A SOLSTICE CAROL

A scrooge-like king dishes out cruel punishments. He won't let the people celebrate solstice. A boy steals Xena's chakram for a tree-topper. X & G follow the thief to his orphanage. They too are under oppression there. So Xena, Gabrielle, and an ex toy maker named Sinticlese plot to non-violently change the king's mind. (Gabrielle buys a mule.) Then Xena poses as something akin to a Christmas Carol ghost. And Gabby poses as the king's dead wife. (Er...no. She didn't die; she left him!) Sinticlese goes to the orphanage in a disguise. (Hm. Looks a lot like Santa Clause!) We learn that the orphanage manager is the woman who left the king. The orphanage is under siege! A toy fight! The king has a change of heart. His wife forgives him. And Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, and the mule cross paths with a man, woman, and baby. The mule is given to them to help them on their journey. "May God smile on you always for your kindness." (And, with that, the child's face is all aglow.) Xena gives Gabrielle a toy lamb like Gabby cherished as a child. "Gabrielle, you are a gift to me." -Xena.