HER MAJESTY
By
MICHAEL OLLIFFE
(c) MICHAEL OLLIFFE, MAY 2011
20 Carson Crescent,
Bexley North NSW 2207, Australia.
Ph: (61 2) 9502 3998 or 0432 173 422
1. EXT. BATTLEFIELD. DAY.
We see an army about to be engaged in battle.
2. INT. THRONE ROOM. DAY.
The Queen sits upon her throne; she is alone save for her
guards. She is sitting quietly, staring off into space,
deep in thought.
3. EXT. BATTLEFIELD. DAY.
Horns are sounded and the Queen’s army charges into
battle.
4. INT. THRONE ROOM. DAY.
The Queen rises.
QUEEN
How like love, this thing called
war. Come you servants, give me
peace.
The guards leave.
5. EXT. BATTLEFIELD. DAY.
We see the conclusion of the battle. The enemy defeated.
The Knight on his horse and holding a sword he surveys the
battlefield.
KNIGHT
Triumph is ours, oh blessed day,
thou shalt be long remembered.
Convey the message to our
sovereign.
SOLDIER
As you wish fair Knight.
KNIGHT
Far greater conquest I now seek.
A secret errand.
SOLDIER
I bid you farewell then.
KNIGHT
Fare thee well.
The Knight turns on his horse and rides off.
6. INT. THRONE ROOM. DAY.
A servant opens the door to the throne room.
SERVANT
Your majesty, your minstrels,
magicians and players, as you
requested.
QUEEN
Thank you.
He bows and leaves.
Come hither merry folk.
SINGER
Song or play or tricks Your
Highness?
QUEEN
It has been said that music be
the food of love, yet I take the
song and not the heart. Come give
me your melodies, enliven me.
SINGER
There’s a pause as he prepares himself.
(Sings)
When I was fair and young when
favour graced me, of many was I
sought their mistress for to be.
But I did scorn them all, and
answered them therefore, go, go,
go, seek some otherwhere,
importune me no more.
She glares at him, serious and wounded.
How many weeping eyes I made to
pine in woe; how many sighing
hearts I have no skill to show,
yet I the prouder grew, and
answered them therefore, go, go,
go, seek some otherwhere,
importune me no more.
She rises and is clearly distressed.
QUEEN
Stop! I am moved to despair, such
change grew within my breast as
you sang, whither your mirth?
Spare me your love song. Leave
me, so soon as you hath come. Be
gone.
7. EXT. THE KNIGHT RIDES/FIELD. DAY.
The Knight gets off his horse and he walks toward the only
flower in a green field. He kneels next to it and gazes at
it as if it had some magnetic power to enchant him. He
caresses the flower itself, he takes in the scent and then
releases it.
KNIGHT
Love’s a monumental thing, for
such a small and common word. So
let four letters claim their due,
and make themselves a mountain.
Here, another battle cry, where
no man ever needs to die.
He reaches out to take it by the stem and he is pricked by
a thorn. We see the blood on his finger, he puts it in his
mouth and sucks on his finger. He begins to pluck all the
thorns from the rose until there is none left.
8. EXT. THE KNIGHT RETURNS. DAY.
The Knight enters the palace grounds. He gives his horse
to a stable hand outside the castle and walks on toward
the throne room.
KNIGHT
Your majesty. I bring good news.
QUEEN
That which I lack. Please speak
of these good tidings.
KNIGHT
You have heard by now, the battle
is won, the enemy vanquished.
QUEEN
I have heard.
KNIGHT
Yet there still be one more
battle to be fought.
QUEEN
I know not of this other war.
He offers her the flower.
’Tis a rose my lady, single
moment of nature’s joy.
QUEEN
I know what it is, but I know not
why? You crusade anew?
KNIGHT
Yes.
QUEEN
She takes the flower from him.
Why bring you this mangled tower
here? No steps rise to the
chamber of this Rose. It seems
your task remains undone, if you
stop it near the end. So I’ll
interpret your signs and wonders,
but I shan’t stop at the stem.
She begins to take the petals off the flower, one by one.
He loves me, he loves me not, He
loves me, he loves me not, he
loves me, but will he love me
still, if the next answer be His
will?
She finishes plucking the petals and there’s a cavernous
silence. She gently throws the stem on the floor amid the
fallen petals.
KNIGHT
So I have your answer.
The Knight bows once more and turns. Then he walks out,
his footsteps heavy and slow. He turns back to see her
standing, watching him go. The doors close. We see her
begin to cry.
9. EXT. THE KNIGHT RIDES. MORNING.
The Knight readies himself in the morning. He mounts his
horse and rides off.
10. INT. BEDROOM. MORNING.
The Queen is lying in bed, overcome by a melancholic
disposition. We see life going on around the palace. She
eventually arises and walks to the window and gazes out.
11. EXT. CHURCH. DAY.
The Knight ties up his horse outside a church.
MINISTER
Good day sir.
KNIGHT
And to you.
MINISTER
What brings you hither?
KNIGHT
A troubled heart.
MINISTER
Ah, our calling. You seek repose?
KNIGHT
Divine intervention.
MINISTER
Come, take some food, and tell me
of your troubles.
KNIGHT
Thank you Reverend.
MINISTER
Think nothing of it. We welcome
the stranger. ’Tis our duty and
our pleasure.
12. INT. KITCHEN. DAY.
Food is placed in front of the Knight.
KNIGHT
Thank you heavenly Father for
this meal, and this welcome
succour. Amen.
MINISTER
From where have you come? You
seem to be of a higher station
than many of our usual wayfarers.
KNIGHT
I am merely in the service of our
Queen, called, for precious
things, to fight, but battle
weary I wander, unsure of my
quest.
MINISTER
Ask and it will be given you,
seek and you shall find, knock
and the door will be opened.
KNIGHT
’Tis true. Might I rest here this
night?
MINISTER
Surely yes. Your first answered
prayer.
The minister leaves him.
13. EXT. BALCONY. DAY.
The Queen is on her balcony dressed elegantly. She surveys
the city. We see various examples of life going on, people
living out their commoner lives. She then walks back
inside.
14. EXT. CHURCH. NIGHT.
The Knight prays.
KNIGHT
Dear Father, my heart is vexed,
lead me where thou wilt. May I
serve those I love and prevail
over my foes. In this I beseech
you in the name of your Son,
Christ the Lord. Amen.
15. THE QUEEN IN HER GARDEN. MORNING.
The Queen is walking about her garden and she comes to a
rose bush with a white rose. She stares at it and then
takes in its scent.
QUEEN
Is my heart so hard? So cold and
dim this world of solitude.
16. EXT. THE BATTLE. DAY.
The Knight is by a stream watering his horse. He hears a
noise in the distance coming from a cave. He quickly
mounts his horse and heads off to the source of the noise.
It gradually gets louder. He stops outside, alights from
his steed and walks in, he unsheathes his sword. There is
light emanating from inside. He walks in and the cave is
all lit up with a red/orange glow.
KNIGHT
I would not have believed had I
not seen it myself. The fables be
true, here and now is my mettle
tested.
Out of the glow a dragon emerges.
17. INT. THE QUEEN FRETS. DAY.
The Queen is alone in the throne room. She is pacing
around regally, but fretful.
QUEEN
It hath been said that courting
is sporting, whether genius or
dunce, you need only ever get it
right once. But once, I fear,
shall be elusive, if my heart
remains reclusive. Throw off your
burdens oh pale reflection, free
is the journey that we take, from
this side of love to the other,
my defection surely shall be no
mistake.
18. INT. THE KNIGHT V. THE DRAGON. DAY.
The Knight is fighting a furious battle. He ducks and
weaves around fire, flailing wings and claws. He manages
to strike a fatal blow and the dragon falls. Once the
red/orange glow has subsided he sees that the dragon was
protecting something. A white light takes over and his
weary eyes light up.
19. EXT. THE KNIGHT RETURNS. NIGHT.
The Knight rides up to the palace and a guard greets him.
We notice that he is carrying something under his cloak.
GUARD
Fair knight, you return.
KNIGHT
Carefully alighting from his horse.
Indeed, to see her majesty. I
bring a message to her.
GUARD
A battle won Sir?
KNIGHT
No, not yet, a heart is still at
war while the head dreams of
victory. May they marry.
GUARD
May it be.
20. INT. THRONE ROOM. NIGHT.
The Knight comes to the throne room door. Into the dimly
lit room he walks. The Queen is standing with her back to
him.
KNIGHT
Your majesty.
QUEEN
Fair Knight, you have returned,
pray tell where have you been?
KNIGHT
At close quarters with a fiend.
Lord, let there be light, in this
darkness.
He removes a large stone from under his cloak and he holds
it up. Light fills the room. She turns around.
QUEEN
The Stone of Perpetual Light. The
great dragon, no more?
KNIGHT
Mere emblem now.
QUEEN
Yes, and one heart riots with joy
at such valour and sacrifice. At
last, unfettered and free.
(Smiles)
KNIGHT
Smiles back and bows.
Victory, Your Majesty?
QUEEN
Famous and splendid.
KNIGHT
We war no more.