Xena battles to regain her memory and reverse the curse of the Rheingold ring.
One Year Later....
An arrogant noble, by the name of Lord Erik, tries to enter the circle of flames to rescue the Lady of the Ring (Gabrielle). Beowulf tries to stop him, showing him the wound he gained during his failed attempt at rescuing Gabrielle.
Beowulf is aware that only Xena, Gabrielle's true soulmate, can pass through the flames and release her.
Lord Erik refuses to listen, however, and he perishes in his attempt. Beowulf and his company of vikings retreat and Beowulf tells his companion, Wiglaf that he is going to Denmark to seek help from
King Hrothgar.
Deep in an enchanted sleep, protected by Brunhilda's flame, Gabrielle awaits her love's return. Even in that deathlike sleep, she dreams that Xena will return for her. As the legend of her waiting grows, men become enamored of her beauty and wish to free her from her plight. Even Beowulf bears the scars of his attempt. Lords and knights imagine themselves worthy enough to break the spell and claim the Lady of The Ring. Of course, none can, and several die in their foolish ventures. The missing soulmate needed to rescue the sleeping beauty is off getting married in Denmark.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries, Waltraute and Sirghinda arrive near Gabrielle's sleeping place to collect the brave but dead warriors. They discuss the pointlessness of the fallen warriors' deaths but when Xena's name is mentioned, Waltraute loses her temper and orders Sirghinda to hurry so they can leave. They gather up the fallen and leave for Valhalla.
Hrothgar offers a toast to his marriage but his sister, Hildegyth warns him that his marriage is doomed. Hrothgar becomes angry at her words and threatens to banish her from his kingdom. He is, however, distracted by Wealthea's presence. He starts to get fresh with her and she pushes him away.
It is only the arrival of Beowulf that stops Hrothgar from forcing himself on his wife. Immediately, Hrothgar introduces Beowulf to Wealthea but she shows no sign of recognising him at all. Hildegyth notices Beowulf's confusion and asks him to tell her what is on his mind. After hearing his plight she suggests to him that they work together.
That night, Beowulf, wearing an elaborate mask, surprises Xena in her chamber. When she unmasks him, he tries to explain who he is, but he cannot trigger her memory. Suddenly, Hildegyth and Hrothgar barge in to find the two in what looks to be a compromising position. Silencing Xena, an irate Hrothgar has them seized and hauled off. But Beowulf manages to break free and grabs Xena's hand, vowing to save Gabrielle. Beowulf's hand becomes Gabrielle's as Xena has a momentary hallucination.
Beowulf and Wiglaf escape from Denmark in their ship and, during the journey, Beowulf explains to Wealthea that she is not who she thinks she is. It was Hrothgar who gave her the name Wealthea and told her he had rescued her from a shipwreck. Beowulf tries to tell her something of who she really is but Xena cannot remember any of it.
In the meantime, Odin informs Waltraute that Xena is still alive and is sailing towards them.
Now a shadow of her former self, Xena wanders aimlessly until Hrothgar of Denmark takes her in. Beowulf finds her by chance one year later, on the day of her wedding. Later Xena will refer to her life here as dreamlike. Disturbing visions of her former life invade her waking moments. She feels Gabrielle's presence but does not realize who she is. She is loath to consummate her marriage. While she distracts herself with worthy service to Hrothgar's people, she knows that some important piece of her is missing.
Once ashore, the vikings squabble for Xena's attention. However, the Valkyries arrive and attack Xena. She refuses to fight and orders Beowulf and his men to lower their weapons. Waltraute attacks but Odin arrives and stops her from killing Xena. He orders the Valkyries to return to Valhalla and he leaves with them. Xena thinks this is because she reasoned with them but Beowulf knows that Odin wants to use Xena to retrieve the ring.
In Valhalla, Odin and Waltraute discuss Xena. Odin explains to Waltraute that, once Xena has retrieved the ring from the flames, it will be easy to take the ring from her. He therefore orders her to do everything possible to make sure that Xena gets the ring.
Xena: [having taken off her wedding ring] … "Are you a demon … or my own mind made mad?"
Gabrielle: "I am the truth of who you are. Our souls are united, Xena."
Meanwhile, Gabrielle appears to Xena again, telling her she is the key to Xena's past. When Gabrielle disappears, she tells Beowulf about it. Once again, he tries to convince her of the importance of saving Gabrielle.
Beowulf: "Xena? Xena, are you alright?"
Xena: "Yes. This Gabrielle truly loved Xena, didn't she?"
Beowulf: "And will until the end of time. Gabrielle saved you from what you were, as you
must now save her."
Xena: "What's it for?"
Beowulf: "You'll know. When the time comes, you'll know."
After the ring makes her a mere shadow of her former self and Xena can no longer remember Gabrielle, she is nevertheless visited by visions of her soulmate. While Xena thinks that perhaps she is going mad, she stills sees that the young woman loved her very much. The specter declares, "I am lost without you", and "I am the truth of who you are". It is not exactly clear whether these visions are Xena's subconscious memories seeping through or astral projections from her sleeping soulmate. Whatever they are, they mark how much Xena and Gabrielle are one with the other.
Beowulf is severely injured by the monster Grinhilda. He shouts at Xena to enter the flames. She does so and is unharmed.
Mesmerized by her friend's beauty, memories flood Xena's mind, bringing tears to her eyes. She approaches Gabrielle and kisses her on the lips. Gabrielle awakens and Xena recovers all her memories. Gabrielle then passes the ring to Xena.
Beowulf takes her back to the ring of fire that surrounds Gabrielle. Here Xena chooses to make a potentially suicidal sacrifice for a woman whom she sees as a complete stranger. She hears encouraging words from Brunhilda's fiery form in the flames and after penetrating the wall of fire, and cutting away the overgrown thorns, kneels beside the sleeping Lady Of The Ring. She is mysteriously drawn to kiss the beautiful woman and in that tender kiss reawakens her true Self.
Xena is transformed again, this time back to the warrior complete with memories of her love for Gabrielle. The shadows are now brought into the light, and she is complete within herself. Gabrielle is the touchstone of Xena's consciousness. The other half of Xena's lost soul, Gabrielle is the path that leads the warrior back to her true Self.
Xena: "Grinhilda … listen to me. You weren't always this way. It was my actions that turned you into this beast! Grinhilda … I put the evil into this ring. I can undo it, too, if only … Grinhilda, you must listen to me … [the ring begins to glow, which distracts Xena enough to allow Grinhilda to get her 'hands' on her] … Grinhilda, look inside your heart. Find the woman you once were. Forgive me. Forgive me!"
Xena takes the ring and goes to find Grinhilda who is furious and tries to strangle Xena. Xena begs for her forgiveness. Soon after, both Xena and Grinhilda exit the cave. Grinhilda has changed back into her human form.
Xena goes to Beowulf and revives him. Beowulf immediately asks about Wiglaf and is relieved to find he is alive. Both Xena and Gabrielle thank Beowulf for helping them and then they say goodbye and leave with Grinhilda.
In the end, all he will receive for his dedication will be Gabrielle's smile, a heartfelt embrace, and the pleasure of kissing her hand. Despite whatever he may feel inside, this outward display of affection must be enough. For a gallant knight such as Beowulf, who is well aware of the situation for which he has given his heart, it will be enough.
Brunnhilda: "Godspeed, Gabrielle."
When that True Love comes at last to retrieve Gabrielle, Brunhilda lets her, and only her, pass into the encircling flame to awaken that love. With the two soulmates reunited, Brunhilda no longer need fear for her love's safety. Brunhilda has kept her vow to Gabrielle and in doing so has ennobled herself.
She will give up family, home, creature comforts, and her very life if need be to make her Way with Xena. Xena takes Gabrielle's sacrifices personally and occasionally has bouts of guilt and regret for what her partner must go through. However, Gabrielle makes it all very clear that it is her choice, and she is of a single mind to travel her life's path with Xena. No matter the cost. No matter the cost. Repeat after me:
NO MATTER THE COST.
After knowing her for only a short while, Brunhilda correctly observes that Gabrielle will gladly pay any price for staying at Xena's side. Her price paid in this story is to become the enchanted protector of the ring. With the ring resting in her palm, she sleeps and waits. She will wait an eternity if required. When at last Xena comes for her, she is transformed from the Lady of the Ring and reawakened into Gabrielle.
Odin: "Perhaps you have decided to return to me that which belongs in Valhalla … the ring?"
Xena: "I have brought something back that belongs here, yes."
Odin: "Grinhilda?"
Xena: "Grinhilda was the best thing that ever happened to Valhalla, Odin, before it was poisoned by my bloodlust."
Odin: "What do you want?"
Grinhilda: "Return me to my position as Chief of the Valkyrie."
Xena: "She'll teach them a nobler use for their powers, Odin."
Odin: "I'll think about it."
Xena: "Don't think too long."
Odin: "Welcome back, Grinhilda."
Xena, Gabrielle and Grinhilda make their way to Valhalla. Odin asks if Xena has come to give him the ring but, instead, Grinhilda steps forward and asks to be made head of the Valkyries again. Odin consents and he and Grinhilda are reunited.
Xena and Gabrielle leave Valhalla and make their way to the home of the Rhein Maidens. When they see Xena, they hide from her but she offers them the ring and tells them that she is returning what is rightfully theirs. The maiden whom Xena had tricked into showing her where the Rheingold was hidden, marvels at the change in Xena.
Rhein Maiden: "What magic has made Xena into such a noble creature she would give up the power of the Rheingold?"
Xena: "It wasn't magic."
In the end, this hero myth teaches that good character will achieve a satisfactory end. Although not all the heroes survived, all will forever feel the effects of the adventure. It is shown that the noble qualities of love, courage, and forgiveness will weigh out against evils fiercest rage.
The Romantic Arc presents a cast of heroes who prove to be a perfectly matched set. All moving in a dance together, they attain those goals which would have been impossible without each other. At numerous junctions in the story, had any of the heroes lost heart or proved false, the consequences would have been dire. Xena, that stoic lone wolf, never needed so much help from so few of such fine character.
