRUNNHILDA
But I j-
ODIN
Silence! I'll deal with you later. (to the Valkyrie) Xena,
has the power to kill gods. She's also capable
of taking out her share of Valkyrie. But she has
a weakness - her partner, Gabrielle. Capture her,
and the ring is ours.
WALTRAUTE
And if she won't trade?
ODIN
Oh, she'll trade...or Gabrielle will be killed.
He vanishes.
EXTRA
Yah! Yah! Hah! Yah!
The Valkyrie ride off, leaving Brunnhilda alone. Brunnhilda walks off.
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Xena, Gabrielle and Beowulf.
BEOWULF
What's keeping Brunnhilda?
XENA
Somethin's going on.
The Valkyrie run in. Xena draws her sword.
WALTRAUTE
That one! Get the blonde!
Xena, Gabrielle and Beowulf fight the Valkyrie. Brunnhilda rides in.
BRUNNHILDA
Yah-h-h-h! Yah!
Brunnhilda rides into the battles and grabs Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
Brunnhilda takes to the sky.
XENA
Brunnhilda, stop!
GABRIELLE
Xena!
XENA
Gabrie-e-e-e-elle!
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
Brunnhilda rides off into the sky with Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
BEOWULF
Gabrie-e-e-e-elle!
Xena and Beowulf fight the Valkyrie.
XENA
Beowulf! See if you can find where they're headed!
Beowulf moves off and Xena takes out the Valkyrie. She and Waltraute begin to battle. Odin appears.
ODIN
Enough!
They stop.
ODIN
Let's talk about this. (to Waltraute) Alone.
He sighs as he moves over to Xena. Waltraute steps back.
ODIN
Thirty-five years...you look amazing, Xena...for
a mortal.
XENA
You've come for the ring.
ODIN
And you want your friend. May I suggest a trade?
XENA
A trade.
ODIN
Hm-m.
XENA
No, I saw your faces when Brunnhilda carried
Gabrielle off. You were as surprised as I am.
She's acting alone.
Xena walks off.
ODIN
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. You killed Grinhilda's son.
Xena stops and faces him.
XENA
Her son?
ODIN
Yes. She was with child when you caged her.
She'll be most upset when she finds out it was
you killed him. If I enlist her help as an ally, together,
we would be formidable. Why don't you give me the
ring, Xena? Go back to Greece...where you belong.
XENA
Odin, I'm taking the ring back to the Rhein maidens.
I owe them that much. Trust me - I won't let it fall
into the hands of one who's forsaken love.
ODIN
Don't make me kill you.
XENA
You want that ring for yourself.
ODIN
Yes. It ensures my power against other gods - and
god-slayers like you.
XENA
Have you forsaken love?
ODIN
After you, it wasn't very hard.
XENA
Then I'd be a fool to give it to you.
ODIN
Then you leave me no choice. You remember,
your ability to forsake love is long gone! I'll give
Grinhilda your regards.
He walks off and vanishes. Beowulf runs over to Xena.
BEOWULF
She's taking Gabrielle to the Eastwind Bog.
XENA
Take me there.
They run off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brunnhilda ride in the sky with Gabrielle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is thrown to the ground. They have landed. Brunnhilda dismounts.
GABRIELLE
What are you doing?
BRUNNHILDA
Odin and the others were gonna kill you for the ring.
GABRIELLE
We left Xena to fight them all.
BRUNNHILDA
Is Xena all you think about?
GABRIELLE
Sh-Xena is my family. She's the most important
thing in my life.
BRUNNHILDA
Gabrielle, listen to me. I bring to Valhalla the bravest
warriors slain in battle - heroes - but your heart
has more truth and courage than any that
I've seen. The beauty inside you burns like a star,
Gabrielle. I was supposed to betray you and
Xena...but I couldn't...not now. You've changed me.
You've opened my eyes and you've change me
the way you changed Xena.
GABRIELLE
I don't know what to say. I'm sorry.
She moves off. Brunnhilda follows and spins her around.
BRUNNHILDA
I defied my god for you, Gabrielle!
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Monster Grinhilda mourns over Grindl. Odin appears.
ODIN
Grinhilda.
She rises and growls.
ODIN
You're looking well. I know who killed your son, the
same woman who robbed you of your beauty - Xena!
She roars.
ODIN
Yes, come. I'll take you to her. Fighting together...just
like old times. You want your revenge, don't you?
She snarls and nods. She takes his hand and they vanish.
GABRIELLE (voice-over)
Xena-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle talks to Brunnhilda.
GABRIELLE
-and I have a connection. It's stronger than either
one of us. We're soul mates.
BRUNNHILDA
My love is strong. I can feel it!
GABRIELLE
I am trying to tell you that Xena and I are meant to
be together. We didn't - we didn't make it that way.
It just is.
Xena can be heard shouting.
XENA
Gabrie-e-e-e-e-elle!
GABRIELLE
Xena!
Brunnhilda draws her sword.
BRUNNHILDA
I can see your heart lies with Xena, but I'll prove
to you which one of us deserves your love.
Brunnhilda moves off. Gabrielle follows.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mist moves the bog.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Beowulf move along.
XENA
You do know your way around this place, don't you?
BEOWULF
I never had a reason to come into this foul pit.
But for Gabrielle, I would go through the fires of Hell.
Gabrielle can be heard shouting.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
XENA
That's her.
BEOWULF
Over here.
Odin appears. Xena draws her sword. Odin hits Beowulf with a bolt, knocking him back. The Valkyrie enter. Odin takes a deep breath.
ODIN
Give me the ring, Xena.
XENA
Step aside, or join the Olympians.
ODIN
Very well. I like the odds.
XENA
So do I.
He throws a bolt at her but she jumps...right into the arms of Monster Grinhilda. Odin grins. Monster Grinhilda growls. Odin and the Valkyrie move on Xena. Gabrielle can be heard shouting.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
ODIN
Find her friend and at my order...kill her.
Xena struggles against Monster Grinhilda's grasp. Odin laughs. Beowulf stands. Monster Grinhilda growls. Waltraute moves towards Beowulf and Xena kicks Odin in the face, knocking him back. Waltraute and Beowulf fight. Xena draws a dagger and stabs Monster Grinhilda in the leg. She roars and releases Xena who picks up her sword. Xena hits Monster Grinhilda a few times with her sword, Monster Grinhilda growling. Beowulf and Waltraute fight. Xena draws her chakram. Odin throws his hammer, and Xena the chakram. The chakram hits the hammer and breaks it. Odin is shocked. The chakram begins to bounce of trees and rocks, flying around Odin's head. He is busy trying to dodge it, leaving Xena free to take out a Valkyrie. Monster Grinhilda moves in and she and Xena battle. Xena dodges some blows, then another Valkyrie attacks. Xena defeats her then catches her chakram as it returns to her. Beowulf runs at Waltraute, who stabs him.
XENA
Beowulf!
Beowulf falls to the ground. Waltraute smirks. Monster Grinhilda snarls, and then sends Xena flying. Xena hits a boulder. Monster Grin, Odin, Waltraute and the other Valkyrie move in on her. Odin draws his sword.
ODIN
Give me the ring, Xena and I won't kill your friend.
Xena looks over at Beowulf. He is breathing, but he won't be joining the fight again.
ODIN
Look, you can't defeat us all.
Xena pulls out the ring and holds it up, ready to put it on her finger. Waltraute glares at her.
ODIN
You must forsake love to gain the ring's power.
Your feelings for Gabrielle guarantee that it won't
work for you.
XENA
The ring works for everyone at first.
She motions to Monster Grinhilda.
XENA
Ask her.
ODIN
Yes...but eventually, it kills the essence of one that
has not forsaken love. What do you hold dearest
in your heart, Xena? Are you ready to lose it?
XENA
I'm out of options, Odin.
Odin sighs.
ODIN
Kill her! And kill Gabrielle!
Xena puts on the ring and the blue mist surrounds her. Odin, Monster Grinhilda, Waltraute and the Valkyrie back up. Xena snarls at them.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
Xena rises, the power of the ring rushing through her. Her fallen sword and chakram fly up into her waiting hands. Odin backs up. He fires a bolt, which Xena deflects with the chakram into Monster Grinhilda. He fires another and she deflects it into a Valkyrie. He fires again and she deflects it into him, knocking him off of his feet. Xena battles two Valkyries, totally calm. She kills them.
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Gabrielle runs after Brunnhilda.
GABRIELLE
Brunnhilda...you can't win. Listen to me. This is
wrong. Can we just - let's just talk about this!
Two Valkyries run in.
BRUNNHILDA
Get back.
Brunnhilda knocks one over to Gabrielle and they each battle one. Brunnhilda beats one and a third runs in. Brunnhilda kills her and Gabrielle knocks out the one she is fighting. Monster Grinhilda can be heard growling.
GABRIELLE
Xena.
BRUNNHILDA
They're gonna kill her before I get a chance to
prove my love for you.
Brunnhilda starts to run off, but Gabrielle grabs her.
GABRIELLE
What are you fighting for? You want to win my
love? You're going to shed blood for what - for me?
You call that love? You're sick.
Gabrielle runs off. Brunnhilda looks after her.
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Monster Grinhilda attacks Xena. They battle. Odin rises.
XENA
Raah-huh! Hi-i-i-i-i-i-yah!
Xena kicks Monster Grinhilda and with the strength the ring has given her, she knocks Monster Grinhilda back. Odin fires a bolt which Xena knocks away with her sword. He fires another and she does the same thing. He fires again and she deflects it aside. Waltraute attacks. Xena battles her, still calm. Xena knocks her back. Monster Grinhilda comes at her again, snarling. Xena flips.
XENA
Hi-i-i-i-i-i-yah!
She lands and slices down Monster Grinhilda's front. Then she hits her hard and sends Monster Grinhilda flying back. Gabrielle can be heard shouting.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
Xena turns her head. Waltraute rises. Xena flips.
XENA
She-e-e-e-e-ya-a-a-a-a-ah!
She flips right over them and is gone. Waltraute moves to follow her.
ODIN
Let her go!
WALTRAUTE
But she has the ring!
ODIN
Right now, it's killing what she values the most.
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Xena moves through the bog.
BRUNNHILDA
Xena.
She turns as Brunnhilda moves over to her.
BRUNNHILDA
Odin will bring all of his forces upon Gabrielle until
you give up that ring. You have to trust me. It's the-
Xena is looking at the ring on her hand. Brunnhilda looks at it.
BRUNNHILDA
You've put the ring on your finger. But Xena, you
haven't forsaken love. Take it off!
Xena holds her hand away from Brunnhilda.
XENA
I don't know what you're talking about.
BRUNNHILDA
The curse is already working.
XENA
I don't know how I got here. (to herself) What's
my name? (to Brunnhilda) What's my name?
BRUNNHILDA
You've lost your memory, your sense or self.
What about Gabrielle?
XENA
I don't know her.
BRUNNHILDA
Xena, give me the ring.
She holds out her hand. Xena puts it behind her back.
XENA
Why does everybody want my ring?
BRUNNHILDA
Xena, give me the ring and everybody will leave
you alone.
Xena drops her sword and hands the ring over to Brunnhilda.
BRUNNHILDA
Thank you.
Brunnhilda runs off. Xena unhooks her chakram and holds it up. She turns it around and smiles. She holds it too tight and it cuts her hand. She drops it, bloody, next to her sword. She moves off.
GABRIELLE (voice-over)
Xena!
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Gabrielle moves through the bog. Brunnhilda joins her.
BRUNNHILDA
Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Brunnhilda, I am going to find Xena.
BRUNNHILDA
Xena won't know you.
GABRIELLE
Won't know-won't know me?
She snickers.
GABRIELLE
What are you talking about?
BRUNNHILDA
She put on the ring.
GABRIELLE
No.
BRUNNHILDA
And she lost what she values most - you - the
memories of you and the woman that you helped
her to become.
GABRIELLE
No.
BRUNNHILDA
Here.
She puts the ring in Gabrielle's hand.
BRUNNHILDA
This ring is too powerful to fall into undeserving
hands. And so are you. But I can't protect in this
form, not from Odin and he and Grinhilda will stop
at nothing. They'll kill everything associated with Xena.
GABRIELLE
In this form?
BRUNNHILDA
I'll become an eternal flame for you. Only your
true soul mate will be able to pass through the
fire. You'll be safe.
Brunnhilda whispers in a foreign tongue and becomes fire.
BRUNNHILDA
See, Gabrielle? You have changed me.
The flame passes through Gabrielle, changing her clothes into a white and gold dress. Gabrielle becomes sleepy and lays back on rock.
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Beowulf wakes.
BEOWULF
Oh-h-h.
He rises.
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Beowulf walks through the bog. He finds Xena's sword and chakram and picks them up.
BEOWULF
Xena! Xena!
He moves off to find her.
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Gabrielle falls asleep. Her hand opens, the ring resting in her palm.
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Xena stumbles through the bog.
XENA
I can hear you...laughin' at me.
She hears the sound of a woman laughing as she falls to her knees.
XENA
(whispering) Who am I?
She is upset.
XENA
Who am I? Please tell me. (yelling) Who am I?!
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Mist moves through the bog.
XENA (voice-over)
(yelling) Who am I?!
END OF ACT FOUR
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
Roger Morrissey as Monster Grinhilda
Luanne Gordon as Grinhilda
Glen Levy as Grindl
Jonathon Brandise as Soldier
Written by: Joel Metzger
Directed by: Rick Jacobson
Disclaimer: Gabrielle's popularity surged during the making of this motion picture.
