======================================= THE WOMEN IN XENA'S LIFE IAXS Project #378 By Raquel Lynn Huttsell (Xena239358@aol.com) Copyright 1998 held by author 2543 words ======================================= INTRODUCTION [1] Understanding the women of XWP is simple. If you follow the episodes closely, you will find that this show has a unique element which the fans call subtext. It is called subtext' because in many instances, you have to read between the lines to find it. What follows is a discussion of the significant women Xena has met during her excursions. [2] When Xena's home village Amphipolis was brutally attacked by the warlord, Cortese, and her brother Lyceus was subsequently killed, Xena decided it was time to fight back. She went on to conquer the neighboring lands and then ruthlessly attack any and all people who stood in her way [DEATH MASK (23/123)]. Xena learned the ways of war. [3] She even found time for pirating [DESTINY 36/212]. In one of her pirate attacks, she captured a Roman noble named Caesar. She did not know what she was in for! She saw in Caesar a great quality of confidence and an acknowlegement of destiny. She fell in love, a nearly fatal mistake. M'LILA [4] A young slave girl named M'Lila, who possessed powers and abilities otherwise unknown to Xena stowed away on the Warrior Princess' ship. In an attempt to escape, M'Lila put her touch' on Xena's leg and it was paralyzed! How did she do that? One of Xena's men was not as lucky. With just a touch of her finger, M'Lila killed the man! Xena was fascinated. She had to learn these skills. She, however, did not speak the slave's language. Luckily, Caesar was there to translate. Xena offered M'Lila her life in exchange for lessons. M'Lila agreed. [5] Later, after Caesar betrayed Xena, Xena was hanging half dead on a cross with broken legs, and M'Lila risked her life to save Xena. M'Lila took Xena to her friend, Nicklio, who was a healer. He set Xena's legs. However, Caesar was not going to give up that easily. Roman guards rushed in, and M'Lila tried to ward them off, but when an arrow flew toward Xena, M'Lila intercepted it with her body. Xena could not believe it! For the second time, M'Lila had risked her life for Xena, and this time, she lost it. Xena swelled with anger. She had found a new purpose in life: death. GABRIELLE [6] Xena went on alone, loveless and without hope. The sins of her past constantly haunted her until it was almost too much to bear. Then, in a quirk of chance or maybe an incident of fate, Xena decided to have pity on the weak and saved a young girl from the village of Poteidaia named Gabrielle. This event would change Xena's life forever [SINS OF THE PAST (01/101)]. [7] Gabrielle showed Xena that her outlook on life was very dark. Gabrielle was full of life and joy, and she could see the good side of every situation. Gabrielle had the one thing Xena had been missing for all those 'lost years'-- faith. [8] Through time, as their friendship grew, they developed a very unique bond, unlike anything Xena or Gabrielle had hitherto imagined. That became all too clear when Gabrielle was proposed to by Perdicus [RETURN OF CALLISTO (29/205)]. CALLISTO [9] The sins of Xena's past resurfaced when a new adversary appeared in the form of Callisto. Callisto was a victim of one of Xena's past raids. She had lost her family and had sworn revenge against Xena. [10] Callisto quickly acknowledged the bond between Xena and Gabrielle. Although Xena had changed her ways, that was no release for Callisto. After all, Xena had shaped her life. Callisto studied Xena's past conquests, her fighting style and her ruthless pursuit of power. In some twisted way, Callisto admired Xena [CALLISTO (22/122)]. [11] Gabrielle and Perdicus were married. After all the adventures, all the lessons learned, and the close bonding, Gabrielle would be gone from Xena's life. Xena was, for the second time in her life, lost and alone. [12] Callisto was no slacker. She wanted to destroy Xena's soul. Merely killing Xena would not quench the burning of her heart. Callisto learned that Perdicus and Gabrielle had married and that Xena was traveling alone. Callisto sought out Gabrielle to kill her. Xena, however, was at the same time looking for Callisto. She found one of Callisto's men, Theodorus, and put her touch on him to find the whereabouts of Callisto. Theodorus said that when he told Callisto Xena was traveling without Gabrielle, Callisto had responded, "Perfect," and left [RETURN OF CALLISTO (29/205)]. [13] Xena's heart was in her throat! She had left Gabrielle in a dangerous situation. She rushed back for Gabrielle. Meanwhile, Callisto had located Gabrielle and Perdicus. Perdicus, a disillusioned former soldier, had sworn never to kill again. This was bad news for Gabrielle. Just as Callisto was about to kill Gabrielle, Xena arrived. "I long to see you wailing over the body of your friend," replied Callisto. "Well, it's not going to happen," Xena said drawing her sword. Callisto seized the moment and slew Perdicus with her sword! [14] In shock, Xena and Gabrielle stood by unable to do anything but watch. Callisto said, "That will do," and jumped on her horse and rode away. Callisto was more interested in soul damage than the actual killing of Xena or Gabrielle. Gabrielle wept and with mixed emotions Xena watched Callisto ride away. "Thank you," she said with her eyes. (Callisto had crushed Gabrielle, but, in a way, had done Xena a favor). [15] Revenge was on Gabrielle's mind for the first time in her life. Xena reminded Gabrielle of her former ideals: that love was the only way to stop the cycle of hatred. Even though they were reunited, their relationship was always at odds because Callisto and Perdicus were all Gabrielle could think about. Xena was at a loss. What had happened to her friend, Gabrielle? What was the meaning of life? Hatred and violence alone? Gabrielle's word echoed in Xena's mind, "Love is helpless in the face of cruelty." [16] She told Xena that she had decided to give up on the revenge quest. She lied. She snuck into Callisto's camp with the desire for blood on her mind. The camp had had a party and they were all asleep. After seeing Callisto helpless, like the rest of us mortals, she could not bring herself to do it. [17] Callisto awoke as Gabrielle withdrew the sword at Callisto's neck. "I don't understand you? After all I've done and you still can't kill me?" asked Callisto. "I won't take a life not even yours," Gabrielle said. "I'd rather die". Callisto responded, "Oh, but you will". Callisto had found the key to bringing Xena to her! [18] Meanwhile, Joxer, out of concern for Gabrielle, wanted to join in the quest for Callisto, but Xena would not allow it. She did not want him getting killed. [19] After attempting to sneak in Callisto's camp, Xena quickly realized that Callisto had Gabrielle set up to barbeque and had every intention of a duet killing. Trapping Xena in the chair that Callisto had been imprisoned in previously, Callisto decided that Xena watching Gabrielle burn like her family had died would do the trick. Just then, Joxer rushed in! In all the confusion Xena grabbed her chakram with her foot from Callisto's belt just as Joxer was shot by an arrow. Freeing Gabrielle and herself and taking out the entire guard, it was Xena and Callisto to the finish! Sword play was not the ticket! Callisto and Xena fought to a standstill until Callisto decided chariots was a better option. [20] The race was on. After a while, Xena caught up with Callisto and threw her off the chariot! They landed in quicksand! Freeing herself with the help of her chakram and whip, Xena was faced with a dilemma: free Callisto and risk Gabrielle's life or let Callisto die to save her friend? She chose the latter [RETURN OF CALLISTO (29/205)]. GABRIELLE, EPHINY, VELASCA AND THE AMAZONS [21] With Callisto no longer on the prowl, Xena and Gabrielle faced new dangers. In DESTINY (36/212), Xena was nearly killed while trying to save some villagers! She told Gabrielle to take her to Nicklio, the man who had saved her once before (M'Lila's friend). Gabrielle did so with a little help from Argo, Xena's horse. But it was too late! Xena died in Gabrielle's arms. Weeping, Gabrielle begged Nicklio to save Xena! "There's nothing I can do," he replied. "Let her pass over" [DESTINY (36/212)]. [22] In the course of passing over, M'Lila came to Xena in purgatory and told her to fight for her destiny. Gabrielle still pleaded over Xena's lifeless body, but it was over. Gabrielle was lost. What would become of her now? A great fear passed over her. Xena had told her if anything was ever to happen that she wanted to be buried in Amphipolis next to her brother, Lyceus. There was nothing left to do but honor her friend's last request. [23] Gabrielle set out. Along the way, she ran into some Amazons. They had heard of Xena's demise and had come to pay their respects. Ephiny, a long time friend, invited Gabrielle to stay with them and suggested that they give Xena an Amazon funeral. After some dispute Gabrielle agreed [THE QUEST (37/213)]. [24] Xena, whose soul could not rest, was seeking a path back to the living realm. She arrived at the conclusion that Ambrosia was the only ticket back to life. She came up with a plan to attain the Ambrosia and she paid an unusual visit to her old friend, Autolycus, the prince of thieves. She persuaded' Autolycus to steal the map to the Hall of Ambrosia and the Dagger of Helios, the key to the Ambrosia. Luckily, that proved an easy venture. Autolycus/Xena's next task was to get Xena's body back before the Amazons cremated it. [25] Meanwhile, Ephiny tried to convince Gabrielle to take her rightful place as the Amazon queen! Velasca, the regent-queen, needless to say, was not happy with this arrangement! Velasca rounded up the loyal Amazons to side with her. Velasca could not accept Gabrielle as the queen, because, even though Gabrielle did have the Right of Caste, she was not of Amazon blood! [26] After having been captured by the Amazons and imprisoned by an angry Gabrielle, who had mistaken his motives, Autolycus convinced Gabrielle that Xena was in his body. But was it too late? Velasca did not waste any time in figuring the fact that Autolycus had both the map to the Hall of Ambrosia and the key! She wanted the ambrosia for herself. With map and dagger in hand, she set out for the Hall. [27] Meanwhile, Autolycus and Gabrielle were able to track her there because Autolycus had memorized the map. They also took Xena's body taken there. [28] When Xena's spirit was still inhabiting Autolycus' body, she appeared to Gabrielle briefly. "I'll always be with you," Xena told Gabrielle as she gave her the kiss that would change their destinies forever. [29] When they arrived at the Hall, Xena moved into Gabrielle's body. In Gabrielle's body, she was able to retrieve the key and throw Velasca into the pit at the bottom, but she missed the ambrosia! Fortunately, a tiny piece of ambrosia got stuck in Gabrielle's top just as Velasca dropped it. Gabrielle quickly put it into the mouth of Xena's body. It worked! Xena was alright! [30] As Xena awoke, Gabrielle was the first thing she saw. Xena was about to speak, but Gabrielle told her, "I know," and smiled. They no longer needed words. From this point on their bond was undeniable as well as unbreakable. The circle was complete. MORE VELASCA, MORE CALLISTO [31] Velasca should have died in the Hall of Ambrosia, but managed to eat some ambrosia and became a god. She began a reign of terror with a vendetta against Gabrielle. [32] Callisto, though thought dead, was also still very much alive. In fact, she had become an immortal. Hercules had trapped her where she could do no damage, however! But, when Velasca proved to be too much to handle, Xena decided to align herself with Callisto in order to destroy Velasca. Xena knew she could sway Callisto with the thought of ambrosia [A NECESSARY EVIL (38/214)]. Xena tricked Callisto and Velasca into fighting until they both wound up trapped in a lava pit! But, unfortunately, not before Callisto managed to eat some ambrosia! [33] Would the lava pit hold their angry souls, contain their lust for power and revenge? What do you think? For now, the problems of the day were solved and Xena and Gabrielle finally had peace. Biography Raquel Lynn Huttsell (Xena239358@aol.com) http://whoosh.org/pictures/nopic.jpg http://members.aol.com/xena239358/index.html Raquel Lynn Huttsell (previously R.L.Neal). I live in a small town in Indiana far from the realms of Middle Earth even though they dwell close in my heart. From the moment I saw "The Warrior Princess" I knew I was hooked! I loved watching the early ep's of HERCULES and learning of the legends of old, but still there seemed to be something missing. I have always loved mythology and HERCULES seemed to shed some light on how life must have been in those days. I have always wanted to become a writer. I love to write medieval stories, poems and have even written a book. When Xena hit the scene, I was overtaken by her on-screen presence. I shared Callisto's notion that as a villain, Xena was awesome! But I disagree with Callisto's assessment of Xena as a hero. I think she is much more brilliant and fearless as a hero. I think the reason I feel such a closeness to the show is because I am very much like the character "Xena". When I was younger I was reckless and even violent. I had no direction in life, but at the same time, I could not stand to see innocent victims being persecuted and, very much like Xena, I went about helping/saving them in the wrong manner. As I grew older, I realized that there were other ways of handling situations. I have been training in the martial arts, which has taught me to meditation and gentle self-defense. I only wish I could have had a friend like Gabrielle to guide me along. I feel that there are a lot of life lessons to be learned from watching the show, and recommend it to viewers of all ages. I am 28 years old. And I am self-employed in the most wonderful job a Xena fan can have: I sell Xena Merchandise! I get to play with Xena toys everyday, and bring the joy of Xena to people's doorsteps. What could be more rewarding than that to a true fan? Favorite episode: THE QUEST (37/213) Favorite line: Gabrielle: "There is only way to end this cycle of hatred and it's through love". CALLISTO (22/122) First episode seen: SINS OF THE PAST (01/101) Least favorite episode: FOR HIM THE BELL TOLLS (40/216)