Disclaimer – I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Shakespeare

*Rated T for Teen

All's Well That Ends Well

Act III, Scene II – Rousillon – The Count's Palace

The Countess/Yugi and Lavache/Bakura entered the stage quickly.

"I am quite pleased with how things have turned out. My only regret is that my son, Bertram, has not come home with his bride, Helena," said the Countess/Yugi.

"Bertram seemed to be very melancholic with the arrangement," replied Lavache/Bakura.

"Please tell me, by what observance?"

"Why, Bertram will be miserable about anything. His boots, his hair, when he asks questions, when he picks his teeth, you name it, he bickers about it."

"Hm. Let me see what he has written and when he will return home," said the Countess/Yugi, opening the letter.

"I have dropped my intention of marrying Isbel since I have been at court. I find that there is a great difference between the Isbels of the country and the Isbels of the court," added Lavache/Bakura quickly.

"What have we here?" the Countess/Yugi asked contemplatively, not really listening to Lavache/Bakura.

"Even that you have there," Lavache/Bakura mumbled before leaving the stage.

The Countess/Yugi glanced over Bertram's letter. It read: 'I have sent you a daughter-in-law. She cured the King and has undone me. I have wedded her, but not bedded her. Plus, I have sworn to make the not eternal. You will also hear that I have run away, and it is true. I will therefore remain away. My duty to you. Your unfortunate son, Bertram.'

"Bertram, why have you done this? Your foolish actions will surely anger the King," the Countess/Yugi exclaimed.

Lavache/Bakura chose that moment to hurriedly reappear onstage. "Oh, Madam! There is news between two soldiers and my young lady!"

"What's the matter?"

"Well, there is some comfort in the news. Your son will not be killed as soon as I thought he would be," Lavache/Bakura replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Why should he be killed?" shrieked the Countess/Yugi.

"I am sorry to say that your son has run away, but the ones coming here may be able to tell you more than I," he said before leaving once more.

Helena/Joey entered the stage with two gentlemen.

"Save you, good Madam," the First Gentleman replied gently.

"Madam! Bertram is gone! Forever gone!" Helena/Joey cried desperately to the Countess/Yugi.

"Do not say so!" declared the Second Gentleman.

"You must be patient, sweet Helena. I have experienced so many situations of grief and joy that they have lost the capacity to move me excessively," the Countess/Yugi said to Helena/Joey. Turning to the gentlemen, the Countess/Yugi asked, "Do you know where Bertram has gone?"

"Your son has gone off to serve the Duke of Florence in battle," answered the Second Gentleman.

Helena/Joey showed the Countess/Yugi the letter she received from Bertram/Seto. It read: 'I will never be your husband until you can obtain the ring I always wear on my finger and you become pregnant with my child. I will, also, never return to France for as long as you are alive.'

"Did you bring this letter, gentlemen?" asked the Countess/Yugi.

"Yes, Madam. And we apologize for its sorrowful contents. And…Parolles is accompanying and advising Bertram," answered the First Gentleman sheepishly.

The Countess/Yugi, infuriated at Bertram's/Seto's conduct said, "He does not deserve Helena's love! And as for Parolles, he is a tainted fellow full of wickedness! He is corrupting my son by encouraging him in his waywardness!"

Breathing heavily from the outburst, the Countess/Yugi addressed the gentlemen. "Since you are returning to Florence, tell Bertram that he will never again regain the honor he has lost by abandoning his wife, Helena! Give this letter to Bertram! I am disowning him!" the Countess/Yugi snapped, leaving with the gentleman.

Helena/Joey, left alone, ran around the stage recklessly, throwing anything and everything in sight before collapsing into a sobbing heap in the middle of the stage.

"Bertram says that he will not return until he has no wife! He has nothing in France until he has no wife! It's my fault that my dear Bertram is in the war. I want him to be safe, but I truly believe that he will be killed in battle…and it will be all my fault," Helena/Joey sobbed bitterly.

Gradually calming down, Helena/Joey added, "I desperately want him to return to Rousillon, away from battle. But since it is my presence in France that keeps him away…I will sneak away at night and hope that he will consider it safe for him to return."

Slowly rising and casting a broken glance out toward the audience, Helena/Joey turned around and left the stage.

End Scene