THE COURTSHIP OF SARAI - A Play in Four Acts

[Urahra 5359]

THE COURTSHIP OF SARAI

 

Penned by Bianca La Fleur

 

Dedicated to my beloved friend Edward Napier

And his two beautiful children, John and Sarah.

Happy Tuvmas.

Ever grateful,

B. La Fleur

 

Inspired by

The Adunian Histories, Part I

By Edward Napier

This play is a work of fiction meant for entertainment only. Changes have been made to the history for the purposes of simplifying it for the stage. It is not to be treated as a historically accurate text for purposes of education.
 

 

---

CAST

(in order of appearance)

 

Harren Horenson - The son of Horen, the first man. Harren seeks vengeance for his father’s murder at the hand of Krug, the Kinslayer. Good-hearted but plagued by pride and a foul temper. Dark hair, bearded. Must be played by an Adunian.

 

Malin - The First Elven King and father to all elvenkind. Brother of Horen. Golden haired and tall. He leads the elves of Wildewynn.

 

Sarai - Malin’s daughter and a princess of the elves. Dark haired and fair. Clever and headstrong. Only the man who passes her secret test shall marry her.

 

Eliavan - A suitor seeking Sarai’s hand in marriage.

 

Elves - Members of Malin’s court. Dancers, singers, players.

 

---

 

ACT ONE

 

Spoiler

 

CURTAIN RISES upon the court of Wildewynn.

 

MALIN sits upon his throne while musicians play upon flute and lyre. Elven maidens clad in ribbons dance and gambol before the throng of courtiers.

 

One of the elves steps forth.

 

ELF

For King Malin, a song to please his ear!

 

The elf begins to SING.

 

ELF

(singing)

Twittering birds of rich burgundy hue,

The petals of cowslips gilded with dew,

Sweet scent of the meadow following rain,

Fair harvest seasons to bring forth the grain -

Open the jewel box of our Elven King,

Find treasures finer than necklace or ring!

For all the world's beauties belong to him -

Black-hearted forests, deep rivers to swim,

The sun's golden face as it peeks past the peak,

The musical babble of silvery creek.

Yet all nature's richness could fall away,

Burned up by fire, subject to decay -

So long as our Father has his dear children,

All will be well in the land of the sylvan!

 

Malin SMILES and APPLAUDS the singer.

 

MALIN

A most darling rhyme, my little pixie.

May GOD’s peace ever guard our sacred glade.

 

ENTER HARREN, accompanied by his retinue.

 

The dancers cease their revels and the music grinds to a halt.

 

HARREN

O, cease not your frolics on my account.

I have but come to offer my respects.

 

MALIN

(rising from his throne)

Please, you must forgive their apprehension.

They are unused to the faces of men.

(amused)

I daresay your bearded mien frightens them!

 

HARREN

‘Tis not my intent, for I come in peace.

Firstborn of Horen, Harren they call me.

 

MALIN

The trees whispered your name, O Son of Man,

And foretold your arrival in our wood -

Though they spake not upon the reason why.

Would you thus illuminate your purpose?

 

HARREN

Has news of your brother not reached your ear?

 

MALIN

Krug, the kinslayer, smote him in his bed.

Alas, the many tears I have wept for Horen

Might carve a mighty river through this land.

We had our quarrels, but still I loved him.

 

HARREN

As your brother’s child, I ask a favor.

 

MALIN

Anything within my power to grant.

 

Harren steps forth and TAKES A KNEE before the Elven King.

 

HARREN

The armies of Krug rage across the plain

In an unstoppable tide of bloodshed.

They conquered the Isthmus of Kramaroe

And laid waste to the holiest city.

To reclaim the burg is my chief effort

And drive the occupiers from its walls.

So I come to your court, O Elven King.

Would you not join my army of vengeance?

 

Malin TURNS away and seats himself on his throne, looking askance.

 

MALIN

You ask the impossible, Son of Man.

 

HARREN

(standing)

Do you not hate Krug for his brutal acts?

 

MALIN

To hate is not the nature of the elves.

Our hearts love all creatures that walk the earth.

My only wish was for my children’s joy -

That our halls might ever ring with laughter.

When the Denier came upon my wood,

He promised to fulfill that dear desire.

In my naivete, I accepted him -

Unaware that his gifts came at a price.

My sons and daughters succumbed to evil

And suffered greatly in their wickedness.

Only a few remained untouched by sin -

So we took up arms against the Daemon.

Bitter tears spilled from my eyes as we warred

And I watched my offspring fall in battle.

I took their corpses in my arms and swore

To never again allow such bloodshed.

Thus I will not waste my elves on your war.

 

HARREN

Today, Krug slaughters the sons of Horen.

Soon your children may well be on his plate!

 

MALIN

GOD gave us the green wood of Wildewynn

So that we might be sheltered from slaughter.

Krug’s fury cannot rage on eternal

So we shall wait safely among these boughs.

 

HARREN

Can nothing sway you to take up my cause?

 

Malin slyly glances toward ELIAVAN, a member of his court. Eliavan SMIRKS.

 

MALIN

Perhaps there is one thing that might change me.

 

HARREN

Name it, O Elven King, and it is yours.

 

MALIN

In order to bring forth fruit from the earth,

One must first till and water the soil.

No field can grow grain if it lies unsown.

I command my children to be fecund -

Bind themselves in marriage and make offspring.

Yet my daughter Sarai scorns my wishes

And refuses to select a husband.

She has devised a task for her suitors;

The one who completes it shall win her hand.

Thus far, no man has overcome the test.

If you can convince Sarai to wed you,

You shall have your alliance with the elves.

 

HARREN

Horen’s virtue forbids such a union.

Human must lie with human and elf with elf.

 

MALIN

Then I wish you luck against Krug’s armies.

If we cannot agree, you shall ride alone.

 

HARREN

Wait! I will do it. Where be the maiden?

 

MALIN

She favors the gardens of my palace.

You will find her there amid the blossoms.

 

HARREN

And so the deal is struck. I’ll woo the girl

To secure victory for my people.

 

EXIT Harren.

 

CURTAIN FALLS.

 

 

 

---

 

ACT TWO

 

Spoiler

 

CURTAIN RISES on Sarai, sitting amid the gardens of her father’s woodland palace. She plays upon a LYRE and sings to the blooms.

 

SARAI

(singing)

Pity the summersweet born from the hedge,

Those poor rain-drenched blossoms soon to be dead!

Pity those petals doomed now to wither,

Torn from their roots by a cruel pair of scissors,

Imprisoned in glass by man's greedy fingers,

Capturing beauty in hopes that it lingers --

Yet 'twould linger longer if left alone

Blooming in the soil where it had grown.

Our eyes might still feast on nature's rare prize,

Without ushering in its untimely demise.

The rose is more beautiful amid the thorns,

The stag made more graceful by his crown of horns.

Respect we the bounty GOD has created

By letting it flourish unabated.

 

ENTER Harren, interrupting Sarai’s song. She ends the melody on a discordant note.

 

HARREN

Be you Sarai, the Elven King’s daughter?

 

SARAI

(irritated)

All mali are children of King Malin.

 

HARREN

Aye, just as all men are sons of Horen -

But only a few are sons of the flesh.

I seek the daughter sprung from Malin’s loins.

 

SARAI

(disgusted)

Who is this bearded boor wrecking my peace?

Aye, I am the daughter sprung from his loins

If you must put it in such vulgar terms!

But this princess wishes to be alone -

So get thee gone, fool!

 

HARREN

(aside)

Why! This maid be as fair as the morning sun,

With a tongue as fiery as the depths of Hell!

Fine, I’ll assume a gentleman’s aspect

If that would better please this fierce princess.

(to Sarai, in softer tones)

Lovely maiden, forgive me my harsh speech.

I come before you upon bended knee

As a suitor seeking to win your heart.

 

SARAI

O Lord, spare me yet another suitor -- !

I have already rejected every man

That my meddlesome father sent hence to me.

My answer to you will be no different.

 

HARREN

Would you not at least entertain my bid?

 

SARAI.

Few reasons could persuade me to marry.

 

HARREN

(irritated)

Consider this reason, stubborn princess -

The armies of Krug threaten all the world.

Only through a union of elf and man

Might we hope to stand a chance against him!

 

SARAI

We mali have no quarrel with the orcs.

Rather ‘tis you men who insist on war.

Why should we involve ourselves in your fight

When we are safer here in the forest?

 

HARREN

The war against Krug is everyone’s war!

Bah! I’ll not waste my breath convincing you.

Your father described to me a task?

 

SARAI

Ah, yes. Many have tried and all failed.

 

HARREN

If any man can conquer your challenge,

It will be me - Harren, the firstborn son.

 

SARAI

Very well, Harren. This shall be your charge.

In my wanderings through the verdant wood,

I once spied a wild mare of pearly hue -

Its flanks made iridescent by the light.

A mane of spun silver flowed from its neck

And upon its head gleamed a horn of gold.

‘Twas that rare steed so favored by the fae -

A beautiful beast called a unicorn.

Fleeter of foot than an archer’s missile,

More graceful even than the gliding swan -

This marvelous creature must be my mount.

I’ll wed the man who tames that splendid horse

And brings it here to me harnessed in reins.

 

HARREN

(scoffing)

This is the task so feared by your suitors?

Seems to me but a trivial request…

How could so many have possibly failed?

 

SARAI

(sarcastic)

They were all lesser men than you, my lord.

 

HARREN

Quip if you like. Soon, you shall be married.

A bride ‘pon the back of your pearly unicorn.

 

He EXITS.

 

CURTAIN FALLS.

 

 

 

---

 

ACT THREE

 

Spoiler

 

CURTAIN RISES upon a woodland glade. ENTER Harren from stage-left.

 

Simultaneously, ENTER an ELVEN SUITOR from stage-right. He is LIMPING and wounded.

 

ELIAVAN

Beware, Son of Man, and go no further!

The glade yonder hosts a beast most savage!

 

HARREN

Stand aside, sylvan, and let me pass through.

I’ve ventured here at the princess’s request.

 

ELIAVAN

I, too, sought the hand of the lady Sarai.

Turn back, for the task is impossible!

She knows the unicorn cannot be tamed

And sends her suitors here as a cruel jest.

 

HARREN

As a youth, I chased down wild horses

And flung myself upon their sturdy flanks -

Taking handfuls of their manes in my hand,

Clinging until they submitted to me.

Methinks this unicorn shall be no different.

In form, ‘tis the same as other fillies -

The only difference being its odd horn.

‘Tis no matter. I’ll easily break it.

Wait here and watch a true man at his work.

 

ELIAVAN

My warning’s been given. Proceed if you like.

 

EXIT Harren, stage-right.

 

Eliavan watches him go, arms folded.

 

A great FRACAS occurs off-stage. The SCREAM of a horse. The CLATTERING of hooves. THUMPS, BUMPS, and other brutal sounds. Harren YELPING in pain.

 

Silence. The disturbance ceases. Harren STUMBLES back on stage.

 

HARREN

What manner of hellish demon is this?!

Even the wicked armies of Iblees

Could not hope to compare in viciousness!

 

ELIAVAN

Lo! And behold the wound upon my side!

My flesh was rent by the unicorn’s horn.

If an immortal elf cannot succeed,

What makes you think a mere human can?

 

HARREN

My peoples’ fate rests upon my triumph!

We must have an alliance with the elves -

Lest we swiftly perish on orcish swords!

I swear I’ll bring that unicorn to heel!

 

EXIT Harren, stage-right

 

Again, a cacophony of noise. Whinnies, thuds, bangs, hooves, clatters. Eliavan SITS DOWN and WATCHES from afar.

 

ENTER Harren once more. Now wounded and struggling.

 

ELIAVAN

Be this your typical mode, O Son of Man?

To drub your head ceaseless against a wall,

In hopes the stones shall crack before you do?

 

HARREN

O, but spare me your sly comments, sylvan.

Are you not bleeding to death as we speak?

 

ELIAVAN

Nay, methinks my wounds are not quite so grave.

‘Tis fine medicine to watch you struggle!

Are all mortal men so persistent?

You’ve taken two wallops. Risk you a third?

 

HARREN

The stakes are too high. I cannot relent!

 

Harren EXITS, stage-right.

 

Once again, a symphony of shrieks, squeaks, groans, moans, thumps, and bumps.

 

ENTER Harren, who collapses on his knees. Eliavan STANDS.

 

ELIAVAN

Twice made me chuckle. The third loses its charm.

Would that you humans had a mali’s ears -

With which to listen and heed kind advice.

Alas, you’re more deaf than Urugan’s stones

And you suffer such harm as a result.

Think you can win a war against the orcs

When this unicorn remains unconquered?

This beast reveals the flaw in your strategy.

Yes, indeed - Persistence is a virtue…

Yet only when coupled with fair wisdom.

When at last we admit what our knowledge lacks,

Then we might regroup and plan new attacks.

 

EXIT Eliavan, leaving Harren by himself.

 

HARREN

Right he is, though I’m loath to admit it.

What, then, must I do to win Sarai’s hand?

 

Harren STANDS and exits, stage-left.

 

CURTAIN FALLS.

 

 

 

 

---

 

ACT FOUR

 

Spoiler

 

CURTAIN RISES on the palace gardens. Sarai scatters feed for the birds.

 

ENTER Harren, bruised and battered.

 

SARAI

The Son of Man returns to my garden -

Yet with no pearly unicorn in tow.

 

Harren holds up his HANDS in surrender. He lowers himself to his KNEES.

 

HARREN

I admit defeat, O elven princess.

The horned steed foiled my every attempt.

 

SARAI

Yet before me you kneel, with all your wounds.

I thought you would flee this forest in shame.

 

HARREN

Battles are not won through sheer strength alone -

But rather by strength and wit in concert.

Fair princess, you know the beasts of these woods.

You sing to the birds perched in their branches;

Your quick arrow seeks the heart of the deer;

The red fox eats heartily from your palm;

And even the unicorn bows her head.

If I wish to conquer, I must first learn -

Guided to victory by your counsel.

I ask only that you impart your wisdom.

 

His speech disarms Sarai. She is STUNNED.

 

SARAI

Is this the same prideful man from before?

 

HARREN

I daresay my pride has taken some blows.

 

SARAI

Speak you in earnest? You seek my guidance?

 

HARREN

Without it, the task is insurmountable.

 

SARAI

I must say, this is most unexpected.

Many men sought to tame the unicorn -

Yet not a one of them asked my advice.

Upon receiving their task, they sallied forth,

Showing no caution or hesitation.

If but a single one sought my counsel,

I would have revealed the truth of my scheme.

 

HARREN

The truth, my princess?

 

SARAI

I found the unicorn as a nurseling

And raised it tenderly with my own hand.

It heeds no command but my own.

 

HARREN

O -- !

 

ENTER Malin and Eliavan.

 

MALIN

I see that the lesson has been well-learned.

(gesturing to the Elven Suitor)

My spy reported the situation - 

And we waited here for its conclusion.

 

HARREN

What? Princess, what manner of ruse is this?

 

SARAI

My father Malin feared your brash nature.

He worried you'd send our elves to slaughter,

With no regard for the cost of their lives -

And so he thusly crafted this test

To determine your worthiness as an ally.

 

MALIN

A prideful man will ignore all counsel,

Instead allowing his ego to lead. 

But if you came to Sarai with head bowed low -

Admitting your faults and asking her help -

Only then would I grant my consent.

Only then would I fight alongside you.

 

HARREN

The suitor, then, was no suitor at all?

That bloody wound on his side --  a falsehood?

 

ELIAVAN

Not blood, but rather the stain of berries!

 

HARREN

O, my error has been made apparent!

The Elven King's wisdom is indeed great!

My pride would not allow me to relent - 

Whether against the unicorn or the orcs.

In my arrogance, I would have battered

Against the walls of the orcish fortress

Until not a soldier remained standing.

By your hand, I have been taught temperance -

That I must restrain violence with wisdom

And not charge forth without proper knowledge.

Sarai, I come to you a humbled man - 
Asking your love so that I might learn from you
And together increase our shared wisdom.
 

SARAI

Harren, son of Horen, I will marry you.

 

She leans down to KISS HIM.

 

CURTAIN FALLS.

 

 

[Hanrahan 2884]

Dr. Edward Nappier APPLAUDS this fine work of Harrenite cultural representation.

[ThatDutchFellow 1054]

Al-Uk'Lur snagagoth of Krugmar calmly reads through the play before he frowns sighing with the shake of his head 

"Krug? kinzlayahr? zkahing Globbizhnez! agh dei wondahr whi dah pinkehz heyte uz zo muzh"

 

The Krugmar official clearly less then amused about the besmearing of his people work of fiction or not this shall inevitably bring hate uppon his people 

[Samler 1024]

Seth Calith, an old high elf noticed the title of the play. "Huh, valah make these now?" He aquired a copy and went home to read it, a grimace quickly formed at act I, which turned to a scowl at the end of act VI. He would bring it around the Eternal Library of Haelun'or, known these days as San'evarir and showed it to ( @KronugiN @thiccpazuzu @Stumpye ) Khaeryr, Maenor and Aiera with the comments. "A play written by valah, fiction based on history apparently, yet this seems in the character of the king and tyrant. Mixing blood in the name of love." Seth sighed in frustation of the reminder of the terrible Malin.

[Urahra 5359]

38 minutes ago, Samler said:

Seth Calith, an old high elf noticed the title of the play. "Huh, valah make these now?" He aquired a copy and went home to read it, a grimace quickly formed at act I, which turned to a scowl at the end of act VI. He would bring it around the Eternal Library of Haelun'or, known these days as San'evarir and showed it to ( @KronugiN @thiccpazuzu @Stumpye ) Khaeryr, Maenor and Aiera with the comments. "A play written by valah, fiction based on history apparently, yet this seems in the character of the king and tyrant. Mixing blood in the name of love." Seth sighed in frustation of the reminder of the terrible Malin.

 

OOC: 

 

>"humans do plays now????"

> 9 plays from this character alone

> several of which are already in the eternal library

 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯  lmao yeh humans write plays i guess

[Samler 1024]

57 minutes ago, Urara said:

 

OOC: 

 

>"humans do plays now????"

> 9 plays from this character alone

> several of which are already in the eternal library

 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

((I haven't noticed any with the books being in the vault and I am not a librarian!))

[TheCapybara 1803]

“Haelun! I’m dying my hair black to join this play!” Alyssa Seregon screamed to mother, Dele Seregon, jokingly while baking a cake. @Demented_Delila

[linzexu 121]

Sarai, the daughter of Malin? Pah, at best she was a lesser chieftain who lived many generations after the forefathers' dissapearance, who doomed her tribe to a life of human mortality because she was unable to control her own base desires! Says a wood elf tired of the appropriation of his culture in mainstream P-ollywood productions.

 

[[Don't lynch me I am merely a friendly shitposter, oocly I appreciate the time, effort and creativity that goes into making these 🙂 ]]

[argonian 12836]

Ailred lets a "d'awww" slip before remembering himself and shaking his fist angrily at Harren's misdeeds. 

[TheNanMan2000 473]

"Krug, ah Kinzlayur?  Mi wyll go on a Zpirit walk agh azk him mizelf"

[thiccpazuzu 542]

15 hours ago, Samler said:

Seth Calith, an old high elf noticed the title of the play. "Huh, valah make these now?" He aquired a copy and went home to read it, a grimace quickly formed at act I, which turned to a scowl at the end of act VI. He would bring it around the Eternal Library of Haelun'or, known these days as San'evarir and showed it to ( @KronugiN @thiccpazuzu @Stumpye ) Khaeryr, Maenor and Aiera with the comments. "A play written by valah, fiction based on history apparently, yet this seems in the character of the king and tyrant. Mixing blood in the name of love." Seth sighed in frustation of the reminder of the terrible Malin.

 

Maenor would've picked up the copy of the play, glancing over it while listening to Seth's comments dispassionately. "Hm..." he would begin, rising from the seat at San'evarir's reception with graceful movements and preparing to depart. "I see...Alright, I'll go over it and see for myself." he'd address Seth with a single nod, strolling through the gargantuan building. It seemed only fitting to him to settle in a cozy chair in San'evarir's theatre and read the play there. The theatrical work would carry him through a myriad of emotions, some categorically in opposition to eachother. By the end, the Mali'thill would sigh, remaining motionless in that seat, unable to do anything but acknowledge La Fleur's brilliance "I shall be thoroughly disappointed if this theatre is not put to good use." he would add softly to himself, eyeing the play still in his hand. He would then rise lazily and seek the confines of one of his apartments, not in the mood for any bickerings about the capabilities of lessers.