Melissande's Ultimatum | Barkskins

[humming]

MELISSANDE: You were gone a long time.

Yes, I stopped to watch a bird. A bird. A cunning black bird. It was going after a woodchuck. And after, where did you go? If you wish, I will fetch Rene Sel down from his work so you can ask him, or perhaps Mari could bring the basket herself so you can peck at her with your questions.

MELISSANDE: I only have one question that matters. Have you found a solution to Mari?

No, not yet. And look, we have these baskets of well-prepared food each day. Mari does not cross your path. She is in the cabin, you're here in the manor house. It works, Melissande.

[tense music]

I will not banish her. Your presence is a challenge to me. [inaudible] on the land? I look and see smoke from her cabin and I know she is here. And there is no dark magic to undo the past. My ancestors tried, they were burned at the stake.

I don't wish to undo the past, just fix the present. What if you gave her to Rene? He has eyes for her. I've seen it. This is all I want for our wedding celebration— to know that we are bound and there is no woman with a claim on you. So it is a clever fix.

Well, it is a fix.

MELISSANDE: Good. Then talk to him.