The Xena Scrolls
By: Gabrielle Bard of Potedia
Scroll#14: Unchained Heart
January, 48 B.C.
I sing of the darkness which has bound the heart of the warrior princess. It was seemingly impossible to escape the chains which had bound it for so many long years, but there was one man who found himself showing her the way.
The warlord Darphus had been slain through the chest at the end of the sword of Xena the warrior princess. He had seemingly been defeated. Despite all of efforts of Hercules, and Xena to win over the darkness it still beckoned Xena. This darkness was led by the god of war himself. Ares found himself disgruntled at his loss of the warrior princess to the fight for good. He had a plan that would most certainly bring down upon the earth the greatest darkness ever known as he rose from the dead the warlord Darphus. Darphus was promised sanctuary and power by Ares if he were to carry out his plans upon the earth. Ares also left with Darphus a gift of unknown strength and horror.
For many weeks Xena had traveled with Hercules and Salmoneous enjoying these moments of life without darkness. The warrior princess found herself quite intrigued by Hercules and his inner desire to do good instead of evil. One day as she and her two new friends sat down to lunch they found themselves interrupted by an urgent message. The message had been sent from a warlord through a villager. His village had been viciously attacked and many had lost their lives. This lone villager had been the only one spared for he was told to find Hercules to tell of his encounter with the warlord known as Darphus.
Hercules and Xena found themselves confused for Xena had been the one who had thrust her sword into his chest delivering Darphus into death’s hands. The villager then confirmed that Darphus had indeed had that same gaping hole that Xena spoke of. Xena found herself confused for it was seemingly impossible for a mortal to have survived that injury. Yet Hercules explained that Darphus had not survived. Instead he had been saved by his brother Ares for only gods had the power to restore life to mortals. Hercules soon realized that Ares had elected Darphus to do his bidding. Xena quickly rose from the table ready to seek out and destroy the evil that was Darphus, but Hercules warned that they must fight this fight together. The villager then said that Darphus had headed to Allisia where he and his army were camped. Hercules, Xena, and Salmoneous prepared once again to fight for another day as they began traveling toward evil.
Upon stopping to camp later in the evening Salmoneous began to set the mood for two great warriors. He prepared a blanket and began setting up his silver plates, and goblets. Salmoneous had plans to turn these two warriors into more than just friends. As he continued his ritual Hercules interrupted realizing where Salmoneous had intended to take he and the warrior princess. Hercules did not particularly agree with being matched with the warrior princess despite his underlying attraction to her. Her charms were powerful, but Hercules had a friend to consider for he had not forgotten the relationship that Xena had once had with Iolas.
Hercules suggested that Salmoneous hunt for his own dinner. The legendary hero underestimated the determination of the salesman. Salmoneous accepted a challenge to hunt for quail as long as someone else did the cooking. Xena was not much for cooking and so she quickly passed on the responsibility to the legendary hero who seemed very dissatisfied with his sudden election to the task. The warrior princess had decided that she would be the one who would do the scouting while Salmoneous and Hercules prepared for dinner. Then she left the two to do their chores and Salmoneous proclaimed that he had the skills to hunt for quayle. While on his hunt for quail Salmoneous ran into an old friend to Hercules, but was unaware of Iolas’s relationship with the hero. Salmoneous was irritated that Iolas did not believe that he was a good friend to Hercules. Iolas laughed when Salmoneous suggested that he was writing the legends that made Hercules famous.
To prove his words to Iolas he took him directly to Hercules who sat alongside the lake peacefully. Salmoneous warned his new acquaintance that he should not approach Hercules in awe for Hercules preferred to be treated as if he were an ordinary man. Indeed the hero was modest, but despite the warnings Iolas greeted him with excitement pretending that he did not know the hero. Salmoneous scolded him for not taking heed to his words, but Iolas and Hercules continued to play the game. Hercules rose from the water and confirmed that he was indeed Hercules. He then asked of who this new acquaintance was. Iolas played coy as he replied his name in return. And then suddenly the two broke off into hysterical laughter and joy for they had not seen each other in months. The two best friends had missed one another and it was clear to Salmoneous that he was no longer at the top of Hercules’s list. He followed behind Iolas, and the warrior princess. Then Iolas revealed to Hercules that he had heard of the warrior princess’s return. Hercules’s friend was certain that they must once again go up against the woman who had separated their friendship. Then Salmoneous found himself feeling that he was no longer a part of this potentially volatile conversation. Despite that he went back to the hunt and successfully caught dinner for four.
As two old friends reunited with joy Xena found herself confronted again with the darkness. There before her she caught sight of a small group of Darphus’s warriors raiding a tiny village. She charged into battle instinctively for she intended to defeat them all. The warrior princess had committed so many wrongs in her life and with each battle against darkness she found herself coming back toward the light. Though her road was certain to be a long one the warrior princess was determined to face the journey with courage and honor. Xena flipped into action drawing her sword and taking down all, but one of the evil warriors. Realizing that he would deliver news of their arrival to Darphus she quickly rushed back toward camp to report to Hercules.
As she arrived by nightfall she heard a familiar voice. It was the voice of the man whose heart she had once betrayed. Xena felt sadness and guilt within her own heart for what she had done to Iolas. There was a bit of shame and lots of regret for she did not know if he would ever forgive her for her misdeeds. It was obvious that he had not yet been told of her new alliance with Hercules. Hercules had been afraid to tell Iolas for he knew that Iolas would be upset. Then as Hercules prepared to tell the story with Salmoneous’s encouragement Xena interrupted revealing herself to face Iolas. Iolas jumped up from his place on the log by the fire. His rage toward the warrior princess was clear and Hercules tried to settled his friend’s anger with words of encouragement. He told Iolas that Xena was no longer their enemy and she was fighting with them against the wrath of Darphus. Iolas was unforgiving and unwilling to believe in Xena’s words.
He left camp angerily as Hercules followed hoping to regain his friend’s trust despite all that had gone on between Xena and Iolas before. Iolas scolded his friend for believing in the persuasive warrior princess. He went as far as to accuse him of having a passionate affair. Yet Hercules had not become involved with Xena beyond the agreement of comradery. He then told Iolas of how Xena had saved the life of an infant and lost her army to Darphus because of it. This was his reason for believing in the warrior princess. Iolas was still not convinced of the innocence of the warrior princess, but Hercules did convince Iolas that he needed his help to defeat Darphus. Iolas could not back down from helping his friend. His loyalty was great enough that he overlooked his anger toward the warrior princess though he did not forgive her.
Early the next morning the four set out toward Allisia to defeat the evil that was Darphus. As they traveled they had heard word of Darphus’s plans. He was going to take his army to an old mine and capture the diamond miners there. Hercules was not certain why Darphus would want to attack the miners, but he wasted no time in trying to stop his plans. As the four detoured toward the diamond mines it was clear that Darphus was ready for them. Hercules was aware of this and when they approached a small passageway through the canyon he instructed everyone to stay together tightly and keep silence about them. Of course this was difficult for Salmoneous who enjoyed conversation and for Iolas it was difficult to find himself having to work near the warrior princess.
Hercules tried to assure Xena that Iolas would soon tire of his silly anger, but Xena was not so certain. She longed for the forgiveness of Hercules’s best friend as they traveled on. And just as Hercules had expected an ambush had been delivered down upon the four heroes. Darphus and his men awaited their arrival and then threw down a large avalanche of rocks and stones. When the warlord was certain that he had succeeded in trapping the victims he took his men on toward the mines to ambush the unsuspecting miners.
And though it seemed that the four heroes would have met certain death a ray of hope shun out from beneath the depths of the thick pile of rock. Hercules had caught the largest of the boulders that fell with his strong back as he held it in place supporting the rest of the rocks. Xena and Iolas then quickly cleared through the rubble toward an escape from their deaths. As they made their way to the light at the end of the tunnel they called out to Salmoneous who was frozen with fear. He had never been this close to death before. Salmoneous refused to move as Hercules tried desperately to urge him to go. Yet the fearful salesman would not move from his place beneath the debris. And so Hercules asked that Xena and Iolas go onto safety leaving him behind. The two did as they had been commanded and exited safely through to the light. Iolas had sustained an injury to his forehead, and despite Xena’s concern he ignored it with disgust.
Then as the rocks were about to give way Hercules found a large tree branch on the ground and used it to hold up the boulder so that he could rescue Salmoneous and take them to safety. Just as they were about to exit the rocks and the boulders gave way and piled down violently into the depths of the canyon. But Hercules and Salmoneous were triumphant as they escaped through the dust to reunite with Iolas and Xena. Xena found herself in awe of the bravery and courage of Hercules. He had been willing to give his own life to save that of his friends. Hercules then reminded Xena that they had all played their role in saving each other. Yet their triumphant joy ended when Salmoneous felt as if he had hindered the mission with his cowardice. When Hercules tried to comfort his heavy burden within Salmoneous refused his pity. Instead he walked on ahead hanging his head in shame. Xena’s heart wanted to reach out to that of Salmoneous, but Hercules suggested that he work through his issues alone. It was just the way Hercules had treated Xena after their one on one combat just after she had saved the infant child. Xena then tried once more to offer her regret to Iolas hoping that he would allow her to dress his wound, but Iolas flatly refused. It was clear to Hercules that the warrior princess wanted desperately to release her heart from the chains that bound it, but he knew that only Iolas could help her by being the first of many to offer his forgiveness.
Soon the four had reached the mining village where they had found that Darphus had not yet been there. Hercules tried desperately to convince the head miner that he and his men needed to flee for their lives, but the old miner would not leave. He didn’t believe that there would be a war to fight for he and his comrades did not fear the name Darphus. Iolas found himself frustrated as well and hoped that Hercules would allow him to use force to convince the old miner, but Hercules tried another approach. He hoped that these men would fear the name of his rival brother Ares, but even that did not draw fear. Instead the old minor proclaimed that he and every other man about him had all showed their loyalty to the god of war by fighting in a war along the path in their lives.
Suddenly an arrow shot out of the woods as Hercules caught it with only his hand just before it took the life of the old miner. This was the act that would convince the minors to flee. And as they gathered up their jewels they took off hoping to avoid their capture by Darphus’s army. The army attacked swiftly as they rained down into the mining camp. Hercules, Iolas, and Xena all went into action battle with their own styles of fighting. Xena fought by the sword which she would have gladly died by. It was her code. She still had a passion for blood though she sought the blood of darkness rather than the blood of the innocent. Iolas fought much like Hercules for neither liked using weapons. They preferred simple brawn for it could not kill in the ruthless way that a sword could. Hercules of course believed in second chances whereas Iolas was not as easily convinced. But suddenly Iolas found himself trapped between to of Darphus’s warriors. They held him as a third prepared to kill him with a dagger, but Xena came to his aid. The warrior princess took out her whip and robbed the enemy of the weapon that would kill her new comrade.
Iolas was shocked when he found that it was not Hercules, but the warrior princess that had saved his life. There were so many men to fight that Hercules had found himself on the opposite side of the battle far from Iolas’s aid. Yet the hero had trusted in the warrior princess and his trust had been placed correctly. Xena had saved Iolas for her strict warrior code dictated her actions. Quickly Xena moved onto her next victim and struck him down with a vengeance against the darkness. Then she caught sight of Darphus as he began to retreat with his men following closely behind. As the last man she had taken fell she reached for his sword and threw it into the chest of her enemy. Darphus did not fall or even sense the pain of the strike. Instead he removed the weapon from his chest and laughed for Xena could not kill the one loyal to Ares. Then he rode off into the woods.
Once the battle had ended Iolas had discovered that Salmoneous was now missing. Hercules was certain that he had been taken by one of Darphus’s men. He went off into the woods hoping to find Salmoneous leaving Xena and Iolas alone to reconcile. Xena was still longing for his forgiveness. She delivered words of regret and sorrow to her old flame, but he would not take them. Instead he said that he was thankful that she had saved him, and that he no longer held ill will toward her. And that was when it happened for Xena. When her heart for the first time felt a release from the evil that held it. Forgiveness had come from the first of many. Upon Hercules return he was glad to see that his friends were reconciling despite his failure in finding Salmoneous. So the three heroes remaining set off in search of Allisia where Darphus and his men were waiting.
Of course both Xena and Iolas were fighting for the praises of their mentor now that Iolas had discovered the lesson that Hercules had wanted him to learn. Hercules found it amusing yet he would not allow either of them to put him on their pedestals. The legendary hero was not one to shout out success from the mountain tops. And so Hercules suggested that someone go on and scout ahead to see what awaited them at Darphus’s camp. Both volunteered eagerly, but then Iolas outwitted the warrior princess. He told the two to set up a camp and start a fire. Iolas was gone before Xena could argue. Hercules took the opportunity to continue his lesson to Xena as she declared that she would start the fire, but she would not cook. The hero found himself enjoying her spunky playful attitude. He liked it much better than the attitude of the first warrior princess he had met.
As the evening wore on Xena sat by the fire alongside Hercules and asked him if he thought that she was capable of staying on the right path. Hercules said that he had every certainty that she would. Xena had not yet believed in herself for she thanked him for his help in putting her onto that path. Of course he said that she had made the choice. No one else had made it for her. His encouragement of her strength led her to ask him how she would be able to sustain her path of light. She was not certain that she had what it took within to drive her in that direction. Hercules had been led onto his heroic life when his step mother Hera had killed his wife and children. Yet Xena could not find that same kind of passionate love within her own heart. Hercules was certain that she would if she had not already found it. It would require Xena to search within.
With the hope in her heart restored she had decided that she would tell the legendary hero of her true feelings that went beyond friendship. She had found herself falling in love with Hercules and she chose to express these deep sensations within her heart reaching over to kiss him. Her kiss was strong and compassionate and Hercules responded to it. The two had finally been given the opportunity to fill their desires for one another with Iolas’s blessing. Iolas had known what would happen between them when he left them alone. Upon his return as night fell he found the two basking in their passions together. They were looking at each other with eyes of intrigue and of love. Then Iolas interrupted them declaring that he had found some desperate situations at Darphus’s camp.
Iolas had found Salmoneous there enjoying a feast alongside Darphus. Iolas was certain that Salmoneous was a traitor. But Hercules knew that there had to be another reason for Salmoneous being in Darphus’s camp. Then Iolas mentioned that he saw Gregis there. Xena inquired of who Gregis was only to discover what Gregis was. Hercules answered her question by explaining that Gregis was the nasty pet that belonged to Ares. If Gregis was not stopped then Ares would indeed have his way and become the ultimate ruler of the world. Salmoneous had been feasting alongside Darphus because Darphus had planned to feed the salesman to the beast. With each victim consumed by the monster it became more powerful and more difficult to defeat. Xena quickly rose ready to do battle. She would give her life for the world in order to save it from this beast.
On the next day the three heroes arrived back at Darphus’s camp. They began formulating their plan of attack when they were interrupted by one of Darphus’s guard as he approached from behind the warrior princess. Iolas quickly responded pulling out his dagger and throwing it across into the chest of the approaching enemy. Now that the two were even Xena once again found herself feeling inferior to Iolas. The two were still competing for Hercules’s affections. But then Hercules and Xena prepared to sneak into the camp as Iolas tried desperately to start-up a burning wagon. Each of the three had his job to do and each had an important role to play. Iolas was to provide the distraction and the illusion that there was an army coming into attack them. Hercules was to seek out and find Gregis while Xena’s job was to take on Darphus.
Hercules was determined that in order to defeat evil that would not die one had to fight it with evil itself. As the two heroes entered into the camp they shared a kiss and a good luck wish before they were to begin the battle. However, the battle did not begin as planned for Iolas was unable to start a burning wagon. Instead he came charging in on a wagon that did not burn and burst into action. Darphus’s army began to attack the wagon from all sides as Iolas popped out with his weapons. Xena fought alongside Iolas until she caught sight of Darphus. The warrior princess was determined to finish this battle that they had started together.
Hercules quickly found where Gregis had been hidden. And Salmoneous was there chained to the floor awaiting his death in fear. Gregis was quite large and five times the size of Hercules. He was vicious as a rabid dog drooling for his next meal. His eyes were red like rubies full of the fires of evil. Hercules quickly reached for a spear on the floor and tried desperately to fight off the hungry beast. Yet the beast was too large to be fought with a spear. Gregis snapped it in half with his sharp teeth and then howled impatiently. Hercules decided that he would have to try something else. The hero rolled beneath the huge legs of the beast and grabbed a bronze shield which hung on the other side. He used the shield to fight off the powerful beast hoping to keep Gregis busy until Xena arrived with Darphus.
The struggles were intense between Xena and Darphus and Hercules and Gregis. But just when Salmoneous had thought that it was all over Xena appeared raising her sword toward his leg. Salmoneous was certain that she had turned to the darkness once again until Xena’s sword ripped through the chains that bound his ankles. Hercules then instructed Salmoneous to leave and to help Iolas in the field. The salesman fled with uncertainty, but realized his duty. He then faced his enemy and his cowardice as he charged into battle using only a pan. As he fought alongside Iolas Salmoneous’s confidence soared for he found that he was a warrior after all. His skills were not those of Hercules and Xena, but his heart was just as courageous and determined.
The battle between Xena and Darphus had gone from outside to Gregis’s dungeon where Hercules awaited with exhaustion. He called out to Xena to thrust evil into the mouth of evil and then Xena delivered Darphus into the mouth of the beast kicking him over the back of the legendary hero. The battle outside had ended just as Darphus entered into the darkness of the mouth of Gregis. Salmoneous and Iolas returned to join their friends as they all watched the beast explode into intense flames. It was a strange ending to a vicious battle, but evil had been defeated by itself as Hercules had said that it would be.
And so their journey together had ended. Iolas had learned to forgive. Salmoneous had found his courage and his writings of Hercules the legendary hero. Salmoneous was excited that Hercules had found his notes and declared that he would take his writings to Athens. Once a salesman always a salesman Salmoneous left his friends for fame and fortune. But Xena was leaving for a different reason. The warrior princess was still confused for she had not understood all that Hercules had told her. She realized that she would have to find the answers on her own and so she prepared her horse to go. Hercules was seemingly disappointed that she was chosing to leave. Just when he thought he’d found love again love was leaving his life.
As Hercules pleaded with her to continue on with he and Iolas Xena refused his offer. Her heart ached for his though it knew of another journey beyond. Xena asked him to let her go for she would weep for his pain if he did not. Hercules understood that burden and let her go for he had done all he was meant to do for the warrior princess. He had unchained her heart from its evil and that was all that a warrior princess needed to become a champion for all that is good.
