02x07 - The King Over the Water

[bunniefuu]

I find myself in a difficult position.

To be a queen I must rule,

yet to be a wife, it seems I must submit.

May I present my husband?

Harriet, nothing has changed. Why are you dancing with me?

Because I cannot forget.

Have you heard the news? What news?

Sutherland's dead, a hunting accident.

VICTORIA: Poor Harriet.

Women are so damn emotional! Women like your fiancee?

How can I continue if there is no punishment

for a man who tries to k*ll me?

I will keep you safe. I promise.

# MARTIN PHIPPS FEAT. MEDIAEVAL BAEBES: Alleluia

(CROWD CHATTERING)

How lovely it is to be out, just us.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

Get down! (GASPS) Albert, what on earth?

There was a man, a boy perhaps, he was pointing a g*n.

(SHOUTS) Ride on! Ride on!

Scour the crowds!

ALFRED: Get back! Move, move!

My policemen have searched the area, sir, but there is no sign of any man

matching the description you gave.

We should go out again at once.

If he is still out there, he will try again and this time he can be caught.

This is not without risks, Ma'am,

but I will place a man at every step of the route.

Surely you are not in agreement? This is madness!

The Queen is right, sir. We should flush the creature out.

Victoria... I want you to take this.

Never inside, Sir.

Please, Baroness, that is a foolish superstition.

This, on the other hand, is an armoured parasol.

I have designed it myself. An armoured parasol?

The chainmail runs all the way along the lining,

which means if you are fired at, you are protected!

I also had it designed in your favourite colour, purple.

Of course, your Royal Highness,

the Queen will be surrounded by the Household Cavalry.

Thank you, Lehzen.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING, CHILDREN SHRIEKING)

(LAUGHTER)

Oi, you gimp-faced boozer!

Lazy ratbag.

(EXCITED CHATTERING IN CROWD)

MAN: God bless you, Ma'am!

GIRL: Look, there she is!

(g*nsh*t) POLICEMAN: Arrest that man!

I will have my day in court!

ALFRED: Move back! Move back!

We've found the assassin. Is this really necessary?

Sir Robert is concerned that there may be others.

I wanted to go for a walk, not to inspect the troops.

Yes, I know but er...

..safety must come before our inclinations.

"Another diabolical attempt on the life of our gracious Queen."

I'm not sure it's right to call them assassination attempts

if none of their pistols were loaded.

What do these boys want if it isn't to k*ll the Queen?

To be famous, of course.

ERNEST: All these soldiers... It's like we're in Prussia.

Our home has become like a fortress.

What choice do we have? My wife must be protected.

She is not just your wife.

She is also Queen. Yes, thank you, Ernest.

I'm well aware of that.

(WATER TRICKLING, BIRDS CHIRPING)

(GRAVEL CRUNCHES)

Duchess, I am glad to find you alone.

I wanted to express my condolences.

(SIGHS) Condolences.

What an ugly word.

Then I... Can I tell you how sorry I am?

I don't think that's right, either.

Is there anything I can do to comfort you, Harriet?

You are the last person in the world who could do that.

(SNIFFS)

(DOOR OPENS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

Majesty.

Waverley. (LAUGHS)

I'd forgotten how good it is. I used to love Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Remember how I used to beg you

to take me to Scotland when I was little?

(SIGHS) I thought I would be happy there.

If only I could have granted your wish.

Well, there's nothing to stop me now.

(BACKGROUND CONVERSATION)

(CHAIRS SCRAPE)

Sir Robert... Ma'am.

Since I cannot bear to live in a m*llitary garrison here in London,

I've decided to go somewhere else.

Are we travelling to the continent, Ma'am?

No.

Not...Ireland?

No, Duchess.

We are going somewhere that even you might approve of.

Scotland.

(CLEARS THROAT) You will return in time to open Parliament, Ma'am?

I'm aware of my duties, Prime Minister.

I am so looking forward to hearing the celebrated bagpipes.

But surely you to do not intend to leave your post, Baroness?

Maybe next time, Lehzen,

when the children are a little bigger.

As you wish, Majesty.

(LIVELY TRADITIONAL FOLK MUSIC)

Isn't the air wonderful?

I did not know there was so much wilderness in England.

But this is Scotland, Albert.

I must congratulate you on your engagement, Mr Drummond.

Florence and I are old friends.

She's such a lovely girl, and so accomplished.

She has many virtues.

My felicitations. I hope she is as pretty as she is talented.

I believe she is considered quite, er, personable.

Oh, you English, I think if you were to see Cleopatra

bathing in asses' milk you would blush and say,

"Oh, I believe she is considered quite personable."

(GIGGLES)

(BAGPIPES PLAYING 'LOCH DULCH')

(ORDER SHOUTED)

Your Majesty. Your Royal Highness.

Duke. What a pleasant surprise!

These are the Atholl Highlanders, Ma'am, my personal army.

They are at your command, Ma'am. Thank you, Duke, but tell me,

do you think I'm in danger here in Scotland?

(CHUCKLES) Not while you have the Atholl Highlanders, Ma'am. Please.

(ORDER SHOUTED)

(BAGPIPES PLAYING)

That soup.

What is it called again, Duchess?

Sock a leekie?

It's Cock-a-leekie, Sir.

Or as I like to call it, 'the nectar of the glens'.

(BAGPIPES PLAYING 'DUNCAN MACRAE'S LAMENT')

(BAGPIPES FADE)

(LAUGHTER AND CHATTERING)

SKERRETT: Where are they all going?

Ever been to a ceilidh before?

ATHOLL: And now, Ma'am, we have a special treat in store.

As part of our midsummer celebrations,

the renowned physician poet William Beattie

has agreed to give us a rendition of his epic,

The Heliotrope, A Paean To Health.

Your Majesty.

(DRAMATICALLY) What is life?

Like a flower with the bane in its bosom.

Today full of promise.

Tomorrow it dies.

(BAND PLAYS 'THE REEL OF THE BLACK PUDDINGS')

(CROWD CLAPS IN TIME TO LIVELY MUSIC)

Dance? No. No. No. No.

Please don't make me do this. Ready?

Here we go. To the left.

And spin.

(BOTH LAUGH AND WHOOP)

(CHEERING)

(QUOTES) But with the dawn

dark signs in sea and ocean...

..announce impending dangers to our crew.

(LAUGHS, CLEARS THROAT)

Marshalled on the horizon

clouds in motion...

..gathered, condensed

and into blackness grew.

(SCATTERED APPLAUSE)

(APPLAUSE GROWS LOUDER)

Thank you, Mr Beattie. Tha-That was most...enlightening.

I think I'd rather be hung, drawn and quartered

than listen to another minute of that!

(VICTORIA SIGHS)

You really don't have to stand guard all night.

His Grace's orders, Your Majesty.

Oh, well...

Well, I think we will be... safe in here.

Do you think?

(BLEATING)

(BAGPIPES PLAYING 'LOCH DULCH')

Oh! Not again!

Beastly instrument!

It sounds like the noise a deer makes when it is being slaughtered.

It's not bad.

In fact, I find it rather rousing.

Good morning, Ma'am. Your Royal Highness.

I trust you slept well. Indeed, Duke.

I thought today you might like to inspect the alms houses at Crathie,

and to visit the new smokery.

You'll be pleased to hear Dr Beattie has a new poem for us tonight.

I wonder, Duke, if we might postpone the alms houses for another day?

The Prince and I would very much like to see something of the countryside.

Of course, Ma'am.

It's the River Garry, Sir. Best fly fishing in the country.

Oh, thank you.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

Will you join me?

You'll have to teach me. Are you safe?

Yes. Bend down.

Hold tight.

Your hand...with my hand.

Oh, Lord Alfred, isn't the scenery sublime?

Heavenly.

BOTH: Pull.

(BOTH EXCLAIM)

That was very eager. I think we nearly caught Drummond!

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

Albert, why don't we ride back?

Duke?

Ma'am.

The Prince and I would like to ride back.

Are, are you sure, Ma'am?

It's er... (STAMMERS) It's not a side saddle.

Quite sure.

ALBERT: I have a very good sense of direction, Duke.

We will not get lost. Excellent!

(SOTTO VOCE) Don't let them out of your sight.

(WOMAN SINGING LILTING FOLK SONG)

(SINGING CONTINUES)

Alone at last.

Indeed we are.

Stop the carriage! Stop!

Where's Her Majesty? I thought she was with you, Sir.

(GROANS) The Queen and Prince have gone astray.

They can't be that far behind.

I don't understand how it happened. I took every precaution.

The mist coming in, I shouldn't have let the Queen out of my sight.

We should waste no time in looking for them. Lord Alfred?

You men come with me.

Quicken yourselves up. You head up the hill there.

Where are we?

I thought we were headed back to the road.

Well, we have come a little further than perhaps we intended,

but I'm sure if we just continue in this direction, we'll find our way.

If we fell, it could be months till we were found.

You seem very calm at the prospect.

I'm more afraid of going back to London.

Really?

I noticed you were reading The Iliad on the boat.

Not in the original, I'm afraid.

I find the death of Patroclus most affecting.

Yes, the lengths Achilles went to to honour his friend.

You believe they were friends?

I wouldn't know what else to call them.

WILHELMINA: Look at this mist.

I do hope Lord Alfred and Mr Drummond don't get lost, too.

Don't worry. Lord Alfred is very resourceful.

Have you known him long? All my life.

We had the same dancing master.

I don't know that I am a very good judge of men.

Who is, Miss Coke?

DRUMMOND: Even if I disliked Florence,

my family wouldn't consider that an obstacle.

ALFRED: And do you, dislike her?

No. In fact, I care for her deeply but...

..I don't think I'll ever erm...

Love her?

Hm.

We should be heading back.

(WIND HOWLS, THUNDER BOOMS)

Do you think we're lost?

I don't remember any of this.

No.

Come on.

(WIND HOWLS)

Albert, are you sure?

We crossed a river earlier so it's only logical

that we must cross again to get back.

Do not worry, Liebes.

(HORSE SNORTS, WATER SPLASHES)

(HORSE WICKERS)

(HORSE WHINNIES)

(BOTH GASP)

(VICTORIA STRAINS)

(GASPS)

Are you all right? Yes.

Right, so let's, let's keep going.

(SOMBRE MUSIC)

(FLAMES CRACKLE)

Such incompetence!

How can anyone lose a queen?

It would never have happened if I'd been there.

I should've stopped the Queen and Prince going off.

Indeed, you should! You're not to blame, Drummond.

Nobody, not even you, Duchess, can stop the Queen

when she puts her mind to something.

I would have told her to be sensible!

God knows where they are now!

Probably at the bottom of Glen something or other,

with their necks broken.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDE)

I am sure they will be found soon.

How can you know that?

Oh... I am an optimist.

Or deluded.

What is it that I am deluded about?

I thought I could go back to my marriage

and everything would be just as it had been.

My husband knew that horse hadn't been broken in, the day he rode out.

(SOBS) I k*lled him.

You cannot think like that.

It was a tragic accident, not your fault.

Not my fault? God, you really are deluded!

Harriet...

A charming smile won't change anything this time...

..Your Serene Highness.

(ANIMAL NOISES IN DISTANCE)

Perhaps I will ask here.

(WIND GUSTS)

(KNOCKS AT DOOR)

Excuse me for disturbing you, but erm, we have lost our way.

Ye'd better come in then.

(SHIVERS)

Aye, make yourself at home, why don't you(?)

Oh erm, my, my wife

has been rather agitated since we were separated from our friends.

She does not mean any offence.

We wondered if perhaps you would be able to help us

find our way back...to Blair Atholl.

Staying with His Grace, are ye?

Well, you won't be going back there tonight...

..unless you want to arrive in a coffin.

Looking for someone, Mrs Skerrett?

If you know where the Queen is, I think it's time you confessed.

No, I'm more interested in another woman's whereabouts.

I feel so useless. Useless?

Idling the time away while the Queen is in danger.

Perhaps you...need a distraction.

(LAUGHS SOFTLY)

(SIZZLING)

(SCRAPES PAN)

Thank you.

(OLD MAN SIGHS)

(WIND HOWLS OUTSIDE)

(FIRE CRACKLES)

Mm! This trout is erm...

It's delicious.

The manner in which it is cooked is erm...

Well, no word.

Oh, would you object if-if I stoked the fire?

Object? (CHUCKLES)

I can tell you're not from these parts.

We are from London.

What are yeh doing here?

Oh erm...

Well, we had to er,

take some time away from our, our work.

What is it that you do then? What is it that WE do?

(WATER SLOSHING)

Oh...

I am the owner of a factory. Actually, it's my factory.

He helps me with the paperwork.

(HIGHLANDERS SHOUTING)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

ATHOLL: No sign of them anywhere.

Duke...

..I feel it is my duty to inform the Prime Minister.

Perhaps we should wait till daybreak.

WOMAN: Not too tight.

There we are! (CHUCKLES)

Albert. Albert, look!

I've learned how to darn a sock. Oh...

Well, you've made a start!

It's marvellous.

(FIRE CRACKLES, WIND HOWLS OUTSIDE)

We would like to retire.

You what?

Do you have a bed we could use? Oh, aye.

But where will you sleep? Dinnae fash yourself.

Morag and me will bed down with the horses.

But...we'll be needing a wee dram first.

There you go.

Thank you.

Slainte mhath! Slainte mhath.

Slainte mhath? What does this mean?

"I wish you well." "Good health."

Slainte mhath.

Why do I have to go next to the wall?

(SIGHS)

(SOFTLY) When I had to sleep in the same room as Mama,

I would think of being Queen.

I was so sure it meant freedom.

(WIND HOWLS)

(WHISPERS) Imagine if they never find us.

Would you like that?

There's no point even thinking about it.

You looked so happy tonight.

I was.

Is that wrong?

Nothing that makes you happy could ever be wrong.

(GRUNTS, CLEARS THROAT)

Are they er...?

(BIRDS CRYING)

(GIGGLES)

Well, good morning, husband.

You know, erm, I have some socks for you to darn.

(BOTH LAUGH)

(SHOUTING OUTSIDE)

Perhaps we do not need to be found just yet.

(HIGHLANDERS SHOUTING)

Get your hands off me!

Please, let him be! He's a good man.

And who are you?

I'm Victoria.

You may wait outside.

Thank you both for your hospitality.

We slept so well.

I am sorry you had to be found, Your Majesty.

If I'd known you were coming, I'd have made my oat cakes.

We've had such a lovely time.

We don't want to leave, do we, Albert?

No.

Will you take this?

You'll be wanting to practise your darning.

Thank you.

They're safe!

(BOTH SIGH AND LAUGH IN RELIEF)

Good.

They have been found.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Harriet, about last night...

I am sorry for the way I spoke to you.

Your kindness reminded me...

You cannot torment yourself forever.

Enjoy the book.

(DOOR OPENS)

(VICTORIA CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)

(VICTORIA GIGGLES)

Your Majesty. Your Royal Highness.

I am so ashamed this has happened while you were in my care.

If anything had happened to you... But nothing did happen, Duke!

The Prince and I, we erm, we had a most entertaining evening.

Oh!

Victoria.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

(APPLAUSE)

I am very pleased to see you, Albert.

Only to me.

Your Majesty.

How splendid.

(BAGPIPES PLAYING 'BONNIE ANNIE')

You know, Drummond,

I believe we may have more fun if we join the servants.

After you!

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

(MUSICIANS PLAYING 'STRATHBOGIE')

(HAPPY CHATTERING)

After you!

(LIVELY MUSIC AND CHATTERING CONTINUE)

(GIGGLES)

(BOTH YELL IN DELIGHT)

(CHUCKLES) I'll have a wee dram of that whisky.

(BIRDS TWITTERING)

(TRANQUIL MUSIC)

The midsummer evenings are so enchanting, don't you think?

(BIRDS TWITTERING)

(SHEEP BLEATING)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

A night like this makes me wish I didn't have to go back.

You ARE Queen of Scots, Ma'am.

Yes.

Yes, I am always a queen.

If you'd come here a hundred years ago,

you would have found things very different.

The Highlanders back then were for The King Over The Water,

until Culloden that is.

I used to love the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie

escaping to Skye with Flora MacDonald.

I remember telling my governess I wanted to be a Jacobite. (LAUGHS)

She told me that wasn't possible. Not really, Ma'am. No.

I have Stuart blood too, you know.

You know what James II, the last Stuart king did,

when he was leaving England for ever?

He threw the great Seal of State into the River Thames.

James was selfish and weak.

If the country wouldn't accept a Catholic king,

he didn't want them to have a king at all.

He didn't understand that monarchy is about more than just symbols.

A real monarch puts the good of his, or her, country,

before their own inclination.

My grandfather would turn in his grave to hear me say this,

but since I have met you, Ma'am,

I am glad that the Jacobites failed.

I hope your faith in me is justified.

There's no doubt in my mind, Ma'am.

Slainte mhath!

(LAUGHS)

Slainte mhath!

(LIVELY MUSIC)

Can I write to you?

I don't think so.

You may be married to your job but you're still a woman.

And that's why you can't write to me.

Oh you've, er, you've got a sweetheart in London?

(SIGHS) Something like that.

Well erm, he's not here now, is he?

(BAND PLAYING 'LADY DOROTHEA')

(LAUGHS)

(LIVELY MUSIC CONTINUES)

(DOOR OPENS)

Back to London.

Back to London.

Would either of you care to learn the bagpipes with me?

I want to treasure these last moments here in Scotland.

So do I, Miss Coke.

After you.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(FIRE CRACKLES)

(WOMAN SINGING HAUNTING MELODY IN GAELIC)

(SINGING CONTINUES)

(MUSIC FADES)

VICTORIA: Oh!

Ohh, how I have missed you all!

It's a ball.

This is for you.

Why, you're quite the little Highlander!

Oh, Lehzen, if only you could have seen the Highlands, it was...

it was just what we imagined.

Lehzen, Vickie's looking rather thin.

VICTORIA: We have missed you.

(SOFT PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)

(ORCHESTRA PLAYING SOMBRE MUSIC)

# My heart's in the Highlands

# My heart is not here

# My heart's in the Highlands

# Chasing the deer

# Ahh, chasing the wild deer

# And following the roe

# My heart's in the Highlands Wherever I go #

I was just coming to find you.

The Queen would like dinner in her rooms tonight,

when she and the Prince return from opening Parliament.

This is what she wants. Hm.

It would appear the Queen has left her reason behind in Scotland.

I think she was happy there.

How did you like Scotland, Mrs Skerrett?

Did you dance a reel?

(LAUGHS)

I-I did my best but erm...

I've never had much sense of rhythm.

You must have had quite a holiday here.

Hm. I missed cooking for the Queen.

It was foolish to think there was any job better than this.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Victoria?

Will you do the cooking?

I have some sewing to do.

(LAUGHS SOFTLY)

# MARTIN PHIPPS FEAT. MEDIAEVAL BAEBES: Alleluia