[On the Crusaders' Frontier, Nasir and King Richard and his envoy are riding to meet]
[A man rides up to Nasir]
I am the royal envoy for Prince Salah Ad-Din. [The man takes off his helmet and hood - it's Carter] Rightful ruler of these lands and Master of the Ayuubid Dynasty.
Yeah? And I'm the King of England.
[The Crusaders laugh]
[Nasir shows Carter Salah Ad-Din's royal seal, and Carter rides back to the rest of the envoy and shows the seal to King Richard]
RRichard
Thank you, Carter.
[King Richard has led Nasir to the King's tent and he walks across the room and takes off his helmet and hood]
RRichard
I rule from the front lines.
[He turns to Nasir]
RRichard
That's why your prince will never defeat me.
[Richard walks over to a basin and washes his face]
RRichard
I admire... Aristotle.
[Richard looks up at Nasir. Carter enters]
RRichard
You have the password. [Richard puts on his crown] Speak.
My prince has considered your calls for peace.
He promises nothing. But he is prepared to talk. He would like to meet, alone in the desert. Man to man.
Outside Imuiz. The town ruined by your crusaders.
Your majesty... is this wise?
[Richard turns away]
My prince knew you didn't want peace.
[Nasir turns away, and starts to walk away]
[Richard turns back as does Nasir]
[Carter looks down, disappointed]
My prince would like to give you a gift... as a sign of his goodwill.
[Nasir looks at Carter]
RRichard
[To Carter] Leave us.
[Carter leaves]
There are... men... in your country that would want to kill you.
RRichard
Tell him thank you but I already know about the Black Knights.
RRichard
And I will deal with them when I return.
Which is why they have recruited your most loyal servant.
He is a man who you would trust... with your life. And he travels with a Saracen woman. He will offer to protect you. And then... when your guard is down... he will slit your throat.
[Pause. Nasir walks backwards, still looking at King Richard and then leaves the tent. Carter returns]
This meeting... I'll come with you.
Your majesty, to meet Saladin... alone, unprotected.
RRichard
Sometimes peace requires more bravery than war.
[King Richard has decided to have the gang executed]
Mercy, your majesty! Ut Prosim!
Your majesty, these people are innocent. If you must take a life, take mine. Spare them.
RRichard
At last. That's the Robin I remember - considering others.
He is still the Robin you remember.
He saved your life! Don't you remember that?!
[Pause. Richard walks up to Robin]
I cannot grant your wish. You must all be punished. But you once saved my life and no I have not forgotten that. So I'll not take yours. [Loudly, to everyone] I'll let the desert decide!
[Richard walks away]
[To Robin] The desert? What does that mean? [To Richard, loudly] Decide what?!
[Cut to next scene - the gang are tied by ropes to wooden stands in the middle of the desert]
Robin Hood · 415 quotes
