Act 2 Part 1
In the chapel there had been chaos. Iain had never shown up, and it was an hour after he and Francis where suppose to have exchanged vows. Francis had been crying and his eyes were red and puffy. The castle had been searched but no one had found him. Guests were searching the moors and Francis and Arthur where searching the moors together. Both walked along the stream that led to a lake. It brought back memories of their past.
"Francis, do you remember that time at the lake?" Arthur asked
"Oui , I do but I 'ardly think zis ez ze time to bring eet up." Sobbed the still crying Francis
They both walked in silence. Arthur could hardly stand this. Every sob that shook Francis ripped at his heart. Why did Francis wish to marry his brother when the two of them had in the past exchanged words of love? Had Francis not believed him?
"Francis, I want you to know that I have and will always love you. Whatever happens today I will remain by your side. If Iain returns to marry you I will be beside you. If he has eloped with some other, and I hope not of course for your sake, I will stay with you. I will find him, whether it is for you to marry him or for his apology, I will make sure this day ends with closure. " Arthur promised
Both walked in silence. Francis had stopped crying, but he refused to look at Arthur. Instead he continued calling for Iain. Arthur sighed and followed his lead. Soon it was Arthur's lone voice ringing out among the hills.
"Azzur, I 'ave always known of your feelings. But it waz your fere that asked me to be with him first. I didn't think that you cared for me deeply enough to want to be with me." Francis whispered as if he was discussing something sinister
"I do want to be with you Francis. I always want to be with you." Arthur replied a little huskily
"Zat iz enough. I am to be married to Iain as soon as ee is found. I will not betray 'im az ee betrayed moi. Et iz time we separated our ways. I will take ze path to ze left, and you will take ze path to ze right." Francis replied
Arthur nodded. They both went in separate directions frantically calling for Iain. However if they had taken the path that went straight they would have came into a misty hollow. In this hollow was Lukas and his four other male witches. Together they were known as the five Nordic witches. They had formed a circle and in the centre of the circle was a large cast iron cauldron.
They were throwing in all kinds of items. Poisonous plants, tongues of animals, wings of others, and as a final ingredient water from the lake that had been collected under a full moon. None of the other witches had asked Lukas why he was creating such a potion. Really they didn't care, once the bickering had stopped they all got to work enjoying the fact that someone who had scorned one of them would be receiving punishment. For Lukas it went deeper than that. The man who would be suffering under this spell had done something unforgivable, he had cheated on and betrayed his betrothed, and on their wedding day no less!
A puff of green smoke erupted from the cauldron. Lukas reached in and drew out a silver scarf. It was beautiful; it looked like it had been made from the moon itself. The other witches drew back from it warily as if it would come to life and strangle them.
"This will do. All of you must leave for this next part." Lukas told them
The Nordic witches nodded and scattered into the mist. Lukas was the one they listened too when it came to magic, as he was the most powerful in that area. Lukas watched them leave and muttered a few words then swept his hand over the cauldron. The cauldron sank into the ground as if the ground had turned to a syrupy consistence. The mist cleared showing that the hollow was really a clear meadow. Lukas turned and hid behind a bush.
Just as he did Sylphide and Iain came running on to the meadow. Sylphide laughed in delight and began dancing in the meadow. She indicated that Iain should dance with her when she curtsied and held out a hand to him. But Iain shook his head. He was far too tired from running through the moor for miles.
" I'm so sorry Iain! How thoughtless I have been! You are a human, so naturally you would tire as we ran through the moor. Please wait here." Sylphide said apologetically
Iain sat upon a large mossy rock to wait for her and rest. She still had his ring but he didn't care anymore. She was the one he loved and the ring really did suit her. He watched as she returned. She offered him some water and blackberries. Iain accepted them graciously. A cold wind from the north began to stir and Iain worried for Sylphide.
Iain took off his jacket and was about to place it around her shoulders on top of her wings.
"No!" Sylphide cried out and slapped his hand away causing the jacket to fall
"Whut? It's startin tae get cold." Iain told her a little hurt and the sudden rejection of his well wishes
"Iain I am a fairy I am use to the cold. I live outside in the moors all year round. Oh don't be upset, why do we not celebrate our love? Come and meet my friends and family!" Sylphide said to try and cheer him
Iain watched as Sylphide called to her friends and family. At first they where shy and scared of Iain but with some careful coaxing by Sylphide fairies of all different colours emerged. Some had pink hair, others blue and some even green. Others still where like Sylphide and looked like a human with wings. The women all had spectacular dresses that seemed to be made out of some element in nature. Some dresses where made from raindrops, others from petals and some still from spider webs.
"This is Iain. I love him and he loves me. And look! He gave me this ring!" Sylphide announced happily as if she was showing off an engagement ring
The other fea gathered around to admire the ring. Some of the braver ones came close to examine Iain. The majority of them had never seen a human up close before and kept prodding and poking him.
"Ouch, will ye stop tha!" cried Iain in discomfort as curious hands pulled at his hair
"Sorry Iain! Everyone let's dance!" cried Sylphide
Iain was mesmerized as everyone twirled and leaped. The music was mystical and ethereal. Soon he couldn't help but be caught up with it and dance with Sylphide. All the fae where delighted with their new human companion. As if by magic, day began to turn to night.
"It is already getting dark. I must go tae ma castle now. I will see you soon I hope Sylphide." Iain told her
"Of course. I must help the others back but I will meet you on the hill closest to the castle my beloved." Sylphide replied
Iain nodded and left. Lukas contemplated what he had seen. Iain was ruining the happiness of Lukas's own friend Arthur. Lukas couldn't allow his friend to suffer anymore. So he slipped into the darkness and went to find Arthur.
Cast:
James= Iain Kirkland. I don't wasn't to call him James, because my brother has that name and I do not want Scotland to share that name
Effie= Francis Bonnefoy
Gurn= Arthur Kirkland
La Sylphide= random fae
Madge/witch= Lukas Bondevik