FADE IN

ANNOUNCER (voice-over):
     Previously on Xena...

From THE BONDS WE CHOOSE:

A group of bandits on horseback are looting and burning a village. They are led by a man on horseback wearing a helmet and a mask over his face. A young woman runs through the streets, calling out amidst the chaos.

LYKIA:
     Darion!

CUT TO

From TURNABOUT:

Xena is talking with Haimon.

XENA (with an anguished look):
     It was Nero who led the gang that raided Darion's village...

DISSOLVE TO

From THE BONDS WE CHOOSE:

Lykia pauses, catching sight of Darion. There is a long shot of a small boy witnessing the carnage going on around him. Lykia watches in terror as the masked leader runs his sword through an elderly woman right next to the boy.

LYKIA (with a shrill cry):
     Darion!

The leader spins to see Lykia charging at him. Deftly he sidesteps her lunge and makes a grab for her arm, twisting it behind her back. Laughing, he backhands her across the face, picks her up and throws her over his shoulder.

XENA (voice-over):
     It was Nero who kidnapped Darion's sister.

The leader reacts quickly, tossing Lykia across his saddle, then mounting his horse. He takes off at a wild pace with the other bandits close behind.

CUT TO

From JUDGMENT CALLS:

Agrippina, bloody from her stab wounds, kneels on the floor of her bedroom. Xena is beside her.

AGRIPPINA:
     It's funny...the girl who did it...he gave her to me. (she coughs, blood trickling from her mouth) He got her in one of those raids they did...

CUT TO

From JUDGMENT CALLS:

Xena is looking down at Agrippina's dead body. Lykia is standing in front of her.

LYKIA (with sudden vehemence):
     He took me from my village--killed my family... (points to Agrippina's body) She knew about it--and she thanked him!

CUT TO

From JUDGEMENT CALLS:

Later scene, inside the house. Lykia sees Darion.

LYKIA (whispers):
     Darion?

DARION (shock giving way to joy):
     Lykia--you're here!

He rushes toward her and wraps his arms tightly around her waist, hugging her. Lykia hugs him but the look on her face is still numb.

CUT TO

From PROMISED LAND:

Lykia is standing in front of Xena and Gabrielle.

LYKIA:
     I don't belong in my village anymore.

Pan to Xena, who looks at her with grim understanding.

GABRIELLE:
     Where else will you go?

LYKIA:
     The Amazons. I-- (glances at Darion) --we could stay with them. Couldn't we?

Xena and Gabrielle exchange glances. The scene fades out.

Fade in. A forest. Behind the trees, the setting sun can be seen in the background. Xena and Gabrielle are walking along a forest path, leading their horses behind them.

GABRIELLE:
     You know, I never thought Lykia would actually go through with this.

XENA:
     The Amazon initiation? (softly) It'll be good for her. She needs someone like the Amazons to be there for her. She deserves a place she can call home... (her expression turns grim) ...after everything she's been through.

GABRIELLE:
     So does Darion. (thoughtfully) I wonder--

They're interrupted by a loud crack from above and then a whooping war cry. Four Amazons fly down from the trees wearing masks like the ones in "Hooves and Harlots." They all surround Xena and Gabrielle with their swords drawn. Xena and Gabrielle stop, both raising their hands to show the Amazon peace sign. The Amazon in front of them unmasks herself; she is a tall blonde woman with strong but soft features. She is wearing the clothing of a Northern Amazon. She gives Xena and Gabrielle a formal but welcoming smile.

GABRIELLE:
     Hello, Tynne.

TYNNE:
     Queen Eve sent me out to meet you. We'll escort you to the village.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle walking with the Amazons through the forest.

TYNNE:
     I'm glad you're here.

GABRIELLE:
     You mean, for Lykia's initiation?

Tynne gives her an odd look, as if wanting to say something but hesitant.

XENA (noticing her concern):
     What's going on?

TYNNE (shaking her head):
      Well.... A bit of trouble. It might be best for you to talk to the Queen.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle enter Eve's hut. Eve looks up as she sees them, her face expressing joy and some relief.

EVE (rises):
     Mother--Gabrielle.

She approaches and hugs Xena, then Gabrielle.

EVE:
     I was worried--

XENA (guardedly):
     About what?

EVE:
     That you wouldn't make it for Lykia's initiation, of course. It's tonight. (smiles) I'm really glad you're here.

Even though Eve seems happy, Xena can sense concern and so can Gabrielle.

XENA:
     Is everything all right?

Eve slowly looks down and shakes her head.

EVE:
     We've been having some...problems.

GABRIELLE (concerned):
     Yeah, Tynne mentioned it. What's going on?

EVE (a bit uncomfortably):
     Well, it's...a long story. Maybe I'll tell you after the--

She is interrupted by a knock on the door.

EVE (hastily):
     Come in?

An Amazon enters.

AMAZON:
     Queen Eve--Lykia wants to see you.

EVE (relieved):
     Oh--send her in.

The Amazon steps out. Lykia comes in. She is wearing Amazon clothing. Xena looks at her, smiling but with obviously mixed feelings.

GABRIELLE:
     Lykia... (looking over her) You look great!

LYKIA (a little timidly):
     I was told you were here... What brings you to the village?

XENA:
     We came for your initiation, of course.

LYKIA :
     Really? That's...Darion will be glad to see you.

GABRIELLE:
     How is Darion?

LYKIA (a strange expression on her face):
     Oh--he's fine. He's-- (She sighs) He gets so bored sometimes--not being allowed to join the other kids and all...

Close-up on Gabrielle as her face falls.

XENA (her face hard with suppressed anger):
     What do you mean, not allowed to join the other kids?

EVE (glances at Xena):
     Mother--this is an Amazon village...

Xena looks reproachfully at Eve.

EVE (awkwardly):
     Mother...the only way I could get the council to allow Darion to live here was if he and Lykia stayed in a hut on the edge of the village. But I come over to see him all the time, and Klymene--

GABRIELLE (sighs and shakes her head):
     You should have told us.

There is a brief uncomfortable silence.

EVE:
     Look--why don't we talk about this later? (glances at Lykia) This is Lykia's special day--we don't want to spoil it.

GABRIELLE:
     All right. (determined) But I want to see Darion--now.

CUT TO

A hut on the edge of the village. Darion is playing in the yard, running around with the toy dragon he got in Britannia and pretending to make it fly as he makes roaring noises. Suddenly he stops and turns, his face lighting up with joy. The camera pans to show Gabrielle coming up. Seeing Darion and meeting his eyes, she slows down, almost fearful. Darion stands frozen for a moment, then takes off running toward Gabrielle.

DARION (excited):
     Gabrielle!

With a gasp, Gabrielle takes off running toward him. They hug fiercely, Darion's head pressed to Gabrielle's chest.

GABRIELLE (choking back a sob):
     I've missed you, Darion.

DARION (emotional):
     I'm so glad you're here... I didn't even know you were coming. (he looks up at her, hopeful) Are we going on another adventure?

Gabrielle pulls back and looks at him, her face expressing conflicting emotions--anxiety, love, and anguish--as we:

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER