A Masquerade Fit For Love

A Masquerade Fit for Love

It was a beautiful ceremony on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Beatrice was a picture perfect bride and Benedick was stunning in his uniform as always. Everyone had arrived at the reception, Hero and her love Claudio, Don Pedro, Hero’s father Leonato, and the rest of the family. Even Dogberry and Verges were able to attend.

The reception began with music and dancing. At the door, masks were handed out to put a playful twist on the event. Everyone knew of the various forms of deception that took place shortly before Beatrice and Benedick realized how perfect they were for each other. It was Beatrice’s plan to hand out the masks. Benedick disagreed with the idea, but after one of their witty spats, Beatrice won the argument and the masks were handed out.

The masquerade fun moved into the night. Beatrice was giggling with Hero by the fountain of Cupid. The fountain was old; made of marble and had been a common meeting spot for Beatrice and Hero. It was here the two girls would discuss their daily problems, and they would discuss their hopes and dreams. During many of these meetings, Beatrice wanted to confide in Hero her secret crush she had on Benedick, but she was nervous to admit it out loud. But all that has changed. Beatrice is now married to the man she had been dreaming about for years.

While enjoying another conversation with Hero, Beatrice was approached by a masked character. When this individual began to talk it was obvious that the person was male. His deep voice could not fool anyone to believe he was a woman. This masked character began telling Beatrice a story of a land far away. The story told of a king and queen that had a beautiful daughter. Beauty that had never been seen before, not even the gods posses that kind of beauty.

Beatrice & Hero are confused. They don’t understand why they are being told this story. So the character continues his story. He goes on to tell of when the princess was a young girl, a party from across the wilderness came to visit the king and queen. The party had evil intentions to overthrow the kingdom. But when the leader of the party set his eyes on the beautiful princess, he spoke through his heart. The party told the king and queen that if they betroth their beautiful daughter to the leader of the party, all of their kingdom would be spared and the king and queen would remain on the throne. The king thought quickly. He decided to agree to the proposition, but he knew in his heart that he would keep his daughter safe from the heathens that stood before him. The party was satisfied with the agreement and left back out to the wilderness promising to return in five years when the marriage of the princess and party leader would take place.

Long after the party had departed, the king devised a plan to send his beautiful daughter far away to live with her uncle. He sent her so far away that finding her would be impossible for the intimidating party. The king feared what would become of his kingdom if it was ever found out that he sent his daughter into hiding. His only other option was when five years had passed and the party returned, he would have to lie and say his beautiful daughter died in a horrific accident two years after she was betrothed.

Beatrice again pressed the character to explain to her why he would be telling her and Hero this odd story. She didn’t think it was an appropriate tale to be told at her wedding reception. It was such a sad story it had no place at a joyous event. The character begged that if he only had a few more moments, the reason would become clear. He pleaded that this story was quite appropriate for such event. Beatrice nodded and the character continued.

The five years had almost come to an end. The king feared what was to happen soon. He knew he had to warn his daughter in some way. He didn’t know if the party leader had heard about the fictitious story about his beautiful daughter or if the leader had found out the king had put her into hiding. The king set out to visit his daughter who had grown into a beautiful woman. After weeks of travel, the king finally arrived at the residence where his daughter had been staying. Upon arrival, the streets of the small town were empty, but in the distance he could hear a great celebration taking place at the largest house in the town. As the king approached where the sounds of celebrations were coming from it was obvious that the town was celebrating a union.

The king was passed by a young boy who was returning to the celebration after a brief break from the crowds and music. The king asked the young boy who the union was between. The young boy wasn’t sure of the names but he was able to describe the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and a nobleman from a town not too far away. The young boy told the king that he was welcome at the celebration. The uncle of the woman and invited everyone no matter who they were or where they were from.

Upon arrival, the king was handed a mask to wear throughout the celebration. Though confused, the king obliged and wore the mask. He walked among the guests trying to figure out who the newly united were. Then when walking past an old marble fountain he heard a voice he would never forget. It was the harmonious voice of his daughter he hadn’t seen in almost five years. He turned around and saw two young masked girls talking and giggling together. He approached them and began to speak. He began to tell his story.

Beatrice was frozen in disbelief. She removed her mask and that of the masked character. She shrilled and threw her arms around her father’s neck. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. She hadn’t seen her father in almost five years. She explained to her father her marriage to Benedick and how she had loved him for a very long time before they admitted their affection. The king asked to meet this very lucky man who had won his daughter’s heart. The king stayed at the fountain when Beatrice went to fetch Benedick. When she returned the King was shocked in disbelief. Beatrice’s beloved was none other than the leader of the party!

Benedick smiled and shook the King’s hand. Benedick explained to the King that he heard about how Beatrice was sent away to avoid the betrothal. And he further explained that he never had evil intentions for Beatrice. I had fallen in love with her upon first sight. He wanted nothing more than to make Beatrice his wife and treat her as a goddess. He was so affected by her beauty at a young age he fell deeply in love with her, but he didn’t want to steal her remaining days of adolescence. Hence, wanting to wait five years before their marriage, but he heard about her move. He sought out to find her to be near her. Over the years, Beatrice and Benedick socialized and Beatrice fell in love with him. The couple had never been more happy nor the King.

The King had thought about his actions: sending his daughter away, trying to fool Benedick, etc. and he could not be upset. He realized that what had become of his beloved daughter’s life was destiny. Nothing he could have done would have prevented the two lovers from their union. The celebration continued into the night. Many of the masks had come off, and the joy of the night could be felt in the air. The destined lovers had each other and the beautiful daughter had her father back.

by Vanessa Goodman