Scene 1
(Lights come up on a hallway lit with phosphorous crescent moon shaped lanterns and a door. ELIANNA walks down the hallway to the door (CR) and opens it, lighting up a room with a hearth opposite (CL). There are two chairs in front of the hearth and a bed (UL). A table is pushed into the corner to the left of the door (UR). ELIANNA sees two people, SOPHIA, and DARIEN and walks closer to them.)
ELIANNA
"I-I never dared to dream of a-actually being able to meet you...I can't believe it is really you!"
SOPHIA
(Glances at DARIEN before stepping forward)
"Excuse me, but...I don't believe we have met before, although you look strikingly familiar. What is your name young one?"
ELIANNA
"Oh! I apologize for being presumptuous, I just—I guess I'm a little overwhelmed! You do know me, you have met me, though many years ago. I was only a child of three years when I was taken away."
DARIEN
(Gasps, slowly moving forward to stand by SOPHIA)
"Could it really be?"
SOPHIA
(Tears come to her eyes, chokes back a sob)
"Oh!"
ELIANNA
"Yes, I think you know in your hearts of what I speak. My name is Elianna Roi. I am your daughter."
SOPHIA
(Collapses into chair by fire)
You—you are alive! And—and you're here...with us! What?! How?!
(Goes mute from shock)
DARIEN
(Moves toward ELIANNA, voice choked)
It really is you...
(Throws arms around ELIANNA and hugs her, weeping)
(Draws back)
How can this be! We have wondered so often what became of... It has been many years, this we know, but what of Tsan? What has occurred in the time that we have been locked in this foul cell? Who raised you? Did Damien and Corinne do as they swore?
ELIANNA
(Eyes flashing happily)
Yes F—Father! They did do as they promised. They raised me as if I was their very own. They are very dear to me! As for what has been happening above...Tsan and his mate, Cora, are imprisoned in a cell above us. I could not bear the thought of not seeing the moon myself again, and while I would do to Tsan as he did to you, I could not do such a thing to Cora. For though she betrayed me, I have long considered her as close as a sister, even disregarding the fact that we are apparently cousins thanks to the blood bond you and Uncle Damien share.
SOPHIA
(Comes out of stupor, rises to hug ELIANNA)
Oh, my darling daughter! My little Elle! I have missed you so much! How you have grown! You are so beautiful! You have your Father's eyes and our hair! My precious girl, how much we have missed!
ELIANNA
(Weeping as she hugs SOPHIA)
Even when I could barely know what I was missing I have missed you! You both left a huge hole in my life that no one could fill. Aunt Corinne and Uncle Damien did their best, but they could only do so much! I am so happy to finally be here with you!
DARIEN
(Wipes away tears while watching SOPHIA and ELIANNA)
No matter how much I would love to continue this now, what do you mean your cousin betrayed you? Cora? As in Damien and Corinne's daughter? That sweet 5 year old I played with every day? That Cora? Tsan is in a cell above us? When did this happen? Who is ruling the people? Where are Damien and Corinne?
SOPHIA
(Pulls back from ELIANNA, wipes tears from her eyes)
I'm afraid he is right, dearest. The people must come first. I promise we can speak more about what we have missed when this is all finished.
ELIANNA
(Dries her eyes and straightens her shoulders)
Right. I agree. Yes Father. Cora as in your brother and Corinne's daughter who you played with. She apparently is Tsan's mate and has helped him plot my death as the last legitimate heir to the Lunes throne. I thought she was my sister and loved me, I guess I thought wrong. Again, yes, Tsan is in a cell above us. As for when it happened? Well, just today actually. I came down here as soon as I was told that there were rumors of the old king and queen being imprisoned down here. Next question, well, I am actually the new Queen—
