(The Norsemen are going through the woods with Maeve)

Eyolf: Comfortable?

Maeve: Stop asking me that.

Eyolf: Sorry.

Maeve: No you’re not. If you were really sorry, you would see this from my point of view. All of you would!

Eyolf: You must put your trust in divine will. Then everything takes all meaning and purpose.

Maeve: That’s it. Stop!

(None of the other Norsemen stop)

Maeve: I said stop!

(Everyone stops)

Maeve: Now, when are you furballs going to tell me what you have planned to do with me? (pauses) I can’t hear you!

Sven: Guard her. We’ll scout ahead.

(Sven and the other Norsemen leave Eyolf and Maeve alone)

Maeve: Just stand there a minute. Okay? (jumps and kicks Eyolf in the stomach, but falls to the ground)

Eyolf: Nice footwork.

Maeve: You okay? (pauses) You’re just lucky my hands are tied. (pauses) Stop looking at me.

Eyolf: Sorry.

Maeve: Stop saying you’re sorry!

Eyolf: Sorry.

(Maeve laughs)

Maeve: How come you’re not all rough and gruff like the other Norsemen?

Eyolf: I don’t know.

Maeve: Sure you do.

Eyolf: It’s just the way I am.

Maeve: Well, you don’t have to apologize for being gentle. It’s an admirable trait.

Eyolf: If you say so.

Maeve: I do say so. And anyone who says different is a liar.

Eyolf: If you say so.

Maeve: (laughs) I do. I do say so. (laughs) Maeve. My name is Maeve.

Eyolf: Eyolf.

Maeve: So I hear.

Eyolf: They used to call me Little Eyolf. No more.

Maeve: Stands to reason. Well, Eyolf. You’re a good man. And an even better one would let me go.

Eyolf: I can’t. You’re the chosen one.

Maeve: Then you leave the chosen one with no choice. (holds up hands) Rise up. May you rise up. Feather on the breeze. Rise up! Rise up!

(Eyolf floats upward; Maeve turns when Sven returns; Eyolf drops to the ground)

Maeve: I demand that you tell me what you have planned for me! No ifs, ands, or buts about it! You start talking, and you start talking right now!

Sven: Gag her! We must forge on. I can smell the ocean. The Gilling’s cave cannot be far.

Maeve: (to Eyolf) Tell me about the Gilling! Tell me, please!

(Eyolf gags Maeve)

Eyolf: The Gilling Demon holds our ship. It’s your duty to free us. By giving up your life, you can return us to our life.

(The crew is running through the forest)

Sinbad: This way!

Doubar: He’s a man obsessed!

Firouz: Because it’s Maeve.

Doubar Well, they better not harm her, that’s all I have to say.

Firouz: What is it?

Doubar: It felt like a spider.

Sinbad: (from down a path) Don’t come any further!

Doubar: Sinbad?

(Sinbad is trapped in a large spider web)

Sinbad: The day is just one sticky situation after another.

Doubar: (comes around the corner) Well, well. This is a pretty sight.

Sinbad: Doubar!

Firouz: Remarkable! Whatever built this must be a gigantic arachnid!

Sinbad: Meaning a spider?

Firouz: Yes.

Sinbad: Well, I hope Mr. Spider’s a long way from home.

Doubar: Can you break free?

Firouz: Don’t struggle! It’s a scaffold web. Struggling only increases the entanglement.

Sinbad: Now you tell me!

Doubar: You know, I really hate this forest.

Sinbad: Help me.

Doubar: I’ll try.

(Doubar tries to free Sinbad, but gets caught in the web himself)

Doubar: I can’t believe I just did that.

Firouz: Be careful. Vibrations along the web will alert the spider as to its catch.

(The web is shaking)

Firouz: I said try not to move!

Sinbad: I’m not moving! Are you moving?

Doubar: Not an inch.

Firouz: Then I would suggest that the spider’s returning to the web.

Sinbad: Try to spot it.

(Rongar and Firouz look)

Sinbad: Anything?

Firouz: Nothing that I can see!

(Rongar taps on Firouz’s shoulder and points; they see a gigantic spider)

Firouz: Then again, something’s dropping into view.

Doubar: What? What do you see?

(Sinbad and Doubar see the spider approaching)

Sinbad: Firouz!

Firouz: What?

Sinbad: Do something! Do something now!

Firouz: It mustn’t reach the web. We gotta keep it from reaching the web!

(Rongar throws some dirks at the spider)

Firouz: It didn’t even flinch!

Sinbad: Rongar! Aim at the top of the web!

(Rongar throws a dirk at one side of the web, and it falls)

Sinbad: Now that side!

(Rongar throws another dirk at the other side of the web, and the whole web falls; Sinbad and Doubar escape)

Sinbad: Let’s go!

(The crew takes off running)

Sinbad: (turns back towards spider) You’ll have to find your lunch elsewhere.

(The crew runs)

(Dermott is flying around, trying to locate Maeve)

(The Norsemen and Maeve reach the shore)

Sven: Comrades! We have returned to the water. Next, we travel up the beach to the Gilling’s cave. But first, we must eat. Find food!

Norsemen: Can we honour the waters to cleanse ourselves?

Eyolf: It’s been a cursed voyage. Clouds bogged up the stars, leaving nothing to guide us. The winds died. We landed here. Even Norsemen are lost boys without the winds and stars. Finally, we reached land, put down anchor, and came ashore. The Gilling took command of our boat, and his sea creature won’t let us go. He demanded a tribute. I’m just sorry it had to be you.

(Dermott finds Maeve, and perches on a nearby branch; Eyolf picks up a piece of sea lavender)

Eyolf: I can put it in your hair.

(Maeve shakes her head; Eyolf tosses the flower to the ground and leaves; Maeve notices Dermott; Dermott chirps)

Maeve: (in mindvoice) Are they with you?

(Dermott chirps)

Maeve: Then bring them. Take the flowers as a sign. Bring them.

(Dermott takes the flowers to the crew)

(The crew is walking through the forest)

Doubar: The trail is zigzagging. They’re trying to throw us off their track.

Sinbad: I’m not so sure anymore.

(Dermott comes flying a squawking)

Firouz: Look! It’s Dermott!

(Dermott lands on a branch and chirps; he drops the sea lavender)

Doubar: What is it?

Sinbad: It’s sea lavender. It means they’ve reached the ocean.

Doubar: Which means we’re too late.

Sinbad: No. This is a message. She hasn’t left yet. Dermott! Take us to her! Take us!

Dermott chirps, flies off, and the crew follows him)

Doubar: Where are these guys headed?

(The Norsemen are resting and eating)

Eyolf: (walks up to Maeve with an apple) This is for you. But if I remove your gag, you have to promise not to enchant me. Do you promise?

(Maeve nods; Eyolf takes off her gag)

Maeve: I’m not hungry. I only wanna talk.

Eyolf: You should eat.

Maeve: You just showed trust, right?

(Eyolf nods)

Maeve: Then trust me again, when I tell you, you have to let me go.

Eyolf: You should feel honoured that Thor has brought you to us.

Maeve: I don’t wanna hear about your honour! Or your gods!

Eyolf: Maybe the Gilling only wants you as a slave.

Maeve: I want my freedom. I demand my freedom!

Sven: Why is she not gagged?

Maeve: We can fight this Gilling. Together, we can defeat it. Valhalla wasn’t for cowards.

Sven: No. This is one battle we cannot win.

Maeve: No one can ask another to sacrifice their life for them.

Sven: Gag her.

Eyolf: (gagging Maeve) We already tried to fight the Gilling and the sea creature. Our crew was twenty men before the fight. We’re all that remain.

(Dermott leads the crew to the shore)

Sinbad: It hasn’t been long since they were here.

Doubar: Could they have taken her off in their boat?

Sinbad: No. They traveled up the shoreline. Dermott!

(Dermott squawks from above, and they follow him along the beach)

Doubar: What’s up the shore here?

Firouz: A rocky coast. Treacherous for any boat travel. Oh, yes. And the cave of the Gilling Demon!

Doubar: Oh great. What’s a day without something demonic?

(They continue along the shoreline)

Firouz: Does anybody see Dermott?

Sinbad: (points) He’s right there!

(They continue)

(The Norsemen bring Maeve to the cave of the Gilling)

Sven: Your time has come. Soon, we will be home.

(They go in the cave)

Sven: We have returned. Thor led us to her. We have brought her back for you.

Gilling: Thor? Who’s Thor compared to me?

(Sven gestures that he’s small compared to the Gilling)

Sven: You will command your sea creature to release our ship. You will permit us to return home.

Gilling: Perhaps.

Sven: You promised that if we returned—

Gilling: Put the redhead down! We’ll discuss your future tomorrow! (can’t make out what he says here)

Sven: Leave her. Now!

(Eyolf lets go of Maeve)

Gilling: Leave us!

Sven: Norsemen!

(The Norsemen leave)

Gilling: My, my, my. A real beauty. You’ll be such a delight. (can’t make out what he says here)

(Maeve is struggling to free herself)

Gilling: Not so fast. Our rendezvous is just beginning.

(The Norsemen are talking on the beach)

Sven: Tomorrow, tomorrow the sea creature will release our ship and we can set sail.

Eyolf: If not, this demon mock us! He mocks our gods! And we sit like sheep and do nothing about it! I say we go up there and make our own demands!

Sven: Demands are only words.

Eyolf: Then we should fight!

Sven: Like the last time? Until we can weigh anchor, we cannot leave. Do you wanna call this home? Then we stay.

(Eyolf turns toward cave)

Sven: I said we stay! Eyolf!

(Eyolf turns back to them)

(Maeve is trying to escape)

Gilling: I do so love your flaming red hair. We’ll make such a loving couple. You’ll come around, once you get hungry, thirsty. (can’t make out what he says here)

(Maeve continues struggling)

Gilling: Temper, temper! And you should know now that no one’s going to rescue you. I’m seeing to that right now.

(Sinbad and the crew hold their swords up to the Norsemen)

Sinbad: Where’s Maeve? I want you to tell me where she is, I want you to tell me right now!

(A giant crab appears)

Sven: The Gilling’s betrayed us! He sends this superior to kill us! That is what holds our ship! But it’s killed so many of my men! It must be destroyed!

Firouz: Sinbad, I seriously doubt our blades will cut through that shell.

Sinbad: Everyone! Fall back! Do you still have any of your exploding sticks?

Firouz: Only two!

Sinbad: Tie ‘em together and light ‘em!

Sven: What are those?

Sinbad: They’re about to be used as crab-killers! Get back, everybody!

Firouz: Sinbad! (hands Sinbad the lighted exploding sticks)

(Sinbad takes the exploding sticks and puts them just in front of the crab)

Sinbad: Now, get back!

Firouz: You can’t stay here!

Sinbad: Firouz! (to crab) That’s it, that’s it…come on…closer…closer…much, much better. (pauses) Now I better move.

(Everyone ducks as the crab blows up)

Sinbad: Now, where’s Maeve?!

Eyolf: I’ll take you to her.

Sven: We both will.

Sinbad: Firouz, you and Rongar take charge here, just in case any other friendly creatures show up. Doubar!

(Sinbad, Doubar, Eyolf, and Sven walk towards the cave)

Sinbad: What kind of demon is this?

Eyolf: Like all of them. In need of killing.

Sinbad: Well put.

(They enter the cave)

(They reach Maeve)

Sinbad: Maeve! (runs to her and gently removes the gag)

Maeve: Where have you been?!

Sinbad: We don’t have time for the day’s events! Now, let’s get out of here!

Maeve: If you’d take a look, you’d notice I am chained! (hears footsteps) He’s coming back!

Gilling: Now, now, now! Where might you be taking my woman? No one is leaving! No one is dismissed!

Sinbad: No, I think we’ll take our own dismissal.

Eyolf: (pulls out chain attaching Maeve to floor) Got it.

Sinbad: Go with him.

Maeve: Would you stop telling me what to do?!

Sinbad: Maeve, would you just for once—!

Gilling: I said no one is leaving! She stays, or you all die! (roars)

Doubar: I don’t think that’s an idle threat.

Sinbad: Then let’s finish it!

Maeve: I can take out the flames, but Mr. Gruesome himself is another story!

Sinbad: Snuff his flames. We’ll manage the rest.

Maeve: Flames of light, return to dark, fire be gone!

(The fire around the Gilling disappears)

Sinbad: Now, if we can keep him still for a moment, we can do some real damage.

Sven: Eyolf, let us show them how Norsemen fight!

(Sven and Eyolf run at the Gilling)

Maeve: They have a bone to pick.

Sinbad: I noticed. Come on!

(Maeve; breaks her hands free from the chains; Eyolf takes hold of Gilling, from the back)

Maeve: Eyolf!

Sinbad: He can’t let go! He’s got a tiger by the tail!

Sven: Then I shall cut him free! (runs to the Gilling and Eyolf)

Maeve: You gotta do something! Sinbad!

Sinbad: Stand back. (throws sword at the Gilling’s head)

(The Gilling blows up)

(Sven falls, and the crew goes to him)

Maeve: Ssh. Ssh. Ssh. Try not to move.

Sven: I will not move in this world again. Return home. Take the bodies of our fallen warriors with you. Eyolf, it is my wish that you become the new leader. Like courageous Sinbad here, guide our men. Protect them. Promise me that you will do that.

Eyolf: I promise.

(Sven dies)

Maeve: He looks peaceful.

Eyolf: He’s going to Valhalla, Maeve. Remember?

Maeve: I remember.

Eyolf: It was Thor who sent you to us. Now we can all be free.

(The Nomad crew and the Norsemen are gathered on the beach; Sinbad, Eyolf, and Maeve are talking; Firouz walks up to them, and hands Eyolf a compass)

Sinbad: Looks like a good day for sailing.

Eyolf: Thanks to all of you, we can.

Maeve: Next time, maybe you’ll just ask for our help.

Eyolf: We’ll do that. If you sail North, our homes will be your homes.

Sinbad: (smiles) A northern adventure. That just might happen.

Eyolf: Now finding North won’t be such a problem. Thank you.

Firouz: You’re most welcome. (leaves)

Eyolf: I also have a gift. (takes off helmet and hands it to Maeve) So you remember the hornheads who took you away.

Maeve: (takes helmet and smiles) I’ll remember. Especially you. (kisses Eyolf’s cheek)

(Sinbad stares at Maeve in disbelief)

(Maeve gives Eyolf her necklace)

Eyolf: (turns) Norsemen!

(The Norsemen shout back, and they leave)

Sinbad: So, you and Eyolf got close.

Maeve: Now, what, exactly, are you asking? (puts on helmet and saunters off)

(The rest of the crew walk up to Sinbad and laugh)

Sinbad: Don’t look at me that way. It was simply a…a simple question.

(The crew laughs)

Sinbad: What? I can’t ask a simple question?

(The crew leaves Sinbad; Sinbad looks at the Norsemen, walking down the beach; Eyolf turns and Sinbad salutes to him)

THE END