The Fair Maiden Calina, Part 7

 

EXT. ORCHARD. AFTERNOON.

    

Calina meets Prince Liam under the cherry tree again. She never put her hood on and tosses aside her cloak. Prince Liam smiles.

PRINCE LIAM:

I missed you yesterday.

 

CALINA:

Sorry, it’s hard to get

away sometimes. I’m ready

for my lesson.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

I can see your confidence

growing already!

 

He pulls out his sword and hands it to her. She shakes as she holds it.

PRINCE LIAM:

Don’t think of it as a

deadly weapon. Think of

it as an extension of

your arm. Use it when

you want to protect someone.

 

CALINA:

I’ll try.

 

She thinks for a moment, grips the sword harder, and swings. Prince Liam jumps out of the way.

PRINCE LIAM:

Nicely done! But keep

in mind it is against

the law to harm royalty.

 

CALINA:

Well, at least I’d get

three square meals.

 

They both laugh.

　

　

START CALINA MONTAGE.

INT. GUTHRAN’S LIVING ROOM.

Calina cleans the house with no objections and with ease. Guthran looks suspicious.

EXT. ORCHARD. AFTERNOON.

Prince Liam and Calina chat pleasantly with a picnic lunch. Calina throws a piece of grass at him playfully, and he throws one back. They have a grass fight and laugh.

INT. CLASSROOM.

Calina cleans the room with an almost smile on her face. Her classmates find that strange. She looks at her new bracelet and smiles.

EXT. VILLAGE ROAD. AFTERNOON.

A small crowd has gathered to watch a caravan of actors perform a skit. Prince Liam and Calina watch joyfully.

INT. UNDERWORLD HALL.

Calina (who is now wearing a pink belt) hums as she sweeps the stoop. Her neighbors tease her, but she ignores them. They leave her alone, confused.

INT. SITTING ROOM. NIGHT.

Prince Liam tells King Braham and King Baudric about his day. He mimics Calina’s swordplay, and they look impressed.

EXT. ORCHARD. AFTERNOON.

Calina (who is wearing make up) finishes a book whose ending moves her to tears. She hugs Prince Liam, who holds her close.

　

　

END MONTAGE.

　

　

INT. GUTHRAN’S LIVING ROOM.

Guthran sits on his sofa. Calina enters wearing a pink cloak.

GUTHRAN:

What the hell is that?

 

CALINA:

Don’t you like it?

 

GUTHRAN:

That is a hideous cloak.

Make the tailor do a

new one.

 

Calina summons all of her bravery.

CALINA:

No.

 

Guthran gets up.

GUTHRAN:

What did you say?

 

CALINA:

You heard me. You didn’t

object to my pink belt.

Why shouldn’t I have a

matching cloak?

 

GUTHRAN:

Your cloak covered the

belt. I don’t want

you wearing that cloak!

 

CALINA:

Why? Why don’t you want

me to be seen? Are you

ashamed?

 

GUTHRAN:

Yes! I hate the fact the

only woman that I love

is a lazy, ugly, mouthy

piece of garbage!

 

CALINA:

If you think those things

then you can’t possibly love

me! Why do you wanna marry me?

 

Guthran loses his temper and punches her in the face. Calina falls down from shock. He picks her up by the hair.

GUTHRAN:

Do you see what you

made me do? Do you

think I like hurting you?

 

Calina says nothing. He throws her to the ground.

GUTHRAN:

Go! Go take a walk and

think about your behavior!

Don’t forget, in a week

and a half we will wed!

 

He storms into his room. Calina quickly runs out.

　

　

EXT. ORCHARD EVENING.

Calina tries to stare bravely at the setting sun. She makes two fists in front of her face to try to stop the tears, but the sting forces her to let them out. She slowly sinks to the ground and sobs.

PRINCE LIAM:

Calina?

 

Calina is surprised to hear his voice.

CALINA:

What are you still

doing here?

 

PRINCE LIAM:

I’ve taken to writing

under that apple tree.

But never mind that. What

happened?

 

CALINA:

It’s nothing.

 

Prince Liam kneels down the get to her eye level. He tries to look at her face, but she turns away. He uses his hand to turn her face to him. Calina is crying, and he can see a bruise forming on her face.

PRINCE LIAM:

Does it still hurt?

 

CALINA:

I can’t think about

the pain. If I do, I’d

be hurting all the time.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

Oh, Calina!

 

He holds her tight, and she clutches him.

PRINCE LIAM:

(softly)

Don’t marry him.

 

CALINA:

I have to!

 

PRINCE LIAM:

Marry me!

 

CALINA:

If I do, he’d kill you!

 

PRINCE LIAM:

I don’t care!

 

CALINA:

But I do! Your kingdom

needs you. The time I

spent with you has been

a dream come true. But

I’ve always know that I

could never be a part of

this world. I have never

been happier, but I always

knew that this life with

you would be taken away

from me.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

I’m not going anywhere.

Even if I have to spend

the rest of my life camped

under these trees! I don’t

care if he catches me with

you. I could never be with

anyone else. Not anymore. I

love you!

 

CALINA:

Don’t say that! It’s going

to make everything harder!

(sobs)

I’m so scared!

 

PRINCE LIAM:

Of him, I know. That’s why-

 

CALINA:

No, I’m scared because no

one has ever cared for me

before, so I’ve never grown

attached to anyone before.

I don’t know what would’ve

been worse-if I went my

whole life never learning

how kind people can be, how

I can be accepted for who I

am, and that I would never

marry him knowing how much

better my life could be.

Or this; I get a short

time in heaven only to be

locked away forever from

the only man I’ve ever

cared about. I shouldn’t

have, but I do; I love you!

 

Prince Liam starts to cry a little too.

CALINA:

I’m sorry!

 

PRINCE LIAM:

I’m not!

 

Calina looks up at him, and he wipes away her tears. She impulsively kisses him. She stops to apologize.

CALINA:

I…

 

Before she can finish, he kisses her back. They passionately embrace until they hear footsteps.

CALINA:

(whispers)

Get out of here!

 

Prince Liam starts to object.

CALINA:

Now!

 

Prince Liam gets on his horse and trots away. Calina walks back to the Underworld.

The Fair Maiden Calina, Part 6

EXT. ORCHARD. AFTERNOON.

 

Prince Liam waits under the cherry tree for Calina. It is apparent that he has been waiting for a long time. He sees Calina coming out of the Underworld and bolts up. Calina practically skips over to him.

 

CALINA:

 

I love your book!

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Really?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

Yes! The princess rescues

 

the prince-how different!

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

You read the whole thing

 

already?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

I couldn’t put it down!

 

I would title it “The

 

Princess of Valor.”

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

I love it. Thank you for

 

helping me.

 

 

 

Calina looks a little confused.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

You don’t get a lot of

 

thank you’s, do you?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

That would be a first.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Well, I hope I don’t

 

embarrass you by giving

 

you another token of my

 

appreciation.

 

 

 

He hands her the necklace that the servant gave him. She looks at incredulously.

 

CALINA:

 

I’ve never gotten a

 

present before!

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Let me help you put it on.

 

 

 

He goes behind her and brushes the hair away from her neck. While he puts it on, Calina feels nervous but also kind of excited. Her stomach growls, and she gets embarrassed.

 

CALINA:

 

Sorry. After a couple

 

days, that will go away.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

He starves you often?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

No, clearly. See how

 

overweight I am?

 

 

 

Prince Liam is surprised by that response.

 

CALINA:

 

I always figured that

 

was one reason why I

 

am considered hideous.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Okay, how do I put this

 

and still be a gentleman?

 

(beat)

 

Your figure, those curves,

 

they are very appealing

 

to men in our region.

 

 

 

Prince Liam blushes a little. Calina does not know how to react.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Anyways, there is a lovely

 

little bakery right there in

 

the village. I would be

 

honored if you would join

 

me for lunch.

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

You want me to into the

 

village? They will be

 

mean to me!

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

They wouldn’t dare with

 

me around. Or without

 

really. Most people are

 

pretty friendly.

 

 

 

Calina looks skeptical.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

If you don’t enjoy it, I’ll

 

never ask again.

 

 

 

Calina shrugs and reluctantly agrees to go. Prince Liam smiles and escorts her away.

 

　

 

　

 

INT. BAKERY. AFTERNOON.

 

Prince Liam brings food over to a small table where Calina tries to hide her face.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

You can’t hide your face

 

and eat at the same time.

 

 

 

Calina takes her hands off of her face.

 

BAKER:

 

Woah, Prince Liam! Where

 

did you find this princess?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

I am a mere servant.

 

 

 

BAKER:

 

If servants were as pretty

 

as you, I’d spend all my

 

money on one!

 

 

 

The baker’s wife glares on him.

 

BAKER:

 

What?

 

 

 

The wife rolls her eyes but smiles. Calina laughs.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

What is it like living

 

in the Underworld?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

Honestly, I hate it! I

 

know it’s horrible to say.

 

I should be grateful to

 

have a home at all.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Well, I don’t blame you.

 

It’s shameful the way

 

they treat you!

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

Well, I have to get used

 

to it. In two months, when

 

I come of age, I must wed

 

Guthran.

 

 

 

Prince Liam spits his drink out in surprise.

 

BAKER’S WIFE:

 

Hey! Don’t you make a mess

 

on my floor!

 

 

 

BAKER:

 

Darling, that’s the prince!

 

 

 

BAKER’S WIFE:

 

So? I’m queen here!

 

 

 

Calina laughs again.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

This stepfather, the one who

 

abuses you, he’s going to

 

marry you?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

I know, but what choice

 

do I have?

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Run away!

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

But where would I go?

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Come with me. Or you can

 

go to the king. We could

 

protect you.

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

I can’t just go. I dream

 

about it, but as long as

 

he lives, he would find

 

me. And he is governor;

 

he would punish me.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Well, there is still two

 

months. I want to get to

 

know you.

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

There’s not much else

 

to me.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

What if I taught you

 

how to use a sword?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

Huh?

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

In addition to giving you

 

books, I’d like to teach

 

you to fight. It helped

 

me feel confident and

 

safe because I know

 

that I can take care of

 

myself in an emergency.

 

I think it would help you too.

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

I admit when I read about

 

sword fights, I found them

 

intriguing. Okay, I’ll

 

do it!

 

 

 

BAKER:

 

My wife doesn’t need a

 

sword; her tongue is as

 

sharp as knives!

 

 

 

The baker’s wife nods in agreement. Prince Liam and Calina laugh.

 

　

 

　

 

INT. GUTHRAN’S LIVING ROOM.

 

Calina enters the home, and Guthran limps out of the room.

 

GUTHRAN:

 

What is that ugly thing

 

around your neck?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

I found it.

 

 

 

He looks suspicious but says no more on it.

 

GUTHRAN:

 

Well, get to your chores.

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

I’ve finished them.

 

 

 

GUTHRAN:

 

Then go prepare my dinner!

 

Quit being lazy!

 

 

 

Guthran hobbles back into his room. Calina looks at her necklace and smiles.

The Fair Maiden Calina, Part 5

 

EXT. ORCHARD. MORNING.

 

Calina finishes a book and starts to cry.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Do you always come here

 

to cry?

 

 

 

Calina is startled and gets up to leave.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

I have a book for you.

 

 

 

Curious, Calina goes to look. She picks it up and looks at the title page.

 

CALINA:

 

Where is the title?

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

I haven’t thought of one

 

yet. Perhaps you can think

 

of one for me.

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

You’re an author?

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Yes. I haven’t sent anything

 

to the public yet. After I

 

hear your opinion, I will

 

consider it.

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

Wow, thank you.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

So, I will return here to-

 

morrow to see your opinion

 

so far.

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

Tomorrow? I’ll have to think

 

of an excuse to come out

 

tomorrow.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Wait, before you go, can I

 

please know your name?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

He told me not to tell

 

anyone.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

How would he know? He

 

never comes out here.

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

That’s a good point.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

What harm could it possibly

 

do to tell people your name?

 

 

 

CALINA:

 

It’s Calina.

 

 

 

She blushes furiously and leaves hastily.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Until tomorrow, Calina.

 

 

 

　

 

　

 

INT. DINING HALL. NIGHT.

 

King Braham sits at the head of the table but dines amongst his servants. It is a large but fairly friendly room, and the table has a myriad of food. Prince Liam enters and sits next to King Braham.

 

KING BRAHAM:

 

Prince Liam! Welcome! Please,

 

help yourself to whatever’s

 

left.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Thank you. Where is your

 

Queen Erycine?

 

 

 

KING BRAHAM:

 

Still looking for our baby.

 

She swears that someone

 

kidnapped her and raised her

 

as their own, so she’s

 

been searching all over the

 

world for her. Right now,

 

she’s south in Africa.

 

But she’ll be home in a

 

couple of months. We

 

still celebrate her birthday

 

throughout the kingdom.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

I wonder if Calina would

 

want to attend.

 

 

 

KNIGHT 1:

 

Who is Calina?

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

The Orphan of the Under-

 

world. She told me this

 

morning.

 

 

 

The table went silent.

 

SERVANT 1:

 

She talked to you?

 

 

 

SERVANT 2:

 

And told you her name?

 

 

 

KNIGHT 2:

 

Did she show you her face?

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

I’ve seen her face. Her

 

eyes look so familiar to me,

 

I don’t know why. However,

 

I know that she likes books,

 

so if I keep bringing her

 

some of my writing, perhaps,

 

she’ll open up to me a little

 

more. I know it probably

 

doesn’t make sense, but I’m

 

intrigued by her.

 

 

 

KING BRAHAM:

 

You said yesterday because

 

she is so different. Why is

 

she different? Because she’s

 

not throwing herself at your

 

feet?

 

 

 

The servants and knights laugh.

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

I think that’s part of it.

 

 

 

KNIGHT 3:

 

I think it’s the chase.

 

Knight or not, men like to

 

conquer. Wooing her would

 

be a true accomplishment.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

Yes, that’s true. I feel like

 

I’d really connect with her,

 

you know. I don’t know,

 

something in my instincts

 

says this is the way to go.

 

 

 

SERVANT 3:

 

If you think she could be

 

the one, then take this

 

necklace.

 

 

 

He removes a necklace from his neck and hands it to Prince Liam. It is a simple heart pendant made from scrap metal but still has the elegance of something more expensive.

 

SERVANT 3:

 

I gave it to my late

 

wife, and I had good luck

 

in winning her heart.

 

 

 

PRINCE LIAM:

 

It is simple enough, so

 

perhaps Guthran will let

 

her keep it.

 

 

 

KING BRAHAM:

 

Well son, we wish you

 

luck with your Calina.

 

 

 

He raises his glass. All but Prince Liam do likewise and drink. Prince Liam smiles.

 

　

 

　

 

INT. GUTHRAN’S LIVING ROOM.

 

GUTHRAN:

 

I hope a week without

 

supper teaches you a lesson

 

for being such a lousy maid!

 

 

 

He limps into his bedroom and snuffs out the candle. Calina holds back her tears. She reaches in her cloak for a handkerchief and finds Prince Liam’s book. She reads it and looks intrigued.