The friar was an old man who enjoyed eating alone by the candlelight. He wore simple robes and ate food with the smallest amount of spices. In the city of Verona, Italy, he lived in a small hut, close by the Montague Manor. The Montague Manor was grand castle emblazoned with curtains of royal blue with golden trimmings, and there lived a large, wealthy family. On the other side of the streets was another mansion, home to the Capulets, a family of equal wealth. The families despised each other, much to the dismay of the friar. However, Lord Montague had a son who always found solace in the friar's hut. From these visits came the key to unfolding the famous feud between the two families. Montague's son was in love with a Capulet, and not just any Capulet, the Lord and Lady Capulet's daughter.
The friar smiled to himself as he sliced a loaf of bread. He had secretly married the young man to his lover not so long ago. That was the first time he had seen the girl. She had dark, brown tresses that hovered just inches above her knees and big blue eyes full of wonder and passion. Her rosy lips were small and flew like doves on her porcelain features. The boy was beautiful, too. He had a slight tan from horseplaying with the other young men on the street. His jet black hair was often unkempt and some strands flew across his brown eyes. He'd grown up too fast, the friar thought. He remembered when he first taught the young boy the many types of berries that grew on the countryside.
"If the birds can eat them, then you can eat them, too."
The young boy had nodded and looked at away towards his house.
"What is it, little one?"
"I heard my mother and father arguing last night."
"My boy, it does not mean that they do not love each other. Everyone fights every now and then."
"I know that. But this time, they were arguing about some family. The ones that live over there." The boy pointed to a mansion, whose crimson flag was billowing in the sky. The friar looked sympathetically at the boy. "Papa Lawrence, why do they hate each other?"
Friar Lawrence sighed. "Lord Capulet took something of your fathers."
"And he never got it back?"
"No, lad."
The boy frowned. "What was it?"
"I do not know, but it was something very dear to him," he replied carefully.
"He never got it back," said the friar to himself. He was back in his little hut with butter on his half-eaten slice of bread before he heard an urgent knock.
"Friar Lawrence! Please, I need your help," rang a girl's voice.
He stood up and opened the door to reveal the young daughter of the Capulets.
"What brings you here, child?"
"I...need a place...to hide her." She was almost out of breath.
The friar was alarmed at what she carried. "How has your mother and father not seen this?"
"I have been doing this." The young woman waved her arms around her and something incredible started to happen. Something that the friar had not seen in years.