ACT 4
FADE IN:
The Edge of The Conqueror's Campsite. Just after sun up. Ares dries his short hair with a towel after a quick, but refreshing, scrub down in the small lake nearby. He decides to get some breakfast and bring a plate back for the Conqueror as well. As he passes, several older soldiers, who recognize him as the God of War, bow or salute him. However, the younger ones laugh and snicker. Ares realizes that they all must have heard him and the Conqueror last night, and he blushes sheepishly. As he nears the cooking fire, the army's COOK, a middle-aged woman with silver streaked brown hair, smiles warmly but keeps her eyes closed, making Ares assume she is blind.
Ares:
(authoritatively) Two plates and don't be skimpy, one of them is for our glorious Conqueror.
Cook:
(in a thick Irish brogue) Keepin' the Mistress up all night, were ye? No need to worry. Her babe will be healthy and strong, and that evil witch won't be getting her hands on your little lass. I'll be making sure of that. No need to worry at all.
Ares is caught off guard, but quickly recovers.
Ares:
If you're such a powerful shamaness that you can defeat Alti, what are you doing as a army cook?
Cook:
(chuckling) I'm not a shamaness. I simply go where I'm needed, God of War, Sir, even between the roads, as you would put it, where ever those like that witch seek too much power. I almost had to pay a visit to you a couple of times, like the recent one your father sent you here for. That was quite naughty of you! You should not have tried to steal the Chakram of Light. It was not meant for one such as you!
The Cook Woman opens her eyes as she looks up and Ares gasps; one is of the purest white while the other is blacker than obsidian. He's never seen anything like it, and somehow he knows this being is far more powerful than any he's ever encountered before, definitely loads more powerful than Zeus could even dream of being.
Ares:
Whoa! I've learned my lesson; no more naughty plans to eliminate the other gods. Gotcha!
The Cooks laughter bubbles forth, and startles Ares.
Cook:
Oh, you do an old woman's heart good, God of War, Sir. No, I do not wish you to stop trying. You might as well ask the sun not to shine or the hawk not to fly. Your quest for power is part of who you are. I would not deny anyone that, not even the evil witch herself. But by the same right, I would not let her destroy all that is. I am just assuring you that whatever happens today, your baby girl will be fine, and such a pretty little one too. She will drive them boys wild! But be careful, I fear that she'll also inherit her mother's taste for dangerous men.
Ares studies the Cook woman and rubs his beard trying to figure out just what she is. He wracks his brain for all the beings he'd ever learned about that could possess this level of power, but draws a blank. He definitely has some research to do when he and The Conqueror make it back to Olympus. A smile spread across his face at the thought of their plans and all the power he and the Conqueror will possess as King and Queen of the gods in this world.
Cook:
(chuckling and shaking her head) Like I said, you might as well ask the sun not to shine. As for your earlier request, here (handing Ares two steaming plates piled high with eggs, potatoes, and ham). Now get back to your Lady Love before the food gets cold.
Ares gives the woman one more quick inspection, then turns around and does as she instructed. He never sees the sad expression that mars her wrinkled face as he walks away.
As Ares nears the Conqueror's tent, he hears a war cry he'd know anywhere, and the sounds of a fight. A slight unease fills him for a second, but then he sees a familiar mop of blonde hair running from the tent, and he's reassured. Gabrielle could never harm Xena. In Ares mind, he envisions Gabrielle showing up to 'share her feelings' so that she can get some 'closure' over her crucifixion, and the Conqueror giving her some closure, thought not the kind the girl came for. Any second now, the Conqueror would emerge from her tent and hunt the irritating blonde down. That was something Ares was looking forward to seeing and maybe even helping with.
The Conqueror:
(V.O. from inside the tent) Guards! Get her!
Knowing Xena would only delegate a kill if she were wounded and unable to do it herself, Ares realizes his miscalculation and drops the dishes he carries, running the rest of the way to the Conqueror's tent with several of the Conqueror's guards right behind him.
As Ares enters the Conqueror's tent and finds her kneeling and clutching her stomach in a puddle of her own blood, time seems to stop. From the position and the amount of blood, he knows the wound will be fatal if the Conqueror doesn't get some help, and not of the mortal kind.
He's brought back to the present when Alti storms in, dragging Gabrielle by the bicep, who has an arrow sticking out of her neck, precariously close to her jugular. Ares immediately notices the difference between this Gabrielle and her counterpart. Her hair is a bit longer and braided, she's far more muscular, and she's wearing standard Amazon attire, but the most striking difference is the eyes. They are the eyes of a killer, not a hero or a bard. She smiles cruelly, watching the Conqueror bleed, enjoying her handiwork, and the mortal Ares can only shiver.
Alti:
(accusingly) So, the little blonde bitch is dead, is she? She looks quite well for someone who was crucified two years ago!
Alti throws the wounded Gabrielle at Ares, who catches her in a vice-like grip of rage.
Ares:
(growling) If she dies, you die!
Gabrielle:
(calmly looking Ares straight in the eye) I came here knowing that, but at least I'm taking that monster with me! The Amazon Nation is avenged, and that's all that matters!
Ares:
(meeting Gabrielle's hard eyes) When this is over, I promise you, I'm gonna rip the flesh from your body! (to one of Xena's guards) Get her out of here!
Meanwhile, Alti is looking the Conqueror over. She strikes the pressure points near her wound, then looks to Ares.
Alti:
That will slow the bleeding and ease the pain, but I can't save her. She has less than half hour now, unless you can do something, War God. You may be powerless, but your relatives are not! I'm sure one of them might answer you if you called, if you're willing to put aside your ego…
Ares:
(shouting towards the sky) Zeus! Zeus! I know you can hear me; come to me damn you!
In a flash, the King of the Gods appears and looked around him. The first thing he notices is his wayward son; he can almost smell the desperation in him.
Ares:
(clutching the trim of Zeus' robes and pleading) Zeus, Father, please help me! I'll do anything you want, just please save Xena! She's been stabbed and as a mortal I can't help her. Please heal her! Please!
As Zeus looks at his son, his heart is breaking. He wanted Ares beaten down physically, but not like this. Still, he knows he can't do as his son asks. Ares wouldn't come back to their world, if he had the opportunity to take over this dimension's Olympus and marry the Conqueror, and his world needed a God of War. Ares was quite good at his job, but Zeus also knew he could never let him know that.
Zeus:
(sadly) I'm sorry Ares, but I can't heal her. She's mortal. She must die. I can't spare you this pain without causing you irreparable harm, without shielding you from the truth. All mortals must die, even those that we love.
Suddenly there are three more flashes of light, and Aphrodite, Cupid, and Athena stand at the entrance of the tent.
Aphrodite:
(stamping her pink slipper in anger) Cut the life lessons crap, Daddy! The woman Ar majorly loves is DYING! (whining) You've got to, like, save her!
Athena:
I agree, Father. It would do Ares good to have this Xena by his side. She may have been brutal in acquiring her empire, but since solidify her control, she has been a wise and just leader. She's built roads, schools, and hospitals for the people of this world. Ares might just learn something from her.
Ares looks up at his sisters and his nephew with gratitude. Zeus considers these arguments but ultimately shakes his head in the negative.
Zeus:
No, I can't allow this woman to be healed and that is final. And you all know the penalty for defying me. (to Ares) Once Celesta has taken her, I will return your powers, but not before! You might try to save her at the expense of your immortality and I cannot allow that; our world needs a God of War, not a lovesick concubine.
Just as suddenly as he arrived, Zeus disappears and Ares jumps to his feet.
Ares:
(howling) NO! Come back! Save her! Please, FATHER!!!
Falling to his knees in despair, Ares moves to the Conqueror and holds her as close as he can without causing her pain.
The Conqueror:
I'm sorry, Ares. I'm sorry I'll not become your queen or have our baby.
Alti:
There maybe a way to remedy both situations.
Athena:
(in defense) He doesn't need your council, Witch! (to Ares) It'll be all right. You'll survive. For all your
faults, you're strong Ares. You'll make it.
Aphrodite:
(firmly) Yeah Bro, you'll be okay. It's gonna hurt lots, but you always have me and Cupie and Hephy. Remember that; don't try to handle this alone.
Alti:
(to Ares) If you marry Xena with the little assassin's blessing, it will knit your soul to Xena's for eternity! You are a god; you know about the cycles of death and rebirth. She can be yours again, and you can save your child, (insistently) but you must act now!
Ares:
(needing to hear more) Go on.
Athena closes her eyes, knowing someone like Alti should never be trusted, but that Ares will listen anyway.
Alti:
(smiling) It takes an unborn child, at this stage, about fifteen minutes to die inside of a dead mother. Call your father immediately after Xena dies, then once you have your powers again, get rid of him. You can make a place inside yourself to store the baby till you can find a woman willing to carry her to term.
The Conqueror:
(with as much strength as she can muster) Yes, Ares. Do it. Save our baby, please!
Ares:
(fighting tears of disbelief) And you'll marry me, here and now?
The Conqueror:
(with total love) Yes, I'll marry you.
Athena:
(pleading) Ares, you know this (gesturing to Alti) THING is pure evil! You know it! Don't play into her hands! I know it hurts! I know, but…
Ares:
(ranting) You don't know anything! You've never been in love! To Tartarus with good and evil! I'll always love Xena, no matter what she is, no matter what she does, and I'm not going to loose her or our child for anything! (to the guard at the door) Bring the little B*tch back in! (to Aphrodite) Aphrodite, we'll need a wedding bracelet and rings. I want us to have rings like Zeus and Hera had!
Aphrodite:
(in tears) Anything for you Bro. Oh, this is so tragic, so beautiful!
Aphrodite closes her palm, a light breaks for from it, and when she opens it, two white-gold rings appear along with the same platinum and sapphire wedding bracelet Eve found in Hedda's room.
Athena bows her head, while Cupid and Aphrodite gasp in horror when they see the Conqueror's killer brought in.
Ares:
(between clenched teeth) You will be performing a wedding, Amazon! If you refuse, you will be executed. Do well, and give us your blessing, and the Conqueror will spare your life as her last official act. Do you understand?
Gabrielle:
(taken aback, but still cocky) Whatever you say. It's your business if you want to marry that Murderer!
Ares:
(coldly) Look who's talking.
With Aphrodite's help, The Conqueror sits up slightly. Her eyes fall on Gabrielle and she studies her.
The Conqueror:
(laughing bitterly) I thought I had crucified you little girl.
Gabrielle:
(noncommittally) You did, but I had Amazon friends who took me down and saved me that night. You were once crucified in the same way, by Caesar, were you not?
Ares:
(anxiously) Enough talk! Just start the ceremony, Gabrielle!
Gabrielle:
How did you know my name?
Ares:
It's a god thing. Now, do you want to live or do I execute you right here?
Gabrielle:
Alright. (clearing her throat) We have all been called here today to witness this union between Ares: God of War and Xena: The Conqueror. Marriage is a commitment of ones soul and should not be entered into lightly. If there is anyone present who can give reason why these two shall not be joined together, speak now or be forever silent.
There is a pause, but no one says anything.
Gabrielle:
Ares: God of War, in the name of your father, Zeus, do you take this woman for your wife?
Ares:
(with conviction) I do.
Gabrielle:
And Xena, in the name of the Goddess Hera, do you take this god to be your husband?
The Conqueror:
(smiling serenely) I do. I love you, Ares.
Gabrielle:
Ares, place the wedding bracelet on Xena's wrist.
Ares slips the bracelet on the Conqueror's wrist, while holding his loves hand tightly. He also places his ring upon her finger and she, with Aphrodite's help places hers on his. Ares rubbed the living metal of Hephestus and whispered a prayer of thanks to his brother, then nods to Gabrielle to continue.
Gabrielle:
Then, by the powers granted to me as Queen of the Amazon Nation and with my eternal blessing, I pronounce you husband and wife. You must now seal your union with a kiss.
As Ares bends and kisses the Conqueror, Gabrielle grabs her chest as if she were having a heart attack. When the pain passes, she takes several steadying breaths. Alti smiles.
When their lips parted, Ares and the Conqueror smile at one another, but their joy is short lived, as the Conqueror knows her time is short.
The Conqueror:
Ares, about our child…
Ares:
Our daughter, my Love. I have it on good authority that we will have a little girl.
Xena smiles and tears stream down her eyes for the daughter she will never meet.
The Conqueror:
Make our daughter strong and powerful. Teach her to fight. I made the mistake of trying to shield Solan from the violence of my life and it got him killed. I don't want her to share her brother's fate. Make sure she can defend herself, but don't force her to become a warrior, Ares. Give her a choice. Please, I know you're the God of War, but let her learn other things as well. Let her learn history and medicine and art and other things along with combat and strategy. Please, Ares!
Athena:
(truly impressed) Xena, I will help Ares raise your daughter, if you wish it. She will know all the things you asked and more. I swear it by the River Styx.
The Conqueror:
(touched) I would like that, Athena. Thank you.
Aphrodite:
(through her tears) And don't you worry, Conqueror Babe, I'll make sure the little one knows how to love and to love others in return. I'll keep an eye on her and me and Cupie will help find her a good husband or wife when she gets older. (earnestly) I too swear on the River Styx.
The Conqueror smiles at Aphrodite, closing her eyes for a moment. When she reopened them, Celesta is there, completely visible and kneeling down beside her.
The Conqueror:
(urgently, but barely a whisper) Ares, Love my child and tell her about me; tell her I loved her with all my heart and that I will always be with her in spirit.
Ares:
(tears streaming down his face) I will. I love you, Xena! I love you! I love you!
Ares kisses the Conqueror one last time, as her life ends and her spirit passes on. For a moment, everyone is silent, then Ares howls in terrible pain, and Gabrielle, also in great pain, though she is completely confused by it, breaks down into the arms of Aphrodite, who barely catches her. After several seconds, Athena speaks.
Athena:
(her voice raw with emotion) If you're going to do this, I suggest you call Dad now, Ares. He'll doubtlessly give some preachy and pointless speech and you only have maybe 15 minutes to get that baby out of her.
Ares:
(sucking it up) You're right. (shouting at the top of his lungs) Zeus!!!
Zeus arrives, and Gabrielle uses the distraction to flee.
Zeus:
(sympathetically) I'm truly sorry, my son, but if the Fates decided that it was her time, then it was her time.
Ares:
(angrily) I don't want your sympathy or your pathetic explanations! Nothing you can say can ease my pain! Just give me back my sword like you promised!
Zeus:
(sadly) Becoming a god again won't stomp out this pain. I know from experience with your mother. But that was the deal. You'd get your sword and your godhood back upon this woman's death, and so you shall.
Ares sword materializes in Zeus's hand and he give it to his son. The minute Ares grabs hold of it, the sword glows and the power of the God of War is returned to him. Once the blue light had faded, Ares returns to the Conqueror's body and gently kisses his wife's cold lips one last time.
Ares:
(to the Conqueror) Goodbye, my Queen. (to Zeus) I will return to Olympus within the hour. I have a few scores to settle here first, thought.
Zeus:
Very well. I'll see you then… If you want to talk…
Ares:
(maliciously) I'll go to anyone but you.
Zeus flinches slightly, but nods, before disappearing.
The moment he's gone, Ares rips open his vest, exposing his bare chest and abdomen. Concentrating, his hands begin to glow blue, and he reaches into the Conqueror's dead womb, searching for his daughter. Finding her, he pulls her out, securely held inside his closed, cupped palms, then presses her into his own body. He takes a few steadying breaths, but a moment later tears again spring to his eyes.
Ares:
(smiling through his tears) She alive! She lives.
Athena, Aphrodite, and Cupid, all smile back at Ares, pushing aside any doubts they have about it having all been Alti's idea.
CUT TO:
Hedda's Bedroom in Athena's Temple. Present Day. Hedda, Gabrielle and Eve sit on the bed. The tears streaming down Hedda's cheeks are matched by Eve's. Gabrielle is barely holding back, but she too is moved. Hedda stands up and walks over to the shelf above the weapons. She takes down an urn.
Hedda:
So my father turned my mother's body to ash, and placed it in this urn, so Alti couldn't use it in any weird rituals. After that, he returned to my mother's Fortress in Corinth, found the chakram of darkness, and merged it with the Chakram of Light, which she had brought with her on the journey East. (looking Gabrielle straight in the eye) Then he found your counterpart and used the unified chakram to slice the flesh from her body. So you see, your precious Xena was wrong; Daddy can keep his promises. Here catch!
Hedda tosses her chakram at Gabrielle, who reflexively catches it, then drops it in disgust. Hedda laughs.
There is a knock on Hedda's door, and Tellata comes in.
Tellata:
Hedda, you asked me to let you know when it was an hour before sun up…
Hedda:
(smiling eagerly) Thank you, Tellata. Tell the other Priestess to meet us on the roof in ten minutes. (stopping Tellata from leaving) And I need you there as well. You may no longer be in fighting form, but as I witnessed last night, you still pull a mean rope.
Tellata nods and smiles brightly, happy to be able to help her Mistresses' daughter in one last battle. Bowing, she scurries off to round up her staff.
Hedda:
(turning to Gabrielle and Eve) Are you two waiting for an engraved invitation? Come on!
Gabrielle and Eve roll their eyes, but get up and leave the room. Before she follows, Hedda moves to her rack of weapons and chooses a bow for herself. Then she removes her mother's wedding bracelet, kisses it, and puts it away.
Hedda:
I'll make you proud of me, Mom. One way or another, I win this war, and bring order to this world, like you did to yours. You'll see.
With this final vow, Hedda looks at herself in the mirror, then leaves her bedroom. The camera pans around the empty room once, stopping on the tapestry.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT 4
End Of 'The Tapestry'
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