A/N: Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Eight

The sun rose above the clearing, bathing it in golden light and filling the air with warmth. Romeo and Juliet, standing on opposite ends of the herd, watched in silence as it inched higher into the sky, finally reaching its peak at midday. As predicted, Prince ensured that all was well before settling down for a brief rest, falling into a peaceful and much-needed sleep. Benvolio, who had agreed to watch for the moment his father awakened, stood nearby, ready to run to Romeo the moment the stallion woke. Rosaline stood beside him, waiting as well to deliver the go-ahead to Juliet. Neither of them spoke, their heads too full of what was coming to allow for simple conversation.

The minutes crept by with unbearable slowness, each second an eternity, the afternoon a never-ending stretch of boundless time. Romeo started pacing with impatient unease, glancing frequently over toward his sleeping leader and best friend for some sign that the moment to act had finally come. His heart thudded heavily, and his lungs felt as though they were being squeezed by unseen restraints. One way or another, everything was about to change, and the wait was torture.

And then, at long last, Prince stirred and rose to his feet, shaking himself to rid his coat of loose grass and dirt. Benvolio and Rosaline looked to each other, nodded once, and departed in opposite directions. Romeo's ears perked and he froze in mid-step as he watched the paint colt trot toward him. He came to a stop, and the two horses gazed at each other in silence for a second or two.

Then Benvolio stomped his hoof and said, "It's time."

Romeo opened his mouth to reply, could think of nothing to say, and closed his jaws with a snap. Instead he let out a soft grunt and started toward the spot where Prince now stood grazing contentedly. Looking past him, he saw Juliet also approaching, her head high and her steps sure. He felt a swell of affection for her and quickened his pace. She was there, just a few yards away, his precious Juliet. Surely nothing could go wrong if she was by his side…

He would quite soon be proven wrong.

He and Juliet were mere feet away from Prince when a trumpeting call pierced the quiet of the day. All heads turned to see a massive black stallion emerging from the forest. He cantered toward the spot where Romeo and Juliet were converging on Prince. The two lovers, sensing that something terrible was about to happen, retreated a few paces, leaving the newcomer's path clear. Prince looked up, his ears flattening against his head in warning. It was a warning that went unheeded as the stranger approached. From where he stood, Romeo saw the horse's eyes flit over to Juliet, and he nickered a greeting to her. Romeo felt his heart burn with jealous rage but did nothing, waiting to see what would happen in the coming moments.

The black came to a stop before the lead stallion and let out another piercing whinny. The sound was lost at the end by a racking cough that made his sides heave. Prince said nothing but waited for the stranger to make his purpose known.

"I am Tybalt," the horse said once his coughing fit passed. "And I challenge you for this herd."

The moment he was through speaking, another volley of coughs shook his frame. Prince observed him with a frown on his face, clearly thinking this stallion must be insane to attempt challenging him while he was in such a sorry state. When Tybalt had finished coughing again, he said, "Go away, boy. You are young and foolish. You are clearly not well and need to let your body recover before subjecting it to a battle."

Tybalt snorted. "Do not patronize me, old nag. I am perfectly capable of defeating you, with or without a fever. Do you accept my challenge or not?"

Prince sighed wearily. "Your fever makes you unwise. But very well, if you insist. I accept."

Tybalt huffed in anticipation, casting his eye once more to where Juliet stood watching nervously. He grinned and flicked an ear toward her, a silent compliment that went unacknowledged. Again Romeo wanted to jump to her defense, but he held himself back. The fight was between Tybalt and Prince, and he couldn't interfere. All he could do was watch…and hope.

Tybalt was the first to attack, lunging forward with teeth bared. Prince met the attack and countered it, lashing out with his hooves and beating the challenger back. Tybalt snarled with rage and whirled around to buck, but Prince was faster, dodging out of the way and responding with a well-aimed kick of his own.

Romeo tore his gaze from the battle to glance at Juliet, whose eyes were likewise fixed on him. In that moment they exchanged silent worries. They hadn't counted on this. They hadn't figured on having to deal with a fight. What if Tybalt won and Prince was removed from power? What then? Or even if Tybalt was defeated, would Prince be willing to listen to them after dealing with a feverish, haughty stallion? Should they perhaps wait for a better time to approach their leader with their revelations?

In the end, the decision was taken from them. With a scream of rage and pain, Tybalt fell at Prince's feet, panting and bleeding from numerous cuts and gashes. He coughed again, the sound filled with bitter disappointment, embarrassment, and anger. Prince snorted and waited for the black to fall silent before saying calmly, "You ought to have heeded my warning. In the future try to use your head before challenging another stallion." And with that he turned away, convinced the matter was over and done with.

He couldn't imagine that Tybalt, infuriated by his defeat and the flippant way his opponent had dealt with him, would rise to his feet, turn around, and charge at the nearest mare to him.

Juliet cried out in terror as Tybalt rushed toward her, lowering his head and baring his teeth, intending to chase her away from the herd, claiming her as his own. Reacting instinctively, Juliet heeded him, breaking into a canter to escape his flashing teeth. Her eyes rolled in fright and she whinnied desperately as Tybalt pursued her. Prince turned and saw this too late to prevent it. Capulet and Paris were too far away to help. There was no one who could stop the black stallion from stealing her away.

No one except Romeo.

He let out a bellow of red-hot, fiery rage and charged forward, ears flat to his head, teeth bared in a snarl that would have sent any sane horse running in panic. Tybalt looked around and was so surprised to see this random blue roan horse running toward him that he quite forgot to ready himself, and so when Romeo collided with him he fell to the ground in a tangle of legs. Romeo towered over him, his face inches from Tybalt's, and growled, "Don't you dare touch her! Get out of here, and don't come back!"

Deeply shaken, humiliated at being taken down twice in a single day, and disheartened by his own failure, Tybalt rose to his feet and fled the clearing without a backward glance, leaving only the sound of his last coughing fit behind.

Romeo turned his gaze to Juliet. "Are you all right?" he asked urgently, stepping toward her.

She nodded, too dazed to say a word. Romeo sighed with relief and reached out for her, folding his neck over hers in a warm, comforting embrace. "Thank Equus," he murmured. "You're safe, Juliet. You're—"

He broke off, his eyes widening as a sudden realization struck him. The entire herd had fallen silent, and every eye was aimed at the two of them.

"Uh-oh."

Prince trotted over to where they stood, followed closely by Benvolio and Rosaline, both of whom looked very worried. Close behind them were Montague, Capulet, Lady, and Paris.

"Romeo!" Montague cried. "Son, are you all right?"

"Juliet!" Lady blurted. "Are you hurt?"

While Romeo and Juliet assured their parents that they were unharmed, Paris tried to nuzzle her, but she shied away from him, leaning into Romeo for support. Paris's eyes flicked back and forth between them, filled with hurt and confusion.

Prince cleared his throat, and everyone fell silent, looking at him expectantly. "Romeo," the stallion said calmly, "why did you challenge Tybalt like that? It was a very foolish thing to do."

Romeo opened his mouth to reply, but he was suddenly unable to speak. This wasn't at all how he'd imagined the situation playing out. What could he do? What should he say?

The others were all waiting for him to answer, so he said, "Uh…because…well you see…I…um…I couldn't…couldn't let Tybalt take Juliet."

Prince's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, you couldn't let him? What did it matter to you what Tybalt did? It was not your place to worry about my mares. So why did you intervene? You must have had a reason. No stallion gets that defensive or protective without motivation."

Romeo swallowed thickly. "It's because…because…" He looked down at Juliet, who was still standing as close to him as possible. She turned her eyes to him and nodded once, her face set in an expression that suggested she was ready to face whatever happened next. Romeo flicked his ear in acknowledgement and returned his attention to Prince. "Because I love Juliet."

Utter silence followed this announcement. Each and every horse was staring at him as if he'd started howling like a wolf. Then, feeling as though he ought to come completely clean, Romeo added, "And…she is my mate."

The silence lasted a full five seconds after this. Then Capulet let out a roar of fury. "Your mate?! Your mate?!" he bellowed, turning his eyes to his daughter. "Is this true, Juliet?! Is what this rogue says true?!"

Juliet inclined her head. "Yes, Father. It's true. Romeo is my mate, and I am his."

Everyone started speaking at once, demanding explanations and hurling accusations, though the exact words were lost among the din. It took a shrill whinny from Prince to make the horses fall silent again. Looking from Romeo to Juliet and back again with a blank, expressionless face, he said calmly, "Explain."

And so the story came out. Romeo and Juliet told of how they'd met at the party, how they'd fallen in love, how they had exchanged vows of everlasting devotion that night under the stars. Benvolio and Rosaline helped, telling of their part in the secret romance as messengers between the two lovers.

When they were done, when all had been said, another silence stretched between them. Capulet was livid with rage. Paris looked shocked and wounded. Montague didn't seem to be able to wrap his mind around what he'd heard. Lady seemed worried. But Romeo and Juliet's attention was fixed on Prince, who was surveying them imperiously, turning over their story in his mind, clearly wondering what he should do.

"Prince!" Capulet barked, and the stallion turned toward Juliet's father, his expression unchanged. "You can't allow this!"

"Father, I love Romeo." Juliet said earnestly. "It is too late to stop or prevent it. There's nothing to be done. He asked me to be his mate, and I accepted. That's all there is to it."

"But that's not all there is to it," Prince murmured, and Romeo's heart missed a beat. "Juliet, you were promised to Paris a few days ago. You are betrothed to him."

Juliet drew in a breath but felt as though her lungs had forgotten how to function. She looked up at Romeo, who looked just as shocked as she was, and said, "But…but Prince, I don't love Paris! I am Romeo's mate!"

"If I had known that," Prince said coolly, "then I wouldn't have agreed to the arrangement. But I didn't know that you were already taken, so I gave my consent. It was all set up between your father and Paris. You are betrothed to him."

"And that makes Romeo a thief!" Capulet barked, looking suddenly gleeful. It was a deranged, frightening expression. "Romeo stole my daughter away from her intended, Prince!"

"But he didn't know!" Montague interjected quickly. "He didn't know about the arrangement, Prince! Besides, he and Juliet were…" He struggled for a moment with the word. "…mates before Paris was promised her. Surely that voids the agreement!"

But Prince shook his head. "It would have if I'd known about their union," he said, and now his voice was sad. He was dreading what he knew he must do. "But as it stands, Paris's claim on her has precedent, and that does indeed make Romeo a thief. He did not seek her father's or my permission to have Juliet as his mate, so his union with her is meaningless to me."

He turned to Romeo, who was gaping in stunned disbelief at his leader. "Romeo…I have no choice. I know you did not intend to, but you stole Juliet away from her intended. Therefore…I must banish you from this herd."

Romeo's head swam, and for a moment he feared he would collapse. The ground seemed to be moving, dropping out from underneath him. His knees trembled and threatened to give way, and his vision seemed to blur. Banished? He was banished, exiled from the herd? This place he'd always called home was now forbidden to him? And all because he'd fallen in love with the wrong mare?

"No!" Juliet cried, her voice filled with horror at Prince's pronouncement. "No! Oh no Prince, please, I beg you, do not banish him! I love him! He is my mate!"

"Not anymore," Prince said gravely. "Romeo is exiled, and you are promised to Paris. Unless," he added, glancing over at Capulet, "your father agrees to dissolve the pact, in which case I might reconsider."

"No," Capulet said firmly. "The agreement stands. Juliet, you are betrothed to Paris, and that is that."

Paris glanced toward Capulet at the sound of his name before returning his gaze to Juliet. He said nothing but continued to stare at her with an expression of wounded disbelief on his face.

"But Father—!" Juliet whimpered.

"Don't say a word," Capulet interrupted coldly. "I would hardly have believed this of you, Juliet. I thought you had sense. I thought I raised you to know better."

"I can't help who I fall in love with!" Juliet protested, her voice shaking. "I had no control over any of it! But I love Romeo, Father! Please, please don't make him leave! Dissolve this promise, break the arrangement! If you've ever cared about me as your daughter then please—"

"Silence!" Capulet roared. "Ungrateful fool! Everything I've ever done was to ensure your happiness and welfare, and this is the thanks I get?! To find that my only daughter has shackled herself to the rogue son of Montague?! There are no words to express the shame I feel!"

Juliet flinched as though he'd struck her, and tears welled in her eyes. "Father…"

"And just what are you suggesting about my son?" Montague snarled, flattening his ears in anger. "You're quick to level blame at Romeo, but I don't hear you scolding her for her lack of self-control. This mess is just as much her fault as his!"

"Don't you dare insult my daughter!" Capulet shrieked.

"Father, don't!" Romeo rushed forward, coming between the two stallions before the battle could start. Pushing Montague back, he went on, "Don't seek out a fight. It's not worth it."

Montague gazed down at his son, and Romeo saw a terrible sadness in his eyes. "Oh my son," he moaned, dropping his head down on Romeo's shoulder. "Why, son, why?"

Romeo didn't have to ask what he meant. "I don't know, Father. I can't explain it, and I'm so sorry that it's come to this. But you can't blame Capulet for what's happened, Father. Whatever your past with him, you can't lash out at him over everything. Be strong, Father, all right?"

"Romeo…oh Romeo…" Montague couldn't say anything more, but instead broke down into sobs and pulled his son close. Romeo nickered wordlessly.

"Prince," Montague gasped out, "please, isn't there another way? Does it have to be exile? Can you find no other punishment but to force my son, my world, away from me?"

Prince swished his tail. "I'm sorry, Montague, but that is the punishment for stallions who overstep their bounds. You know that. I can't bend the rules like that for anyone." He turned away, pausing just long enough to add over his shoulder, "Leave here, Romeo, and do not return." Then he walked away. Capulet, looking triumphant though his eyes still blazed furiously, followed, along with Lady and Paris.

"Oh Romeo!" Juliet threw herself on her mate, sobbing. "No! No I can't…I can't lose you! Oh no…oh please…Romeo, no!"

Romeo nickered and nuzzled her, pressing his nose to her cheek with sad, tender affection. "I'm so sorry, my love," he murmured. "Please take heart. I'll never be far away." He bumped his muzzle to hers in farewell. "I love you, Juliet. Remember that." He drew back, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Don't forget: I won't be far. You'll always know where to find me." He tried to smile but couldn't quite manage it. Then he turned to gaze at Benvolio, who stood watching in silence. "Good-bye, my friend," he murmured, and Benvolio nodded once, unable to speak.

Then Romeo turned to Montague, whose cheeks were streaked with silent tears. "Father…" Romeo reached out to nuzzle him. "Forgive me, Father. I love you, and I'm so sorry."

Montague let out the faintest of answering nickers, pressing his muzzle to Romeo's shoulder. "I love you, son," he choked out. "Please…be safe…"

Romeo inclined his head, and then he turned once more to Juliet. For a long moment they gazed at each other, both unable to say a word.

Then Romeo whispered, "I'll never be far away, my love. Remember that." And with that, he turned and trudged away, disappearing into the trees.

"Oh…oh Romeo!" Juliet burst into tears, whirling around and running to Rosaline, who let her friend sob into her shoulder. She exchanged looks of helplessness with Benvolio, who likewise had no clue how they could help. Words wouldn't soothe her pain, and there was nothing to be done about the situation. What could they do?

Juliet took a couple of deep breaths, blinking tears out of her eyes, and noticed that Montague was still standing in the same spot, staring sightlessly at the place where Romeo had vanished. Even in her own grief, her heart broke for the poor stallion. "Montague…"

The palomino whipped his head around to stare at her, and she gasped. His eyes were so cold that she nearly shivered. "Do not talk to me," he snarled. "Don't ever talk to me. It's your fault my son was taken from me. I wish he'd never met you."

And without another word, he turned and stormed away from her to grieve in solitude. Juliet watched him depart, feeling, if possible, even worse than before.

"Oh…Rosaline!" Juliet wailed. "What am I going to do now? What kind of life is there for me here now that Romeo is gone? My love has been banished, my father is furious with me, my beloved's father hates me and blames me for his sorrow…what have I got?"

"You've still got me," Rosaline offered, though when this didn't seem to cheer the mournful mare she went on, "Look, Juliet…I know things seem bad right now. But try not to let your sadness take over your life like this. We can figure something out, I know we can. We just have to take some time and think about what to do. Surely there's some way to convince Prince to welcome Romeo back to the herd. We just have to figure it out."

"I'll give it a shot right now," Benvolio spoke up. "I'll go talk to Father, try to convince him to change his mind." He whirled around and cantered off to do just that. Rosaline silently wished him the best of luck, but privately thought he didn't stand a chance. She knew her leader well enough to be certain it would take a small miracle to revoke his sentence.

Juliet was still sobbing uncontrollably, and Rosaline stayed with her, offering what small comfort she could give. The other horses stayed well away from them, though Rosaline could sense their mutters and whispers. This was the biggest scandal the herd had experienced in quite some time. The son of Montague and the daughter of Capulet secretly in love? The children of the herd's two greatest foes together, defying their father's enmity? What a tale it was! Rosaline snorted quietly at the thought. There they all stood gossiping while a short distance away several horses were suffering…

"Juliet."

They looked around to see Paris standing just behind them. His face was expressionless. "May I speak with you please?"

Juliet's jaw tightened a little but she nodded. Turning to Rosaline she murmured, "Would you give us a moment?"

"You sure?" Rosaline inquired, eyeing Paris nervously. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. She didn't have any idea what he wanted to say or what he might do, and she was uneasy with leaving Juliet alone with him.

Juliet nodded again, and Rosaline sighed and did as asked, stepping away from her friend.

There was a tense silence. Juliet waited for Paris to speak, but he said nothing, watching her intently. After a moment Juliet asked, "What is it you wanted to speak to me about?"

Paris didn't reply at once. He seemed to be steeling himself for something unpleasant. Then he said in a voice of forced calm, "Did you mean what you said to Prince?"

Juliet blinked. "Which part?"

"The part about how you don't love me."

Juliet felt her heart clench. She closed her eyes for a second or two before opening them again, gazing levelly at the chestnut stallion. "Yes, Paris. I meant it. I have never loved you, not the way you want for me to."

Paris flinched slightly, though his expression suggested he had expected that answer. "I see," he said coldly. "So you knew I never had a chance of winning your heart, yet you let me continue to pursue you, let me fall deeper in love with you, knowing that I was going to have my heart broken?"

Juliet inhaled sharply. "Oh no…oh Paris, I'm so sorry! I never wanted to hurt you!"

Paris laughed once, a harsh, humorless sound. "You never wanted to hurt me? What exactly did you think was going to happen, Juliet? Did you think I would learn of your love for Romeo and just step aside like a good sport, as if all I'd lost was a simple game? Did you think I would smile and congratulate you, all smiles and shrugs? Juliet, do you have any idea how badly you've broken my heart? You didn't just break it: you've taken it and trampled it into the ground. And yet you have the gall to tell me you never wanted to hurt me?!"

Juliet gaped at him, at a total loss for words. How could she possibly explain it to him? How could she explain that she knew full well that Paris was going to be hurt by the revelation of her and Romeo's love, but that she'd hoped he would recover quickly? How could she explain that she'd been forced to keep it a secret, that if she could have proclaimed her love to the herd she would have?

"I…I'm sorry, Paris. I just…I'm sorry."

Paris glared at her and snorted. "Sometimes," he growled, "saying 'sorry' just isn't enough."

And he left without a backward glance. Juliet watched him go with fresh tears brewing in her eyes, feeling more alone in that moment than she ever had in her life.

A/N: Well that didn't exactly go according to plan…

Hope you're enjoying the story! Next chapter will be up on Friday.