Brief

A London school girl travels to visit her aunt in Scotland where she is transported to the ancient past and uses modern technology to fulfill her destiny.

What We Liked

- Lovely premise;
- Strong female character, and empowerment of women/girls;
- Magical elements;
- The premise of a modern girl being magically transported to an ancient sea fortress where she can help affect change and fulfill her destiny is a fantastic concept;
- An adaptation would have to be a sweeping reimagining of the current story with the integration of Scottish folklore and its intersection with the modern world.

Synopsis

Princess Ilana stands on the battlements of her sea fortress in the realm of Skyel over which she rules. A battle with invading Doren from the mainland is on the horizon. Though they are outmatched, Ilana’s warrior companion, Soranos, along with their fleet of swordsmen and archers bravely face their attackers. In modern times, Lilly, a school girl from London, is just arriving in Scotland for a visit with her beloved Aunty Fay. Having no children of her own, Fay has always felt a special connection with Lilly. Lilly, never a good student, has always been fascinated by technology and Aunty Fay wants her to attend to a jobs fair at Glasgow University. Lilly enjoys it very much and looks forward to spending some more quality time with her aunt. From the castle in the capital of Skyel, King Carron, addresses his people. He tells them that his sister, their beloved Princess Ilana has fallen in battle and that upon seeing her deceased body, his betrothed, Princess Fanary, fell dead as well. After a day of mourning of he calls for action against the immigrant horde who has betrayed the princess.

Lilly, carrying her iPhone, raspberry pi and several drones, accompanies Aunty Fay to a large fountain in the center of a park. It is beautiful, but odd, featuring a heron, golden suns, fairies and walruses. Aunty Fay tosses a golden coin with suns on either side. As it hits the water in a burst of light, Lilly is thrust into darkness. She awakes to find herself in a sea cave, holding the coin and with no reception on her phone. When she stumbles out on to the beach, she can see the sea fortress above and she is faced with some strange creatures. At first they have the appearance of a walrus, but then they stand upright like humans. She faints and when she awakes, she believes she has heard words like prophecy and child of the sun. When arrows begin to fly towards her, she runs up to the castle and bangs on the door for help. Guards, Frayer and Striven, open the doors to her and are baffled by her strange dress and vocabulary. They tend to the wound she sustained from a flying arrow before Captain Horan asks his men for a report. Horan questions Lilly and is surprised to find all of her strange technology. When he finds the golden coin, he sends a message to the King with the single word “Fanary” on the parchment. A young woman called Isla, comes to Lilly’s aid. She claims to be a Sister of the Sun and that Lilly is the Chosen One, a sun goddess in the embodiment of a woman. It is proven by her possession of the golden coin.

Slowly, Ilana’s betrayal is conveyed to Lilly. Carron does not approve of Ilana’s battle style or her tolerance of immigrants. In a fury over having his taxes spent to support immigrants Ilana wants to allow into the kingdom, he unleashes a volley of arrows upon her and her warriors, sending them falling over the battlements. Fanary jumps off her horse speaking magical incantations for sea protections, but she is also hit by an arrow and falls to the sea before she can complete the spell. Inconsolable at the loss of his beloved and the murder of all the warriors at the hands of Horen’s soldiers, Carron tells the people the deaths were caused by immigrants and they are all banished from the city. Lilly remembers the strange walrus like sea monsters she encountered. When she tells her, Isla confirms that the rumors are true and that Ilana and the others survived, but were turned into creatures since Fanary’s spell was not completed. Isla is overjoyed that Lilly has come to restore everything. She gets Lilly to play sick and the guards call for the powerful medicine woman, Madam Lucy. Later, Isla and her helpers Tinara, Osara and Jada, bring Madam Lucy to Lilly’s side. They trick the guards and sneak Lilly out of the castle. Upon showing everyone her coin, they are convinced more than ever that sun goddess has sent Lilly to help them as the Chosen One.

With her drones, powered by her iPhone, Lilly is able to distract the guards. The guards think that they are being attacked by fairies. This allows, Ilana, in her animal guise, and her warrior walruses, to sneak unnoticed into the castle. Lilly remembers the stories told to her by Aunty Fay of fairies who are able to grow to immense sizes to scare off enemies. Jockel, the fairy from the stories, is actually Ilana’s ally. He appears to Ilana and grants her wish to restore her army to their former glory. In doing so, Ilana, Soranos and the others are all restored to their original forms. Princess Ilana addresses her people and relays the story of her brother’s, their King’s, deception upon them. She offers safe passage to anyone who wants to leave, but offers for the others to stay by her side. With Jockel, in his larger than life form, Ilana seems formidable. Ilana formally thanks Lilly, the Chosen One, her “magic” technology and the goddess within for their aid. She offers to send Lilly back home with her last wish to be granted by Jockel, but Lilly decides to sacrifice her return to keep the princess’ last wish intact. Jockel finally reveals to Lilly that her Aunty Fay is actually Fanary. If Lilly is able to unite the coin she possess with its twin which is around King Carron’s neck she will be able to return home.

Meanwhile, Aunty Fay waits by the fountain for Lilly’s return. A bunch of deleted scenes and bloopers, presumably meant for a filmed version of this story, as well as a desired cast list and information about the story origin, are all tacked on to the backend.

About The Author

WJ MacLeod is a Scottish lifestyle ambassador, author of Lilly and the Sea Fortress, book reviewer, and tea and coffee drinker.