Ballad of Marguerite
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Transcript of Ballad of Marguerite
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THE BALLAD OF MARGUERITE
byJean-Claude van Rijckeghem and Chris Craps
Fifth Draft
Summer 2006
A PRIVATE VIEWLange Violettestraat 237 - 9000 Gent - Belgium (+32 9 240 10 00)
FILMS DE LA CROISADE6, Boulevard de Strasbourg - 75010 Paris - France (+331 53388888)
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EXT. MEDIEVAL GARDEN - DAY1 1
A splendid medieval garden. Short green hedges surround abeautifully sculpted stone fountain. A wealth of flowersdecorates an arched passageway.
NARRATOR (V.O.)Marguerite van Male was born in1350, the only child of the countof Flanders and the sole heiress ofhis estates. Chroniclers describeher as a devout and obedient child.
A NUN runs across the garden, looking around nervously. Whitedoves fly away as her feet hit the ground.
NUN(worried)
Marguerite, Constance...
One last look and the Nun is out of the garden. The faces oftwo 12 year old girls, MARGUERITE and CONSTANCE, pop up frombehind a hedge. They smile mischievously, sit down and open ahand-written, illuminated book with a miniature painting ofnaked lovers embracing.
YOUNG MARGUERITE(reading, excited)
And so that noble knight, seigneurTristan, came to the queenschamber. And then the queen and
Tristan were together. Whether theywere abed or at other manner ofdisports...
(the girls giggle)...we will not make mention, forlove at that time was not as it isnowadays...
A sound makes the girls look up. Three boys, wearing helmetsand wooden swords from practice, stand before them. Thetallest boy, some fourteen years old, walks up to Marguerite,wanting to impress his mates.
BOYMy, what are you girls reading ?
(looks at the text)Oh, the tale of Tristan.
YOUNG MARGUERITE(mock surprise)
Well, William, you can read.
Constance giggles. William grins.
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WILLIAMSoon, Ill be a knight and Ill begood at many things: reading,fighting, singing...
(grabs his crotch)...saving damsels in distress.
William laughs at his gross joke. So do his mates. Margueritelooks at Williams crotch, stone-faced.
YOUNG MARGUERITEA knight of the order of the tinyappendix?
Constance and the boys laughs. William grows pale.
WILLIAMIf you werent the counts
daughter, Id --
Before he can finish, Marguerite smacks the book into hisface, crushing his nose. She takes a sword from one of theboys and throws herself onto William. Constance cheers heron. The nun comes running, in hysterics...
NUNOh, no not again, Messire, help,Messire...
INT. COUNTS CASTLE GHENT - HALL - DAY2 2
A chessboard with stone pieces, beautifully sculpted. We heara cracking fire and a harp being played.
A hand moves a red piece and takes out a white one. It is THECOUNT, surrounded by a bishop, some nobles and guildsmen, alldressed in exquisite garments. There is a large hound at hisfeet.
The count looks at his opponent with superiority andconfidence. As do the other men behind hem.
NARRATOR
England and France were at war andboth countries wanted Flanders, forit was rich. So prince Edmund ofEngland and prince Philip of Franceproposed to young lady Marguerite.
We now discover the counts opponent: Marguerite, still aged12, wearing a splendid dress. She has scratches in her facefrom that mornings fight. Constance, 12, watches from astool where she is doing embroidery.
2.
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NARRATORThe count, under pressure of theguildsmen of Flanders, agreed tomarry her to Edmund, fourth son tothe English king.
Marguerite moves a chess piece. The count and his men ponderthe move.
YOUNG MARGUERITE(casually)
I shall not marry him.
The count looks at her, unimpressed. The bishop points at apiece on the board, suggesting the next move. The countfollows the advice, taking out another of Margueritespieces.
COUNTOf course you will.
The men behind the count smile confidently.
YOUNG MARGUERITE(playing innocent)
But I cant. Edmund and I arecousins, related in the fourthdegree.
Marguerite moves her tower casually and takes out a redpiece with her white tower. The tower faces the king.
YOUNG MARGUERITECheck.
The count and his entourage dont know whether to look at thechessboard or at Marguerites innocent face.
COUNT(irritated)
Dont be silly, child, every singleprince from here to India is yourcousin in some degree or another.
Thats how nobility works.
A nobleman points to one piece. The count pushes his handaway in irritation, looks down at the chessboard, trying tofocus, pondering his next move, ...
YOUNG MARGUERITEStill, fourth degree. Wont thePope object?
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COUNT(angry)
Child, you leave the bloody Popeout of it.
The count, realizing what he just said, looks up at the
bishop, makes an embarrassed sign of the cross and moves hisking.
MARGUERITEAh, I should not have sent theletter then.
All the nobles are perplexed.
COUNTWhat letter?
YOUNG MARGUERITEWell, I had to inform the HolyFather of this, didnt I?
She moves her queen and takes out another of the countspieces. It now challenges the king again.
YOUNG MARGUERITE(casually)
After all, its every Christiangirls duty. One should not marryones cousin in the fourth degree.Check mate.
The count looks at the board in astonishment. As do thenobles.
YOUNG MARGUERITE(sighs innocently)
Im afraid I will just have tomarry prince Philip, duke ofBurgundy. They do say hes theflower of chivalry.
The count kicks the chessboard away with his foot. The chess
pieces fly. Constance jumps up. The nobles shrink back. Thedog runs off. Marguerite does not look up at her father. Shegets up and turns to leave.
COUNT(shouting)
You will not marry Burgundy! Do youhear me! Never!
Marguerite walks on, beaming.
4.
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EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY3 3
A caption read: 1369, Road to Burgundy.
A country landscape in the full vigor of spring. Moving spots
of light slashing through fresh green fields. We discoverthat the spots of light are men on horseback.
But these are not ordinary men. These are tall men on great
horses. Plumed men. Armoured men. Everything about them
blinds the eye. Their helmets, their coats of ring-mail and
their shields are polished like mirrors. The horses have
mantles in bright colors. And above them floats the banner of
Flanders: the banner of the lion.
In between the horsemen is a magnificent carriage, cylinder-shaped and richly decorated. It is pulled by two black horses
with their manes tied in braids. The escort is followed by
three carriages with chests and boxes. These are driven by
SERVANTS.
INT. CARRIAGE - DAY4 4
CONSTANCE, now 18, is weaving the long blonde hair of her
mistress MARGUERITE, also 18, into a braid.
Constance is leaning on a bench while Marguerite is sittingon a chair surrounded by cushions. The cartwheels plough
through the mud. The women feel every bump in the road.
MARGUERITE
First thing Ill do, is build a
proper road between Flanders and
Burgundy.
CONSTANCE
Only seven more days, Marguerite.
MARGUERITE
I cant wait. If the Romans could
build roads, why not the French.
CONSTANCE
The French only think of food,
women and war.
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MARGUERITE
Theres peace now.
CONSTANCE
Not for long. French knights love
war so much, that this one willlast for a hundred years at least.
MARGUERITE
And what if it does ? A knight can
only prove his valor in war. And if
anyone proved his, it is Philip.
(smiles)
My Philip.
CONSTANCE(she has heard it all
before)
Yes.
MARGUERITE
(passionate)
Think of it, Constance. He was only
fourteen when he stormed the
English at Poitiers. Cutting them
down by the dozens...
CONSTANCE
(bored)
And from then on, they called him
the bold.
MARGUERITE
But think of it, Constance, he was
just a boy.
CONSTANCE
(pulls hard at
Marguerites hair)
Its just a story.
MARGUERITE
Ouch !
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Marguerite turns around. Only now do we discover her
beautiful, young, pale face. She is wearing jewelry: rings,
bracelets, earrings, pendants, necklace... She is covered
with the stuff.
MARGUERITENo. It is all true. He is the best
knight that ever was.
CONSTANCE
Granted, but he needs your love not
so much as your wealth.
MARGUERITE
(irritated)
I chose him. He didnt choose me.
CONSTANCE
Well, you are the future countess
of Flanders, not the heiress of
Greenland.
MARGUERITE
Constance, dont be such a pest.
CONSTANCE
(obedient)
I only want you to be happy.
MARGUERITE
But I am happy. And will be even
more so. Philip will love me and I
him. We will be the most marvellous
couple in Christendom. Our romance
will be sung in ballads for
centuries to come.
Constance lowers her head.
MARGUERITE
Dont worry, sweet Constance. I
know what Im doing.
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The coach jerks to a stop. Both women are thrown forward in
the carriage. Marguerite puts on a cap to cover her hair and
looks outside.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE -DAY5 5
A tall, greying Flemish knight, JOHAN, rides towards the
carriage.
JOHAN
Weve arrived at the river Oise,
Madame. But there is a problem.
Marguerite jumps from the carriage. Only now do we discover
her exquisite robes decorated with pearls. She walks with
perfect grace and elegance. Her back is a straight line.
Marguerite arrives at the bank of the Oise. Across the water,
on the fields, floats a mist.
MARGUERITE
(whispers)
France. Philip. At last.
Only then does Marguerite discover the remains of a wooden
bridge which has been burnt recently. A body is floating in
the water.
A knight with long black hair, rich clothes and shining
armour, LANCELOT, approaches her on his horse, looks down on
Marguerite.
LANCELOT
Routiers, no doubt, little
princess.
MARGUERITE(sharp)
What do you mean: routiers, no
doubt ?
LANCELOT
(surprised)
Err... well, you know, warbands,
mercenaries released from..
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MARGUERITE
(disdainfully)
Seigneur Lancelot, I know what
routiers are. But how do you
know? Did you have a vision?
Lancelot is speechless at her response. She looks half his
size. The soldiers look elsewhere. Johan is nervous.
An older French knight, ENGUERRAND, steps down from his
steed. His face is riddled with battle scars and his helmet,
ringmail coat and arm plates look just as rich as Johans and
Lancelots. A hawk is perched on his shoulder.
ENGUERRAND
Lancelot knows. We are men of war,Madame.
MARGUERITE
Oh please, messire, the Holy
Crusades are over.
ENGUERRAND
English warbands are roaming the
country, Madame, and your future
husband is very much concerned with
your well-being. We will take
another route...
MARGUERITE
Your mission, messire Enguerrand,
is to protect me and to observe
your schedule.
ENGUERRAND
I know every hill, road and swamp
in Picardie, we will not lose one
hour more than needed.
LANCELOT
Well get you to Dijon in time for
your wedding, little princess,
dont you worry.
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JOHAN
Good. Lets go then. We need to
find shelter, come nightfall.
The soldiers mount their steeds. Marguerite does not move.
MARGUERITE
Messire Lancelot!
Lancelot freezes.
MARGUERITE
If you address me as little
princess once again, I shall not
be in need of your protection any
longer.
Lancelot swallows his pride, nods.
MARGUERITE
Well, speak up, little man !
LANCELOT
Yes, Madame.
Enguerrand grins.
MARGUERITE
Have I said something to arouse
your amusement?
ENGUERRAND
No, Madame.
Enguerrands grin disappears. Marguerite walks back to her
carriage like a queen. Men step out of the way, bow their
heads as she passes. Constance has prepared steps for her to
climb in the carriage. She does so in style.
The hawk squeals.
ENGUERRAND
(to his hawk)
Shes just a dove, Persephone, just
a dove.
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EXT. ORCHARD - DAY6 6
Fruit trees are in bloom. A young man, ARMAND, is kissing the
naked body of a girl, Elose, lying in the grass. With his
black hair, dark eyes and tanned complexion, Armand is
clearly from the south.
ARMAND
Your lips are more red than roses
can be. Your body is more white
than snow. And your eyes burn more
brightly than a lions.
ELOSE
Oh, Armand, blablabla...
ARMAND
No, my words are as truthful as my
quest.
ELOSE
Your quest ?
ARMAND
I told you. I have to travel. Over
high mountains...
(kisses her breasts)
And deep valleys ...
(kisses her navel)
To Constantinopel ...
ELOSE
(pushes his head away)
Stop !
Elose jumps into her clothes, straightens her skirts.
ARMAND
(theatrically)
I give you my whole heart if you
kiss me once more.
(points at his lips)
Here.
Elose kisses him on the mouth, looks at him. He giggles.
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ARMAND
(points at his bottom)
Now here.
Elose pushes him away.
ELOSE
Always so sincere.
Elose walks away. She joins a group of PEASANTS as they
walk him to a village. They are a ragged-looking bunch and
Elose belongs to them. She tries to be joyful. They head
home and then...
Suddenly... dogs barking and geese cackling... They stop in
their tracks and hear... The sound of horses ...
They rush to the village... Frantically... Armand hears it
too and hides in the bushes... The hooves thundering...
EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - DAY7 7
Men, boys and women pick up clubs, scythes, pitch forks. They
form a line, not knowing whether the horsemen are friend or
foe. The horses slow down. The hooves clatter on the stones.
The escort stops in their tracks.
JOHAN
Good people, we come in peace. We
are escorting a lady of Flanders
and wish to spend the night.
Marguerite pulls away the curtain. On the mere sight of her
the people of the village bow and, almost simultaneously,
bend one knee to the ground.
EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - LATER8 8
The villagers are running to and fro. Horses are brushed.
Tables are put outside. A pig is roasting on the fire.
Armand arrives, his lute around his shoulder. He wears plain
clothes, a prominent codpiece and a silly beret with a leaden
pin showing a penis on legs. He turns as he hears...
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MARGUERITE (V.O.)
I want this house cleaned from top
to bottom. And I want fresh straw.
Ill inspect it again before dark.
Armand sees Marguerite coming out of the only stone house inthe village followed by Constance and a servant, who is
carrying a sheathed sword in his arms...
MARGUERITE
...this whole town smells of
compost. And this house has more
fleas than an English dog.
Peasants run in and out of the house. Marguerite locks eyes
with Armand. Hes staring at her: a wonderful apparition inlavish clothes and jewels.
MARGUERITE
What are you looking at, boy?
ARMAND
(wakes up out of a trance,
bows elegantly)
Armand de Machaut, troubadour, to
serve you, Madame.
CONSTANCE
(enthusiastic)
Oh, grand, a French troubadour. A
real one. He can sing for us after
dinner.
MARGUERITE
If it pleases you, Constance.
(eyes him up and down)
Have him take a bath first.
They walk on. Armand gazes at them. He turns around and...
Spooks a horse... The steed jumps up and its rider has
difficulty controlling the animal...
ENGUERRAND
Fool !
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Armand bows apologetically and disappears in haste.
EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - EVENING9 9
A fire illuminates the square. Candles and oil lamps are on
the tables. The knights and Marguerite are sitting on thebest table near the fire. There is linen on their table,
silver cups and tableware.
MARGUERITE
I am told that you fought with
Philip at Poitiers.
ENGUERRAND
I did, Madame. Fourteen years ago.
MARGUERITE
They say he was the bravest knight
of all.
ENGUERRAND
(after a beat)
He fought like a lion.
MARGUERITE
He only surrendered after his
father was taken prisoner by theEnglish.
Enguerrand just nods. Marguerite smiles.
LANCELOT
Enguerrand fought bravely too. The
scars in his face tell the story
of Poitiers.
MARGUERITE(haughty)
Oh, you were there too, seigneur
Lancelot? Any scars worth noting?
Lancelot quivers with anger.
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ENGUERRAND
(bitter)
Not all scars are visible, Madame.
Enguerrand stretches out his cup and Elose fills it with
wine. She walks away, past the table of the squires up to thetable of the servants.
The table of the servants is the poorest. Armand is sitting
with the servants and eats from a wooden bowl with spoon and
fingers, as was the habit. There is no linen on their table.
Armand is staring at Marguerite...
Elose slams down a plate with a roasted bird on the table
before Armand.
ELOSE
Youll ruin your eyes.
Two servants, HENDRIK and ROLAND, laugh. They pluck pieces
from the roasted bird with their fingers.
ROLAND
Girl trouble?
ARMAND
(changing the subject)So shes the famous heiress to wed
Burgundy ?
HENDRIK
Yeah, when we arrive in Dijon, in a
week.
ARMAND
Wasnt she going to marry some
English prince?
ROLAND
Oh, yeah, that went on for years.
HENDRIKThe Pope finally decided thatEdmund of England was too closelyrelated.
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ROLAND
Edmund wasnt too happy though.
They laugh and suddenly stop. Behind them is Constance.
CONSTANCEYou can sing for Madame now.
Armand smiles confidently, gets up, takes his lute. She walks
away with him.
CONSTANCE
Shell threaten to cut off your
ears. But I wouldnt worry too
much. Shes only done that once.
Armand looks less confident now.
Elose brings some wine to the nobles table. Enguerrand
looks at her figure. While she bends over him, Enguerrand
shows the moneybag on his belt. His hand is under the bag
and he makes the coins inside it chink.
Elose locks eyes with Enguerrand. He smiles. She smiles back
faintly and walks away, past Armand.
Armand bows to the table of nobles, looking none tooconfident. Marguerite feigns surprise. Enguerrand recognizes
him, looks at him with disdain.
MARGUERITE
Oh, Id forgotten about you. You
were the singer. So sing. If I
dont like it, Ill have Enguerrand
cut off your ears.
ENGUERRAND
(feeding his hawk)
Shes still hungry.
The soldiers laugh. Armand takes his lute and starts to sing.
His voice is, in a word, angelic. His fingers dance on the
strings of the lute.
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ARMAND
(sings)
This is the ballad of seigneur
Tristan, a loyal knight and fair,
who went mad with love from
drinking wine made from womens
hair. So enraptured became he to
lady Isolde, his uncles lovely
bride...
Marguerite is entranced by his lovely voice. The people of
the village come closer to listen. Elose is there as well.
ARMAND
And he whispered in her ear: come
you to my stead, fair Isolde, Idgo to hell for you, said he. Oh
fair Tristan, whispered she, lets
go to hell together then.
Everyone is now listening. Time passes. Enguerrand makes a
sign to Elose, who brings wine. He touches her thigh, makes
the coins chink once more.
ARMAND
(seeing all)And Tristan said: If I knew how to
spellbind people. To infants would
I change my foes. So none would
notice us. Or say things that could
do us harm. Then I know that my
Fair One I could see. And her fresh
color, and her lovely eyes. And I
would kiss her mouth in every way.
So that the marks would show there
for a month.
Armand finishes and bows. Marguerite is still in a trance.
Constance notices it. The villagers and soldiers cheer
Armand. Marguerite wakes up out of trance.
MARGUERITE
I-- Ill let you keep your ears.
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Armand smiles and bows.
Enguerrand grabs Armand by the collar, pulls him onto the
table in front of him, brings his face just inches away from
the hawk.
ENGUERRAND
Persephone would still like a piece
of this songbird.
The hawk squeals and pecks at Armand. It cuts his brow. The
squires laugh. Enguerrand lets Armand go.
ENGUERRAND
She likes you. You should keep an
eye out for her.
The laughter grows louder. Marguerite shows no emotion.
Armand throws the moneybag on the table. The coins spill out.
Enguerrand is astonished as he recognizes his own moneybag...
ARMAND
As you should keep an eye out for
your belongings, messire.
Roaring laughter. Enguerrand hesitates whether to takeoffence. Lancelot eyes him, signals him to let it pass.
CONSTANCE
(claps)
I should think the fool deserves a
florin, Madame.
Marguerite, amused, makes a commanding gesture to Enguerrand.
Full of disdain, he throws a coin on the ground. Armand picks
it up and wants to say something as...
CONSTANCE
(leading Armand away)
Hush your tongue now.
Marguerite whispers something in Johan's ear and walks away
towards the stone house with Constance and some servants.
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Armand walks back to the servants table. They pat him on the
back. Elose is there, looking at him. They lock eyes.
INT. STABLES - DAYBREAK10 10
Horses neigh. Muffled voices are audible. Armand and Eloseare lying on straw with a blanket on top of them, still
asleep. Armand is kicked awake. He looks up at the faces of
Johan and Hendrik.
JOHAN
Get your stuff together. You're
coming with us.
Armand doesn't understand. He looks at Elose's face which
shows sadness.
EXT. DESERTED STREET / VILLAGE SQUARE - DAYBREAK11 11
Armand is walking behind Johan, putting on his clothes. His
shirt is still hanging out of his pants and his codpiece is
dangling between his legs. The squire has Armand's lute and
bag under his arm.
ARMAND
But, messire, you have to
understand, I'm on my way toConstantinople.
JOHAN
Constantinople ?
ARMAND
Yes. The gateway to the Orient. The
most beautiful city in the world...
JOHANYou come with us to Dijon. You will
make Madame's journey more pleasant
and you will sing at her wedding.
It's a great honour, and you will
be paid...
(shows him gold coins)
Enough to buy you a crossing to...
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ARMAND
Constantinople !
(looks at the coins)
What arguments you have, messire!
Armand looks back at Elose, makes an apologizing gesture. Heputs his shirt in his trousers as he arrives at the village
square and sees...
...the escort and the coach. Ready to leave. Squires and
knights are doing a last check on their equipment. The coach
is still empty. The steps are ready. A squire looks at the
stone house. Hendrik gives Armand a horse.
ENGUERRAND
What's with the songbird ?
JOHAN
Hes coming with us.
ENGUERRAND
What ?
JOHAN
It is Madame's wish that he sings
at her wedding.
ENGUERRAND
(fuming)
He's a thief.
ARMAND
(fierce)
It is not just sword and armour
that makes a man of honour.
All fall silent. Enguerrand almost smiles. He grabs Armand bythe hair and makes him kneel. Armand screams.
ENGUERRAND
How can a man with such a loose
tongue, live so long ?
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ARMAND
(petrified)
My tongue is sometimes quicker than
my mind, Messire, I --
ENGUERRAND(takes a knife)
I have the perfect remedy for that.
Enguerrand pulls the tongue out of Armand's mouth. His knife
goes down when --
MARGUERITE (V.O.)
Enguerrand !
Enguerrand hesitates.
MARGUERITE
If you cut off his tongue, he will
not be able to sing at my wedding
and I shall be much displeased.
ENGUERRAND
(angry)
An offence of a commoner to a noble
must be cleansed in blood.
MARGUERITE
The boy is a fool. You said so. He
will ask forgiveness if you release
his singing organ.
Enguerrand glances at Lancelot, who gives him an angry look.
Enguerrand lets go of the tongue. Armand is on the ground on
hands and feet.
ARMAND(with difficulty)
Please forgive me, messire, I was
foolish.
Enguerrand turns away. Armand gets up with difficulty,
stumbles towards his horse. Marguerite and Constance step
into the coach. A servant carries a beautifully decorated
sword in a leather sheath to the coach.
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JOHAN
To horse !
Squires mount their horses. Elose runs up to Armand, dress
untied, hair unkempt. She looks beautiful and earthy.
Armand looks at her, wants to say something but hes short ofwords.
ELOISE
(angry whisper)
You will not be missed.
Elose runs back to the darkness of the streets. Armand
turns, sees Marguerite's face disappearing into the coach. He
mounts his horse with difficulty.
INT. COACH - DAYBREAK12 12
The coach is rocking to and fro. Marguerite is picking a ring
from a richly decorated, wooden jewelry box.
CONSTANCE
(suspicious)
Why take him along ? You already
have a hundred singers at your
wedding.
Marguerite shrugs.
CONSTANCE
He does have a fine voice, of
course.
MARGUERITE
I'd like to keep him as my lap dog,
to warm my feet and bark me a tune
from time to time.
CONSTANCE
Handsome dog. He has a certain je-
ne-sais-quoi...
They both giggle out loud. Armand hears it, sitting uneasy on
his horse.
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ARMAND
(to the squires)
Perhaps I should join them in the
carriage?
The squires don't smile and Armand senses someone behind him.It is Enguerrand.
ENGUERRAND
(calm)
One wrong word from you. Just one,
and I will cut you open, tie your
guts to my saddle and drag you to
Dijon by your insides.
Enguerrand turns around, fires his horse.
ENGUERRAND
(to his hawk)
And I'll save his best parts for
you, my sweet.
Enguerrand arrives at the head of the escort, nods to Johan.
He gives the signal to move.
Everyone shouts and fires their horses and the whole escort
rides out into the country while the first sunlight gleams
over the flat plains.
EXT. COUNTRY - DAY13 13
The escort is moving through the plains. The landscape is
becoming more hilly now.
INT. COACH - DAY14 14
Marguerite is looking at a map and draws their journey on thepaper with charcoal.
MARGUERITE
We're still on schedule despite the
other route.
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MARGUERITE
I wish I could sleep for six days,
wake up and find Philip at my side.
Constance looks outside.
CONSTANCE
Our young friend is sitting on his
horse like a lump of butter on a
hot cabbage.
Armand is lagging behind. His horse is eating from bushes by
the roadside. He pushes his feet in the horse's flanks and
pulls the reigns but the horse ignores him.
MARGUERITEHe has the voice of an angel but he
rides a horse like a nun.
Armand now hits the horse on the rear with his belt and it
takes off now in quick trot.
Armand sees the women in the coach laughing at him and he
tries to show that he's in control. He salutes them with one
hand and now the horse goes off in gallop...
At the front, the knights are trotting at a steady pace ontheir steeds.
LANCELOT
(to Johan)
I suggest to spend the night at the
monastery of Vauclair.
JOHAN
Vauclair ?
LANCELOT
We can be there just after dark, if
we don't lose time.
Suddenly, they see a horse galloping by without a rider. Then
they see Armand running after the horse. They are too
astonished to laugh.
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ENGUERRAND
We won't lose time.
Enguerrand spurs his horse and picks up the reigns of
Armand's horse. He hands the reigns to Armand without a word.
Armand tries to climb on his horse but it's not standing
still. Enguerrand pulls him onto his horse. His strength is
enormous.
ENGUERRAND
I don't want to lose you, songbird,
you and I have unfinished business.
The escort rides on.
EXT. MONASTERY OF VAUCLAIR - NIGHT15 15
The escort arrives at monastery in the hills which has been
built in a U-form. The weather has worsened. Wind and rain.
A large open gateway leads to the open courtyard. The
courtyard is illuminated by big, flaming fire baskets on
poles.
ENGUERRAND
(to Johan)Let the servants take care of the
horses while we warm ourselves
inside.
Johan gives the signal. Roland and Hendrik lead the horses to
the stables at the opposite side of the monasterys entrance.
INT. MONASTERY OF VAUCLAIR - NIGHT16 16
The inside of the monastery is a big, high room. Straw on the
floor. There is a staircase leading to the first floor where
the rooms are located.
Enguerrand and Lancelot enter the monastery first, followed
by Johan, Marguerite, Constance and ten squires. A servant
once again carries Marguerite's sword. Johan's eyes scan the
place.
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There is no one on the first floor and, near the fireplace,
are some thirty pilgrims. They are dressed in capes, have
pilgrim's sticks with Saint Jacob shells on them. Their caps
make it difficult to distinguish their faces.
Armand, drenched to the bone, goes straight for the fire...
ARMAND
Evening pilgrims...
A monk comes into the room, shaking with nervousness, looks
at the knights, bows and bends his knee to the floor.
JOHAN
(bows in resprect)
Please stand, father, we are inneed of food and shelter for
twenty...
The monk doesn't answer, does not raise his head...
JOHAN
(embarrassed by the monks
politeness)
Father, please, stand, I...
The monk raises his face... It is a face full of tears... Hislips tremble... Johan looks around in alarm...
Armand turns his back to the fire, pushes his behind
awkwardly into the fireplace and sees...
The PILGRIMS... taking off their caps one by one... and under
their grey cloaks they have pikes, swords and pole-axes...
they're a savage looking bunch... wild-eyed... brand-marks on
their necks and faces...
JOHAN
(shouts)
SHIELDS !
The squires immediately leap into action, taking their swords
and pikes and forming a shield-wall, shoulder to shoulder in
front of lady Marguerite...
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... and in between the two groups stand Enguerrand and
Lancelot...
ENGUERRAND
Seigneur Johan, we fought together
at Poitiers. I do not want yourblood. But we need the lady for
Edmund of England. She is his
rightful bride. We will take her to
Mont-St-Michel where she is to
marry prince Edmund. God wills it.
The squires are dumbstruck. Constance has her hands to her
face. Marguerite's face is stone cold. She takes the sword
from her servant, buckles its sheath onto her back, picks up
her jewelry box.
Armand screams. One of the pilgrims throws him across the
room. He drops just in front of the shield-wall... he lies
petrified on his back... nobody pays attention to him...
JOHAN
It is treason.
ENGUERRAND
It is politics, messire.
JOHANWill you defy the pope?
ENGUERRANDPopes can change their minds.
The pilgrims move forward in a threatening fashion. They
outnumber Marguerite's escort by three to one. This is a
Mexican stand-off with swords and shields if ever there was
one. Nobody dares make a move.
Johan hesitates and so do the squires. They realize that
their chances of winning this confrontation are slim. The
monk is down on his knees, crossing himself and mumbling
prayers...
MARGUERITE
(shouts)
Enguerrand !
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I, Marguerite van Male, by the
grace of God, heiress of Flanders,
Artois, Rethel, Nevers and Sully,
sentence you all to death for
treason to your lord and your king.
Done here at Vauclair in God's year
thirteen sixty-nine.
The pilgrims are quieter now. She has spoken with immense
authority. Johan and the squires grow heart.
MARGUERITE
If you dare attack us, know that
Philip of Burgundy will put upon
you such suffering that Lucifer in
hell will think himself an amateurby compare.
The Flemish scream in defiance, slam their swords on their
shields... The shield wall stands there, firm, strong,
threatening... The pilgrims hesitate...
ARMAND
(whispers to himself)
Were dead.
ENGUERRAND
Be sensible, you are outnumbered.
MARGUERITE
Go tell Edmund that if he dares put
a finger on me, Ill cut off his
testicles and nail them to the door
of my castle so that the children
of France will see the true size of
English royalty.
ENGUERRAND
Yield. Yield now !
MARGUERITE
We are from Flanders. We do not
yield.
28.
MARGUERITE (cont'd)
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Enguerrand sighs and seems to retreat... when he suddenly
twists around and throws a pike which plunges straight into
the shield wall... Hendrik is down...
The following moment... the pilgrims storm the shield wall...
a resounding crash... swords clang onto swords... Flemish warcries are screamed... the chaos is complete...
Armand, paralysed by fear, crawls on the stairs and climbs
onto the landing... unable to get up...
Marguerite and Constance race up the stairs... THWACK... a
pike skewers Constance in the back...
Constance falls down on the stairs... Marguerite screams...
She jumps on the landing... Turns around... Locks eyes withthe dying Constance...
CONSTANCE
Go, save yourself, go with the boy -
-
Constance's eyes break.
MARGUERITE
Constance !
A tall Englishman, HAWKWOOD, rushes up the stairs... There is
a deep scar on his right temple and a huge sword in his
mighty hands... Marguerite jumps back... Pushes Armand in
front of her...
MARGUERITE
Kill him !
Armand hesitates a second. The man pushes Armand to the
floor. Hawkwood raises his sword to smash Armand's skull...
When Marguerite crashes a bench into his chest... Hawkwood,
unhurt, takes Marguerites wrist, twists her arm...
Armand, squirming on the ground, finds the jewelry box, jumps
up and slams it into Hawkwoods face...
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Making Hawkwood topple and crash downwards... jewels
everywhere...
MARGUERITE
My jewels... You stupid peasant
bastard...
Armand grins stupidly... panting ...
ARMAND
We have to get to the horses...
MARGUERITE
What ? We stand here and fight...
A pilgrim from outside breaks through the window shutters and
attacks from behind... Marguerite hesitates...
ARMAND
We must run, Madame, while we still
have a chance.
Armand jumps up, takes Marguerite by the arm... They race
across the landing towards a hallway with rooms on either
side... Downstairs the battle is raging...
There is blood all over the straw floor... The squires aredown to five... Offering fierce resistance... The assailants
are now hindered by the dead and dying...
INT. FIRST FLOOR ROOM - NIGHT17 17
Marguerite and Armand break into a room... Rush to the
window, open the shutters... And see... Four more pilgrims on
the courtyard and the fire basket in the middle of it...
The mercenaries are at the other side of the courtyard... at
the monastery's windows... Cheering their mates...
ARMAND
We're right above the stables.
Marguerite nods, pushes him away from the window.
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MARGUERITE
I'll go first. You follow. We take
the horses and go. Anyone comes,
you cut him down.
Armand nods again, not very confident.
MARGUERITE
You cut him down, you hear !
Armand lifts the sword, finds it heavy. Marguerite lifts her
skirts and steps out of the window. Armand wants to help her
by holding her arm. She pushes his hand away, irritated.
MARGUERITE
The less you help me, the lesschance I have of breaking my legs.
Marguerite jumps onto the cobble stones of the courtyard...
she lands perfectly on hands and feet... crouches down and
crawls her way to the stables...
At the entrance, she pushes herself up and starts... Her
servants are lying dead in the straw, skewered by arrows...
Armand steps out of the window... he has trouble handling the
heavy sword... the marauders are still cheering their friendsinside... Armand jumps onto the courtyard...
EXT. COURTYARD - NIGHT18 18
His landing is much less elegant than Marguerite's... He
falls to his side... The sword clangs onto the cobble
stones... And the four pilgrims at the other side of the
courtyard turn around and see him...
Armand jumps up, takes the sword in both hands... Thepilgrims come closer... slowly... unable to distinguish who
Armand is...
Armand waves the sword above his head in a grotesque gesture
and almost loses his balance... Now they see him... A boy
with a sword... They laugh...
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And Armand sees them: FOUR MEN with knives, pikes and axes...
Two of them remain at the entrance, the other two start
surrounding Armand from both sides of the courtyard...
Their knives, hooks and pikes are glistening in the light of
the fire basket... Mortal fear on Armand's face...
ARMAND
(whispering feverishly)
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,...
The men draw closer... Armands eyes flash left and right...
He doesn't know what to do, prays mechanically ...
ARMAND... as we forgive our debtors. And
lead us not into temptation...
MARGUERITE (V.O.)
Boy !
Armand turns around and sees... Marguerite coming out of the
stables on one of the black horses that pulled the coach...
the horse is bareback and Marguerite is holding the manes of
a second horse next to her...
Armand runs to her... the two men scream... rush onto him...
Marguerite makes her horse rear up and its hoof hits the
first man smack in the face...
Armand jumps on the second horse but as it is bareback and
has no reigns, so he falls back onto the ground on the other
side...
The horse runs off, galloping and jumping in panic over the
courtyard, trampling the second man...
Armand jumps on the back of Marguerite's horse... she screams
and hits him in the stomach...
ARMAND
It's me ! It's me !
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MARGUERITE
Get off ! Get off !
ARMAND
No... no...
Marguerite hits her horse in the flanks and it takes off...
Armand puts her arm around Marguerite's stomach...
Armand and Marguerite fly towards the entrance but see the
two remaining pilgrims blocking the way... Shouting and
showing their sharp pikes... There is no escape...
ARMAND
Oh my God...
MARGUERITE
Shut up !
Marguerite glances around frantically... Armand holding on to
her... Then she sees... The pole with the firebasket... She
fires the horse...
MARGUERITE
Help me! Come on!
They pick up the pole and hold it like a lance... But it'sheavy... And the basket clangs onto the cobble stones...
Burning branches hit the stones... Armand pulls the pole
towards him and has a firm hold on it...
And together they manage to hold the pole horizontally close
to their sides... Marguerite fires the horse again... It
charges towards...
The pilgrims at the entrance who see a ball of fire coming up
to them...
Marguerite screams a war cry... Armand imitates her, screams
too... As they storm towards the entrance and the men jump
out of the way...
One of the men has a crossbow and aims it at Armands back
while the horse disappears... But Hawkwood, rushing out of
the monastery, prevents him from shooting...
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HAWKWOOD
You might hurt the countess..
Armand and Marguerite disappear into the dark night... The
pole with the fire basket is lying on the road...
INT. MONASTERY - NIGHT19 19
The room is a carnage... Johan is still defending himself in
a corner of the hall... bleeding... exhausted... his squires
dead... or dying... Enguerrand has the point of his sword at
Johan's throat...
ENGUERRAND
Seigneur Johan, yield.
Pray yield...
HAWKWOOD
(coming in)
She got away.
There is a trace of a smile on Johan's face. He drops his
sword and, then, crumbles before Enguerrands feet.
ENGUERRAND
You fought well, messire.
Enguerrand pulls up a table. Lancelot sits down next to him.
Hawkwood, blood pelting down from his beard, looks
surprised...
HAWKWOOD
What are we waiting for ? Let's get
after them ! They only have one
horse.
LANCELOTThey ?
HAWKWOOD
She got away with that boy.
Enguerrand shakes his head. The remaining pilgrims are
crawling on hands and feet, looking for jewelry or stripping
the knights of their belongings.
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ENGUERRAND
We leave at daybreak, captain
Hawkwood, they wont go far.
HAWKWOOD
The boy broke my nose. Ill...
ENGUERRAND
The boy is mine.
Enguerrand takes a piece of cloth and wipes the blood off his
sword.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT20 20
Armand and Marguerite gallop through woods... trees are
flashing by... the horse jumps over ditches... climbs onto
hillslopes... cracks through bushes... plows through mud...
Marguerite is an expert horseman and leads the horse...
Armand is just holding on...
EXT. MARSHLANDS - NIGHT21 21
They gallop through open country... the rain has stopped and
the sky is full of stars... the horse sweats and there is
foam all over its muzzle... Marguerite keeps on firing it...hitting its flanks with her heels...
And suddenly the horse falls down to its side, throwing off
Marguerite and Armand. They roll in the mud. Marguerite jumps
up, Armand clambers to his feet with difficulty.
MARGUERITE
Get up, you stupid nag !
She kicks the horse with her feet. It doesnt get up.
MARGUERITE
Get up !
ARMAND
It is no use, Madame. The horse is
exhausted.
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MARGUERITE
Oh, who do we have here ? The
famous horseman of Paris?
ARMAND
Just give it some time. We have nochoice.
MARGUERITE
If that nag doesnt get up,
Enguerrand will pluck us off the
road at daybreak.
ARMAND
We can hide in the woods, travel on
foot.
MARGUERITE
I do not travel on foot.
ARMAND
(sighs)
Of course not, Madame, but I am not
so used to horses... the lower part
of my back is an open wound.
Marguerite walks up to him, forcefully. He shrinks back a few
steps. She looks at him and his cap with the walking penis.
MARGUERITE
(exploding)
When are you going to shut that
hole in your face, you mongrel of a
man. You cant ride a horse ! You
cant hold a sword ! Look at you,
you couldnt even frighten a nun.
Thats not muscles in your arms,
thats... thats...
ARMAND
Cottage cheese ?
MARGUERITE
Youre making jokes while all my
men are dead back there.
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ARMAND
Forgive me, Madame, Im not used to
these physical confrontations.
MARGUERITE
Youre completely useless.
ARMAND
I helped you escape, Madame...
Marguerite sighs.
MARGUERITE
Why did you not yield, Madame ?
There was no way that...
MARGUERITE
Who are you to judge, pathetic
little man... you...you...
(turns around, with
regret)
Constance, poor Constance. She so
much wanted to see me wed...
Marguerite walks away. She plants her sword into the earth.
It stands there like a cross. She clutches her hands round
the hilt, kisses the white bone fragment in the hilt, and
whispers a prayer...
MARGUERITE
Dear God, this is the holy sword of
my fathers. The sword that
conquered Jerusalem. The sword of
the lion. So hear my prayer, dear
God, let Philip save me.
Marguerite hears Armand humming and looks. He is kneelingdown by the horse, stroking its head. She turns away, looks
up at the stars.
MARGUERITE
Please God, let Philip save me.
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Marguerite gets up, sheathes the sword, walks back to Armand
and is astonished to see... The horse getting up again on its
legs.
Armand smiles at Marguerite, pats the horse...
ARMAND
Good boy, Tristan.
MARGUERITE
Tristan ?
ARMAND
The horse saved us, so I think it
deserves a good name.
MARGUERITE
Its a mare, you twit.
EXT. WOODS - DAY22 22
Marguerite and Armand on horseback. They arrive at a road.
Both step down, look around.
MARGUERITE
I am hungry.
Armand goes to the roadside, looks around and finds some
roots and plants. He starts chewing and gives some to
Marguerite.
ARMAND
Salade paysanne.
Marguerite throws away the roots in disgust. Armand chews the
roots and spits out the remains. Marguerite rolls up her
eyes. They walk on. Armand walks on and finds some black
berries. He hands Marguerite a few. She looks at them. Armand
tastes one.
ARMAND
Mmmh. Sweet and ripe.
Marguerite takes one from Armand, eats it.
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MARGUERITE
Ive had better.
Suddenly the horse starts neighing. They look up and see...
A gallows. They hear bells in the distance.
ARMAND
We must be near a town.
MARGUERITE(ironic)
Your sense of deduction is amazing.
Marguerite ignores the corpses hanging some four metres above
the ground. The bodies are white and withered by wind and
time. One of them misses part of its leg. She walks past the
gallows, to the crest of the hillside and sees...
In the distance on the crest of the next hill, a castle.
MARGUERITE
Let us go !
ARMAND
Madame, but that is exactly what we
should not do.
MARGUERITE
Are you hearing voices ? Did you
hear me enquiring after your
opinion ?
She walks back to the horse. Armands face reveals utter
irritation. He composes himself and walks to the horse,
caressing the animals manes.
ARMAND
(to the horse)
You know,... Isolde,... as I see
it, the town is the first place
where they will look. The English
have spies in every town.
(Marguerite looks at him
in surprise)
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Some French Lords even connive with
the English. Now, Isolde, I know
youre tired... What are you
saying? .... Yes we need other
horses. We could travel through the
mountains, to a village. I know a
man, Pierre, who raises stallions
there, chargers...
(looks at Marguerite)
A clever animal...
MARGUERITE
My marriage takes place in five
days. I am not in the mood for
sight-seeing. I will go up there,
send a message to Philip and wait
for him to come and save me.
ARMAND
Well... If you insist...but...
MARGUERITE
What ? What is it you want to share
with the world?
ARMANDWell, if they catch you, you get to
marry Edmund of England. Its not
so bad, if you like beer, porridge
and shepherds stew. But if they
catch me...
(points at the gallows)
Ill have these messires for
company... if Im lucky...
MARGUERITEYou, you are nothing. You are a
bird in the sky. I, I am the
heiress of Flanders. My marriage
will determine the fate of my
country.
Armand is silent for a moment.
40.
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ARMAND
If you go to that town, you will
give Flanders to the English on a
plate.
MARGUERITE(defying)
Rot !
She walks off under the gallows. Armand takes her by the
wrist. She pulls it away. They look at each other.
ARMAND
Madame, I beg you to listen. Go
with me. Ill get you safely to
Dijon, I give you my word...
MARGUERITE
Is that the same word you gave to
your sweet at the village ?
ARMAND
This is... different.
MARGUERITE
Your word means nothing to me.
Armand bows.
ARMAND
Then, there is nothing more to say.
I will take my leave with Isolde...
Armand caresses the horse and leads it away.
MARGUERITE
The horse is mine.
ARMAND
You take the sword, I the horse...
It is a fair trade...
Marguerite slams her fist in his stomach... WHAM... that
hurt... Armand doubles up ... Marguerite walks away with the
horse...
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he grabs her by the wrist, still twitching in pain... she
tries to tear herself loose but Armand holds on...
She picks up a human bone from the ground... Its an upper
arm bone which is still attached to the lower arm bone... And
she starts beating Armand with it... furiously...
Armand lets go and smacks into the wooden pole of the
gallows... A corpse drops onto him... Falls apart... Armand
is covered in gore... He screams, starts rubbing the gore off
his clothes and looks into ...
Marguerites long and sharp kidney-dagger...
MARGUERITE
My daggers name is Adieu.(eyes the gallows)
Enjoy the company.
Marguerite smiles triumphantly. She puts her dagger away in
her pouch.
Armand sees a piece of gallows rope on the ground... And in a
flash, he throws himself onto her, pushing her to the ground,
puts her hands on her back and binds them with great
dexterity...
ARMAND
Forgive me, Madame !
But the rope is rotten and breaks... Armand stares at the
broken rope for a flash...
While Marguerites wrist escapes his grasp and... She
wriggles around, kicks, bites...
ARMANDMadame, stop, I do not wish to do
what Im doing...
He tries to hold her down but shes strong...
Armand does not dare to hit her... tries to keep her arms
down... they roll on the ground... down the steep hill...
straight into the bushes at the foot of the hill...
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They are in the thick undergrowth... Armand looks around...
He does not see Marguerite... He hears horses hooves...
And suddenly... he gets smacked in the face... by
Marguerite... again and again...
ARMAND
Stop ! Stop !
Marguerite throws herself onto Armand.
ARMAND
(whispers)
Theyre here !
They duck, holding their breath. Horses arrive. Men step down
from their animals.
Marguerite is lying on Armand... their faces close
together... hidden from view by the undergrowth...
FAT SOLDIER
Nothing to the south.
HAWKWOOD
Perhaps Lancelot is in luck.
FAT SOLDIER
Oh my God, oh my God ...
The fat soldier comes closer to the undergrowth. Armand and
Marguerite hold their breath... The soldier stands before
them, just inches away... and starts... urinating...
FAT SOLDIER
Aah...
The soldier lets out a long, protracted fart. Marguerite
closes her eyes in disgust. Her face is just an inch away
from Armands.
FAT SOLDIER
What if they manage to send a
message to Burgundy ? Will the
bold come and get us.
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He finishes urinating.
HAWKWOOD
Let him come. Philip only thinks of
fame and glory. I fought the French
at Poitiers. They fight like women.
FAT SOLDIER
They call him the bold for
nothing, then ?
HAWKWOOD
(sneering)
He was just a boy in armour
protected by Enguerrand.
Marguerite registers.
FAT SOLDIER
And now hes fighting his own duke
?
HAWKWOOD
Six hundred French knights were
taken prisoner. There was a ransom
for the freedom of each knight. The
richest knights were able to pay
the ransom. But some, like
Enguerrand, were unable to pay and
withered away in English jails.
FAT SOLDIER
(understanding)
Forgotten by their king and their
class.
HAWKWOOD(spits)
French chivalry.
FAT SOLDIER
I smell something ...
Armand and Marguerite freeze.
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HAWKWOOD
Why... maybe you didnt wash ...
They all laugh out loud, except for the fat soldier.
FAT SOLDIERI smell dead people and I dont see
em.
Marguerite holds on tight to Armand.
HAWKWOOD
The gallows are just up the hill.
The fat soldier shrugs. A man on horseback arrives. Its
Lancelot.
LANCELOT
Ive made in enquiries in the town.
Theyre not there.
HAWKWOOD
To horse ! We try east.
They jump onto their horses and ride off.
Marguerite lets go off Armand and gets up. Armand stays onthe ground.
MARGUERITE
(cleans her face
frantically)
Of all the humiliations ...
ARMAND
If I had let you go, you would have
ridden straight into their arms.
MARGUERITE
Go hang yourself !
Armand follows her up the hill towards the horse.
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ARMAND
Madame, if we go to the castle, we
should do so as inconspicuously as
possible.
Marguerite looks between the skeletons. She picks a ringmailcoat out of the mud and measures it to his breast as a tailor
would. She nods. He puts it on.
She finds a rusty helmet, shakes it and a skull falls out.
She marches to Armand, takes off his cap, throws it as far
away as possible and puts the helmet on his head.
MARGUERITE
It looks better, trust me.
She pushes the sword point in the mud and jumps on the horse.
Armand wants to get up the horse as well. Marguerite pushes
him off.
MARGUERITE
Servants walk.
(fires her horse)
Pick up my sword.
The horse trots off. Armand picks up the sword, lets it rest
on his shoulder.
EXT. CASTLE GATE / DRAWBRIDGE - DAY23 23
Marguerite rides in sidesaddle style for the first time.
Armand walks next to her. They come near to the drawbridge.
MARGUERITE
Do you have a name, little man ?
ARMANDArmand de Machaut.
MARGUERITE
I dont like it.
ARMAND
Its not yours to have. Its the
only thing that my mother left me.
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A farmer with his cart of hay and his children on top of it,
is behind them. The guards ask everyone their business.
MARGUERITE
(to the gatekeepers)
I want to see the lord of thecastle. Take me to him.
The gatekeepers look at her. Her dress, hair and face
smothered, torn and covered in mud.
GATEKEEPER
Aye, missie, who might you be then,
a princess of France ?
MARGUERITE(straigth-faced)
Not yet, but will be in five days.
They laugh their heads off. Armand cant help smiling too.
Marguerite looks at Armand. He stops smiling.
MARGUERITE
(with authority))
I am Marguerite De Maele, heiress
of Flanders, Artois, Rethel, Nevers
and Sully. If you will not let us
pass this instant, my page will
give you a lesson you will not
forget.
Armand looks up in surprise. The gatekeepers stop laughing
and look at the flabbergasted Armand.
The farmer with his cart draws back, smelling trouble.
Marguerite gives Armand a commanding look. He shows the swordand takes on a tough pose, which is slightly ridiculous. The
gatekeepers take their pikes.
MARGUERITE
Try to spare their lives, seigneur
Armand, just cut off their ears.
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ARMAND
(disappointed tone,
gaining time)
Only their ears, Madame ?
GATEKEEPERSSeigneur... hes a knight ?
The gatekeepers hesitate.
MARGUERITE
Make haste, messire, we do not have
all day.
Armand puts the sword down, leans onto it, casually.
ARMAND
Madame, forgive me, but I cant
fight these twits. It... it...
wouldnt be fair.
The farmer and children observing the scene, smile.
GATEKEEPER
Please excuse us, Madame, follow
me.
Armand sighs in relief.
ARMAND
(to the farmers)
No action today. t is a pity.
Armand bows and puts on a stern face towards one of the
guards. The soldier looks at Armand without emotion.
The gatekeeper leads the way. Marguerite on horseback and
Armand on foot follow him.
EXT. CASTLE GROUNDS - DAY24 24
Marguerite and Armand go under the castle gate into what
looks like a miniature town. Its very crowded. Voices and
noises all around. Dogs and pigs everywhere. Tradesmen sell
cloth, farmers deliver food.
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ARMAND
Very inconspicuous, Madame.
Marguerite looks down at him. He smiles at her. She looks
away in a haughty fashion. They arrive at the court yard past
the stables.
In the castle wall is the hole of a latrine some metres above
the ground. Dirt falls out of it. On the ground, against the
wall is a pile of excrements.
INT. CASTLE HALL - DAY25 25
Armand and Marguerite are brought before LORD JEAN, an old,
unpleasant man. Armand puts off his helmet.
GATEKEEPER
(bowing)
Mylord, this person claims to be...
MARGUERITE
(while Armand innocently
mouthes the list)
Marguerite De Maele, heiress of
Flanders, Artois, Rethel, Nevers,
Sully...
(glances at Armand, who
stops mouthing)
...and future duchess of Burgundy.
(shows the decorated
sheath)
This is the sword of my fathers.
LORD JEAN
(bows, instantly believing
her)
No need, Madame. I recognize a
noblewoman when I see one.
The gatekeepers and lady Vivian immediately follow Lord
Jeans example, bow with one knee to the ground. Armand keeps
standing, uncomfortable.
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LORD JEAN
Jean De Trves, to serve you,
Madame. And this is lady Vivian.
LADY VIVIAN is young, beautiful and decadent. Her eyebrows
have been plucked and her hairline has been heightened on herforehead. Her clothes are daring with a dcolletage that is
perfectly impressive. She carries a lapdog.
LADY VIVIAN
(bows again)
It is a great honour to receive the
famous heiress of Flanders.
Marguerite smiles at this display of honour. Armand cant
keep his eyes off lady Vivian and clumsily drops the helmetwhich clangs onto the stones. Marguerite sighs.
LADY VIVIAN
And your companion is...
ARMAND
(bowing elegantly)
Armand, Seigneur of Machaut, to
serve you, Madame.
Marguerite looks at Armand with irritation.
MARGUERITE
My escort was killed by English
mercenaries led by Enguerrand De
Saissac.
LORD JEAN
Enguerrand de Sai...
MARGUERITEYou know him, my lord ?
LORD JEAN
We fought together at Poitiers...
ARMAND
(mutters to himself)
Hasnt everyone ?
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MARGUERITE
I shall need to write a message to
my future husband to inform him of
my situation.
LADY VIVIAN(looking at Armand, who
smiles at her in
response)
Of course...
LORD JEAN
We will arrange for a banquet in
your honour and make your stay
worthy of your titles.
MARGUERITE
My husband and myself will never
forget your hospitality and your
protection.
Lord Jean bows in acknowledgement.
INT. LIBRARY - DAY26 26
Silence reigns. Lady Vivian leads Marguerite and Armand into
a room filled with writing desks, books and charts. Armand is
overwhelmed by the literature. Marguerite tries to show no
emotion.
LADY VIVIAN
(soft voice)
You are a man of poetry, seigneur.
ARMAND
(soft voice)
Very much, Madame.
LADY VIVIAN
(seductive)
I believe we have much in common.
A WOMAN SERVANT gives Marguerite quills, ink and paper.
Marguerite starts writing but cant keep her eyes off Armand
and lady Vivian. She cant hear what theyre saying.
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When Armand looks at her, Marguerite plunges back into the
letter shes writing. He walks towards her, looks over her
shoulder.
ARMAND
(smiles and whispers)My dearly beloved duke ?
Marguerite doesnt say anything.
ARMAND
(whispers)
Dont you have a pet name for him?
Sugar or honey?
Marguerite sighs.
ARMAND
You have met him, or not?
MARGUERITE
Go away, I am trying to
concentrate...
Lady Vivian watches them from a distance with mild amusement
while caressing the lapdog in her arm.
ARMAND
(whispers)
If you have not met him, how do you
know you love him ?
MARGUERITE
I know.
ARMAND
You know ?
MARGUERITE
(whispers, furiously)
Ive known him all my life. Ever
since I was a girl, Ive heard of
his adventures. He is the best
knight of all.
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I cannot remember a day when I did
not think of him, when I did not
long to be his mistress, his
lady... and now he is mine.
Armand looks at Marguerite in astonishment. Lady Vivianobserves them. He crouches down on his knees and thinks.
ARMAND
(whispers)
If too much love could make women
die. Think, then, how marked a
woman am I...
She looks down at him.
ARMAND
Well, write it down.
Marguerite hesitates... and does so...
MARGUERITE
(repeats)
If too much love could make women
die. Think, then, ...
ARMAND...how marked a woman am I.
(thinks)
Here in this heart lies a love
thats so rare; Earths truest
loves are all false by compare.
MARGUERITE
(whispers)
Not so fast...
Armand moves closer to her and slowly goes up, as if hes
taking in the whole of her body... feet, legs...
ARMAND
(whispers passionately)
I know each night when I undress...
Marguerite starts... writes, mouthes the words...
53.
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ARMAND
(looks at her breasts, her
neck)
Sleep is the last thing Ill
find... I lose my nights to
sleeplessness, holding you for ever
in my mind.
Marguerites hands tremble. His voice is erotic.
ARMAND
(looks at her face, her
lips)
While I cant see you and dwell
here in dearth, I love your thought
more... than all sights on earth.
Armand looks into her eyes. He smiles at her, beaming with
self-confidence, gets up.
ARMAND
(formal again)
Signed. Your countess of a thousand
dreams. Your bride of a thousand
weeks.
(cool)Marguerite De Maele, heiress of
Flanders, Artois, etcetera,...
MARGUERITE
(interrupting)
I know that part.
She scribbles it down, closes the paper and lets candle-
grease drip onto it. She wants to seal the letter with the
ring, hesitates, takes off her necklace and uses the
medallion. The imprint in wax is of a wolf torn apart by
sheep.
Marguerite walks to Lady Vivian, hands over the letter.
Armand sports a smile.
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MARGUERITE
... And could you make sure that
seigneur Armand gets a bath.
Armands smile disappears. Vivian gives the letter to a woman
servant.
LADY VIVIAN
You will join us at our table,
messire, wont you ?
Marguerite looks at Lady Vivian in surprise. But she does not
react. He bows and cant help looking at her fabulous
dcolletage. Marguerite sees it.
MARGUERITEYour bath awaits you, messire.
Her voice brings Armand back to reality.
INT. STABLES - EVENING27 27
The woman servant runs into the stables and finds lord Jean.
He takes the sealed scroll and walks up to a MESSENGER who
wears a coat of chain-mail and a helmet.
Lord Jean and the messenger exchange telling glances. Themessenger climbs onto a steed. He rides off like lightning.
INT. CASTLE / GREAT HALL - EVENING28 28
The great hall has been prepared for a feast and the scene is
- in a word - splendid. These are not the dark ages. These
are the high middle ages in all their splendour.
A master table with white linen has been put just before the
beautifully decorated fireplace.
One more table with nobles are at both sides of the hall. All
decked out with extravagant hats. The walls are covered with
Flemish tapestry and servants in immaculate dress are walking
up and down.
Hot, spiced wine is poured from silver pitchers, shaped like
wolvess mouths. Armand takes a gulp.
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Silver spoons are laid upside down next to silver plates. A
large, primitive clock is ticking time.
Armand is sitting at the master table. His clothes washed and
dried. Lady Vivian smiles at him. She is sitting next to her
husband. The seat next to Armand is still empty.
Trumpets sound. And in walks Marguerite in a less rich but
beautiful dress. She wears her rings and her diamond necklace
with the medallion.
The nobles hold their breath as if they are witnessing beauty
for the first time. Marguerite enjoys her moment, sits down.
Lady Vivian caresses her lapdog.
LADY VIVIAN(to Marguerite)
It is said that you have the
fairest face of Flanders. I see
that it is no exaggeration.
Marguerite nods in acknowledgement. Armand smiles at her. She
ignores him. He drinks more wine.
Musicians play on string instruments, typical of nobility:
psaltrions, harps and medieval violins.
Soup is served and Armand attacks it with animal ferocity. He
brings his head down and spoons the soup into his mouth. He
looks up at...
MARGUERITE
(whispers sharply)
You bring the spoon to your mouth.
Not the other way around.
Armand looks at her, does as he is told, but slurps.
MARGUERITE
(whisper)
And try to pretend not to slurp.
Armand puts his spoon down, finishes his cup of wine.
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LADY VIVIAN
(interrupting)
I hear Philip is the most elegantly
dressed man in Europe. That he
decorates his hats with feathers of
rare birds from India and Africa.
MARGUERITE
He has indeed wonderful hats.
LADY VIVIAN
There is this one bird which has
the most colourful of feathers,
what is it...
ARMAND(red cheeks from the wine)
A parrot !
Marguerite pulverizes Armand with her look.
LADY VIVIAN
Of course, a parrot. Thank you,
messire.
MARGUERITE
I love a man with feathers.
Especially a parrots.
ARMAND
(with his mouth full)
Ah, but it is vain.
Marguerite and Lady Vivian, fall silent and look at Armand.
The other guests are also looking at Armand who now grows red
and swallows the meat thats in his mouth.
ARMAND
All birds are vain. Its in their
nature.
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MARGUERITE
Legend has it that Tristan himself
adorned his combat helmet with
eagles feathers. Would you say he
was vain ?
All eyes are directed towards Armand and Marguerite.
ARMAND
No-no-no.
(a beat, the nobles smile)
Poor old Tristan just had woman
trouble...
Marguerites amazement. Lady Vivian giggles.
MARGUERITE
Oh ?
ARMAND
Tristan fell in love with the one
woman he could not have. The one
woman who set his life on fire and
put it out again.
Marguerite smiles.
ARMAND
His reward was darkness.
MARGUERITE
(loud)
His reward was legend. t Is the
essence of chivalry. You should
know, messire.
Armand, feeling caught, smiles stupidly. Marguerites eyesradiate disdain. The sound of trumpets saves him from
embarrassment.
Servants bring in the food: a roasted peacock with its tail
feathers in full display, a cooked swan floating on a pond of
green pastry and a tremendous meat pie.
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LADY VIVIAN
Perhaps Armand may do us the honour
of cutting the meat.
Lady Vivian parts her hands for Armand to go ahead. Armand
picks up the linen tablecloth to wipe off his mouth but hesees Marguerites livid eyes and drops it.
Armand walks to a small table while the nobles continue
talking. Next to the silver plate with the meat pie are two
precious carving knives. Armand is at a loss.
Still inebriated, he clumsily cuts open the meat and sees
something wriggling inside... He shrinks back... Drops the
knife... And a cloud of small, living birds spurts out of the
pie...
The nobles laugh and applaud. Marguerites eyes roll up.
Armand picks up the knife, cuts a piece, more elegantly now
and turns to lady Vivian.
ARMAND
Pray allow me, lady Vivian, to
taste your meat.
Vivian smiles. Armand tastes the meat with succulence.Marguerites face turns sour. Lord Jean looks suspicious.
ARMAND
I do believe... that angels have
just watered my tongue... and that
nothing in the world is as
delicious as what is before me
here.
LORD JEAN(interrupting)
Let us eat.
Armand bows to finish his act. Lady Vivian claps, as do the
other nobles. Marguerite sighs. Armand goes back to the
table, takes another gulp of wine.
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INT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT29 29
Marguerite paces up and down the large room, which has a
beautiful four poster bed, tapestries and a large shield to
the wall. She is wrestling with her thoughts and feelings.
Marguerite takes her fathers sword, opens the shutter of her
window, kneels down and holds the hilt of the sword to pray.
MARGUERITE
(firm)
Please God, hear my prayer, let
Philip come and save me... he must
come, you know he must.
She looks up at he starry night and the full moon.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT30 30
Full moon. The messenger gallops on the road, the woods at
either side of him. He hears shrieking above him and sees...
a hawk.
He fires his horse but, in the distance, dwarfed by the
trees, he sees a horseman. The messenger slows down. The
horseman does not seem to move. The hawk flies towards the
horsemans hand. A moment of silence.
MESSENGER
(yells)
Messire Enguerrand de Saissac ?
The two horsemen ride towards each other in extended trot.
MESSENGER
Messire Enguerrand ?
Enguerrand nods, his hand on the hilt of his sword. The
messenger gives him the scroll. He reads it. He picks up his
elephant horn and blows it... the horses shrink back...
Enguerrand blows the elephant again and its sound rebounds
over the vast, dark wood...
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INT. SLEEPING QUARTERS - NIGHT31 31
A large room with bunk beds. Servants and soldiers, men and
women are sleeping. Clothes are hanging from the beds. It is
a crowded place. Armand is snoring. A hand shakes his
shoulder. He jumps up and looks into the face of...
Lady Vivians woman servant. Her hands tell him to be quiet
and to follow her. He steps out of bed. His helmet clangs to
the floor. A sleeper curses.
INT. STAIRS - NIGHT32 32
Armand, half dressed, arrives at Lady Vivians chamber. He is
still inebriated... His steps are unsure... The woman servant
smiles, lets him enter. He sees...
INT. LADY VIVIANS BEDROOM - NIGHT33 33
A four poster bed that dominates the room. Two buckets with
flowers and a low bedside table with candles and a cask of
wine. Armand takes the cask of wine, drinks...
A womans hand comes out from between the bed curtains. The
hand urges Armand to come closer.
ARMAND(whisper)
Mother of God.
When Armand comes closer to the bed, the hand grabs Armand
and pulls him into the bed. The lapdog, in a basket, looks
on.
ARMAND
Madame Vivian...
LADY VIVIAN
The less you speak now, the
better...
Her hands move under his clothes, she kisses his breast. He
peels off his shirt, smiles...
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When... Suddenly... He hears a bird shriek... he listens but
her hands are everywhere... He kisses her... A second shriek
and...
Armand, uncomfortable, gets up, jumps to the window, pushes
open the shutter...
LADY VIVIAN
Armand, come...
Armand looks out... He sees torches in the streets and hears
hooves on stones... And above the houses floats...
Enguerrands hawk... Which shrieks a third time...
ARMAND
(terrified)Theyre here.
LADY VIVIAN
What ?
ARMAND
Enguerrand and Lancelot.
LADY VIVIAN
Theres nothing you can do. Stay
here with me.
ARMAND
But we have to warn your husband.
He must...
LADY VIVIAN
My husband lives by prince Edmunds
leave. This is a war and
he had to take sides.
Armand is aghast, trying to focus...
LADY VIVIAN
(as she opens the sheets)
They wont look here.
Armand hesitates, wrestling with himself. Vivian looks at his
reaction, amused.
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ARMAND
Where are my ladys chambers ?
LADY VIVIAN
Why help her ? Youre nothing to
her. Nothing.
ARMAND
Yes, I know but...
The hawk shrieks again. Armand is torn by indecision...
LADY VIVIAN
Stay and be my pleasure...
ARMAND
(after a beat)
Please, where are her chambers ?
Lady Vivian looks at him and smiles.
LADY VIVIAN
(disdainfully)
What do you expect from her,
gratitude?
INT. CASTLE CORRIDOR - NIGHT34 34
Armand hurries, still half-clothed, through the dark
corridor. There is a GUARD in the corridor with a halberd: a
long, spear-like weapon with a long blade and a hook. The
guard is sleeping. Armand pushes open the heavy door.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT35 35
Armand runs to the four poster bed, opens the curtains and
sees her sleeping peacefully. Her beauty is striking and
makes him hesitate for a moment. Then he tries to wake her,
taps her shoulder.
ARMAND
Madame...
She is fast asleep... He slaps her face... Its a hard
slap... He did not measure the strength of his slap well...
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Marguerite instantly opens her eyes ... Sees Armand on top of
her and lets out a scream...
Armand throws himself onto her, pushes his hand on her
mouth... She slams her fist in his face, pushes him off the
bed...
ARMAND
Enguerrand is here.
Marguerite freezes.
ARMAND
Lord Jean betrayed you. He...
MARGUERITE
Turn around.
ARMAND
What ?
MARGUERITE
Turn around !
Marguerite rolls out of bed, naked, and jumps into her
underskirt. Frantically. She steps into her dress, puts her
necklace under her shirt.
MARGUERITE
Help me.
Armand turns around and sees the intricate strings on the
back of her dress. Armand pulls at the strings with force and
ties a knot.
MARGUERITE
Aie ! Brute ! Youve been
drinking...
She takes the sword, picks up stuff she can find: an animal
hide, a cape, a spear, a loaf of bread. It makes a bundle.
MARGUERITE
Let us go.
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ARMAND
No.
MARGUERITE
What ?
ARMAND
You go. I... Im staying here.
Marguerite looks at him, not comprehending.
ARMAND
(goes to the door)
Adieu, Madame.
MARGUERITE
Enguerrand will feed you to his
hawk.
ARMAND
No, I have a place to hide.
Marguerite looks at him, his codpiece dangling between his
legs. She understands.
MARGUERITE
(scornfully)Pray allow me to taste your meat.
You common, no good...
ARMAND
I will take my leave now.
MARGUERITE
You are the most pathetic excuse
for a man Ive ever seen.
ARMAND
(angry, emboldened by the
wine)
And you are the most irritating
woman Ive ever met. And I didnt
even sleep with you.
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MARGUERITE
How dare you talk to me like that?
ARMAND
I say anything I like, you silly
person.
MARGUERITE
I am a noble and you...
ARMAND
When Adam delved and Eve span,
where was the nobleman then, huh?
Armand turns, leaving Marguerite nonplussed.
MARGUERITE
But, wait, I... I need you.
ARMAND
I have done my duty.
MARGUERITE
(panic)
I will give you money.
ARMANDIf I go with you, Ill die.
MARGUERITE
(angry)
You will never be a man, ever !
I hope you rot in hell.
ARMAND
(furious)
Any devil in hell will be bettercompany than you.
MARGUERITE
You will not be missed !
Marguerite pushes him aside, goes out but is instantly
overtaken by the guard. She tries to wrestle herself loose
but cant and...
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Armand hesitates about what to do... Marguerite is unable to
free herself and... Armand takes the shield off the wall and
crashes it onto the mans head... The guard drops to the
floor.
Armand looks down at the unconscious guard and smilestriumphantly at Marguerite.
MARGUERITE
He was not that tall.
Armands smile disappears. He picks up the guards halberd...
INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT36 36
Armand and Marguerite rush through the corridor, want to go
down the staircase but hear voices downstairs. Enguerrand and
his men are coming up.
MARGUERITE
We cant go down.
They look at one another.
ARMAND
Well, we certainly cant go up.
MARGUERITE
We stand and fight...
ARMAND(to himself)
Think, think...
And suddenly Armand knows... He takes Marguerite by the hand
and drags her with him.
INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT37 37
Armand runs up to the end of the corridor... He points at the
stone hole in the wall...
ARMAND
Here!
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MARGUERITE
What ?
ARMAND
Through here.
MARGUERITE
This is a latrine. Im not going
down there...
ARMAND
After you, madame..
Armand takes her sword from her and pushes her down the
latrine... She tries to resist...
MARGUERITE
No !
Armand stands on her shoulders - sword and halberd in his
arms... and they both plunge down the stinking hole in the
wall...
Marguerite falls into a heap of excrements at the bottom of
the castle wall... Armand falls almost on top of her...
Making dirt splatter... Marguerite doesnt believe what she
fell into...
ARMAND
We took a bath for nothing.
Marguerite is livid... Armand takes her wrist leads her up to
the stable roof... She tears her wrist from him, takes her
sword...
EXT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT39 39
Enguerrand walks into Marguerites bedroom and finds it
empty. Enguerrand, furious, turns to Lord Jean.
ENGUERRAND
Where is she, Jean ?
LORD JEAN
I... I...
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ENGUERRAND
Where is she ?
The fat soldier rushes up the stairs.
FAT SOLDIER(panting)
The troubadour is not in the
sleeping quarters. Some woman
servant woke him up...
Lord Jean presses his lips together.
EXT. CASTLE GROUNDS - NIGHT40 40
Marguerite and Armand on the stables roof. They slip in a
ventilation shaft and...
INT. STABLES - NIGHT41 41
They land in the middle of the stables. Left and right are
horses. The ventilation shafts light the stables with beams
of moonlight. They are both covered in dirt.
Marguerite saddles some horse while Armand goes looking for
Isolde. He finds her and sees next to her... Lancelot.
Lancelots gloved hand takes Armand by the hair and crushes
him into a wooden beam. He ties his iron belt around the beam
and Armands throat, crushing his larynx.
LANCELOT
(whispers)
Enguerrand will be so pleased to
see you.
MARGUERITE (V.O.)
Armand.
LANCELOT
Hes here, little princess.
Marguerite shrinks back. Armand utters squealing sounds.
69.
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8/6/2019 Ballad of Marguerite
71/133
LANCELOT
I thought you might make for the
stables.
Marguerite drops her bundle, frantically takes off her rings
and bracelets... They fall in the dust...
Lancelot lights the torches one by one.
When all the jewelry is gone from her hands and wrists,
Marguerite unsheathes her fathers sword, takes it into both
hands, her fingers having a firm grip on the hilt... She
kisses the bone in the hilt...
LANCELOT
Oh, what do we have here:resistance ?
She is standing in the middle of the stables. Her arms
tremble...
LANCELOT
Heavy, isnt it ? Not made for
womens arms. You should yield.
What do you think, troubadour?
Armand cant utter a sound. The belt is crushing his throat.
LANCELOT
Oh, hes run out of songs.
Marguerite charges at him with a cry. Lancelot is baffled by
her quick assault. He is only just able to ward off the
attack. The swords clang. Again and again.
Marguerite fights fast and wildly, pushing Lancelot into a
defensive position and delivering blow after blow. Shecorners Lancelot and hacks at him. He checks the blow... T