Xena was a peasant girl until raiders came to her village and attacked. Her brother was killed and, since no one else would stand up to the raiders, she decided to act. She learned the Arts of War, built an Army, and destroyed the raiders. Then, to make sure no one could possibly attack her village again, she conquered the surrounding lands. Not satisfied with that, she continued conquering... Somewhere along the road, her motivations became confused. She began an outright conquest of the known lands for no more reason than power. Her Army was ruthless and, if the truth is to be known, she was as cold-hearted as the best of history's conquerors. She kept winning battles and building her Army. Until she met Hercules.
Realizing that Hercules could stand in her way of total conquest, Xena devised a plan to turn Iolaus, Hercules' best friend, against him. The plan failed, and in the process, Xena had met her match. Not necessarily in Warrior abilities, but she had met someone who could pierce her cold heart. She learned from Hercules what it was like to do good. Realizing what her past had done to others and to herself, she rejected it. Now on the path of good, she has become an ally to all who need a strong arm and a pure heart.
Gabrielle comes from a small village that Xena saved from destruction by the forces of Draco. In fact, this was the first village that Xena had rescued after her "conversion." Gabrielle saw an adventure in the making and wanted to come along. At first, she more or less insinuated her way into Xena's company. But a friendship quickly grew. In Gabrielle, Xena sees what she could have been if things had been different. There is a fire in Gabrielle that Xena recognizes in herself. And, perhaps, in Gabrielle, she sees a way to protect that part of her own soul that was damaged.
