I am very sorry for how long this has taken to update. Chock it up to the fact that I've been very busy. Well, here is the next one. I'll try to update sooner from now on, but no promises. Lines from Act II, scene I or ii depending on which version of the play it is. Please enjoy this chapter!
On a late Sunday afternoon, Ernst, sat alone in the forest by the church. A warm breeze wafted through the air, carrying the pleasant scent of the pine trees. The weather was indeed very conducive to a lovely day. However, Ernst's thoughts were very full of turmoil, which spoiled the mood.
As it was Sunday, he spent a great deal of the morning in church. It seemed very sad there. Moritz was not there, and most of the other children were aware that something was wrong. It made them melancholy. Frau and Herr Stiefel, Moritz's parents, were there. They kept their heads down the entire time, as if they were ashamed.
It had been no secret that Moritz had been the worst student in class, but he had made vast improvements. That made it all the more devastating when Moritz came with the news that he had failed, and would therefore not be promoted to the next term. They play would be the last thing he did in the school.
Ernst wanted so much to cry. Moritz had always been a friend, and though he hated to admit it, Moritz had always been the one to which he could compare himself. Melchior was so handsome and brave. Hanschen, though intimidating, was very intelligent, and as Ernst had seen, very passionate. Even Otto and Georg, had their connection. No matter how awkward Ernst felt, he could always feel better than Moritz because Moritz was so nervous and unsure. Ernst hated himself for thinking that. It was as if he had been wishing for Moritz to do poorly. He hated that.
Other thoughts consumed his mind. He carried his book bag, which contained the two books that had come to represent him: Romeo and Juliet, and his Bible. He was once again very conflicted.
He loved church. He loved the priests' powerful voices. He loved the scriptures, the stained glass windows, the large crucifix over the altar. He loved and feared the God that reigned over his life.
But he loved Hanschen. No matter what he read or heard, he could not deny the fact that he adored every move Hanschen made. He read the words in the Bible over and over again, unable to understand how something and someone that gave him so much strength and joy could be a sin.
Ernst began to cry, so very confused with his own thoughts. He almost didn't realize that Hanschen approached him until he heard him speak.
"It is my lady! O it is my love!
Oh that she knew she were!"
Ernst looked up through his tears, but didn't talk.
"She speaks yet she says nothing, what of that?" Hanschen said, joking ever so slightly, and he sat by Ernst's side, but Ernst returned to look at the ground.
"Her eye discourses, I will answer it." He forced Ernst to look into his eyes. He paused a moment before kissing him.
They parted, Ernst's eyes glistened with tears as Hanschen continued, wiping a few tears from Ernst's face with his thumb, "I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks,
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return."
Ernst leaned forward, resting his head on Hanschen's chest. After a few minutes, Hanschen's presence comforted him, and he stopped crying. They spoke idly of church and the play until the sun began to set, and Ernst had to go home.
As he walked along the dirt path, Ernst wondered what to think of the enigma that was Hanschen. His sweet words had given him so much comfort, but they were not his own. Ernst was sure that someone loved him, but he could not tell if it were Hanschen or Romeo.