CRYSTAL LAND

THE REUNION

INT. AYINLA PALACE – PRINCE’S CHAMBER – NIGHT

The door opens.

Princess Alan rushes into the chamber.

The moment she sees her brother, her face lights up.

PRINCESS ALAN

Brother! Brother!

She runs into his arms, almost crying.

The Prince holds her tightly, overwhelmed.

He pulls back slightly to look at her.

PRINCE

Look at you, Alan. You’ve grown so much.

Alan wipes away a tear and smiles through the emotion.

PRINCESS ALAN

You too, brother.

They stare at each other for a moment.

Years apart.

Years they can never get back.

Alan’s smile slowly fades.

PRINCESS ALAN

After you left, everything became so cold and lonely.

Her voice cracks.

PRINCESS ALAN

I missed the days when we played together. When you sang me lullabies until I fell asleep in your arms.

The Prince’s eyes fill with tears.

PRINCESS ALAN

I even miss your midnight stories.

Alan breaks down.

Her brother immediately pulls her into a tight embrace.

PRINCE

I missed you too, little sister.

He closes his eyes.

PRINCE

I missed you so much.

Alan clings to him.

PRINCESS ALAN

Please don’t leave again, brother.

The Prince holds her tighter.

Before he can answer, the door opens.

They turn.

The QUEEN stands at the entrance.

Her eyes immediately fill with tears.

QUEEN

Son…

The Prince looks up.

For a moment, neither of them speaks.

There is too much emotion in their eyes.

The Queen walks toward him.

Alan steps aside.

The Queen reaches for her son, her hands trembling as she holds his face.

QUEEN

My boy…

A tear rolls down her cheek.

QUEEN

I’m so happy to see you again.

She pulls him into an embrace.

QUEEN

Welcome home.

The Prince closes his eyes against her shoulder.

The moment is interrupted by the arrival of the MAID.

The Queen turns.

QUEEN

Prepare the grand hall. We’re having a feast tonight. My son has returned.

Before the maid can respond.

KING (O.S.)

There will be no feast.

Everyone turns.

The King enters the chamber.

His presence immediately changes the atmosphere.

He looks at his son without warmth.

KING

A feast is for someone who returns a conqueror.

He walks past them.

KING

Not a failure.

The words cut through the room.

The King exits.

Silence.

Alan looks at her brother, tears streaming down her face.

The Queen watches her son.

Then she gently takes his face in her hands.

QUEEN

Look at me, son.

The Prince meets her eyes.

QUEEN

I am proud of you.

She wipes away his tears.

QUEEN

You survived what would have broken many people. You went where others were afraid to go. You endured what you had to endure.

She smiles through her own tears.

QUEEN

You are a conqueror—not because you found what your father wanted, but because you came home.

The Prince’s eyes tremble.

The Queen turns to Alan, then looks back at both her children.

QUEEN

You two are precious to me.

She takes Alan’s hand and her son’s hand.

QUEEN

Never let anyone convince you that you are less than you are.

A beat.

QUEEN

You are enough. Just as you are.

The siblings exchange a tearful smile.

The Queen pulls them both into her arms.

For the first time that night, the Prince feels truly home.