EXT. GERMAN, RENAISSANCE CITY - DAY

TITLE "Wittenberg Germany, October 31st, 1517"

EXT. MARKETPLACE - DAY

We MOVE over a sea of Renaissance heads to a BAKERY SIGN.

INT. BAKERY - DAY

An English NUN (55) (think Maggie Smith) buys cookies from a round-cheeked baker who gives her the wrapped parcel. She exits into a lane full of vendors of every fruit, meat and vegetable.

EXT. LANE - DAY

The nun studies a window full of exotic, imported teas, then goes inside. On her bosom, a mother-of-pearl WHITE SWAN necklace.

INT. TEASHOP

She is helped by a clerk.

NUN

The Indian, and the Chinese.

The clerk holds up the box. The nun sniffs the teas and points.

EXT. STREET, - DAY

As she comes out of the shop, she hears OS sounds of an angry mob.

EXT. PLAZA AND SIDE STREET

The Nun emerges from a side street. She looks toward CAMERA in horror.

CATHEDRAL, HER P.O.V.

It is surrounded by a mob.

NUN

She runs toward CAMERA.

CHURCH, CLOSER ANGLE

MARTIN LUTHER, (31) nails his proclamation to the large doors of the church. The nun enters fray in BG, pushing her way in.

LUTHER (ranting)

The church is guilty of the sin of venality. Bow to their priests no more. There are Protestant churches where you won't have to buy your ticket to heaven!

The nun runs up to the crowd at the bottom of the steps.

NUN (to an ANGRY WOMAN)

What is he saying?

ANGRY WOMAN

That you are corrupt.

NUN (aghast)

What?

The nun takes it personally and guiltily hides the package in her arms.

PROTESTANT CITIZEN

The church sells indulgences so only the rich can go to heaven.

NUN

A few priests---but they in no way represent---

The Protestants move away.

NUN (continuing)

---the church as a whole---

A STOUT PRIEST opens the church door, tears the indictment off.

PEASANT (seeing priest, shouting)

You know what Jesus did to money changers in the temple. Threw them into the street!

As the mob jeers, the priest throws the crumpled flyer at them. It hits the nun who is ascending the stairs. The priest slides behind the door. The nun bolts up the stairs and through the door which slams shut.

INT. CHURCH - SEMI-DARKNESS

Nun and Priest walk along back of the room to a side door. He goes through his keys, unable to find the one that will open it. She studies the crumpled indictment of the church.

NUN

It advocates revolt against the church.

PRIEST (under his breath)

Does this Luther person know what he's doing? He'll tear Europe into bleeding pieces. All to make himself a place in history no doubt.

The door finally swings open. The nun goes past him into the convent. He locks the door carefully then follows her. CHORAL ORATIOS are HEARD in BG. Placid sisters walk in pairs, eyes downcast. The Priest catches up.

PRIEST (out of breath)

Give the peasants a second religion, you just give them a reason to kill each other. These insects just got the hang of this faith, which took them a thousand years. Catholicism has unified Europe. What more can you ask of a religion?

NUN (hopefully)

Two religions gives people a choice.

PRIEST

Are a thousand years of peace something to tinker with? If it isn't broken don't fix it, I say.

He unlocks another ancient door and the Nun goes through it, into the patio of a school. Here, girls in lovely period dresses walk amoung fountains and trees, in groups, laughing. They quiet down when they see the Nun, who goes to her classroom door.

 INT. CLASSROOM

Nun enters, smoothing her veils. The class is full of Renaissance, about-to-be-Reformation, artistocratic girls who spot the package in her arms and pinch each other joyfully. The nun sets her package on the lecturn. She takes her ruler, taps.

NUN

Girls, in our review of Prehistoric England, today we shall learn about a little known Anglish hero, Percival, who served King Arthur as a Knight.

The girls groan with boredom, led by MARGRET (15).

NUN

Margaret, it shan't be all that dull. And if you actually learn your lesson, there will be tea and biscuits.

The girls sit up straight. The Nun pulls down a map of Europe.

NUN

Now. Percival lived a thousand years ago when England was called Pretania.

She writes word on slate. "Pretania."

NUN (continuing)

---Thusly named as the Roman invaders had previously called the island 'Britannia.'

(eyeing girls sternly)

There will be a test on this material.

The girls reluctantly scribble the word in their copybooks.

NUN

Percival was an ordinary lad--NO, worse than that.. He was a peasant lout but Christianity and his faith in God gave him magical powers....

GIRL STUDENT

Powers, Sister?

NUN

Of course, what do you think religion is for? To make the magic of God enter people and work through them---as virtue rules for comportment, absolution, the holy rituals of confession and heroicism. And in the case of Percival, his heroicism saved England.

MARGRET

From what?

NUN

From Barbarians who wanted to invade it.

Nun moves to the window and looks outside at the street with apprehension.

NUN

Life is not a picnic, ladies. Wish it were. But it's not.

EXT. STREET, HER P.O.. - DAY

The King's soldiers have arrived on horseback and are herding the peasants away by knocking heads.

BACK TO SCENE

Nun turns back to the class.

NUN

Where was I? Oh yes. Barbarian invaders...Well, we supposed they were barbaric because they tended to stick swords in us when we protested their trying to kill us and move into our houses! Everybody wanted to live in Pretania. It was a jewel perched on the ocean, a green and fertile emerald surrounded on four sides by sapphire seas--

 The Nun's hand points to a wall map of Europe, next to which are gravures of King Arthur and Percival and of battles.

NUN

Fortunately, God had seen to it that invasion would be a bit of work. This island had impregnable, chalk cliffs. No harbors to moor in. The whole country was a kind of fort on stilts. But when a jewel's this rare, thieves find a way. Pretania's soil was rich with metals, its people made beautiful bronze objects coveted in distant lands---

The nun assesses the group.

NUN

And its maids unfortunately were the most desirable in the world.

The girls give each other knowing looks.

NUN (continuing)

What is more, England's old custodians had left. The Romans had occupied Pretania for four hundred years but suddenly, in the year 460 they mysteriously returned to Italy. So Britain was up for grabs in a manner of speaking.

 INSERT: HER HAND POINTING AT COUNTRIES ON MAP

NUN (continuing)

And on four sides, invaders sat watching, like cats waiting to pounce. The Scottish Picts who painted their bodies blue crouched to the north, the Normans and Saxon hun,(your German ancestors) were right across the channel, the Visigoths, The Norse sailed from over their heads, the Moors perched down here in Castile; the Spanish always hungry for gold in Iberia, and Turks were everywhere for the Ottoman Empire stretched from Africa to China, and all had fast boats and knew Pretania was surrounded by water. With such an array of villains, God had put a virtuous, heroic Christian King named Arthur on the throne of Camelot and such was his power that he unified all the Anglish princes who provided soldiers to keep these thugs out.

 The nun points to the engraving of Arthur,

BACK TO NUN

She faces the class.

NUN

Every time a boat full of brigands landed, Arthur would ride there with ten thousand men, swords would flash, and the beaches would run red with the blood of the Hun.

INSERT

Cut between the engravings of these battles. They can come alive for a moment, like Hogarths moving.

BACK TO NUN

NUN

Arthur won every battle but new generations of plunderers came. A young hero was required, to help the King. Now, girls, listen to this. When a great man has a thought, God shares it. Percival was sent to earth by God himself. To help Arthur.

She points to the engraving of Percival, then MOVES to the map of England. CAMERA CLOSES IN ON THE MAP and her pointing hand.

NUN (continuing)

Percival was born in a little village called Snowdonia, in 5th century Wales.

LAP DISSOLVE:

EXT. GREEN ENGLISH VILLAGE - DAY

A quaint, Breugelesque village, cottages, fields, huts and marketplaces lies at the foot of a mountain that has a Roman villa, a sort of 'castle,' atop it. Oxen plough the fields. Flowers bloom.

NUN

---where Percy's mother lived. Far from Arthur's court. Far from the city, just simple farming folk, who did not realize that barbarians murderers were plotting to take England.

 SAME SCENE, SEEN THROUGH CRYSTAL BALL, MAN'S HAND ON BALL.

We see this village, the mountain and the castle in a Magician's crystal ball next to a taloned hand sporting a dragon ring, with a ruby eye. In the sphere, we see two women running through a meadow. The bearded magician leans in and we see THE TURK (50) squinting at something. His forked, snake tongue licks his lips.

BLONDE GIRL IN THE CRYSTAL

She is in white, with a sheaf of blue iris flowers. The Turk's ugly hand caresses the sphere as if it were her skin.

BACK TO MEADOW

Two girls pick flowers in a meadow, a blonde and a brunette. In a nearby field, 2 peasants plow. As the ox causes a stone to be upturned, a HOARD OF CHILDREN pick up the stones, carry them away to build walls. A woodcutter, MICHAEL, (21), has set down his load of wood and is helping the children. HELENE (16) studies this young man for a moment. He looks up and sees her.

NUN (V.O.)

It was the day Percy's father took his first look at the girl who would be his wife. Such days are marked by a star I think.

 The foxlike Brunette, KUNDRA (17) watches the two lovers. Helene puts a few, last flowers in her basket, then looks at Kundra. They laugh.

KUNDRA

You have an admirer.

HELENE

Who? The man helping the children?

Kundra grins and nods to her girlfriend. She looks off. In the BG are villagers huts and many children picking up rocks, putting them on canvas tarps. The woodcutter shows older boys to carry the loaded tarps with leather straps around their foreheads.

MARGARET (V.O.)

I don't understand. Why weren't all of them in school?

NUN (V.O.)

The school hadn't been invented yet for the common man, and certainly not for the common maid. You ladies are very lucky that in modern Germany you can get an education. But in those days, there were no printing presses. There were scrolls but only priests and wealthy men had them. And why should there be books? No one could read. In those days, children worked fourteen hours a day.

(Girls react with alacrity)

 IN SCENE

The children slave with rocks much heavier than they. The young man helps them.

TWO GIRLS WATCHING

As the blonde watches the man thoughtfully, she sets her baskets down.

BRUNETTE

You quitting?

HELENE

Mine are full. I'll pick for you.

She turns, reaches up into a tree, plucks a flowering cherry branch. Michael forgets his work to stare at her.

NUN (continuing V.O.)

Helene, that was her name, had never seen a scroll, but she knew how to skin a sheep, tan its leather, spin its wool. When she was a child, she'd learned to build stone fences with her bare hands because only short people could pick up rocks so children built walls. But now Helene was sixteen years old, so her parents had her selling flowers at market.

KUNDRA

He's positively gone over you.

HELENE

Is he from our village?

KUNDRA

He's Michael, the woodcutter's son, from the forest.

HELENE

If he's from the forest why does he come here to help a farmer's children pick stones?

KUNDRA

Maybe he's not too bright.

HELENE

Maybe he's charitable. What the priest calls doing good for your brother.

KUNDRA (cynically)

He's probably getting a nice piece of smoked ham for his trouble.

CLOSE UP HELENE

Her arms are up in the cherry blossoms, branches surround her head so she can look his way. With respect and love in her eyes.

KUNDRA

Kundra is bored. She stands, with her half empty basket. Helene comes over, fills Kundra's basket with flowering branches.

HELENE

Come, we must get water before they wilt.

MICHAEL

He watches Helene go with love and longing.

EXT. MARKETPLACE - DAY

The girls finish spreading their flowers. They sit under a linen awning. Helene sprinkles the blooms with water. Kundra reaches for her loaf of bread.

HELENE (stopping her)

What will you eat later?

KUNDRA

I'm so hungry now I'm going to worry about that later.

Kundra willfully takes a bite, then another. A VILLAGE PRIEST (38) leans into frame, examines a single rose. Helene gives him bunch.

HELENE

For the church, father. A gift.

PRIEST

Your father is no church goer. He will beat you.

HELENE (proffering flowers)

Maybe the gift will save his soul.

Touched, the priest only takes half of them.

PRIEST

It will take more than roses to save your parents, Helene.

HELEN

They do the best they can. We just need to get them to Mass again.

VILLAGE PRIEST

They've been?

HELENE

Once. But they didn't seem to get anything out of it. To them, it was just incense and Latin.

VILLAGE PRIEST

That's all it seems to be on the outside. The mystery of religion is an inside job.

(she nods)

But I won't worry. One angel can carry a thousand sinners to heaven on her wings. That angel is you, my child.

 He pats her head, and departs. Helene beams.

 EXT. ANOTHER ANGLE/ MARKETPLACE - DAY

The TURK (50) enters with a retinue of Moorish servants and a nervous town official.

OFFICIAL

You can see the castle from here, sire.

CASTLE ON MOUNTAIN, THEIR P.O.V.

BACK TO SCENE

The men squint OS.

OFFICIAL (greedily)

Genuine Roman built. Every stone squared off and mortared. It's been here four hundred years and I guarantee it will be here---well, for your lifetime.

TURK (with dry wit)

Ahhh, for another four hundred years, then.

OFFICIAL

Four hundred! If you've a pact with the devil.

TURK

Ha, ha. No, I just eat right. But you know, I'm not certain it's the castle. The one I was ---told about.

The Turk sights something OS. His face lights up.

 EST. MARKETPLACE/ HELENE WITH THE IRIS FLOWERS, TURK'S P.O.V.

She holds the blue flowers up to a customer.

BACK TO SCENE

The Turk is ebullient.

TURK

Why by Golly. It is the castle. What do you know...? After all my travels, I've finally landed right where I'm supposed to be.

The Turk holds up a bag of gold. The official drools in anticipation. Then the Magician's animal like-fingers, with the ruby dragon ring, reach into the bag and pull out a single coin.

TURK (continuing)

I'll rent the old graveyard. But just for a year. If I ever decide to buy it, I'll let you know.... or let the village council know. Rightfully the decision and the money should be theirs. N'est pas?

The Official's face falls. Official takes the single gold coin and moves away. The Turk looks OS at the girl and moves OS.

INT. RENAISSANCE CONVENT CLASSROOM

NUN

Well, there were many foreigners in Pretania and not all so polite as to pay for what they wanted.

MARGARET

What did foreigners want?

NUN

Most of them ---gold, silver and Anglish maids --

 The girls giggle. Nun taps angrily with pointer. A roar is heard from the street below. The girls' heads wheel.

NUN

With such troubled times as these you laugh at predatory mobs?

BOOKISH STUDENT

Were those troubled times, sister?

NUN (still looking out window)

They were about to be. At this point, the peasants didn't know they were about to be invaded. They still had their fields, their daughters and cattle. The Huns hadn't come yet. Arthur hadn't started asking to draft their sons to fight a war. So, did they know or care when a foreigner came? No. The Turk didn't look dangerous.

MARGARET

What was the Turk after?

NUN

He was there to stop Percival from being born. To interfere with the life spark of him.

 The girls look up at her, awestruck.

 EXT. MARKETPLACE - DAY

The woodcutter walks through the marketplace, carrying wood on his mule. He sees Helene.

MARGARET (V.O.)

What is a life spark?

HELENE, HIS P.O.V.

She looks up with love as he walks past.

MICHAEL

He smiles, nods.

NUN (V.O.)

The idea of you. Do you think we are born when groom weds bride? Out life spark begins when the fates first perceive a need for us and create a place.

ANOTHER PART OF THE MARKETPLACE

The Turk enters, with his retinue of servants. He spots Helene, and comes over. He gives her coins, reaches for flowers taking one bunch after another, pouring coppers into her palm. He passes the flowers to his servants. When Helen has no more flowers, he offers her his ruby ring.

TURK

A ruby in exchange for the fairest flower of them all.

Helene doesn't take it. Kundra snatches it and gives him a bouquet. As she puts the ring on her own finger, she goes into a trance. The Turkish Magician pulls the ring off her finger by magic and tries to put it on the hand of Helene, who wrenches away. The magician takes her wrist with force. Helene cries out.

The woodcutter steps in.

MICHAEL

The lady doesn't want the trinket.

The Turk looks at him and the woodcutter flies backwards as if carried by a typhoon. The Turk kneels beside her to get a better grip and continues with saccharine charm.

TURK

It's a gift, child. A homeage to a white rose. I expect nothing in return. By golly, some people just can't understand generosity!

In spite of the girl's protests and struggling arm, the ring is about to slip over her finger when an axe goes whack into the ground where the Turk kneels. Michael's face comes down near the Turk's.

MICHAEL (acidly)

Be really generous and leave her alone.

The Turk looks at Michael then beyond him.

ENTIRE MARKETPLACE IN A CIRCLE WATCHING

Peasants grin at the spectacle. The Magician gets to his feet, twirls the ring in the air and makes it disappear. The crowd 'oohs' at his magic. The Magician grins and makes the ring re-appear out of Michael's ear. He wipes peasant 'schmutz' off the jewel before he pockets it.

MAGICIAN (under his breath)

Round one. Pestilent Pretanian. I've all the time in the world. The perks of being immortal….

He swishes his cape and saunters off while the crowd claps. Suddenly Michael smells of garlic. He smells it, everyone around them smells it. Even Helene smells it.

MICHAEL (discomfited)

He's a magician. He made this smell.

HELENE

No, it's this garlic weed I picked by mistake. Now it's gone.

She throws the bloom away. And indeed, the odor is gone. Her magic is greater, Michael sees this and kneels on one knee.

MICHAEL

I am Michael. I am glad I could be of service.

HELENE

You were.

They smile at each other. Chimes are HEARD ON TRACK.

MARKETPLACE

Helene's parents run toward them. They are dirty as pigs.

FATHER (huffing)

What's this about a ruby ring?

MOTHER

We'll use the money to move to court.

HELENE

There's no ring, mother. I gave it back.

MOTHER (angrily)

You what? Fool! When did I teach you to give things back? GRAB! A good woman takes! A DUMB ONE GIVES!

She hits the back of her daughter's head with the flat of her palm.

MICHAEL

I shall replace the ring for you.

MOTHER (naked greed)

You will? (looking him over) How? You'd have a hard time replacing a turnip.

MICHAEL

I will wed your daughter with a plain band of gold----if she is not promised.

Helene reacts.

MOTHER

A band of gold you've got?

MICHAEL

I'll buy one---

The mother sneers.

FATHER

Helene is the sole support of her family, and she's taken.

The father and mother lead her off. Kundra sighs.

MICHAEL

What perfectly awful people. How did Helene get born to them?

KUNDRA (holding rose up)

It takes mud to grow roses.

EXT. CENTER OF VILLAGE - MORNING

Pagans roll around in a meadow near the little church. They share a bag of bitter, red mushrooms, chewing them by the handful. One man vomits, another prays to a tree. A girl hallucinates, another dances to a flute and cymbal while male peasants drool. Helene crosses the green and goes into church. Michael follows.

INT. CHURCH.

An entirely different bunch has collected. Their faces are rapt as the priest talks. Helene and Michael easily find places.

PRIEST (in BG over action)

The doctrine of Christ is one of love, forgiving the sins of others. Punishment will be given by God, it is not yours to mete out. Purity, forgivingness, love is all that is required. Next, the church offers confession so that you no longer have to carry the burden of sin. Give it up to Christ. He forgives you everything. Confess your sin. Your purity will be restored and with it, self love. No longer to live in anger, self-judgement and loathing. Throw down your load. Confess and be purified, but before you do, allow the Spirit of God to enter you --in Communion. Holy wine symbolizing Christ's blood, Bread of the Sacrament symbolizing his body.

PEASANT (clearly dizzy or drunk with love, he sniffs the bread)

It must be their magic mushroom in the bread.

PRIEST

(He holds wafer and wine up)

Come forward, my dear children.

Helene goes forward. Michael is hesitant, but then follows. Others go up front. The priest passes a goblet and wafer. He takes a hanky full of mushrooms away from a peasant.

PRIEST (offering sacrament)

You will no longer need that my child. This works better.

Peasant smiles hopefully, slugs down the sacramental wine. Michael looks at Helene as she takes communion, she looks at him as he does. His hand on the rail covers her own.

EXT. FESTIVAL ON THE VILLAGE GREEN - DAY

A Pagan Celtic holiday; Peasant girls tease the men who watch two giants grapple in mock battle. Farmers chew roasted lamb legs and drink mead and cheer each blow. Mushroom-eaters roll drooling.

The man who had taken the communion wine sits on a log waiting for something to happen. His friends look to him. He shakes his head.

NUN (V.O.)

The villagers couldn't care less about this New Catholic God who was so demanding. Their Gods were the sun and trees and flowers, the deer in the forest----a religion of nature and fertility. And food.

PAGAN DANCERS

Men in Deer outfits do pagan dances around hunters, men with rattles, while maids stand near covered in leaves, imitating tree spirits.

NUN (V.O.)

Pretanians danced to have better crops or male children to help with field work.

NUN (continuing)

They weren't concerned with forgiving their brother, purity, charity or any other Christian virtues.

 BACK TO THE MOCK BATTLE

The mock soldiers whack each other good with poles. A man goes down, dazed. Villagers enthusiastically cry out, 'kill him.'

This is too much even for the mock soldier. He laughs and slaps his friend back to consciousness.

PAGAN DANCERS

The hunters fell the deer. Villagers scream 'kill him,' The lead hunter shakes his head.

HUNTER

We honor the deer today. Besides, this deer we can't eat.

The villagers laugh. The faux hunters kneel to the bogus deer.

DANCERS (intoning)

Spirit of the buck, you are great. May your number multiply in the forest. Legion be your sons and daughters.

DRUNKEN DANCER

And may they all wander our way! Ha, Ha!

The Central Deer poses proudly on top of the village well. The entire village kneels before him. A MAIDEN (16) comes forward and throws grain at the deer's feet. MICHAEL and HELENE emerge from the church in BG.

DANCERS

Oh great Buck Spirit, your many families are welcome in Snowdonia.

DRUNKEN DANCER (beckoning with stick)

Come over here little deer.

He blows kisses. As Deer comes near, the drunk raises his stick. Vomit rises in his throat. He spews, then falls forward out cold. The dancers burst into laughter. Michael and Helene retire to a vantage point on the hill, just to left of church front door.

NUN (V.O.)

Men were sorry ignorant sinners who shook rattles at the sky in summer so it would rain or sacrificed pigs so the wheat wouldn't dry on the stalk. They stole each other's women as they pleased and murdered any who complained. They had their fields, sheep and sons and measured honor in how much grain was in the granary. That's all the Anglish knew until the little Priest came and preached the golden rule.

The villagers carry the drunken man away

MICHAEL/HELENE

They sit. In the BG other worshippers come out of the church, along with the priest.

MICHAEL

Would you have me for a suitor?

HELENE

Yes. But I don't know if my father---

The priest spies this and comes over to them.

PRIEST

Your heavenly father says yes and as His representative, I will marry you in the church.

HELENE (blinking)

In a church?

PRIEST

At the very altar where you took the sacrament.

The lovers ponder this. It's a very weird idea.

NUN (V.O.)

You have to understand what a novel idea this was for the time. For a maid and a man to vow to love each other, before God, and to marry in a house of God? It was revolutionary.

PRIEST

What say you, Michael of the Woods?

MICHAEL

I shall marry you in a church, Helene of the Flowers. That I shall do.

The lovers laugh and embrace. MUSICAL SCORE SOARS.

CUT TO:

EXT. VILLAGE GREEN CHURCH - AUTUMN DAY

The church decked out in autumn leaves and sheaves of wheat, organ music, pipes and violins ON TRACK. Outside, pagans huddle, looking in, -- dumbfounded at this new ritual.

 INT. CHURCH

The same autumn motif of red leaves, wheat sheaves festoons altar where Helene and Michael are prounounced man and wife. They kiss.

The villagers clap and hurrah. PAN BACK TO the mother and father of the bride, decked to the nines but fuming angrily as if the bath they probably just had was accomplished by force.

FATHER (muttering)

She will still sell flowers for us. He's not getting the money. That's the deal.

The bridge and groom come down the aisle to a jubilant tune of rustic pipes and fiddle.

MOTHER

Think of it this way. We're not losing a daughter, we're gaining a son.

This is the first time in history this sentence has been prounounced and it has a nice ring to it. The father grins, a smile with two brown teeth in it. As the couple comes forward, the man embraces Michael.

FATHER

Son!!!

Michael is horrified, then laughs and embraces the old farmer.

Helene is joyful, until she looks OS.

THE TURK

The Turk moves forward toward the bridal party. He respectfully addresses Michael.

TURK

A gift for your lovely bride.

He proffers a ruby necklace on a velvet pillow. The entire gathering 'ooohs and ahhhs'. As the Turk holds forth the enchanted thing, cellos, cymbals and oboes play a serpent's song.

MICHAEL

Helene?

HELENE

Of course.

She takes it, pillow and all. The Turk grins an evil grin. Hoping she'll put it ON!

HELENE (holding it up)

My gift to the church so that new churches can be built in all the villages in Snowdonia, and priests brought from Rome.

The Turk goes 'huh?' The priest takes the jewel and places it on the altar where it sizzles unhappily. The priest turns, raises his arms.

PRIEST

A thousand blessings have fallen on the people of Wales who through the gracious gift of this stranger --will come to know God's love via His new religion.

TURK (hissing at ensemble)

A curse upon you all and a double curse on your pretentious, theatrical faith. Religions that pride themselves on creating loving people become reasons for HATE. And when they pretend to make you love your neighbor, they end up making you kill him, precisely because he's not of your group!

The bridal party swells past the Turk who stands in BG looking at the necklace on the altar. CAMERA LIFTS, BOOM SHOT over their heads as the wedding party moves to the door. We MOVE out of the church, MOVE BACK through the village green, up the hill and HOLD on a LONGSHOT of the church, people and village on an Autumn day. Bells PEAL joyfully.

CUT TO:

EXT. SAME LANDSCAPE IN WINTER.

EXT. SNOWY HILL IN THE FOREST, BLACK, BARE-BRANCHED TREES

Bells PEAL mournfully, calling the faithful to Mass. Michael uses oxen to carry a sled full of logs downhill from the forest.

INT. CHURCH - DAY

Mass is said. The faithful pray. Michael enters back of church and joins his pregnant wife. 

EXT. RUSTIC GLEN - WINTER DAY

Michael is adding a nursery to their house. His pregnant wife hands him nails. His in-laws carry thatch.

NUN (V.O.)

While Michael built his home, the Turk built his.

SNOWY MOUNTAIN/CASTLE - DAY

The Roman ruin has become semi-habitable. The Turk organizes teams of village men.

CLOSER ANGLE

The Turk supervises. He wears a lavish fur coat. Emeralds sparkle in his ears. Village artisans saw and carve wood. Beautiful, oriental harem women pass trays of tea and cakes to the workers.

INT. HUT - DAY

A pregnant HELENE serves a simple meal to her husband and father. The Mother weaves wood at a loom in BG. They sit to eat.

INT. DOOR/ Kundra enters.

KUNDRA

They are hiring masons and carpenters at the Turk's castle.A gold piece a week.

The father looks to his new son hopefully. Michael shakes his head.

FATHER

But you are the best carpenter I've ever seen. You made us this fine house in a month.

MICHAEL

I made it with all the love in my soul and all the art in my hands. Not for gold. If they pay gold for my time, then I have no time to do good work. I hurry and the house is poorly made.

The old farmer scratches his head.

FATHER

All that money.

Michael sees the old man's puzzlement.

MICHAEL

In the old days, each man made his own bread. He put his soul into the loaf. Now people give gold coins to some stranger who has a bakery! This gold-hungry lout makes bread--and badly I might add and for the privilege of earning gold we now eat bricks. I used to give housewives a load of wood and get fine bread in return. Now, the good wife's bread comes from that terrible bakery too.  

Michael looks to them all.

KUNDRA

Well, now you have a wife who makes you fine bread but

many have no wife. Or time to make bread.

MICHAEL

Men without gold have time. Time is an illusion that never appears if you stay away from money. Anyway, I don't complain for myself. I speak for the quality of life the villagers have lost. All this money floating around has created a blight of shops. Shops for meat so that we don't have to kill our stock once a season but may pay to eat meat daily. There are shops with wool badly woven, wares all equally badly made. And tea and coffee which we do not need but once you start to drink you feel the need to hurry toward gold moreover you cannot stop drinking the stuff.

But sadly, gold has attracted a banker from the city worse still, somehow the scent of all this gold has attracted a tax man from the King and a squadron of soldiers who live here and battle with swords and ask our sons to join them in waging war against foreign invaders coming after all this gold. But worst of all, the most dangerous trend of all is that we have attracted a mayor. Now I ask you, who needs a mayor? A man we pay so he can decide where we need a road to be built? I remember when the village men decided where we wanted our roads, and we all pitched in to build them. What madness is this thing called government? Men no longer decide or build; women no longer weave or bake. Does nobody else see that something's wrong and it all came hand in hand with gold???

Kundra is speechless. The old father grins and claps 'he's good,' not really knowing what he's said, however.

HELENE

So Kundra, have a piece of bread, some of my mother's cheese, and talk not of gold. It's not Michael's favorite subject.

OLD MOTHER (under her breath)

Seeing as how he has none.

Helene offers Kundra bread. She takes a piece, chews thoughtfully praises it with a happy crinkling of eyes. Then she whispers:

KUNDRA

The Turk is hiring washerwomen and cooks. A gold piece a month.

HELENE

Not for me and you certainly don't need it.

KUNDRA

Says who? We don't make that much money in a year.

HELEN

You just don't need it.

KUNDRA

Well, there's this silk dress ---You're right. I have everything I need.

She eats the bread thoughtfully.

EXT. VILLAGE GREEN - WINTER DAY

Kundra walks down a lane. Fine shops are here now. Imported fabrics hang in windows. Kundra gazes at a velvet dress in wonder. A policeman walks up and down outside, watching her with suspicion. She goes inside.

INT. SHOP

Kundra rubs her cheek against some silk velvet, and pauses thoughtfully.

KUNDRA

How much for three lengths of this stuff?

SHOPKEEPER

Three ducats, m'lady.

Kundra is horrified.

EXT. SNOWY STREET - DAY

Kundra walks down the street sadly. PAN BACK to HOLD entire snowy Village.

LAP DISSOLVE

EXT. VILLAGE IN SPRING - DAY

Trees are covered with blossoms, flowers strewn over the meadow. KUNDRA runs downhill from a hut on the hill.

KUNDRA (loudly, from a distance)

We need the midwife. Where's the midwife?

INT. MICHAEL'S HUT - NIGHT

A midwife and the old mother wet rags in boiling water, hold them out until the steam leaves them, then holds them in the air. We HEAR a baby's cry. The woman wraps them around something held OS.

The child is just born. He is wiped. One bloody cloth is replaced by a clean, hot, wet cloth. The child comes clean.

OLD MOTHER

It is a boy! You have a son. Perfect.

Helene smiles and takes the child. Kundra brings Michael in.

HELENE

We will call this perfection Percival.

The happy couple hug. Kundra feels alone and goes outside.

EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Kundra wraps herself against cold, and looks up at the sky in despair. She stares up at the Moor's lit-up CASTLE, in BG.

NUN (V.O.)

Another's happiness can make some of us feel our solitude. In such times it's best to pray to God to take away your pain before you do something stupid.

EXT. MOUNTAIN - SPRING DAY

Kundra climbs. Her face reveals a ferocious mood.

EXT. CASTLE - DAY

She gets to a big door. It swings open. She goes in.

INT. CASTLE - DAY

NUN (V.O.)

Some say Kundra was already half enchanted for such is the subtle nature of evil that just the idea of desire enchants the less-than-clear mind. Kundra only thought she was looking for a job. In reality, the job was looking for her.

Beautiful Turkish women come up to Kundra. One holds out a dress made of the same velvet she wanted in the window. Another gives her a plate of sweets. A third puts a necklace on her.

KUNDRA

You want me to dress like this to wash for you?

The harem women eye one another with humor and nod and giggle.

KUNDRA/MIRROR

She is beautifully dressed and veiled like an oriental. The Turk comes in, lifts her veil, sees it is not Helene and turns her into a statue.

INT. GERMAN CLASSROOM AT THE CONVENT - DAY

NUN (to class)

Kundra was young and curious, covetous and unbaptized, un-initiated into the powers of spirit and no older woman of responsibility had warned her! Hence she was temptable. As in temptation?

Nun writes word on blackboard.

NUN

From the Latin, temtare? To test, to put to the test, try the quality or worth. How does sin put us to the test? Margaret? 

The frivolous Margaret is caught offguard.

MARGARET (hesitantly)

Well, when we want something, there are two choices. We can do it, or not do it. One choice brings tears, the other choice brings peace and harmony. Life is a kind of test of our wisdom, to see if we'll choose peace or not. It's like school. We either pass or we fail. We either think of the right answer or we don't, it's our choice. Our test.

NUN

Oh Margaret, that was wonderful. It shows genuine understanding. I know now that you would never fail to make the right choice. Dear child.

The nun embraces her. There are tears in her eyes.

NUN

We shall recess for lunch. In the afternoon session I will tell you of Percival's childhood--while we have our tea and cookies. Which we only do occasionally as it is very habituating. And what is a habit but a temptation that has grown deep roots and settled in.

She sets the package next to a large tea pot. As Margaret passes in front of her, the nun looks at her with appreciation.

INT. CONVENT CHAPEL - LATE DAY

The nun is on her knees, agitated. She prays, then weeps. GREGORIAN CHOIR is HEARD In BG. Finally, her head falls forward onto her hands. She stops weeping and is calm. We see resignation.

EXT. CHURCH - AFTERNOON

Order has been restored in the street.

INT. DORMITORY - AFTERNOON

Margaret brushes her teeth with a primitive brush. No mirror.

EXT. PATIO CONVENT - AFTERNOON

Nuns and students move decorously toward classrooms.

INT. CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON

The girls file in. The Nun hangs engravings. She turns to them.

NUN

As we learned this morning, girls, the Romans had been in England for four centuries. Legions of soldiers colonized, enslaved and taxed Pretania taking money, taking goods: fine wools, grain, ale which was a kind of grain-based beer, dried fish, smelted metal. Romans knew how to preserve fruit and pot up meats and wrap a cheese with wax so they could carry fresh foods back to Italy in their galleys. And as they could, they did.

INSERT: INTERCUT ANCIENT ENGRAVINGS

Roman Centurions marching in legions, English peasants tending sheep, ploughing fields, mining and smelting bronze and iron, stirring grain and brewing ale, English boats catching fish, Ancient Roman galleys loading up these goods.

BACK TO SCENE

NUN

The English gave simple goods but in exchange, gained three valuable things: law, religion and language. Oh yes, England uses variations of Roman law today. And Christianity came from Rome. Hidden among their occupiers were quite a few Christians descending from men who had actually known Christ. The Romans didn't know those Christians were there. In those days, Christians were underground. They were very practiced at having their Masses in basements and caves. Does anyone know why that was?

 INSERT: ENGRAVING, EARLY CHRISTIANS IN CAVES

GIRL

Because the Romans weren't originally Christians.

NUN

Correct. The Caesars were pan-theists. They believed in many 'pan,' Gods, 'theos' from the Greek word for God.

The Nun writes the word 'pantheist' in syllables on the slate.

NUN (continuing)

Like the Greeks before them, they believed in Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. That the planets were Gods. And because their Gods killed each other, they likewise believed in war and killing. And in particular killing people who didn't believe in planets. They crucified Christians on week days and threw them to the lions on Sundays and holidays.

(looking to the girls who do not laugh)

You're right. It's not funny. But it is what they did. Terrified of being murdered, Roman Christians moved by the spirit of Christ, preached ---only they did so very carefully.

INSERT: ENGRAVING OF ROMAN PREACHING THE GOSPEL

NUN

Pretanians learned this new path to peace and love. Now they'd been a pretty bloody bunch but suddenly they began to practice brotherhood and sharing. They'd gained moral and legal codes from their colonizers so the Roman Conquest wasn't all bad. And last, it spread a sophisticated language, full of wonderful roots that we still use. Lingua, the Latin word for tongue, became 'language.' 

The nun picks up a plate, and then a cup.

NUN (continuing)

Plate, plattus in Latin, ---cuppe actually was a Medeival English word which the Romans took from us. You see, Master and slave began to borrow the other's words. We got a great deal from each other. But they were our masters and as Pretanians endured this subjugation from outside, the feeling of brotherhood within our group became very real. We became a cohesive, humble and loving people and, as we did, suddenly, we deserved better things.

Nun sets the cup on the plate. Suddenly, she puts a cookie beside it. The girls perk up.

NUN (with a twinkle)

When one is good, one gets what one deserves. You have worked very well this morning girls. I saw everyone taking notes. Even Margaret for once.

The girls lick their lips. The Nun picks up the teapot. In an elaborate swoop, she sets the kettle on a hook in the hearth then moves back to the lectern.

NUN (continuing)

Students who work well attract a reward. Likewise, a nation that morally transforms itself will attract what it deserves. As Christianity gained hold, our people changed in their hearts. They stopped speaking the first nasty word that came to their lips; they stopped hating one another and when they did, they suddenly felt love and when there is love, the bad things go away. One day, their colonizers decided to leave.

INSERT: INTERCUT ENGRAVINGS

Romans walk on their own roads. The common farmers watch them go. The Fall of the Roman Empire. Constantinople. A Divided Empire. Maps. The Goths overrunning Rome.

NUN (V.O.)

It was all very mysterious. What problems could Rome have had at home that they suddenly decide to depart Europe? You don't conquer the world then suddenly give it back, do you? You do if a miracle happens. The word 'Miracle' or happy sign, implies divine intervention, the happening of events contrary to the laws of nature. And that's what this was. Some feel that Pretania was protected because Jesus' Uncle had come here in 37 AD and he had left a cup of Jesus called the Grail, hidden in Glastobury. Who knows? But remember girls, if we are good, miracles are our just desserts.

 Nun is staring at the tea cup. She sets it down, opens the package of cookies and spills them into a bowl. The girls' eyes shine. She opens the package of Indian tea and dumps tea into the boiling kettle.

NUN (as she works)

Christianity had transformed the English. From peasant louts they'd become a gentle people and are such to this day. Being an Englishwoman I can attest to that.

After their conquerers had left, Pretania was like a holiday for a while. Think of it. Their parents had gone off and suddenly they were left alone to have a good time in this beautiful house. The Romans had left them developed industries, fine roads for trade, a system of coins and money. Everyone was accustomed to working all day, every day. So they just kept doing it only suddenly they weren't slaves. They owned Pretania. So we see that Percival's time was a time of great prosperity. You wove your wool in Cardiff you could see it sold for gold in London. Everybody made money and as soon as there is money there are people who use their wits to get more of it. Princes sprang up, men who ran empires and they were very conspicuous about their wealth. The simple folk found they had exchanged one occupying force for another. Now they were colonized by nobles who used the serfs to build them huge castles. Word of these palaces spread. All over Europe people talked about Pretania.

MONTAGE: ENGRAVINGS OF PRE-MEDEIVAL TIMES

Castles, Serfs, princes, kings. Ships, traders, importers. Then MAPS with the Nun's hand pointing.

NUN (continuing)

Word went out across the Ottoman Empire to China, to Scandanavia, 'fertile green island for rent. Prior tenant has vacated.' Ruffians sailed from the ends of the world to pillage our little chalk garden. Armies of them, in great ships: Norse with swords, Visigoths with spears, Slavs with clubs, Siberians on their Mongol horses, Teutonics with armor and spiked clubs, Saxons armed with bow and arrow, and all the Moors of Islam with cannons and poisons.

--and they didn't come just to run the place and tax us grain, fish and wool, oh no, they wanted slaves to carry home. They wanted to kidnap pretty women which meant they had to kill our men to get them. The terrified peasants sought the protection of the princes, moved their homes into cities in enclosed walls. In times of plenty you love your heavenly lord but in times of danger, you cherish your earthly one. The many Kings of Pretania, became powerful. Every defendable hill had a fort, every fort a castle and every castle a king. But there was this one King who was a little more prescient brave and fearless ---who had a vision. He saw that they needed to link all the Kings of Pretania under some unifying force. Not himself, he was too modest for that, but how about under this new God of love. They'd pool their forces and create an army that would go anywhere these invaders landed. That man was Arthur.

(indicating his portrait)

Arthur proposed that every soldier wear the Christian cross over his heart so that when he fought to the death to protect his family he would remember the afterlife and be fearless.

INSERT: Engravings of Norse, Moors, Huns, Arthur's Knights in white with a red cross, their sparring. Battle SOUNDS ON TRACK.

NUN (continuing)

And so it was. When an enemy landed on our shore, Arthur's knights would ride to that place and never lost a battle. It was whispered that Arthur himself had that magic charm ---that secret grail or relic of Christ.

He may have had the cup from Jesus' Last Supper, or the cup full of poor Jesus blood from the crucifixion, there was a rumor, also the Roman spear that had pierced Jesus rib when he hung on the cross, and it seems he'd brought them secretly to Pretania. And it seems King Arthur---had them.

 The Nun holds out the bowl of cookies. She moves among them.

NUN (continuing)

Cups then were more of a grail. A large deep dish. It was said that one who had the Holy Grail could feed any group no matter how large, that food would just keep coming out of it. And if one had the spear, one could fight off any conquerer and win any battle.

NUN (looking out the window)

Wouldn't that be a nice thing to have if you were in danger. And those days, danger was all around.

She moves to the wall, to point to more engraings.

INSERT; ENGRAVINGS OF CHRIST, LAST SUPPER, CHALICES, GRAILS.

NUN (V.O., continuing)

The Magician suspected that the Grail and spear were the source of Arthur's magic. The Turk had been after King Arthur for years, so Arthur moved them around ---hiding them in different castles, appointing a group of men who were known as the KNIGHTS OF THE GRAIL who went with them--

But magicians have religions too, and with even those dark philosophies goes a certain magic. This wizard knew their every move before they made it.

CUT TO:

GRAIL AND SPEAR (in Crystal ball)

We SEE relics in a haze, surrounded by blowing white curtains. Turk's taloned hand, DRAGON RING taps the ball. The vision in ball disappears. The hand pounds angrily on the table.

NUN (V.O.)

Margaret, would you pour the tea dear. Use your hankies ladies. We don't want fallen crumbs to attract rats. Because you see, rats have noses which can smell spilt sugar from very far away.

We see the Magician's face now, and he looks like a big rat.

BACK TO SCENE

The girls watch the Nun, enrapt. Margaret fetches the kettle. The girls have cups on ropes at their waist. They drink tea, eyes on the storyteller.

NUN

Arthur sent the relics to Wales. Coincidentally, if you believe God has accidents, to the very village in Snowdonia where Helene and Michael lived. Percy was eight when these strangers arrived wearing red tunics with a cross on the heart.

EXT. MARKETPLACE - DAY

The people sell fruit, vegetables, grain, wool, ale, cooked meats. Percy's mother is selling flowers with PERCY (8), by her side. The boy sees the soldiers and tugs his mother's long golden braids.

NUN (V.O.)

He had never seen such a fine horse.

Twelve soldiers on horseback approach. A litter draped in white linen, glowing with a light of its own, is carried by four footsoldiers walking between them. The men set the litter down and buy food with silver. Percy runs up to a horse and touches its lips and mane.

SOLDIER #1

Who lives in that castle?

FRUIT VENDOR

The Turk used to.

PERCY (8), hears FLUTE music and CHIMES and moves toward the litter.

NUN (V.O.)

Young Percy saw a glow of light coming from inside the litter and he thought he heard birds.

He reaches forward to touch the white curtain. A soldier nudges him away. He runs back to his mother's side.

PERCY (tugging her shawl)

They have birds Mama.

ALE VENDOR (to Soldier)

We haven't seen the Turk for a while, though.

WOMAN

Good riddance. While he lived here maids turned up missing. They'd wander off and never be seen again.

LADY WITH CAKES

One day a woman dreamed that the missing girls were up there.

ALE VENDOR (to Soldier)

A great crowd of men went to search. The Turk wasn't there. No maids either.

FRUIT VENDOR

Just a lot of rocks.

PERCY (to his mother)

Mum? There are birds in that tent. I heard birds.

PEASANT WOMAN (overhearing)

What's in the tent?

HELENE (knowledgeably)

Birds.

INT. GERMAN CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON

The girls look puzzled.

GIRL

Birds? They brought birds with them?

NUN

No, no. It was the Holy Grail and spear with celestial music in the air around them that the child, being innocent, could hear.

EXT. MOUNTAIN - DAY

NUN (V.O)

And this secret relic that gave England its strength, was to be guarded in the very castle the Turk had lived in briefly. Another coincidence? Or can it be that the dark forces are wily too and that the Magician had set some kind of a snare??

The Soldiers and the litter move up the mountain to the castle.

The villagers look apprehensively after them.

EXT. CASTLE - DAY

The Castle is beautifully restored. Curtains blow in the wind. Statues of women in different postures surround the gardens. Large boulders, rocks adorn the garden. We HEAR the wind blowing through the place and there's a whisper of melancholy voices. The group walks about happily. One YOUNG SOLDIER (think blonde surfer) sits on a statue's knee, with KING TITUREL, (50).

YOUNG SOLDIER (tired)

Nice castle. It should do us just fine.

TITUREL

I don't know. There's something wrong here.

Snaky Oboe music is HEARD for a second. Then silence. They hear only crickets.

TITUREL

Ahhhhh, I'm being an old jiggle-nerves.

YOUNG SOLDIER

Yeah, keep that up and next you'll want to darn our socks. Catch some winks. You'll be fine by morning.

TITUREL

I don't know. All those missing girls. We should probably search for a dungeon.

YOUNG SOLDIER

You believe in peasant legends? Sir, I can smell a maid at a thousand yards. There are no maids here, Lord Titurel.

He drapes his arm over the statue's shoulders.

TITUREL (turning)

My ----says otherwise.

He makes an ineffable gesture.

YOUNG SOLDIER

Your what?

The OLD Knight has no other word for it. He repeats the gesture.

YOUNG SOLDIER

I hope I'm not going to be (gesture) after I've watched the Grail for 20 years. Come, let's have dinner and get our mind off (gesture.)

Laughing, the men move off. Statue's eyes turn, watch them go.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

PERCIVAL (8), and other village children play on the green with bows and arrows and targets painted on trees. Percival can hit any mark. A flock of birds squawk in the tree above them. One LOUT looks up and challenges Percy.

LOUT

There's the real thing. Let's see who can shoot a bird first.

PERCY

I never shoot a bird that my family isn't going to eat. And nobody eats blackbirds.

The lout gets angry and throws Percy's bow and arrow on the ground calling him a wimp.

KIDS

Hit him, Percy.

The lout stands arms crossed over chest, daring Percy.

PERCY

He just wants to be a better shot. Come, let me show you how to hit your mark every time....

As Percy starts to show him the way, the lout knocks him over.

LOUT

Sorry for me, you spindly twerp? I'll show you sorry.

KIDS

Kick him in the nuts Percy!

PERCY

I don't kick my friends.

KIDS

He's not your friend! Dolt!

Percy scrambles to his feet. The lout attacks, landing a blow on Percy who runs off.

EXT. CASTLE - DAY

Horses paw the ground in the courtyard waiting to be shod by a BLACKSMITH, (39). PERCIVAL waits shyly by the gate. SMITH holds the mare's reins. He grabs a handful of nails and the hammer. His hands are full. The horse rears. Percy grabs her bridle. She calms instantly.

SMITH (nails in his mouth)

You're not supposed to be here.

PERCIVAL

I am if you need my help.

SOLDIER (impressed)

Well, hold her reins and talk to her. Keep her mind occupied while I shoe her.

THE SHOEING

We see it from different angles. Percy is a great help. The horse loves him.

SMITH

Horses like you. Here's a penny.

PERCIVAL

No sire. It was my pleasure. Any time.

The man shakes his head at Percy and leads the horse to her stall. Percy runs toward the gate, but then he sees a door. He looks back. The man is not watching. He goes in.

 INT. CASTLE

The cavernous darkness is eerie. Percy hears OS CHANTS OF MASS. He moves toward the sound which gets LOUDER.

INT. CHAPEL

There are several dozen men praying. On the altar, behind white curtains is the glowing grail and spear. All we see is the glow coming through the white linen. Percy kneels reverently in the back of the room.

EXT. FOREST - SUNSET

Percy walks home in a happy trance.

INT. PERCY'S HOME

Michael and Helene sit with her parents and Percy. Helene puts slabs of roasted game bird on each trestle dish.

PERCY

--and they have their own chapel and they say Mass to---well, I think it's to those birds.

MICHAEL

Nonsense. No one ever said Mass to a bird.

OLD FATHER (holding up drumstick)

I'll say a mass to this one.

He smacks drooling lips.

HELENE

Percy shot it.

Helene suddenly has a terrible thought.

HELENE (thinking)

Now, Percy don't you ever shoot any birds up there. If they prize birds so much.

PERCY (brightly)

I won't. But I might shoot them down here and carry them up to give as gifts.

EXT. HILLS NEAR CASTLE

Percy watches a flock of birds fly overhead. They move to the river. He follows.

EXT. RIVER - DAY

He shoots.

RIVERBANK

He picks up his dead bird.

EXT. HILLS NEAR CASTLE

Several of the soldiers of the grail climb trees to pick nuts. SOLDIER #1,(25), perched in the branches, cranes his neck. He sees the roof of a villa in a nearby glen.

SOLDIER

I never noticed that house before. Let's go see.

He jumps to the ground, basket in hand.

ENCHANTED VILLA - DAY

A tall wall surrounds the house. SOLDIER #2 stands on tip toe and looks over the top.

GARDEN, POV SOLDIER

Trees hang with ruby red fruit. Statues and boulders crowd the garden. Unseen musicians play a melancholy tune while beautiful girls sew in the sunlight. Other girls pick fruit.

TWO GAWKING SOLDIERS ON WALL

A beautiful, veiled woman manifests on the wall by them. She pulls down an enchanted fruit branch.

GIRL

We have so much this summer. Well, Spring, Autumn and Winter, too, actually.

She holds the branch near him. He pick an apple causing gate in the wall to open. She drops down into garden and looks back at him. SOLDIER 1 starts to follow. SOLDIER 2 shakes his head. SOLDIER 1 pooh-poohs him and goes in.

INT. GARDEN - DAY

First soldier starts picking fruit. Beautiful girls appear to help him. The girls caress this fellow. Soon, he's not just picking fruit, he's got his arm around the helpful pickers.

Another group of maids beckon to SOLDIER #2.

SOLDIER #2 ON WALL

He frowns, then thinks. Dazed, licking his lips, SOLDIER 2 enters garden. An even more beautiful girl comes forward with a pitcher of fruit juice and sparkling glasses. She comes right up to the SOLDIER 2 and smiles. It is KUNDRA.

KUNDRA

Thank you for coming. I've been so lonely.

He takes the glass she offers. Now she sits on a carpet and indicates several soft cushions. More enchanted music charms their ears.

KUNDRA

I need company. It's painful to be so far from everyone I love. I need you to come. And to come often. Visit me when you want. My, how did your arms get so big and strong? What do you rub on them?

He holds out one of his arms. She runs her fingers over its length.

SOLDIER 2

I joust.

KUNDRA

Show me how you joust.

She takes his arm and wrestles with it. He laughs as he wrestles this girl whose whole torso is the same size as his upper arm. She puts a great deal of effort into moving this arm one inch, making him laugh harder, and her body pushes against his arm and she squeals with the effort while he laughs.

KUNDRA

Like this? You joust like this? Well, if I were just a tiny bit bigger I'd have you wouldn't I?

SOLDIER 2

Maid, you have me just as you are, for life.

KUNDRA (ceasing the battle)

I do? I really do?

Her face shines up at him.

SOLDIER

I swear it.

Her lips are near his. He looks into the blurred closeness of her eyes, decides, then pounds his mouth down on hers. And he is instantly turned to stone.

KUNDRA

And now I have you just as you are for life. Only there is no life here anymore.

She turns like a tiger, face in a snarl, and flies through the air like a hawk, swooping and diving between the trees.

CAMERA slowly PANS around garden to SOLDIER #1 under the fruit tree, likewise frozen to stone in another happy kiss. The witch that has kissed him also flies away, a blur. The villa fades into thin air, along with its enchanted garden. There is just a parched hillside in summer here now and two, big rocks.

WOODS BELOW

Percy comes walking up hill swinging the dead duck. Suddenly, in BG, the villa reappears. The gate opens, and a little BLONDE CHILD (8) stands there. She is weeping.

PERCY

What's made you so sad.

BLONDE CHILD

I have no one to play with.

PERCY

You need a pet. Well, here's a duck.

BLONDE CHILD (snarling)

What do I want with a dead duck?

PERCY (taken aback)

I can fix it.

He waves his arm over it, and it comes back to life. It quacks. He gives it to her. She stares at him, the picture of bewildered evil. Percy smiles at this ravishing little demon.

PERCY

Have a nice day.

He saunters off. The girl hisses like a cat. The Turkish Magician suddenly apparations behind her.

TURK (hissing as well)

That was he, you brainless twit. You lost him.

As he yanks her hair, she turns into a spitting cat. Turk, cat, villa all disappear. The duck looks around surprised, then flies off.

INT. CASTLE - EVENING

Titurel and his Head Knight sit at the table. A soldier races in.

SOLDIER (panting)

Nowhere to be found Lord Titurel.

The two of them must have run away.

HEAD KNIGHT

They were young and lonely for their people. Perhaps we should bring our families for this watch, Lord Titurel.

Titurel nods sadly.

TITUREL

Let it be done.

EXT. MARKETPLACE - DAY

A retinue of litters containing soldiers' wives and children appear. The line stops while jeweled hand of TITUREL'S QUEEN (40) reaches out of the curtained litter to make a purchase.

FARM WOMAN WITH HOT FOOD

She sells a dumpling, looks at the coin. ARTHUR'S face is on it.

FARM WOMAN

Who's this? Some new King they've got.

TITUREL'S QUEEN

Not just any King. He is Arthur of Camelot who rules all Pretania.

FARM WOMAN (holding coin to cheek)

Whoa. I shan't be wanting to spend it.

TITUREL'S QUEEN

Think not of hanging it at your neck for you've a better King there.

The farm woman lifts her Christ on a cross and smiles.

FARM WOMAN

I do.

TITUREL'S QUEEN (kindly)

Go with God.

FARM WOMAN (smiling)

Yourself as well, fair lady.

EXT. CASTLE ON THE HILL - DAY

EXT. RETINUE MOVING UP MOUNTAIN - DAY

EXT. COURTYARD CASTLE - DAY

The retinue arrives. Ladies disembark from litters with their children and servants. The soldiers greet their families.

Titurel embraces the queen and her son, AMFORTAS (12)

EXT. FOREST - DAY

Eight year old Percy creeps through the shrubbery with bow and arrow. He listens to the HOOT of a bird. Suddenly he hears an animal in the brush. He puts one arrow in his teeth, fits another into the bow, poised to kill.

 SHRUBS

Out comes PRINCE AMFORTAS, (12), in a velvet cap. Percy's weapon comes down.

PERCY

You almost wore an arrow through that cap.

I thought you were a deer.

AMFORTAS (a dweeb)

I am Afortas, son of King Titurel.

PERCY

And I am Percival son of ---Michael of the Woods.

AMFORTAS

You actually bag anything with that toy?

PERCY

Toy, say you. I provide for my family's table with this---toy. That pple in the tree? It will be a pie by sundown.

He wheels. Twaaangg.

PIERCED APPLE FLIES THROUGH AIR

AMFORTAS

He whistles. Percy gives him the bow to try. They go off.

NUN (V.O)

And so it was that Percival befriended his first King. Because Amfortas was to be King of the Grail Knights one day.

MONTAGE

The two boys running, hunting, fishing, riding the fine horses, in the castle courtyard, in the river swimming. They go under water.

NUN (V.O.)

They swam, fished and hunted and did so for eight years of friendship.

They come up out of the water. They are NO LONGER CHILDREN. Percy is now 16, AMFORTAS is 20.

FOREST FLOOR - DAY

They creep through the shrubs looking up.

AMFORTAS

There's a mallard.

Percy takes aim. Whaaaannng goes the arrow. Amfortas flinches.

AMFORTAS

I think your arrows are alive. They chase prey of their own free will.

Plop, the bird falls at their feet.

AMFORTAS (continuing, suspicious now)

And even bring it back. Next they will cook it

for you.

Percy laughs.

PERCY

Come to my house and you'll see who cooks it.

They grab the bird and run downhill.

EXT. VILLAGE -EVENING

The houses are garlanded with flowers. Musicians warm up their fiddles, pipes and harps. Drunks have already started tippling.

The mushroom eaters are raising their arms to Gods they can see.

PERCY

It's the pagan celebration of Spring.

AMFORTAS

Christians do not celebrate that one.

PERCY

Well, we have Easter but not with a dance.

AMFORTAS (shivering)

A dance? Are you allowed to watch?

PERCY

If I wanted. I usually take a look.

As they pass the church, the priest shakes his head at all this.

AMFORTAS

There's no girl you like?

PERCY

I like them all.

AMFORTAS (laughing)

That means you're still not old enough. When you get to my age, you start to like just one. Anyway, I'll never know. My father won't let me go to a dance. And there are no girls at the castle.

PERCY

Your parents are strict.

AMFORTAS

Because we carry Pretania's welfare in our hands. We must be wide awake.

PERCY (taking him literally)

Hmmmm. Then you should go home right after dinner and get a good night's sleep.

INT. DINNER TABLE - NIGHT

The duck is finished, they are eating cake.

AMFORTAS

This is very good cake. You must give my mother the recipe.

HELENE (sighing sadly)

Cloves and cinnebar but there will be no more, because Pretania is at war with the Moors who used to sell cinnebar.

AMFORTAS (tasting)

And little pieces of ....

HELENE

Orange peel from moorish oranges. Well no sooner do you get used to something it is snatched away.Life is nothing but change.

EXT. PERCY'S HOUSE - NIGHT

AMFORTAS (waving goodbye)

Thanks. I really enjoyed your family.

He walks off, through the village, peering at the center of the festival, moving closer.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

A village boy calls to him.

BOY

Amfortas, are you coming to the dance?

AMFORTAS

No, I've got to go home.

EXT. MARKETPLACE - NIGHT

Amfortas passes the market place, decorated for a festival. Costumes, dancers, acrobats, trained bears, jugglers and flower garlands, Maypoles. Amfortas is enchanted by it all. A beautiful girl stands with the contestants for some beauty pageant. Amfortas sees the most beautiful girl, who gazes at him, sadly. It is KUNDRA with red hair.

NUN (V.O.)

It was the beautiful Kundra, not a day older than when she was kidnapped. Amfortas falls in love. She is pushed forward by the crowd. He cranes to see where she went, then leaves.

EXT. MOUNTAIN PATH - NIGHT

He climbs.

INT. PALACE DINING HALL - NIGHT

The knights and their wives have finished dinner. From OS, the fiddles and pipes of the villagers are heard. Amfortas comes in.

QUEEN

Have you eaten?

AMFORTAS

At the home of Percival.

THE QUEEN (interested)

Is there a celebration in the village?

AMFORTAS

A carnival with jugglers --dancing bears, and a beauty contest.

TITUREL

Pagans celebrating the return of Spring by sacificing virgins to the River Gods.

AMFORTAS (fearful)

Is that what they're going to do to those girls?

THE QUEEN

Sadly. Titurel, you should exert influence on them to cease such barbaric doings.

TITUREL (reading equivalent of evening paper)

I am not sent here to upgrade the locals, fish for souls, chasten or convert, teach, preach or minister. Just to keep my eye on --- things.

QUEEN

But it's not right to let the village remain pagan. This is modern Pretania.

TITUREL

They have a priest to tend to their souls. We've another job. To guard the safety of ----

QUEEN

Quite right.

Amfortas shakes his head, kisses his mother, nods to his father and leaves.

INT. CASTLE

He climbs the stair, distracted by thought. He stops, makes a decision, turns and goes downstairs.

EXT. CASTLE - NIGHT

Amfortas' silhouette is seen sneaking away. A guard sees it.

EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT

The contest is in full swing. They have chosen the girl Amfortas saw. She is tied to the mast of a boat and pushed into the river.

AMFORTAS

Why do they do that to a girl?

VILLAGER

She will sail down to the ocean, and drown obviously. Then the ocean is happy and we will have rain for our crops all summer.

OLD MAN (cackling)

It was better in the old days. We killed them first. Had rain every summer, sure as shit.

AMFORTAS (horrified)

How can you believe somebody's death could grow crops?

OLD MAN

You mean it doesn't?

Amfortas rushes through the Carnival, down the river, trying to see the boat.

RIVER/TREES

He runs and runs. Then, he sees the boat with the weeping Kundra. He jumps into the spring tide, swims out to boat, climbs on board and unties her hands. He guides boat to shore, helps her out.

KUNDRA

I can never go back. They'd kill me.

Amfortas is sympathetic.

AMFORTAS

The next village is ten leagues down the river. I'll take you there, first light.

MONTAGE: Amfortas builds fire, dries his clothes, she naps under tree. Wolves howl. She moves into his arms. He kisses her.

EXT. FOREST - DAWN

Her eyes open. Her hair is all over the place. She sits up. He can't move.

AMFORTAS

Come here.

She does. They embrace again.

EXT. CASTLE - SUNSET

Amfortas struggles up the hill. At the gate he is met by the Queen and some Knights.

QUEEN

We looked for you everywhere, where were you?

AMFORTAS (lying)

Just down by the river.

There is a cold flicker in the eye of the Knight who saw him leave.

KNIGHT

Your father is ill. Come quickly.

INT. KING'S CHAMBER

Amfortas sits with his father, who is pale.

KING (feverish)

Amfortas. I have decided it is time you take over as King of the Grail Knighthood. In case something happens to me, you must groom Knights for the future, choosing carefully as those who aspire to be Knights but fail the tests, invariably join the side of darkness. Many who make it as Knights are not strong enough and never return from their battles. It has long been my suspicion that there is someone after us, wanting to possess the grail and spear himself. You must be pure enough to fight him. Son, are you pure?

AMFORTAS (lying)

Yes, Father.

KING (relieved)

Good. Tomorrow you will be crowned. Go. Let me rest I must live to see you King.

INT. TITUREL'S CASTLE - DAY

MONTAGE: The CORONATION CEREMONY. Amfortas walks up aisle, sits on the throne. The crown is brought to him by a Knight. Bishop places it on his head. Amfortas is crowned. As he drinks Holy Wine, his hand shakes and his tunic is spotted. The priest frowns. Now King, he walks down aisle, saluting his citizens, which perks him up. The music soars.

INT. AMFORTAS' CHAMBER - NIGHT

His garments are being hung by servants, the ermine cloak, crown. The servants start to take off his doublet. He bids them go. He takes crown, goes to the mirror and admires himself.

INT. CASTLE OF EVIL - NIGHT

A feast is in progress. The Turk is not present. His guests are Titurel's missing Knights, the many enchantress girls.

ENCHANTRESS (to Knight)

Your former life was slavery. Now you are free.

Enchantress pours him wine. Knight drinks, kisses her. Kundra enters room, removing rain-soaked hood. She moves past Enchantress and Knight. Kundra walks past the two witches.

WITCH #2

Did Amfortas succumb?

KUNDRA

He fell like a rotten peach.

Witch throws her a jewel.

WITCH #1

We will always reward you with rubies because we know you love them, Kundra dear.

KUNDRA (fingering the stone)

Very handsome, like a big heart.

WITCH #2

Go tell Klingsor of your luck.

INT. MAGICIAN'S STUDY

It is the medieval alchemist's room par excellance, fitted out with every Magician's trick. Klingsor studies his crystal ball,

HIS VIEW: AMFORTAS IN CRYSTAL ball. CAMERA PULLS BACK. We HEAR a big chuckle and SEE a taloned hand, dragon ring, caress the ball. PULL BACK. Kundra enters. Magician's laugh drowns out the music.

INT. TITUREL'S BEDROOM - DAY

He is held up by the wife.

TITUREL

It's wonderful. Our son is King. I can rest, happy knowing the grail will always be-----safe.

His eyes glaze with the pain of what he suddenly knows and then the surcease of death comes.

EXT. VILLAGE MEADOW - DAY

MONTAGE: The sun is eclipsed. The day darkens. (FILTERS). The landscape becomes dusky red. The peasants rest on the hoe. Each worker is caught in his chore, looking up in horror.

MICHAEL

Some great evil has fallen upon the land.

INT. TITUREL'S CASTLE/ CORONATION

Amfortas takes the sceptre. The crown comes down on his head. He is pronounced King. The roll of thunder is heard.

EXT. VILLAGE - DARK DAY

Lightning strikes the Village church and knocks the cross off.

EXT. HILLSIDE - DARK DAY

The enchanted Villa of the Magician suddenly blatently appears. The gate swings open. The garden full of boulders turns into Titurel's missing Knights, unknotting frozen bodies in pain. A peasant walking in the forest says 'huh' and drops his basket of nuts and runs like hell.

INT. THE GRAIL CASTLE - DARK DAY

Amfortas stands by his father's body. The shouting peasant is heard OS.

PEASANT (O.S.)

I've found your missing knights. Where is the King. Take me to the King.

Amfortas turns. The peasant bursts in.

AMFORTAS

I am the King.

EXT. ENGLISH SHORE - STORMY DAY

A Norse ship circles, unable to land. Suddenly the captain sees a harbor.

CAPTAIN (in Auld Norse)

Ain Anglish Harbor dere---von under saillen dere. Give dem Shit!

NUN (V.O.)

At every breach in their fort, enemy raiders poured in. Huns, Norse, Moors, Saxons, Normans,

EXT. TITUREL'S MOUNTAIN - DARK DAY

Amfortas and his Knights of the Grail ride to the Magician's Villa. Inside the open gates, the Knights sit dazed, rubbing their stiff legs, having been boulders so long. Peasants see this apparition and run.

INT. AMFORTAS' COURT - NIGHT

The peasants kneel, telling a tale of horror.

NUN (V.O)

The King was told. Foolishly, Amfortas carried the Holy Spear itself into battle.

EXT. VILLA/WALL - DAY

AMFORTAS

My brothers. I am here to rescue you.

He and his men ride into the garden. They find beautiful women massaging the legs of the Knights, helping them stand.

AMFORTAS (dismounting, puzzled)

What has happened?

KNIGHT (dazed)

A Turkish Magician turned us into stones.

Suddenly, Amfortas sees Kundra. He takes her hand.

KUNDRA

He has fled, your majesty, fearing such a great soldier and King.

AMFORTAS

I was hoping we would meet again. My prayer is answered. Come, all of you, we'll ride out of this evil place.

KUNDRA (kneeling by Knight)

I think they need a little time. They were turned to stone for so many years.

A maid appears with a tray and wine. Amfortas carelessly bolts the glass down. Amfortas kneels beside Kundra.

AMFORTAS (in love)

You are compassion itself.

She smiles but tears run down her face. She looks at him with such pain. Amfortas leans over to kiss her and as he does, he places the Holy Spear on the ground beside him. They kiss. POOF a big, black hawk swoops across the garden, divebombs the Holy Spear, and as his long, black wings touch it, he turns into the Turkish Magician, who flies across the garden with the spear in hand. Now, Kundra is weeping openly, of divided heart. Amfortas turns, confused. The Turk throws the spear. It lands in Amfortas thigh. Kundra sobs.

TURK

Now look what you've done, King Amfortas. You've gone and pricked yourself. You'll have a sorry time healing that wound. Kundra, be a dear and pull the thing out and give it here, there's a girl.

She pulls it out, causing Amfortas to scream, then carries it to the Turk, but she doesn't give it to him.

He exercises some excruciating will power on her. She fights, but her arm with the spear rises, she places tip on his heart, wanting to pierce him. She cannot. She turns it around and hands it to him. A lightning bolt zaps the red sky. Magician, harem girls, villa disappear. The last thing Amfortas sees is Kundra her arms outstretched to him. Amfortas and his Knights are left drop-jawed. Kundra vaporizes.

EXT. VILLAGE ON BEACH - DARK DAY

Huns run up the hill and murder, loot and pillage.

EXT. ANOTHER VILLAGE on ANOTHER BEACH - DARK DAY

Moors run up the hill and murder, loot and pillage. Huts are burned. People run sreaming from them and are speared.

NUN (V.O.)

Suddenly England was overrun with raiders.

EXT. ENGLISH CASTLE

Soldiers walk through the moat, climb over walls.

NUN (V.O.)

No castle was safe. Moats dried up and were breached. The walls of forts were suddenly not high enough. English men died by the thousand.

INT. TREASURE ROOM

Huns with Viking helmets dripping jewels drink wine.

INT. GRAIL CASTLE

Amfortas lies on a bed, while physicians examine his leg. A Knight stands near.

DOCTOR

It does not heal. I've never seen the like.

NUN (V.O.)

King Amfortas lay horribly crippled. The wound bled day and night, sapping his strength. In his delirium, Amfortas called for Kundra.

KNIGHT

Only the touch of the Spear that made the wound can close it. We must get it back.

KNIGHT TWO

No one who has the spear can be beaten. It is hopeless.

The Knights and Doctor go downstairs. They hear an OS scream. They look in the chapel. The white curtains are torn open. The Queen kneels beside the velvet pillow that held the Grail. The Grail is gone.

EXT. MICHAEL'S HOUSE HOUSE - DARK DAY

Michael kisses his wife goodbye and joins a group of conscripts.

NUN (V.O.)

Percy's father was drafted into the army.

EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DARK DAY

Michael fights some Ghenghis Khan type to the death. He wins, turns, is speared by MANCHURIAN. He dies calling her name.

NUN (V.O.)

Helene never knew where he died.

EXT. MICHAEL'S HOUSE - MORNING

Helene takes the teenaged Percy, the mule, and leaves.

NUN (V.O.)

One day she simply moved to the forest.

EXT. FOREST HUT - DAY

MONTAGE: Helene feeds chickens, weaves, spins, plants vegetables. Another day, her spinning wheel has cobwebs on it. Percy wears brown, old rags and plays a lute. We HEAR sad LUTE MUSIC over this group of scenes.

NUN (V.O.)

They lived in a small cottage. She taught Percy nothing in the ways of the world, neither knowledge of his own history or the world or its ways. She never again pronounced his name.

She called him 'dear son, beautiful son. She taught him one thing: who God was and how his love for man was so great that He sent angels to keep them safe. Hunting game for dinner and playing the lute was all Percival knew. And so he grew to manhood.

EXT. FOREST - DAY

A new, older PERCY (25) creeps through the brush. Suddenly OS sounds of metal clashing are HEARD. Percy looks OS

EXT. GLEN, HIS POV

Five Knights in shining, silver armor joust from atop horses.

NUN (V.O.)

Now, his mother had told him that angels were the most beautiful beings --apart from God.

When they finish jousting, Percy crawls out.

PERCY

Are you angels?

The Knights laugh.

KNIGHT IN ARMOR 1

We're Knights who fight in the service of God and Arthur.

Percy's jaw drops in awe. They ride off in a cloud of dust.

INT. FOREST HUT - DAY

Helene is an old woman at 42. She says rosary to a wall cross. Her son rushes in.

PERCY

Mother, I want to follow the angels. I want silver armor so that I can fight for God and King Arthur.

Helene reacts with terror, collapsing in a chair.

HELENE (agonized)

Your father died in Arthur's service. Will you do the same? Will you take from me the last thing I love?

PERCY

You said that no love should be placed before the love of God.

She sits up, beginning to weep.

PERCY (continuing)

Neither mother, father nor wife matter. Only the work your love of God makes you do.

HELENE (imploring)

My love of God does not make me sacrifice my only son.

PERCY (pointing to heaven)

He sacrificed his only son.

HELENE

But he can have a thousand sons if he wants. I cannot. I've lost too much already. Percy, please. Stay with me. Your old mother needs you. My baby son....Wolves will eat me if you go...

PERCIVAL

My name is PERCIVAL and I am no longer your baby son. So lock your door at night!

She collapses, sobbing, reaching for him. He grabs a rucksack and starts to pack. He sees his ragged shoes.

PERCIVAL

I must make myself a pair of shoes first anyway.

He selects a hide from the wall. She is desperate. She makes a decision and composes herself.

HELENE

If it is your will to leave then I will let you. In fact, I will make you a fine suit of clothes so that you will be respected out in the world.

He nods. They begin to work, Helene duplicitously.

MONTAGE OF SEWING, COBBLING.

His mother sews, then touches his head. He cobbles, brushes away her hand.

NUN (V.O.)

His mother sewed him the suit of a fool, which lunatics wore, hoping that he would not be taken seriously and he would be forced to return to her.

PERCIVAL puts on the ridiculous outfit. It is white muslin, short pants, long sleeves, and a fool's cap.

NUN (V.O.)

And so that he would be completely ill equipped for life, she gave them their donkey to ride.

EXT. FOREST HUT - DAY

Lute in hand, PERCIVAL mounts the donkey. His mother tries to embrace him. He kicks the animal. It plods forward. Mother runs beside him. As she speaks, he nods, but doesn't look.

HELENE (calling after him)

When you come to a church, you should always go in and pray.

Suddenly she realizes.

NUN (V.O.)

And then she decided to tell him everything backwards.

HELENE

And drink a good cup of holy water. And respect women! If you have an opportunity to kiss a maid, you should do it straight off, and if you see a very pretty maid, always steal her ring.

NUN (V.O.)

Everything his mother told him ensured that he would absolutely fail in life.

HELENE (out of breath)

You always ask too many questions. You must stop that. Never ask questions at all. Got that?

PERCIVAL

Yes mother, I love you, goodbye.

As he crosses the bridge, she runs behind him. The bridge is wet and she slips, falling backwards, knocking her head. Her eyes stare at the heavens, unseeing. Percy looks back and thinks she only has fainted. He steels himself and rides on.

CLOSE-UP - PROFILE HELENE

She stares upward at God. Rain pelts her face. Sad lute music is HEARD ON TRACK.

EXT. FOREST - LATE DAY

Rain pelts the dark forest. He is soaked. Head bowed, he rides.

NUN (V.O.)

He assumed she had slipped. He did not know.

EXT. VILLAGES - SUNSET

NUN (V.O.)

Percy wandered, not wanting to appear a fool by asking for directions.

He meets a man tending a field.

PERCIVAL

If a crow were to fly to Camelot, he'd have a hard time in this rain.

The farmer looks south.

FARMER

It may not be raining in Camelot.

Percival changes his trajectory to South.

EXT. SPLENDID HOME - EVENING

Percy dismounts. He sees a graveyard and a chapel.

INT. HOUSE (KITCHEN) - EVENING

NUN (V.O.)

This house was so splendid, Percy took it for a church and walked right in.

He looks for the font. He finds a crock of pickles. He splashes himself, making the sign of the cross.

NUN

He found a crock of pickles, and thought it holy water.

He lifts crock, drinks the brine, PTOOEY! There is a sideboard with a painting of a nobleman. Percy knees and prays to it. He hears OS voices.

MAN (O.S.)

This roast is burnt, damnit! I forbid you to serve burnt meat. I abhor the waste!

The plaintive sounds of a woman weeping are HEARD. Percival draws his wooden sword. He rushes into the room. A man stands carving a roast with a long knife. His wife and children rise in astonishment. A homely serving girl stands near the burnt roast, weeping piteously.

PERCIVAL

No man will mistreat a maid while Percival is near!

He knocks the carving knife from the man's hand and bops him on the head with the burnt roast. AUDIBLE THUNK. The man collapses. Percival goes to the serving maid. He kisses her and takes her ring. The family stands agape. Percival picks up the carving knife and charges out. The family sniffs.

WIFE

Do you smell---pickles?

EXT. ROAD - NIGHT

Percy rides on, strumming his lute.

PERCIVAL (singing)

Oh never was a Knight like Percival, saved the maid from the flames of Hell

One day perhaps she'll be his wife who was to be cut with a ---carving knife?

He looks at the knife, thinks for a puzzled second, looks at the girl's ring which is on his pinkie, then goes on singing.

PERCIVAL (singing)

Oh none have seen a damsel fair as the one that was rescued Over there.

Her fine ring I'll helps me recall That I'm the greatest hero of them all !

Off he rides down the highway.

NUN (V.O.)

And so it was that Percival approached the Castle of King Arthur which, by the way, had fallen on very hard times what with the costs of fighting off this endless invasion.

EXT. CAMELOT CASTLE/ MATTE - MORNING

Its glorious spires shine. As Percy nears it, a Knight in beautiful, shining, blood-red armor rides past him at full speed with a golden cup under his arm. Percy's eyes bug at the armor, which he covets immediately.

NUN (V.O.)

Suddenly, Percy saw the most beautiful armor coming right at him.

KNIGHT

When you see Arthur, tell him to give me my salary or send a strong Knight for the cup.

The man lifts the golden cup. Percival watches him go.

EXT. CAMELOT CASTLE COURTYARD - MORNING

Percival rides in, sees the Great Door.

INT. GREAT HALL - MORNING

ARTHUR (55) sits in deep thought. Queen GUENEVERE sits by him, cleaning wine off the neck of her dress with the help of a stony faced NURSE. SIR KAY (50) sits on one side of Arthur, a Squire on the other. Jester dwarves sit morbidly at their knees. A few bored courtiers stare at the sight of Percy riding in on the back of an ass. Percival is going to leave when his donkey hee-haws. Arthur is roused.

SQUIRE

Excuse me. Hello? You've come to see the King?

PERCIVAL

Yes, but if he's not in....

All heads turn fearfully to Arthur, who snorts a laugh.

ARTHUR

But if he were in, who would be here to see him?

PERCIVAL (stumped)

Is that a riddle?

SIR KAY

He's asking for your name, dummy.

PERCIVAL

Percival of the Woods and Flowers.

There are knowing nods as they realize they've got a loony here.

Percival studies the shelf behind the King's head. There are 12 slots for 12 golden cups only one cup is missing. Percival points to the empty slot.

PERCIVAL

I notice ---

SIR KAY shushes him.

SIR KAY

You notice nothing, young fellow.

PERCIVAL

But I do. I notice the cup is gone and someone has thrown wine at the Queen. Well, a Red Knight rode past me with the cup. I think he has insulted both your majesties. Sire, make me a Knight and I will go retrieve the cup and pay this brigand for the stain to her Majesty's fine dress.

Their jaws drop. The Queen's stony faced nurse smiles, then giggles, then laughs, then finally hoots with tears. The group is shocked to see her laugh but SIR KAY has gone pale.

SIR KAY

Your Majesty, why not knight this brave servant who is obviously your deliverer?

The king shakes his head, knowing the boy will be killed.

SIR KAY

He's got a bow and arrow there and a cunning little spear...no, it's a carving knife.

ARTHUR (chiding)

Sir Kay, you have a malevolent streak.

JESTER (pointing to nurse)

Remember the prophecy. That she would never laugh until she saw the man who would be supreme among Knights.

Arthur is thoughtful.

ARTHUR (to Percival)

Are you a baptized Catholic?

PERCIVAL

At birth, sir, never missed morning or evening prayer nor church on Sunday.

Arthur is impressed. He stands, takes his sword.

ARTHUR (under his breath)

Well, this religion can turn a clod into a lump of gold it would seem. Kneel, Percival. You are deemed worthy. Now, do you swear to serve God, the King of England and your fellow Knights as well as the people of Pretania in purity, chastity and love and deliver us of criminals so help you God?

Percy murmurs 'I do. '

SIR KAY

He leans over, knuckle to forehead, hiding mouth.

SIR KAY (to man next to him)

We must be getting pretty desperate around here.

ARTHUR gives Percy two whacks on the shoulders. Then gives Sir Kay two harder ones.

ARTHUR

I hereby knight you Sir Percival. Stand, you are a Knight of the Round Table, sir.

Percival looks down at his lunatic's coat to see if there's any change. The group winces.

PERCIVAL (turning donkey around)

Then why waste time? I am gone on my errand.

ARTHUR (to his adjutant)

Squire, give him a horse and ride with him. He's a brave fool and deserves Christian burial.

The Nurse stands as he rides out.

NURSE (calling)

You will be supreme among Knights.

And she breaks into laughter, against her own will. She covers her mouth, ashamed. SIR KAY stares at her in horror.

EXT. HILLS - DAY

They ride full speed. Percy has a horse now and rides it well.

SQUIRE

You've ridden before?

PERCY

Oh yes. You think I'm some sort of idiot who just decided one day to be a knight?

The Squire is embarrassed that Percy hit it exactly.

SQUIRE

Forgive us our bewilderment. You see, there was that prophecy and that nurse has never laughed and laughter is known to be magic.

PERCY

Everything's magic. Just no one much can see it.

SQUIRE

Can you?

PERCY

No, but one doesn't always need to. The important thing is to know that everything is magic. And I do know that.

The Squire ponders that as they ride.

EXT. RIDGE OF THE WORLD - SUNSET

Owls hoot. It is the hour of the gloaming, when the sky is cobalt blue above, and gold at the rim of the world. The last sunbeam falls on a ruby red speck in the valley below, in some trees.

PERCIVAL

For instance, It's magic that the last sunbeam strikes something red. Shall we go see what it is?

They advance at full gallop. Trees brush their heads. They bend, then sit up, stare OS and come screeching to a stop.

RED KNIGHT, THEIR POV.

They come right up on him. He turns, snarling, high atop steed.

PERCIVAL

Halt. Brigand, give me back Arthur's cup!

The Red Knight's lips curl. He lifts his lance from his saddle and KABOOM, knocks Percival off his horse.

RED KNIGHT

Get lost, lunatic before I spit and roast you.

PERCIVAL

How? Tis I who have the roast knife! (zany moues)

From the ground, Percival hurls his carving knife upward. It goes point-first right through the Knight's eye and into his brain. The Knight topples from the horse with a thunk of meat and the clang of iron. The Squire is thunderstruck. Percival scrambles to his feet, grabs the cup from the saddle, hands it to the Squire.

PERCIVAL

There. What's Arthur's is Arthur's once again.

And what's mine is mine.

He peels off the red armor he has coveted. He can't figure out how to get it on. The Squire dismounts and helps him.

SQUIRE

That was a mortal blow. (thinking) Son. Did you somehow note the fine armor when you first saw this character and think to get the cup because of the armor?

PERCIVAL

No! I knew the cup was stolen and I knew I could get the cup---and the armor, first second I saw him. I just knew it.

SQUIRE (worried)

A knight doesn't fight to pillage and loot. Only to avenge wrongs.

PERCIVAL (busy dressing)

I avenged wrongs today and I will avenge them another day but think, how much better I shall avenge them in a fine suit of armor!

He turns, fully armored, to display his beauty. The Squire can't help but smile. He takes the dead man's lance, shield and sword and gives them to Percy.

NUN. (V.O.)

The Squire saw that Percival was good and true and a force of nature, worthy of being one of Arthur's Knights. So that night, he showed Percy the secrets of the sword, lance and shield.

TWO SILHOUETTES AGAINST THE BLUE EVENING SKY.

The older man teaches the younger, two black forms in a slow gavotte against the deep blue evening sky.

SLOW FADE OUT.

FADE IN. EXT. ROMAN HIGHWAY - DAY

Percy gallops proudly down the road in his gorgeous, red armor. Peasants wave and hail him. He is cheery to all. A WAGON FARMER with a load of vegetables calls:

WAGON FARMER

How fares the war, Knight?

PERCIVAL (astonished)

War? What war? I have seen no war.

Percy reins his horse, interested.

FARMER'S WIFE

Do Turks and Huns still invade our land?

PERCIVAL (uncomfortable)

Jeez, it's news to me.

WAGON FARMER

You call yourself a knight. Ptooey.

The farmer spits contemptuously near Percy's feet.

FARMER'S WIFE (jeering)

Looks like a case of all dressed up and no place to go.

PEASANT WOMAN (hooting)

Beware of enterprises that require new clothes!

Percy spurs his horse to a gallop. The peasants guffaw and jeer as he rides off, crest-fallen.

 EXT. HILL - DAY

Percy rides thoughtfully, to the crest of a hill. What he sees makes him leap from his steed and crouch in a bush.

EXT. VALLEY, CASTLE BELOW, (MATTE) PERCY'S POV - DAY

The castle of Belrepeire has been taken siege and is surrounded by Moorish pirates whose caravelle is moored in the harbor below. Slightly closer is a village.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Percy rides in. Villagers toil in field, hoeing vegetables.

PERCY (pointing)

Huns are surrounding your master's castle!

A peasant nods 'shit happens.'

SECOND PEASANT

Not my master.

VILLAGER (correcting Percy)

And they're Moors. Don't you know anything?

PERCY

Moors, Huns, six of one, a half dozen of any other color is just a--- (seeing puzzled look) an invader who deserves to die! No?

There is profound disinterest.

PERCY

I don't get it. How can you just stand there? Why don't you fight these brigands and drive them off?

VILLAGER

Get a life.

SECOND PEASANT

With what shall we fight? Cow dung or hoe?

PERCY (exhorting him)

This is your King in that castle, being attacked by ruthless invaders who want to pillage murder and plunder...

VILLAGER

I don't have a King. I got a rich guy in a castle there (pointing) who taxes the holy shit out of me---you mean I should go rescue him?

PERCY

Your Lord is surrounded by Moorish pirates who mean him harm.

VILLAGER

Aaaahh, they won't kill him. Abdullah there just wants to marry the King's daughter.

HIS WIFE (matter of factly)

Blanchefleur---a real looker.

PERCY

Well, I suppose if the fellow just wants to marry ----A looker, hmmmm.

HIS WIFE

Skin white as snow. Hair like ebony. Cheeks and lips as red as rubies.

PERCY (looking off at castle)

We must save Blanchefleur from a fate worse than death!

Percy rushes off.

EXT. MARKETPLACE.

Percy spots a monk in a hooded garment. He takes the priest's elbow.

PERCY

Your holiness, I know you don't approve of war, but---

He whispers to the priest, but we cannot hear him.

EXT. HILL - DAY

Percy rides toward the besieged castle on a horse. He wears the monk's robes and hood, strums his lute and sings.

PERCY (singing)

There travelled from far Araby to wed the maid Blanchfleur, well known as fair and pure,

and fight the Red Knight Percival had come this swarthy Moor.

The Moorish Pirate ABDULLAH (30) AND HIS SOLDIERS stop fighting. All smile.

MOORISH SOLDIER (to Captain)

You see, Abdullah, it is your destiny.

ABDULLAH

You, musician, come here. Who taught you that song?

PERCY (brightly)

It was foretold sire, that a Moor would fight Knight Percival to win the Princess' hand.

Abdullah is a dim bulb. He smiles.

ABDULLAH

That's me. I'm Abdullah.

PERCY

Then why bother fighting all these men? Just knock and ask the King to let you in and fight the Red Knight and she's yours. They've been waiting for you for four hundred years.

ABDULLAH (pleased)

Really?

PERCY

You just have to fight the one Knight, hand to hand, and when you win, she's yours.

ABDULLAH (to his men)

Stop. Everyone, cease. No more boiling oil!

He turns, calls up to the soldiers on the escarpments.

ABDULLAH (continuing)

Open the gate. I am Abdullah, here to marry the Princess, and of course, fight that Knight first.

PERCY (calling up)

Yes, you can let him in. He's going to fight Knight Percival and when Abdullah wins and hell freezes he's going to marry the Princess.

ON TOP OF THE WALL

King, Courtiers, Princess Blanche, her mother and a lot of soldiers stand behind the battlements in utter confusion.

PRINCESS BLANCHEFLEUR

She is white skinned, black haired, red lipped and as beautiful as her reputation. She smiles as she understands the code and sees Percy's charade.

PERCY, BELOW

He sees her and is taken immediately.

PERCY (calling up)

And it was foretold by legend the Princess Blanchefleur would meet her husband today, this very minute.

She smiles.

PERCY

And Abdullah's here and Hell's not freezing so everything's on schedule. Open the gate.

ON BATTLEMENTS, KING, QUEEN.

KING (super confused)

Sweetheart, do we have a Knight Percival?

PRINCESS

I think we do and he's down there. Father, open the gate.

KING (directing his men)

If the Princess says so---Open the gates.

 GATES/WALL

They swing open. Abdullah and his men enter like gentlemen, led by Percy. He makes them leave their weapons outside.

PERCY

Weapons outside. This is a wedding.

(to another) Nah, nah, nah.

The Moors leave their arrows and spears in a pile at the door and go in. The villagers creep up on the weapons, take them and run.

INSIDE CASTLE WALLS

The Queen greets Abdullah. The moor kisses her hand, meanwhile checking out the princess.

PERCY (turning the group around)

Now, you know the rules of the game. You must fight the Knight and when he's good and dead, you get the Girl.

ABDULLAH

Bring him on.

PERCY

Abdullah, you're lookin' at him.

He drops his cloak and there he stands in his armor with spear, lance and shield and sword. Super-equipped. Cherry armor shining.

ABDULLAH (blanching)

I come unarmed.

PERCIVAL

Not yet.

He slices twice.

PERCIVAL (brightly)

Now you're unarmed.

Courtiers groan. Two O.S. arms fall to the ground KERPLOP making grown men faint and retch, women swoon. The Princess covers her eyes. The moors are terrified and run back to the gate. Their weapons are not where they left them.

PERCIVAL

You're unarmed, too? My advice is don't lose your head, get on board your ship and sail back to Bagdad. Pretania was not on the tour. The castle is closed on account of the big wedding. No pirates invited.

The men run off. The courtiers laugh with delight. Blanchefleur bites her lip with excitement. She stands near Percy. She prods her father.

KING

Err, Sir. You have won the hand of my daughter Blanchefleur---If you want it.

Percy stares into her eyes with love.

PERCY

I do.

KING

And with her goes my crown and castle. You will be King Percival and when I am gone, you will rule the Castle Belrepaire and this province will be yours to rule for King Arthur.

PERCIVAL

I would be honored, such a beautiful girl, I've never---You're the most beautiful girl I've ever--You're the only girl I've ever seen, except for my mother.

The courtiers giggle, the Princess flutters with love.

HOUSEMAID (astonished)

He's stupid.

A dowager Nanny shushes the girl so royal family won't hear.

PERCIVAL (going on)

..And the castle's not bad either, but you have a miserable public relations problem down in the village which maybe I can help you work on.

INT. CASTLE- NIGHT

The banquet is in full flower. Blanchefleur demurely bats her eyes at Percival. It is love.

KING

The marriage will be tomorrow.

INT. BED CHAMBER NIGHT-

Percival is tucked into a feather bed. The door opens and Blanche enters in nightdress. She sits on the bed.

PERCIVAL

You're a baptized Catholic, aren't you?

BLANCHEFLEUR

Yes.

PERCIVAL

Me too, so no funny business. Not until we are married. But you can sleep here.

She climbs onto the huge bed. He puts his spear between them.

PERCIVAL (nervous)

So, you lived here long?

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO INCLUDE WINDOW. LAP DISSOLVE.

SAME WINDOW/ SUN SLOWLY COMES UP.

NUN (O.S.)

They talked til dawn and Percival kept to his word. He did not touch her until they were married because it would not be pure.

THE SLEEPING PAIR

Their hands are clasped.

EXT. ORCHARD - SUMMER DAY

The entire court is dressed for a country wedding, informal clothing. Percival and Blanchefleur are married. A priest says holy vows, tying their souls for eternity. There is an arbor of summer flowers with twin swans painted on a canopy, necks interlaced. Here is where the super-decor starts. Pre-Raphaelite Victorian English traditional art, costume, lace thrown into the Pre-Dark Ages Pre-Medieval, unknown 5th Century Celtic Art. Belrepaire is a very fawncy castle.

MONTAGE

Percy and Blanche lie in bed before a fire. They eat breakfast together, fabulous tablesettings. They saddle horses, ride together. They swim in a river. They pick fruit. They cook in a superbly decked out kitchen, then kiss, then eat. The servants giggle. The Montage turns from summer to Autumn scenery/decor.

INT. CASTLE, COLD AUTUMN NIGHT

Percy and Blanhe look out a window. Autumn is golden upon the land. To Percy, the road looks inviting. Blanche closes the window and he wraps her in his arms. She wears red velvet and is pregnant. Autumn leaf decorations fill the hall. The King and Queen resume some prosaic entertainment like reading from the Psalms. Percy sits next to his wife, looking this way and that, restlessly while Psalms are read aloud and women embroider.

NUN (O.S.)

He'd just gotten to be a knight for a minute and suddenly he was married. The road called to him, it was in his blood. A beautiful wife and a baby coming couldn't stop him from wanting to get out there in the countryside and battle dragons.

PERCY/BLANCHE IN BEDROOM

PERCY

I've got to go but I'll come back. When's the baby due? Late Spring? I'll be back by then.

BLANCEFLEUR (weeping)

You don't love me.

PERCY

I do. I will love you wherever I go. But I must go and come and go and come. That's my way.

NUN (O.S.)

Actually, that's the way of all men before and since...Man will go and woman will stay. Better get used to it girls.

EXT. THE ROAD - AUTUMN DAY

Percy rides at a gallop through autumn hills ablaze.

EXT. CASTLE TOWER - DAY

Blanchefleur waves a hanky sadly.

EXT. STRANGE, DARK ROAD - DAY

Trees lean over the road, black dripping branches leafless.

NUN (O.S.)

As he rode, he fell into a trance. his horse's steps seemed to carry him far. He arrived at a strange place, which hadn't a leaf on any tree.

RIVER BANK

Two men on board a small boat, are fishing. One of them is the FISHER KING, (56). He is tired and sick looking.

PERCY (calling)

Hail, sires. Are there lodgings nearby?

The King points.

CASTLE

Leafless trees surround a ruin. The moat is dry. The gate is open. Percy rides in. A 100 YEAR OLD MAN hobbles out and takes his horse. Percy dismounts and helps the man with reins.

INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT

Percy enters. A banquet is under way. As this is Hell, the Devil himself, witches sit with dead knights. But they also have visitors, wise old men who died with perhaps one sin to their soul. And as St. Peter is in charge of all names in the register of both heaven and Hell, ST. PETER (75) is here, as well. They all sit eating a first course of salad and bread. Under a fish tapestry sits the Fisher King, crippled, sick and old. The King gestures to Percy to sit in one chair. Large altar candles illuminate the room. With solemnity, a page enters with a sword on a pillow. He gives it to the King who shows it to Percy. 

FISHER KING

There are only three such swords in existence. The smith who forged them is no more. It will not break in battle except under one condition.

Percy is going to ask what, but he demurs, knowing he should not ask questions.

NUN (O.S.)

Percy was going to ask what that condition was, but he remembered his mother's warning not to ask questions.

The King looks to him, as if saying, do you want it? A Page enters, carring a spear. Blood drips down its point onto a white pillow. The King gives this to him.

FISHER KING

This spear has the power to vanquish anyone in battle. The man who wields it could be emperor of the world.

Percy touches the point. Two drops of blood turn to rubies on his fingers. He offers them to the King.

FISHER KING

For your wife.

Percy pops them in his pocket. Two more pages enter with a magnificent, large oval platter, or Grail, with a huge, baked fish in it. MUSIC AND CHIMES HEARD. The grail is golden, pearl and emerald rimmed with two vine-like handles on a tray covered with deep green velvet. The pages start serving dinner.

NUN (O.S.)

While Percy watched, a dozen men were served from this small grail.

Percy is about to ask a question but demurs.

SERVING MAIDEN GETS TO PERCY

MAID

And what would you dine on sire?

PERCIVAL

What do you have?

MAID

Whatever you want.

PERCIVAL

I love lamb chops.

MAID

Lamb. Right here.

She spoons out pink lamb.

PERCIVAL

The shank in particular..crispy skin...

Garlic...

MAID (finding it)

The shank and garlic!

PERCIVAL

You know what's odd, a second ago, he had fish...and HE had chicken...

MONK

And Peter here is having goose.

FISHER KING (heartily)

Think how such a Magical Grail would feed Arthur's armies.

PERCIVAL

Arthur would love a Grail like this one. It's kind of like a magical Grail, isn't it?

FISHER KING (with alacrity)

Yes. Why?

Percy shrugs and goes on eating. Fisher King looks bereft.

PETER (eating)

You think that's magic. When Christ died in Phoenicia, Nicocodemus scraped the dried blood from his wounds and put it in a glass bottle. Then he hid the bottle in a tree which grew around it. When the Pagans invaded the area, a storm tore the branch off and a wave carried it into the sea. The Branch washed ashore in Normandy and there the branch rooted. A huge fig tree grew with the bottle inside of it. Nobody had ever seen a fig tree grow in sand so people came from near and far. It became a holy spot. People were healed just being there. Relics have magical power.

Percival doesn't get it. He nods vaguely, goes on eating.

PETER (emphacizes it twice)

Just a few drops of our Savior's blood.

Percival is chewing, not getting it.

PETER

Forget it.

All the good guests look at each other hopelessly, like, 'what a dunce.' The Devil grins.

MONK (keeping at it)

That's nothing. Joseph of Arimathea, who brought Christ's holy grail to Pretania, planted his staff on the island of Avalon. Well, it grew into a holy thorn that blooms each Christmas. There is an Abbey there today. You go there and collect this holly and give it to people and it gives people joy in the middle of the dark time.

PERCIVAL (munching thoughtfully)

Maybe the holy Grail is at that abbey.

They all look at this idiot. An embarassed silence falls over the table. Percival notices it and pulls the Grail to himself and serves himself some more lamb.

ANOTHER MONK

MONK (chewing, swallowing)

You know the holy sepulchre where Christ was buried, a cave, right? For hundreds of years it's been choked with rocks. It's there in the holy land but none of these Arabs knows Christ was buried there. Some say we should go after it. What do you think? Liberate the Holy Sepulcher with a Crusade or something?

Every head turns toward Percival.

PERCIVAL (lying)

Great idea.

The grail in his hand cracks.

MONK

The grail shatters if you lie. I take it you don't think a crusade would be a good idea?

PERCIVAL

Well, it's only a little cave, right? A lot of people would have to die to get it back. I mean, there's a lot of steel in Damascus. Could be dangerous.

MONK

Yes, but who knows. Life is a strange affair. I should not be surprised if life were death and death were life. Perhaps we are all actually dead.

(Percival is speechless)

PETER (continuing)

I once heard a wise man say that was true. What if our body is actually a tomb for the soul? If that's so, nobody would have to die battling to get the Holy Sepulchre back. They would only be purified by the fight, right?

Percy is uncomfortable. Peter smiles and resumes eating. As an afterthought, Peter points a finger at grail. It repairs itself. Percy looks this way and that, perturbed. 

INT. CHAMBER - NIGHT

Percy is undressed by pages, given red juice set on a napkin, like the Host, tucked in. He makes hand shadows on the ceiling.

CEILING. No shadows are there. Percy is startled.

PERCY/ NEAR DAWN

He sleeps restlessly. Ghostly voices hoot.

INT. BED/PERCY - MORNING

He wakes, looks around. SILENCE. He gets up.

INT. CASTLE - MORNING

It is empty. Table is dusty. No candelabras. Percy runs his finger over the dust.

EXT. COURT YARD - DAY

There is no one around. His horse is there, saddled. He looks around.

PERCY

The stableboy probably died.

As he leaves, the drawbridge suddenly starts to close. His horse must leap to the other side of the moat.

EXT. HIGHWAY DAY

Percy rides. By the side of the road, a HAG WILDWOMAN (50) weeps over a dead man. Percy stops.

PERCY

I can help you bury him.

WILDWOMAN (standing)

That's alright. He's no deader than I am.

Percy squints.

PERCY

Then, why are you weeping?

WILDWOMAN

Because you're a fool Percival. You were in the castle of the Fisher King. Did you not see the Holy Grail and Spear?

Percival is speechless.

WILDWOMAN

The King required you only ask the right question to be given these sacred objects but you didn't ask.

PERCY

My mother said never to ask---

DEAD MAN (sitting up)

Never believe anything people tell you, see for yourself!

WILDWOMAN

If you had asked the question that was on your tongue---why was he showing you the sword, did he want to give it to you? What was the meaning of this great company of saints --You sat with Saint Peter, for God's sake! You ate out of the Holy Grail. You touched the Holy spear. If you'd recognized those holy relics which the Magician placed in the underworld with the dead for safe keeping, the wealth of that realm would have been given to you.

PERCY'S JAW DROPS

WILD WOMAN (continuing)

They'd have given you the sacred Spear, you could have undone the enchantment over our land and you could have ruled as King! Great good would have come from just one question but oh, no, dummy here doesn't want to seem stupid which then, is what he immediately is. So, thanks to you, birdbrain, invaders will pour in from many lands, soldiers will die by the thousand, women and children will die of starvation without fathers to plow! All because of you, you miserable stone-tongued wimp.

Tears run down Percival's cheeks. Why me, he asks mutely.

PERCY

It's not my fault I am stupid. My mother kept me from the world.

WILDWOMAN

Everyone designs himself and blames another. Your misfortune is a result of one act. The wrong you did to your mother who died on your account.

PERCY

My mother is ---dead?

WILDWOMAN

There on that bridge where she fell. ntil you close accounts on that, you are less than a lump of owl dung, a smear on that tree!

PERCIVAL (lifting his sword)

I am a fine swordsman and I'll find the Turkish Magician. I will pay for what I did to my mother with my life.

WILD WOMAN

Then you're equipped with good intentions and precious little else. Percival, you needed the Fisher King's magic sword. That pretty little trinket you have there will fail you in your time of greatest need. Mark my words.

She disappears. The dead man gets up and rubs his eyes, looks contemptuously at Percy and dusting his elbows, walks off.

Percy stands there, limp sword in hand.

EXT. ROAD - DAY

Percy rides on, aimlessly, crest fallen.

EXT. SKY - HAWK CIRCLING

PERCY LOOKS UP

EXT. ROAD - SNOWY DAY

Three drops of blood fall on the snow near a black rock. The red spots become a woman's cheeks and lips, the curving rock her hair.

VISION: BLANCHEFLEUR

PERCY

He falls into a trance. Ice encases him and the horse.

NUN (O.S.)

He fell into a deep sleep and was frozen there for an entire winter with neither food nor fire.

SPRINGTIME:

The snow melts, flowers bloom. A handsome Knight rides into scene, GAWAIN (24). He leans over and rouses the sleeping Percy with a shake and a whistle. Percy is blue.

GAWAIN

I say. Your hands are like ice. When did you last eat?

PERCY

It was October, no..November.

GAWAIN

Ah. You wish to die. Why, have you committed some terrible sin?

PERCY

Sin? Is that like something heavy that I carry with me, here?

He touches region of his heart.

GAWAIN

Yes, that's it. What sin did you do?

PERCY

I don't remember. There's just an empty hallway with a closed door.

GAWAIN

Yes, that's sin, exactly. When you forget. Must have been a bad one.

PERCY

Must have been.

GAWAIN

We'll put you right at Camelot.

INT. CAMELOT - DAY

Guinevere and her maids nurse him back to health. Percival is delerious with fever.

PERCIVAL

Mother, mother.

GUINEVERE

No, I am Guinevere. You are at Camelot.

PERCIVAL

Where is the King?

GUINEVERE

He wars the Goths near Cardiff. He has been there all Winter.

Trumpets are heard. Guinevere looks out the window.

EXT. ROAD BELOW CASTLE

Men ride in a batallion, many wounded.

BACK TO SCENE

Guinevere starts to run out but ARTHUR comes in, Gawain behind him. She rushes to her husband, hugs him.

ARTHUR (coming to bed)

Guinevere. And looks who's here. I never thought to see you again, Percival.

GAWAIN

He wants to die.

PERCIVAL

I was this close to the Grail and the Spear.

Arthur flinches. Seeing his reaction, Percival gets out of bed in his nightclothes, tries to put on his armor.

PERCIVAL

I'll find it again. M'lord, that's a vow.

GUENEVERE

No, no. Arthur, stop him. He's unwell.

EXT. COURTYARD - DAY

Percy emerges from castle, nightclothes sticking out of armor. King, Queen and courtiers follow.

PERCIVAL (calling back)

I won't sleep two nights in any place until I find the Grail and spear and return them to Camelot.

The courtiers watch him go.

ARTHUR

Don't worry. You look at Percy, you feel he hasn't the chance of a snowball in hell but that's when the chap does the job. He's a can-do kind of kid!

The King's arm is around his queen as they watch Percy go.

EXT. HILLS - DAY

NUN (O.S.)

Percy wandered Pretania, searching everywhere for the Fisher King's underworld castle but he was careless with himself, eating nothing but nuts and berries, forgetting to build fires, and never going into a church. And gradually, he got this terrible look. You know how people get...when they don't take care of themselves. 

PERCY IN FOREST

He is hairy, emaciated, wild-eyed. A bearded HERMIT (75) turns a bird on a spit over a small fire.

HERMIT

You are a mess. You'll get nowhere unless you keep orderly habits. You brush your teeth. You eat vegetables daily. Fruit. Protein meals. Light on starches. No fried foods.

PERCIVAL

It's not food I need.

HERMIT

You need God's presence. If you can't forgive yourself, you'll never let yourself have the very things you search for. he reason you didn't ask about the grail was that you were trying to live by someone else's set of rules and you weren't true to your own promptings.

PERCY (knotting up in tears)

No. The reason my mind failed was because of sin. I caused my mother's death.

While Percy weeps, the hermit removes the bird from the fire.

HERMIT

I doubt it. Our hour is written in a heavenly ledger but let us say the last hours of her life were full of sorrows, due to your hard heart.

(studying Percy)

It's not what you did, it's how you did it, boy.

Percy nods.

HERMIT (continuing)

The way you left showed your lack of compassion. Words are like swords, they can carve your dinner or cut a heart in two. Your sword's of steel so your hand doesn't need to be.

He gives Percy half the bird. Percy eats.

EXT. CLEARING, POND - DAY

A flock of regal, peaceful swans glide over the water.

EXT. FOREST - DAY

Percy creeps through the trees, bow in hand. He heats a hooting. He runs through the brush, hears a sound above him, he takes aim and his arrow soars.

EXT. LAKE (THROUGH TREES) - DAY

A bird has fallen in the shallows, kerplop.

EXT. TREELINE/BANK - DAY

Percy clears the trees, runs toward the shore. Angry Knights surround the shot bird. King Amfortas (35), sits on a litter nearby, weak, pale, his bad leg on a pillow, tended by doctors. Percy pushes through the crowd of Knights, picks up his bird.

GURNMAN (offended)

You don't eat swan. It's a bird of peace and purity ,mates for life. It's the symbol of the soul that loves God, which is God, hence it gives us eternal life, even after death.

Percival looks down, contrite.

PERCY

I'm sorry.

He waves his hand over it, bringing it back to life, it flies off. Now, the King recognizes him.

AMFORTAS

I knew you as a child. Percival. You haven't changed.

PERCIVAL (approaching King)

Well, you have.

KNIGHT

Impudent! The King's leg bleeds from a wound given him by the Turkish Magician.

AMFORTAS

As the wound was done by the Magic spear it won't heal unless I get the Spear back.

PERCIVAL

I saw the spear. It's in the underworld.

KNIGHT

It is written that only a fool can get near the relics. That would explain how he saw them!

The sound of hooves is heard. Kundra rides in, in peasant garb.

GURNMAN

Kundra is the only one who can keep him alive. The balm stops the bleeding for a while.

She draws a bottle of medicine from her bodice, runs to Amfortas who kisses her hands. The medicine stops the bleeding.

AMFORTAS

I must rest. My strength will come back now.

A group of soldiers carries the King up the hill, on the litter.

KNIGHT (to Kundra)

You are the enchantress from the Turk's garden.

KUNDRA

Would I bring him medicine if that were so?

Gurnman steps in.

GURNMAN

She has served the King. Leave her alone.

Reluctantly, angrily, the Knights go.

PERCIVAL (to Gurnman)

I saw the grail and the spear but I didn't know. I didn't know.

GURNMAN

That's why you got so close. But even when you don’t know if you ask the right question, they must be given you.

PERCIVAL

No one told me. I knew nothing.

GURNMAN

It doesn't matter if you're stupid if you learn to ask the right question!

Percival slumps in exasperation.

PERCIVAL

I will win it back.

GURNMAN

You must become a soldier of God to do that.

PERCIVAL

Tell me how. I will do it.

He stands tall, in battle posture with knife, sword, lance, arrows, spear, shield, ready to be shown the stance.

GURNMAN

It's simple.

Percival swishes his sword, like 'is this it?' Gurnman gently forces Percy's sword down.

GURNMAN

Meditate before you act. Think before you speak. Live in utter silence the rest of the time, evicting all thoughts.

Percy nods, hungry for more.

GURNMAN (continuing)

Only strike those who offend God or another. Serve a virtuous earthly lord, failing that a great teacher. Never harm your brother, only praise him. Apologize to everyone you have offended and make each sin right.

Only choose that which creates harmony, avoiding that which might create sorrow. (breathless)

There, Did I leave anything off?

He counts on his fingers.

GURNMAN

No. I think not.

PERCIVAL

But what about my sword work?

GURNMAN

Not important. But practice anyway. Come. you'll stay for dinner.

INT. GERMAN CONVENT - LATE DAY

The nun is perturbed.

MARGARET

How could the soldiers recognize Kundra?

NUN

One of them escaped, you'll recall. He remembered her.

MARGARET

No, none of them escaped. They were both turned to stone.

NUN (consternated)

Maybe I don't remember it right.

She grabs hold of the desk, weak, trying to think back.

NUN

I think we should break for supper.

GIRLS

No, finish the story.

NUN

It's getting dark. You'll miss chapel.

GIRLS

We'll go without dinner and we'll all say extra Hail Mary's.

NUN

You can't go without dinner.

GIRLS

You said Percy went a whole winter without food.

NUN

Yes, but he was enchanted. We are not.

MARGARET

You said everybody was magic. If we are included in that, then we can do without dinner.

NUN

Margaret. The student should surpass the master, ---later in life.

The nun sits down and nibbles another cookie.

NUN

Alright. I shall continue.

INT. GRAIL CASTLE

King Amfortas is able to get off the litter and stand. He is helped to a chair by a priest.

NUN (O.S.)

Kundra's balm gave King Amfortas enough strength to finally face his blame.

AMFORTAS

Father, I am impure. Can God forgive me?

PRIEST

He already has. But your majesty, you must forgive yourself. Talk with God.

Amfortas stands. He walks into Chapel.

INT. CHAPEL - NIGHT

The King kneels. He prays. As he does, the ghost of his dead father, King Titurel appears.

VOICE (O.S.)

My son. Your repentence has restored your purity. The Holy spear will be yours again, but it will be won by another.

AMFORTAS

Who?

VOICE (O.S.)

Confess your sin to a Knight who loves you. Out of heart's pity, he will win you the spear that will heal your wound.

The King's head bows in gratitude.

COMMUNION MONTAGE.

The rest of the Grail Castle occupants enter, the Knights, Qyeen Mother, Percival. The priest enters and the rite of Communion starts. Musical motif of the sacrament resounds with triumphant church bells. Percival kneels, takes wafer and wine from priest.

PRIEST

Eat of Christ's flesh, drink of his blood. More than Christ did, you will do.

The priest hangs a jeweled SWAN NECKLACE on Percival's neck. When the priest gets to the King he gives him the wafer. The King looks at the wafer and passes out cold.

KING AMFORTAS' BEDROOM/ GRAIL CASTLE - NIGHT

Percy, the Priest, several Knights help the King into bed. The King confesses his sin to a Knight.

AMFORTAS (hoarsely, eyes rolling)

I was impure, I lay with Kundra before my coronation. I lied to my father.

The Knight spurns him and leaves. Percy comes in with a tray of food. Amfortas waves the food away.

AMFORTAS

Percy. Hear my sin...

He whispers to Percy who listens carefully, nods and embraces his King with compassion and weeps, seeing how it all started.

EXT. GRAIL CASTLE - NIGHT

Percy rides out.

NUN (O.S.)

As Percy rode, he implored God to help him find the Holy Spear so he could heal his beloved friend.

EXT. HILLS - NIGHT

Percy rides. In the mists, he sees a ghostly castle ahead.

NUN (O.S)

The one sin Percival had committed had to be cleaned up...with an apology.

CASTLE OF WOMEN - NIGHT

The drawbridge comes down. He rides in.

INT. GREAT ROOM - NIGHT

A group of women drink tea and embroider. He stares at one. She smiles and rises, floats over to him.

HELENE

My baby. My dearest Percy. How did you find me?

PERCIVAL

You named me, mother. Pierce the veil. Percival. I can do it. Also the swiftest road is the heart. Mother. I'm so sorry for what I did to you shoving you on that slippery bridge.

HELENE

Oh, my darling baby, it is I who am sorry. I deliberately gave you the wrong advice so you'd fail in the world and stay my baby forever.

PERCIVAL

I forgive you anything. But how can you forgive me? I left you so cruelly.

HELENE

Shhhh. The one who suffers is Blanchefleur. For she thinks you have forgotten her. Send her the rubies to speak of your love. Give them here.

He takes them out. She puts them in a bag, attaches it to a live pigeon's foot, goes to the window. Bird flies away.

PERCIVAL

How will the pigeon know to find her?

HELENE

Daily that pigeon brings me word of my grandson. He knows the way.

PERCIVAL

Grandson?

HELENE

Percy, you have a baby son. I am a grand mother.

His mother hugs him and he hugs her back. Slowly, the entire castle, the women disappear. Percy's arms are empty. He stands on a rock cliff, overlooking a bay. He kneels, uses a boulder as an altar and prays.

EXT. BELREPAIRE - NIGHT

The pidgeon flies to a high turret.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

The rubies spill on the pillow by Blanchefleur's head, with a note. 'I miss you, kiss our son for me. Back soon, Percy.' She turns, feels them, wakes, reads then picks baby up, weeps.

EXT. COASTLINE - DAY

Percy stands on some rocks, baiting a hook. His horse grazes nearby. Percy throws the line out. A fish is snared. The fish is the large, speaking variety.

FISH

Don't eat me. Pleeease.

PERCY

Don't worry. I couldn't eat a fish with better manners than my own.

Percy unhooks him. The fish dives, surfaces, shakes off drops.

FISH

To show my gratitude, I'll ask King Neptune to carry you across the water to where you want to be.

PERCY

I don't know where I want to be.

FISH

Umhmmmm. Ask that another way, Percival.

PERCY (getting it, triumphantly)

Where do I want to be?

FISH

In Turkish Spain to fight the Turk!

PERCY

But the Grail's in the underworld.

FISH

Kill the Magician, his spell evaporates, the Grail and spear return to the land of the living. Don't you know anything?

PERCY

No, but thank heaven, everyone around me is remarkably well informed.

FISH

That's always the case when you ask questions.

EXT. WATER - DAY

KING NEPTUNE SURFACES and spits water. Gigantic, grinning, he cocks an ear to hear the talking fish, then lifts Percy over the channel to The Pyrennes.

NEPTUNE

Think nothing of it, call me when you need a ride back. Neptune's the name. Water's my game.

Whoosh, he submerges in a whirlpool of foam.

AERIAL VIEW OF WIZARD'S CASTLE

We look down in an ugly courtyard of stones, bones, chains, prisoners, groaning knights, tortured rocks. Hellish.

EXT. CLIFF BENEATH WIZARD'S CASTLE.

Percy climbs the rocks TOWARD the castle's escarpments. On the wall's top, two ravens cock their head and look DOWN at him, cawing. Percy makes a shushing sound. He takes his bow and arrow and whack, spits them both. Fwiiiiiccckkk! We see their parabolic fall to the ocean below.

DARK CRYSTAL - BIRDS' FALL

INT. WIZARD'S STUDY

Klingsor cackles as he looks into a black mirror which shows him the two, spitted birds. He turns and summons a bluish vapor from the pit beside him. Kundra appears in the smoke, in silk and jewels. She doesn't want to be there. He mocks her impotence. She bows to her master. Satisfied, the Turk waves his hand and the castle disappears and in its place, there is a garden, heavy with the scent of flowers.

EXT. TOP OF WALL / PERCIVAL CLIMBING, INCH BY INCH

He arrives, panting, looks over wall at a lush grove of trees. Beautiful girls look up at him in astonishment. They are sewing, picking fruit, playing music. They cover their bare bosoms, blushing with virginity.

PERCIVAL

I'm awfully sorry. I must have the wrong castle.Can you believe it! I was misinformed. Dumb fish. Never make travel arrangements with a fish. You certainly are beautiful girls. So, you come here often??

They look up at him, batting their eyes.

PERCIVAL IN YARD, HOLDING A CUP OF WINE.

The girls on all sides of him keep trying to get him to drink it. He's talking a mile a minute.

PERCIVAL

And then I lived in Wales, but we moved to the forest. That's where I shot my first bird and I realized I was really good with the bow. But basically I'm a swordsman. 

His hand on his sword makes one enchantress nervous.

ENCHANTRESS

Put down your sword. Eat a stuffed toad.

PERCIVAL (distaste)

I'm not a toad person.

ENCHANTRESS

Oh, their meat is sweet.

She leans in to nibble his lips. Percival allows her to kiss his cheek.

 BEHIND HIS BACK

His hands make the King's X.

THE TURK LEAPS IN 

TURK

Aha! And you a married man!

 Percival reveals his fingers with the King's X.

PERCIVAL

That's right, Mr. Turkish Magician, married and l00% loyal to my wife.

Percival stands, sword uplifted.

TURK (contemptuously)

That toy!

PERCIVAL

Will lay you in your grave.

TURK

I happen to know it will not.

They fight a duel. The Turk is good, but Percival is better.

PERCIVAL (with effort)

I stand corrected. It's your evil tongue that will lay you in your grave.

TURK

My tongue. You dare speak ill of my tongue.

A dolt who hasn't got one!

The Magician sticks out a foot long forked tongue. It startles Percy. He has the Turk in a hand-to-hand, eye to eye blade to blade clinch but when he flinches, Percy's sword snaps in two with an audible metallic sound. His wrist is still entangled with Percy's hand.

TURK (grunting)

Your miserable toy sword has failed you.

PERCIVAL

Yes but I was warned that it would, so I brought a spear.

Percy's other arm appears with a long spear which gives Percy the advantage against the Turk's sword. The Turk dodges its point.

TURK (sweating)

Witches of the Underworld, bring me my spear.

One of the witches from the Underworld dinner flies through the air with the magical Spear. Kundra takes it.

PERCIVAL

It's not yours. It belongs to King Arthur.

TURK

The hell it does. Give me the spear, Kundra.

PERCIVAL

Don't give it to him. If you love Amfortas and Arthur and Pretania....

Kundra weeps, but she can't help herself. She gives the Turk the Spear.

TURK (with alacrity)

I am invincible. Worm of a stupid dolt. I have moved the heavens to prevent your being born, to kill you in your crib. Now I will deliver you back to that unhappy void from whence you came.

He throws the spear full force at Percival's heart. Percival makes the sign of the cross and the spear is deflected by an invisible shield and bounces off. Percy leaps for it, so does the magician, Percy has it. The magician backs off. The Turk grabs Kundra and puts her in front of him. The spear passes through them both. The Magician backs off with the spear impaling him. Kundra falls into Percival's arms. He takes off the swan necklace and puts it on her.

KUNDRA (dying confession)

I sinned. I coveted silk and rubies. I beg Christ for forgivingness.

 Her head rolls back, she is white as a sheet. She licks her lips, feverish and in pain.

PERCIVAL

You beg the son and The Father hears. Live Kundra. Live forever. Jesus hears you and he knows that more than He did, you will do.

KUNDRA

I wish it were so.

She smiles ruefully, then expires. The garden, the witches, and enchantresses, Kundra, the dead Turk all disappear. The building crumbles into ruins leaving a wilderness. Percy picks up the fallen spear and rubs its tip in the dirt to clean it.

EXT. WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER - DAY

Percival walks up the beach, waves goodbye to Neptune and the ocean, meets his horse and mounts to ride toward the Grail castle.

EXT. HIS ANCESTRAL VILLAGE - DAY

Percy walks through the village where he was born. He approaches the lake below the castle and looks up at it.

EXT. GRAIL CASTLE - DAY

Percival enters the garden. Kundra is there with the dying Amfortas. She wears the necklace of the swan.

PERCIVAL

Good and gentle Kundra. You are back among the living. God saw you were needed to care for our beloved Grail King.

AMFORTAS (wryly)

Except that I am no longer a Grail King, strictly speaking.

PERCIVAL (to a Knight)

Uncover the grail.

KNIGHT

But Percival, it is no longer here.

PERCIVAL

Go, make sure.

The knight opens the curtain. The grail is there. Percival takes it. The grail radiates light. He sets it in the King's hands. Amfortas weeps with joy then confusion. Percy then takes the spear that stands at the door. Amfortas sees it and is amazed. Percy touches the King's sick leg. The wound heals. Amfortas stands, shocked. He steps. There is no pain. He embraces his childhood friend. Kundra weeps.

EXT. BELREPAIRE CASTLE - DAY

INT. CASTLE - DAY

Amfortas, Kundra, King Arthur and Guenevere drink a toast to Percival and Blanchefleur. Two rubies sparkle proudly in Blanchfleur's ears. Percy holds his CHUBBY SON (2,) who waves a toy bow and squints at a nearby pigeon in a cage as if taking aim. The bird squawks and flies off its perch and flutters in horror. Everyone laughs.

INT. GERMAN CONVENT CLASSROOM - EVENING, TRACE OF SUNSET

A golden glow comes in from the street but the room is now lit by candles. The Nun faces the girls, from the lecturn.

NUN

These last thousand years, England and Europe have been quite safe so perhaps we owe it to Percival.

NUN (continuing)

Man will always find the faith he needs and get the rulers he deserves. That being so, woman need do no more than worry about the purity of her own soul. For there all magic begins.

Class is dismissed. 

The girls rush out of the room. The nun looks out the window at the sunset and the streets below.

EXT. STREETS, HER POV

Crowds of Germans carry torches to continue their demonstration against the church. We HEAR their murmuring dissent.

INT. CLASSROOM - EVENING

The nun shuts the curtain and moves to an icon of Christ.

NUN (to picture of Christ)

Dear God, through your miracle we've survived paganism, Roman invasion, Ghenghis Khan, the Barbarians and Mohammed. Help us get through Luther.  

As the Nun turns to blow out a candle, we HOLD on the bodice of her robes. The glimmering necklace of THE SWAN rests over her heart. We realize the Nun is Kundra, transformed by the power of religion, semi-immortal and quite magic. She leans into shot, blows out the last candle and the screen goes into complete darkness with only the last, pearlescent glow of the swan visible, glowing with a light of its own.

THE END