Hermia
We had been walking for hours. I was not especially tired, but my mind had begun to drift and as such I was several strides behind Lysander.
"Fair love," his voice broke my thoughts, "You faint with wandering in the wood."
Hmm? Faint? Not as such, no. I am far stronger than he gives me credit.
"And to speak truth I have forgot our way."
Typical Lysander. He's a wonderful guy, but he's got less directional sense than a chipmunk.
"We'll rest us, Hermia, if you think it good, and tarry for the comfort of the day."
I was all right with that plan. I smiled at him.
"Be it so, Lysander: find you a bed; for I upon this bank will rest my head." I waved vaguely in the direction of a flat, mossy, outcropping. He smiled and nodded, and thus contented I rolled myself up on my side and let my eyes close.
Moments later I felt the ground shift beneath me and opened my eyes again to find Lysander naked and inches from my face.
"One turf shall serve as pillow for us both; on heart, one bed to bosoms and one troth."
I am not ignorant. I knew what he wanted, what he was asking me to do. I wanted none of it. I wanted him clothed and away from me. It is not that I wished to remain "pure" until marriage, not particularly. It was that, despite what others said and despite my adoration of Lysander, I simply did not find him attractive, at all. Often he was tolerable in terms of looks, but naked he was quite simply revolting. I could hardly tell him that, though, so instead I blushed a bit, and said laughing, "But, gentle friend, for love and courtesy, lie further off; in human modesty, such separation as may well be said becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid, so far be distant; and, good night, sweet friend: thy love ne'er alter till thy sweet life end!"
My impromptu speech felt awkward and halting to me, yet I hoped it would be enough to please Lysander. I also prayed it to be the most embarrassing conversation I'd ever have to make. As I later found, fate had other plans.
"Amen, amen, to that fair prayer say I; and then end life when I end loyalty! Here is my bed," he pointed to a waterlogged patch of ground some fifteen feet away and grimaced, "Sleep give thee all his rest!" his voice strained for false enthusiasm.
I acknowledged and bid him goodnight to fall into a restless slumber.
Helena
When I awoke, I noticed with some regret that I was, in fact, in the forest. It was also still dark, but the clouds had lifted some and the moon provided tolerable light. I sat up, my back stiff from sleeping on the ground, and thought. True, I had fucked up, possibly wrecked my friends, my love's, getaway. But, my mind clearer from rest, I remembered why I had thought it worth the risk. Why it is important for me to find her, speak to her, how much she means to me. Thus, given a new sense of purpose but no better sense of direction, I stood and continued walking through the woods, hoping with all my heart that I may stumble across my Hermia. No, I sharply reprimanded myself. She is not mine. She is her own and no others'.
