Beowulf by Neil Gaiman

leagues away, in my mind, over the ocean.
    URSULA
    My lord Beowulf. They are waiting for you, in the throne room.
    KING BEOWULF
    There is a moment at sunset at sea, when you watch the sun drop into the cold waters of the endless ocean, a red ball, and at the very moment it sinks beneath the horizon, it flames green as an emerald.
    While he is talking, Ursula is picking up a robe, bringing it over to him, fastening it around his neck.
    URSULA
    I have never been to sea, your Majesty.
    KING BEOWULF
    Who is waiting?
    CUT TO:
    116 EXT. KING BEOWULF’S CASTLE - DAY
    116
    We see that this is an old, stone castle, built overlooking the ocean. Sea-spray in the foreground. Snow on the ground.
    CUT TO:
    117 INT. KING BEOWULF’S CASTLE - SPIRAL STAIRCASE - DAY
    117
    Ursula walks down the stairs behind King Beowulf.
    URSULA
    You are to give judgement today, your majesty.
    KING BEOWULF
    Live long enough, Ursula, and they think you’re Solomon. Who cares who owns half-an acre of barren land?
    URSULA
    Well, obviously, Guthric does.
    CUT TO:
    118 INT. KING BEOWULF’S CASTLE - THRONE ROOM - DAY
    118
    GUTHRIC is staring at us, his face red with anger. He is a young man, hot-headed and impetuous, and he is really really angry right now.
    GUTHRIC
    This is an outrage! That land is mine by right of birth!
    PULL BACK TO REVEAL: We see that there are a number of other people in the throne room: OLD WIGLAF, again, fifty years older than the Wiglaf we knew in the earlier part of the film, and a few other THANES who are also elderly. There are also a couple of KING’S GUARDS. And King Beowulf himself.
    KING BEOWULF
    You have land enough, Guthric. That land was due to your sister as bride-price.
    GUTHRIC
    This is not justice! This is a travesty!
    He advances on the King. The guards raise their spears. King Beowulf does not, however, need guards, for the anger of King Beowulf is a terrible thing to see, and now he’s angry.
    KING BEOWULF
    How dare you talk to me like that? If it’s treason you are talking, Guthric Olaf’s son, then it’s treason I shall punish you for.
    GUTHRIC
    (chastened)
    I was not…I did not mean to--
    KING BEOWULF
    See that you did not. The land is your sister’s.
    Guthric sets his jaw. He seems on the verge of exploding with anger, but he somehow keeps a lid on it. What he actually says is
    GUTHRIC
    It shall be as your majesty has said.
    And Guthric turns on his heels and storms out.
    Â 
    King Beowulf turns to Old Wiglaf, and shakes his head.
    KING BEOWULF
    It did not used to be so hard, Wiglaf, did it?
    OLD WIGLAF
    He’s a young hot-head. He’ll cool down, in time.
    CUT TO:
    119 EXT. KING BEOWULF’S CASTLE - COURTYARD - DAY
    119
    Guthric leaps onto his horse, and GALLOPS off. He looks furious still.
    CUT TO:
    120 EXT. THE GEAT MOORS - THE BARROW - DAY
    120
    We see Guthric on his horse, riding past a huge barrow -- a raised mound -- on the snowy moors.
    CUT TO:
    121 EXT. GUTHRIC’S HALL - SUNSET
    121
    Guthric rides up on his horse. His slave -- CAIN -- stands beside the horse, with his hands cupped, to help his master down from his horse. Guthric puts his muddy boots in Cain’s hands as he dismounts.
    Â 
    As Guthric gets down, the horse moves, nervously to one side, and Guthric misses his footing. He and Cain go down in the slush and mud together. Guthric gets to his feet as angry as it is possible for any human being to be.
    GUTHRIC
    You did that on purpose!
    CAIN
    Sire, it was your mare, she shied--
    GUTHRIC
    You pitched me into the mud on purpose, you creeping maggot!
    And with that he pulls his horsewhip and commences to WHIP Cain within an inch of his life, while shouting--
    GUTHRIC
    You stupid--!
    (whip!)
    miserable--
    (more)
    GUTHRIC (CONT’D)
    (whip)
    pathetic--!
    (whip!)
    cankerous--!
    (whip)
    louse-ridden!
    (whip!)
    oaf!
    (he stops for a moment to catch his breath)
    Now get out of my sight!
    Cain gets to his feet, nervously, and Guthric slashes the whip