Author's Note: 93 reviews! OMG! And we do get some thoughts of the main characters this chapter, for those who were wondering when they would come up again. Here is where Arty falls for Holly, and Holly learns to ride. The riding part should be accurate, since I know how to myself.
Thanks to:
Queen Dragon: Thanks for alerting me to the mistake. I found it and fixed it after I read your review.
Heart Attach: Yes, I am very happy now! Why are the stats getting on your nerves?
Nodoubtrox: Thank you!
Yamapi: I fixed that error, but thank you!
Some Random Person: Thanks!
El Shabang: I tried to make it so that Holly could be this good actor and no one knew about this unknown talent. It works too because it motivates Artemis to try and be better at something. He seems like the type of guy who has to be the best at everything, doesn't he?
Zarroc: I'll try. I'm going on vacation from the 16th to the 24th, so my goal is to post two before that. It just takes dedication. Also, my updates will be much slower once I start high school gulp on the 29th.
TRUEHOLLY: Yes, it does count.
PrincessBob: You're the first person I've talked to who likes cliffhangers. Lol.
Agivega: Thanks for those stats. And about the language, in the real play he uses words like wench-which translates nowadays to slut n other choice words. Lol
CoffeeandCherryBrandy: I'm going backwards on what you said in your review. It just seemed like you weren't a fan of the AH coupling. I'm sorry. And Artemis is getting more attracted to the opposite sex, like in the last chapter with Holly's dress. Lol. And I do like my praise, thank you very much. It's a good motivator. And the whole legend issue: In my 8th grade literature book which included the entire play, it had an article in it how Shakespeare based the play on a legend from the Middle Ages or something. I think Juliet's name was Julietta or something, and I don't remember Romeo's name. lol. It makes things more complicated when I use different names and yet it has the same plot. And I never said he was turning into a pop culture teen, he's taking in a bit of his role. Please read the newer chapters, it makes things easier to respond.
Nodoubtrox: Thanks, there will be a lot more AH in next chapters becuz of what happens in this chapter. lol
Recap
Holly's back was pressed against the edge of the balcony, Lord Capulet mere inches away from her. He stepped back, pulled his hand back, and Holly shut her eyes, awaiting the pain about to come.
End of Recap
Artemis was laying on his back, staring at the ceiling of the primitive hut where he would reside for the next ten days. He studied the cracks, the watermarks, and the bumps that were scattered across the wooden planks so close together. He tried to meditate for the first time in four days, but his mind was cluttered as his thoughts raced around his head. It was like they were doing laps, the same thoughts coming back again as soon as he banished them.
Why does she have to do that? Make me feel that way, like I'm in a raceI cant win, but can't lose, but tie. Like the only thing I can do is participate, not sit and watch or plot. Even though I have been planning most of this, and she better follow through even with her disregard to rules and all that. But it does seem like she's changed a bit. She's more feminine, more flirtatious. If it wasn't for this, I probably would have never seen her in a dress, possibly one of the only pluses of this venture. Maybe the dresses are what's influencing her flirts? She's been flirting with me a lot this week, hasn't she? He asked himself. Yes, but you like it, don't you, boy? He answered. Maybe a little, he answered. It's kind of funny, actually. It's even more fun to respond. If only we could-
"Sir?" Balthasar inquired.
"Yes?" Artemis sat up, shaking his head.
"Breakfast is ready."
"Good. Thanks."
"Not a problem, sir." Balthasar handed Artemis a platter containing eggs, toast, and fried potatoes.
It wasn't exactly what Artemis would consider the perfect breakfast, but it was rations, and any sort of rations were good. "Looks delicious."
"Good, sir. I'll go into the village to buy more supplies."
"How long will you be gone?" Artemis asked.
"All day, sir."
"All right, then. Good bye."
"Bye, sir." Balthasar left, leaving Artemis alone to plot and maybe explore, having to wait at least a day until he would take Holly away. I wonder what she's doing, he thought.
Speaking of Holly, she was recovering from a right clip and a slap with ice and ranting. I cannot believe he did that! That-that bastard! He had no right to do that to me, even if he did think I was his daughter, that poor girl! I can almost see why she would kill herself, after all this. If I didn't get knocked unconscious after that slap long enough for him to get away, I would've punched him. Frond knows he deserves it. She adjusted the ice on her chin. It's a pretty bad punch if it takes ice along with magic to fix this. And above all this, I bet Artemis is sitting on his ass with those blue eyes of his closed, thinking about how hard it must be to live here. If he got hit like I did, I bet he'd be on the floor crying like a girl, those blue eyes pouring out tears like crazy. She paused, picturing the sight. And his black hair would be all rumpled, and his blue eyes. Holly stopped. I must've said "blue eyes" bout three or four times by now. Why? Because you like how he looks, don't cha? Her more girly side answered. You like those blue eyes that you could probably stare into for hours and still not figure him out and the hair that always looks perfect and needs a good mess up. Why do you think you've been flirting with him so much? That's not flirting, that's teasing, her tomboyish side responded. And besides, he's like seventy years younger then I am. But only about six if you converted my age to human, her girly side retorted. It could work, you'd just have to work for it. Wonder what he thinks of you, you saw his reaction to that dress. That ugly dress, she countered. Actually, you looked quite good in it, you're just too prudish. Am not! She argued. Yes, you are, Holly, face it, you reacted to a dress that barely showed your bust. Just cuz you wear a LEP uniform or pajamas all the time doesn't mean you can't dress girly every once in a while.
Holly stopped her tangent and looked around her bedroom. Lady Capulet had left once she had recovered, and the nurse was still unconscious. Her idea which had flashed upon her about twenty minutes ago continued to flash resolutely in her mind. It wasn't in the plan, but she didn't care any more. She walked over to the nurse and shook her.
"Nurse? Nurse? Are you all right?"
The nurse stirred and opened her eyes. "Oh, Juliet, are you okay?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine," Holly replied, wincing in pain when the nurse touched the soon to be bruise. "It's just-will you help me with something?"
"What is it?" The nurse sat up, rubbing the spot where she had been punched.
"Could you take me somewhere?" Holly asked.
"Where, Juliet? And for what purpose?"
"Could you take me to Mantua? To see Art-Romeo?"
"What are your alternatives?"
"Well," Holly answered, thinking that if she answered with a rash enough alternative the nurse would have to take her, "I would run away myself, and probably die from lack of food or proper drink, or probably commit one of God's greatest sins because I can no longer see my, ah, love and marry another while I am already married."
"You-you mean," the nurse asked, failing to gather up the courage to use the appropriate term.
"Yes."
"Will you stay with Romeo?"
"Well, if I came back here, I would commit the second alternative."
"No!" The nurse replied, standing up now and grabbing a bag and stuffing more of Holly's new dresses in it. "I would rather have you be away but happy than dead and missing your love."
"Thank you!" Holly felt the nurse pull her into a hug.
"I will go get you some money, and tell you how to get there. You will have to ride, and-"
"Ride?" Holly paled. She had never ridden a horse before, and to ride by herself to a place she had never been before? But since she still had her magic, and consequently her gift of tongues, she could probably survive.
"Yes. I have heard where the Montagues hide their banished, and I can tell you, and you will find your love. Here, hold this," the nurse said, handing her the bag with all but three of her dresses. She took the bag.
The nurse left momentarily and came back with a purse filled to the brim with large gold coins. Holly was mesmerized by the gold, but she shook her head and looked away, putting the gold filled purse in the dress bag. "That way, no one'll see it."
"That's a good idea, miss."
The nurse left again to grab food, and also put the carefully wrapped parcel in the bag. "What will be my excuse?" Holly asked.
"It'll look like you ran away."
"Shouldn't I do it at night then?"
"Do you want to?"
"Not really," Holly admitted.
"Well, everyone's at Tybalt's funeral. You should be able to get away quickly enough."
"Okay."
The nurse led Holly downstairs, giving her instructions on how to get to Mantua. She gave her no instructions on how to ride, so Holly assumed that Juliet knew. Oh, well, she would survive. If not, there had to be some nearby oak tree at the river that she was following to Mantua. The nurse lead her to the stables, and a stable boy lead her to a horse that had hair red as can be and a darker mane to match.The nurse gave the stable boy ten gold coins to keep this event confidential, and she left.
Holly was now alone with this very cute, very respectful stable boy. He had curly brown hair, highlighted in the sun from work, probably, and these deep brown eyes that, like Artemis's, carried so much depth. He lifted her up on the horse, and led her out to the courtyard.
"What's his name?" Holly asked.
"Her name is Holly," the stable boy replied, "and mine's Bradford, but you can call me Brad."Brad took off his hat and took a little bow.
"Hi, Brad." Weird conciendence with the horse's name. But who cares? This stable boy is pretty cute and respectful. Unlike some guys I know.
"Now, is there anything you would like to know before you set off?"
"Yes," Holly sighed. "Can you tell me how to steer and stuff?"
"But, miss, your father gave you lessons last year."
"I forgot."
"Well,"Brad replied, running his fingers through his hair, "you hold the reins like this." He demonstrated. "And you steer by pulling one rein towards you, or just tightening up on that rein. If you pull the right rein, she'll turn right. To get her to go faster, you kick gently. Want me to show you?"
Holly nodded.
Bradjumped up behind her and demonstrated again. The horse started walking, and whenBrad kicked again, started trotting. "You see?" he said. "She gets faster. Now, to slow down, tighten up on both reins."
"Okay, thanks."
Bradjumped off and said, "My pleasure, Miss Juliet." He gave her a kiss on the head and walked off, saying, "Good luck."
"Thanks." Holly held the reins nervously and set off at a walk.
"Now, you'll need to go faster than that to get there in time."Brad called.
Holly kicked the horse again and set off at a trot, following the directions the nurse had given her. She left the roads and went through the forest where she and Artemis had walked, parallel to the roads to hide her presence. After crossing a creek and letting the horse drink, she went faster, and surprisingly enjoyed it. Holly liked seeing the closely grouped together trees go by in a blur, and after about fifteen minutes at this pace, she slowed down and got off near a tree stump.
After walking around to stretch her legs, she got back on and continued at the regular pace. In half an hour she was at what would be considered the town limits of Mantua and near Artemis's hut.
"Oh, shit," Holly muttered. Where is his place? She said it was about a quarter mile after the forest…
She continued and went more into the farms. Soon there was a little hut, wooden and neat compared to the others. She jumped off, tied the reins to a nearby post which also had a horse, and knocked.
"Artemis?"
"Who?" someone asked, opening the door a creak. "Who're you?"
"Sorry," Holly replied, blushing, "wrong house."
Holly traveled to three different houses, leading the other Holly along, until she came across a similar house to the first one and smelled of food and was quiet. "Artemis?" she knocked.
She heard a scampering and then the door flew open, revealing a very tired looking black haired, blue eyed, teenager. "Holly!"
Author's Note: Please review! It would be really awesome to get over a hundred reviews! Sorry for the short chapter.