CHARACTERS IN THIS SCENE:
LIA- Princess of Albion, now blinded.
PRINCE- Prince of Medi.
Bors’ Palace Kitchen
Enter Lia
Lia: Independent? Independent, I am in much fear and need a man of independence with which to discuss my thinking. Ars’t you around here? Why does silence befall my palace? It is empty, or it is I who am empty. Do men avoid me and wish to ‘scape the demon with no eyes? It is much expected, but not ‘ppreciated. I am not demon, despite my thoughts, if anything my dreams afore this nightmare hath taught me that.
But my servants they care not for mine face. And my father has’t run ‘way from Burden—or he has’t gone to Medi to discuss with him his actions towards his Princess. I wish it t’were not so. I wish he could see Lia as she is, not as who he wishes her to be. I am such fool and I am not sure if I am good fool, though I previously considered myself so. Independent? How can I give you such name if you are not to be here to put mine dependence in? I am alone. I am not needed. I am burden.
[Enter Prince, shocked to see Lia]
Lia: I hear footsteps. What a joyful side, I am not to be left alone. Independent, is it you? The man who claims himself Kent, but is not so?
Prince: I—
Lia: No, do not speak. I know’st you will only try to send me back to my sheets to sleep off my night. But my night will not go, Kent. Twill not go till you shake them from my head—I am sure only you can do such thing. You are mine protector, correct?
Prince: [Deepens voice] I will protect you, Princess.
Lia: Oh, Independent, you swore to call me Lia and I wish you to hold to your promise.
Prince: You hath let him name you Lia? By which I mean that, I, Kent, will call you such, if that is what you wish.
Lia: I wish it so. I need thy help, Independent.
Prince: What is it to be, Lia?
Lia: I tried to slumber but could only hear silence. My eyes cannot be opened; my mind is locked in its constant darkness. I worry about fate of Medi, the fate of Arthur and Independnet of Calais.
Prince: I should not worry ‘bout fate of Arthur, Lia.
Lia: Why? What has’t befallen my poor friend?
Prince: I do not wish to ruin dreams.
Lia: So, he is lost to Medi’s fist also. That is sore shame, and is mine fault.
Prince: He is’t not lost to Medi’s fist, I assure you, Lia. He has wronged Albion and Medi, independent of your eyes.
Lia: Oh, explain, do. What could my dear Arthur do to mine kingdom?
Prince: It is too painful for your current position, poor Lia.
Lia: Explain, Independent. I am blind and I must see.
Prince: Arthur was—Arthur was not who he seemed. He was fabrication, nightmare of ‘nother Princess. Armenia, mine—mine second heir to Medi’s throne.
Lia: Armenia, the Princess, daughter of Evangeline? It cannot be so.
Prince: I am afraid it is so. She has’t taken control of Medi’s body and soul, o’er claims of Venus.
Lia: She believes she is servant of Venus? Is’t that not true of me also?
Prince: Do you believe that is so?
Lia: I serve only one ruler, and that is mine self. I serve fools and follies, but Venus I do not. There is no use, she has’t already declared mine destiny independent of others.
Prince: You are not Venus? Armenia believes that she is Venus.
Lia: No one woman is Venus. We are all so.
Prince: Yes, Bors seeks to explain that. I fear he will not get through to her.
Lia: Father seeks to explain to her? But, Sommers would not let him.
Prince: Fool has’t walked with Albion king to battlegrounds. Armenia wishes to claim this kingdom as well as Medi’s own.
Lia: Arthur was kind boy, but held many secrets. As Armenia it makes much sense. Kent, independent, I fear he is in great danger.
Prince: Fool or King?
Lia: They are one and the same. I must go stop Arthur, and try to save him from delusional Venus. I tell you, there is no one Venus.
Prince: I cannot let you go. You must stay in palace where ‘tis safe.
Lia: What is use? I hath no dreams, all darkness, and must seek to bring light to others who may still have chance.
Prince: You are noble, Princess.
Lia: It is Lia and I am not. I am fool and proud.
Prince: Good fool.
Lia: Wise king.
Prince: Your father would not wish you there.
Lia: And I will not be. But I must be.
Prince: That is most confusing statement.
Lia: It reflects this shields own mind.
Prince: What of your sword? Do you seek him?
Lia: I cannot decide and I will not. Kingdom must come first, so says my heart.
Prince: You care greatly for your kingdom.
Lia: Without it I would be much more confused than I already am. It is light in darkness. It is the one subject on which I am not blind. It is my heart.
Prince: I will take you to camp.
Lia: How far is’t?
Prince: It shall be trek, but I will help you best I can.
Lia: I trust in you, independent. You will be my eyes.
Prince: And you shall be my heart.
[Exeunt]
The Literary Onion 
apparently, not many Venuses have seen the Play Writing tag. It’s a bit late now… nearly another winter and Mars has not appeared. What’s cooking in the kitchen? Do Shakespeare’s witches bring a potion?
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