Chapter 8: Separation!
Authors note: Ok thank you all for your reviews! But I especially need to thank IJGirl! She has helped me through loads of stuff and I must thank her for all the help and support she has given me! Oh and for all of you who love Shakespeare, you may like this chapter! I am including a scene from 'Much ado about nothing' accept Rosie and Tybalt will be acting it out in front of Shakespeare! What fun! And with that, on to the story! In this chapter Rosie and Tybalt will manage to get separated! But will they enjoy their freedom? Enjoy!
Morning soon came across the garden. The sound of squawking birds fighting on the nearby bird table could be heard as the sun peaked higher into the sky. Rosie felt a nudge nearby her arm and she then awoke to the not so bad sight of Tybalt in a deep slumber. She considered waking him up but she couldn't help but look at him. He was so peaceful when he slept, and even though she wouldn't admit it to herself, she secretly found him adorable.
Rosie had a small, sweet smile plastered on her face as she saw Tybalt snoring gently, but that was soon put to a stop. She then heard Shakespeare's loud snores come up from above her which completely ruined the mood for her. Rosie rolled her eyes and looked back down at Tybalt who now had his thumb in his mouth. Rosie chuckled inwardly. He was a big baby! But she didn't mind, she had recently gotten used to Tybalt and his peculiar habits. It was as if she knew him for years not days! But Rosie was soon distracted from her thoughts when an unexpected bang was let off in the opposite direction. Rosie shot in the direction from where the noise had come from. It wasn't that surprising to Rosie who it was. Ham!
"Alright you guys wakey, wakey!" Ham banged on his small toy drum he carried with him. Shakespeare instantly awoke and looked down at Ham whilst Tybalt immediately shot up and almost fell over in the process, almost taking Rosie with him.
"WOA! Where's the fire?" Tybalt blurted randomly as he regained his posture.
"There was no need for that young Hamlet!" Shakespeare scolded Ham like a mother would to her child. Ham narrowed his eyes and shot an evil glare up at the statue.
"For the last time you moron! I am HAM not FLIPPING HAMLET!" Ham shrieked sending his drum colliding with the floor.
"Ok calm down young gnome I meant no offence!" Shakespeare motioned the young gnome to remain calm. It wasn't really working for him.
"No offence my arse you idiot!" Ham shot another glare up at the statue before then turning to Rosie and Tybalt who remained quiet the entire time. "Oh and by the way gnomes, the house is empty! I am about to complete my task and help you two get separated!" Ham told them and they both smiled in delight. Ham then decided to act on how he felt for the two. "Now are you sure you want to be separated?"
"What kind of question is that? Of course we do! Right Tybalt?" Rosie turned to Tybalt expecting him to back her up. Tybalt then looked at Ham who knew exactly what was wrong with him. Wait. He knew? That wasn't good!
"Yes Rosie you're right!" Tybalt replied forcing a smile on his face. Rosie then grinned happily at his wise decision. Ham on the other hand was still not entirely convinced.
"Alright! Now I want you two to remain here. The last thing we need right now is two gnomes getting into even more trouble!" Ham explained. Rosie would have snapped back if it wasn't for Tybalt cutting in.
"Alright then Ham! Thank you!" Tybalt said surprisingly nicely which shocked Ham, Shakespeare and most of all Rosie.
"No need to thank me Tybalt!" Ham then gave Tybalt a strange expression "As long as you know what your doing!"
Tybalt didn't reply to this, instead he just nodded and Ham nodded back. Ham then waved and said "Well, duty calls!" before heading off towards the human's domain.
"Well… that was weird!" Rosie said looking oddly at where Ham stood a moment before. She then looked up at Shakespeare who shrugged his shoulders amused.
"Yeah, I still don't trust that gnome! Even if he is going to help us," Tybalt muttered keeping his narrowed eyes fixed on Ham who was now climbing the wall to enter the open window that led into the house. Rosie then put her hand on Tybalt's shoulder and chuckled.
"Ok mister jealousy, keep your cool!" Rosie earned a chuckle from Shakespeare also. Tybalt glared at her as she smirked childishly.
"And what makes you think I'm jealous of that coward?" Tybalt snapped back. In truth he knew he felt a bit jealous towards Ham. The way he flirted with Rosie made Tybalt want to crack that smug gnome's hat to microscopic pieces. He felt this feeling every time Ham was a meter away from Rosie, and he felt jealous of him. But he didn't plan on admitting it to anyone, least of all Rosie or Shakespeare!
"I don't know why but the way you act towards him makes it pretty obvious!" Rosie explained. She still had no idea how Tybalt felt about her, yeah sure she was starting to feel the same way about him, but she still thought he hated her. Perhaps last night had changed everything for them.
"Indeed! I am with Beatrice on this one!" Shakespeare added and the two gnomes looked at him blankly.
"Alright mister wise guy!" Rosie started smiling "why don't you tell us more about this Beatrice and Benedick? Or perhaps we could learn about their arguments that 'some how' remind you of us!" Shakespeare then looked down at Rosie shocked but smiling all at once.
"Or, perhaps I could put your acting skills to good use and I could teach you!" Shakespeare smiled. Tybalt didn't.
"No, no way are we even listening to you stupid, petty-" Tybalt began but was soon cut off by Rosie's eagerness.
"Ok, then!" Rosie clasped her hands ready for a challenge. Tybalt sighed and put his head in his hands. This was going to be a long afternoon!
…
Ham had found it a bit of a challenge finding the glue remover. He had been inside the human's house several times and yet he still didn't know where they put it. But he eventually found it and decided to vacate the house before the human's returned.
He had actually seen a big spark now fly between Tybalt and Rosie. Last night had proved it! Yet they still tried to deny their feelings when it was now plain fully obvious that they did in fact love each other. Ham knew that Tybalt felt jealousy towards him, and he hardly blamed him. He did after all try to flirt with Rosie before he knew about Tybalt and his feelings. But Ham was a compassionate gnome at heart, and no matter how stubborn Tybalt was… he knew that Tybalt did have a heart deep down inside of him. And perhaps Rosie could release the happier Tybalt rather than the stubborn self centred one.
Ham was actually surprised by the site he saw as he came back from the house. There Rosie and Tybalt were standing in front of a very amused Shakespeare, reciting a bunch of gibberish words that made no sense to Ham. It sounded like one of Shakespeare's plays. In fact, it WAS one of Shakespeare's plays! And the two love birds were acting it out? Oh God!
"Bravo!" Shakespeare clapped as both Tybalt and Rosie bowed and in Rosie's case, curtsied. Ham watched Tybalt's expression slyly. Was he in fact smiling?
"You know I never thought acting out that scene could be so much fun!" Tybalt smiled and so did Rosie.
"Yeah, now you have an excuse to argue with me!" Rosie punched him playfully on the shoulder and Tybalt did the same to her, a little more gently though.
"You see why I think you two remind me of Beatrice and Benedick? Your arguments are just as witty and romantic as theirs!" Shakespeare laughed heartedly as Tybalt and Rosie glanced at each other. Rosie was about to say something but Ham decided to break the tension. He had arrived at the right time!
"Hey guys I'm back with that glue remover you wanted so badly!" Ham called out holding the glue remover in front of his face. Rosie then smiled and ran with Tybalt over to Ham excitedly and also held onto the glue whilst laughing. Tybalt frowned as he saw Rosie's eyes gleaming towards Ham. In his mind, Tybalt was unaware that Rosie had no interest in Ham. Tybalt had somehow convinced himself that Rosie liked Ham and not him. This made him sad yet angry. But Rosie and Ham shared no romantic bonds. They knew that, but Tybalt didn't.
"Oh Tybalt isn't this great? Now we can be separated and I can take you back to your family!" Rosie said, a little too enthusiastically. She then noticed Tybalt look down sadly. She too found herself feeling sad. To think she would be separated from him forever! She now felt the same way as Tybalt did.
"Yeah, I guess they will be ecstatic to see me!" Tybalt muttered not very enthusiastically at all. He knew none of his family missed him. Well perhaps Fawn did, but hey, Fawn was Tybalt's best buddy since they were kids! Yet he still didn't know why he deserved friends. Rosie frowned even more as she knew Tybalt was unhappy. She wanted to cheer him up! Just like he was five minuets ago when they were acting, perhaps that would make him happy again!
"Hey Tybalt, after this why don't we show our little performance to Ham here? I'm sure he would love to see it right Ham?" Rosie turned from Tybalt to Ham who now forced a smile on his face to hide his frown.
"Oh, what fun!" Ham said a little too enthusiastically. Everyone got the impression that he didn't want to even think about what play they had just preformed to Shakespeare but they decided to take advantage of it.
"Great! But we will need to get unstuck before we even consider acting!" Rosie pointed to the glue and reminded Ham about the task he needed to complete. Ham then placed the glue remover on the ground and took the lid off.
"Ok I'm gonna need you two to stand side by side. Oh and hold your stuck arms up in the air!" Ham instructed and Rosie and Tybalt quickly did so. Tybalt looked at Rosie, Rosie looked at Tybalt. And the same thoughts occurred in their minds… Were they really ready to do this?
'Of course we're ready to do this!' Rosie mentally scolded herself for thinking otherwise. 'All this time we have wanted to be unstuck and that has never changed!' but another small voice entered her mind. 'Are you sure you want to let him go like this?' Rosie then hit her head trying to ignore the voice inside her head. 'Of course! Tybalt does not like me like that! He hates me! And I'm not so friendly with him either!' Rosie didn't expect a reply from her conscience but she received one anyway. And that reply was very unexpected 'Are you sure? You love him Rosie! There is no denying that! But the question is, when will you admit it to yourself? Or most of all him!' Rosie now screamed inwardly 'I do not love Tybalt! I just care for him! And I am sure! I can let him go! I can!'
"I can let him go! I can," Rosie muttered aloud as Ham and Tybalt gave her weird looks. Ham then laughed before he spoke.
"Actually Rosie, you can!" Ham pointed out to her arm. It was now free from Tybalt's and the superglue was wearing off. Rosie outstretched her arm and moved it around freely. It had become rather stiff after being stuck to Tybalt for a few days. Now she was free from him! But Rosie wasn't exactly jumping with joy about it. Instead she found herself looking at the floor in shame.
"Yes, I guess I can!" Rosie looked to the floor. Tybalt didn't exactly notice her do this and still flexed his arm about. He then turned to Ham who also hadn't noticed Rosie's strange behaviour.
"Hey Ham?" Tybalt began.
"Yes?" Ham replied facing Tybalt.
"This won't affect any of the glue that is keeping me intact will it?" Tybalt tried to make this sound not too silly.
"Well, I don't think it will. But if your arm comes off I guess Rosie will just have to tell me, right Rosie?" Ham and Tybalt both turned to Rosie who was now stifling back tears. She was no longer paying any attention to either of the gnomes, but her full attention was on her heart. Was she really making the right decision letting Tybalt go?
"Rosie?" Ham then spoke again trying to snap Rosie back to reality. When she looked up she was surprised to see both Tybalt and Ham looking very concerned at her especially Tybalt.
"Oh! I'm sorry what were you saying?" Rosie then wiped her eyes as she felt tears still forming in them.
"You're crying?" Tybalt sounded worried and soft as he said this. He then stepped closer to Rosie and put his hand on her face as she looked up. He wiped away some of her tears and she stared at his warm eyes lovingly. She could no longer control herself. She knew that the more and more time she spent with Tybalt, the more and more she didn't want to let him go.
"No, no I am fine!" Rosie then grabbed Tybalt's hand and took it away from her face, refusing to give in to her emotions.
"Are you sure Rosie?" Tybalt asked once more trying to make sure she was as she said she was.
"Who are you? My mother or something? I said I am fine!" Rosie snapped a little bit before smiling "Now I believe we have a performance to show a very eager Ham!"
"HA, HA, HA!" Shakespeare blurted from up above and Ham began to sulk. This was going to be the most boring time ever!
…
Shakespeare didn't really need to tell Rosie or Tybalt where to stand or what to say. They were so confident that they didn't need his stage directions. Perhaps it was the roles they found themselves playing, or that both gnomes were glad to be in each other's company. Ham wasn't watching yet, oh no. The performance was still yet to come!
"Take your positions Lady Beatrice!" Shakespeare directed as Rosie stood on the grass awaiting her part to be played.
"I am ready when you are Shakespeare!" Rosie waved up at him. She was much happier now than she was earlier. She used this as a good excuse to get her mind off of Tybalt. And even though he was still there, it distracted her knowing she was playing a character in a similar situation that she was in.
"Now Signior Benedick, come hither and take your positions next to Lady Beatrice!" Shakespeare directed using his old tongue. Ham who sat below Shakespeare stifled a laugh and looked up to the statue.
"Why don't you speak proper English?" Ham asked.
"That was proper English! Just from my time, and not the slang you come out with these days dear Hamlet!" Shakespeare told him and Ham immediately had a small fit of rage.
"What- You- Oh- Ugh! I give up!" Ham slapped his head and decided to just ignore Shakespeare calling him Hamlet.
"Ready Shakespeare!" Tybalt stood over at the side of the grass. He was a few meters away from where Rosie stood and now got into the role of Benedick, which was surprisingly easy for him. He knew what it felt like to hide your secret love for someone through hate.
"Alright, are you ready to watch this Ham?" Shakespeare asked looking down at the sulking gnome.
"As I will ever be," Ham muttered crossing his arms still frowning.
"Aright, let us commence!" Shakespeare announced "May I present Rosie and Tybalt performing their Beatrice and Benedick scene from my play 'Much ado about nothing!'" Shakespeare clapped and Ham clapped a little.
Rosie waited a little as Tybalt began to walk towards her and then she began to say her lines. The words came out of her as if they weren't on script. But even though it was acting both she and Tybalt took on the roles as if they were themselves. As she said her line Rosie felt a sudden rush of confidence and now felt more alive than she had ever been! It was either, that she was having fun, or that she was with the gnome she loved.
Rosie (as Beatrice): I wonder that you will still be talking, signior Benedick: nobody marks you.
Tybalt (as Benedick): What my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?
Rosie (as Beatrice): Is it possible Disdain should die, while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick?
Courtesy itself must convert to Disdain, if you come in her presence.
Tybalt (as Benedick): Then is Courtesy a turncoat; but it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you expected;
And I would I could find it in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for truly I love none.
Rosie (as Beatrice): A dear happiness to women- they would else have beentroubled with a pernicious suitor.
I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that; I would rather have my dog
Bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.
Tybalt (as Benedick): God keep your ladyship still that in mind, so some gentleman or other shall scape a
predestinate Scratched face.
Rosie (as Beatrice): Scratching could not make it worse, and 'twere such a face as your were.
Tybalt (as Benedick): Well you are a rare parrot-teacher.
Rosie (as Beatrice): A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours.
Tybalt (as Benedick): I would my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so a good continuer;
But keep your way, a God's name: I have done.
Rosie (as Beatrice): You always end with a jade's trick. I know you of old.
Rosie and Tybalt both bowed as Shakespeare and Ham applauded. They both smiled and looked at each other as they received more praise from their small audience. Ham actually stood up and walked over to the two gnomes and grinned.
"Even though I didn't get much of that because it was in 'old English'" Ham looked up at Shakespeare and rolled his eyes before turning back to Tybalt and Rosie. "I actually enjoyed that! And I never considered either of you to act like that in real life, but you two actually suit the part!"
"I told you Hamle-" Shakespeare began receiving a glare from Ham who was expecting him to say 'Hamlet'. "Ham, they are so much alike Beatrice and Benedick!"
Rosie and Tybalt both blushed and looked at each other. If they turned time back a few days ago, they would have resented that comment and argued even more. But now things had changed. They no longer argued like they did when they hated each other. Their emotions had turned from that path the night before when they began to fully understand one another. Sure they still had their questions, but they could wait until they left the garden. Upon thinking of that subject Rosie decided to bring it up.
"Well now we are officially separated, I guess I'd better take ol' Tybalt back to his family!" Rosie patted Tybalt on the back gently. Tybalt smiled softly at her and Rosie did the same to him. They felt sad but happy at the same time. It was mixed emotions, but Ham and Shakespeare felt a little sad to say goodbye. That was when Ham decided to speak.
"No! Why don't you spend the night here and set out tomorrow?" Ham suggested and Rosie and Tybalt smiled gratefully at him.
"Well we don't mean to impose!" Rosie explained.
"Of course not! Please stay! It has been a pleasure reciting my plays to you!" Shakespeare told them.
"Ha, thanks! It has been nice staying here! I have discovered so much in such a short amount of time!" Rosie explained and Ham smirked.
"I bet you have!" Ham knew exactly what she was implying but Tybalt didn't.
"Yes," Rosie glared suspiciously at Ham who lost his smirk and now gave Rosie the same funny gaze he gave Tybalt earlier. Rosie couldn't explain that gaze. Something about it questioned her ability to know what she was doing. And that was its intent. Instead of pursuing the conversation further Rosie decided to drop it and change the subject.
"Well, if you don't mind I would like some time alone now I'm unstuck!" Rosie then walked off past Tybalt whose eyes followed in the direction where she was walking. Ham and Shakespeare also watched her leave and as soon as she was out of sight they all stood (or sat in Shakespeare's experience) in silence. Finally Shakespeare spoke and broke the silence unexpectedly.
"To be, or not to be? That is the question," Shakespeare pondered. "To be, or not to be? That is the question," he said it yet again and both Tybalt and Ham cringed both times. "To be, or not to be? That is the-"
"FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! SHUT UP!" Both Tybalt and Ham shouted out at once. They both stopped and looked at each other in shock. They had finally agreed with something for once! Shakespeare was also shocked at the two gnomes, but for a different reason. They had just told him to shut up!
…
Rosie walked along the garden admiring her surroundings whilst thinking deeply. That little annoying voice inside her head continued to pester her thoughts and this made her even more distressed. And all of her thoughts were on one particular gnome. Tybalt.
"No, I cannot love him!" Rosie muttered aloud making sure that she was alone. Rosie smacked her hand off her hat in annoyance.
'But you do Rosie! You just need to admit it!' the voice inside her head spoke as if it was one of her relatives back at the old garden.
"And why should I? He hates me! And I don't deserve anyone in my life, least of all Tybalt!" Rosie replied trying to convince her conscience otherwise.
'But you do! And he does not hate you! He loves you like you love him!'
"But we don't love each other! Why does everyone think we do?"
'Because they can see the truth! Why is it you cannot?'
"But it's not the truth! I do not love him! And in a few days I will let him go back to his family and I will go and pay a tribute to mine! It will be like nothing ever happened between us and I would have it no other way!"
'Are you sure about that Rosie? Are you really sure?'
"Of course I am! In a few days I will be laughing about this! There is no way that I will be telling Tybalt I love him. And I will be able to let him go! You'll see!"
'Be it on your own head Rosie' Rosie's conscience told her 'But let me tell you something, you may regret you decision for the rest of your life! And like a wise gnome once said to you… only time would tell.'
And her conscience was right. And even though Rosie chose to ignore it, Juliet's advice was indeed true. Only time would tell!
Authors note: Well thank God I have a book of the script for 'Much ado about nothing'! Took me ages to write that out! Anyway how do you like this chapter? I recently read this story through and I noticed I mainly focused on Tybalt's emotions but not really Rosie's. So I decided to put her emotions in the spotlight for a change. Please tell me what you think about this chapter! Oh and in the next one I am afraid we will be saying goodbye to Ham and Shakespeare! But let's wait until that happens eh? I will update soon. In the meantime… REVIEW! Thanks!