This screenplay was inspired by an old Scottish folk tale about a man who is abducted by the queen of elves only to return to his home with the gift of prophecy.
INT. ELFAME - ISOBEL'S CASTLE - GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Isobel sits at the head of the table, watching in amusement
while Thomas warily inspects his food as the little man in
the blue hat presents it to him, one item at a time.
Thomas turns a suspicious eye on the man. Isobel LAUGHS.
ISOBEL
Ye don't like him?
THOMAS
Fergive me, but I don't know him.
ISOBEL
He is yer servant. He is called
Billy Blynde.
THOMAS
My servant?
ISOBEL
Ye'll get used to him.
Billy bows to Thomas, grinning madly but not unkindly.
BILLY BLYNDE
At yer service, Master.
He resumes a standing position and thrusts a pint of ale
under Thomas' nose.
BILLY BLYNDE (CONT'D)
Ale?
Thomas gives it a cautious SNIFF.
THOMAS
How do I know ye people aren't
tryin' ta kill me?
BILLY BLYNDE
Would ye like me ta taste it fer
ye, Master?
Thomas stares at him in surprise before responding.
THOMAS
Yes.
(beat)
Yes, I would.
Billy throws back his head and takes a healthy swig from the
tankard, spilling half the ale on the floor and wiping his
mouth with the back of his hand.
BILLY BLYNDE
'Tis safe.
He places the empty mug on the table in front of Thomas.
Thomas turns the flagon upside down. One drop of ale splashes
onto the table.
ISOBEL
(laughing)
Ye must fergive our Billy. We've
never been able ta teach him any
manners.
(beat)
Now ye must eat. Ye'll need yer
wits aboot ye in the morn. Ye'll
find it... interestin' here.
EXT. ELFAME - ISOBEL'S CASTLE - GROUNDS - DAY
Thomas is seated next to Isobel on a raised dais, a crown on
his head and robe over his shoulders.
A beautiful HUMAN-SIZED WOMAN sits astride her horse, clothed
only in her long flowing hair. Hundreds of tiny people throw
flowers in her direction, CHEERING as she passes them by.
Thomas leans toward Isobel.
THOMAS
(loud whisper)
Who is she?
ISOBEL
My sister. Una.
A row of MINIATURE ACROBATS tumble past them, followed by a
MINSTREL playing a lute, and a string of DANCERS.
THOMAS
What is all this for?
ISOBEL
Why it's fer ye, Thomas! We are
happy ta welcome ye ta Elfame!
Thomas LAUGHS.
THOMAS
For me? Why?
Isobel looks him in the eye and speaks quietly. Thomas is
unable to turn away.
ISOBEL
Let's just say yer special, Thomas.
We're celebrating ye.
A MAN pauses in front of them, raising a SHEEP'S HORN to his
lips, he blows and a BLAST of sound is released.
HORSES dash past them, followed by a cluster of HOUNDS, all
BARKING madly. Everyone-- large and small-- begins chasing
after the animals.
THOMAS
What's happenin'?
ISOBEL
(laughing)
Come, Thomas!
She takes his hand and they begin to run.
EXT. FOREST - MOMENTS LATER
Isobel and Thomas dart between the trees, LAUGHING, as she
pulls him along.
ISOBEL
Faster, Thomas, or ye'll miss it!
THOMAS
What will I miss, love?
She gives him a sly glance over her shoulder.
ISOBEL
Ye'll see.
The trees become a blur as their speed increases
exponentially, light and shadow blending together in liquid
effect. Thomas' feet no longer touch the ground.
Suddenly, he FALLS, landing on his back. He remains still for
a moment, catching his breath.
He sits up and looks around. All is silent and still. Light
spills through the trees and branches to the ground,
revealing that Isobel is gone.
THOMAS
Alison?
He spins around frantically.
THOMAS (CONT'D)
Alison? Where are ye?
A VOICE whispers his name, its direction indistinct.
WHISPERED VOICE (V.O.)
Thomas...
A look of relief comes over his features.
THOMAS
(chuckles)
Oh, a game, is it? I'll find ye,
my love...
Thomas runs through the trees again, following the VOICE as
it continues to WHISPER his name.
A flash of a RED up ahead. Thomas sees it and hesitates.
WHISPERED VOICE (V.O.)
Follow what ye see...
He pursues the color as it winks in and out amongst the
trees. It suddenly turns right, pausing long enough for
Thomas to see that it's a FOX.
It peers at him over its shoulder, as if encouraging him to
follow. Thomas gives chase.
He gains on it. He's now within reach. The fox runs into a
clearing and stops, turning to face him.
Thomas watches in amazement as the fox is TRANSFORMED into
Isobel!
THOMAS
Alison!
He gathers her in his arms and swings her around.
ISOBEL
(correcting him mildly)
Isobel.
THOMAS
I don' care what ye call yerself in
this place. Ye are now and will
always be my Alison!
ISOBEL
No matter. I've many names.
(beat)
Ye caught the fox, Thomas.
THOMAS
I did indeed!
He sets her down slowly, and they melt into each other's
arms, the sky darkening and stars twinkling into place as
they kiss...
