Braveheart Page #22

Almost before the applause dies, a member of the BALLIOL

clan, who has kept an open seat beside him, speaks up...

BALLIOL:

Sir William!! Inasmuch as you and

your captains hail from a region

long known to support the Balliol

clan, may we invite you to join us?

But Wallace's gaze has locked onto Robert the Bruce, who

stares back, the two young lions instantly recognizing the

leadership power of each other.

WALLACE:

You are Robert the Bruce.

ROBERT THE BRUCE

I am.

WALLACE:

My father fought in support of yours.

The Balliols shrivel. The nobles on the Bruce side can barely

keep from grinning. Suddenly the men on the other end of the

table change their attack.

BALLIOL:

With this new success, the result of

all of Scotland's efforts, now is

the time to declare a king!

MORNAY:

Then you are prepared to recognize

our legitimate succession!

BALLIOL:

You're the ones who won't support

the true claim! I demand consideration

of these documents!

Wallace glances again at the Bruce, who suddenly feels ashamed

of the bickering.

MORNAY:

Those were lies when they were

written! Our documents prove

absolutely that --

Suddenly Wallace turns his back and walks toward the door.

CRAIG:

Sir William! Where are you going?

WILLIAM:

We have beaten the English! But

they'll come back, because you won't

stand together. There is one clan in

this country -- Scotsmen. One class --

free. One price -- courage.

He turns again and strides toward the door.

CRAIG:

But... what will you do?

WALLACE:

I will invade England. And defeat

the English on their own ground.

CRAIG:

Invade?! That's impossible, it --

Wallace slings out his broadsword and moves down the length

of the table, bashing the succession documents into the laps

of the nobles.

WALLACE:

LISTEN TO ME! Longshanks understands

this! This!

He brandishes the broadsword.

WALLACE:

There is a difference between us.

You think the people of this country

exist to provide you with position.

I think your position exists to

provide the people with freedom. And

I go to make sure they have it.

Wallace bangs through the door. Suppressing smiles, his

friends file out behind him.

INT. EDINBURGH CORRIDOR - DAY

Wallace and his men are marching away, as Robert the Bruce

runs out after them.

ROBERT:

Wait! ...I respect what you said.

But remember, these men have lands,

castles. Much to risk.

WALLACE:

And the common man who bleeds on the

battlefield, does he risk less?

ROBERT:

No. But from top to bottom this

country has no sense of itself. Its

nobles share allegiance with England

and its clans war with each other.

If you make enemies on both sides of

the border, you'll end up dead.

WALLACE:

We all end up dead. It's only a

question of how. And why.

Wallace walks; Robert catches up and speaks to him in an

urgent half whisper, so that no one else can hear.

ROBERT:

I'm no coward! I want what you want!

But we need the nobles.

WALLACE:

Nobles? What does that mean -- to be

noble? Your title gives you claim to

the throne of our country. But men

don't follow titles, they follow

courage! Your arm speaks louder than

your tongue. Our people know you.

Noble and common, they respect you.

If you would lead them toward freedom,

they would follow you. And so would

I.

Wallace walks away, leaving Robert the Bruce alone.

THE SCOTTISH ARMY - DAY

Wallace rides at the head of his army, moving through the

countryside of northern England. It is autumn, the foliage

is beautiful, the wheat fields gold with harvest.

EXT. ESTABLISHING YORK CITY - DAY

A medieval city guarded by a fortress.

INT. THE FORTRESS - MAP ROOM - DAY

The ROYAL GOVERNOR is a spoiled young man, Longshanks' nephew.

He is studying maps and written appeals for help; his CAPTAIN

of defenses strides in with another note.

CAPTAIN:

Message from your cousin, the Prince.

He says London has no more troops to

send.

GOVERNOR:

Every town in Northern England is

begging for help! Where will Wallace

strike first?

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