The White Knight Screenplay Attempt
By: Virginia Lori JenningsCollege Exercise
FADE IN:
In the center of the Great Hall four tables are organized end to end forming a square in the center of the hall. There are 20 knights sitting around the outside of the table. Most of the men are in their upper 30’s and seasoned warriors. They are all dressed in partial armor having just come from a battle field. The King, a man in his late fifties with a graying beard, sits midway down one of the tables.
Indistinct arguing…
The Prince, a boy in his late teens is seen wearing a black suit that is worn over the top of his everyday clothes. We find him hopping up and down as he hurries out of a Knights uniform that has been dyed black and stows the clothes out of sight in the corner of the Armory behind a beat up looking shield.
The arguing in the Great Hall can be heard through the walls.
The Prince hurries out of the room and throws open the door to the Great Hall. The King has his back to the door and does not notice the prince come in.
KING
She is a vigilante and must be stopped!
A knight on the left hand side of the table looks up at the prince and taps the side of his face urgently with two fingers.
PRINCE
Is the White Lady causing a scene again father?
The Prince stops suddenly as he noticed the knight that was trying to get his attention. He hurriedly snatches off his mask and hides it in his sleeve.
The King turns around just as the Prince succeeds in hiding his mask.
KING
How would you know son? I have ordered you to stay away from the battle field- It is not safe, have you been sneaking out again?
The Prince walks over and takes a seat at the end of the same table the king is sitting at.
PRINCE
Father, you are the one who wanted me to take some responsibility in this kingdom…
The King stands up furious.
PRINCE
But no I have not been sneaking out.
The Knights exchanged looks as the king sat down again.
KING
Good, now that is settled- The next time the White Lady shows up, capture her and bring her in.
PRINCE
She’s not harming us father, why do we need to capture her- she does fight for our side.
KING
Yes but she is a loose cannon, she has not announced her loyalty and just shows up at every battle to help? I don’t trust her- I want her brought in for questioning.
Knights (in unison)
Yes Sir!
EXT. FAR OUTPOST, AFTERNOON
A group of knights are riding up to the top of a hill that overlooks the country’s farthest outpost that has been surrounded by enemy troops. They assemble at the top before preparing to engage the enemy. The prince, wearing all black and disguised with his black mask, rides up from the rear of the group and comes to a stop and the head of the .
KNIGHT #1
Sir, do you really think it is wise to be fooling your father into thinking that you are not out here on the battle field?
BLACK KNIGHT
I’ve made my decision and it will do you good not to question it!
The Black Knight turns to look the field over. A figure in white has appeared along the edge of the forest below sitting on a white horse.
BLACK KNIGHT
There is the White Lady- Leave her to me!
The Knights all dismount and run down the hill to charge at the waiting enemy and the Black Knight veers off to the right- heading toward the White Lady.
As he approaches the White Lady, the Black Knight yells to her as they battle the enemy soldiers all around them
BLACK KNIGHT
The King has asked us to bring you in!
WHITE LADY
Is that so?
BLACK KNIGHT
I was hoping we may be able to convince you to come in on your own.
WHITE LADY
I don’t think so.
BLACK KNIGHT
How about I challenge you for it?
WHITE LADY
You can try.
BLACK KNIGHT
OK, if I kill someone with the least amount of blows than you, you must promise to come with us back to the castle.
WHITE LADY
I don’t know- I’m pretty efficient, what if you don’t beat me…
BLACK KNIGHT
Well then you go free till next time.
WHITE LADY
Deal! (pause) Oh, and if I come with you I will also need to bring my servant with me.
White Lady turns her back to the black knight and they watch each other’s backs as they fight. As they each defeat a foe they yell out their total needed blows to each other as if in a competition.
BLACK KNIGHT
Hey! I got that one in eight strikes!
The White Lady laughs.
WHITE KNIGHT
Just got that one in six!
BLACK KNIGHT
Bet you can’t beat that! Five!
WHITE KNIGHT
Can too! Four!
BLACK KNIGHT
Got that one in three! Watch your back!
The White Lady with her back to the Black Knight, does not turn in time and an enemy soldier grabs the White Lady’s hood and draws his sword to the front of the White Lady’s neck. The Black Knight rushes forward and kills the soldier just in time. However an enemy arrow hits the White Lady in the shoulder.
As the Soldier falls behind the White Knight he pulls with him the White Lady’s hood revealing the long hair of a girl that has been pulled back into a ponytail. The White Lady stumbles over the fallen soldier and the Black Knight reaches out to catch her as she falls unconscious.
FADE TO BLACK
Moonlight filters into a small room onto a bed where the White Lady lays sleeping still masked. Suddenly she sits bolt upright to reveal that her shoulder has been bandaged. She reaches around for a nightgown and finds one folded for her on the bottom of the bed.
She creeps slowly over to the door and opens it slowly. She spots three shadows disappearing around the corner of the hall. The White Lady then takes off her mask and hides it in her sleeve. Looking around she spots a wardrobe and finds a plain skirt and shirt inside and puts them on. Now no longer the White Lady, she creeps out of the room and into the dark hallway.
There is very little sound in the dark castle as the SHE tiptoes down the hall. Turning down the hall she saw the shadow go down she backs against the wall, a few doors down she notices that two double doors midway down the hall stand open ajar into a bedroom.
A shuffling sound and a whisper…
SHE pushes open the door and finds two men dressed in long cloaks trying to assassinate the king. Assassin 1 stands by the window and raises his sword when he sees her. The other Assassin stands by the king’s bed holding the king who is unconscious up in the air by his throat.
ASSASSIN #1
Kill the girl!
SHE grabs a decorative sword off of the mantle along the wall and as she lunges toward the man holding the king. Assassin 2 drops the king and turns to battle her. SHE kills him and then rushes toward Assassin 2 who jumps on the bed to get away from her.
KING
WH… what’s going on?
She ignores the king and continues attacking the Assassin as they circle around the room, suddenly as they near the window he jumps out of it. She runs over to look out the window and sees the Assassin escaping out the open gates on horseback.
The Prince and two of the knights come running in the King’s bedroom and see her standing by the window with a bloody sword.
PRINCE
Who are you! What are you doing in here?!
KING
Son this girl just saved my life.
ANGELA (AKA WHITE LADY)
Your Majesty my name is Angela, White Lady is my master, she asked me to stay here and protect you.
The King slowly stands up and away from the dead man on the floor.
KING
This man just tried to kill me! Who is he?
The Prince pulls back the Assassins hood to reveal one of the knights.
ANGELA
Your majesty if I may explain, the White Lady has been keeping an eye on your enemy for many months. She discovered a plot to infiltrate your knights about a month ago…
PRINCE
Fredric, George, Niche and Rolf showed up around that time…
KING
Angela where is the White Lady?
ANGELA
She thought she heard something suspicious and went to figure out what it was… no doubt she is chasing down the remaining attackers now.
KING
Son give us a minute, and get this thing out of here.
The Prince looked at Angela and then motions for the knight that came in with him to drag the corpse out of the room. They shut the door behind them as they leave.
KING
You killed that man and saved me all by yourself. Did the White Lady teach you?
ANGELA
Yes your Majesty.
KING
Would you mind teaching my son?
ANGELA
If I may your majesty, won’t the prince be miffed that you are ordering him to be taught by a girl?
KING
I think a little humility would do him good.
Angela walks down the hall toward the Great Hall carrying a few different swords in her arms.
As Angela approaches the door she can hear sounds of metal scraping on metal and fast footsteps. She opens the door to reveal the prince dueling with 5 Paiges. Angela walks across the back of the hall and spreads the swords out on a table covered with a linen cloth. She touches a sword lightly.
CUT TO: FLASHBACK OF A LITTLE GIRL BEING INSTRUCTED BY HER FATHER HOW TO DUEL WITH A SWORD.
As she turns back again she stops midway down the length of the room to watch the duel. The Paiges are trying hard to battle the prince but still act afraid to beat him. Angela tries to hold back her laughter. She sees the prince lunge at a Paige with a move that the Paige could have easily blocked. Instead of blocking, the Paige drops his sword, and Angela busts out laughing.
PRINCE
(Defiantly) Who laughs?!
The whole room goes still and as all eyes turn to Angela, she covers her mouth with her hand to stifle her grin and bows her head. The prince walks over to her and standing barely a foot away from her he glares down at her.
PRINCE (CONT'D)
(Even more defiantly) What exactly do you find so funny! Speak now or I will have you thrown in the dungeon for your impudence!
Angela looks straight up into the Prince's face.
ANGELA
Your highness, it is just that if you wish to improve your technique than you would be better off practicing with someone who would challenge you- not those who are afraid of the consequences of beating you.
The prince steps back- shocked and angry.
PRINCE
Ho! So you think you can do better, can you! I can not allow such mockery to go unpunished; I challenge you to a duel then- lets see if you laugh after losing just as they did!
The Prince snatches a sword from the nearest Paige and tosses it to Angela.
(FLASHBACK TO FATHER TOSSING LITTLE GIRL A SWORD TO PRACTICE WITH)
As Angela catches the sword by its hilt easily, the Prince's mean grin disappears as he sets his jaw. Both Angela and the Prince face off.
The prince motions to Angela to take the first move but when she refuses he charges her with his sword held high. The Paiges back up as the two battle around the room.
PRINCE (CONT'D)
You hold a sword too easily for a servant; perhaps it is dangerous to have a servant in the castle who is so experienced with weapons.
ANGELA
And you need more experience! Your grip is too weak- dangerous for one who is supposed to defend his country.
Angela parries and sends the prince's sword flying from his hand and hilt deep into a table they had knocked over in their duel.
Red in the face, the prince runs to retrieve his sword but when he can't pull the sword from the table, Angela comes over and pulls it out herself. She holds both the swords by the hilt and the prince at sword point with a slight smile. The prince glares at her.
PRINCE
(Angrily) You are out of line! Leave my sight this instant or be flogged for your arrogance!
Angela's smile fades into embarrassment. She turns both of the swords hilts first to offer them to the prince. With an infuriated glare, the prince takes the swords from her. Angela curtsies quickly and rushes out of the room.
Angela stands in the middle of the castle garden with a pole. She swings it back and forth pretending to fight an invisible enemy. The Prince enters the garden and stands there quietly watching her closely.
Suddenly she notices him and stops practicing. With her eyes downcast she gives a respectful curtsy.
PRINCE
Don’t stop on my account… If I did not know any better I would say that your fighting style is not LIKE the White Lady but you fight as if you actually are the White Lady.
He walks in one full circle around her looking her up and down.
PRINCE
Listen (pause) I should apologize for my actions, I’ve just been really stressed lately with my father forcing the responsibility of the kingdom into my hands- I could really use a friend.
Angela smiles.
ANGELA
I would be honored your majesty.
The prince walks over and picks up a spare pole and turns to challenge her.
PRINCE
Oh, and please- If we are to be friends don’t call me “Majesty”, my name is Darius.
EXT. CASTLE COURTYARD
Out in the courtyard Angela is surprised to find the Black Knight along with the rest of the knights mounting their horses. She runs over to him.
ANGELA
(Alarmed) Where are you going?!
BLACK KNIGHT
We have no choice, we’ve been ordered to infiltrate the enemy camp and force them to surrender.
ANGELA
You could get captured or worse!
Angela blushes and bows her head in embarrassment.
BLACK KNIGHT
Miss. Angela your mentor would understand! It is our duty to follow the king’s orders.
Angela bites her lip and then looks up brightly as she comes up with an idea.
ANGELA
It is the White Lady who sends me! She asks that you wait. She does not want you to go she… She…
The Black Knight jumps off of his horse and places his hands on Angela’s shoulders.
BLACK KNIGHT
(Desperately) Listen Angela, I have to go- the prince is rumored to have been captured and is being held hostage…
Angela’s eyes widen in fear.
ANGELA
What! No! He only left to go hunting about a week ago! I told him it was reckless to go alone!
Angela turns away as tears fill her eyes. The Black Knight jumps down from his horse and turns Angela around to see her face.
BLACK KNIGHT
You must care about him a lot,
Embarrassed, Angela wipes her face and turns her head away from the Black Knight’s gaze.
BLACK KNIGHT
Listen, when I see him I’ll be sure and tell him that he should listen to you more if that will make you feel better.(pause) and (pause) If I don’t come back, tell the White Lady… Tell her I care about her will you?
Angela looks up into his eyes and blushes redder.
ANGELA
(Weakly)I will.
EXT. ENEMY'S CAMP
The White Lady rides alone toward the Enemy’s Camp in the cover of the night. She sneaks quietly into the center of the Enemy camp to free the knights who have all been tied to poles in the center of the camp. Before she can free the Knights, the Enemy soldiers surround her. The Leader steps forward.
ENEMY LEADER
At last, we have all of the Knights as hostages.
CUT TO: FLASHBACK OF YOUNG GIRL SLICING LEADER’S FACE WITH A SHORT SWORD. END WITH A CLOSEUP OF LEADER’S FACE TO SHOW THE SCAR.
The White Lady stares in shock.
WHITE LADY
I know you! You are the man that killed my parents!
ENEMY LEADER
Who are you?
The White Lady pulls down her hood and takes off her mask.
ENEMY LEADER
(Enraged) YOU!
WHITE LADY
Yes! I am Angela, the little girl that once gave you that hideous scar! And I’m about to make you a deal!
ENEMY LEADER
(Incredulously) Really! Now what would you have that I would want?! You have been a thorn in my side since the day I killed your parents. You’ve burned my camps, run off with my men’s horses, and disrupted most of my tactics! And stopped my plan to assassinate the King and his Son! Why the only thing you could possibly offer me that I would accept would be your life!!!
ANGELA
Exactly.
BLACK KNIGHT
(Desperately) No! Don’t do it!!
The White Lady chanced a lingering glance at the Black Knight and then turned back to the Leader.
ENEMY LEADER
(Greedily) I’m listening…
ANGELA
I propose a duel- If I win, you will promise never to attack this kingdom again AND you will set all of us free! IF I lose then the Knights go free but I will be at your mercy.
ENEMY LEADER
DONE!
With that said he charges at her with his sword held high. The White Lady barely has time to draw her sword and block his blows in time.
ENEMY LEADER
You know- with you out of the way when you loose. What is to keep me from just killing all the knights right after you?!
ANGELA
(Grimly) I guess just your honor as a gentleman.
They battle back and forth and as the fight gets more intense, the Enemy Soldiers widen their ring to give the two more room to fight.
ENEMY LEADER
What makes you think that you an orphan girl can defeat me! Why you couldn’t even save the person you care about the most before being caught!
ANGELA
The prince! (worried pause) Where is he!
ENEMY LEADER
HA HA! Well this is a surprise! Perhaps I have underestimated you!
Angela swings around and catches the Enemy Leader off guard; she knocks his sword out of his hand and holds him at sword point.
ANGELA
You also underestimate a woman’s ability to fight for peace and freedom for her home and country! Now honor your word!
The Enemy Leader waves his hand and his Soldiers free the knights. Angela holds the Enemy Leader at sword point until she is certain the knights have safely cleared the ring of soldiers. She bows to the Leader and as she turns her back to walk off. As she clears the ring of soldiers the leader grabs another sword runs and lunges at Angela. She turns quickly and runs her sword right through his chest.
ANGELA
Don’t underestimate me!
FADE TO BLACK
EXT. BACK AT CASTLE IN GARDEN
Angela sits quietly in the castle garden overlooking a pond. The Prince walks up quietly behind her.
ANGELA
So I guess the rumors that you were kidnapped and being held hostage were just some big joke so you can scare every one huh?
PRINCE
No…Sorry, I uh
ANGELA
(Laughing) Don’t worry about it Darius- I know you were out hunting.
Angela turns to smile at him over her shoulder. However the Prince looks back at her as if trying to figure her out. Angela stands to face him…
ANGELA
Uh, oh. I was hoping to tell you first but you heard from the knights I suppose… I’m sorry I did not tell you sooner; I just…
PRINCE
Angela, I’m not mad at you… What you did as the White Lady means more to me than you know. You are a better friend than anyone could ask for.
ANGELA
(Sadly) I still should have told you….
The Prince steps towards her and takes her hand in one hand and places his other hand on her shoulder.
PRINCE
You went out and risked your life to rescue me. (pause)
I don’t know what I would have done had anything happened to you! I could never thank you enough. Would you please come to the party tonight- My Father insists on throwing me a birthday party…
ANGELA
(Horsley) sure…
The prince releases her and turns to go… then on second thought he turns back around for a moment smiling.
PRINCE
Oh, and come as yourself-
Angela stands tentatively along the wall of the Great Hall. Many couples can be seen dancing in the center of the room, others mill around talking to friends. The Prince makes his way through the crowds of people and finally spots Angela.
PRINCE
(Shyly) I thought you weren’t going to come.
ANGELA
Well I did make a promise to a good friend.
The Prince takes her out to the center of the floor and after a few dances he walks her back out to the edge of the room.
PRINCE
Are you glad you came?
ANGELA
(Laughing) I’m with you aren’t I?
PRINCE
Good… then I would like to ask you how you would feel if I were to ask you to marry me.
Angela’s smile fades and she looks away worried.
PRINCE
What is wrong?
ANGELA
I care for you, really I do, but I am not sure who I care for more.
PRINCE
There is another?
ANGELA
The Black Knight.
PRINCE
I had a feeling you might say that.
ANGELA
Darius it is not like that at all, I don’t know why, I just...
Angela falters as she watches the Prince take a black mask from inside his sleeve and holds it up to his face.
ANGELA
You! You were the Black Knight all along!
PRINCE
I’m sorry I deceived you, I just felt myself falling for you… I had to be certain that you cared for me not only because I am the prince but that you cared for me regardless of my crown. The Black Knight alter ego enabled me to do that.
ANGELA
So you knew all along that I was the White Knight.
PRINCE
That is why I stayed by your bedside when you were injured- didn’t I tell you that you scared us?
ANGELA
When did you realize it was me as the White Knight?
The Prince laughed.
PRINCE
When I saw you raise your sword for battle on the field- I knew it was you then…
Hit by emotion Angela throws her arms around him to hug him. The Prince looks down at her.
PRINCE
Does this mean you will marry me?
ANGELA
Yes!
Ecstatic, the prince leans down to kiss her. Nearby, The King, who was standing behind a group of people, Laughs boisterously (having heard the whole exchange) and slaps his son on the back in approval.
KING
How about a demonstration from the Prince and his bride to be!
Angela blushes but the prince offers her his hand. They both walk out to the middle of the floor and face off; they treat the crowd to a fantastic display of swordsmanship in a one on one duel. Then for the first time in ages the prince gets the best of her and after holding her at sword point for a second and hearing his father clap in approval the prince pulls her close to him and kisses her once again.
THE END
