A/N: ...Well, I have to admit I had hoped for more of a response to the first chapter...but hey, it was only one chapter. There's still plenty to go. Maybe later chapters will get more attention. Normally I wouldn't press like this, but since I'm planning to publish this someday I would really love some feedback. And thank you to those who favorited and followed this story, as well as to my one reviewer. I'm glad you like the story so far and hope you continue to enjoy it. :)

Anyway, enough of that. Here's Chapter Two, in which the famous lovers meet for the first time. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Two

The sun began to set over the treetops, and most of the herd made its way to Capulet's end of the clearing. A group of mares gathered together and started to sing, their beautiful melodies drifting and floating throughout the party. Several of the others began to dance in tune to the songs, the mares standing side-by-side with the stallions and trotting in little circles around each other. Those that didn't sing or dance merely stood by and watched with happy smiles, occasionally exchanging a comment with a friend or laughing at some remark.

Benvolio, with Romeo close behind him, walked up to the festivities and took a look around. "Are you sure about this?" Romeo asked, eyeing Capulet apprehensively. He was standing close by, talking to his mate Lady. "I have a bad feeling about this. I mean really bad, the I'm-probably-going-to-die-tonight kind of bad."

Indeed, all afternoon he'd dreaded the party, feeling his heart thud painfully hard whenever he thought about it. He didn't know why he should feel so uneasy, yet he couldn't quite shake the feeling that something big – and terrible – was going to happen to him tonight.

"Relax, Romeo," Benvolio replied easily. "Everything will be fine. If anyone asks, tell them you're with me." And with that, he approached the nearest mare and asked, "Would you care to dance?"

The mare giggled and tossed her head, and the two walked together over to the area reserved for dancing, leaving Romeo quite alone.

"This was a bad idea," Romeo muttered. He looked around. There were plenty of faces he recognized, but most of them he knew by sight and not by name, or if he knew their name, it was the only thing he knew about them.

His eyes fell on a pretty Appaloosa mare standing nearby. She had a dark gray coat, and her rump was decorated by a white splash covered in little black dots. Romeo considered her for a moment before he sighed and approached her. "Hello," he said, and the mare looked around.

"Hello," she replied pleasantly, and then her eyes flashed in recognition. "Hey, aren't you—"

"Please keep your voice down," Romeo hissed. "I'm trying not to draw attention to myself. Yes, I am Romeo, son of Montague. I'm here with Benvolio; he invited me."

The mare stared at him, and then she shook her head. "You are either very brave or very stupid," she remarked with a small smile.

Romeo grinned. "Probably the latter," he admitted.

The mare laughed and said, "My name is Rosaline. It's a pleasure to meet you, Romeo."

"Likewise," Romeo replied, bowing his head.

There was a span of silence as neither could think of anything to say.

"So…what made you decide to crash Capulet's party?" Rosaline asked after a while.

"I'm not sure I'd call it 'crashing'," Romeo replied with a smile, "but…I'm here because I'd like to get to know some of the horses in the herd. This seemed like a good opportunity."

"I see," Rosaline said. Another awkward silence fell.

This was a bad idea, Romeo thought again, his heart sinking. A really, really bad idea…

…

A short distance from where Romeo and Rosaline stood, Juliet was thinking the very same thing. She was dancing with Paris, who didn't seem able to stop beaming. Juliet, by contrast, was putting forth every effort into her fake smile. She had promised her parents that she would try to get to know Paris, and she kept her promises. But it was clear to her that Paris wanted a great deal more from her than she was willing to give.

Paris passed her, his forelegs snapping up in rhythm to the mares' song, and he reached out to nuzzle her briefly. Juliet groaned inwardly but made no sound, choosing instead to look down and let him make of that what he would. Apparently he took it as a sign of pleasure, for the next time he passed her he nuzzled her again.

Juliet's relief was palpable when the song finally ended, and Capulet whinnied his approval to the singers. She took advantage of the momentary silence to say to Paris, "Would you excuse me for a moment?"

Paris nodded, looking a little confused, and to soothe him, she smiled sweetly at him. He blinked and swayed slightly, and Juliet barely suppressed a giggle before she walked away and disappeared into the crowd. Away from Paris and out of her parents' sight, she allowed her smile to fade away and a sigh of frustration to escape her lips.

What she needed was a drink, she decided. The stream was a short distance away; if she hurried, no one would even know she'd gone.

She turned and began to walk toward the forest edge, but another horse moved directly in front of her, and she sidestepped to avoid her, instead colliding with a young stallion standing nearby. He grunted in surprise and she turned to look at him. He was a blue roan, and he was incredibly handsome. He was gazing at her as though he'd never seen anything like her before in his life. Standing beside him was Rosaline, looking from one to the other in confusion.

Juliet's mouth felt suddenly dry. She tried to apologize for the collision, but nothing came out. She cleared her throat and tried again, "I…I'm sorry…forgive me…"

Romeo stared at her, mouth hanging slightly open. "N-no, it's…it's fine," he stammered.

The mares started up their next song. In some vague corner of her mind, Juliet remembered she'd been trying to get a drink, but her legs seemed disconnected from her brain and refused to move.

Romeo suddenly seemed to realize he was staring and glanced down, blushing slightly. Then he said, "Would you, uh…would you care to dance?"

Juliet considered him for a moment, breathless, and then nodded. She followed him to the dancing area and stood beside him, her eyes never leaving his. She noticed how they seemed to shine in the light of the setting sun, and her heart felt mysteriously warmed. They started to dance, weaving around each other, passing to and fro at a gentle trot, surrounded by other dancing couples yet blissfully ensconced in a world all their own.

"Do I know you?" Romeo asked after a moment. "I…I feel as though I've met you before."

"No," Juliet replied softly. "I'm sure I would have remembered meeting you if I had."

"Strange," Romeo remarked as he passed, snapping his legs up in a perfectly-cadenced trot. "You seem so familiar to me for some reason. But how can that be?"

"I don't know," Juliet answered honestly. "But you seem just as familiar to me. I don't understand how that's possible. I don't even know your name."

The stallion smiled. "I am Romeo."

"Romeo," Juliet repeated thoughtfully. "It is a nice name. A strong name. It suits you."

Romeo blushed and lowered his head, smiling. "And you? What is your name?"

"Juliet," she replied.

"Juliet," Romeo sighed. "It is a beautiful name. The name of an angel."

Juliet giggled. "You are too kind, Romeo."

Romeo smiled and, without being consciously aware of it, stepped a little closer to her. She filled his vision, and he marveled at how her mane danced and swayed as she moved, how her forelock shaded her beautiful, soulful eyes…how those eyes shone and sparkled with youth and life. He felt his breathing hitch in his throat, his heart pounding in his chest as if he were running over a great distance. "You…you are so beautiful," he whispered.

It was Juliet's turn to blush and lower her head. "Thank you, Romeo. I'm flattered."

"It's true," Romeo insisted. "You are…you are…" He swallowed the lump in his throat. "There are no words to describe you." Then he chuckled, embarrassed. "I'm sorry…I'm not doing a good job of this…"

Juliet smiled at him. "It's all right, Romeo. I understand."

Romeo sighed in relief and stepped even closer to her. They were now so close together that their legs were in danger of tangling in the midst of their dancing. Her scent drifted into his nostrils and he inhaled deeply, intoxicated.

Unseen and unnoticed, Paris stood watching them from the sidelines. His eyes were wide with shock and disbelief. Juliet was dancing with another horse…with…

He squinted. No…was it…?

It was. Romeo. Son of Montague.

Anger filled his heart, and he stalked away, searching for Capulet.

The song ended, and Romeo and Juliet stopped dancing. But their eyes never left each other. They stood motionless for a moment or two.

And then they leaned forward toward each other, and their muzzles touched in a sign of deep, heartfelt love.

"Juliet? Juliet, where are you?"

Juliet pulled back suddenly and looked around. Her mother Lady was searching the crowd for her. She looked back at Romeo and said, "I must go."

Romeo watched her depart with a sadness he couldn't begin to fathom. He watched her as she wove between the other horses, finally stopping in front of another mare, who looked relieved to have found her. Even from this distance, he distinctly heard her say, "I'm here, Mother. What is it?"

Romeo blinked and took a closer look, and he felt his heart constrict. He recognized the mare as Lady, mate of Capulet. Juliet had called her "Mother." Then that must mean…

The earth beneath him seemed to fall away as the realization hit him.

She was Capulet's daughter. Daughter of his father's worst enemy.

Meanwhile, Paris had found Capulet talking to a couple of mares. "Capulet, I must speak with you," he said in an urgent whisper.

Capulet excused himself and followed Paris a short distance. The chestnut nodded to where Romeo was standing, still motionless with shock and dismay. "It is Romeo, son of Montague. He is here. He was dancing with Juliet."

Capulet's eyes widened in surprise. "Romeo?" he repeated softly.

Paris looked around at him, and he was startled to see that Capulet's gaze was glassy. He was seeing something that only he could witness.

"Capulet?" he asked. "Sir? Are you all right?"

Capulet jerked as though bitten and said, "What? Oh…yes…yes, I'm fine."

Paris, not altogether reassured, nodded. "What should we do about him?"

Capulet considered for a moment, and then he said quietly, "Nothing. Let him have his fun. As long as he doesn't start any trouble – and I highly doubt he will, from what I've heard about him – I have no problem with his presence."

"Or the fact that he was dancing with Juliet?" Paris asked, his voice shaking with suppressed rage.

Capulet looked at him, frowning slightly. "As long as Juliet doesn't mind it, I don't either," he said. "Be careful, Paris. Jealousy does not become you. I know you have feelings for my daughter, and I certainly hope that she will soon return those feelings. Nothing would make me happier than to have you as my son-in-law. But until the two of you are officially betrothed, she is free to dance with whomever she chooses."

Paris, stung, didn't reply. But he continued to glare at Romeo even after Capulet had departed.

What nerve that colt has, to come here uninvited! he thought bitterly. Capulet may not be troubled by it, but I am. And to be dancing with my love…!

He snorted and walked forward. He intended to talk to Romeo and to make it plain to him that Juliet was off-limits.

Almost at the same moment, Benvolio, who had danced with almost every mare at the party, noticed Paris. There was no mistaking the anger that boiled in the chestnut's eyes, nor was it hard to figure out who it was directed towards, as he was walking straight at Romeo. He felt his heart miss a beat.

He cantered forward and reached Romeo first. "Come on, Romeo, I think it's time we start heading back. Your father is bound to be worried."

Romeo didn't move or say a word. He was still staring at the spot where Juliet had met with Lady, even though they had both since moved on to other parts of the meadow.

"Romeo?" Benvolio said, looking back at his friend. He glanced around and saw that Paris was almost upon them. "Come on, Romeo, snap out of it!" He butted his friend's shoulder with his head.

"Huh?" Romeo grunted, looking around with wide, confused eyes. "What…what is it?"

"It's time to be going back," Benvolio said, frowning. He sighed in exasperation. "Even at a party, you're lost in your own thoughts. I bring you here to meet mares and instead you spend it daydreaming."

Romeo didn't reply but meekly followed his friend away from the party. His head was lowered, and his tail drooped.

"Romeo?"

Juliet, freed at last from her mother's conversation, had returned to the spot where Romeo had been standing only to find that he was gone. "Romeo, where did you go?" she called.

"I'm afraid your dancing partner has left."

Juliet jumped and whirled around to face Paris.

"I…what?" she stammered. She was suddenly afraid: Paris looked furious about something.

"Romeo left the party a few moments ago," Paris said, scowling. "What on earth came over you, Juliet? Dancing with your worst enemy…?"

"My…my worst enemy?" Juliet repeated blankly. "What are you talking about?"

Paris snorted. "Romeo is Montague's son, Juliet! The son of your father's sworn enemy!"

Juliet stared up at him in shock. Her heart seemed to stop beating for a moment as this news – and all its implications – struck her like a wave from an angry ocean, submerging her and crushing her beneath the weight of devastation. "I…I didn't know…" she murmured after a moment.

Paris frowned. He could tell by her expression that she was telling the truth. She'd been clueless to the identity of the colt she had danced with. He relaxed slightly. "Forgive me," he said. "I did not mean to upset you. I thought you must have known…"

Juliet shook her head and looked away, desperately trying to stop herself from crying.

"The party is almost over," Paris said, trying to sound as though nothing had happened. "They're going to do one more dance before retiring. Would you care to—"

"No," Juliet replied softly. "I…I'm very tired, Paris. Please excuse me."

Paris's ears drooped sadly. "Very well, Juliet. I will say good night, then."

He bumped his muzzle to her cheek and walked away. Juliet stood motionless for a moment before turning and retreating to the corner of the clearing where she slept. There, she finally allowed her tears to flow.

A/N: As always, I hope you're enjoying it! Please leave a review and tell me what you think. Next chapter should be up on Friday. :)