Disclaimer: Here is the counterpart lineup for characters introduced in this chapter: Regina is Don John; Graham, Phillip, Victor, Jefferson, Mulan, Neal and Thomas are added characters; Greg is Borachio; Tamara is Conrade. Again, I own nothing but the idea. Enjoy! :)
Sir Killian made his way back to the castle to the embrace of Sir Lancelot and Sir David, still wound up from his tussle with the princess.
"Sir Killian! Nice of you to rejoin us," Lancelot reached out to both him and David, "Men, our dear King has invited us to stay at least a month – though he hopes that we stay longer. Our King is a very hospitable man."
The King tilted his head down, humbled by the knight's praise. "Let me bid you welcome. Please, introduce me to your fleet."
Killian looked behind him and noticed that Emma had also rejoined them, giving the hat that she had in her hands outside to the dark haired princess, whom he assumed was Snow White. He watched as Snow whispered something in Emma's ear and then giggled. Emma just responded with a light hearted laugh as she shook her head in almost disbelief. He wondered what they were going on about. And more importantly, he wondered if his name had come up.
While his battle of wits with the younger princess were almost legendary, this had been the first time he'd actually met her in person. It was no secret that both of the princesses were works of art; he had many times heard both royalty and common men say so.
Snow White had the reputation of most princesses: kind, caring, serious, timid, beautiful, and ready to take the throne when her time came. As he looked at her now, he could definitely understand why some had named her fairest of them all. Her black hair accented her snow white skin next to her red lips and deep brown eyes. A China doll is what she reminded him of. She was what he assumed every princess should be.
Emma Swan, on the other hand, had the reputation of being kind and caring, though sarcastic, playful, mischievous, and, of course, beautiful. She contrasted her sister in more ways than one. He couldn't pin point when their jousting had begun, but for as far as he could remember she did not have a care for him, nor he to her. But he hated to admit, she was quite lovely. Her long, bright blonde curls hung loosely around her sharp facial features. Her lips were a shade pinker than her sisters and her eyes were much lighter, though he hadn't gotten close enough to notice a distinct color. She had a wily smile that looked as if it held a secret.
Killian finally turned back his attention to Lancelot, who was about to introduce the knights to the King. They formed a line and stood at attention.
"First," Lancelot said as he stopped in front of a woman who dawned a beautiful, slim dress. "this is my dear half-sister, Dame Regina."
The dark haired woman bowed to the King, who lifted her hand and kissed it. "Let me bid you welcome, m'lady."
"I thank you," she replied in a deep, almost seductive voice. "I am not of many words, but I thank you."
Lancelot continued down the line. "Sir David and Sir Killian you've had the great pleasure of meeting." The King nodded in recognition as Lancelot continued. After he introduced each knight, they bowed to the King, "Sir Graham, Sir Phillip, Sir Victor, Sir Jefferson, Sir Mulan," the King paused Lancelot's lineup when he approached Mulan, a woman dressed entirely in the knights attire who stood proudly after bowing to the King.
"This looks mighty interesting," the King entertained, looking towards Lancelot for explanation.
"My king, Mulan is one of my greatest warriors. She is the first female in our knighthood and we've all welcomed her warmly. She, um, refuses to go by Dame, only Sir."
The King laughed good-heartedly as he both shook and kissed Mulan's hand. "I am very proud to have Mulan in my fleet." The woman smiled, happy to be accepted by the King. "Carry on."
"Sir Neal, Sir Thomas, Sir Greg, and Dame Regina's gentlewoman, Tamara."
King Leopold's smile ceased to leave his face as he inspected over his guests. "Welcome all. Please, if you follow me I've asked the cooks to quickly whip up some refreshments and food in the other room. Please, good knight, lead on."
"Your arm, your grace; we will go together," Sir Lancelot offered as they all left the room except Sir David and Sir Killian.
Emma and Snow also walked out of the room, but towards a different area of the castle. Killian noticed David and Snow share a glance towards each other before she disappeared.
"Killian, did you note the eldest daughter of King Leopold?" David asked, excitedly as Killian pulled out a flask hidden under his armor.
He chuckled, "I noted her not; but I looked on her."
"Is she not a modest young lady?" David looked star-struck, a goofy grin plastered across his face.
Killian thought for a moment. "Do you question me, as an honest man should do, for my simple true judgment; or would you have me speak after my custom as being a professed tyrant to their sex?" he asked sarcastically, making reference to two features his reputation classified him as: blunt and charming.
"No," David shook his head, looking to Killian with honest conviction. "I pray thee, speak in sober judgment."
"Why?" Killian asked, a raised eyebrow, "Um. Ok. I think… She's too low for a high praise; too black for a fair praise; and too little for a great praise. Only this commendation I can afford her: that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome; and being no other but as she is, I do not like her." Killian smirked at his roundabout way of telling the knight that the woman was not his type.
David grew upset at Killian's words. "Do you think I'm sporting? I pray thee, tell me truly how you like her."
Astounded by David's insistence for him to be serious, Killian began to wonder what his true intent was. "Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?"
A dreamy expression fell on David's face, "Can the world buy such a jewel?"
"Ayee," Killian sang, wondering what had gotten into his friend. "and a case to put it into." He inspected his friend, "But why do you speak with a sad brow? Come, in what key shall a man take you, to go in this song?"
David looked in the direction Snow had left, "In my eyes she is the sweetest lady that I have ever looked upon."
"I can see without spectacles and I see no such matter," Killian chuckled. "There's her sister, and if she were not possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of May doth the last of December." He noticed David hadn't heard much of what he'd said. He walked over to him, "But I hope you have no intent to turn husband?" David's mouth dropped and closed quickly. Killian's eyes widened, "Have you?!"
David sighed, "If Snow would be my wife; I would be the luckiest man."
"It's come to this," Killian threw his hands in the air in a state of surrender. "Shall I never see a bachelor of two-score again?"
Sir Lancelot reentered the room, carrying a two glasses that he offered to the men. David declined. "What secret has held you here that you didn't follow the King and I into the other room?"
David looked upon Killian with pleading eyes of secrecy. He sighed, rolling his eyes. "I would, mate, but he has constrained me to tell," he gestured to David.
A smile formed on Lancelot's face as he narrowed in on Killian, "I charge thee on my allegiance."
Killian tilted his head and sucked air between his teeth, "You hear, Sir David. I can be secret as a dumb man; I could have you think so. But on my allegiance," he took a deep breath and took a few steps towards Lancelot. "He is in love." David groaned and Lancelot's smile widened. "With who? Now that is your grace's part. Mark how short his answer is – With Snow," he said the name in a mocking manor to David's expense. "King Leopold's eldest daughter."
"If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should be otherwise," David shook his head.
Lancelot chuckled, "Amen, if you love her. For the lady is very well worthy; as are you, Sir David."
David's eyes grew suspicious, "Do you speak this to fetch me in, Sir?"
"I speak my thought," Lancelot said plainly.
"And I spoke mine," David replied.
Killian groaned. "And, by my two faiths and troths, Sir, I spoke mine." Though he was ignored.
"That I love her, I feel," David swooned.
"That you are worthy, I know," Lancelot confirmed.
"That I neither feel how she should be loved nor know how she or he should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me," Killian interrupted. He was tired of their talk of love and marriage.
The two men turned to Killian and smiled. "Killian, will you ever dismiss your ways and devote yourself completely to just one worthy lady?"
Killian sighed. "That a woman conceived me, I thank her. That she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks. But that I shall hang up my free reigns for one: all women shall pardon me. Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any and I will do myself the right to trust none. To put it bluntly, I will live a bachelor."
"One day, my dear Killian," Lancelot placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "I shall see you with a look pale with love."
Killian cringed. "With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, mate – not with love. Prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again with drinking… just pick out my eyes with the blunt end of a sword and hang me up at the door of a brothel for the sign of blind Cupid."
Lancelot shook his head, "Well as time shall try. In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke," he recited.
Killian grew tired of them trying to convince him that one day he would find love. "The savage bull may. But if ever the sensible Killian bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my forehead and let me be vilely painted. And let them signify under my sign 'Here you may see Killian, the married man.'" Killian dramatically pretended to cut his own throat with his hook as the men laughed at his performance.
"Well, in the meantime good Sir Killian, go to the King and tell him that I and my men will not be late at supper and the ball. It is a masquerade, by the way," Lancelot commanded.
Killian sighed, wary after their conversation. "I have almost enough energy in me for such a task. And so I commit you," he started to walk away.
He heard the men behind him begin to laugh and send one more quip his way. "To the tuition of God: from my house, if I had it,-" David taunted.
"The sixth of July: Your loving friend, Killian." Lancelot finished as they both broke out in a hearty laugh.
Killian paused and looked at the pair, shaking his head. "Mock not, mock not. I leave you!" He waved off as he made his exit.
Lancelot turned to David. "If thou does love fair Snow - fear not, my friend. For I shall speak with King Leopold in your name. With his grace, I will take my disguise tonight at the masquerade and tell Princess Snow that I am Sir David. And I will ask of her favor in your name. Then I will bring the two of you together if that is what lies in her heart."
David and Lancelot rejoiced together as they left the room. Sir Greg, who had hidden himself in the room when he noticed Sir Killian and Sir David had not followed the rest, had overheard much of the conversation.
Sir Greg ran to the room Dame Regina had been given. When he entered the room, Lady Tamara was asking Regina why she was so sad.
"I cannot hide what I am," she said in an almost bored expression. "I must be sad when I have cause and smile at no man's jests. Eat when I have stomach and wait for no man's leisure. Sleep when I am drowsy and tend on no man's business. Laugh when I am merry and claw no man in his humor."
Tamara listened while she continued to unpack Regina's luggage. "But you must not make the full show of this, m'lady. You have of late stood out against your brother, and he has taken you newly into his grace. Where it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself, it is needful that you frame the season for your own harvest."
"I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace," she spat out with vial intent. "And it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any. In this, though, I cannot be said to be flattering honest men. It must not be denied that I am a plain-dealing villain." She used the magic she kept secret from her brother and the other knights to wither a lovely rose that sat in its pot on her window seal. "I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog. Therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my mouth," she walked over to Greg and made a motion of biting his face, "I would bite. If I had my liberty, I would do my liking." She took a deep breath. "In the meantime, let me be that I am and seek not to alter me."
Tamara smiled slyly, "Maybe you can make use of your time while we make our lodging."
Regina's smile reappeared on her face. "What news have you brought me, my loyal Sir Greg?"
He managed a sinister grin as he explained to the Dame what he overheard regarding Sir David's proclamation of love to Snow as well as Sir Lancelot's ruse to pretend to be David at the masquerade tonight in order to court the princess.
"Come, come; let us ponder. This may prove food to my displeasure. If I can cross my brother and his merry men any way, I bless myself every way. Are you both sure you will assist me?" she asked Greg and Tamara.
"To the death, m'lady," they both answered.
Regina grinned. "Let us get ready for supper and the ball, my allies. Tonight we play."
I would like to respond to some reviews, because all of you who have read are lovelies and I hope you're enjoying the story so far! :)
"VickyCicarious: I was just talking about how awesome this would be! I didn't expect anyone to actually write it through, let alone so quickly. But I'm really excited because you're writing it so well and it's SO awesome already. I love this play so much and it's going to be so fun to see it done with these characters. I love how you've adapted it so far and look forward to seeing more. Thanks for writing this!" I'm just glad I'm not the only one who is excited for this story! The play is one of my absolute favorites. And the other night I was just thinking about whether Shakespeare was going to make it into OUAT at any point. Then I started thinking about how Snow and Charming would probably love Romeo and Juliet with their whole fall in love quickly and always fighting for each other dynamic. And how Emma would probably roll her eyes at them and how she's more of a Beatrice from Much Ado. Then it just hit me that Emma was Beatrice and Killian was Benedick and I just couldn't get the story out of my head. So I wrote it! I'm so happy to hear that it's liked so far and hopefully I'm not putting Shakespeare to shame! Lol!
"celestria06: Love it! Awesome" Thank you! :)