Summary: One day, while exploring in the woods, you come across an old, seemingly abandoned garden, whose only living plans are a few rosebushes. You start visiting regularly, helping to tidy it up. Then, one day, you’re confronted by the owner of the garden. At first, nothing about him seems out of the ordinary…but you quickly discover that there is far more to him than meets the eye.

CW: discussions of missing persons; mention of alcohol; possessive language; sleep spells

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The VA can choose both their own Fae name, as well as a nickname/alias for the Prince to use. For example, "Rhofaren"/"Farren". This script contains words/elements of Shakespearean English, as well as some phrases borrowed from Shakespeare (e.g., "let golden sleep reign.")

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit! Paywalling is okay; however, if you paywall, you must make it possible for me to listen to the finished product.
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay (e.g., changing pronouns, leaving out curse words), but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion. *Sound effects in bold, set apart by asterisks\*
• Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting. Listener reactions in italics.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

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SETTING: A seemingly abandoned garden in the woods. The Listener has been visiting the garden regularly, tending to it.

\Sound effects—ambient outdoor noises. Birdsong, insects humming, etc.\**

The Prince, disguised as a human, approaches the Listener. He’s the Head of the Middlemist Court, and the owner of the garden. He starts out by using a disguised voice, and then later on in the script, switches to a more “princely” voice. He has noticed someone tending to his garden, treating it with kindness, and wants to figure out if the Listener is responsible. If she is, he plans on taking her for his bride.

Ah-ha! Got you!

The Listener scrambles to their feet.

Just as I thought…my ears never mistake the sound of an intruder’s footsteps. Even those of a young lady like yourself.

“I—I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize this place belonged to anyone.”

…Oh, so you thought you’d just come waltzing right in, did you? No one seems to own these gardens, therefore, they’re free for the taking! Free to use as you please, and everyone else be damned! Well, I’m afraid you’ve made a terrible mistake, my dear. Not a leaf falls, nor a blade of grass bends in my garden without me knowing about it!

The Listener protests, saying that they were never going to hurt the garden.

Do you really expect me to believe that? How do I know you’re not just another fool aiming to turn this blessed land into a house of revelry? You’d think the tales of all those lost to these woods before them would be enough to ward them off…but danger has the voice of a siren. They just can’t resist her call…and nor can you, it seems. You just couldn’t resist the chance to come out here, away from prying eyes, and make a little mischief, could you?

The Listener says they weren’t going to destroy anything—on the contrary, they were helping to try and fix the place up.

A likely story. And I suppose that little bag of yours is full of gardening tools, instead of that bottled swill your kind is so fond of?

The Listener opens the bag.

\Sound effect—zipper, followed by clattering metal, as the Listener turns the bag over, letting its contents fall out\**

Hmm? A trowel? (mutters to himself, looking at the pile) Gloves, fork, pruners, widger…well, I’ll be damned. (notices a package) What’s this? “Rose Grow”?

The Listener nods, explaining further.

By my scarlet haw…then it is you. You’re the one who’s been tending my roses. Did you also plant the new ones over there?

The Listener nods. “When I found this beautiful place, and it looked like it had no one to take care of it, I thought…I just thought it deserved to be looked after.”

…I see. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so quick to assume the worst. I suppose we’re even, then. True, you shouldn’t have been trespassing...but you’ve done me a great kindness by helping me care for this place. Especially as far as my roses are concerned. (examines the plants) Would you look at that? You even took care to prune the canes before you put them in. I’m impressed.

“I’m sorry. I—never meant to intrude. I just…”

Oh, now, don’t go tearing up on me, miss. Perhaps we could start over. What’s your name?

The Listener tells them.

Mmm…a beautiful name, if ever I heard one. As bold and bright as the call of a song thrush.

“And what about you? What’s your name?”

Oh, me? You can call me [insert chosen nickname here]. A pleasure to meet you.

“So these gardens are yours?”

Yes; these gardens are mine. This land has belonged to my family since the dawn of time—or so it feels. I confess, though, ‘tis a bit hard to maintain, with all my other responsibilities. I hardly even have time to tend the roses anymore…I’m fortunate that they’re a hardy variety.

“If you want, I’d be happy to help you.”

‘Tis a generous offer, my dear. I’d fain have the help of someone as skilled as you. What would you ask in return?

“Nothing.”

Nothing? \chuckle** Playing the modest mouse, are we? Come, now. What would you have from me?

“No, really, it’s fine. I don’t need anything.”

You truly need no payment? Well, then, if you speak true, I'll gladly accept. I’d be mad to turn down a lovely soul like you, after all. Most of the time, my “visitors” are like apples rotten at the heart. I’d almost given up hope of seeing anyone treat this place with an ounce of respect, until you came along. Caring this much for a patch of land not your own, expecting nothing in return…you’ve a good heart, my dear. Tell me…what brings you out into these woods? Doesn’t their reputation give you pause?

The Listener shakes their head.

Ah. You’re a brave one, then...either brave, or foolish.

“Is there really a difference?”

\laughs** True…some might say they’re one and the same. And what would you say?

The Listener gives their response.

Interesting. It sounds as though you speak from experience.

The Listener’s face falls. They explain that their brother is missing.

…Ah. I’m very sorry, my dear. Your brother, you said?

The Listener nods.

I see. He was last seen in these woods?

“It’s been almost a year. We’re still no closer to finding him.”

A whole year. That explains the air of melancholy about you. A terrible thing, that one so sweet should be cursed with such great sorrow. Loss is a pain that never truly leaves you, does it? Like a thorn in the flesh, which heals over before you have a chance to pluck it out.

“I miss him,” the Listener whispers.

I can only imagine. I suppose I can’t fault you for wanting to be close to him. You’d best be careful, though, my dear…if the rumors are true, the Fair Folk are alive and well in these woods. You don’t think they might try and snatch you up?

“No. What would they want me for?”

You never know. Their laws are different from ours, after all. Just because you can’t think of any reason they’d want you…that doesn’t mean there wouldn’t be one. We all have things that we want…things we’d give anything to have. Things we’d break all our laws for, each and every one, if it meant we could have our heart’s desire.

“What do you mean?”

Oh, don’t mind me. Pray forgive my ramblings. You stay out here too long, you would swear even the trees themselves start talking to you. Now, before you head out on your way, let me give you something.

“Oh, no—I don’t need anything, really.”

Ah, ah, ah. I’ll not let you walk out of here empty-handed.

The Prince reaches out and plucks a rose off one of the bushes.

Take one of my roses with you. Perhaps you can grow a cutting from it.

“Well—thank you!”

(wincing—he can’t stand the sound of the words “thank you”) Ah, no, please; don’t thank me. ‘Tis the least I can do.

“They’re so beautiful…I’ve never seen roses like these before.”

\chuckle** I can’t imagine you would have. They’re my own secret variety, you see…hardy enough to last through all seasons, blooms that never fade, and a fragrance sweet enough to make the head spin. Go on; try it.

The Listener smells the rose.

\At this point, his voice starts to change, turning from the gardener to the Prince\**

Mmm…lovely, isn’t it? Still…its beauty pales in comparison to yours, my flower.

The Listener puts a hand to their head.

Hmm? What’s the matter, my dear?

The Listener says they feel dizzy.

Feeling dizzy, are we? \chuckle** Let me guess…you feel a warm, tingling sensation spreading through your body. Your mind is growing hazy, your thoughts slowing to a crawl. Your eyes are getting heavier with each passing moment, as sleep descends on you, like a fog.

The Listener looks around in shock and horror. The supposedly old, run-down garden is changing before their eyes, turning into an ethereal paradise.

(seeing her expression, amused)…Ah, there we go. You see it now, don’t you? No, my dear; it’s not your dreams taking hold...at least, not yet. It’s merely the Veil starting to lift. Now that you’re in my power, you’re starting to see what I see. You can see things as they truly are…both my garden, and me.

“Who…who are you!?...”

I think you already know, my flower. Or perhaps the question you’re looking for is not who I am…but what.

“You’re…one of them!”

\chuckle** That’s right. A word of advice? Don’t be so hasty in giving out your name to strangers. You never know what they might do with it.

“No! Let me go! Please!...”

No, my dear; I don’t think I shall. On the contrary…you’ll be coming with me. I’ve waited aeons for someone like you. A mortal with your beauty and gentleness, your reverence for the natural world…I’d be a fool to let you go.

The Listener struggles to stay awake.

\laughs** Impressive, that you’re still awake! Please, by all means, keep trying to resist, my dear. ‘Tis quite amusing. In the end, though, I’m afraid you’ll find ‘tis a fruitless battle. No mortal mind can resist my enchantments for long. Already your eyes are closing like a morning glory at afternoon’s end. You needn’t be afraid—I assure you, you’ll have nothing but sweet dreams in store for you. Now, surrender your cares, and let golden sleep reign. Just sleep, my flower. Sleep…sleep…sleep. I shall see you when you wake.