The Xena Scrolls
By: Gabrielle Bard of Potedia
Scroll#21: Beware of Greeks Baring Gifts

June, 48 B.C.

There once was a face that was so beautiful that it launched a fleet of one thousand ships. The face was that of the beautiful Helen from the Trojan city of Troy. She was so stunning that every man who ever set eyes upon her wanted her for his own. And that is why a fleet of ships had been launched for it was the fleet belonging to King Mentalaeous of Greece that seeked her beauty. His heart reached out to her so deeply that it began a war between the Greeks and the city of Troy which lasted for ten years. The battle had been a bloody one for King Mentalaeous wanted to steal Helen from the one whom had already stolen her heart. Paris the king of Troy held Helen’s heart within his and built a fortress so strong and so tall that not even the most powerful army could bring down its walls.
This story had been told by the bard Gabrielle many times to her family and friend back in Podedia before she had begun her adventurous travels alongside the warrior princess. Gabrielle found herself once again reminded of this story as she and Xena came down from Mount Poolus and found themselves running low on food and supplies. The bard regretted that she had not decided that they should stop in the last town before leaving the mountain for now she was desperately hungry. Xena and Gabrielle had only a mere half of an apple to tide them over until they could get to the next town. Yet Gabrielle thought of maybe stopping in Troy since they were so close by. She was certain that they would have food and supplies there. But Xena refused to allow that for she knew very well how true the story of the ten-year war really was. The warrior princess felt that it was much too dangerous for her to take the bard into a city of bloody war. Gabrielle didn’t argue for too long, but assured Xena that if she could go without out food then the bard could too. Yet the statement was somehow not so convincing for Gabrielle’s stomach rumbled in disagreement persuading the bard to continue to persuade the warrior princess.
As the two continued on down the path the serenity of the quiet forest was broken by the distant sounds of a battle. Just up ahead about a half a mile Xena and Gabrielle witnessed an attack upon a lone soldier. They heard the lone soldier cry out for a peaceful passing, but instead he received an attack. There was a duel of four against one which seemed quite uneven. Xena quickly decided to ride into battle asking that Gabrielle stay behind for her own safety. The warrior princess leaped into action upon Argo and rode swiftly toward the action of the battle. As Argo took her into the heat of the action Xena flipped from her horse double kicking two of the four dressed in Greek uniform. Xena was fierce as she fought against the four. She drew her sword as it clashed with those of the enemy. The warrior princess quickly resorted to using brut strength and force as she kicked her way through the lines and punched faces like the claps of Zeus’s thunder.
Suddenly the warrior princess ran up the side of a tree and flipped down from a branch onto the enemy down below. Just as the warrior princess was landing upon the shoulders of her victim the battling bard arrived to assist her friend in any way that she could. The bard pulled out her staff and attacked the enemy swiftly as the warrior princess jumped from his shoulders. Gabrielle knocked the enemy to the ground with two quick thrusts of the staff. Yet the two brave women had been too late in being able to save the lone soldier. Just as Xena again pulled out her weapon she delivered a mark to the face of one of the enemies. It was the first blood that had been drawn by the warrior princess though her enemies had thrust their own swords into the stomach of the lone soldier.
Soon after Xena’s mark of warning to those who dared to tempt her wrath the four of them fled for their lives. They were cowardly as they retreated from their own battle. Xena quickly ran to the aid of the victim whose stomach was bleeding with its open wound. The brave soldier struggle to hold onto life as he awaited the warrior princess. He had a message for her sent directly from Helen of Troy. The message directed that the warrior princess go to Troy for the lives of thousands of men depended upon it. Xena was disappointed that she had been too late to help the lone soldier in saving his life. His name was Mityobous. As Xena held his hand within her own he faded from life into the hands of death. Gabrielle watched as his soul left and entered into the freedom of the Elysian Fields. When the bard asked if what she had just witnessed had been his end the warrior princess confirmed it. Yet the bard quickly inquired of the warrior princess about Helen of Troy. She could not believe that Xena would keep such a secret from her. It was the secret of knowing Helen. The bard realized that she could have used that information to her advantage in persuading the warrior princess that they should indeed go to Troy. Yet the warrior princess had already decided. She would take Gabrielle and they would go to Troy to join her friend Helen and to help save the lives of thousands of men.
The journey toward Troy was short for the closer that Xena and Gabrielle were to the legendary city the more blood they saw. Xena took Gabrielle away from the front lines of the Greek army knowing that there would be little chance for survival. The bard could see as they passed the corpses of men who had been taken by the wrath of blood that their deaths had been displayed for years by the Greek army for all to see. It was the testament of Mentalaous that he and his army would one day storm the mighty gates of Troy and steel Helen from their grasp. After a day of grueling travel and difficulty in alluding the Greek army Xena and Gabrielle had arrived at the outskirts of the great city of Troy. As Gabrielle looked upon the fortress she found herself in awe for its walls were much taller and stronger than she could ever have imagined.
The bard looked upon Troy in disbelief for not only did they have to make it to the walls they would have to climb them. And getting to the walls of Troy would be short of a miracle for there was the entire Greek army to reckon with. Xena and Gabrielle would have to fight through those dark forces of the battle. The bard was uncertain that she would be able to fight with the strength and stealth of the warrior princess. Yet Xena was seemingly satisfied that they would make it to the fortress walls with little more than a warrior sweat. As Gabrielle asked Xena if she had a plan of action Xena’s response was candid. She only asked the bard if her boots were laced and as Gabrielle looked down the warrior princess grabbed her arm and whisked her away into the fierce battle toward the walls of Troy.
Troy stood upon a hill and as Xena and Gabrielle fought through the lines they had to struggle up the treacherous hill through the dead of years passed. The smell was unpleasant for Gabrielle had not smelled war in this way before. This was the closest she had ever been to a battle of epic legend. Though she had fought alongside the amazons against Krichous the warlord it was nothing compared to the death and the destruction of a war which had lasted for ten years. Gabrielle gave out a weak battle cry though it was more out of fear and uncertainty rather than the confidence of the warrior princess. Yet there was a comforting feeling fighting alongside the warrior princess. Xena charged ahead as Gabrielle struggled to stay close as instructed. The warrior princess slashed through the men that approached as Gabrielle tried to keep them at bay. It was in this moment that the bard found herself realizing that she needed more training.
As Xena and Gabrielle neared the mighty gates of Troy the Trojan command began to shout out for the opening of the gates. Xena had not expected that it would be so easy, but there was little time to question this. She instructed Gabrielle to go ahead of her into the safety of the walls of Troy as one of the commanders emerged to help Xena fight against the enemy. He was a very heroic soldier. As the Greek army advanced hoping to take advantage of the open gates the soldier instructed that Xena go to safety first, but the warrior princess would not allow that. Soon the Greek archers began to prepare launching their cross-bows. The brave Trojan commander quickly retreated into the gates of Troy warning of the advance as Xena followed quickly. Just as he ordered that the gates be shut the Greek archers released their arrows of fire into the mighty gates as they closed.
Gabrielle found herself awestruck by the feeling of a real battle and by the efforts of the brave commander that had opened the gates for she and the warrior princess. The bard felt compelled to introduce herself, but before she could speak her name the brave commanding soldier turned to her and revealed himself. Gabrielle was shocked for the face that she saw before her was the face of her betrothed. It was Perdicous the man she was to marry before she had decided to leave Podedia for a life alongside the warrior princess. The moment was an awkward one for Perdicous was the last man Gabrielle had expected to see in the city of Troy. Yet Perdicous himself seemed just as surprised. The warrior princess sensed the tension between the two who had once been on the threshold of marriage. Yet she was relieved that Perdicous had been in Troy for it had made her entrance much easier than she had expected.
After Gabrielle had explained to the warrior princess her past relationship with Perdicous Xena was already back to the business at hand. She asked of Perdicous where she could find King Paris and Helen of Troy. Perdicous explained that it was against their regulations that anyone was allowed to see Paris or Helen without the consent of Deifabous. Deifabous was the brother of Paris who was second in command next to Paris. Xena tried to explain that she had been to Troy to see Helen before and it had never been a problem, but Perdicous was firm in his duty. Of course the warrior princess would not take no for an answer. She told Perdicous that she would cover for him if he were questioned by his superiors. Then suddenly the warrior princess was off to find her old friend Helen. This left Perdicous and Gabrielle within a strange situation. The two were uncomfortable at best as they struggled together to find the words to express their feelings.
Perdicous finally broke the uncomforable silence with a direct reminder of Gabrielle’s selfish desires. He reminded her that the last time that he had seen her she had been dashing out-of-town in search of a warrior princess she barely knew. Gabrielle could feel the pain of a man who had loved her deeply. There was a guilt that rose within her which she had not yet confronted. It pained her to feel that her choice to leave her mediocre life in Podedia had broken the heart of her betrothed. Yet just when Gabrielle was about to make recognition of her mistake Perdicous would not allow it. Instead he stood firm and spoke of how his place now was in the city of Troy. It was a place he had come in search of the love he had himself been robbed of. Perdicous had looked to Gabrielle’s great stories of Troy to find the love that he desperately needed to fight for. It was in this moment that Gabrielle realized that Perdicous was still the helpless romantic that she had always remembered him to be.
Then she reminded him of the reasons that he was not a true soldier. She reminded him of the time that he had almost drowned in the river to save the hat she had once lost. Gabrielle reminded him of the time that he had almost gotten himself run over by a carriage when he had tried to impress her in another one of his desperate attempts to show his love. Perdicous would not listen to Gabrielle. It was clear that his pain was still very real over her rejecting the idea of marrying him. He wanted her to suffer and he wanted her to be responsible for his life changing decision to leave the peace in Podedia for the war of Troy. And when Gabrielle tried to remind Perdicous of what he was missing back home he continued to ignore her.
The bard knew Perdicous well. They had shared so much together as children and as young people in love. Yet Perdicous continued to work diligently within his duties. Gabrielle tried desperately to persuade him otherwise, but instead he just continued to ignore her as the call to duty took him back to the walls of the fortress. There he quickly picked up a cross-bow for one of the men of the Trojan army had been shot by the Greek archers. An arrow had struck the young soldier through the chest. Perdicous ran over to the fallen soldier and ripped the burning arrow from his chest. He then ran to the top of the fortress and loaded the bloody arrow upon his own cross-bow. Gabrielle watched as Perdicous then took aim upon the Greek archer and shot him through his own chest. Suddenly the men upon the walls of Troy began to shout and cheer. They were congratulating and honoring Perdicious who had received vengeance for the death of a fellow soldier.
The act seemed remorseless to Gabrielle and she began to fear that her choice to leave him behind in Podedia had been the wrong one. Gabrielle felt extremely responsible for this knowing that it wasn’t the pain of his lost friend that he fought for. It was the pain of his lost love that drove him to take lives. Gabrielle did not like what she saw. it was horrifying to know that the hopeless romantic she had always known could be more than just a simple farmer. It was difficult for the bard to understand how a simple farm boy could become a vicious killer.
As Gabrielle wrestled with the demons of her own misplaced choices and of those of Perdicous Xena found her way to Helen. When she arrived Helen was relieved that Xena had received her message. Helen explained that she had had a terrible vision which had led her to send Mityobous. When Helen asked where Mityobous was Xena regretfully explained that he had died delivering Helen’s message. Yet the warrior princess explained that only a brave loyal soldier could have carried Helen’s urgent message. Helen the discussed with Xena what her intentions were. She explained to Xena that she wanted to leave Troy and to be taken to Mentalaous in the hopes that it would appease the Greek king and stop the long bloody war. Helen was certain that if she were to leave Troy and surrender herself to Mentalaous that the lives of many Trojan soldiers would be saved. It was obvious to Xena that Helen had been carrying a great weight upon her shoulders. Helen blamed herself and her happiness for the loss of so many lives. It was a burden that Helen could no longer bear. She was willing to sacrifice her own well-being in exchange for the lives of many brave soldiers.
However, Xena was not convinced that Helen’s plan was the answer. The warrior princess was certain that the war was no longer about Helen’s happiness. She was certain that it was about emerging into victory. Xena reminded Helen that Paris and the Trojans would seek out Mentalaous and the Greeks if she were to go with them. The trail of blood would follow the face of Helen wherever it went. Xena then told Helen that there had to be another solution to this war. She reminded Helen that Paris loved her and that it would be a mistake to throw away that love in the blind hope that lives would be saved. Helen had only met Mentalous once and she did not know him. Xena was certain that Helen should stay in Troy.
Soon Xena found herself face to face with Deifabous. He had charged into Helen’s bedchambers with his armed guard. They denounced Xena’s presence and he declared before Paris that Xena be taken prisoner. Helen pleaded with Deifabous that Xena be treated as her guest, but it was clear that Deifabous did not trust in Xena for she was a Greek warrior. It was clear that she was the enemy. Just as Paris was about to make his decision Xena noticed that one of Deifabous’s guard had a fresh wound upon his face. She realized that he was one of the men that she had fought outside of Troy as she had tried to save the loyal Trojan Mitybous. Quickly Xena drew her sword and attacked the enemy revealing him to all. As she fought against him she exposed him as a traitor. Yet before the traitor could be asked of his actions he was immediately killed by the sword of Deifabous.
The battle in the bed chambers of Helen was quick. Xena found herself frustrated that the traitor had been killed yet she found herself suspicious of Deifabous as a result of his actions. She remembered that Perdicous had told her that Deifabous was an excellent soldier. If Perdicious’s word had been true then Xena realized that Deifabous would not have killed the traitor. He would have wanted the same information that she seeked. Only another traitor would take the life of his own men to contain his secret. That was the moment in which Xena realized the truth of Deifabous yet she was uncertain of his motives. Deifabous realized that Xena was aware of his actions. He tried desperately to defend himself and his actions to his brother Paris. Paris’s trust in his brother blinded him to the act as he overlooked Deifabous’s tragic mistake. Neither Xena nor Deifabous had won the battle in Helen’s bed chambers. Instead it had created a new internal war within Troy. Deifabous declared to his brother that he would have all of his men throughly investigated in order to find the traitor amongst them though his words were worth less than a sold handshake.
Soon Xena returned to Gabrielle hoping that the two betrothed had worked out their differences. Xena could see that they had not for Gabrielle appeared saddened. Yet Xena was almost certain that the two would work things out. Xena told Gabrielle that she should stay with Perdicous for she had something that she had to do. Gabrielle wanted to join Xena, but was aware of the danger surrounding Troy. The young bard realized that there was less danger in a tangled web of emotion than there was outside the walls of Troy. And so Xena left her once again with the nagging of her past demons. Her mistake to leave Podedia without saying good-bye to Perdicous had caused his life to be a tragic one. Gabrielle thought of the moment in which he had killed that Greek archer and she saw that despite his celebration he was empty inside. Perdicous’s victory in the kill was not a victory at all. It was the unresolved issue of his feelings for Gabrielle that haunted him. The bard had to figure out how to resolve these feelings for she herself felt the flames of passion rising from within.
As Xena continued on in investigating Deifabous and his motives she discovered that Helen was about to try sneaking out into the danger of the bloody war. It was obvious that Helen was not convinced of Xena’s words. Helen was still certain the her leaving Troy was going to save lives. Xena quickly caught up to Helen as she was about to make her mistake. Once again she tried to reassure Helen, but as the two conversed they caught sight of Deifabous. Paris’s brother was sneaking out of the secret walls of Troy into the battle field. Xena instructed Helen to await her return as she followed Deifabous to investigate. What Xena found was Deifabous making a deal with Mentalaous. He was promising to surrender Troy and Helen to Mentalous, but Xena still did not know why. The warrior princess could not understand the gain in selling out Troy to the Greeks.
Quickly Xena returned inside the walls of Troy to warn Helen and Paris of what she had witnessed. She revealed to Paris the betrayal of his brother Deifabous. But just as she was about to convince Paris of the betrayal Deifabous stormed through the doors of the royal bed chambers. He insisted that his meeting the Mentalaous had entailed an agreement of peace for the Greeks had surrendered to Troy. Not only that, but the Greeks had offered the Trojans a gift of peace just outside the walls. Paris found himself overwhelmed with joy for this meant that he had won the long bloody war. Xena soon realized how quickly she was losing this battle within the walls of Troy. Helen was convinced yet Paris was not. Paris was blind to the truth that Helen’s visions had shown her. Deifabous took advantage of this situation and reminded Paris that Xena was a Greek warrior and most certainly the enemy attempting to break down the ranks of the Trojans. Paris quickly ordered that Xena be taken to the dungeons below with the other prisoners. Helen desperately pleaded with Paris, but Paris did not hear her. He ignored Helen’s better judgement to her dismay. Xena herself tried one last attempt to warn of greeks baring gifts.
As the Trojan guard surrounded Xena she prepared to escape yet as she prepared to battle her way through the guard she caught sight of Deifabous. He was about to pull his dagger upon the innocent Helen. Xena could see that he would take her life and the life of his brother if he had to in order to protect his interests. The warrior princess stood down and allowed herself to be taken into custody. As she was taken Deifabous and Paris rejoiced and declared that there would be a festival and a celebration of their victory on that night. Every Trojan soldier attended the celebration and enjoyed food, drink, and many other luxuries. It was a party like no other with riches beyond that of any other city Gabrielle had seen. Athens was the only city that compared to the riches held by the city of Troy.
On the next morning Gabrielle found herself still sorting through her feelings with Perdicous. Perdicous then brought to mind another story of their history. He reminded her of the time that the two of them had stolen corn from the farm of one of their neighbors. Gabrielle thought of this and laughed and then remembered that it had been Perdicous who had taken the blame in order to protect Gabrielle from certain punishment. In that moment Gabrielle realized why Perdicous was fighting in this bloody war. She realized that his love for her was so great that he would do anything for her. He became a soldier hoping to impress her just as he had tried to impress her hundreds of times before. When Gabrielle spoke of her concern for Xena Perdicous reminded Gabrielle that Xena was capable of taking care of herself. It was his tone that spoke to the bard. He was jealous of the warrior princess for taking his love from him. Her warrior way had appealed to the bard. Perdicous seeked to appeal to Gabrielle in the same way. It was in this moment that Gabrielle knew what she had to do to repair Perdicous’s broken heart.
Yet as they walked toward the palace of Helen and Paris to seek out Xena the gates of Troy were opened. The gift of the Greeks was being pulled into Troy. A gift of a Trojan horse made of wood symbolized a certain victory over the Greeks. The horse stood almost as tall as the gates which had protected Troy from demise. And though the horse had stood quiet all through the night early the next day there was a sudden burst from within. Betrayal came from within the symbol of victory and peace as the Greek army began to battle against the helpless Trojans within. Most of the Trojan army was drunk from the festival and unable to battle against the stealth of the Greek army.
While the war had come within the walls of Troy Xena found herself still trying to figure out the motives of Deifabous. Upon his entry he gloated in his victory over the warrior princess and promised her to those Greeks whom he declared that she had betrayed. Deifabous turned the other Greek prisoners loose and allowed them to battle against the warrior princess certain their rage would defeat her. Yet the warrior princess used her prison bench as a weapon and then as an escape tool. She constructed a lever out of three enemies and a bench using the first two attackers as the foundation, and the third as her thrust to escape. As she flew up through the shaft into freedom she saw that the war had spread within. Quickly Xena seeked to find the bard and when she did she instructed Gabrielle and Perdicous to take everyone to the temple of Aphrodite. As Gabrielle and Perdicous fought Gabrielle found that her staff was no prepared for the wrath of the anger sword.
Bravely Perdicous fought through the Greek lines into the temple as Gabrielle led the innocent to refuge. Yet somehow all ended up within the temple of Ares out of the confusion of the Greek raid. Thousands of Trojans fled as Gabrielle and Perdicous escorted them into the safety of the temple. Soon Xena joined them as then tried desperately to seal off the doors from the enemy advance. Helen joined the group with Xena as they seeked out a secret storage supply. Helen never thought that they would ever use this supply, but the violence and blood had finally run her into the corner. Xena quickly accessed the situation and had a plan for escape. She gathered the necessary supplies for a smoke screen would be their only chance to escape.
Gabrielle and Perdicous tried desperately to hold onto hope. Though Perdicous reminded Gabrielle that the entire Greek army was just outside those doors waiting to take them all. Their presence was obvious by the sounds of the thunderous banging against the doors. Gabrielle could see them buckling and knew that it was the last chance for her to mend her mistakes with Perdicous. She took his face into her hands and looked into his eyes. He tried to apologize for his own mistakes, but Gabrielle would not allow it. She knew it had been her own mistake of not saying good-bye that had led Perdicous to this inevitable death in Troy. It was for nothing, but a broken heart. Gabrielle then expressed not with words, but with a passionate kiss her honesty and her feelings for her betrothed.
Just as the doors were about to come crashing apart Xena had arrived with the smoke screen. The warrior princess prepared the escape while leaving Paris with Helen to mend his own mistakes. He had not trusted in Helen’s judgement and he had insulted Xena. Paris was full of regrets for his blind ego had led to the demise of his city and of his people. But mostly his love for Helen had been destroyed. As the two began to mend their wounds they were suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Deifabous. He had come through a secret door and quickly he disappeared with Helen of Troy. Gabrielle had arrived just moments later upon Xena’s request to retrieve Helen and Paris for their escape. When Gabrielle arrived she found Helen missing and Paris lying in death’s arms.
Quickly Gabrielle called out to Xena as Xena lit the smoke screens. She spoke of the tragedy in the supply room. Yet through this tragedy there was hope for now all of Troy could escape through Deifabous’s secret door. They would not have to fight through the smoke screen and the Greek army to freedom. Instead all were led by Xena out through the back of the temple and into a regrouping position. All Trojans were led into the massive wooden horse which stood proudly and tall in the wake of the burning city. They awaited the Greeks return upon discovering that they had all escaped the temple of Ares. Soon all could hear the angry cries of Mentalaous ordering his men to remove the gift. Mentalaous himself had been betrayed for he had been promised Helen yet instead he had been given more rage. His rage was in not receiving Helen the one he had fought ten years to capture.
As the horse was pulled to the outside of the ruined city Xena and the Trojan army exploded from within. Gabrielle and Perdicous fought alongside Xena and the Trojans hoping to drive them into a retreat. Quickly the surprise attack was followed by the surrender of the Greek army for there was no prize to be won. The prize had been stolen as Paris lie dead and Deifabous had taken all. Xena quickly left the battle and trusted Perdicious and Gabrielle to continue on as she rushed to recover her friend from the true enemy. Just outside the walls of Troy Xena awaited Deifabous who was surprised to find her waiting for him. He quickly took weapon forth and fought against the warrior princess. Though Deifabous was a skilled soldier able to rob the warrior princess of her own sword she quickly retaliated kicking his sword to the ground.
The odds were evened into a hand to hand combat yet Deifabous would not fight hand to hand with the warrior princess. Instead he picked up a broken staff out of the rubble and began to attack the warrior princess. He struck her three times before she was able to get into position, but soon she was in control once again. Xena took a grip upon his weapon stopping his advance. Suddenly she ran upon the side of the mighty walls of Troy and flipped kicking her enemy to the ground. Deifabous had been knocked unconscious and been defeated. Helen was relieved to be saved by the warrior princess. Xena left Deifabous with a prize. It was the crown of Helen upon his head for the warrior princess wanted Mentalaous to be greeted by the true enemy.
Xena had foiled the plot of Deifabous and freed Helen of Troy. She had also saved many lives, and allowed Gabrielle to mend her relationship with Perdicous. As the battle in the field ended Gabrielle hoped desparately that Perdicous would join her and Xena. Perdicous was not certain of Gabrielle’s true feelings certain that her passionate kiss had only been out of desparation in a dire situation. He proclaimed that she did not owe him anything and that he would be just fine without her. Perdicous would go on living, but he had finally been able to forgive her for leaving him behind. As Gabrielle watched Perdicous walk away she was full of sadness. Of all that travels that she and Xena had this was the most painful. It reminded Gabrielle of what had been missing and of what she had been seeking. She wanted her love, but realized that she had missed it.
Perdicous himself had decided that he would go onto the next city to find a new conquest to fight for. He needed a new cause for the cause of love had been won. For him he had won against his anger toward his loss, but there was still a lot of uncertainty within him. He decided to travel with Helen for she too seeked a new conquest in life. Hers was freedom for the first time. Helen was finally free of the burden of death that had imprisoned her for ten years. And as Xena returned to the bard on the deserted field of battle she wondered why Perdicous had decided not to join them. Xena had been just as certain as Gabrielle had that he would have joined them in the end, but unfortunately the two friends learned at Troy that some battles no matter how hard they are fought can not be won by the heart alone.

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