Script: "The Willow's Flame"

[Kabaffahp 566]

 

A Willow’s Flame

By: Kaba Halcourt 2026

 

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OOC:

 

Author’s Note: As you read through the script you may notice the actions of the characters are minimal this is because I think improvisation is a great thing in theatre and when this play was performed for the first time the players loved being able to customize their movements while having a basic “Oh this is the rough action needed”. Furthermore, in the cast it is listed that two guards are needed, I find it fun to integrate the crowd by asking for volunteers, this can work if there is only one guard too.

Play Time: Roughly 30 minutes

 

If you perform this play please invite me I would love to come watch others put this on: @Kabaffahp

Link to the skins: A Willow's Flame's Costumes

 

Characters:

 

Lady Arwena - An Elvan noblewoman, in love with Thomas

Thomas - A young human scribe, in love with Arwena

Lady Velanna - Arwena’s cousin, sharp of eye and word

Father Aldwyn - The Priest, serious and strict

Brother Giles - A monk, timid

Two Guards

 

Setting:

The stage is divided into two halves

• Stage right is a moonlit glade, a large moon in the sky
• Stage left is a chapel, grey stone walls with candles laid about.

 

Italics = Speech Parentheses = Action

 

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Scene I:

 

Narrator: 

Soft strains of music drift on the wind from the distant town, where laughter and celebration ring through the night. The moon hangs full above, casting a gentle silver glow upon the glade. Beneath the sweeping arms of an old willow, Thomas stands alone silent, waiting. Arwena enters, her steps quiet on the grass

 

Arwena: (Steps closer to Thomas the brightest smile on her face)

 

If stars did govern fate, they should take pity

 

for every night they watch us steal our hours 

 

Like thieves of time.

 

Thomas: (He reaches out to her, pulling her close)

 

And if love be a crime, then chain me well, 

 

So long as thou the jailer 

 

Arwena: 

Hush! Speak not so loud—my kin hath ears like foxes.

 

Thomas: 

And mine hath debts like kings.

 

(They lean into a kiss but a twig snap behind them forces them to look upstage at Lady Velanna 

 

who enters removing the hood of her cloak)

 

Lady Velanna: (Stares at them coldly)

 

You trade kisses beneath the moon like apples at market. 

 

Didst thou think no soul would see?

 

Arwena: 

Velanna! I swear thee, speak no word

 

Lady Velanna: 

Then what? Shall I wed the priest to keep thy secret? 

 

(She’d scoff)

 

He hath all the charm of a boiled turnip.

 

Thomas (unbothered):  

 

I once kissed a boiled turnip. She did not kiss back.

 

 Arwena:

 

(Arwena covers a laugh with her hand at her lover's joke. Velanna’s expression hardens.)

 

 Lady Velanna: 

 

Fools. Both of you. The Church will burn thee for less.

 

I suggest we all leave now before you condemn us all

 

Velanna, Thomas, Arwena:

(Velanna leaves followed by Thomas and Arwena)

 

 Narrator:

 

The curtains fall as the three leave the stage

 

 

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Scene II:

 

 

Narrator:

The Curtains rise and low and solemn, the chapel chimes toll through the night, each note lingering like a breath held in mourning. Within, the sanctuary glows dimly—candlelight flickering against stone walls. Father Aldwyn kneels before the altar, head bowed in heavy prayer. Nearby, Brother Giles stands restless, his eyes fixed with unease upon the wooden cross that looms above them.

 

 Father Aldwyn: 

Love between elf and man? A cursed thing. 

 

As salt in wine, it spoileth both.

 

Brother Giles (peering at Father Aldwyn):  

 

Aye, and it makes your tongue swell something awful, Father.

 

Father Aldwyn (stands up, walking closer to Brother Giles):  

 

Be silent, Giles. The elf-girl will come. 

 

And when she does, we’ll sever root from blossom.

 

Brother Giles: (moves to stand in the far corner of the chapel as Lady Velanna enters from the back)

 

 

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Scene III:

 

(Lady Velanna stands with Father Aldwyn beneath cross)

 

 Lady Velanna 

I bring a name. A time. A place. 

 

But know this—I do it not for hatred, 

 

But for fear.

 

 

Father Aldwyn:  

 

Fear is the finest servant of the Lord.

 

 

Narrator: 

With a sudden, thunderous toll, the bell echoes through the chapel. The heavy clang hangs in the air, then fades into silence as the curtains fall, cloaking the three figures in shadow. 

 

Thomas, Arwena:

(Thomas and Arwena stand in the glade before the curtain rises)

 

Narrator: 

The curtain then rises. In the stillness of the glade, Arwena and Thomas stand hands entwined in a quiet embrace, their figures silhouetted by the pale moonlight. The moment is shattered as the sounds of heavy footprints fill the glade.

 

Guards:

(Enters the stage moving behind the couple)

 

Narrator:

guards enter the clearing their steps firm and unforgiving. They seize the couple, dragging them forcefully to the church., The guards drop the couple before the altar where Father Aldwyn awaits in stoic silence. Behind him, Lady Velanna stands, her posture tense and distant.

 

Father Aldwyn (from behind the altar): 

 

Speak thy sin.

 

Thomas 

 

We've done nothing wrong

 

Father Aldwyn 

 

I said confess your sins boy

 

Arwena (sits on the ground in front of the altar as she speaks proud): 

 

Love.

 

 Thomas (struggling):  

 

And all its ruin.

 

 Father Aldwyn: 

 

Then let ruin come.

 

Guards! Take them to the glade. Let them burn at the flames of their love

 

Guards: (The guards yank them to their feet)

 

Arwena: (looks to her cousin) Did you do this? 

 

Lady Velanna (a whisper): 

 

I only held the door.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 

Narrator 

The stage grows dark, a heavy silence fills the stage as slowly only the lights above the chapel flicker to life leaving the glade shrouded in darkness

 

 

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Scene V:

 

Narrator: 

The heavy wooden doors creak open breaking the suffocating silence as Brother Giles enters the chapel, Lady Velanna, stands motionless before the cross hanging behind the Altar. 

 

Brother Giles: (Softly)

 

Lady Velanna?

 

 

Lady Velanna: 

 

I went back to the Glade, there was nothing left but ash…

 

 

 

Brother Giles: (Hesitates)

 

…Love, was it?

 

 

Lady Velanna: (tears begin to fall down her cheeks)

 

Or betrayal.

 

 

Brother Giles: 

Mayhap they are one and the same.

 

 

Narrator: 

The curtains descend slowly, swallowing the scene in shadow as the church bells chime once more.

All cast members including the guard:
Everyone takes to the stage

 

Narrator:
The curtains slowly rise for the final time as all the actors take to the stage. 

 

The End

 

[PrinceTheDM 275]

Elijah wipes a tear from his eye as he closes the book and puts it back on the shelf of the library. "I suspect this may not be the best book to let the children study... Perhaps I shall find a more suitable one for the students." He exits the library, turning his head to the sky and seeing the clouds roll in "I only held the door... huh."