A Midwinter's Nightmare, Part 2

A Midwinter's Nightmare

Part 2

(August 31, 2005)

Written by CJL, Arethusa, and LittleBit

Act Three

EXT. BESIDE THE CARRIAGE PATH - MORNING

LIAM holds his head in his hands and broods. WILL tunes his lute, brushing a finger against each string a few times, twisting a tuning key, then PLUCKING the string loudly. At each POP of the string, Liam WINCES. At first Will strums quickly, but gradually he slows the strumming, leading Liam to TENSE in preparation for a mind-shattering "plink!" that doesn't come.

Liam groans, and Will breaks out into song -

WILL
Just a roll, just a roll
Just a roll on your drum
Just a roll, just a roll
And the war has begun

Now the right thing is the wrong thing
No more excuses to come
Just one step at a time
And the war has begun....

LIAM
As the morning sun doth pierce mine eyes like one of
Zeus' bolts sent down to punish mortals for their sins,
so doth thy jagged song now pierce my skull.
'Tis a lute that not even a thirsty thief is foolish enough
to steal. And if the king doth send us to our deaths ere long,
in the nearest tavern I can be found, drowning my sorrows.

WILL
I like not to see the fairy folk meddle in the affairs of kings.
They tempt the Fates with their talk of murder and treason,
and cast a shadow on the coming battle. Not even Apollo's
fiery chariot, drawn o'er the heavens by his steeds,
can banish all the shadows that do follow evil deeds.
Could it be true that King Illyria would betray a friend
and slay a maiden?

LIAM
The fairy folk will have their fun, what care we if they
speak a-right? Which is worse, to slay one maid or to send
hundreds of men to their bloody deaths? Why is this black deed
more heinous than the common crimes of kings?
When kings seek out glory and honorous deeds,
a soldier's life doth become onerous indeed.
I would gladly give up immortal fame for immortal life.

WILL
Battle's glory and honor are ours to win, but if thou must,
feel free to hide 'midst fellow butts full of ale.

LIAM
Glory is a cold and knee-knocked bedmate;
give me a willing wench instead to keep me warm.
Long ago did I give up fighting for king and country;
now I fight to stay alive.

WILL
Thou wouldst rather take a maiden's honor than earn a
soldier's honor? I cannot deny the cruelty of war
to one who knoweth it as well as I, but immortality would
be tedious beyond telling without something to live for.

LIAM
Would that I had that something, which could be
everything to me.

WILL
Would that I had such a maiden, who could
make my life worth living.

LIAM
Ah, now I see what doth disturb thine ease.
No woman could be worth so much praise and pain,
yet 'tis for a woman thy sympathy is spent.
The pedestal on which thou places the fairer sex is much
too high, my friend.

EXT. THE GLADE IN THE FOREST - MORNING

Golden sunlight glints off the water's surface and flickers between the leaves of the trees. The air seems to shimmer; solid edges blur in the bright light. LADY WINIFRED stares into her reflection in the water. She runs her hands over her face and hair, the reflection mirroring her movements.

LADY WINIFRED
What enchantment is this, that maketh a stranger of my
own face, when it hath not changed? Are these not my eyes,
my nose, my lips? Reason sayeth that this is my countenance,
yet I cannot countenance its strangeness.
CUT TO WESTLEY, who approaches through the trees, but remains in the shadows, out of sight.

PRINCE WESTLEY
What vision is this, who strangely stirreth my heart's memories?
Is she a ghostly phantom who hath escaped from this
locked and barred heart, or is she the working of fairies' art?
Lady Winifred RISES IN PANIC at the sound of another voice in the deserted glade. Westley moves from the shadows and approaches her slowly.

PRINCE WESTLEY
Your forgiveness, Lady, do I beseech, for my untoward
interruption of your reverie. And yet towards you I am
further compelled, for your face seems passing familiar to me.

LADY WINIFRED
Would that it were more familiar to its owner,
for though they are not disarranged,
my features to myself seem passing strange.

PRINCE WESTLEY
'Tis strange indeed to see such perfection in mortal features,
yet strangely familiar do those features seem.
(aside)
I could not forget so fair a face, whose soulful eyes
do cause my heart to race.

LADY WINIFRED
The water's sun-gilted surface reflects not the change I feel,
for deep within me do the changes lie.
It is as if great cities have risen and died
in the time my body took one breath or sighed.
I lived a life entire in the space between my thoughts,
but neither wisdom, nor truth, nor happiness
hath this lifetime wrought.

PRINCE WESTLEY
Then let me forge happiness for you, for my mettle
is strong enough to withstand a hammer's repeated blows.
But name your desire and I will fetch it for you, for like
Orpheus braving the gates of Hell to find his love,
wherever you wander, there my heart goeth.

LADY WINIFRED
In this quiet forest glen could I contented live,
observing the movement of the heavens, far away from
the cares and conflicts of kings and their men.
Here I could learn the ways of heaven and earth,
so I could understand and touch the beauty of its birth.

PRINCE WESTLEY
And would you scorn the company of all men,
or do you hope to share it with a friend?

LADY WINIFRED
In my mind's eye I faintly see a man of courage
and gentle bearing and a keen and studious mind
with whom I could share my days.

PRINCE WESTLEY
In my kingdom home are lakes where the water is so
clear and bright that one could study the constellations
by their own reflected light. And one such man who would
gladly share in your discoveries.
Westley moves closer to Lady Winifred, taking her hand in his.

PRINCE WESTLEY
Long have I had a half-formed image in my mind,
of walking through a glade like this with a woman at my side,
conversing on the cosmic wonders nature seeks to hide.
Lady Winifred looks up at Westley and caresses his cheek.

LADY WINIFRED
Then let these half-molded images take human form,
and out of nature's crucible let our happiness be forged.
Westley and Lady Winifred lean towards each other, their kiss only a breath away, when SIR CHARLES appears from the forest shadows. He and Westley see each other, and the two lovers break apart. Westley recognizes the colors of an Illyrian knight, and instantly realizes he's found his spy.

PRINCE WESTLEY AND SIR CHARLES
You!

SIR CHARLES
My lady, know that you embrace an adder slithering
through these woods. He is Prince Westley of Avalon,
and this very day is camped with his troops,
ready to lay waste to my lord and homeland.

PRINCE WESTLEY
And this is the man who like a weasel stole into my camp
in the dead of night, that he might gather knowledge to
defeat my people and myself.
Both men face each other, hands on the hilts of their swords.

SIR CHARLES
Step away from the lady, unless thou'dst hide behind her skirts.

PRINCE WESTLEY
'Tis thou who like a coward creepest, to practice his deceit.

SIR CHARLES
I am a soldier, sir, and when I slay thee 't will be
in fair battle.

PRINCE WESTLEY
Then I will spare thy life, so that we can meet again
on the battlefield.

SIR CHARLES
Then by my lord Illyria, we will be enemies when next we
meet, but for this fair lady's sake let us stay our hands.

PRINCE WESTLEY
(shaking his head sadly)
Never have I been nor will I ever be King Illyria's enemy.
'Tis Illyria's constant testing of our defenses that
hath forced Avalon into conflicts all along our border.
This blood-gorged madness could be averted if we but had
the will to discuss our differences.

SIR CHARLES
Do not ask me to wager the fate of my nation.
I'd not risk my home, friends, and king against
the word of a sworn enemy who even now doth try to take
her whom I treasure. 'Tis a wager my people cannot afford
to lose.

PRINCE WESTLEY
Then take this lady to a place in your kingdom where
she will be protected, ere the fateful battle begins.
If Illyria must fight Avalon, then none who stands in the way is safe.
Make haste, Avalon's troops will be entering the forest
to search for their prince, and might not be as
slow to anger as I.
Sir Charles takes Winifred by the hand and she looks towards Westley with concern; Westley gives her a reassuring smile and turns to go. Sir Charles calls to him one last time.

SIR CHARLES
I wish you well, Prince Westley, and hope we do not meet
on the battlefield. You seem an honorable man.
'Twould be a shame to kill you.

PRINCE WESTLEY
You seem an honorable man as well. 'Twould be a shame to die.
(beat; to Winifred)
Farewell, my lady, until we meet again. No longer strangers,
but lovers and friends.

EXT. THE CARRIAGE PATH - MORNING

Where last we left our two rapidly and reluctantly sobering men. Liam rifles through Will's dirty and worn pack while Will strums his lute.

WILL
Dost thou expect to find a tavern in the bottom,
complete with ale and e'en a skirt or two?

LIAM
I expect nothing in this life, and am seldom disappointed.
But mayhap a skin of wine still lurks inside,
o'erlooked while the king's ale did flow.

WILL
'Twould be a noted thing indeed if any wine were
overlooked by thee.

LIAM
Eat my knickers--
ENTER SIR CHARLES AND LADY WINIFRED, traveling in great haste. Liam snaps to attention. Will also rises, casting an appreciative but respectful glance at Lady Winifred, who hangs back as Sir Charles approaches the two men.

SIR CHARLES
You two! By the colors you wear you are men of Illyria,
are you not?

LIAM AND WILL
Aye.

SIR CHARLES
Why then do ye tarry when the battle is at hand?
What brought you to this empty road, far from your duty,
post, and comrades?

WILL
Our feet, sir.

SIR CHARLES
Silence, fool. Thy rude jests may ease the weariness of
thy comrades' long marches, but I have graver matters of
state on my mind. Test not my patience.

LIAM
By your leave, sir, we were set upon by strange and
wondrous creatures, who did cast their enchantments upon us,
robbing us of all reason and will.

SIR CHARLES
By thy smell, sirrah, thou wert set upon by a great
quantity of ale, which follows thee still.

LIAM
I speak the truth.
Lady Winifred draws closer to the men, who bow to her deeply.

WILL
Like a will-o-wisp that doth appear in marshy grounds at night,
one minute glowing with an eerie and sudden radiance,
the next gone as if it never did visit mortal soil,
so did a band of fairy folk appear, to hold us under
their spell until they had made sport with us.

SIR CHARLES
And how did these spiteful sprites deport themselves?
Did they steal your weapons and beat you with them?

LIAM AND WILL
No, my lord.

SIR CHARLES
Did they send you wandering into the rapacious bogs,
from which few travelers have returned?

LIAM AND WILL
No, my lord.

SIR CHARLES
Then speak, ye sheep-biting wretches. What did they?

LIAM
They did command us to, uh, watch a play they performed
for our...uh, amusement.

SIR CHARLES
That is torture indeed. A beating from my sword will
seem nothing to it, thou kern.

LADY WINIFRED
Stay your sword, good Sir Charles. I would speak with
these men. Like a needle that doth prick its mistress
unawares, so doth their tale prick my elusive memories.

SIR CHARLES
As you wish, my lady.

LADY WINIFRED
Tell us of these phantom folk. What said they, and wherefore
did they cross the unseen barrier from their world to ours?

LIAM
I know not why they drove us from our station to wander
deep into the forest night. For aught I know,
they wanted only a captive audience for their antics.

WILL
By God, I wish they had chosen another, for it did
curdle my blood to hear of such a tale of woe.
In it was a king grown mad with mistempered fears,
who was driven by mistrust to turn on his life-long friend
and kill that friend's beloved. Boyhood friends became
mortal enemies. But the lady was spirited away by
the fairies, to sleep until twenty years had passed
and her life, so rudely interrupted by cruel fate
and crueler blade, could be restored.
Sir Charles starts at the too-familiar tale, listening avidly until Will is done and then pacing agitatedly. Lady Winifred grows pale but quietly ponders what she has been told.

SIR CHARLES
It cannot be, 'tis madness. Twenty years ago,
for reasons unknown to all but King Illyria,
he did fall out with his closest friend, the prince.
And now that Time has measured off that score,
here a battle royal begins.

LADY WINIFRED
Many a time have fairies been known to snatch a mortal,
to return them with no memory of time lost.
Mayhap I too am a victim of their sport.

LIAM
(to Will)
Here have they assembled all the players in their drollery;
no doubt this lady is the final actor in their show.
In the distance, we hear the growing beat of multiple footsteps.

SIR CHARLES
Rough magics are afoot. But haste--the heavy step of
marching men approacheth. Quick, to your weapons!
Flee, my lady, and whilst we have legs to stand,
no man alive shall bring you to harm.
At that moment, five Avalonian soldiers EMERGE FROM THE WOODS AND ATTACK. Liam, Will, and Winifred immediately retreat, leaving Sir Charles to face them alone while they watch the action from a safe distance. Sir Charles holds off all five with tremendous style and grace, keeping his opponents off balance, using one of them as a shield against the others. He slashes one Avalonian soldier across the chest and the SOLDIER'S SWORD SAILS INTO THE AIR and PLUNGES INTO THE GROUND right in front of Will.

SIR CHARLES
Arm yourselves and fight, you timorous cowards!
Liam and Will exchange a look, and both men spring from their hiding place. Will plucks the sword from the ground, Liam draws his own, and they DIVE INTO THE FRAY.

The Avalonians still have the extra fighter, but Sir Charles easily handles his two opponents, while Will and Liam--hung over and out of practice with swordplay--struggle with their own. Liam is relentlessly driven backward, barely parrying his opponent's thrusts, until, with one swift stroke, the Avalonian swordsman KNOCKS LIAM'S BLADE AWAY.

CLOSE-UP on the Avalonian swordsman. He's about to shishkebob Liam, when from out of nowhere, a PROJECTILE whistles through the air and POPS the Avalonian soldier on the head, knocking him cold. Liam, astonished, looks to see where it came from....

CUT TO LADY WINIFRED, holding a makeshift slingshot. She gives Liam a smile and a slight nod, as if to say, "I got your back."

Liam grins back, picks up his sword, and leaps back into the fray with renewed enthusiasm.

Will, Liam, and Sir Charles easily defeat their opponents, who retreat back into the forest.

SIR CHARLES
(calling out into the forest)
Make haste, dear lady, and join us, for these soldiers
will soon return with the strength of greater numbers.
(aside)
And so doth it begin. Like wild winds sent by Poseidon
to pound ocean waves against a rocky coast,
clawing and destroying all in its path,
so doth the will of kings send armies to sweep o'er each other,
leaving naught but the wreckage of broken lives.
Liam looks over at Lady Winifred with admiration.

LIAM
My lady, thy bravery doth put my sloth to shame.
Will, on the other hand, stares at his bloody sword in disgust. The two exchange a look.

LIAM AND WILL
Thou didst speak true.
The four set off through the forest.

EXT. KING ILLYRIA'S TENT - THE ILLYRIAN ENCAMPMENT - DAY

It is sparsely furnished with only a cot and simple washstand at the back, and a table with several stools covered in papers--battle plans, maps, and intelligence documents. A guard (played by Moth) passes through the tent's opening and approaches the king.

GUARD/MOTH
Your Majesty, Sir Charles returns, with a small party of
men and a lady.

KING ILLYRIA
Send them in.
Sir Charles approaches the king; Lady Winifred, Liam, and Will stand a few paces behind.

SIR CHARLES
Your Majesty, I have learned much of Avalon and his army,
and have much to tell you. Prince Westley's army
approacheth and strange doings in the Aurelian forest portend--
Lady Winifred moves from behind Sir Charles. When Illyria sees her, he DOUBLES OVER AND SHUDDERS in absolute primal horror. The guards murmur and shift uneasily. Will stares at the king and Lady Winifred, looking back and forth between their faces. Sir Charles breaks off speaking in alarm. King Illyria straightens up through sheer force of will, his defiant look daring Sir Charles to think him weak.

WILL
They are alike as if they'd shared one mother's womb.

LIAM
(aghast, to Will)
The king doth tremble as if a hand, invisible to earthly men,
clutched at his heart.

SIR CHARLES
(to the king)
My lord, 'tis not too late to stop this battle. 'Tis with
a reluctant and heavy heart that Westley of Avalon advanceth;
far rather would he end this enmity, for old friendship's sake.

KING ILLYRIA
Our resolve hath not weakened, though the same cannot be
said of Prince Westley. Avalon's weakness may be the death
of both our kingdoms, and we must go forward with the battle
to ensure the safety of Illyria.

SIR CHARLES
I beg you to reconsider, my liege. Let past rifts be
mended, lest bloodshed create a chasm that can never again
be crossed.

KING ILLYRIA
(impatiently)
Enough. We ask thee straight, Sir Charles, wilt thou lead
our army into battle or no?

SIR CHARLES
(slowly)
I cannot in good conscience send men needlessly to their deaths,
lest their souls cry out to me from the depths of the grave.

KING ILLYRIA
(with barely contained rage)
I am thy king, and my word is thy law!
This is treason, but in view of thy years of
loyal service to the crown,
we will not execute thee out of hand.
There will be a council of war in our tent.
If thou decidest to join the other officers,
we will forgive thee of this madness.
If not, we promise thee a lonely and shallow grave.

KING ILLYRIA
(to Guard/Moth)
Remove this man from our tent and place him near the council,
so that our guards may come for him when we are ready
to hear his plea.
Exit the king and his guards (played by all four of Oberon's fairies) with Sir Charles in tow. Lady Winifred quickly gathers Will and Liam to her side.

LADY WINIFRED
Good sirs, I beg of you your assistance,
that by our cunning plans, we might reunite
that which has been torn asunder.

LIAM
(with admiration)
Gladly, my lady.
CUT TO - outside the council tent, where the king's guards stand at attention, keeping watch over a sullen Sir Charles while guarding the royal party inside.

ANGLE ON - King Illyria and Liam approach the guards and a surprised Sir Charles.

KING ILLYRIA
(to Guard/Moth)
Soldier, this man comes with us. Gather some four-and-
twenty troops, for now we advance to meet the enemy.
Orders given, Illyria and Liam turn and walk away from the puzzled guards with an equally-puzzled Sir Charles following close behind.

Sir Charles' POV - Winifred's SLINGSHOT is hanging out of the waist of the back of Illyria's breeches.

CLOSE-UP - Sir Charles stops for a moment. His eyes widen. His lips tighten as he stifles a laugh. Then his demeanor grows serious again. He runs to catch up to Liam and "the King."

CUT TO - an expeditionary force of Illyrian soldiers (about twenty-five), including Will, Liam, and Sir Charles and led by their "king," head off into the woods.

CUT TO the AVALONIAN ARMY, moving rapidly through the forest.

AERIAL SHOT of the FOREST - the two armies are on a DIRECT COLLISION COURSE.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

Act Four

EXT. CONTINUOUS - AERIAL VIEW OF WOODS AS THE TWO FORCES APPROACH A LARGE CLEARING - DAY

ZOOM IN towards the army of Avalon. Prince Westley and the commander of his army ride alongside each other at its head. The Avalonian general bears a striking resemblance to HOLLAND MANNERS.

PRINCE WESTLEY
The hour of battle grows close. Are the men prepared?

GENERAL ROBIN
They are ready, Your Highness, to defend your honor
and that of Avalon against the forces of Illyria.

PRINCE WESTLEY
This conflict needs be ended. Our fair Avalon....
CUT TO a scout (played by some bit player who looks nothing like Legolas) in drab forest garb running up to the prince and the general.

SCOUT
(standing at attention)
Sir!

GENERAL ROBIN
Report thy news, scout.

SCOUT
King Illyria and a small force have been seen heading
this way, my lord general.

GENERAL ROBIN
(surprised and suspicious)
What size force have they?

SCOUT
Not more than a meager score and pittance, sir.
Robin and Westley exchange concerned and slightly puzzled glances.

GENERAL ROBIN
What of the army? Where are the Illyrian forces?

SCOUT
They have not moved from their encampment.

GENERAL ROBIN
Well done, lad. Dismissed.
As the scout leaves, Robin looks at Westley, who returns his look with mild resentment.

GENERAL ROBIN
Your Highness, perchance we are but called to parley,
but you must remain unseen 'til we know that there
is no treachery afoot.

PRINCE WESTLEY
Must it be so?

GENERAL ROBIN
'Tis mere prudence we must practice, my lord.
As we agreed, you should keep yourself in safety
lest our enemy's intent be foul.

PRINCE WESTLEY
(with something less than good grace)
As we agreed.
General Robin urges his mount to a fast walk and heads towards the front of the Avalonian lines. Westley dismounts and hands the reins to one of the guards, then heads on foot in the same direction.

EXT. THE FOREST - DAY

Winifred-as-King and her group move on foot through the forest.

SIR CHARLES
We are approaching the vanguard of the Avalon forces,
my lady.

WINIFRED-AS-KING
Sir Charles, there are ears all about, sly foes who
would deliver us into mortal peril.

WILL
Then it would be best for Your Majesty to assume a
more kingly demeanor forthwith. The king is not
possessed of a gentle disposition.

SIR CHARLES
(indignantly)
Thou dost forget thy place, bard. 'Tis not thine office nor
thy right to speak thus to your betters.

WINIFRED-AS-KING
(laying a hand on Sir Charles' arm)
Nay, my good knight. He is correct in his observation.
(turning towards Will, and assuming an imperious manner)
Thy manner, bard, is an affront to our ears.
Thou wouldst do well to take care lest thy bardic
skills be found wanting.

SIR CHARLES
(guffawing)
His Majesty has the right of it there, my dear Will!
Bardic skills, indeed. Thy skills are as rude as
thy demeanor.
(he laughs)

LIAM
(grinning; to Will)
Thy name, Rude Will, doth truly capture the man entire.

WILL
(scathingly, to Sir Charles)
Aye, friend, perhaps you can be my guide,
as I have heard your silver tongue with the ladies.
(he raises one eyebrow)
Or was that merely the fine sound of the clink of silver?

SIR CHARLES
(with darkening countenance)
Enough!
We may as well have trumpets announcing our advance.
(turning to Winifred)
Majesty, 'tis time to send forth our emissary to request
audience with Avalon.
At Winifred's nod of agreement, Sir Charles motions to a guardsman, who acknowledges the command and moves forward into the forest.

LIAM
(to Sir Charles)
Methinks a trumpet's bray 'twould be as music
in the stead of our bard's self-beloved voice.

SIR CHARLES
(to Liam)
When conversing with a fool 'tis folly to be wise,
and a truly merry fool is he.
Will overhears and turns to look at Sir Charles.

WILL
(smirking)
Aye. I'm merry. I'm gay.
I'm a rollicking good time for all.

EXT. KING ILLYRIA'S TENT - DAY

Illyria is inside with three of his generals, just standing up from the final council of war. The commanders take their leave and exit the tent, leaving Illyria looking determined yet somewhat contemplative. He stares unseeingly at the battle plans on the table for a long moment.

KING ILLYRIA
(looking up)
Guard!
ANGLE ON - tent opening as the guard ducks into the tent and slowly straightens up. It is Oberon in a guard uniform. Illyria is momentarily startled.

OBERON/GUARD
(slightly amused with a quizzical expression)
My lord?

KING ILLYRIA
Who are you?
Where is our guard?

OBERON
(raising eyebrows in mock surprise)
Oh, now, now, Your Majesty.
Surely you can divine who I am.

KING ILLYRIA
(narrowing eyes in suspicion)
Thou speakest in riddles, like some patchwork fool.
Why should we know some stranger come lately into our tent...?
(his eyes open wide)
You...!

OBERON
(smiling as if at a child)
I.
Illyria and Oberon look at one another while Illyria takes in who he is. We can see his disbelief, suspicion, wonder, and finally an acceptance that this is happening. The king looks at the battle plans, then back up at Oberon with a faint look of confusion.

KING ILLYRIA
Tell us, then, O guard, why can we not rid ourself
of the premonition that something is very wrong?
'Tis most vexing.

OBERON
Are you asking me to divine your future, to draw aside
the veils which God has placed before the eyes of us
mere mortals?

KING ILLYRIA
Nay, good man, we are but wondering why our staunchest lord,
Sir Charles, hath refused his duty to lead our forces
against our enemy, Westley.

OBERON
Against Westley? Not against Avalon?

KING ILLYRIA
(angrily)
They are one and the same!
Thou dost argue with twisting words....

OBERON
Nay, the words twist only in your supple mind.
King Illyria opens his mouth to reply, then closes it and challenges Oberon with a look.

OBERON
Have you asked Sir Charles what justification he can
offer for this perplexing state of affairs?

KING ILLYRIA
Nay, we have not. We do not wish to see his traitorous face.

OBERON
(smiling)
Then it is as well you cannot, is it not?

KING ILLYRIA
(imperiously)
What nonsense is this? We can...and we will!
Have him brought to us!

OBERON
I cannot, my lord. He is not here.
(with a twinkle in his eye)
Perhaps he does not wish to strain the quality of your
mercy lest its gentle rain be turned to drought so far from
the relief of your vast wine cellars.
Illyria, ignoring the ending of Oberon's speech, STANDS, drawn up to full height and with a FURY on his face not often seen except when talking of Avalon and Prince Westley. He motions to Oberon to follow and strides out of the tent.

KING ILLYRIA
He cannot be gone!

EXT. THE FOREST - DAY

Sir Charles moves through the forest with Winifred-as-King beside him.

PULL BACK to see the full company.

The CAMERA ANGLE ROTATES as the emissary sent to entreat the Avalonian commander to talk comes into view in the forest in front of them. The company halts as he approaches Winifred-as-King and Sir Charles. His uniform has a few minor tears, and he sports a bruise on his face.

EMISSARY
(going down on one knee)
Your Majesty, my lord....

WINIFRED-AS-KING
Rise, good man.

EMISSARY
(rising and handing Sir Charles a bound scroll)
Your entreaty has been delivered, and the request for
parley has been granted.

SIR CHARLES
(reading the scroll)
It is as he says, Majesty. They agree to parley in the
clearing ahead in one hour.

WINIFRED-AS-KING
Then we shall make our final preparations.
Thy men know their charge?

SIR CHARLES
(nodding and scanning across each man's face;
they nod agreement)
They do, Majesty. On no account are they to precipitate
an attack. But I will hold them ready all the same lest
we be caught quite unawares twixt stirrup and saddle.

WINIFRED-AS-KING
(with a brief nod)
Good. We will end this here.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE HOLDING TENT - DAY

Illyria and Oberon stand outside the tent where Sir Charles had been held. Illyria's face is LIVID WITH RAGE as he ruthlessly interrogates the four frightened guards.

KING ILLYRIA
Gone! How?
(he looks at the guard played by Peas-Blossom)
What knowest thou?

GUARD/PEAS-BLOSSOM
(uneasily)
Your Majesty, it...it was by your own order that he was released.

KING ILLYRIA
We gave no such order!
(he turns on Oberon like a cheetah on its prey)
What manner of trickery is this?
What hast thou to do with this maddening turn?

OBERON
(calmly)
'Tis none of my doing, this. But perhaps 'twould be to
His Majesty's advantage to learn which way Sir Charles went.
Illyria wheels back to the guards and points at another one, played by Moth.

KING ILLYRIA
You! Which way?

GUARD/MOTH
(appeasingly)
He went that way...
(pointing)
...towards the Avalonian army....

He stops speaking at the look on the king's face.

The third guardsman, played by Cobweb, clears his throat, drawing Illyria's attention.

GUARD/COBWEB
(tentatively)
Your Majesty should know...
Illyria glares at him. Guard/Moth swallows hard.

GUARD/COBWEB (cont.)
...by mine own eyes, your royal self accompanied Sir Charles.
Illyria, who is livid to the point of bluishness, turns on his heel and stalks off in the direction of the command tent. Oberon motions to guards Peas-Blossom and Mustard-Seed to accompany them, and they follow.

EXT. THE FOREST - DAY

We see the vanguard of the Avalonian army. Westley and Robin are discussing the strategy for the upcoming parley.

GENERAL ROBIN
My lord, you must not be seen until we can ascertain
what Illyria wants of us. 'Tis possible he merely wants
to offer terms of surrender.

PRINCE WESTLEY
(sighing)
Again.

GENERAL ROBIN
Aye, my lord. Again.
(earnestly)
I fear, Your Highness, that only the very death
of King Illyria himself hath the power to end
these hostilities.

PRINCE WESTLEY
(determined)
Perhaps. But if death is that which is required,
then death is that which shall be served.
Westley and Robin both look in the direction of the clearing, waiting.

INT. ILLYRIA'S TENT - DAY

Illyria is in an ICY RAGE, glaring at Oberon, as Peas-Blossom and Mustard-Seed try to vanish into the background.

KING ILLYRIA
It is time. Give the orders.
We march now.
Guard/Peas-Blossom makes her escape immediately. Guard/Mustard-Seed hesitates.

OBERON
You heard His Majesty. Go now!
Get thee, Mustard, out!
Guard/Mustard-Seed exits. Oberon allows himself a small, secret smile.

EXT. THE FOREST CLEARING - DAY

Winifred-as-King and her entourage enter the clearing. They are met by a dozen Avalonian men, whose weapons are laid aside. Winifred-as-King steps forward as Sir Charles and his men close in behind her. She pulls herself up and surveys the waiting soldiers.

WINIFRED-AS-KING
(in a commanding tone)
We would speak to the commander of these forces
arrayed against us.
General Robin moves forward, his attitude one of irritation at the challenge. As he comes into the clearing another voice is heard.

PRINCE WESTLEY (o.s.)
I command these armies.
WESTLEY STRIDES INTO VIEW and stops next to his general, who gives him a searching look.

GENERAL ROBIN
My prince....

PRINCE WESTLEY
Nay, Robin, good fellow. I know what must be done,
and I must do it forthwith.
General Robin is clearly perturbed by this unexpected turn of events, but he can do nothing. Westley continues into the clearing until he stands face to face with the disguised Lady Winifred.

PRINCE WESTLEY
(looking through Winifred-as-King as he speaks)
Illyria, we are brought to this pass by deeds done many
years past. Though we cannot hope to undo them, why must
we sacrifice so needlessly the lives of these brave
soldiers who know little of the affairs and wraths of
the mighty?
Winifred's expression softens minutely as she gazes into the face of the man she but recently gave the keeping of her heart, but she keeps her peace and returns him a calm, expressionless look.

PRINCE WESTLEY (cont.)
Thy quarrel is with me, as mine is with thee.
What sayest thou to this?
I challenge thee to single combat,
my hand against thine.
Should thou emerge victorious, then slay me,
lead my people and rule both our lands;
but should thou lose, then thou wilt return to thine
own kingdom, and speak no more of war and foolish Avalon.
Winifred-as-King has been listening attentively, and as Westley ends his challenge, Westley looks the disguised Winifred directly in the eyes. A startled expression appears on his face as she speaks.

WINIFRED-AS-KING
(in a voice that carries throughout and beyond
the clearing)
I have requested this parley because I have come to
realize that this conflict, this quarrel, as you say,
is not necessary.
Thou art a brave man, good prince, and I would not
have more brave men die in the name of deeds done
long ago.
Westley is staring at Winifred-as-King in disbelief. He opens his mouth to speak, but she forestalls him with a glance. She turns towards the men assembled behind her.

WINIFRED-AS-KING
There will be no battle today or any day for this cause!
Winifred-as-King looks around the clearing with a vague expression of recognition on her face. The clearing is familiar, but she does not appear to know why.

WINIFRED-AS-KING
Illyria and Avalon have been given a sign of wonders
by God, and in this place of true magic they shall
forge a bond that will endure for generations.
She turns back to Westley, finally allowing herself to smile, and her eyes take in every detail of his face as his do the same to hers. The soldiers cheer, and we hear the sounds of weapons being sheathed by those under cover of the trees.

PRINCE WESTLEY
(with wonder)
As...you...wish....
His words trail off as he smiles at her. Winifred-as-King does not answer, but her joy shines clearly from her face.

EXT. THE FOREST JUST BEYOND THE CLEARING - DAY

Illyria is sitting absolutely still with an ICILY CALM expression on his face. His troops stand as quietly unobtrusive as they can manage. Illyria's horse moves nervously under him, and he spurs it forward. His field commander, Oberon, and Peas-Blossom follow. They BURST INTO THE CLEARING and come to a precipitous halt. The soldiers with both Winfred-as-King's contingent and Westley's army are caught by the surprise of seeing TWO KING ILLYRIAS.

Before any can make shift to react, Oberon and Peas-Blossom move quickly to capture Sir Charles and Liam. Oberon disarms them, taking Sir Charles' sword and Liam's sword and spear, while Peas-Blossom holds them at swordpoint. Sir Charles' men are visibly confused, not knowing which king to follow, and look to Sir Charles, who shakes his head, indicating that he does not want them to take any action. Westley holds up one hand to command his soldiers to stand down.

KING ILLYRIA
(angrily, to Sir Charles)
Traitorous fiend! How durst thou attempt to thwart our
will and usurp our office through thy foul dissembling devices!
Thy skin shall become a bed for our dogs! Wouldst thou consort with
our enemies, conspire with them against us?
We will flay thee alive with our own hand!
The king's attention then turns slowly and inexorably to the disguised Winifred and to Prince Westley. His eyes narrow dangerously.

KING ILLYRIA
(looking at Westley)
Honorable we thought thee at one time. Foul is thy heart,
villain, that thou seekest victory through base treachery.
(he transfers his murderous glare to Winifred-as-King)
And now we see before us this false woman, pretender not
merely to our throne, but to our very being!
For this offense against Illyria shalt thou perish!
At that pronouncement, Illyria spurs his horse towards Liam, Oberon, and Sir Charles. Sir Charles takes advantage of this diversion to take Liam's spear away from Oberon and starts forward to aid Lady Winifred.

But Illyria, in his ire, is quicker and GRABS THE SPEAR from Sir Charles' hand. Spinning his horse with a knee motion, he RAISES THE SPEAR and THROWS IT at the disguised Winifred with deadly accuracy. Westley PUSHES WINIFRED OUT OF THE WAY, and the spear FINDS ITS MARK deep in his chest.

Everyone freezes, and total silence envelops the clearing and surrounding forest. Westley falls to his knees with a stricken look. Winifred catches him and lowers him gently to the ground. She cradles him against her. Westley looks up at her with adoration.

CLOSE-UP on Westley and Winifred.

PRINCE WESTLEY
(weakly)
Winifred...my love....

LADY WINIFRED
(with tears streaming down her cheeks)
Don't try to speak, beloved.

PRINCE WESTLEY
I regret...nothing....
Winifred manages a sweet, sad smile.

PRINCE WESTLEY (cont.)
I would gladly wed you again,
(he coughs and we see blood on his lips)
my bride, my princess...
(he gasps for breath)
...and die for you again...
(his eyes close)
...my love.

PRINCESS WINIFRED
(voice strained from weeping)
My love.
Winifred continues to hold Westley in her arms.

Illyria finally shakes off his paralysis and, dismounting, pushes his way to Westley's side. Oberon follows him silently. Illyria kneels beside Westley, touching his fingertips to the wound and looking at the blood on his hand in bafflement. Then he stares at Westley's peaceful face and his expression crumples. He looks up at Oberon in confusion, then back down at Westley.

KING ILLYRIA
Westley...
(his voice catches)
...my friend.
(he cups Westley's head with one hand)
Oh, my dear friend....
Illyria then looks at the weeping Princess Winifred with dawning comprehension. Again, he looks up at Oberon.

KING ILLYRIA
(hoarsely)
What have I done?
Oberon gazes back, expressionless. Illyria drops his eyes and searches Winifred's face. She cannot take her eyes from Westley, but Illyria sees the horror his own actions brought.

KING ILLYRIA
(still looking at Princess Winifred)
It was not you. 'Twas never you.
The danger was always me.

PRINCESS WINIFRED
(still bent over Westley)
My love...my husband. What cruel hand hath brought us
together only to tear us asunder anew?
Illyria stares at her, then looks again at Oberon.

KING ILLYRIA
What have I done?
Oberon slowly looks at each of the three in turn. Illyria does the same, looking first at Winifred, then down at his own bloody hand, and finally at Westley. His expressions chase one after the other--confusion, denial, and full comprehension. He clutches the shaft of the spear with his bloodstained hand and looks at it, tears flowing.

KING ILLYRIA
(with sorrow and despair)
What deed hath been wrought by mine hand?
How came we to this pass? This doom?
(pause, then continues with an inwardly searching expression)
This sundering of souls; this rending of hearts...
what evil hath possessed us--nay! me!
that we are brought to such an end?
(looking up towards the heavens)
WHAT HAVE I DONE?
He collapses, weeping, next to Westley's body. The others stand in quiet deference to his and Princess Winifred's grief.

FADE TO -

EXT. AVALON GLADE - DUSK

A dappled glade within the shadow of the royal palace. The mourners, all in black, add a somber note to the quiet scene. King Illyria stands at Princess Winifred's side, next to the newly covered grave. Oberon, Sir Charles, and General Robin stand across from them. Liam stands in the background with a shovel at his feet. Will, on a rock outcropping at the edge of the glade, has his lute in his hand. Winifred has the traces of dried tears on her cheeks and a single red rose in her hand. Illyria's mien is controlled but sorrowful.

KING ILLYRIA
I can conceive no more fitting tribute to fair Westley's
courage, or to thine own, than to declare that this peace,
though forged in deception, will be a long and lasting one.
Princess Winifred nods in agreement, and kneels to lay the rose on the freshly turned earth.

PRINCESS WINIFRED
(whispering)
Farewell, beloved.
(gently placing her hand on the grave)
Wait for me.
As she rises, Will begins to play a somber tune (sounding much like Fairport Convention's "Farewell, Farewell") with Sandy Denny singing and the full band kicking in after the first few notes from Will's lute).

Farewell, farewell to you who would hear
You lonely travelers all
The cold north wind will blow again
The winding road does call

And will you never return to see
Your bruised and beaten sons?
"Oh, I would, I would, if welcome I were
For they love me, every one."

The Avalonian Royal Guard slowly departs the glade as Will plays on. King Illyria watches in mute despair as Sir Charles goes with them. As he passes Liam, Sir Charles puts his hand on Liam's shoulder and their eyes meet briefly, steadily.

LIAM
(glancing over at Winifred)
She will need all our strength to bear the weight
of newfound royalty.
Sir Charles nods and claps him on the shoulder, then rejoins his new comrades.

PRINCESS WINIFRED
Are you sure that we are awake?
It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream.

KING ILLYRIA
I have had a most rare vision.
I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say
what dream it was.
(beat)
But I do not wish to lose it.
Will continues to play in the background.

Farewell, farewell to you who would hear
You lonely travelers all
The cold north wind will blow again
The winding road does call....

As the last lingering notes fade away, Princess Winifred is led away from the grave by Cobweb. The other mourners disperse, with the exceptions of King Illyria, who remains in contemplative silence at the graveside; Liam, who waits, shovel in hand, to finish the grave tending; and Will, on his perch, still holding his lute.

Will makes one or two abortive attempts to play something else, without a sound; finally we see him perk up as he gets a new inspiration.

WILL
(playing)
There's an old Australian stockman, lying, dying,
and he gets himself up on one elbow,
and he turns to his mates,
who are gathered 'round him, and he says -
ZOOM IN ON - Liam looks up, startled and annoyed, as he realizes what he is hearing.

CUT TO Will on the outcropping -

WILL
(continuing)
Watch me wallabies feed, mate.
Watch me wallabies feed.
They're a dangerous breed, mate.
So watch me wallabies feed.
Altogether now!

EXT. GRAVESIDE - NIGHT

King Illyria begins to come out of his reverie.

FLASH-CUT TO LIAM. He drops the shovel and heads for Will.

FLASH-CUT TO Will playing, clearly enjoying himself.

WILL
Tie me kangaroo down sport,
tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down sport,
tie me kangaroo down.
ZOOM OUT TO - Liam approaching the outcropping where Will is playing.

CLOSE-UP ON - Liam, giving a disgusted look directly into the CAMERA.

WILL
Keep me cockatoo...Hey!
TWO-SHOT - Liam grabs the lute and, a la Belushi in "Animal House," smashes it to smithereens. Will watches with interest until Liam finally stops.

CLOSE-UP ON the lute, in shards.

PULL BACK TO a FULL BODY TWO-SHOT of Spike and Angel.

EXT. GRIFFITH PARK - NIGHT

SPIKE
You done?

ANGEL
Yeah. I'm done.

SPIKE
You sure there aren't any more evil instruments around
you need to destroy?

ANGEL
Not unless you plan on bringing out another one.
Spike is looking at Angel's all vintage twenty-first-century clothing.

SPIKE
Looks like we're back home. You leathered up and all.
(he taps his fingers one by one)
Computer. Airplane. Cappuccino. World Wide Wrestling.
Bloomin' onion. Miniskirt.
(he nods in satisfaction)
Angel glances up the hillside. The OBSERVATORY is where it belongs.

ANGEL
Yeah. We're back.
PULL BACK to include Illyria and Oberon. Oberon is once again in his litter, ready to return to Fairyland. Illyria strides over to confront him.

SLOW ZOOM until Illyria and Oberon are bracketed.

ILLYRIA
(angrily)
What crazed notion infected your feeble mind?
Have the eons caused you to lose all purchase on sanity?
Oberon, placidly plucking a grape with his teeth, settles comfortably back onto his cushions.

OBERON
Attitude, attitude.
(he makes 'tsk'ing sounds)
Mind your manners.

ILLYRIA
(icily)
What was the purpose of that charade?

OBERON
Charade, my dear friend?
Didn't you ask to know what was happening inside your head?
You can blame the infection of Winifred Burkle all you want
for the sensations and emotions you're feeling, but the point is...
(he pauses to eat another grape)
...they're all yours. And the sooner you adjust to the fact
that you're part of the human world, the better off you'll be.
Illyria stares at him in disbelief.

ILLYRIA
Your tawdry melodrama has revealed nothing worthwhile.
(beat)
I had forgotten your penchant for foolish storytelling.

OBERON
(smiling)
Take your time, dear Illyria.
You'll have plenty of it to learn your lesson.
Oberon signals his fairies, and the lift the litter to carry him home. He turns and looks back at them all as he exits.

PULL BACK to see the full group.

OBERON
After all, this was only Act One.
Oberon and his minions FADE AWAY into the night air.

SPIKE
What the bloody blue blazes did he mean by that?
The others give a collective shrug. They look at each other for a long moment as the Shakespearean dream dissolves with Oberon's departure, and we see their expressions change as reality and the current animosities return.

SPIKE
(with discomfort)
Guess we should be going.
The others nod agreement, but no one moves.

GUNN
(sighing deeply)
It was good having Wes back for a while, wasn't it?

SPIKE
Yeah. And Fred, too.

ANGEL
(crabbily)
It was an illusion, people. No point in getting all misty over it.

SPIKE
(sardonically)
Yeah, we know you miss her, too.

FAMILIAR FEMALE VOICE (o.s.)
Uh, guys?
CUT TO - FRED, still wearing her black mourning gown, coming out of the trees behind them. They turn in shock.

FRED
What are you babbling about?
I'm standing right here.
She walks over to the gang and stares at Illyria.

BLACK OUT.

THE END

Comments?

Written by	CJL, Arethusa, and LittleBit
Executive Producer/Director	Masquerade
Senior Script Editor	Anom

Angel	David Boreanaz
Gunn	J. August Richards
Illyria	Amy Acker
Spike	James Marsters

Oberon	David Fury
Prince Westley	Alexis Denisof
Mustard-Seed	Camden Toy
Moth	Kevin Weisman
Cobweb	Troy Blendell
Peas-Blossom	Lily Knight

"Angel the Series" is the property of
Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.
No copyright infringement intended.