Act 18: The Hero of Three Colors (part 2)


Shaymin smiled as a trumpet rang through the forest from the dark stage. "Hear ye! Be it known that Prince Rowan will marry the Princess Lilly in two weeks!" a Dewott playing a herald announced to a crowd of Pokemon.

A spotlight came up on the Litten as the stage became a flurry of activity. "It doesn't get much better than this...the royal treatment, and soon I will have the most beautiful princess in the world as my bride." she sneered.

Shaymin just smiled at the Litten's acting--she knew better than anyone that the treacherous servant would get his just desserts in due time. "Although...I do worry that the real Prince Rowan might come at any time." the Litten went on. "Then my ambitions will not be realized, and I will fade into history, forgotten!"

Giggles went up from the forest Pokemon and Shaymin as the Litten's horrified look became a smile again. "But I'm not worried--so long as the real Prince Rowan is not here, preparations for my plans can continue!"

She dashed offstage with a giggle as the lights went down. After a few tense moments, the lights came up on Charlotte in a forest. "It's so peaceful out here..." she mused. "This is a welcome change from the royal academy's study rooms..."

The sound of a bow snapped her to attention. "An arrow...one of the royal hunters must be out here!"

Sure enough, the lights came up on a Rowlet firing at an offstage target. After watching the Rowlet shoot for a moment, Charlotte applauded as one arrow went flying into the bullseye. "Well shot, good sir."

"Thank you, lad." the Rowlet smiled. "You seem to be well versed in the ways of the world..."

"I've studied in the royal academy for the last few years, good sir." Charlotte replied. "I graduated six months ago, and am now seeking work in a noble's house, or even the royal palace."

"Would you like to be a royal page, then?" the Rowlet offered. "His Majesty did post a notice for new pages some days ago..."

"And so, our hero was made a royal page in the palace." Brenna narrated as Charlotte and the Rowlet pantomimed talking for a moment. "He did his work so well, he grew to be well loved and well liked in the palace. Eventually, he was assigned to his own servant."

She went on as the lights went down "Prince Rowan had improved so much from his time with the lady, the servant did not recognize him, but Prince Rowan also knew that he was to be page to his greatest enemy."

The lights came up on the set of a palace, where Lita, now in a gold princess costume, looked out the window. "Lilly!" the Litten called from offstage, snapping her to attention.

"What is it?" Lita called back.

She added as an aside "What does that rogue want this time?", making the audience in the forest giggle.

"Permission to come inside?" the Litten asked from offstage. "I'd like you to meet my new page."

"Permission granted, both of you." Lita smiled.

The Litten and Charlotte joined Lita onstage. "This is my new page, milady." the Litten explained, prompting Charlotte to wave hello.

"Pleased to meet you, good sir." Lita smiled.

"The pleasure is mine, milady." Charlotte replied.

She smiled over a romantic theme. "Princess Lilly really is as kind and beautiful as she was claimed to be." she explained in an aside. "She deserves to marry someone that will treat her well."

"Such impeccable manners!" Lita smiled in her own aside. "This page...he is a far cry from his rogue of a master! I would much rather marry him instead!"

She turned to Charlotte again. "What's your name, good sir? Where do you hail from?"

"I came from the great forest, and my name is Tristan, milady." Charlotte replied over a somber melody.

"The day of the wedding of the princess and the servant drew near." Brenna narrated from her nook over the orchestra. "The greatest warriors in the land were pouring into the kingdom to take part in a grand tournament, which was to last three days."

The lights came up on a set of a palace room, where Charlotte was pantomiming cleaning. "Tristan!" Lita called as she hurried onstage. "Tristan--it would mean the world for me if you could join the many knights, warriors, archers, and mages for the tournament."

"I would if I could, Princess, but I know nothing of battle." Charlotte confessed. "I am merely a humble scholar at heart, and my only knowledge of the bow is for hunting."

"Did you study magic during your time in the royal academy?" Lita asked. "You could join the magical duels or familiar battles..."

"I did learn some magic, but it was for healing purposes." Charlotte replied. "I doubt that they have a healer's competition in the tournament."

Giggles went up over Lita's disappointed look. "Oh well...will you at least watch the events in the royal box with me?"

"That I will do, if my duties in the hunting grounds do not take too long." Charlotte assured Lita as she put away the cleaning supplies and retrieved a prop bow. "If it happens that it does take me all day to hunt for tonight's feast; will you tell me about any memorable matches at dinner?"

"I'll tell you all about them!" Lita smiled over an exciting melody.

"The first day of the tournament dawned clear and bright." Brenna narrated from her nook. "Prince Rowan, saddened at heart, mounted his faithful Ponyta and went to the forest to hunt. He could think of nothing but his great love for Princess Lilly, and pleaded to Arceus for a way to prove that he was the real Prince Rowan, and Princess Lilly's true suitor."

The lights came up on the forest again, where Charlotte trudged onstage. "How do I tell them that the one Princess Lilly will marry is a fraud, and I am her rightful suitor?" she grumbled. "I love the princess so much, and my rogue servant just treats her like a prize to be won!"

She looked up at the imagined sky. "Arceus...hear my plea..."

With that, she sang Gatrandis favel, secret, edena...
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis....
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si...

Shaymin sniffled as Charlotte crumpled onto the stage floor in desperate feigned sobs. After a few tense moments. Ruby--now in a magnificent red costume--arrived leading a beautiful Ponyta puppet. "Forgive me, sir warrior, for seeing me in this sorry state..." she explained. "I was pouring out my heart to Arceus...are you competing in the tournament? If you are, then you are welcome to pass this way.

"Sir Rowan..." Ruby began. making Charlotte balk in surprise. "Put on this armor, mount this steed, and go to the tournament. Upon your return, you will find me waiting here. I will hunt in your place, and present unto you all the game I obtain."

"Right away! Thank you!" Charlotte smiled before hurrying offstage to change into the sparkling red costume...

To Be Continued...