FADE IN:

6. EXT. ROMAN TOWN - AFTERNOON

Gabrielle and Xena walk their horses through the streets of the Roman town. On a hill above the port is a stone fort that stands guarding the harbor. Merchants line the street offering wares and food. Gabrielle stops in front of a man roasting a bird over an open fire.

Xena are you hungry? I could eat a whole chicken myself.

Yes, I'm starving.

Gabrielle nods to the man and holds up two fingers. The man nods and cuts the bird in half. He hands the pieces to Xena and takes two coppers from Gabrielle.

Xena launches into her piece of the chicken.

This is good!

We need to find the stables, if we're going to sell these horses.

Excuse me! Can you tell us where the stables are?

You'll find the stables down by the wharves.

Xena and Gabrielle continue down the street towards the water. Xena tosses the last chicken bone down as they come to a large stone corral with covered stalls. A manleaning against the wall watches intently as Xena and Gabrielle approach.

Do you buy horses?

Yes I trade horses.

You're selling? How much do you want?

Ten silvers each, they are nice horses and they don't bite.

You're joking! For ten each they should fly too! Five silvers for the both of them.

Ten silvers for both.

Gabrielle smiles and tips her head in Xena's direction.

Do you see my friend there? She does bite. Five silvers each, no less!

Okay. Ten silvers.

Gabrielle takes the coins from the man and starts stripping the saddle and gear from her horse. Xena doesthe same and they are soon on their way to the wharves.

CUT TO:

7. EXT. ROMAN DOCKS - AFTERNOON

There is only one sailing vessel at the wharf. All of the others are small fishing boats that would not be able to make the long crossing. Xena and Gabrielle lay the saddles down near the gangway and board the vessel. Gabrielle stopsa laborer who is hauling loaded baskets.

Who's the Captain of this boat?

The laborer points to a short man leaning on the stern rail. Gabrielle and Xena walk the length of the boat, to the stares and leers of the ship's company.

Excuse me, are you the Captain? We're traveling to Hibernia and would like passage on your vessel.

The captain nods and smiles.

The gods favor you ladies in many ways. Yes, this boat sails for Hibernia on the tide. You can stow your belongings and rest below. We sail soon.

Gabrielle ignores the captain's leering look.

How long will it take to get there?

If we have favorable winds, we'll make Doublin harbor tomorrow. Ah then, how will you be paying?

She hands the Captain some coppers and looks at his hand. He looks at his hand and then at Gabrielle. She tosses a couple more coins into his palm. The captain puts his hand in his pocket and nods.

Let's get the saddles loaded Gabrielle!

CUT TO:

8. EXT. HIBERNIA VILLAGE - DAY

Elder women gather before a lodge waiting for permission to enter. They wail and chant, wring their hands in distress. Enya steps from the lodge and beckons them.

Enter Council; Queen Maeve awaits your wisdom.

CUT TO:

9. INT. QUEEN'S LODGE - DAY

The women file in and take seats on skin rugs around a large fire. The Queen sits on a small low chair.She wears a white linen gown and a flowing emerald green wrap around her shoulders. On her head sits a crown of gold flowers. Enya stands by her side wearing a similar white gown, with a white wrap. Her black hair hanging lightly over her shoulders.

Today I felt a terrible foreboding. Great evil heads to our island from distant shores. We must see to find the way in the coming darkness. My daughter will invoke the sacred words for the seeing. Enya please begin.

Enya closes her eyes and begins singing in chant.

Acus dearc fairge, an tahb.
(And so behold the ocean, the sea.)

Dearc iar, a anair.
(Behold the west and east.)

Dearc caoir a grian
(Behold the ray of the sun.)

Dearc tir, na reultan.
(Behold the earth, the stars.)

Acus dearc fairge, tabh, iargail, a fair.
(And so behold the ocean, sea, dusk and dawn)

Enya begins singing softly, an ancient hymn without words.

All of the women close their eyes and join in the hymn.

A haunting melody rises and falls with the smoke, drifting up through the roof hole and into the bluesky above.

CUT TO:

10. QUEEN MAEVE'S DREAMSCAPE - ROMAN FLEET

Maeve circles high above beating her wings occasionally in the stiff wind. A fleet of Roman galleys sails across the sea toward Hibernia. She swoops down to bettersee the people on the decks. The sea is heavy with swells and many people look sick. On to the lead ship she circles and sees a Captain fighting the sea for control of his vessel. A figure cloaked in black chants near the bow entreating the sea for good fortune. Maeve swoops past the figure in black and looks into her eyes. Peeling away she flies south over the churning sea.

CUT TO:

11. QUEEN MAEVE'S DREAMSCAPE - TRADING VESSEL

Maeve glides down to meet a small vessel. It is tossing in the sea like a cork. She flies along the railing and spies a young woman with her head over the side.

She arcs up and turns back around to look the woman in the eye.

Maeve tilts her tail feathers up and rises over the deck. A tall raven-haired woman helps the Captain hold the rudder, keeping the vessel safely into the wind.

Crewmen scurry about, lashing cargo to the deck. Maeve smiles, her heart lifting her into the sky and back towards land.

CUTO TO:

12. INT. QUEEN'S LODGE - DAY

The singing drifts into Queen Maeve's consciousness. She opens her eyes and looks at the womenaround her.

Enya, you must take your warriors to the coast. Ride hard.

You will find the two we seek south of Doublin. Go quickly. They are in great danger.

Enya hurries from the lodge to do as her mother requested.

Council, we will need all of our warriors gathered. Call your villages to arms and gather. My sister has returned to Irish shores.

CUT TO:

13. EXT. ROMAN FLAG SHIP - STORMY NIGHT

Swells heave and trough under the ship threatening to capsize it.

Governor Paulinus stares terrified at Ethne chanting on the deck.

The captain approaches the governor, thefierce wind blowing sea spray in their faces.

Governor we've lost another galley. That's two of ten ships. Two centurae are gone, two hundred men! This is madness! THROW THAT WITCH OFF MY SHIP! This is her doing!She is cursed!

YOU DO NOT GIVE ME ORDERS. Do not threaten me, or I'll have YOU put over. Keep these ships on course for Doublin. I don't care how many are lost! DOUBLIN do you understand!?DOUBLIN!!

Ethne stands near the bow invoking the sea to her. A stray seagull flies by her. She looks up as it wheels over head and flies past again, seeming to stare right at her. It rises into the night and is gone before Ethne is roused from her chanting.

CUT TO:

14. EXT. TRADING VESSEL - STORMY NIGHT

Xena stands beside the Captain helping him steer the vessel.

The warrior looks over at Gabrielle who is throwing up over the side of the ship.

GABRIELLE! HOLD ON TIGHT!!

A wave crashes over the bow flooding the deck and sending goods floating away. The crew scurries to lash down the baskets before they are lost overboard. Gabrielle heavesagain. A sea bird flies past her out of the storm. It seems to look her in the eyes as it lifts up and over the deck, circling around the rigging.

Gabrielle watches it fly away into the darkness. Another swell rises under her, and she leans back over the railing, the boat sailing further into sight.

CUT TO:

15. EXT. HIBERNIA COAST - SHIP WRECK - DAWN

Waves lash the shoreline as the sea gives its last breath to the storm. Xena and Gabrielle lay on the beach looking at the vessel they sailed on, crashed and broken on the rocks.

The captain and crew working quickly to salvage their goods before the sea reclaims its prize.

How do you feel, Gabrielle? Still got the heaves?

I'm tired, my head aches, and my legs feel like lead. Other than that, everything's fine. No more heaves.

Gabrielle shakes her head gingerly.

What is it about boats and me, Xena? What does the sea have against me?

Xena smiles as she picks up her gear and helps Gabrielle lift a saddle.

I dunno Gabrielle. You must've really ticked off Poseidon before... shall we say... his retirement?

Gabrielle rolls her eyes and smiles as they head up the beach looking for a good spot to head inland. Behind them, the sun is rising into a gloriously clear day.

We should be able to find a road and get to a village. We're somewhere near Doublin, if the Captain was right on his headings. Don't worry, we'll be riding horses in no time.

Oh great, that's just what I need, a rocking horse under me. I think I'm going to be sick again.

They reach the edge of the sand dunes, climb to the top and stop. Before them, green rolling fields stretchingto the horizon.

It's so beautiful.

She turns to Xena.

Do you think we crossed in time?

I don't know, Gabrielle. Let's hope so.

Silently they walk down the dune and onto the carpet of green.

CUT TO:

16.  EXT. DOUBLIN HARBOR - ROMAN FLEET - DAY

What is left of the Roman legion assembles into marching formation on the docks of Doublin harbor.

The soldiers look tired and ill, lean heavily on their javelins. Paulinus and his bodyguards ride to the head of the legion. Ethne rides beside him in a place of prominence.

We have lost good men at sea on this journey. We have suffered greatly at the hand of Neptune. We can not let our Emperor's faith in us be diminished. We march to victoryover the scourge of the Roman peace. There will be no mercy shown to the Iceni Celts.

TO VICTORY!!

A cheer rises from the Legion.

PAULINUS! PAULINUS!! PAULINUS!!!

Tribunes signal the legion to move and they head through the streets of Doublin. Gold legionary eagles and the standards of each century held high for all to see. Twolaborers, who helped unload the legion's equipment, stand watching as they march from view.

Iceni? Ever heard of them?

His friend just shrugs and they turn and carry on with their work.

CUT TO:

17. EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

Xena and Gabrielle sit on their saddles resting. There is no village anywhere in sight. Theyshare a skin of water and survey their supplies.

We have a full skin of water, some dried meat and some dried fruit. It's not going to last long. We need to find a town soon. At least you're looking better.

The fresh air is helping. I could fall asleep standing though.

Xena turns her head and listens. The steady drum of hooves on the ground carries to heronthe breeze.

Riders heading this way. They must be in a hurry 'cause they're riding hard.

If we can get them to stop, maybe they'll give us directions to Doublin.

Then let's hope they're not the Romans, Gabrielle.

The riders soon appear from down the road, raising a cloud of dust behind them. As they come into view, Xena and Gabrielle are surprised to see they are all women!

Gabrielle steps out and waves the riders down. They slow and stop to look at the strangers

Can you help us? We're trying to get to Doublin. Are we on the right road?

Enya rides up to the two women and hops off her horse.

This is the right road. But it wouldn't be safe for you to be going there. Romans have landed an army and are marching north. I'm Enya Ney O'Ryan, and these are my warriors.

Enya waves her out stretched arm at the warriors on horseback. They bow their heads in greeting.

My mother sent us out last night to find two strangers and bring them back to our village. We've been searching all morning. My mother is afraid that a great evilhas come to our island. She would very much like to meet you.

Xena and Gabrielle are surprised by the stranger's forwardness.

I'm Gabrielle, Warrior Bard of Potidaea and this is my friend Xena, Warrior Princess of Amphipolis. We've come to Hibernia to stop a witch named Ethne.

Gabrielle steps forward captivated by a familiarity in Enya's eyes.

Do I know you?

I doubt it very much, but I've been told that I have my mother's eyes.

And your voice?

You have the voice of an angel ... Has Michael sent you?

I know of no Michael and my voice, is nothing special. We all speak this way.

Blushing, Enya turns to one of her warriors.

Faolan, please bring up the horses.

A warrior comes forward with two horses and hands the reins down to Enya.

These mounts are for you.

Enya hands a stunned Xena a beautiful chestnut mare with dark black feet.

Xena runs her hand over the mare's gleaming coat.

Gabrielle is equally taken aback by the tall gray horse she is handed.

(beat)

These animals are magnificent.

ENYA

I didn't think my mother would want you riding anything but our finest.

Enya glances at the saddles on the ground.

ENYA

It would be easier, if you left those and only take what is necessary. We have a long journey ahead. Here, you'll need this too.

Enya takes off her riding cloak and hands it to Xena.

Faolan offers her cloak to Gabrielle.

Xena and Gabrielle sort through their gear quickly and mount up.

GABRIELLE

Who is your mother? Are you Amazons?

Enya and her warriors smile.

ENYA

My mother is Queen Maeve, Queen of the Erin Celts.

What are Amazons?

FADE OUT:

END ACT I

ACT II