Prince Valiant Page #3

Just what I was going to propose,

Sir Brack. You're more than welcome.

Thank you, sire.

And now I think that this young hothead

has had enough excitement.

The more rest he gets,

the sooner we'll be on our way.

Quite right. Come, Sir Brack.

You must give me all the news of Camelot.

Gladly.

King Arthur has invited us

to see the tournament.

I hope we shall see much of you there.

Aleta!

It's been a long hour waiting.

I had difficulty in getting away

from Sir Brack.

Well, I'm beginning

not to like him.

Forget it.

I'm just jealous.

- I like it.

- Well, I don't.

Ever since he's arrived,

all I get from you is stolen moments.

But wait till we get to Camelot.

Then you'll give me all your time.

Oh, gladly.

It's not only Sir Brack.

It's Father.

He's watching me

like a hawk.

Look. Ilene is standing guard.

She'll whistle

if she sees anyone coming.

Why does she always keep asking me

about Sir Gawain?

She's in love with him.

Sir Gawain?

Oh, I really shouldn't tell you.

It's her secret.

Well, you see, Father took her to Camelot

the year Sir Gawain won the tournament.

She was just

at that romantic age

and she fell

in love with him.

Never got over it.

She vows she'll never

marry another man.

And he doesn't know

a thing about it?

Wouldn't it be dreadful

if he were in love with another?

My knight?

All he loves is a good fight.

Then you must help them

at Camelot.

She'd be broken-hearted

if her dream didn't come true.

Promise me you'll help them.

What do you want me to do?

Propose for him?

Oh, I'm afraid that's one thing

you don't know how to do,

not for yourself, anyway.

Are you afraid of Father,

or... or are you just trifling?

Well, I can't say what I want to.

- Not yet.

- Why not?

It's not only your father.

It's me. It's my father.

I have a vow to fulfil

before I can think of anything else.

Will you wear this?

Put it on.

No, no, no.

Aleta!

What are you doing here?

Well, I came out looking for Ilene

and found Prince Valiant

sunning himself.

There's nothing like sun

to cure an illness, Val.

There's more colour

in your face today.

I thought from my daughter's report

that you were still an invalid.

No, sir, I...

That's what comes of perfect nursing.

Do you feel as sturdy as you look?

Yes, sir.

Then I see no reason to delay

our departure another hour. Do you?

- No, sir, I...

- Very well then.

- Oh, but not today.

- Why not?

Well, we leave ourselves

in three more days.

I thought we were

all going together.

You tempt me, Aleta,

but duty comes first.

If Val is well enough,

we must go.

Of course, Sir Brack,

and so must we.

Why should we wait three more days

and lose Sir Brack's protection?

How much nicer to have three days

at Camelot before the tournament.

Perhaps you are right,

my dear.

- Don't you think so, Sir Brack?

- Certainly.

- Welcome to Camelot, sire.

- Greetings, Sir Kay.

Our arrival is a little premature.

King Arthur and his queen will be

all the more pleased. Will you follow me?

- Prince Valiant.

- Yes, sir.

Does Sir Gawain know

that you've returned?

Well, er, no, sir, not yet.

Where is he, sir?

In his quarters, gravely wounded.

Excuse me.

Valiant!

You're all right, lad.

- What happened, sir?

- Oh, nothing much.

It was after you left, I...

Blast you, boy! You ran off!

I'm... I'm sorry, sir.

Sorry my beef bones!

You broke your word.

Ran off without a by-your-leave.

- I was a fool.

- Don't take the words out of my mouth.

You're a Viking fool.

I'll keep no squire who disobeys.

Go to Brack. Let him...

Forgive me, sir,

and please lie...

Stop interrupting,

and I'll tell you what happened.

When you failed to return,

I went out after you.

- That's how I came on the Black Knight.

- You found him?

Yeah. It would have been a good fight

if the knave had fought fairly.

He was searching the wood

when I challenged him.

We fought,

and he was good

but his lance broke,

and I unhorsed him.

I rode in to finish him when...

when a dozen varlets who had been hiding

came charging out at me.

They were on foot?

Armed with bows?

Aye. It was only luck I got away

through a hail of arrows.

- So did I.

- You what?

I was set upon

by a band of bowmen.

Escaped with an arrow

in my back.

- Where was Sir Brack?

- I don't know.

I was nearly captured

where he told me to wait for him.

Now he says he went back

to search for me and found no one.

Isn't that strange, sir?

- What do you imply?

- Well...

It's hard to put into words, sir,

but could it be

that he covets King Arthur's throne

more than anyone knows?

Sir Brack?

A base suspicion, Val.

Unworthy of you.

I... I suppose it is unworthy.

Infamous is a better word.

Sir Brack may have been born

on the wrong side of the blanket

but he's a knight

of the Round Table

sworn to lay down

his life for our king

and to defend truth,

the weak and the helpless.

- I'm sorry, sir. I...

- Ah, say no more about it.

But control that knavish

Viking imagination.

Now, how did you

get into trouble?

Well, I took Sir Brack down to the...

What is it, page?

Sir, there's a lady outside

who wants to see Prince Valiant.

So that's the kind of trouble

you been getting into, eh?

- Well, just wait till you see her, sir.

- Hold on, lad.

Oh, Ilene.

I- I had to find out about Sir Gawain.

How is he?

- Well, come on in and see for yourself.

- No, no, I can't. I-I just came to ask.

Oh, come on. Don't be shy.

Sir Gawain, may I present the daughter

of the King of Ord, Princess Ilene.

Excuse me, my lady. You find me

in a most unpresentable state.

I heard you were wounded, sir,

and I ran...

I mean, I had to...

I came to see Prince Valiant.

Well, sit down, Ilene.

I want you to get

acquainted with my knight.

Oh, no. I really must...

I'd love to, but...

You can stay a while.

Sir Gawain needs company, and I...

No, no, lad!

Don't leave us.

But, sir, there is someone

I want you to meet.

- I'll be right back.

- But, Val. Valiant!

You...

Oh, sir, they say your lung's pierced.

Oh, no, it's-it's...

It's just a cough.

- You, er, you know Prince Valiant?

- Yes.

- You like him?

- Yes.

I'll wait here.

You tell Prince Valiant I wish to see him.

Oh, that's all right.

You can go in.

He has another lady with him.

Another lady? You wait here.

- Aleta!

- Oh, forgive me. I-I thought...

This is Sir Gawain.

Sir, this is my sister.

Oh, no. No, Sir Gawain.

Please, lie still.

Forgive me,

I'm... slightly wounded.

Not slightly, sir.

I was with Sir Brack when he asked

the king's physician how you were.

It's nothing.

Oh, but he said your wound

was very serious.

Have you a fever, sir?

Have you a fever?

Have you a fever, Sir Gawain?

Sir Gawain?

Have you a fever?

Wonderful.

- Why, you're burning!

- I am?

Ilene, feel his brow.

You see? He's on fire.

Yes... Feel again.

- We must send for his physician.

- I'll go find one.

- I'll go with you.

- Oh, no. Don't leave me.

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