Chapter Nine

"Father."

Prince opened his eyes and looked over his shoulder. Benvolio was approaching him, looking very angry. The elder horse sighed. He'd been expecting this. "You know I had to do it, son," he said. "I didn't want to, but I am bound by certain rules. I had no choice."

"Of course you had a choice!" Benvolio retorted. "And you decided to banish Romeo rather than dissolve the arrangement between Juliet and Paris. What sense does that make? If you'd broken the pact, then only Capulet and Paris would have been upset. But as it stands, they are still upset. Capulet knows that his daughter fell in love with his enemy, and Paris knows Juliet never loved him. And not only that, but Juliet's devastated because the stallion she loves has been exiled, poor Montague is mourning for a son he's never going to see again, and…and I…I'm sad and angry that my best friend has been banished over something so stupid as an agreement that he knew nothing about! More horses are hurt and grieving because of your decision than there would have been had you released Juliet from her betrothal and let Romeo stay. Yet you say you had no choice?!"

"If it were as simple as that, Romeo would still be here," Prince said patiently, if a little wearily. "Do you think I enjoyed banishing your friend, Benvolio? Do you think I am happy with how this day has gone? Son, it pained me to do what I did, but it was the only option I had. As leader of this herd, I have to stand by the rules, no matter how much they sadden me or others. I cannot allow my personal feelings to influence my judgment. I have to be fair and nonbiased in every decision I make."

"That's all very well," Benvolio snapped. "But that doesn't explain why you had to banish Romeo over a crime he didn't even know he was committing. None of us knew that you'd promised Juliet to Paris, so how was Romeo supposed to know about it? How is that fair? Their union was set long before you made the agreement with Capulet and Paris—"

"And as I said before, had I known that, things would be different," Prince interrupted. "But I didn't know about their secret love. Therefore nothing between them had the blessing of their parents or myself. Paris did have that blessing, so his claim on Juliet makes him her rightful mate. Those are the rules, Benvolio, and these are rules I have to obey."

"Even if those rules make no sense and leave everyone grieving?" Benvolio demanded.

"Yes!" Prince replied, sounding less patient now. "If I bend the rules this once because I don't like the outcome, then what becomes of my leadership? What kind of pattern will that establish? What message does that send to the rest of the herd? 'Go on, do whatever you want, break whatever rules you like: Prince is soft and doesn't follow through on his promises or threats so it's okay'? Do you understand, son? Do you understand that I must uphold these rules whether I like them or not? It's not about what I like or don't like. It's not about my personal preferences or which course will make everyone happy. It's about heeding the laws and guidelines that have been placed before me, which is the only way a leader can be totally and absolutely fair. I know Romeo was your friend, Benvolio, but don't let your love for him blind you to what is right. That is enough," he added, for the paint colt showed every sign of being about to speak. "My decision is final, and I will not revoke it. Romeo is banished from this herd. I wish him all the best in the future, but he is not to return here. As for Juliet and the rest, I hope they can find happiness with what they have, but I cannot change what has been done. I will hear no argument. This discussion is closed."

Prince turned away, swishing his tail once to indicate that he would not speak further on this matter. Benvolio huffed furiously and stormed off, ears flat against his head and teeth bared in a snarl of rage.

Rosaline watched sadly as he approached. She could tell from his expression how the conversation had gone, yet still she asked, "He won't change his mind?"

Benvolio tossed his mane. "No. He says he can't bend the rules, even though it would make everyone happier if he did."

Rosaline glanced over at Paris, who stood in a corner of the clearing, his head down and tears streaking his cheeks. "Not everyone," she murmured.

Benvolio followed her gaze, and his expression softened. He sighed. "How did it all come to this? Yesterday everything was fine. Okay, so Romeo and Juliet hadn't seen each other in a while and were getting restless, but they were both here. They were both reasonably happy. And now…" He trailed off. Silence stretched between them for a moment.

Then Benvolio went on, "You know what Romeo said to me the night of the party? After I convinced him to come even though he was Montague's son?"

Rosaline shook her head, wondering what this had to do with anything.

"He said, 'If anything happens, it's on you.'" Benvolio laughed humorlessly. "He meant that if Capulet found out that he was there and got mad or whatever, then I would be to blame. And you know what I said in return? I said, 'I think I can live with that.'" He shook his head. "But if I had known…if I'd even guessed that this would be the end result of such a foolish decision…" He faltered. "I should never have dragged Romeo to that party. That's when all this started. If I'd never bothered then they'd never have met, and Romeo would still be here. Everything would be…would be…"

"It wouldn't be fine," Rosaline interjected softly. "Romeo would still be looking for love, and Juliet would be promised to a stallion she feels nothing for. No matter how it ended, isn't it better that they had the time together that they did? Benvolio, just earlier today you were saying that love makes all things possible. Don't tell me that you've lost heart so soon." She bumped his cheek with her muzzle, and despite his sadness Benvolio felt his heart jump into his throat at her touch. "I know things seem bleak right now, but there's a way to fix this! I know there is! We just have to find it."

Benvolio gazed at her, wondering how he'd gone his whole life without noticing her before the past day or two. He nodded. "You're right. Yes. We'll find a way. We have to." Then, throwing caution to the winds, he pressed his muzzle to hers. Her eyes flew open in shock, but she didn't draw away. "Love is worth the fight."

Rosaline blinked several times and smiled shyly, suddenly unable to say a word.

…

The sun was starting to set below the treetops when Capulet approached his daughter. Juliet looked up as the sound of his footsteps reached her ears, and for a long moment they simply gazed at each other. Capulet's face was stern and cold, Juliet's drained and almost lifeless. She'd stopped crying: she had long before run out of tears to shed.

Capulet broke the silence. "How long do you plan to stand there mourning the departure of Montague's son?"

Juliet didn't answer.

Capulet stomped once and snorted. He didn't like his question being ignored, but he had more pressing matters to discuss so he let it go without comment. "Paris has spoken to me this evening. He told me that you said you never loved him, that you have been playing him false while secretly seeing your beloved rogue."

"I never played him false," Juliet corrected, and even she was surprised by how calm her voice was. "I never told him I loved him, never gave any indication that I felt anything for him more than simple friendship. If he assumed anything about my heart, then that's his fault, not mine."

Capulet's eyes narrowed. "Be that as it may," he said, and he was much less successful at keeping his voice steady, "you let him believe that you loved him when you did not."

"And I am sorry he is hurt," Juliet said. "It was never my intention to wound him. I know this has caused him a great deal of pain, and I am sorry for it. But there is nothing more to be said or done at this point. What's done is done, and I can't change it."

Capulet lashed his tail out angrily. "There is something you can do, Juliet," he growled. "You can go through with the arrangement and become Paris's mate. Heal the heart that you have broken. Be his mate and give him the love you once gave to that other colt."

"His name is Romeo," Juliet said, and for the first time there was a bite to her voice. She wasn't surprised by her father's order. She'd been half-expecting it all afternoon. "You refuse to say his name, but that doesn't change who he is. He is Romeo, and I love him. I will not be Paris's mate. My heart will never be his, nor will I ever love him the way I love Romeo."

Capulet was so angry that Juliet could see the whites of his eyes as they rolled furiously in their sockets. "You are such a child!" he barked. "A spoiled, rotten child! You don't understand a thing you say! How do you know your heart can't be won a second time by another horse? Romeo is banished from this herd, and you will never see him again! You are pining now, but you will get over him in time and realize just how great a match Paris is for you."

Juliet's temper flared. "Get over him?" she repeated, and she let out a cold shout of laughter. "Like you got over Livia, you mean?"

The mention of his sister brought Capulet up short. He inhaled sharply and gaped at his daughter as if he'd never seen her before. Then his face contorted in rage. "How dare you!" he hissed. "How dare you speak her name! How dare you talk to me like that, your own father!"

"I dare," Juliet returned, "because your stupid hatred and grudge has driven me from the stallion I love. You have become so consumed by the past that you've totally failed to see what's right in front of you. For all your talk of wanting to match me with a suitable stallion, of wanting what's best for me, you've never taken the time to find out just what would be best for me, what would make me happy. Did you ever ask me if I loved Paris? No. Did you ever ask if being with him would make me happy? No. Did you ever ask me if I was willing to be his mate? No. You just decided it all for me without ever realizing that I have thoughts and feelings of my own. I despise you!"

She turned away from him, taking deep breaths to steady her hammering heart. Capulet stared at her in stunned disbelief, unable to fathom what she'd said.

"Your refusal to forgive Montague has put a rift in this herd," Juliet went on in a calmer voice. "And I'll have no more of it. I will not submit to your will. I will not be Paris's mate."

There was a long, painful silence.

"Very well," Capulet said at last, and the words were cold as death itself. "Go ahead. Refuse to love Paris. Never have a mate for all I care. If you despise me so much, then leave me. Do not put yourself in my sight again, you ungrateful wretch. Eat, sleep, live where you will, but it won't be under my protection. Do what you want. I'm done with you."

If Capulet was hoping Juliet would recant and beg for forgiveness, he was greatly disappointed. "Fine," was all she said, and she didn't even glance at him as he left her alone.

"Wow…that was something."

Juliet looked around to see Rosaline approaching, looking both shocked and rather amused. Juliet smiled weakly at her. "I may regret that in the morning," she admitted, "but at the moment I can't say I'm sorry I said any of it."

Rosaline chuckled and walked up to where her friend stood, reaching out to nudge her gently. "How are you?" she asked softly.

Juliet sighed, her smile fading as quickly as it had appeared. "I miss him so much," she murmured. "This is so much worse than the impatience and discomfort I'm used to feeling when we're apart. At least then I had the promise of a night with him to ease my impatience. But now…with Romeo banished…" She stopped, biting her lip.

"Well, at least you have the memory of him, right?" Rosaline said in a weak attempt to cheer her. "Didn't he say as he was leaving that he'd always be with you?"

"He said he would never be far," Juliet said, nodding sadly. "He said it three times, actually. It's like he was afraid I would forget him or…" She stiffened and gasped, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping open. "Of course," she moaned. "How did I not figure it out sooner?"

"Juliet?" Rosaline frowned. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Wrong?" Juliet laughed, actually laughed for the first time that day, a sound of joy that was so out of place given the circumstances that Rosaline actually feared for her friend's sanity. "Nothing's wrong, Rosaline! This is wonderful! Romeo wasn't telling me he'd always be in my heart or my memory or anything like that! He was telling me that he would always be nearby! He meant it literally! That's why he said it three times; he wanted to make sure I understood what he meant! He's close to the herd! He hasn't left after all!" She threw herself on Rosaline in utter joy. "Here I've been crying my eyes out and grieving over our separation when really we haven't been separated at all! He's out there somewhere, waiting for me to go to him!"

"Well then, what are you waiting for?" Rosaline demanded, smiling. "There's nothing tying you to the herd, now that you and your father have fallen out. Go to him. Be happy. Follow him to the ends of the earth. And love him with everything you've got."

But Juliet's joy was fading as she gazed at her friend. "But…what about you? You're my dearest friend."

"And I'll miss you very much," Rosaline said. "But you won't be content unless you're by Romeo's side. Don't worry about that. Just go to him. As long as you're happy, then I'll be happy."

Juliet beamed and nuzzled her friend. "Thank you, Rosaline. I'll never forget you."

"Oh Juliet, let's not do these sad good-byes," Rosaline replied with a little laugh. "Just go. Go and find your Romeo."

Juliet smiled, her eyes brimming with fresh tears, and nodded. And without another word she whirled around and cantered into the woods. She didn't have to worry about what direction to take. She knew exactly where Romeo would be.

Sure enough, she emerged into the little clearing in which she and Romeo had first confessed their love for each other, the clearing where they'd spent their precious nights together since she'd agreed to be his mate. And there he was, his eyes dancing with joy, lips curved in a smile of welcome. "I was starting to wonder if my message got lost in translation," he remarked with a faint chuckle.

"Oh Romeo!" Juliet cried, running to him and burying her head in his chest, wetting his hair with her tears. She felt the heat of his body, the warm comfort of his presence, heard the reassuring sound of his breathing, inhaled the scent she knew so well. He was here, standing before her when she'd thought she would never see him again. And though they'd only been apart for a few hours, she was so overcome with delight that it might have been a whole century.

"I figured this would be a good place for us to call home," Romeo said, gesturing around the clearing with his muzzle. "It's close to the stream, and there's plenty of grass growing in the woods to sustain us. And we're close enough to the herd that I can visit my father once things have quieted down a bit, reassure him that I'm well and he has nothing to be worried about."

"It's perfect," Juliet agreed, stepping back far enough that she could look him in the eye. "Anywhere is perfect as long as you're there."

Romeo grinned. "It's funny: I was going to say the same thing about you." And he pressed his muzzle to hers.

They were so overwhelmed by their joy that they failed to notice a third presence lurking in the trees just outside the clearing's edge. The horse watched the lovers reunite, and with every second that passed his rage became hotter, fiercer, all-consuming. By the time Paris stormed away, his fury was taking shape in a desperate plan, a plan that would ensure that Romeo and Juliet would never be together again.

A/N: Reunited again! But will it last? You'll find out soon enough. Next chapter will be up on Tuesday. I hope you're enjoying the story!