Original subtitles

Once upon a time...

... many, many years ago...

... there was a war, but it wasn't your usual war.

It had been going on forever.

No one could remember when it had first started...

... and no one knew why.

In the two kingdoms that fought, one against the other...

... nobody knew the meaning of the word 'peace'.

Its significance was lost on the fields of battle.

As the two sides continued to clash without respite.

Year after year, month after month...

... day after day.

No, have mercy! I'm just a poor soldier!

Majesty, the big moment has arrived!

Soldier, for today your life has been spared.

You can thank my regal heir who is about to be born.

Well, then?

How much longer will I have to wait to see my son?

Well?

It won't be long now, your Majesty.

It would have meant a lack of respect...

... had the child been born before you arrived. - What have they foretold?

I want an answer from the foretellers.

Here they are.

- What do the stones say? - Here.

Quick, hurry up.

Yes, here we are.

- Well? - Yes...

Speak!

Here.

What do they say?

A boy, Majesty!

Your third child shall be a boy!

The stones never lie!

There shall be hell to pay if that isn't the case.

If it isn't...

Pay them.

The truth has no price, Sire.

Now, let us look upon the flames.

Well, what do they foretell?

- Speak, or I shall - No, Sire.

He is mute, do you not remember?

The fire ate his tongue.

Though, the flame has shown us the colours of a boy.

- Have you doubts? Would you like to see it again? - No, no.

Where are the sacred snakes?

Pay them.

I want my daughters.

Bring me my daughters!

- At lease he can't haggle. - What, so little?

- A bit more? - No, no.

Come forward.

Children, always obey the will of the gods...

... and that of me.

No, don't be afraid. Look.

Look upon the prodigy.

The message in the snakes is clear, Sire.

Finally you shall have a heir worthy of you and your name.

Did you hear that, Caterina? And you, Carolina?

The heir I have always longed for is about to enter the world.

He will be your lord and master.

You shall bow to him.

He who will one day end this war...

... will soon be among us.

You two will have a brother...

A sister!

Who dares speak?

Well, who dares speak?

It was I, Sire!

I cannot see her, give me light.

The White Witch.

I do not deceive you, Majesty.

I cannot deceive you.

Because with deception comes vanity.

Listen.

Listen.

It is a girl, Majesty.

And you will have to love her and raise her like the others.

You, White Witch...

... go back to the rivers in which you were born!

Disappear into the forest!

Where the storm of your siblings gives your voice.

Or throw your treacherous self down a steep mountain...

... and end up in that abyss...

... that has given birth to your heinous slander, before I...

Before I...

Sire.

Here he is, my heir to the throne.

With his screams he declares your punishment!

No, no, no. Sleep.

There you go.

That's it.

It is a girl.

This is your fault!

You have put a curse on us!

- General! - At your command, Majesty!

- Arrest her! - Arrest her!

I pity the King...

... who cannot accept the truth.

But I pity your subjects even more.

Death to her!

Kill her!

Obey your orders, kill her!

Bar the doors! Do not allow her to escape!

The cats! The cats!

Ugly witch!

You should be ashamed! Three against one!

Get away!

Go carefully, Majesty.

How is she feeling?

I fear that she is at the end.

- Does she know? - No, she doesn't know anything.

You will get better, my love.

And very soon, too.

Is my lovely boy...

... as strong and handsome as you wanted him to be?

Don't speak, you will only tire yourself out.

Tell me who he looks like, please.

I don't have much time left.

From you he has taken...

He has taken beauty, and power from me.

He is the heir I have always dreamed of.

So your wife has made you happy.

No.

Oh, no!

No!

She killed her!

She will not outlive her mother!

Her eyes are so lively, she's very pretty.

Yes, she's pretty, but I was beautiful.

More beautiful than her, wasn't I?

No one is as beautiful as you.

No, Father, don't take her away!

Father, have mercy!

My sword!

Here it is, Majesty!

Go!

Father, have mercy! Don't hurt our little sister!

- Don't take her away! - Please, no!

Don't take her away from us!

Have mercy!

If my terrible fears are right...

... he has taken that poor child...

... to the Cave of the Golden Rose.

The good gods will protect her.

Wicked demons...

... after the mother you may claim the daughter.

She was not born...

... in accordance with the will of the gods.

She is a creature of the Devil.

This is why I sacrifice her...

... to the Sacred Beast that lives in this cave.

But if you wish...

... to refuse this sacrifice...

... give me a sign from above...

... right now or never again.

Either the demons or the gods wish for you to live and I...

I beg forgiveness for my horrendous actions.

And from now on...

... no one in my kingdom shall ever again speak of the Cave of the Golden Rose.

... nor of the Sacred Beast who lives here.

And you...

You shall have a name. The name I bestow upon you is...

Fantaghirň!

Fantaghirň!

Fantaghirň!

Fantaghirň!

Where is she hiding now?

Fantaghirň!

Caterina, Carolina! Where is your sister?

- I don't know, she's not with us. - Thank goodness.

Don't speak like that, it's not nice. She's your little sister.

It's not like I'm saying she's bad...

... just that I prefer not to play with her.

She has no grace...

Fantaghirň will have other qualities.

What qualities? Look what she does to her dolls.

All ruined, covered in scratches.

She has pulled them apart like a chicken.

Yes, she even ripped this one open.

But just to see what was inside.

Who cares what's inside a doll?

They're pretty on the outside.

Listen, I've already made the dress for your one.

There it is. But it's the last time.

I'm too old for dolls now.

But how will my dolls live...

... without you?

Now that you're so good at making them clothes, too.

Look how elegant they are.

Who goes there? What are you doing? Halt!

What was that you fired?

It's just the war, girls. Haven't you heard about it?

You're not in a war, but you are in trouble.

At least now you have a good reason to say bad things about me.

What are you hiding? Let me see.

I'm not hiding anything, look.

Look.

And don't try and catch me, because you're not fast enough.

We'll see!

It's useless to run from us!

Fantaghirň!

Hold on, wait!

Stop!

Got you!

- What's this you have? - It's a musical instrument.

Will you teach me how to play it?

If you let me go, I'll show you.

She plays it with rocks, and kills my poor dolls!

See?

Fantaghirň, Fantaghirň!

It had to be today, the day your father has returned from the war, didn't it?

Who gave you this?

No one, I made it myself.

You made this slingshot?

It didn't take me very long, either. You can keep it if you like.

I can always make myself another.

Is this how you talk to your father?

Is this how you talk to your daughters, father?

See? You made Carolina cry.

Fantaghirň, not another word from you, or...

I know...

Apologise.

Come on.

Down, on your knees, and beg for my forgiveness.

Well? Has the cat got your tongue?

Talk, girl?

Talk!

I can't, you told me not to speak.

Put her down the well!

No, not the well!

I don't care, anyway!

I don't care about anything!

I'm not afraid, you know!

I'm not afraid!

I'm not afraid!

Hurry up!

There's no need to hold me.

I'm not scared at all!

Go on, lower me down.

I'm not scared, I'm not scared.

I don't need to be scared.

I don't need to be scared.

I don't want to be scared.

Hello, little mouse!

No, be quiet!

Quiet, it's just a shadow. Don't you see?

Do you want them to catch us?

Wouldn't it be better if we came tomorrow in the daytime?

Yes, the would soon stop us.

Hi, little ladybird.

Fantaghirň, it's me, Carolina.

It's me too, Caterina.

We brought you something to eat.

Quiet, or you'll wake my friends the mice.

- Mice! Mice! - Cut that out!

The mice are down there, at the bottom of the well.

Give me the packet.

Wait.

Do you promise not to hurt my dolls anymore?

That's unfair, you're taking advantage of the fact that she's starving.

Yes, I might never get another chance like this.

Are you hungry, Fantaghirň?

It's not for your mice, though!

It's tasty food, you know.

Hurry up and take the package.

I have to pull the bucket back up.

Is it cold down there, little sister?

Aren't you afraid? I'd have died already.

Fantaghirň, come back.

I can't see you.

Did you open the package?

Fantaghirň!

I didn't eat my chicken...

... so that I could bring it to you.

And I saved you my dessert.

Well, some of my dessert.

But I saved you the biggest part.

Eat something!

But if you carry on like this...

... you'll be stuck down this well forever.

So, make sure you obey our father.

And don't make your sisters angry anymore.

The stop playing...

... those boring games.

And tell our father to stop...

... raising his voice so much.

What does he think, that he's fighting a war...

... when he's at home with us, too?

The enemy has lined up on the blue hill.

We await a grand battle.

A grand victory is what we await, General.

Peace!

Hurray!

Who yelled the forbidden word?

Peace will come, but only with victory.

I will never allow my people to become...

... a pack of slaves.

- Sire, would you like him put in the stocks? - No.

Instead, let me daughter out of the well...

... but make her promise to behave herself first.

It is done, Sire.

For the kingdom, victory!

Victory!

Don't worry, I'll be back soon.

I'm ready, pull me up!

'Do you promise to stop mistreating your sisters' dolls?'

I promise.

'Do you promise not to speak...

... unless you are spoken to?'

I promise.

'Do you promise to obey...'

'... your father, as a King...'

'... as a father, and as a man?'

I promise.

'Do you promise to obey...'

'... your older sisters...'

'... and Mr. Ciambellano?'

I promise.

'Do you promise to behave, both in public and in private...'

'... in a composed and modest manner...'

'... to not walk fast, run...'

'... and jump on things?'

I promise.

'Do you promise to not play games...'

'... sew, cook, and attend to a man's needs...'

... to learn the art of silence as a woman...'

... the art of humility...

'... and that of chastity?'

I promise.

'Do you promise not to learn...'

'... to read and write?'

That's impossible.

I won't give up reading and writing.

And anyway, it's too late.

I've already learned it.

Then unlearn it.

But Carolina, if you know something, how can you unlearn it?

And I don't understand why a woman...

... shouldn't learn how to read and write.

Because it's a big mistake...

... you shouldn0t compete against the men you meet.

I don't have the faintest inclination of meeting any men.

Fantaghirň, careful how you talk.

Out father has returned. Do you want to end up down there again?

As long as I find another book, I've finished this one.

And I'll happily promise to never read it again.

It was a stupid, sentimental love story.

It's not my kind of thing.

I like the stories about wars, battles...

... about daring and courageous knights.

Not about the boring kisses of lovers...

... who promise to love each other forever.

Is your book really about that?

I should have learned to read, too.

What are you doing? Don't cry.

Clear away those tears, Carolina.

Don't give him the satisfaction.

That's just what he's waiting for.

Your daughters, Majesty.

Up, on your feet, children.

- It's not my fault, I can't help it. - Stop crying.

Carolina, have you still not learned that you cannot speak...

... in front of the King unless given permission?

She didn't mean to speak, Father.

I was talking to her.

Oh, really? And what was so interesting that you couldn't wait to tell her?

I was telling her that she had...

... no reason to cry.

That she's too sensitive.

It's a shame the same thing can't be said about you.

You and sensitivity are like... Caterina!

Would you kindly refresh your sister's memory...

... on the duties and status of women.

Of course, Father.

All women are inferior to men, by nature.

Both mentally and physically.

Yes.

Lies.

- Continue. - Therefore, their only duty...

... is to accept the degree of this inferiority...

... and humbly submit to men...

... showing that they are grateful... - Lies!

How dare you interrupt your sister?

Because she was saying something false.

I've read that...

What? You have been reading?

Who gave you permission to read?

Be a good woman and keep your nose out!

Hey, stop! Wait!

- Where are you going? - To the well, before you send me there.

I'm better off with the mice.

What do you think?

That after months of bloody battle...

... that it's a pleasure to hear thousands of...

... complaints about you on my return?

- This is how I am, Father. - Then you will be made to change!

And I have found the person that knows how to change you.

I am too old to maintain command of the war.

So from now on I entrust this duty to our valiant general.

But not for long.

I have received a marriage proposal...

... for you three, my children, from the Princes of Assabel.

Three young and brave brothers.

With these marriages, the troops of Assabel will unite with our own.

And the supreme command will pass from the hands of the General...

... to those of your young husbands.

In a few days, your future husbands will come here to meet you...

... but in the meantime they send you these precious gifts.

A Prince that offers such a precious jewel...

... as an engagement ring guarantees the wellbeing...

... and harmony of our beloved kingdom.

Father, I love you with all my heart.

Carolina?

Oh, how wonderful.

The stone is the colour of my eyes.

If he's this kind before even meeting me...

... what king of things will he give me when he sees that I'm so pretty.

Fantaghirň.

It's a ring to put on your finger.

Once again, you are deluded.

And I'm terribly sorry about that.

Put it on your finger! Obey me!

No one can buy me.

Or sell me.

Get out of my presence!

I don't even want to see your shadow...

... until the three Princes arrive at this palace!

And if that day you...

... choose not to obey me...

... I swear that I shall disown you as a daughter!

Just what you always wanted!

Hey, stop! What are you doing?

Thief! Stop that woman!

Don't worry, it's the King's daughter.

You shall have another horse.

Today is a great day, Tonino.

Do you know what it means to command an army?

- Yes, Sir. More work. - No.

More power, foolish boy.

And more money.

What about after the Princesses..

... get married?

When?

They will never get married.

The three Princes of Assabel are tied to one another.

Either they all get married, or none of them do.

And do you know what that means?

- What? - That thanks to Fantaghirň...

... I will remain the Supreme Commander of the army...

... for the rest of my natural life.

Or at least until the war ends, General.

But the war will never end.

Come here!

Obey me!

Stupid beast, I bet that you're one of my father's horses...

... that's why you don't like me!

Don't worry, I forgive you.

But I have to vent my anger somehow.

- Ouch! - Who spoke?

Hey! What are you doing to me? Why do you have to take it out on me?

Where are you?

Where are you hiding?

I'm not hiding at all, I'm behind you.

And what's more, I know how to defend myself!

Do you see? Come on, get up, don't make a fuss!

You must belong to my father, Tree.

I only struck you once...

... and you dropped an entire bushel of apples on my head?

You could have killed me, you know.

I wasn't mad at you.

I just wanted to vent the anger I have inside.

Calm yourself, my girl.

Anger can hurt people. Yes, that's right!

Calm yourself, calm yourself...

There, this way I'm not hurting anyone.

Would you cut that out?

Oh, I...

That stone only just missed me.

Please forgive me, Fish.

I'm not mad at you, either.

- I won't throw any more at you, I promise. - What does that mean?

That you're going to throw stones at someone else?

No, I won't throw stones at anyone.

But where should I throw this one?

It would be nice if you didn't throw me at all.

Even better, if you put me down gently...

... exactly where you found me. On the ground, okay?

Okay, I'll put you down right away.

No, this wasn't where I was before.

Is that better?

Well!

Almost there. A little more to the right.

You found me in the shade, if I'm not mistaken.

Here I have the sun in my eyes!

Goodbye.

Where are you going? What are you doing?

Don't leave me here!

Please, don't eat me!

Is everything alive around here?

Why are you so surprised, presumptuous girl?

Do you think yourself the only thing alive in the entire World?

Everything around us is alive.

The animals.

The plants.

The stones.

The water in the rivers and lakes.

The air.

You will have to learn their language if you are to respect...

... and live in harmony with them.

They understand our language very well..,

... but they only use it in special circumstances.

And they don't use it because they don't like it.

They don't like mankind.

And they're right to.

We only know how to be violent...

... even the best of us.

Your father was violent with you.

And you were violent with this tree...

... with the stones, with the fish in the lake.

If you really want to take it out on someone...

... you should pick someone your own size.

Who are you?

How do you know about my father.

People talk.

Then they must have spoken about me.

- What did they tell you? - That you're disobedient...

...impulsive, wild.

That you take everything as a game...

... especially with those who look to guide you.

That you run, jump, even read!

And that this is too much for a woman.

- Because that's what you are, no? - Yes.

Unfortunately.

Why unfortunately?

Because I hate the rules that they have imposed on women...

To keep their mouth closed.

Appear stupid.

To cook, sew, serve men.

Who told you that's all women do?

What else do they do?

Hush now. Let us watch the sunset.

It is a wonderful thing.

And only happens once a day.

Scrub, scrub!

Ah, General.

Grave news, Majesty.

- Regarding Fantaghirň? - No.

A messenger just arrived from the battlefield, Sire.

The war may be over.

- Have we suffered a defeat? - No. Good heavens, no.

We have experienced a victory, then?

Prepare yourself. The enemy King...

Proceed.

Come on, out with it, what has my enemy done?

He is dead.

Dead?

How can he have died just like that?

- He must have died of old age, Majesty. - Old age.

He was younger than me.

Perhaps he died in an accident, then.

Yes, but why should the war be over?

Who will command his forces?

His son Romualdo will inherit the throne.

- But he is just a boy. - A boy.

The years pass for everyone, my dear man.

Not just for us.

Romualdo will have, by now, arrived...

... at his twentieth spring.

He is a strong young lad, valiant.

His father has kept him...

... away from the war...

... sent him to faraway lands...

... to learn new techniques...

... new methods of combat...

... new strategies.

At his side, he keeps with him...

... two brave warriors.

Ivaldo and Cataldo.

They are as able and intelligent as he.

Rather than facing...

... just one enemy commander...

... we now find ourselves facing three.

It's not armour, it's a trap.

No, Sire, you must wear it.

It was the armour of your father.

You must maintain the tradition.

Traditions are going to change, and this will be the first.

It's sacrilege.

From now on...

... no one will ever...

... cage themselves in this scrap metal again.

Ivaldo!

Cataldo!

Where are you?

Here.

- Your Majesty. - Always at your service, Sire.

Free me from this mess.

Right away, Sire.

It shall be done in a moment, Your Majesty.

You'll be in trouble...

... if you continue to address me in such an absurdly formal manner!

Very well, Majesty.

And enough of your laughing.

I've only just buried my father.

Of course, but just look at the faces of these dignitaries, Romualdo.

If you did, you would laugh as well.

Poor horse.

How did you ever bear his weight?

They say that under him more than a thousand have died in battle.

I shall fight differently.

I don't need armour.

This arm and this sword will be my weapons.

Take two ears of wheat.

Here.

No, this won't do. Try again.

The stems have to be long and similar.

It requires a clean, precise strike.

Not a rough one that splinters the stem.

But this sword is heavy!

It's not the sword that is heavy, it's your arm.

But if you don't wish to continue, it doesn't matter.

Remember, it was you who wanted...

... to learn how to use weapons.

A sword like this is wasted as a scythe.

I want to learn how to fight.

No discussion.

This field must be reaped before sunset.

The enemy is each individual piece of wheat.

Come on, try again.

That will do for now.

But in a duel, only a few blows can be enough.

- Do you want to try? - Against who?

I challenge you.

Take the sword.

On guard.

Hey, you!

Take this!

White Knight, call off your sword!

An enemy will not stop at your wish.

How can I strike him if he's invisible.

Before learning to attack...

... you must learn to defend.

Where has it gone?

It's disappeared.

Look, behind you!

To me!

Only in learning how to defend yourself will you learn how to fight.

Bread shall be donated twice a day.

That's not possible Romualdo, flour is scarce.

With the men at war, no one has harvested the fields.

People shall die of famine.

- Unless... - The war ends.

But what is a King without war?

It is not my war.

What sense is there in fighting a war when you don't understand the reason?

Our people are exhausted.

- There he is, he's coming back. - It's the King.

There is only one way to finish a war, and that is to win it.

And to win, we must fight.

Beloved citizens, listen to me.

Listen to your King and his decision.

This war has been going on for too long.

And I want it to end.

I will challenge the strongest enemy knight in a duel.

The winner will not only win the duel, but also the war.

Your hand and the chord...

... are one and the same.

The bow is an extension of yourself.

And the arrow, a message...

... that has to be sent as far away as possible.

If you fail, it doesn't matter.

The important thing is to try.

Pull it tighter. Tighter! Tighter!

Stop, Romualdo.

Don't go beyond that hill.

This is my territory.

Yes, but those hills are enemy territory.

Don't worry.

Choose a target.

Shall I hit one of these trees?

Too close, send the arrow over the hill.

Strike the sun.

But that's impossible.

Things are always impossible unless you try.

Aim at the sun, and fire.

I'll never shoot it that far.

You can say that after you've tried.

Put the word 'impossible' to the back of your mind, Fantaghirň.

Pull it harder. Harder.

With all your might.

Even more. Fire!

Easy! Easy!

After him!

Stop! Stop!

Romualdo, you can't go that way.

It's enemy territory.

Romualdo, stop! Where are you going?

Stop!

Stop, Romualdo!

Quick, on your horse.

They must not see you.

Hide yourself.

No, wait!

You need not be afraid.

Please, stop, do not run away.

Where are you?

Who are you? Do not flee!

Got you! What would you do if I wasn't here?

What are you looking for in my forest, young Knight?

I didn't know it belonged to you, My Lady.

I am the spirit of the forest.

And I would not like for you to demolish the branches...

... I that look after my secret with that sword of yours.

Please forgive me. I was looking for a young woman.

Did she have with her, perhaps, a bow and arrow...

And beautiful eyes.

And long brown hair.

From what I could see.

The girl that you saw is not from you world.

She is a nymph from the lake.

But she screamed like a human being.

She was expressing pain...

... at being seen...

... by mortal eyes.

Please, leave the forest.

I, too, suffer...

... if I am around humans.

Go.

But, those eyes...

Look for a woman among your own kind.

When you find her, you will have found true love.

Please, go.

And do not reveal what you have seen here today to anyone.

Nothing.

No one.

I didn't find anyone.

Perhaps we should return to the castle.

Yes, I shall prepare an embassy for the enemy King.

Now move it. Hold onto my roots.

Go on!

Here, I'll help you.

Can you do it?

Thank you.

Come on!

Thank you.

Thank you.

If it wasn't for you, I'd be in trouble.

And the White Knight?

He had to leave.

But first he brought your horse back.

- Well, I'll find him again. - It is useless.

He has left forever.

But he was my teacher.

And I was learning so well!

He told me that you may continue alone.

But there are so many things I don't know.

He told me that now...

... you know how to learn.

And you are mistaken if you hope to excel in everything so quickly.

You have to learn from life slowly.

Why did he speak to you?

Did you know him?

We've always been good friends.

He was the only one in the world who loved me.

Who bothered with me.

I've never felt so... loved, protected...

... by others.

He showed me affection.

Don't cry, Fantaghirň.

This isn't the moment to lose yourself in tears.

You are not alone, you have yourself.

Now you must return to the castle...

... and face life.

But I don't feel prepared.

Then you didn't...

... learn anything...

... from the White Knight.

No.

I learned how to fight.

To have faith in myself.

To talk to the world around me.

To know what it is I want.

Then go.

You are ready to overcome any obstacle.

Follow your heart.

And you will never be alone.

I don't know who you are, but I thank you.

If you see the White Knight, tell him that he didn't waste...

... his time. Goodbye!

Not goodbye, Fantaghirň. See you soon.

Very soon.

Oh, no!

- What is it? What's wrong? - I can't breath!

Oh, My God, Carolina!

Untie it, quick!

- Untie me! - It's like I told you.

Vanity comes at a price!

How wonderful!

Yes, much better!

- I didn't think it was possible! - Better?

Much better.

- Caterina? - Yes?

How long do you think the Princes will be staying for?

An hour, more or less.

My darling, an hour isn't enough to show off...

... the qualities you have inside. The beauty of the road...

... to marriage.

So you hope that they will like your promise?

Hope only paves the road to disappointment, dear sister.

But to hold onto a dream is good for the heart.

I imagine mine to be blond, with eyes of periwinkle blue.

And very tall!

I would prefer an intelligent, kind husband.

But one who is strong, morally strong.

Their highnesses, the Princes of Assabel.

I...

Of course, yes.

Wait. I am Issibil of Assabel, Prince of...

I wanted...

What did I want?

Oh, yes!

I wanted to modestly request your daughter's hand in marriage...

What the hell was she called?

Caterina!

My memory is terrible.

Caterina?

Is that right? Caterina, yes?

Ossobol, Prince of Assabel. I solemnly ask for the...

... hand of your daughter, Carolina.

This isn't quite what I hoped for.

Please, not now!

Oh, my God, your dress!

Perhaps it's best if I die of suffocation.

Ussubul, Prince of Assabel. I formally ask for your...

... daughter Fantaghirň's hand in marriage.

The Princesses and the King are honoured...

... by your requests. Isn't that right, children?

I hope, Prince Issibil, to be worthy of your preference.

To have in you, a good husband...

... and above all a brave commander of the armies...

... of my dear father.

Your... what's the word... wisdom precedes you.

Hurry up!

I require a savvy and intelligent wife.

Hurry up!

With much relief...

Hurry up!

Not just anyone, you see.

They speak of your beauty...

... but even more of your daring imagination.

I cannot wait to take you back to Assabel...

... and shower you with kisses!

Thank you, Prince Ossobol.

Contain yourself!

I don't think I look my best today!

The voices I have heard...

... about your daughter Fantaghirň...

... have described her as rebellious and wild.

I like rebellious women because taming them...

... is a pastime of mine.

Oh, really?

Then where's your whip? You can't be a tamer without one!

Fantaghirň!

Is this how you present yourself in the court? Dressed in that manner?

His Highness is not interested in what I'm wearing.

Just my rebellious nature.

And I'm afraid I would only let you down.

What do you find so funny, little girl?

First of all, don't call me little girl.

As for the question, I was laughing more out of confusion.

But now that I see you, the confusion has passed...

... because I won't marry you. You don't like me?

All in all, you're not bad.

But my poor sisters!

I won't allow them to marry an idiot...

... and a monster.

Do you really want to marry those two?

Fantaghirň, silence!

Prince Ussubul, consider your taming of women.

You said that a rebel wife would suit you.

She is much worse than a rebel.

She is impudent and bad-mouthed!

You have insulted us.

How?

Your proposals...

... of marriage offend my rebel spirit...

... her intelligence, and her beauty.

Give us the rings!

Fantaghirň!

From now on, you shall live in the kitchen...

... like a humble dishwasher.

Get out of here!

Here's your new skivvy.

Who is to be given the most awful duties.

Anything but learning to cook.

Keep your wits about you, Princess.

And if you don't want to cook, you'll end up cooked.

Right in the pot!

With the geese.

For now, go and chop off their heads.

Hurry up!

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

Why?

Have you ever seen a talking goose?

No, why?

Isn't that enough for you to spare my life?

You know, there are other geese that don't deserve to be alive.

Besides, I'm specialised in giving advice.

Then you can start right away!

How can I keep that hag happy if I don't kill you?

That's easy. Look over there, you will find other geese...

... who have already seen the cleaver.

Give her those.

And what about after that?

Don't worry about it, you won't be in this horrible place...

... for much longer, I assure you.

Romualdo!

Where are you?

What are you doing, playing hide and seek?

Who knows where that arrow came from, but it seems to have sent him into a daze.

Come on, let's go.

He'll return to the castle soon enough.

Where is your good knight?

What are you doing up that tree, Romualdo?

Have you ever been in love?

Of course.

And not just once.

Many times.

Really?

What does that prove?

How can I explain?

It's not simple, I like all girls.

I fall in love easily.

I swear.

I'm... I'm talking of absolute love.

The kind that you can't stop thinking about.

That leaves you exhausted, deprived of all reasoning.

That leaves you wandering about without a destination.

With a stupid look on your face?

Exactly.

How did you know that?

All I have to do is look at you.

Are you in love?

Yes.

With whom?

I don't know, I don't know who she is.

What do you mean, you don't know?

She must have a name.

You must have spoken to her, discovered something.

No.

Then you must have dreamed her up.

No.

But I hope to dream about her tonight.

I don't know what happened to you in that forest.

But this isn't the moment to think about love.

A war awaits us.

A war?

It isn't a war, it's a duel.

Send an embassy to the enemy King...

... challenging his champion. - It will be done.

- Is that him? - Yes.

There he is, quiet!

The time has come to get some more money.

Will you be quiet?

His Illustrious Lordship!

- Our Dear General! - Commander of the Armies!

The King has just received an embassy...

... from the enemy King Romualdo.

In which he proposes a final duel between him and a champion...

... from our army.

But we cannot let the war end.

When the King arrives it will be up to you to dissuade him...

... from accepting the challenge.

Foretellers!

Where the hell are those foretellers?

Here! Here we are!

Here they are, Majesty.

They will clear your mind of doubts.

- Majesty. - Sire.

A goose! Get me another goose!

And quickly!

I've run out of dead geese.

What shall I do now?

Go to your father the King's bedroom, hide under the bed...

... and stay there for a while.

But how do I get out of here?

Use me to create a diversion.

Skivvy, where is my goose?

Where is it? Move yourself!

Run!

What do the Sacred Stones say?

Four.

Two.

Four, idiot.

So, what do they say?

My stones say that your armies...

... there is no champion as strong as...

... young Romualdo.

Then I will be the champion!

No, Sire. The colour of the flames tells us that if you accept the...

... challenge, you will lose.

And your people will become slaves to the terrible King Romualdo.

No!

That will leave my kingdom in ruins!

Balordi!

Goose, there's no danger!

You don't have to hide.

Don't leave me alone.

Come out, where are you?

Don't worry about me.

Go to the King's bedroom.

Yes, just as I told you in the kitchen.

Don't look for me now.

Hide yourself where I told you.

Don't worry, we will meet again.

Go, run!

Don't miss your chance!

Good news, Sire!

If you want to continue the war...

And not accept the challenge...

Sooner or later, you will win!

Did you hear that, Sire?

- We must continue the war. - No!

King Romualdo is right.

We must have peace if we are to put an end to...

... the suffering of the people. His proposal is just and true.

What do you want, an ignominious defeat?

Should you not listen to the clairvoyants?

I haven't heard from all of them yet.

I'm waiting for one more answer.

And I shall have it!

White Witch, where are you?

Why won't you come back to me?

Are you leaving me in silence just because I didn't want to believe you?

What do I have to do...

... for you to return?

Speak to me!

You have never lied!

I am ready to obey your wishes.

Come and speak to me!

If you will not do it for me, do it for my children.

For my people!

Your people!

Speak, I beg you.

Speak!

Speak, Witch!

My goodness.

You have called me.

Invoked me, with a repentant soul.

Here is my prophecy.

You will accept the challenge of Romualdo.

But be careful, and remember.

Only your offspring shall win.

Only your offspring shall win.

Only your offspring shall win.

Remember.

Only your offspring shall win.

Here is my prophecy.

But I only have daughters.

Daughters.

No, Fantaghirň! Just think about it.

We are women, it is simply absurd!

To see the dead, all that blood!

- And think of the forest. - We know how to sew...

... how to embroider, things like that.

We know not how to fight.

And who else can help him?

Out father needs us.

He only has us for children.

Three daughters.

Perhaps the prophecy was speaking of a grandson.

I could provide him with one!

Wake up, Carolina!

We have no time to make grandchildren!

- The challenge is now. - You're right. I see it now.

I shall go, as the oldest daughter.

And if they have prophesized that victory in this duel...

... shall be mine, I am sure to win.

That sounds like the most reasonable course of action, Caterina. I agree.

If a superior will is to guide you...

... I suppose we must obey.

We will all go.

The prophecy said 'offspring'.

Not first-born.

So who knows which of us three are chosen?

What if it's you?

Send one of you?

To a duel?

To fight against a man and beat him?

To challenge a warrior?

We may not be as strong as men...

... but the prophecy is clear. King Romualdo will be beaten...

... by your offspring. - Yes.

Though female offspring do not go to war.

You do not have the strength of man, nor the courage.

We're just as courageous as they are. Even more courageous, perhaps.

And I will show you right now!

Fantaghirň!

Your wonderful hair!

Have you gone mad?

What does this even mean?

If I had the courage to sacrifice my beauty...

... it's only right that you should obey the White Witch.

If the wish of the White Witch coincides with your own...

... it forces me to concede my own.

Hurray! I applaud your decision.

We must make an agreement, however.

No one is to know that my champions are girls.

Only the General will know the truth.

But to the others, to everyone else...

... meaning our soldiers, our people, the enemy...

... you will be warriors found in faraway lands.

This way it's more comfortable.

All this scrap iron!

How terrible it is to hide such hair in a helmet!

Mine is so blonde, wouldn't it look better...

... on the black of the armour?

No, nothing doing!

- Fool. - But... - Do you want your enemy...

... to realise who you are straight away?

To drag you away by your hair?

And then cut your throat?

What the hell is this?

Cotton wool, the armour spoils my skin.

You should be more worried about the blade of your adversary.

From now on I don't want to see any materials for sewing.

Only one thing must occupy you.

That being the sword.

The time has come to bring an end to the war.

King Romualdo of the enemy kingdom has challenged a champion of ours...

... to a duel.

The victor of this duel will also be the victor...

... of our conflict.

We have welcomed this challenge.

But, there is a but.

The King Romualdo has not been worn out by this war.

He will be fresh and full of energy.

And I do not wish to send our champion into this duel...

... strong and brave as he may be, if he has been reduced to a tired...

... shell of his former self from a thousand battles.

Therefore, I have offered this task to three foreigners...

... whom I have entrusted them with the defence of our kingdom.

May they fight to victory...

... for the salvation of our kingdom and all of us!

Please welcome the three champions.

Enter the first champion.

The Knight of Soriano.

For the will of my father and my people.

Enter the second champion, the Baron of Levriere.

For the will of my sister, and if I get away with this...

... it will be a miracle!

Enter the third champion, the Count of Valdoca.

Hey! It's your turn.

Are you having second thoughts?

What are you saying?

This is the greatest day of my life.

You exaggerate! What's so good about war, anyway?

I might be a goose, but I'll never understand war.

Careful!

To victory!

I want it, and I will have it!

END OF FIRST PART