by Marc Blake
Matahina’s labor is not normal. Merzan and Matahina’s baby has still not been born and there seems to be no progress.
Merzan looks at Matahina. She is barely able to open her eyes. Even so, for the most brief moment, she opens her eyes to see Merzan by her side. There is that beautiful light radiating from her amazing light blue eyes. They’re aglow with an aquamarine radiance! It illuminates the entire hospital room.
Matahina is looking at Merzan. He can just make out Matahina mouthing out the words, “my Prince” with barely a breath to push out the words.
But then, just as quickly as Merzan sees that familiar light in the eyes of his Princess, that light that would wake up the sun each morning on Mo’ore’a, turns dark and lifeless. Matahina’s eyes close. Matahina’s head gently falls to the side and her hand, still held by Merzan, loses its clutch.
Merzan’s face contains only an expression of complete shock.
Simultaneously, a horrifying number of lightening strikes occur that cause chaotic thunder to rip through the night and a cloudburst of the worse measure sends a more forceful wind driven rain crashing down from the sky.
Outside and without choice, the vigil of Islanders are scattered by the storm and go running in every direction to protect themselves from the severe danger. They are torn between fear and sadness. Many villagers are crying.
Native drums consume the night pounding violently in unison with the storm.
The hospital room becomes a stage that plays back the short-lived romantic times Merzan and Matahina enjoyed. A wide angle, birds-eye view of the hospital room becomes superimposed with the memories left in Merzan’s mind.
He sees himself with Matahina in Paris. Their story is re-told and every image he recalls is filled with joy and happiness. There are familiar faces from Paris and the Island that visit Merzan’s mind. The images come to him faster and faster until they speed through his thoughts so rapidly that he falls to his knees, his head lying on Matahina’s lifeless hand.
The lizard scurries off and is gone.
53 The Adventure is Over – The Light on the Horizon
Two days later, in the afternoon, everyone is gathered on the beach and a raft with flowers enshrines the Princess Matahina who is laying there. She is covered with a transparent white cloth. You can see that she still carries the lifeless unborn child in her womb. Tahitian men lift the pyre from the beach and place it on the water.
Men with outriggers, slowly escort the raft out of the bay while people watch. Further out more men, in outriggers, are waiting to receive the shrine. They have lit torches in their hands.
We know what to expect.
Merzan is standing there on the beach as dead as his Princess and unborn child. Merzan is purposeless.
The Queen speaks to the villagers as the raft slowly floats further away. The raft is surrounded with glimmering diamond-studded light from the sunset bouncing on the water of the bay.
Élise, Eeva in Tahitian, quietly and slowly begins to speak, “The Princess of Mo’ore’a, our Matahina delivered her Island, your Island, from the danger of severe economic risk. When the King and I sent The Princess to Paris we knew that she would return her visit by bringing hope and prosperity to her Island. Matahina did more than this. It is no surprise that Mo’ore’a is now known around the world as the most precious jewel in the crown of Polynesia. Her Tauarii took her hand and together they have traveled on a great ship of destiny with the Gods of our Island at the helm.”
There is Captain Bell, crying and agreeing with what he is hearing.
Élise continues, “Merzan has delivered the messages of our beautiful Island with dignity and grace. Truly a great Prince, who was enchanted and inspired by his Princess Matahina.”
The Queen turns to Merzan, “At your side, Merzan, was your sweet, radiant Princess who became your sword of creation.”
The Queen looks back at the villagers, “Together, they have written a story for us that will live in eternity. Each morning, when the sun rises on the bay to bring its light to our Island we will know that Matahina, goddess eyes, has awoken and is looking upon us with her love. She does not die because the Gods are angry. The Gods love our Island as they love Matahina...”
The Queen needs time to regain her composure, “... as they have never loved another.”
Élise confesses, “The Princess dies from an illness the women of my family have suffered for many generations.”
Élise composes herself and with full dignity continues, “Even as we represent all of you as your Royal Family, we have always remembered one thing. Just as the sun gives way to the night, we too must be prepared to accept our human weakness in the ways of nature. We know that we are to strive, each day, to bring joy to our life by providing joy to each of you. The most precious gift that we can give or receive is a reason to smile. Nobody was able to light the lives of everyone around her like The Princess of Mo’ore’a. Matahina had the eyes of a goddess. They spoke to us. They would light up everything around her. And her smile,” the Queen reflects on Matahina’s smile, “would light the hearts of everyone that was blessed to be in her presence. May Matahina’s smile always light your path. May the God’s...” Matahina’s mother, the Queen is openly crying now and begs the Gods, “please leave this much for us.”
The Queen is now overcome with tears. Temaru takes her into his arms to try to comfort her.
Toanui approaches Merzan. Merzan tries not to look at Toanui. Merzan feels as though Matahina’s death is his fault.
Toanui steps in front of Merzan and looks directly into his face. We are unable to read what is on Toanui’s mind for he too is shrouded with sadness.
Toanui drops to a knee and places a flower of respect at Merzan’s feet.
Merzan watches the raft, now more distant, as the men touch their torches to it from all sides.
Toanui grabs Merzan around the legs and touches his head to Merzan’s knees in sadness. Without taking his eyes from the burning shrine, Merzan places one hand on Toanui in comfort.
Amura, bandaged, shifts his eyes slightly to see his son at Merzan’s feet, then looks back to the shrine.
We get one more look, through Merzan’s eyes, at the raft burning on the horizon. Merzan sees its flames melding into the flames of the setting sun. The entire scene melts into a heat wave of color. Merzan remembers the fire of light that he would see on the horizon during his imaginary adventures with his little sister. Merzan closes his eyes and everything he sees racing through his mind stops.
54 It Began on a Farm
Geneviève, her mother and father are in their living area in the cottage on their farm. It’s night time. They do not yet know of Matahina’s death.
Geneviève is acting quiet, too quiet.
Papa looks at Geneviève, questions the silence with his expression. Then he looks at Lily for an answer.
Lily, nervously inquires, “Geneviève?”
Geneviève, somehow knowing simply says under her breath, “She is gone.”
Geneviève starts crying and one of her tears falls onto the brochure – half crushed in her hands. It’s the Polynesian brochure from camera shop.
Geneviève’s emotional weakness causes the brochure to slip from her fingers. In Geneviève’s hand is the cameo necklace that Matahina wore.
More Books by Marc Blake
Merzan, the Destiny of an Artist is story one of a trilogy of screenplays written by Marc Blake. The complete series of stories and additional scripts include:
SCRIPT 1: Merzan, the Destiny of an Artist
SCRIPT 2: Geneviève of Arc
SCRIPT 3: Throne of Destiny Throne of Palms
PLUS
SCRIPT 4: Princess Matahina (Prequel)
SCRIPT 5: Amuhau, The Fruits of Peace
Perhaps it is destiny that has brought you to finish reading the first in my stories of life in a world where creation paints the paths we follow on the canvas of our souls.
Marc Blake, [email protected]
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