Ok, next part!
Act 1 Scene ii
Two lines of horsemen were waiting at the crest of a hill, they all wore uniforms of white jackets and navy blue trousers, their black riding boots covered up to their knees and their swords were tied around their well tailored waists. Those in the front line were obviously of higher rank; simply by their mere presence one could tell that they were powerful men. They all watched as the afternoon light debated whether it was finally time to give into the dusk. Some of the horses were unsteady, stamping their hooves and refusing to remain still, they had been walking at a slow place the entire day and had not been able to expend the amount they would normally use up. They were used to battles, cantering across fields, galloping over blood-soaked meadows and they were yearning for a good run. Don John could feel it as well; he was not a man who delighted in rest, merriment or nights together drinking with comrades. He was bitter and cynical and pretty much hated the world, his half-brother and his compatriots most of all, but for the sake of peace (and keeping his head), he had finally made a truce with Pedro. The brothers were complete opposite, Pedro who was in the centre of the first line, was well built and muscular, while John had a lithe body. The first had long brown hair, which covered his ears and was held in place only by an unruly braid which ended at the nape of his neck. He had a thin, dark beard which framed the lower half of his face, tracing his jaw bone and surrounding his lips; his nose was almost a straight slope, rounding softly at the tip, giving his face a much less severe look, and his brown eyes shone with the reflection of the sun. The latter was a dark blond, his hair short and naturally almost spiky at the top. He was clean-shaven, which emphasised his rather angular and masculine face, his lips were permanently pressed into a thin line and his nose was as straight as an arrow. He would have been considered handsome by many were it not for his eyes. Although people would say it was the one feature which identified the two men as brothers, it was the also the one thing that separated them so completely. John's were a stony grey and seemed dull and lifeless most of the time, seeming to be animated only in anger and battle.
Don John had to physically restrain himself from digging his heels into his horse's sides. He wanted to feel the wind on his face and the rush of power which came from riding at full gallop; he shifted in his saddle, waiting for Pedro to give the command.
"Well men," said Pedro, his deep voice resounding loudly, "Here we are at last. In that house below us are things we have only been able to dream about for the passed year: peace, good wine and great company!"
"More like a house inhabited by the devil," Benedick mumbled in a low voice. His horse fidgeted, seemingly reflecting his mood and he pulled tighter on the reins.
"There you go again! You've just ruined the start of my speech, I had everything set up for a good charge down the hill and you go steal my thunder." Roared Pedro, he wore a heavy frown on his brow, but the twinkle in his dark eyes showed no sign of actual anger. "Honestly Benedick, what kind of a man are you? You can face ten soldiers without flinching but when it comes to a mere woman you want to run in the opposite direction!"
Benedick looked up at his liege, his fine blue eyes narrowed in annoyance, "My lord, that creature is no ordinary woman. She has a tongue of fire, and a temper equally scalding, her eyes have the power to bore into your skull, and at the end of a conversation you feel the need to check your body for burns and bathe in a vat of holy water."
Bassanio threw his head back and laughed at his friend, his long, curly, red locks shaking with his whole body, he had never met this mystery woman, it was his first time he had ever been to this house, but Benedick had not stopped complaining about her since they first started their journey. When he had recovered from his laughter, he looked over at Benedick's sour face, "She seems rather interesting, is she pretty?"
Pedro answered for Benedick, "He wouldn't know, he's too afraid to go near enough to find out."
"For once my lord, I will not argue with you, and I should warn all other men!" Benedick shouted the second half of the sentence, looking around him to both lines of soldiers, "Stay away from the thing named Beatrice! Had she actually been born a man, she may have even surpassed Posthumous' ability to weaken the hearts of armies with a single look!" The men laughed, while Posthumous himself, flanking the left side of Pedro, simply grunted in annoyance. No-one, no-one could stare long into the eyes of Posthumous without trembling at the knees, not even Don Pedro, who was older by six years and had been his closest friend and liege since his youth.
Claudio moved his horse slightly forward, stepping slightly in front of the line, his black hair gently catching in the breeze and revealing the intensity of his blue eyes. "As much as Benedick likes to whine, may I ask that we actually ride down to the house? I'm getting blisters on my arse from all the sitting in this saddle."
"Eloquently put Claudio and I'd have to agree with you, Don Pedro, would you please be so kind as to give the signal?" Bassanio asked politely.
A smile crept on Don John's face, finally! He thought. These men were so tiresome, he wanted some wine and to be alone, away from their annoying voices and idle banter.
"I think I shall. Ready men? Charge!" At his command eighteen voices cried out and surged down the hill.
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Artonio heard a strange sound coming from outside, looking out his balcony he smiled at what he saw, little Endymion couldn't see above the balcony, "What is it father?" He rushed into the house without answering, dragging his son with him, "Sister! Wife!" He called out, hurrying down the stairs, "Everyone they are here! Quickly! Places! They're here!" He spotted his wife in the rush of people and excited squeals heading towards the front porch. He followed them and took his place on Serenity's right, Endymion holding his hand. Luna was on Serenity's other side, the girls stood directly behind them; he noticed that Imogene wasn't there, he frowned wondering where she could be. The servants stood, dotting the back dressed in their best uniforms. Cesario was waiting by the gates at the top of the gravelled path.
Once within fifty feet of the house, the men slowed down to a trot. Arriving at the protective, white gates, they eagerly swung off their horses and quickly neatened up their uniforms, since it was nearing evening, their jackets - which were normally unbuttoned at the collar - were closed up to the top. As the gates were opened up before them, stable boys rushed out to collect the horses. Pedro headed the group as they all walked in sync towards the grand villa, Cesario followed in step. Stopping three paces from Serenity, the soldiers bowed, as if one entity. Pedro looked up, Serenity smiled as she and her family then took their turn to bow and curtsey. After a moment's silence Artonio smiled brightly and moved forward to greet Pedro, "My dear old friend! How good it is to see you again!" he offered his hands and Pedro clasped them warmly in his own, "It has been too long, it is good to be back. What have you been up to recently?"
As Pedro and Artonio had a small discussion, Posthumous moved forward and spoke to Serenity, "My lady, as always it is a pleasure seeing you, I hope you have been well this passed year, we have not had much news of what has been going on outside the war…"
"Ah, well apart from a promising start to the vine season and finding a stray cat, we do not really have many exciting tales to tell, at least not in comparison to yours, I'm sure my brother will find your visit here most eventful," Posthumous smiled, the curving of his lips emphasising the perfect sculpture that was his face, "It is always a pleasure to spend time with Artonio, I can only hope one day I can be as happy as he is with life," before Serenity could reply to the odd remark, Imogene came rushing out, her cheeks blushing red from both embarrassment of being late and the run to get there. She froze in her tracks as she looked at Posthumous, resembling an unmoving gold deer. Her hair had been tied into a large bun on the back of her head, loose strands deliberately escaping it to create the effect of a cascade of sunshine; two or three long, thin curls dangled around her face, contrasting with the dark and sensuous eye shadow delicately tracing her celestial blue eyes. For a moment, there was no one in the world but her and Posthumous, whose greenish-grey eyes had changed to the colour of a storm upon seeing her. Lunacia's voice broke the spell, "Ah, dear niece, have you noticed? We have guests…" she teased lightly, Imogene blushed an even deeper red and curtseyed to Don Pedro, "My Lord, it is wonderful to have you and your men here again." Hero giggled lightly at her sister's embarrassment, her small laughter caught the attention of Claudio, but he couldn't see her properly as she was blocked by Serenity's and Artonio's shadows. The servants whispered quietly in the background.
"Thank you Imogene, I see that you have grown quite beautiful this passed year, Serenity my compliments, tell me if you need a hand guarding you children, and that goes for you as well my lady Lunacia, I have more than enough men to spare." He winked at Serenity who smiled brightly, "My dear Pedro, you flatter us, but I thank you for the kind words,"
"If you will allow me, my Lady, I shall make the introductions, you must all already know my right hand man, Posthumous," despite having already spoken to her, Posthumous bowed deeply, when he raised his eyes he stole another long glance at Imogene. "Did you know that he has recently required a title? And inherited a nice amount of land too!" Imogene raised her eyes up at Pedro, something seemed to flicker in them, though he did not notice, "It is as a reward for his loyal service."
Serenity looked over to Posthumous who had an unmoving expression across his face, "Congratulations! That is wonderful news, and well-deserved I am sure."
"My Lady is too kind, I do not feel like I have done enough to receive such a great honour, but I will do my best to try and earn it."
"As always Posthumous you are too humble, congratulations from me as well, this will need a long celebration tonight!" Lunacia rolled her eyes at her husband's words, so much for his special diet!
"Here is my good brother Don John, who has been a great help in these passed few months." As he stepped forward and bowed, everyone was silent, as if holding their breath. Serenity smiled warmly at him, and he could not help but smile back, it came out more as a grimace, showing his awkwardness at the situation. Serenity took his hands and held them tightly within hers, her eyes looked deep into his own, he found it impossible look away, transfixed in her gaze, "I am so very happy that the two of you have finally made peace," she squeezed his hand lightly, he noted how her delicately soft hands contrasted with his hard, calloused ones, "it is never good when a family is so divided," she continued, "it is a pain felt deep within the soul. I welcome you fondly into our home and I hope that this new unity will bring lasting happiness into your lives." Everyone waited for the reply, nervous as to how the Don would react. For a moment, Don John felt truly touched by her words and could only manage to utter a feeble, "I thank you my Lady for your kindness." But when Pedro moved on to introduce Bassanio and Claudio and her gaze left his, the feeling of peace and tranquillity disappeared instantly and left him in his previous foul mood.
"Ah, we have never had the honour of meeting these two men, though recently there have been many rumours about their valour, welcome dear Bassanio and Claudio! I hope to get to know you both much better during your stay here." Artonio shook both their hands, Bassanio smiled, "Well, I have heard much of this place, I thank you for you warm welcome and - well who is this?" Bassanio had spotted a small child clinging to his father's leg; Lunacia approached the three men and took Endymion's hand, who tried to hide behind his mother, shy from all the sudden attention. "He is our son, come out my dear, it is rude to hide, tell the gentlemen your name." At his mother's gentle encouragement he moved forward, "My name is Endymion, I live here with my father and mother and aunt and cousins and sisters and dog and cats and goldfish in the pond." He paused before adding, "And when I am grown I wish to be a soldier like my father." He then bowed quickly, his courage leaving him and he went back behind his mother. Bassanio bent down to be eye-level with the child, "Well, that is a lot of people to be living with Endy, can I call you Endy?" The boy nodded his approval, "Did you know that Endymion is the name of our King's brother?"
"No, I did not, is he a good man?" Endymion asked in a soft voice.
"He is a very good man, and you have a very good name, I am sure one day you will be a very good man too." Endymion beamed at him, showing his lack of teeth, Claudio smirked, the boy reminded him very much of himself at a young age. Bassanio stood and bowed to Lunacia, "It is a pleasure to meet you my lady."
"As it is for me as well, thank you for letting us stay in your home," Claudio added. For a second, Lunacia felt a feeling of familiarity, as if she had seen this man before, but it passed as quickly as it had come, she figured it could just be the resemblance between him and her son.
Lunacia turned around and made a signal for Portia to come and take her brother from her leg. Portia smiled and took his little hand, moving back to stand with Beatrice. For the few seconds he saw her, Bassanio could not help but smile, it seemed there was a streak of shyness in this family, the girl didn't look up at him, she hid her face deliberately from him and Claudio. By doing so, she did inadvertently managed to reveal that she had a sensuous neck, seemingly made of porcelain; she had beautiful hands with long soft fingers and well-kept nails and short black hair that framed a heart-shaped face.
"Of course, you all know Benedick," As Pedro said his name, Benedick came forward among shouts of recognition from the servants and Artonio, who embraced him as a brother, he was a particular favourite in the household. Beatrice simply narrowed her eyes and sneered, crossing her arms in hostility. The man was handsome, that's why the chambermaids liked him, he had heavy shadow for a beard on his chin and around his mouth, drawing your attention to his lips which were altogether delicious, especially when he smiled. His blond hair fell down to his ears at the front, and ended mid-neck at the back. His skin was well tanned from being out all day in the sun, it gave him an almost golden hue, and his blue eyes showed constant mirth. His eyebrows creased in annoyance as he spotted Beatrice, his jaw clenching. She returned the look with a sarcastic smile, hate seething from every pore, the man was obnoxious, rude, pig-headed, sly, obnoxious, stupid, annoying, obnoxious and thoroughly irritating. She simply couldn't understand why anyone liked him. It took all her will power to stop herself from walking up to him, kicking him in the shins and stomping out the room. She smiled to herself, she would have preferred to kick him in the balls, but she wasn't sure he had any, damn she wished she could have said that aloud!
"And finally, but most certainly not least, there is Cesario, who I believe you have already met, his father is the Don Paulo, who, before passing away gave me the honour of having his son as a companion." Serenity looked on the boy again with saddened eyes, "Forgive me young master Cesario, I had no idea it was you." Cesario smiled sadly at the thought of his father, "Do not worry my lady, I have had a full year to grieve for my father, I am quite alright." Serenity placed a hand on the young man's shoulder; he seemed no more than sixteen. "How is your sister Viola? Is she well?" Pedro stiffened, he had not heard that name in a long time, he had not consciously thought of her since, well since Cesario had decided to join his services, of course he had seen her every night in his dreams, but that didn't really count. His eyes cast back to an image of the most beautiful woman he had ever met, of the first time he saw her; her dark curls flowed loosely down her back to her elbows, certain strands were bleached naturally by the sun, he had wanted to touch those strands to see if they were real or if she had somehow managed to sprinkle crushed amber in her hair, she had the top half clipped in the back, allowing one to fully see the beauty of her face, a golden tiara sat on top of her head holding three emeralds, matching the colour of her eyes and of the earrings she wore. Pedro had come to see her father, an old friend of his father's, and she had stepped out from behind a curtain, her heels tapping lightly against the marble floor. She was tall, like an Amazon, but still just shorter than he was; her eyes were lined with dark pencil, giving them a deep intensity. A thick gold and emerald band clasped the top of her arm, calling attention to the fact that her shoulders, arms and the top of her chest were bare. She smiled at him with the fullest lips a woman ever had. His Viola…her name didn't suit her at all, but it was the one she was given, so Pedro believed it to be the greatest of names. He knew he had fallen the moment he had seen her, but because of the war, he had done nothing about it, but now there was peace, perhaps…
"My sister? She…she is well I believe, she is currently living with an aunt in the west."
"Ah, it will be nice to finally see her when you go home; I believe you two are quite close." Serenity offered, seeing Cesario shift uncomfortably. "Yes we were," she smiled quickly seeing Serenity's confusion, "it has been a long time since I saw her last." Serenity nodded in understanding.
"Well now that we have all met you, I think it is time you all met us." Serenity moved back, "You all know my bother Artonio and his wonderful wife Lunacia," They came forward and bowed, "These are my daughters, Imogene and Hero," both girls came forward and curtseyed, Claudio's breath caught in his throat, Hero was in a light pink dress which brushed against her in the most seductive way, her face resembled a cross between a cherub an angel, beautiful and yet innocent at the same time, her eyes quickly caught his for a moment, she blushed deeply and looked away before anyone could notice.
"And these are my nieces and nephew, Beatrice, Portia and Endymion."
"It is a pleasure to meet you all," said Bassanio.
"Beatrice," said Benedick in a rather flat voice.
"Benedick." She replied. "You don't seem to have any obvious injuries; your trip here must not have been very pleasant for you. I'm sorry."
"Excuse me my lady? I don't quite understand, what are you ranting about now?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow upward.
Beatrice tossed her hair back and smiled evilly at him, "well, with the sheer number of other men's wives you bed, you must get caught once in a while. I see no injuries, what? No woman would have you? The great Benedick?"
Claudio snickered, he liked this woman a lot, the others were laughing quietly too, so it seems that this one took all the feistiness while the other received all the shyness, thought Bassanio intrigued. He stole another glance at Portia. Benedick could here whispers of amusement from the lower ranked men in the back. Hero and Portia looked at Beatrice with wide eyes.
Annoyed at being made the fool, Benedick retorted, "Has it occurred to you that I have no injuries simply because I am better than all those husbands?"
"Indeed I do not doubt it, I am sure you are much better at running than they could ever be."
"How I wish I was as quick as your tongue, I would be the most feared in battle; I'd be able to kill a man as soon as I saw him."
"The better for him, one look at you would be enough to make anyone suicidal." She retorted.
"Well if I'm that bad, I'd hate to see what a look from you could do."
"Oh don't worry dear Benedick, I save only my meanest scowls for you."
"Why thank you my lady, though when you get a husband he will be jealous, if all your scowls are for me, how will you be able to show him any kind of affection?"
"It's lucky for you that I never plan to marry." She stated.
"Is that because you know that I would refuse if you dared to ask me my lady? Well, I'm sorry but I never intend to take a wife."
Beatrice made an obvious sigh in relief, "The better for women all over! No poor creature deserves to be tied to you. I pity your poor horse which must spend day after day in your company."
"My horse has a much more pleasant disposition than you could ever have my lady, and I would rather marry my horse than see you destroying the soul of any man eternally bound to you. So I thank the stars that you never plan to marry. And at that, I must beg your leave, for I came here for rest not for you and I believe we are keeping everyone outside in dark."
Beatrice's eyes were on fire, reflecting the light of the setting sun, trust him to play some dirty trick, I hate that man, HATE HIM! "Do not put yourself out for me, sir, please stay, I have other things to do." She spun round, grabbing Imogene as she went inside, whispering harshly to her cousin, "Come on you ninny! And stop staring at him like a guppy fish! Everyone can see!" Before Imogene could utter a single sound they were well into the house.
"Well now that that little traditional ceremony is over, let us take you to your rooms so you may refresh yourselves before dinner," Said Artonio cheerfully.
"I agree," added Serenity, "Don Pedro, the end of this long war is a huge reason to celebrate, and to do it properly you and your men must stay at least for the month."
"Ah, my Lady you to are too kind, I accept with great thanks. We dearly need the rest, though I'm not so sure Benedick is too pleased."
"Oh don't worry about me," Benedick replied, "I can find ways to avoid that woman, no offence of course to your family Artonio."
"None taken my good man, she gets it all from her mother's side anyway." Lunacia punched him in the arm, hard.
"Come, if you will all follow me," Serenity said, leading everyone into the house. Only Claudio, Bassanio and Benedick remained behind.
Right, what did you think? Like it, hate it?
luv CC2 xx