DAUGHTER OF POMIRA

Xena and Gabrielle are trying to take a route that will help them avoid the Horde when, suddenly, Gabrielle spots a strange sight. "Have you ever seen a blonde Horde girl?" Then, just as suddenly, some man named Milo tries to ambush the small group of this "Horde." Xena intervenes. Soon, they all suspect that "that poor girl" has been taken from her family. The girl's name is Vanesa and Xena and Gabby find her parents (who think she was murdered long ago). "She's alive." Gabby tells them that she and Xena will bring their child back home. "She deserves to be with the people she loves; the people that love her." Soon, our heroes have tracked down the Horde. Xena, disguised as one of them, walks into their underground abode unnoticed. And, to her surprise, Vanesa seems to be enjoying her company. Xena follows her for some kaltaka (water). "Don't be afraid, Vanesa. I've come to get you out of here." But the girl screams! So Xena temporarily pinches Vanesa's voice and then sneaks her out to where Gabrielle is waiting. While Xena lays a false trail, Vanesa tries to tell Gabrielle that her name is Pilee, her father is the Horde leader, and that her "talk" (language) is Pomira. Clearly, she feels she has a new home. Nevertheless, the gang decides that it wasn't right for Cirvik (the Horde leader) to kidnap her in the first place -so they're going to take her home. However, Pilee does not receive her homecoming with welcome. What now? Set her free? Hang her? All out war? Xena pretends to opt for all out war (in order to gain the soldiers' trust). "My Vanesa's gone!" shouts her biological father. He loses all hope until he sees her dressed more...civilized. Vanesa sees her old doll and remembers her father. He apologizes to her. Now, if only he can forgive "these savages." Well, Xena is busy planning to forge a peace. "Vanesa is the only one who can communicate with both sides." Gabby questions her decision to "rescue" Pilee in the first place. But Xena reassures her that she was right to give her a choice. And night, Vanesa tries to escape but Milo steps in to kill her. Xena uses her whip (again) to stop him. "This thing has really come in handy, lately!" We learn that Cirvik's "real" daughter died and Vanesa was chosen as his adopted daughter. "He love me." Xena tries to convince her to care to make peace out of the situation since she is loved on both sides. Finally, both sides meet up. Just before a truce is arranged, Milo comes out of the ground and tries to kill Cirvik! But Xena flips into action. Fight! Milo is killed. "Both. Both my father." And Pilee goes home with the "Horde" but promises to return to visit soon.

THE KEY TO THE KINGDOM

When Xena catches Autolycus after stealing a ruby, he gives it back...only to discover that that wasn't Xena -it was Meg! Turns out, Joxer and Meg are after the crown of Athena. Auto gets on board. Joxer and Autolycus pretend to be villians while Meg (still dressed as Xena) pretends to fight them off. We learn that Meg is Joxer's girl. Meg demands to meet with the town's leader and convinces them that an assassin is out to get him. Thus, he shows her their security. Meg leaves a trail for Autolycus who gets rid of the guards and finds a baby in place of the key to the crown. Soon, Meg walks in and reveals that the baby is the key, and then she unexpectedly calls the guards on Autolycus! Meg steals the key and his elderly caretaker learns of this and finds Autolycus in prison. We soon learn that once the key opens the door, the child will be no more. "Doesn't sound good for the kid." Auto escapes. Joxer soon learns that Meg has kidnapped a baby just to have a baby and he feels quite used. But Meg convinces him that fatherhood becomes him. The leaders learn that "Xena" has stolen the key and fear she'll get the crown first. Auto shows up to try and take the baby back for a reward, but the baby escapes while he and Meg duke it out. Now it seems everyone is looking for the kid! But the little baby escapes in a chariot. Follow that chariot! The chariot crashes (but everyone's okay). At camp that night, Auto convinces them to still search for the crown and promises that the child will not be harmed. We learn about Meg's difficult upbringing and that her love for this child is true. She wants better for this baby than what she had. Next, we all discover that the baby's blanket is a map! To the door! Auto doesn't risk the baby but, during a fight, the child crawls to open the door and turns into a man! But not just any man...he is the king! (The real Xena shows up and helps them fend off the baddies.) Athena had made him young so that he could see anew, and his queen was made old (the caretaker) to teach her how to care. He thanks Meg for her love. Xena also encourages Meg that she will have a family of her own one day.