A Castle

Prince Henry waited nervously as his betrothed was being collected. The royal adviser was doing what he could to keep the prince calm but he wasn't having much success.

"Please, my prince, sit before the floor has been warn out by your steps," he pleaded.

"You expect me to sit? I'm going to be married off to some stranger and I am to sit?" Henry asked without wanting an answer.

"My prince, you knew this would happen one day. It is your duty to your kingdom," the adviser tried to reason.

"So I have been told. Over and over all of my life. What of love?" Henry asked.

"Prince Henry, this marriage is more important than that," the adviser declared.

"Nothing is more important than love," Henry spat.

"This marriage will see the end of a life long feud between your families. War will end. Lives will be saved. Our armies will unite and we will end the great dragon's terror."

Henry turned away and looked out the window, hating the sense that the adviser was making.

"If love is so important, than think of your people. By making this sacrifice, you will see to it that no husband nor wife will loose their own love to needless fighting. No child lose their parent. You will be the reason, my prince. By giving up your chance at love, you save the love of thousands," the adviser said.

He knew his words were landing true. The prince's heart was soft and his words were like arrows. The prince's sigh was enough to know that the conversation was over.

"You will make a fine King one day. Who knows, you may even like your queen if you give her a chance," the adviser said, joining Henry by the window.

They both watch as the Carriage arrives.