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

*Rated T for Teen

All's Well That Ends Well

Act II, Scene V – Paris – The King's Palace

Lafeu/Marik and Bertram/Seto entered the stage hastily.

"I do hope you don't think that you are a soldier," said Lafeu/Marik in reprimand.

"I am, indeed, my lord. And a very valiant one, if truth be told," replied Bertram/Seto sincerely.

"You listened to that Parolles, didn't you?"

"And from other credible individuals."

Lafeu/Marik sighed in aggravation. "You must be wary of his true nature!"

"I do assure you, my lord, that Parolles is very great in knowledge and astoundingly valiant," Bertram/Seto said, trying to defend his dear friend.

"You cannot trust him! His personality is as changeable as his clothes!"

"These things shall be done, sir!" announced Parolles/Duke to Bertram/Seto, making his way toward the two.

"Hello, Parolles," spat Lafeu/Marik. "May I ask who your tailor is?"

"Sir?" Parolles/Duke asked in confusion.

"Oh, I know him very well, sir. He is a good workman, a very good tailor," Lafeu/Marik rambled.

As he continued to blab on, Bertram/Seto turned to Parolles/Duke and said, "Has she gone to the King?"

"She has," Parolles/Duke replied.

"Will she go away tonight?"

"She will."

"Good. I have written my letters, put together my treasure, and given orders for our horses. Tonight, when I should take possession of my bride, I will leave," Bertram/Seto stated in earnest.

Listening to Lafeu/Marik once more, they realized that his ramblings had only gotten worse. "A good traveler is something at the latter end of a dinner, but one that lies three thirds and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with. It should be heard once and beaten thrice. God save you, Parolles."

"Have the two of you fallen out?" inquired Bertram/Seto.

"I don't know how I deserved to run into Lafeu's displeasure," answered Parolles/Duke.

"You ran into it!" declared Lafeu/Marik impatiently. "Boots and spurs and all! Like the one who leaped into the custard! And out of it, you'll run again, rather than suffer the question for your residence!" The ramblings of an old lord could be quite bothersome and difficult to understand.

"It may be that you have mistaken him, my lord," appeased Bertram/Seto.

"The soul of a man is his clothes!" roared Lafeu/Marik, pointing aggressively at Parolles/Duke. "Meaning that Parolles has no depth of character! You must not trust him in matters of great importance!" he bellowed, storming off the stage.

"A redundant lord, I swear," said Parolles/Duke, looking after the old lord.

"I think you are right about that," replied Bertram/Seto.

"Why? Do you not know him?"

"I know him well and common speech gives him a worthy pass. Great. Here comes my dog," Bertram/Seto stated crossly. They turned to see Helena/Joey enter the stage.

"I have done what you commanded me, sir. I spoke with the King and have obtained his consent for leaving. He only desires to have a private talk with you," Helena/Joey said to Bertram/Seto.

"I shall obey his will. I want you to take this letter, Helena, and leave," Bertram/Seto said, handing her a letter. "It is for my mother."

"Sir, all I can say is that I am your most obedient servant," said Helena/Joey adoringly.

"Come, come, no more of that."

"You are my great fortune and I shall always obey you."

"Let it go," he replied hurriedly. "I need to depart. Leave for my home."

"Um, Bertram?" asked Helena/Joey shyly.

"What is it?" he snapped.

"I am not worthy of the wealth I owe, nor dare I say that you are mine, and yet you are. But, like a fearful thief, most would steal what the law does vouch for as my own."

"What do you want?" Bertram/Seto deadpanned, a glare hardening his features.

"I…I would like a farewell kiss," Helena/Joey replied hesitantly.

"Absolutely not," Bertram/Seto replied coldly. "Now get going."

"I shall obey you, Bertram," Helena/Joey said softly, disappointed at the refusal of a simple kiss.

"Where are my other men? Farewell," Bertram/Seto stated curtly as Helena/Joey left. "Yes. Go toward my home, where I shall never go for as long as you are alive," he muttered. Turning to Parolles/Duke, he said, "Let us go to Florence and fight in the wars!"

"Yes. Let's," Parolles/Duke replied, walking off the stage with Bertram/Seto.

End Scene