Damsel Page #19

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I admire your bravery. Your

resilience. Your innocent

chivalry. Your childish faith has

carried you far.

Elise’s cotton under shirt has become soaked in blood from

her wound. She whimpers.

RAPUNZEL (CONT’D)

We’re connected Elise. We share

the same blood.

Elise realizes, under her breath.

ELISE:

It is true?

RAPUNZEL:

You no longer have a father.

Then, everything Rapunzel has wanted from Elise, is revealed.

RAPUNZEL (CONT’D)

No mother.

Rapunzel would very much like to fill that void.

ELISE:

You have slaughtered frivolously.

You are driven insane with revenge.

But, I look on you now and I do not

see a monster, I see only an

injured woman, betrayed. I see

humanity in you. And I feel deep

sorrow for you.

Rapunzel cannot overcome her loneliness. Understood, at

last.

Her face is wet with tears. She overpowers them, chin high,

she extends her hand.

RAPUNZEL:

Join me.

Rapunzel’s hand floats, outstretched. Elise is close enough

to reach.

She pleads.

110.

RAPUNZEL (CONT’D)

Rule at my side and together we

will build a new world. We’ll

teach the corrupt hearts of man the

way of loyalty that you understand

so well. We’ll grow from nothing,

a new day.

Elise takes Rapunzel’s hand.

Sly. Undetectable. Elise draws a white dagger, crafted from

the Tree of Life and buries it deep into Rapunzel’s heart.

Rapunzel wraps her arms around Elise, holding her close. An

emotional embrace, not between foes, but family.

RAPUNZEL (CONT’D)

Well struck.

The words of Acantha ring true.

ELISE:

There is no darkness so black that

even the faintest light cannot

overcome.

Their cheeks are side by side. Rapunzel whispers.

RAPUNZEL:

How?

ELISE:

Carved from the Tree of Life. The

living flame that overcomes death.

Rapunzel smiles. Her eyes shed tears of joy as the darkness

leaves her body. She whispers her powerful truth.

RAPUNZEL:

I was always rooting for you.

Elise’s eyes, wide with sadness.

Rapunzel releases Elise from their embrace and the wounded

girl falls to the floor, fragile.

Rapunzel pulls the dagger from the wound in her chest.

Tiny golden orbs of light begin to dance around her.

The Tree of Life’s light encompasses Rapunzel’s body.

Rapunzel’s true age is revealed as the dark magic dissipates.

111.

Her flesh begins to burn in ghostly fire until she becomes a

magical flurry of spirit and flame.

She drifts into the air. Gone.

Elise, exhausted, on the verge of death, reaches for her bag.

CUT TO:

EXT. THESSIA WILDERNESS - CONTINOUS

The army of dead that transport King Edward fall into

lifelessness around him.

CUT TO:

EXT. SOUTH SHIRE - CONTINUOUS

Braun, exhausted, battles a gathering of Rapunzel’s militia.

He swings a hatchet, shattering one’s skull.

BRAUN (V.O.)

Rapunzel’s army of darkness fell

away from the land.

One by one, the remaining creatures of darkness fall into

lifelessness around him.

CUT TO:

INT. IVORY FORTRESS - THRONE ROOM

Elise manages to pull her pack open, taking hold of a piece

of the Tree of Life’s fruit.

She takes a thorough bite before falling unconscious. Her

bloodless body, deathly pale.

The vines, which suspend Cavill, crumble to ash.

He drops to the floor near Elise.

Cavill’s eyes flutter to life.

112.

EXT. IVORY FORTRESS - CONTINUOUS

Cavill cradles Elise in his arms as he races down the grand

staircase.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS - MOMENTS LATER

Cavill, atop Luke, races toward Thessia.

Elise lies slumped across Cavill’s lap.

CUT TO:

INT. CASTLE THESSIA - THRONE ROOM - DAY

A crowd of people gather on either side of the long aisle,

leading to the throne.

BRAUN (V.O.)

King Edward passed his crown to his

heir.

The golden lion tapestries hang.

Cavill makes his way toward the throne. He takes his

rightful place. Chin high. Strong.

A crown of gold is placed on his head.

CUT TO:

EXT. SOUTH SHIRE - DAY

Beautiful blue skies meet the rolling golden fields of South

Shire.

The town is bustling.

New buildings. Better fences. Happier faces.

BRAUN (V.O.)

Under Cavill’s rule, the land of

Thessia flourished.

CUT TO:

113.

EXT. ELISE AND BRAUN’S HOME - AFTERNOON

Braun chops wood. Wipes sweat from his brow.

3 men in regal attire arrive on horseback.

BRAUN (V.O.)

Elise’s reward was delivered on her

behalf to her brother in South

Shire, that he might build on what

their father left and grow their

lineage for generations to come.

Cavill steps from his mount. Bows to Braun. Shakes his

hand.

CUT TO:

INT. BRAUN’S HOME - YEARS LATER

Thick stone walls. Plenty of room. New furniture.

Braun has aged slightly. He’s grown a full beard.

He sits in the family room of a new home.

3 children. 2 boys and a girl. They are small versions of

him.

His children listen intently.

BRAUN:

And he did!

He delivers with boisterous inflection, referring to himself.

Trying to catch the attention of his wife, who is in an

adjacent room.

BRAUN (CONT’D)

He married a beautiful young woman

named Annabelle.

The children laugh as their mother, ANNABELLE appears from

around the corner. The daughter of the family Braun saved

from Rapunzel’s army as South Shire burned.

She’s heard this story plenty of times before.

BRAUN (CONT’D)

And had three ornery children.

He points at each of them.

114.

BRAUN (CONT’D)

Bryce, Darryn and a stubborn,

little girl-

He tussles her hair.

BRAUN (CONT’D)

Named Elise.

Annabelle rests her chin on Braun’s shoulder.

ANNABELLE:

Bedtime.

The kids moan.

Braun turns to his wife. Puckers his lips. Receives a kiss.

BRAUN:

I love you.

ANNABELLE:

I love you!

The children run out of the room. Braun chases them.

FADE TO BLACK:

Moments pass.

The thunderous clap of a galloping horses hooves.

CUT TO:

EXT. REDWOOD FOREST - SOUTH - CURRENT DAY

Elise, beautiful and full of life, races through the thick of

massive redwoods atop a white horse

FLASHBACK TO:

EXT. FORBIDDEN GARDEN

Gilbert and Elise have just followed the spirit’s voice and

have come to the Tree of Life.

Elise removes her bag from her shoulder. Takes her axe and

begins to hack at a limb of the tree.

A piece of its white fruit shakes loose. Gilbert swoops it

up.

115.

Elise places her hand on his. “No.”

He shoots her a glare of quirk and sarcasm before taking a

thorough bite.

CUT BACK TO:

EXT. REDWOOD FOREST - SOUTH - CURRENT DAY

Elise comes to the edge of the Forbidden Garden and

dismounts.

EXT. FORBIDDEN GARDEN - CONTINUOUS

Her bare foot steps across the line between the redwood

forest and the garden, full of ethereal magic.

Gilbert stands waiting for her at the tree.

They come together in a passionate embrace. They kiss.

FADE TO:

EXT. PINE FOREST - ELISE’S CAMP - DAY

An old, feminine voice hums the familiar dark melody.

The high pitched squeal of an ungreased wagon wheel.

The Witch of the Wilderness pulls her cart. Humming

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