19. Ulysses

Xena and Gabrielle help Ulysses fight pirates who are keeping him from Ithaca. Poseidon is behind the blockade, punishing him for blinding the god's son. He also tells Ulysses that his wife Penelope is dead, leaving him little reason to continue home.

The travelers recover Ulysses' ship and sail toward Ithaca. He is wounded protecting Gabrielle, and his growing closeness with Xena becomes romantic. To avoid Poseidon's storms they pass the Sirens. When their song draws Ulysses toward the rocks despite his restraints, Xena sings against it and helps him recover his senses.

Ulysses tells Xena that he wants her to remain with him in Ithaca. On arrival, however, they discover that Penelope is alive and being forced to choose a new king from the pirates occupying the palace. Ulysses has changed so much during his years away that proving his identity will be difficult.

Xena arranges for Penelope to set a test: whoever can string Ulysses' extraordinary bow may marry her. They enter the palace in disguise. Ulysses initially struggles with the weapon, and Xena secretly helps from beneath a table. With the bow strung, he reveals himself and defeats the pirates with her assistance.

He still offers to leave everything for Xena, but she refuses to separate him from Penelope and his responsibilities. She believes he can rediscover the love and life he thought were gone.

As she and Gabrielle leave, Xena asks her to keep the secret about the bow. Ithaca needs the story of its king's return, and she is content to have helped someone she cares about find happiness.