Isn't it beautiful?
Yeah, it's all right.
It's all right?
You have to learn
to smell the flowers.
What flowers?
That's an expression.
You have to enjoy the peaceful
moments in life.
You know, everything can't
be an adventure all the time
Like right now. I want you to
close your eyes, and just listen.
To what?
To nature speaking to us.
It'll give you a wonderful sense of peace.
Close your eyes.
What do you hear?
Seagulls.
OK, now, what do you--
what do you feel when
you think of seagulls?
I feel irritated because they're so noisy.
What else do you hear?
Ahh-- the sea.
OK, now what do you--
what do you think of when you hear
the peaceful grandeur of the sea?
I think how glad I am
to be on dry land.
You're so practical!
Because, Xena,
the sea is a beautiful
expression of nature.
Mmm.
Now, I want you to concentrate
on the sound of the waves
b*ating against the shore,
and I want you to have
a sense of peace!
All right?
OK. I'll try.
What do you feel?
The sea makes you draw your sword.
No, but the sound of a battle does!
Three against one.
Aren't we gonna help him?
What are you doing?
Ah, following your advice.
What do you mean?
Just smelling the flowers.
Smelling the flowers.
That's great.
OK-- now we help him.
Name's Xena.
Ulysses-- thanks for the help.
Ahh-- It's my pleasure.
Grab on.
Go on!
Those guys don't like
you very much, Ulysses.
They don't even know me.
They owe their allegiance to
someone who doesn't want
me to reach my kingdom.
And where is your kingdom?
Ithaca.
You're _that_ Ulysses?
He's the _king_ of Ithaca.
Oh.
I've-- I've heard it's a
very beautiful island.
It is. But I'm afraid it
won't be for very long.
Why?
Those pirates we were fighting
have been promised it as
their spoils if they should keep
me from reaching home.
If they get control of Ithaca,
they'll turn it into a wasteland.
Well, I think we've just proved
that they can be beaten.
Yes, but their lord is
much more formidable.
We've been up
against some
pretty formidable
guys ourselves.
Not like this one.
In a time of ancient gods,
warlords, and kings,
A land in turmoil
cried out for a hero.
She was Xena,
a mighty princess,
forged in the heat of battle.
The power...
the passion...
the danger...
Her courage will change the world...
Xena, stay out of this.
My nephew, Ares, has
a fondness for you.
I won't be as patient with
you meddling in my affairs.
What have you got
against Ulysses, Poseidon?
He blinded my son, Polyphemus.
You blinded a Cyclops?
I've done the same, myself.
What was that?!
Poseidon, if you've heard
about my dealings with Ares,
you'll know that I'm not
afraid of the gods.
This man is the rightful ruler of Ithaca,
and I plan to help him get home!
Ulysses, don't let this
woman die in a lost cause.
There's nothing left for you in Ithaca,
now that you're wife's dead.
Give up hope of ever seeing your
homeland again and start a new life.
Never, Poseidon!
Ithaca needs me.
And I won't leave it to
the mercy of your pirates.
Then, so be it.
Ithaca is an island.
The only way to reach it is
through my domain-- the sea.
You'll both feel its deadly power.
Have a nice voyage.
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-
ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
This cave has been my home
since the pirates captured
my ship and k*lled
the last of my crew.
How did you come
to blind Polyphemus?
On the way back from Troy,
we stopped at
Polyphemus' island.
That doesn't sound wise.
We needed food.
We were hungry.
Unfortunately, so was
that one-eyed monster.
He tried to bite off
more than he could chew,
I take it.
Yep. I definitely wasn't on his diet.
First thing we need to
do is get your ship back.
They're keeping it in a
harbor not far from here.
I'll get the rest of my things,
and we can move on.
Ulysses-- there's something
you should know. At Troy--
You fought with the
Trojans against us.
My only interest there was
to stop the w*r and
help my friend, Helen.
That w*r was madness--
ten senseless bloody years.
It's behind me, now.
The only enemies I
recognize today are those
who stand between me--
and Ithaca.
I welcome your help.
What a man.
Well.
Good move.
If I was the enemy,
though,your friend
would be dead.
Wrong.
I heard you when you
moved behind that oak, there.
If you'd have moved toward her,
I would have adjusted.
How's it look with the ship?
It's swarming with pirates.
They're heavily armed, have
several lookouts, and the
advantage of position.
It should be a
cakewalk for us.
Wait until dawn?
I was thinking the
same thing, myself.
Poseidon mentioned your wife.
I'm sorry-- it's--
Mmm, don't be.
I haven't had the chance
to talk to anyone about it.
She must have set
out in search for me.
Poseidon trapped her in a
storm and destroyed her ship.
Several fishermen told
me they saw the wreck--
that there was no
chance for survivors.
It's funny, the--
the last time I saw her,
she was a child-- only
when we fell in love and married.
Then I went off
to fight at Troy.
I think of her all the time.
You'll find love again, Ulysses.
Maybe.
I'm thirsty.
Get a man on the poop deck!
Tie up that sail!
Check the rigging!
Hey, boys!
be dead. Ooh! Look at that!
You know where I
can find any real men?
Over here!
Turn around!
Oh-- oh, yeah! Yeah,
come here, baby.
Oh-- sorry! Oh!
So, you _like_ it rough, do you?
Love it!
Hey, boys.
I want in on the fun, too.
Xena! Xena! Get her!
Swim for it! Hey, baby,
now I've got'cha!
Ulysses, no!
Prepare to die!
Prepare to die, Ulysses!
It's not bad.
Easy for you to say.
You didn't need to do this.
I would've gotten it with my chakram.
Now you tell me.
I'm gonna have to push
this all the way through.
It's gonna hurt.
As if it hasn't been
hurting up to now?
That'll wake you
up in the morning!
Where do you think
you're going?
I have to free the
sail and man the helm,
or we'll run aground or worse.
I'll tie off the wheel.
That'll keep us on course until
you get your legs back.
You can sail a ship, too?
I have many skills.
What a woman.
I'd like to see that
chakram in action.
I've never seen one before.
Yeah, I guess it's unique to me.
I have something like
that back home in Ithaca--
a w*apon only I can use.
What is it?
A bow.
A bow-- What's so special about it?
It's made of the hardest ironwood.
It's so powerful, it can send
an arrow through three warriors.
I sure hope that doesn't
get into the wrong hands.
I wouldn't worry about that.
I'm the only one who can string it.
Sounds like a good safeguard.
But why'd you leave it in Ithaca?
It's an ancient heirloom of my family.
Tradition forbids ever
taking it from the island.
Mmm.
For someone who's so
good at splitting heads,
you have a very gentle touch.
Like I said--
Yeah, I know--
You have many skills.
And I appreciate you
using them on my behalf.
I'll drop you off at the next
port and be on my way.
You need a crew, don't you?
I'll recruit a couple of local adventurers.
I've rigged this ship so that
a crew of three can man her.
By my count, you have three now.
I couldn't ask you to--
You didn't.
We'd be going up against a god.
Your friend goes
where Xena goes.
I learned a long time ago
not to try and leave
her out of anything.
Besides, I've always
wanted to see Ithaca.
Of course, if you don't
want us to come--
No-- I want you to come.
I have this funny
feeling in my stomach.
I guess it's what they
call seasickness, huh? It'll pass.
This is Ithaca--
and this is where we are.
We'll be out on the open
sea for several days.
Poseidon will hit us with
everything he's got.
Every time I've tried
to run that gauntlet,
the storms were so bad,
I had to turn back.
Why don't we move along
this chain of islands here--
and then we can leapfrog from
island-to-island and
shelter from the storms.
Well, that'd be perfect,
except we'd have to pass
the island of the Sirens.
Sirens? Their song is said
to call all men who hear it to
their death on the rocks of the island.
All men-- I'm not a man.
Yeah, I've noticed.
So, do you think you can
get us past the Sirens?
Yeah, I do.
I think I'll get some fresh air.
This bobbing up and
down in one place is--
kind of getting to me.
Ahh. Yeah. Once
we get on the high seas,
I'm gonna feel much better. Yep.
Is she going to be all right?
Oh, yeah.
Right.
That's better.
Hey, Gabrielle,
how's it hanging?
Yep, the peaceful grandeur of
the sea sure has a kick to it,
doesn't it?
Maybe you should just close your
eyes and smell the seagulls.
Xena, I will remember that,
in my moment of misery,
you chose levity rather
than sympathy.
Aah, don't lose your sense of humor.
You're gonna need
it in rough seas.
This isn't rough?
Look! Poseidon's about to
hit us with some serious weather!
It's going to get rough by nightfall!
Ahh. Xena? Would you mind
knocking me unconscious?
If we can get past this storm,
we'll be able to use
the islands for cover!
Ah, what are you doing? Whoa!
Tying you up!
All right, I'm game.
What do you have in mind? Ow!
Saving your life--
I told you I'd get you past
the island of the Sirens, didn't I?
Please-- k*ll me.
Sirens-- Listen to me.
Ulysses is approaching.
You know what you're to do?
Yes, my lord.
You hear it?
It's so beautiful.
I must go to it.
They're calling me -- to ecstasy.
Think of something else,
Ulysses-- like-- discus-throwing.
Gabrielle-- please-- undo me.
I have to go.
I don't think that's a good idea.
Ulysses, what are you doing? Ulysses.
Ulysses, no!
Don't listen to them!
Xena?
- Did I do that?
- Yeah.
I'm so sorry.
No, no, no, no.
Don't-- don't apologize.
It was good for me.
The fear that my leg was broken
took my mind off my
stomach-- for a while.
You saved us all.
I was just about to bring
you something to eat.
Don't tell me you're
good with food, too.
Well, if it's possible to
mess up bread and cheese,
I probably did.
Well, that's all right,
'cause I have a great cook in Ithaca.
Oh.
I mean, if you're planning on
staying on in Ithaca for any time,
I'll make sure that you
and Gabrielle are well fed.
So,do you think you might
be staying on for a while?
Well, I don't want to get in
the way of your homecoming.
No, you wouldn't.
You'd be the best part about it.
Xena,I don't know
how to say this.
And I'm sure I'm gonna
say it all wrong.
I mean, I haven't known
you very long, and yet--
in the short time that,
I feel that we've sp--
I think I'm falling in love with you.
I know I'm moving fast,
but I've never felt like
this about any woman.
Yeah, I know what
you're thinking--
What about my wife?
I was just a boy
when I was with her.
And we were both very shy.
I felt like I never really knew her.
Sometimes at Troy
when I would think of her,
I'd wonder if it was
her I loved so much,
or my ideal of her.
No, I'm sure she was very special.
She was-- very. Yet, with you--
I feel like I've known you all my life.
Do you think I'm crazy?
I don't know.
She believes that everyone has
a soulmate on earth made just for them.
Yes-- yes, that's exactly how I feel--
like I've found my soulmate.
So, do you think you might
want to stay on in Ithaca
for a while, and--
see how things turn out?
I don't know.
I'd have to think about it.
Of course. Of course,
I, uh-- I better get
back to the helm.
Why don't you get some rest?
Feeling any better?
No, but I've gotten
used to being miserable.
Xena, you know it's pretty
obvious how he feels about you.
How do you feel-- about him?
You don't sleep
as sound as I thought.
It's this t*rture chamber.
Well, sometimes on ship it
helps to lie on your stomach.
Now, hey, don't change the subject.
I need to know.
Promise me one thing?
What?
You'll follow your heart--
and don't worry about me.
You're part of my heart.
Xena, do you remember
what you told me when--
when Perdicus asked
me to marry him?
You said that seeing me
happy would make you happy.
I feel the same way.
Gabrielle, you've
been so good for me.
I don't think I would ever have let
myself feel the way
I feel now about Ulysses
if it wasn't for you
teaching me how to love.
Did you say love?
Yeah, I guess I did.
I guess we'll be staying on awhile in Ith--
Ithaca. Ithaca!
Land! Thank the gods!
I'm home.
Ah! Mmm! Mmm! Mmm! Dry land. Ahhh.
See that hill?
My friends and I would play
king of the mountain there.
I remember it being so much bigger.
And look--look at this tree.
I carved that when I was five.
Oh.
What is it?
It's an eagle--
it was my favorite animal growing up.
It looks more like a fish to me.
Hey-- I was five.
Funny--
Nothing seems quite the same.
Hey!
Run! Come on!
Hello, Metacles.
I'm sorry, I don't--Ulysses?
Can it really be you?
Are you a ghost?
Not yet.
I'm flesh and blood, my friend!
We heard you were dead.
Thank the gods you're here!
The gods have nothing to do with it.
Metacles, these are my friends,
Xena and Gabrielle.
Metacles grew up
with Penelope and I.
We were-- we were as close as
three people could be.
What's the matter, my friend?
A few hard knocks make you cry?
It's a tear of joy, Ulysses.
I'm so happy you're back--
to reclaim your kingdom;
be reunited with your wife.
My wife? But, Metacles,
Penelope is dead.
No, Ulysses--
I saw her just an hour ago.
She's sad,but, very much alive.
Your home isn't what
it used to be, Ulysses.
It's swarming with pirates.
They call themselves
suitors to Penelope.
Suitors?
Yeah. Everyone here
believes you're dead,
just as you believed
Penelope was dead.
This is all Poseidon's work.
He obviously wanted Penelope
and I to give up hope of ever
seeing each other again.
The fishermen who told me of
her death must have
done so at his bidding.
Ulysses-- You must act quickly.
The pirates have created
such chaos in the kingdom,
that the people are clammering for
Penelope to take a husband.
Do you remember the old moat?
Of course.
Does it still lead under the castle?
I don't know.
There's been a lot of cave-ins, lately.
Let's check it out.
Penelope-- Our lord,
Poseidon wishes one of us
to be the lawful ruler of Ithaca.
You will choose who that wiill be,now.
The first man--
who can string this bow--
will be my king.
Gabrielle--
the servants' quarters are up these stairs.
OK.
Grab some robes.
Xena-- there's something
I want to tell you.
Ulysses--
I've spent the last ten years
wanting to come home
to my beloved Ithaca.
But, I realize now,
it's not my home anymore.
The little boy that used to play
here d*ed a long time ago.
I'm a man, now.
What are you getting at?
I don't love Penelope.
I don't know if I ever did.
I love you--
more even than my homeland.
It's not my kingdom anymore.
It's hers. When we clean
these pirates out of Ithaca,
I'd like to travel with you and Gabrielle.
I'm sorry, Ulysses.
I should have been more
honest with you the other day.
What do you mean?
I'm not in love with you.
I don't think I ever could be.
I like my life the way it is.
I don't believe you.
I think you are in love with me.
Well, isn't that just a typical man?
I give you a few smiles and a kiss,
and you're convinced
that I'm in love with you.
You're kidding yourself.
I was embarassed with all that
mush you were spewing the other night.
The only reason I didn't sh**t
you down right then
is because I didn't think
you could handle it.
So let me lay it on the
line for you, Ulysses--
You're not my type.
I uh--
I understand .
He needs to decide whether
he wants to stay here
without thinking about me.
He deserves a clean homecoming,
and so does she.
What if he decides he
doesn't want to stay here?
Well, after what I just said to him--
Xena, eventually he'll understand
what you were doing.
He's very smart.
Yeah, he is. Well, who knows?
Maybe the three of us
could do some good.
Yeah, we could.
We got work to do.
That's fine.
You can do better.
Not me.
Argus?
Go away, old boy.
This is impossible.
No one but Ulysses can string this bow--
and he's dead.
I can do it.
A peasant? String Ulysses' bow?
I doubt that.
It's been said that anyone
who can string the bow
becomes king of Ithaca.
Why can't we peasants get a chance?
Yeah!
All right, take a try-- but just you.
This is one of your tricks.
How can a peasant string Ulysses' bow?
Because I am Ulysses--
King of Ithaca.
Ulysses?
He's alive!
But not for long!
It must be Ulysses!
Ulysses.
Penelope.
Come on, Gabrielle.
That'll hold!
All right, let's set sail!
Aye-aye, Xena!
Hello, Xena.
Hello, Ulysses.
Xena, I wanna come with you.
Ulysses.
Now, enough with the tough talk.
I now know what you were
doing when you said those things.
You were giving me a fair
chance to get back with Penelope,
and I'm-- I'm afraid it backfired.
When I figured out
what you were doing,
I-- I loved you more than ever.
What about Penelope?
I don't love her, anymore.
- Does she love you?
- She does.
I don't know if she loves me; I don't know--
Ulysses, your kingdom needs you.
Your wife needs you.
You're home at last.
Whatever you feel
toward me will pass.
No, and I don't think
you'll forget me, either.
Maybe-- But I won't take you
away from your kingdom, or your wife.
Goodbye, Ulysses.
Xena, please.
Go home. Go home.
How are you feeling?
Oh-- splendid-- Well, maybe
not splendid, but-- I'll live.
He'll learn to love her again.
She's quite a woman, standing up
to those pirates all those years.
Yeah-- she is.
Do you think that
he knows that you
helped him with the bow?
No-- I don't think
anyone knows,
and I want it to stay that way.
This is Ulysses' story.
And for years the people of Ithaca
will talk about how he bent that bow.
It's the way it should be.
But really you--
I got a chance to make
someone I care about happy.
That's the best reward
you can have in life.
Bring her about!