I think you've basically got the entire character list on AO3, but I'll still put it at the end for you guys.

Now on with the actual story!

Governor Coulson of Messina viewed his stately manor from a distant meadow trying to capture its essence in a portrait—painting had become a(nother) new endeavor of his. His entire estate was gathered at said meadow for a picnic lunch. His true pride and joy, his adopted daughter Jemma, was gossiping behind him with her best friend and handmaiden, Daisy—who up until this point had been named Skye until a merchant from Venice proved claim that she was his lost daughter, Daisy. Coulson's right hand, May, sat furthest away trying to achieve some sort of peace. And of course, there was his niece. Barbara—who empathetically insisted she be called "Bobbi"—had come to Messina to escape the scandal following the termination of her marriage. Bobbi sat amidst the treetops vocally expressing her disdain for men in an old poem much to everyone's amusement.

The merriment was briefly interrupted when Lincoln, a messenger boy who worked for Coulson, came riding on horseback waving a letter in the air. Jumping off his horse, he ran over to the governor. "An urgent message for you, Sir."

"Urgent?" Coulson opened the letter and skimmed over it. A small chuckle escaped him, "Choose your words carefully, young master Lincoln. This message is merely important."

"They kept emphasizing the word urgent."

"What does it say?" the ever curious Daisy inquired.

"It says that the recently appointed Duke, Antoine Triplett, is coming this very night to Messina." A mini celebration broke out among the crowd.

"And he's returning from yet another victorious battle, Sir," Lincoln added.

"So I've heard." Coulson read over the letter. "And what have we here?" He looked at Jemma. "It seems our esteemed Duke speaks highly of a young Mr. Leopold Fitz." The widest grin spread across Jemma's face. Leo Fitz, the boy whose longtime friendship only just turned into something more than platonic, had joined his fellow men in battle against Jemma's wishes and she prayed for his safe return.

"Fitz deserves to be honored. He looks so weak and helpless, but can really hold his own in battle. He's very smart, that one."

Bobbi climbed down from the trees. "Tell me: has Sir Bigmouth returned from battle as well?"

"I'm afraid I don't know who-"

"Don't mind my cousin," Jemma interrupted. "She just wants another chance to speak ill of Lance Hunter."

"Oh. Well, yes, Lance Hunter is also among the men returning home."

"Yippee," Bobbi sarcastically twirled her finger around. "Though I am surprised his mouth hasn't gotten him killed yet. It should have by now. One time he was at this pub where he began to flirt with this lusty maiden unaware that she was married. Smart woman this maiden was, she rejected his advances and slapped him. So Mr. Bigmouth stumbles over to the bar, laments about her to the bartender, and then the bartender punches him in the face. The man who Hunter had befriended that month takes him aside and explains the maiden Hunter was trying to court was married to the bartender. Does this deter Hunter? No. Hunter tries his seduction techniques yet again, and manages to successfully bed a bar wench—unaware that she was the bartender's little, virgin sister. Of course, Hunter bragged and word got around to the already irate bartender. The bartender threatened to chase him out of town, but Hunter somehow bluffed his way out of that one. However, you can rest easier knowing Lance Hunter is banned from that pub for life."

"Come now, niece," Coulson chided her. "Lance Hunter is a hero; do not go around shaming him."

"Shaming him? He is the one who brags about that story to everyone he meets!"

Coulson turned to Lincoln. "Hunter may succeed in battles, but the war of the wits between him and my niece shall never end."

"And I always win."

Lincoln couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "I must remember to remain in your good graces, milady."

"See that you do." Bobbi sighed. "Well, the new month has started, which means Hunter has chosen another man to his 'sworn brother'. Tell me Lincoln: who is the poor sap he has befriended this month?"

"He has been spending a good deal of time with Fitz actually," Lincoln answered

"Ugh, God help poor Fitz."

The sound of a trumpet could be heard in the distance. "Well," Coulson packed up his easel, "it appears our guests are almost here." Everyone looked down at the main road that led to Messina to see a bunch of figures on horseback approaching the town.

Daisy grabbed Jemma by the arm and started pulling her toward the manor, "Come on: we got to get you ready for your man." While those two ran off in excitement, Bobbi rolled her eyes and kept a slower pace as she also headed back to the large house.

"Lincoln, ride back to the front of the town and prepare a cleaning station so that our men may be able to freshen up and wash. Their journey has been long, and I am sure they would appreciate cleansing themselves." Lincoln nodded and hurried off as May caught up with Coulson. "I apologize for interrupting your meditation yet again, Melinda." She responded with some sort of noise of displeasure and held her arm for him to escort her back to the mansion.

…

Antoine Triplett, or "Trip" has he had also been known, stood front and center as he led his group to the gates of the governor's mansion where Coulson was waiting with practically everyone else (following a period of refreshing, of course). "Your grace," Coulson extended his hand, "welcome to Messina."

Trip proudly shook the governor's hand. "Governor Coulson: you are beyond kind to host my entire army here at your place. I hope you know what kind of trouble you are getting yourself into."

"You are no trouble to this house, Your Grace. My home is always welcome to you and your men."

"Thank you." Trip surveyed the group, singling out one person in particular. "And this," he took her hand and pulled her forward, "must be fair Jemma. Our lovesick young Fitz has spoken such remarkable things about you, but the words do not do justice to meeting you in person," he kissed her hand.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Jemma thanked him with a curtsy.

"And believe me," Hunter moved forward, pushing an embarrassed Fitz with him, "this guy just went on, and on, and on about you. Jemma this and Jemma that; oi, we thought about shooting Fitz ourselves just to send him home to you so that we may get some peace and quiet," the rest of the men (excluding Fitz) laughed. "Seriously, the things he kept saying day and night, night and day, prattling on and on about Jemma this and Jemma that and-"

"You can stop talking Hunter, no one's listening anymore," Bobbi cut him off.

"My dear, Barbara," she scowled at him when he stepped forward, "I see you're still here."

"I see you're still alive."

"How could I die when there are so many broken-hearted women I would leave behind?"

"Their hearts broken by you of course."

Hunter tried to think of a clever retort, but couldn't. "I will find a clever way to respond to that."

"That will surely take some time."

"Bloody Hell," everyone in Trip's group (Fitz included) was laughing at Hunter. "Oh, shut it! For God's sake, I was attacked less in battle than by that she-devil."

"Are you through Hunter?" Trip inquired.

"For now, yes."

"Governor," Trip was talking to Coulson, "some of us are men of many words and should use those words to be thanking you. Everyone, Governor Coulson has agreed to house us for a month. We are thankful are we not?"

Trip's group took that as a cue to thank Coulson. "Thank you, Governor."

"It is my pleasure." Coulson did notice one man not speak with the others. "Is something the matter, Mr. Garrett?"

John Garrett remained stoic in his position. "I am not one of the men of many words—at least not anymore. However, I do thank you, Governor Coulson."

"You are welcome John," Coulson diverted his attention to the group. "You may all go inside now if you like." The two groups started to converge into one as everyone began entering the house.

"Oi, Fitz," Hunter stopped Fitz, "I can see why you like that one."

Fitz caught a profile glimpse of Jemma before she went inside. "I swear she has gotten more beautiful with each passing day."

Hunter pretended to gag at that so Fitz swatted at him. "Fitzy, Fitzy, Fitzy," Hunter put his arm around the younger man as if he were giving brotherly advice, "you have been friends with this girl for years, you grew up together, and then one day you decide you are in love with her."

"Aye, so?"

"So? it does not work that way."

"I have always been in love with Jemma. It just…" he noticed Jemma standing at the balcony above them. When he saw her, he couldn't take his eyes off her, "…it just took me a while to finally admit it."

"This is a severe case of puppy love have I ever seen one. Good God man, during battles you were talking about her as if she was some trophy you prize when returning home from war."

"I think she is the most exquisite jewel if ever there was one; so precious and rare that the world cannot buy such a gem."

"Yes they can, and a case to put it into." Hunter turned Fitz toward him so that he may get his attention. "Please tell me you are not serious."

Fitz looked back at Jemma and the two smiled at one another. "I am," Jemma's smile widened as if she could hear his conversation and was responding to him. "Jemma is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"Have you seen other women?" The men noticed Bobbi go over to Jemma and try to lead her away. "Well, I suppose we should all be grateful you are not in love with her cousin, Bobbi." Bobbi sneered at Hunter as she led her cousin away. "Biggest mistake I ever made marrying that one. Fitz, I say this as friend and a brother-like figure: do not get married."

"Even if I swore never to marry—which I have in the past, when I was a young boy—I would gladly break that promise if Jemma would marry me."

"All this talk about love and marriage is sickening, and not just from you mate. I need to offset this mushy talk with some ale."

"Gentlemen," Trip was heading toward them, "I was wondering why you were not inside."

"Just some idle guy chat."

"Are we keeping secrets, boys?"

"No!" Fitz said that rather quickly so Trip knew he was lying.

"On your loyalty to me: I order you to tell."

Hunter sucked the air through his teeth. "Sorry, Fitz, but he is a higher power than you." Hunter moved closer to Trip. "Our young Mr. Fitz here is in love with the governor's daughter."

"Everyone knows that."

"Ah, but did you know he has confessed that he would gladly marry her."

"Did he?" Fitz looked away. "Is that all that he said?"

"Just your basic 'most beautiful woman in the world' mumbo jumbo. I say it's too soon to decide if this love is real. Listen: we lose more good men to marriage than we do to war, and I for one cannot bear to lose my dear friend Fitz. You're a wise Duke; talk some sense into our boy."

"Fitz," Trip began, "it is obvious that you are in love with Jemma."

"Painfully obvious." Trip gave him a look that clearly meant 'shut up'. "Fine, fine, I get the message."

"And while Hunter says it is too soon to say if the love is real, I respectfully disagree."

"What?"

"Fitz has known Jemma since childhood, they have seen each other grow up, they know each other well, and they have taken the time to fall in love with one another."

"And you can be certain Jemma is in love with him as well?"

"Did you not see the way they looked at each other? Love, ever have I seen it."

"Love? Bloody hell, Fitz has not even been with other women! How can it be love if he has never courted another?"

"To be fair, he never properly courted Jemma either."

"Let the man explore other options."

"He does not need to. It is plain to see that Leo and Jemma are each other's true love."

Hunter's mouth hung agape. "You actually believe in that 'true love' malarkey?"

"You will too once you fall in love."

"Me, fall in love? Surely you jest."

"I swear before I die: I am going to see Lance Hunter the bachelor become Lance Hunter the husband."

"First you are going to see Lance Hunter walk away from this conversation," Hunter left all the while grumbling his disdain.

Trip shook his head at him. "Ignore him Fitz; he's just jealous because he has not found love like the love you have.

"You think so?" Fitz asked him.

"As for my advice: this love you have for Jemma, cherish it. If you're certain she is the one you want to marry, then marry her."

Fitz seemed to have gain some confidence. "I should, shouldn't I?"

"Am I really the one you need to be asking?." Fitz's confidence was slowly fading. "You know you have my blessing; but you know you're going to need the governor's."

Gone was the confidence. "Yeah, about that, could you…could you talk to him for me?"

"Oh, and I suppose you want me to ask Jemma for you too?"

"Could you? If isn't much trouble."

"Why can't you just ask her yourself?"

"I…I'm not sure how. I do not know how to be…romantic. Besides, I would want it to be a surprise and I know I would somehow cock it all up."

Trip laughed, "Fitz, my good man, you've got it bad. I'll tell you what," Trip walked down the pathway with Fitz unaware that someone was idling nearby, "a celebratory masquerade ball is being held in our honor tonight. Wearing a disguise, I will talk with Jemma and prepare her by telling her that she has a surprise from one Leo Fitz awaiting her. Then I will go and speak with her father on your behalf. Governor Coulson will naturally give you his blessing, and then you can ask Jemma to marry you."

"In front of all those people?"

"Not necessarily, but you know that you have to overcome this anxiety of speaking in public, Fitz."

"Yeah, I know, but-"

"And believe me, when you do ask Jemma: it will seem as though the world will disappear and the only other person with you is her."

Fitz grinned. "You're a real romantic, you know that?"

Trip let out a hearty laugh. "Come on: let's go prepare our costumes."

I'm trying to keep it like the play, but I'm obviously gonna have to make changes to fit with canon and characters so I hope you'll get used to my little twists and what not.

And I changed Trip from a Prince to a Duke for a reason that will be revealed in the next chapter. I have everything outlined, I know what I'm going to do, and it's just a matter of getting it done.

Characters

Hunter: Benedick
Bobbi: Beatrice
Fitz: Claudio
Simmons: Hero
Trip: Don Pedro
Coulson: Leonato
Garrett: Don John
Ward: Borachio
Kara: Conrade (I know, Whedon gender-bent Conrade in his movie too, but I needed to do it like this and you'll see why later)
Daisy/Skye: a combo of Margaret & Ursula
May: more than likely an Antonio basis, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a hint of Ursula
Mack: Friar
Lincoln: Messenger
Maria Hill: The Sexton
Koenig & "Brothers": Dogberry plus the clones as Verges, and the watchmen