The Gem of Paran | An Original Screenplay By @WendyyWolfe

Scene 19

EXT. SHEPHERD'S TENTS - DAY

Solomon arrives at the sheep camp and diligently searches
for Temira. He recognizes her herd, however, walking up,
finds it is not Temira, but several other young women
tending her flock.

He approaches them with caution, but they welcome him with
coy smiles.

SOLOMON
(bowing)
Daughters.

(searching their
faces)
(MORE)

SOLOMON (cont'd)
Have you seen Temira?

Kefina, Rimona, Shira, Pazit, and Naava surround him in
admiration, all hoping to gain his attention.

KEFINA
We haven't seen Temira today or
yesterday.

RIMONA
She's been gone since you left.

NAAVA
(suggestively)
And that donkey keeper is gone
too. Perhaps, they are together.
(batting her eyes)

PAZIT
(blurting out)
No! No! She's not with him. . . !

All the girls give Pazit a hateful stare. Solomon is not
intimidated and taking Pazit by the arm, leads her gently
away from them.

SOLOMON
You may finish what you were about
to say.

PAZIT
She...her brothers...

SOLOMON
(nodding with
narrowed eyes)
Ah...her brothers. Say no more
young dove.

Pazit gazes dreamily up at Solomon. Pulling aside his scarf
just a little, he bestows a winning smile upon her. All the
shepherd girls watch as Solomon bows low to them.

SOLOMON
(charmingly)
I adjure you O' daughters of
Jerusalem. By the gazelles or by
the hinds of the fields, do not
awaken or arouse love until she
pleases...

He drops the scarf and with a sweep of his cloaked arm he
whirls around and mounting his powerful steed, leaves them.

The young women sigh.

EXT. THE DONKEY HERD - DAY

As Solomon gallops out of the camp exploding through
Tzefan's vast herd of donkeys, a strong gust of wind rips
the scarf from his face and Tzefan stares at him in
dumbfounded shock of recognition.

EXT. HEBRON VALLEY - DAY

Solomon rides back to the city to find Temira.

EXT. GARDEN PORCH TEMIRA'S HOUSE - DAY

COME AWAY MY BELOVED M.O. BY DALE HUNTER.

Solomon peers through the lattice work into Temira's house
and can see her sleeping in the heat of the afternoon.

SOLOMON
(loud whisper)
Temira my love! Wake up! Wake up
and come away with me my sister,
my dove! Temira!

Temira is sleeping so hard she does not hear Solomon. He
taps on the garden gate hoping to wake her but she won't be
aroused. Sadly, he leaves, returning to the palace.

EXT. HILLSIDE - DAY

Micah, Kestor and Ami-el join up with Tzefan for a midday
meal.

MICAH
We come bearing gifts master
Tzefan. Will you oblige us and
honor us with your company?

TZEFAN
That's what you said last time and
I ended up with a splitting head
ache. What have you brought this
time? Something to finish me off?

Ami-el presents a basket with bread and cheese.

AMI-EL
Only food, young master.

Tzefan relents and sits with them. Ami-el breaks the bread
and passes it among them. Kestor places a clay jug of water
between them all.

MICAH
(clearing throat)
Tzefan, you said some things to
us...

TZEFAN
(immediately
defensive)
What? Drunken ramblings? The
ravings of a coward? Please
Micah, I just knew you were wiser
than that. A legend. That's all
it ever was, and ever will be.

MICAH
Wise I am. Wise enough to know
the truth when I hear it. Stop
pretending Tzefan. We want to
help you.

TZEFAN
(pleadingly)
You cannot help me, Micah! Or yet,
maybe you can...by leaving it be.
It cannot be changed, now, or
ever.

MICAH
You hold the key to your life in
your own hand, master. Just
unlock the door and go in. Go
home Tzefan.

Tzefan slides his head scarf from his head, running his
other hand through his hair in frustration.

TZEFAN
Why can't you understand, Micah.
It's not that easy.

MICAH
Because of Temira?

Tzefan gives Micah an offended look.

TZEFAN
Is the heat scorching your mind,
Micah?

MICAH
I had to ask, that's all. You
said you had a betrothed. Just
return to her. The whole world
understands the pull love has on a
heart.

TZEFAN
(smirking)
I doubt even the world could
understand that, not even for a
king. Love has nothing to do with
this Micah. I rejected my birth
right, shaming my father and my
tribe. If I returned, I would be
sealing my death.
(shaking head)
No, my fate has been marked a
wanderer forever.

MICAH
I just can't accept that master.

TZEFAN
I have, and you must also. Now,
we are never to discuss it again.
Never.