Scenario:Heles - The Former Princess

The Former Princess

After the war with True Dragon Medb is won, the representatives of Alster Island hold parliament to decide how best to celebrate the occasion. With talks leading only to a standstill, Heles wonders whether or not she should speak. Elisheba convinces her to follow her instincts and lead her people.

---

Heles: When the Astrals brought war upon the skydwellers, the citizens of Alster Island aligned themselves with True Dragon Deirdre in rebellion.

Heles: Deirdre's pact with the first king of a flourishing Irestill brought peace between the island's monsters and mortals that was everlasting.

Heles: Until that pact was forgotten, and a knight brought Deirdre to death's door as commanded by his mortal king.

Heles: Monsters, unfettered, destroyed the Irestill Kingdom. Only Prince Seruel and Princess Heles of the Irestill lineage realized what their family had done.

Heles: Through the siblings' effort, Deirdre was brought back from the brink of death, and she found it in her heart to forgive the Irestill house for their transgressions.

Heles: The knight Naoise bestowed True Dragon Deirdre with a new name, Scathacha, and the dragon once again blessed the island with her protection.

Heles: But not all would accept Scathacha's decision.

Heles: True Dragon Medb was bitter at Scathacha's fraternizations with mortals.

Heles: Medb instilled madness in the monsters of Alster Island and sent her own dragons to attack the people, bringing great strife to the land.

Heles: Scathacha, inhabitants of the island, and (Captain) did everything in their power to bring an end to Medb's terror.

Heles: But no person, nor monster, nor being was spared the deep scars that Medb inflicted.

Scathacha: ...

Scathacha: Elisheba?

Elisheba: I've come due to the strong winds. Are you not a bit chilly?

Scathacha: This breeze doesn't bother me. But thank you for the concern.

Scathacha: I wonder how tough this must be on mortals. So many homes have been lost.

Elisheba: The houses that remain are being shared to keep the people warm. In these times, helping one another is all we can do.

Elisheba: If those houses become full, the capital is prepared to make accommodations. You need not worry.

Scathacha: I see...

Elisheba: We will survive. As long as we have one another to lean on, this too shall pass.

Elisheba: And don't forget we the people are not alone. The monsters are also lending their strength. There is nothing our combined efforts cannot accomplish.

Scathacha: You are all truly strong when united.

Elisheba: It is your protection that makes it so. Please find rest soon.

Scathacha: ...

Scathacha: (Worrying only causes others to worry...
What a wretch I am...)

Scathacha: (I'm meant to be their protector, but how can I in this state? I shame the true dragon legacy.)

Scathacha: (Medb, what would you think of me...)

Heles, Seruel, and Naoise led the citizens to stop the wave of Medb's attacks.

They have asked (Captain) if they may stay in Alster and help the parliament and the citizens.

Heles: Scathacha seems preoccupied. I suppose we all are in some way or another...

Seruel: No one holds her responsible for what happened, so I would hope she doesn't succumb to the sadness in her heart.

Seruel: Otherwise her grief will infect the people...

Naoise: Those of the parliament and the Great Court are putting up a brave front.

Naoise: Seeing their bravado is a painful sight to bear witness to.

Heles: If only we had something that would offer solace.

Seruel: For her... And for the people...

Heles: Yes. Rejecting pain or dwelling on it for too long both shatter the heart.

Naoise: ...

Elisheba: Excuse me, Seruel, Heles.

Heles: Elisheba? What troubles you?

Elisheba: The parliament would like to have a word with the two of you if possible.

Seruel: Hm? I was under the impression our help was unnecessary. What could they possibly need us for?

Elisheba: They want to hold a ceremony for those who perished in the recent conflict.

Naoise: A ceremony...

Heles: Something to commemorate this victory and pay respect...

Naoise: An excellent idea... but for what purpose do they require Seruel and Heles?

Heles: These are no ordinary times. At present there may be many a thing which the parliament cannot handle alone.

Heles: Let us hear their plea. What say you, Seruel?

Seruel: Yes, Sister... We mustn't give them more to worry over by refusing.

Seruel and Heles make their way to the meeting room, intent on listening to whatever the parliament has to say.

After more pressing matters such as how resources will be distributed are discussed, talk of the memorial begins.

Imperial Council: Next I would like to discuss how we should conduct the memorial...

Town Council: I had no objection to the idea when it was discussed earlier, and I still don't.

Town Council: However, while we must mourn for the lost, is that the right thing for our people at this time?

Town Council: Must we force them to confront their sadness at the present moment?

Village Council: It does not seem reasonable to parade around happily. This is a time to recognize our sadness.

Town Council: But we cannot just sit and wallow!

Town Council: The parliament's responsibility is not to force a confrontation with grief, but to give our people hope, is it not?

Village Council: Confrontation? No! I'm talking about release! You deeply misunderstand our purpose!

Imperial Council: During times of suffering, the island of Alster must come together as one.

Imperial Council: We must think of a way to make that possible.

Village Council: I am well aware of that! Which is why we need a moment of silence with our people in the form of a memo—

Town Council: That will not help anyone!

Imperial Council: What if we instead go ahead with Deirdre Fest and give the public reason to smile?

Village Council: Who do you think can muster a smile at a time like this! Deirdre Fest must be conducted at a later time...

The parliament is at odds, and time only wastes away.

Heles: (Each are only trying to do what's best for the good of the people. But pride blinds them...)

Heles: (Under normal circumstances, such differences of opinion would be acknowledged and compromises would be made...)

Heles: (But the trauma of the invasion riddles them with anxiety that distorts their views.)

Heles: (Their unease is replacing what used to be compassion.)

Heles: (I have no choice...)

Seruel: Sister...

Seruel knows that Heles intends to take control of the parliament, and he tries to stop her.

Seruel: It is not our place. We have entrusted this land to them.

Seruel: So long as they ask for us former royals to be present, we shall oblige.

Seruel: But doing anything beyond listening is unwelcome. We must stand by and watch.

Heles: Stand by...

Seruel: This is not only about the parliament. The Irestill Kingdom is gone, and their home has suffered another serious loss.

Seruel: Should they decide to distance themselves from this island, we must accept that decision too.

Heles: I... I understand. I would have it no other way.

Heles: They must live for themselves. Though the prospect of leaving home is painful, they must choose how to survive...

Seruel: We must allow them to make that choice without causing them undue guilt. We must concern ourselves only with keeping watch.

Heles: I... Yes, I agree. That is what we have chosen...

Heles: (But...)

Seruel nods, and Heles looks upon the heated argument with sadness in her eyes.

Tragically, talks of the ceremony end in a standstill.

Heles: We are allowed to help, but not offer it.

Heles: I can appreciate that, but still... it leaves a bitter taste.

Heles: (This is my one and only home.)

Heles: (I only wish everyone would come together and lead this island to prosperity.)

Heles: (But is compounding their recent suffering really what's best for the island?)

Heles: Perhaps it's time for them to choose a new tomorrow.

Elisheba: Heles, the tailor has arrived. Are you ready for him to take your measurements?

Heles: Oh, that's right. I am in need of new attire for the ceremony.

Elisheba: Though the particulars of the ceremony are yet to be determined, it may be too late if you wait for everything to be set in stone.

Elisheba: I understand your reluctance to play dress-up, but I ask that you choose what is best for the island.

Heles: Yes, I know. Let's begin the fitting.

Elisheba: How long has it been since I last fussed over you like this?

Heles: Elisheba, you have taken my brother and I under your kind wing for so long.

Heles: When Mother passed, Naoise was but a baby. Oh, how difficult it must have been for you.

Heles: I cannot fathom the difficulty of raising your own baby and two children torn from another's cloth. I owe you my life.

Elisheba: I carry with me only fondness of that time.

Elisheba: It is almost sinful that I alone hold such dear memories, while Queen Mugain...

Heles: Elisheba, I heard that you were sent from my father's estate to the castle to learn etiquette.

Elisheba: That's quite right. My own father demanded I act more like a proper lady. He believed that it was unbecoming of me to act like a knight and tomboy.

Elisheba: But Mugain found me most entertaining for precisely those reasons and kept me by her side.

Heles: And the courtiers also told me that my mother was a polite, modest person.

Elisheba: She very much was! And just like my lady, she too was in possession of a strong will.

Elisheba: She was of the mind that the purpose of the royal family is to better the lives of the people. She would even visit them on a regular basis...

Elisheba: Oh, Mugain would always ignore King Connor's hyperbole, and together she and I would ride off into the village to take a look around.

Heles: Hehe. I heard the stories when I was little. Father was yet to be made king. He'd get so angry from worry.

Elisheba: His staunch adherence to the rules never failed to make her laugh even as she took a scolding.

Elisheba: Heles, you are your mother's daughter.

Heles: Elisheba...

Elisheba: I can see the worry in your eyes. You wonder what you should do for your people and for your island, do you not?

Elisheba: You must believe in yourself now more than ever.

Heles: Believe in myself?

Elisheba: Doubt is a necessary ingredient for growth, but knowing when to trust your own instincts is yet another way to make progress.

Elisheba: I am sure you know what must be done. You have only to bring your will to the surface.

Heles: I could never hide a secret from you, Elisheba.

Elisheba: After all we've been through? Of course not! Rearing a child bestows many gifts.

Heles: Hehe...

Hearing Elisheba's words, Heles's hesitation fades.

After the tailor has taken his measurements, Heles makes her way to the parliament the next day.

Imperial Council: Your Grace, do you have something to share about what you will don for the ceremony? Or was there a problem with the tailor?

Heles: The ideas for my gown were marvelous. But that isn't the dress I should be wearing.

Town Council: It is not? Whatever do you mean?

Heles: We must pay our respects to those who gave their lives protecting this island.

Heles: We must give thanks for the tomorrow they sacrificed themselves for. Together with Deirdre, we must protect our great nation.

Heles: More than another dress, I require dress armor for the battles to come.

Village Council: Armor? How gallant!

Town Council: Armor is a splendid idea for Your Grace, defender of our land.

Heles: I will show hope to the people of Alster!

Heles: But to do that, I require your help. All of you.

Heles: For a better tomorrow, I ask that you consider how the ceremony is to be held. You must unify your spirits and decide what is best for the citizens.

Heles: I am aware it is not my place to meddle, but...

Town Council: There is no need for further word, Your Grace. I am truly ashamed of the incompetence you have laid witness to.

Imperial Council: Please give us your blessing. Lend us your strength! For our people!

Heles shows every intent to listen to the parliament.

The gathering of angry cries and distant echoes unify into one clear voice under Heles's leadership.

Those from the capital, towns, villages, and even a former member of the crown stand on equal footing, ready to lead their people to newfound hope.