The PlantagenetsIII: Preparing for the first meeting of Henry and Eleanor
(See: Plantagenets I and II)
Dramatis Personae
Nicholas Du Chauvagn
Soldier, Servant to Eleanor of Aquitaine
Olivier Chalmont
Soldier, Servant to Eleanor of Aquitaine
Robert of Hyde
Soldier, Servant of Henry II
William Prestwich
Soldier, Servant of Henry II
Myles Thierry
Inn Keeper
Angeline
Servant, Lady in Waiting to Eleanor
Fumi
Ladies maid to Eleanor
Marcus
Blacksmith
The Scene: The Inn of Strawberry Ducks near Rue du Doyenne with
nearby stables.
Scene One of Two Scenes.
The Inn at dusk.
Enter Nicholas Du Chauvagn with Olivier Chalmont
Nicholas: Time for a pint? Let us be fed. What do they offer?
Chalmont: Yes. Innkeeper! Two pints of your finest ale and two bowls of stew.
You have mud on your shoes?
Nicholas: Tis the weather. Tis the tramping about the wood looking for spies and
ursurpers.
Chalmont: Aye. And have you posted your guards?
Nicholas: Three to the East and one on the North road.
Enter Robert & William
Robert: Aye gentlemen! I have the stable lad, put the knackered horses up.
Are you two done for the night? I see you are drinking and eating
already. Innkeeper! The same for my man and I.
William: I'm as starvin' as thee, I could eat a scabby dog, I'm sick of running
bout for 'is lordship.
Robert: Nicholas, did you have a good ride in? I am told you can be trusted.
We should work as one.
Nicholas: Our men are in place.
Robert: Tis secure. My lad William is as good with arrow that any fletcher could
wish for.
Olivier: Where has Angeline got to?
Robert: Who is Angeline?
Enter Angeline with Fumi
Angeline: (To Fumi aside - These are ordinary men, my love,but tis the blacksmith I have my eye on this night!)
Fumi: Oh!…..Maam.
Myles: Oh, to what fair lady?
Angeline: Oh, to you stroking the cat? Fine sir.
Myles: Stroke? My lady? Woulds’t thou want to be so from Eleanor? For speaking so out of turn?
Angeline: Maybe, Lord Myles, strap? Aye, strap thyself to the cat.
Nicholas: Enough of cats and stroking Angeline, is the room ready for Henry and Eleanor?
Angeline: Dear Lord of Lords, fair sir, is the country secure from cads who would harm my Queen Eleanor and her young prince?
Nicholas: Tis our job as soldiers, Angeline. Your job was………
Angeline: The room is as scented fields with delicate finery and lace abounding above and below thy expectations.
Nicholas: Good, then go about your business, both of you, and let us men talk.
Fumi: Yes sir.
Angeline: Talk if you must. Depart if we must, safe from such dangers of what you men may speak of in such secret. Fare thee kind sir...Fare thee well……..
(departs with Fumi)
Nicholas: Saucy tart.
Olivier: I shall go check to see if the horses are bedded down for the night.
Nicholas: go then. go follow your nose.
(Exit Olivier)
Robert: Tis more than horses bedded that Olivier looks for.
(Laughter) (Scene Fades)
Scene Two of Two Scenes
The Barn - Angeline enters. Olivier is hid near a stall.
Angeline: Young blacksmith, what be thy name?
Marcus: Thou knowest me my lady….
Angeline: Knowest not! Thou are more often called smith than thy true name, which is??
Marcus: Pardon Maam. Marcus.
Angeline: Marcus?
Marcus: Marcus. May I be of service to you Maam?
Angeline: I believe you can
Marcus: Be careful of this heat ma'am, the furnace is mighty hot.
Angeline: I do not fear heat, nor the heavy strike you make on the anvil
Marcus: Come closer then, see how I can twist the metal to fit
Angeline: Your grip is strong, to strike the hammer so!
Marcus: Yes Ma'am. But it needs a gentle twist to make it right.
Angeline: Marcus, you will show me how to hold the sword
Marcus: Ma'am? Do you think you can hold such hotness
Angeline: If I stand in front of you,with my hands wrapped around yours, would that suffice
Marcus: Yes Ma'am!
Angeline: I like a man, with roughened work hands, they mean that they've seen life
Marcus: Oh Ma'am
Angeline: Now Marcus, is this not a proper way to hold a lady?
Marcus: Yes Ma'am, but the soot may stain thy naked breasts.
Angeline: Nay! Should I lean closer to the flames Marcus? so that the sword can become hotter?
Marcus: Oh Ma'am you have lifted your skirt, and, oh, my soul, thou hast no pants!!
Angeline: Well Smithy! what are you waiting for man, weild your weapon and take me.
Marcus: Yes Angeline.
Olivier (aside: Oh my gosh!) - exits
Angeline: thy breath sounds like the bellows that fires my imagination.
Marcus: Yes my lady.
Angeline: thou art my Prince Henry and I am thy Queen Eleanor -
Marcus: shhhuushh, that is treason woman!
Angeline: hush... thyself ...... hushhhhhhh.
(Scene fades)
Finis
Adding your comment:
But... well worth it here
