War in the Garden

May

(A girl lays under a tree next to a lake on a sunny day with dark clouds rolling in.)

May: (Humming)

Leo: The sky is beautiful.

May: Don't you have training Leo?

Leo: Well someone got a letter delivered and I saw a way out of work.

(She springs up and snatches the letter out of his hand.)

May: Letter!

Leo: By the way, some dark clouds are rolling in so we should get going before it starts to rain.

May: Oh, you're right!

(They begin to walk over to the horse stable)

Leo: Sooooooooo, Prince Zander?

May: No no no. We're just friends that write. We've never even seen each other! Plus, he's engaged to the princess from the Kingdom of Tulips. I'm not sure is either of them are happy about it though.

Leo: Ah, I see. Do you even know what kingdom he's from? He could be-

May: I don't and it shouldn't matter.

Leo: But-

May: Now could you grab Penelope for me?

(Grabs Sattle)

Leo: Sure.

May: Ok, you know the drill. If some ask for me...

Leo: You're taking a bath.

May: And where's my horse?

Leo: Someone's training with her.

(Hops on horse)

May: Exactly. I'll be back in two hours. Now get back to work you lazy excuse of a knight! Your queen demands it!

(May lightly kicks side of horse and clicks)

Leo: (Yelling) You're not queen yet!

May: (Yelling) What? I can hear you!

Leo: (Yelling) Be careful!

May: (Yelling) Yeah yeah!

(The horse goes down a hidden path in the woods)

May: (Internally) Every Thursday, I go down to the village to watch the performers put on their weekly play. I have to sneak out because I'm not really allowed to leave without a chaperone just cause I have a few "medical problems"(talks to horse)I mean come on I'm almost 18! They should trust me more! Right Penelope?

(Horse neighs)

May: Exactly! Now let's go watch Romeo and Juliet!

(She decides to read the letter given to her while traveling to the village)

(Back at the Castle)

(Leo's hitting a wooden man with a sword )

Queen Lotus: Leo!

Leo: Uh oh!

Queen Lotus: Where's my daughter?

Leo: Uhhh, which one? You have four!

Queen Lotus: The only one you talk to!

Leo: Ooooh, May! Yeah, um, she said she was going to take a bath.

Queen Lotus: First place I checked.

Leo: Um...

Queen lotus: Ugh, ok Leo, here's what's going to happen...

(Back at the village)

(The play just ended)

Henry: May!

May: Henry! That was amazing!

Henry: Thanks!

May: Pretty impressive for your first big role.

Henry: I know, right? Playing Romeo is so exhilarating!

(They both laugh)

May: Well, I better get going before someone realizes I'm gone.

(May heads home through the path in the woods but as soon as she approaches the castle, her parents, a guard, and Leo were standing at the door)

Leo:(whispers) Sorry.

(May walks past her parents with her head down as she heads to the dining room. She sits at the head of the table with her parents standing on both sides of her.)

King Lotus: What were you thinking going out like that without an escort?

Queen Lotus: What if something happened to you?

King Lotus: You could have gotten hurt!

May: I'm sorry. I just wanted to see the play!

Queen Lotus: Oh dear lord. What are we going to do with you May?

(Queen Lotus shakes her head in disappointment)

Queen Lotus: Well, as much as I would like to continue this conversation, we will have to continue at another time.

King Lotus: Yes. We've gotten some bad news from the Tulip Kingdom.

May: Are they ok?

King Lotus: Yes, for now, but soon, none of the kingdoms will be ok. The princess from the Lily kingdom plans to overthrow all of our kingdoms.

May: What about the king?

King Lotus: He's been defeated.

May: Wait, so he's dead?

Queen Lotus: We don't know yet.

King Lotus: We need to take action while we still have some time. You will meet up with five teens from the other kingdoms at our meet up in the woods and work together to stop her.

May: Ok. So, who's coming with me?

Queen Lotus: No one.

May: What?

King Lotus: You will go alone.

May: Really?

Queen Lotus: Yes.

May: Woah! Thanks for trusting me after what I did! I'll miss you guys!

(May hugged her parents and said goodbye as she made her way to the forest)

Leo: May! Wait!

May: Oh! Hey Leo! Sorry, I forgot to say bye to you, didn't I?

Leo: Yeah, well I guess I'll see you there.

May: They're sending you guys out too?

Leo: Yeah, tomorrow morning.

May: Well, see you then. Goodbye Leo.

(May starts walking away)

Leo: Be safe!

May: Yeah, yeah! I will!

(May made her way into the woods. She smiles as a small group of ducks walk with her.)

May: Looks like I have some company!