Braveheart Page #6

Edward loses his weapon again, and whirls on her.

EDWARD:

Shut up, would you! How can I

concentrate?!

PRINCESS:

...His majesty was quite keen that

you should understand --

EDWARD:

All so very boring! He wants me to

learn to fight too, so let me do it!

For an instant, anger flares into her eyes. She glances at

Edward, and at the young man with him, then lowers her eyes

and starts to back out. But Edward has noticed.

EDWARD:

Stop there.

She stops, but does not raise her eyes.

EDWARD:

Do you disapprove of Phillip?

He lifts his hand and draws his friend Phillip to his side.

Still the Princess does not lift her eyes.

PRINCESS:

(barely audible)

No, M'lord.

EDWARD:

Look at me. I said LOOK AT ME!

She lifts her eyes. But she could not brace herself enough

for what she sees: Edward nuzzling Phillip, the prince's

bare chest to his muscular friend's bare back, both men

glistening with sweat and sexual excitement.

The Princess's eyes quiver... but she does not look away.

EDWARD:

Now, my flower, do you understand?

PRINCESS:

Yes. I had thought that... I was

loathsome to you. Perhaps I am. If I

may be excused, M'lord.

EDWARD:

You may.

She starts to leave, as quietly as she came. But her husband

calls after her.

EDWARD:

Don't worry, m'Lady, it is my royal

responsibility to breed. And I assure

you, when the time comes, I shall...

manage.

She closes the door softly, on her husband and his lover.

VOICE OVER:

Now in Edinburgh were gathered the

council of Scottish nobles...

ESTABLISHING COUNCIL - DAY

The picturesque heart of Scotland, with its CASTLE on a fairy

tale plateau above the Firth of Forth.

INT. EDINBURGH CASTLE - DAY

The nobles are gathered around a huge table. They rise at

the entrance of young ROBERT THE BRUCE, a handsome young

man, full of intelligence and power.

VOICE OVER:

Among these was Robert, the 17th

Earl of Bruce, a leading contender

for the crown of Scotland.

Robert strides to his seat in the center of the table, and

the others settle in respectfully. MORNAY, another young

warrior, gives him a bow, as does CRAIG, a grizzled noble.

CRAIG:

Young Robert, we are honored --

ROBERT:

My father hears that Longshanks has

granted prima noctes.

CRAIG:

Clearly meant to draw more of his

supporters here.

MORNAY:

The Balliol clan has endorsed the

right, licking Longshanks' boots so

he will support their claim to the

throne. If we make a show of

opposition, the commoners will favor

us.

ROBERT:

It is too soon to step out alone. My

father believes we must lull

Longshanks into confidence, by neither

supporting his decree nor opposing

it.

CRAIG:

A wise plan. And how is your father?

We have missed him at the council.

ROBERT:

He strained his leg so that it pains

him to ride. But he sends his

greetings -- and says that I speak

for all the Bruces. And for Scotland.

EXT. SCOTTISH VILLAGE, AT THE EDGE OF TOWN - DAY

Flutes and dancing; laughter and garlands; village families

have gathered for a wedding celebration -- we see the happy

bride and groom. Farmers cart in fresh bread and hoops of

cheese; villagers arrive with casks of beer or strings of

smoked fish.

And watching the people are ubiquitous English soldiers,

battlescarred veterans with missing eyes and ears.

Riding along the road comes William Wallace. Grown now, a

man. He sits his horse as if born there, his back straight,

his hands relaxed on the reins. He has a look of lean, rippled

power. He looks dangerous.

And the soldiers notice him, nudging each other as he passes.

He carries a dead wild goose hanging across his saddle; he

stops his horse at the edge of the clearing and surveys the

scene. Farmers are roasting a pig; women are comparing

handiwork; young men are tossing huge stones in the

traditional Highland games -- and everyone is noticing

William's arrival, especially the farm women with daughters

of marriageable age.

Among those watching William arrive is Campbell, grown older

now; and with his old rebel friend, MacClannough. William

dismounts and ties his horse to a willow. One of the English

SOLDIERS shoves William from behind.

SOLDIER:

Hey boy! You hunt this bird?

William's eyes fix themselves on the soldier.

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