HOLA, MIS AMIGOS! I'm back with the 2nd chapter this story, which I am really surprised I got reviews on the same day I posted it, u guys must love me a lot! And that makes me love u guys even more, especially u JBABE, TE AMO, LINDA!* ;D
And I would also like to thank my new and awesome friend, iamloveCynder, for being so cool and supportive with everything I do. You're AWESOME, dude! I luv ya so much and I luv talking to u, even about the craziest things we could think of. I luv your story, I always get so excited by every chapter, I hope u keep it up with your creativity and genius! THIS IS FOR YOU! ;D
2. The Scarlett Beauty*
(Night-time, sunset)
After the brave rescue of El Zorro, the people of Santa Verona were at peace for the moment to celebrate one of their favourite holidays and the people prepared for the festival in the square, the entire town was filled with colourful flowers and glowing lights. The people were shouting and dancing, having a great time under the starry night.
High on the mountain, there stood a majestic palace and not just any palace, it was the home of Don Rojillo and his family lived. And high on a balcony stood a girl with long brown shinning hair and a beautiful red gown, her lips were red and her eyes were esmerald green. She was the daughter of Don Rojillo; her name is Julieta Isabel Rojillo.
The girl was staring into the horizon of the sea from the balcony of her bedroom as the wind blew through her hair. She was a real gem, exactly like a shinning ruby which all men desire as a wife but by her stubbornness and hard character, nobody was able to win her over. Despite her beauty, she wished for adventure and freedom, to explore the outside world and its wonders. But her father, by being powerful and overprotective, he has forbidden her to go anywhere; he wanted to keep her a secret until her 18th birthday but he was too busy to realize that her 18th birthday was today.
As she looked down at the festival, she heard the sound of people, laughing and cheering for the festival but she was forbidden to go anywhere. Another that the festival, today was her birthday, her 18th birthday but nobody cared.
"At least somebody is having fun on my birthday" she frowns
"Everything alright, mi niña?" her lady-in-waiting and friend, Sra. Nanette walked in, cleaning her room al little, noticing that she was a little sad.
"No, I just wish I could go the festival. It looks so fun!" she said, walking back into her bedroom.
"I know. I'm going to the festival and help on the food sells" Nanette said
"I don't doubt that. Your food is a big hit; I always loved your food since I was a little girl. You are the only friend I have in the world" Julieta smiled, hugging her.
"Ay, mi Chiquita, don't be like that. It's your birthday, right? And I know after today, Don Rojillo will let you out of here because you are more than just his price possession, you are a girl who has dreams and wants a life of her own" she smiles at her.
"I hope, Nanette. He would always explode when I ask him that I want to leave the palace. And I don't doubt that my father forgot another one of my birthdays" she exhales
"Well, he might have but I haven't. In fact, I have a present for you"
As Julieta sat down on the edge of her bed, Sra. Nanette pulls out a small box, wrap in brown paper. It was a bit dusty by all the years it must have been saving it for her. Sra. Nanette slowly hands it to her and Julieta takes it in her hands and started unwrapping it until she found a little box, painted very elegant and beautiful. She opens the little box and gasps in awe by what was inside it.
"It's my mother's ruby ring" she gasps
"She gave it to me to give it to you on your 18th birthday. She said she would be seeing you wear it, proudly"
"This was her priced jewel"
"No, Julieta. You were her priced jewel; she just wanted to give you this ring so you can follow your dreams no matter what your father says"
"I'll never forget her words, and she's the one who taught me how to all the things I know now"
"She's an angel that will always protect you, my child"
"Thank you for the gift, Nanette" she smiles, putting on the ring in her finger.
"Oh no, mi niña. This gift was from your mother but now I'm going to give you my gift. You want to go to the festival tonight, right?"
"Yes! More than anything!"
"Well, you're coming with me but you have to promise me that you'll behave"
"Yes, I promise! Oh, thank you so much, Nanny!"
All excited, Julieta hug her tight, grateful to her by everything she's done for, loving and caring her like if she was her own mother. All she needed to do is wait until Nanette prepared all her things for the festival which was in a few minutes. The once-locked up girl continue to look down at the colourful festival and made a decision. She decided to go down there and have fun on her birthday for the first time in her life. She was so excited that she put on her mother's ring to always have her around. Soon, there was a knock on the door, it was Sra. Nanette.
"Julieta, mi niña, are you ready?" she came in with a basket in her hand with food and supplies.
"Si, just give me a moment" she goes to her closet and pulls out a long dark hood and puts it over her head, so she wouldn't recognized by her father and the guards. She sneak quietly through the hallways, sneaking by her father's study while he was working on his duties, going behind his back as Sra. Nanette distract him and the guards so Julieta could escape until she made it outside, coast clear. It was 5 seconds later, Nanette came out and they both headed to the festival and the town square.
"Julieta, I have to go to the stand and help out with the sells, so go ahead and have fun and stay out of sight from the guards, ok?"
"Yes, and thank you again, Nanette. This is so beautiful!" she squeals. Admiring the fun and beauty of the festival.
With a smile, Sra. Nanette kisses Julieta's forehead. "Have fun" she whispers and walks away to do her work, leaving the child in the middle of the square, unrecognizable to anyone.
She started walking around, taking in every sight she sees. She then walks to the center of the square where a lot of people were dancing to the rhyming of the music, having a blast!
"Hey!" a woman cried to her
"Me?" Julieta asks, confused, pointing at herself.
"Si, you. Want to join the dance contest?" some girl dancers pull her into the crowd, kindly.
"Ok" she blushes a bit, stepping in, accepting their invitation.
Julieta step onto the center of the dance floor as the musicians played their instruments, making the music lively and really fun. Juliet was having a blast, dancing, playing, and eating delicious foods. Soon the music started playing really soft and slow, couples started dancing around her. She felt so weird and uncomfortable, just standing there alone, seeing them from a foot away. She was about to leave the crowd until she felt a hand over her shoulder, which made her jump.
"Wish to dance?" a soft and velvet voice behind her.
She turns around and her eyes widen by who was behind her. It was a handsome man, dressed in elegant Blue clothes, fit for a prince. His eyes were a shade of sapphire blue that sparkle like stars and he smile at her lovingly. He was a gentleman that meant well and was full of trust and loyalty.
"Yes, I'd love to, señor" she smiles, softly.
The mysterious and handsome man took her across the dance floor where it was clear by the people, giving them space for their dance. Soon romantic and tango music, He pulled her to him, spinning her in place and dipping her in his arms, in a romantic way. Knowing how to dance tango, Julieta followed his lead, keeping her eyes on his moves and dancing the beat of the music as he pulled her back, holding her by her waist, slowly walking in a circle in place as they stare into eachother's eyes. He then glides her across the dance floor as her dress follows with her. Julieta felt passion with the music while being in the arms of this man as he spins her around in place and then dips her in his arms. he holds on to her as pulls herself back up o him, with her eyes closed, leaning closer like to kiss him but she stops, catching her breath and even feeling his as he stare until her green eyes. They snap back to reality when they heard the crowd, applauding and cheering by their little show, they both clear their throats and step away from eahcother like nothing happened.
For the rest of the evening, Julieta had the most amazing time. As the music got lively and fun again, making the people dance with joy, the people of the town soon recognized her and welcome her with open arms. They not only celebrated their holiday but they had the generosity of celebrating her birthday too, they even made her a beautiful rose crown as a present, fit for a princess which she was too them. And she spent the rest of the night mysterious and handsome man in the festival like any couple in love, which she thought she was starting too.
"You dance wonderfully, señorita" he smiled
"Thank you, so are you" she blushed
"Well, I must be off, to catch my breath" he starts to walk away
Then she stops him "Wait, do I know you? Can I at least know your name?"
"Celeste. Gnomeo Claudio Celeste" he introduces himself, taking her hand
"Celeste? As in, La Familia Celeste?" she asks, concern
"Si. And you are, miss?" he asks
"Rojillo. Julieta Isabel Rojillo" she says with a smile
"Charmed" he kisses her hand and she blushes in delight. "I must be off. It was a pleasure dancing with you. I hope I see you again" he says sadly and it made her sad as well.
He kisses her hand one more time and walks away from her. Julieta was charmed by the mysterious man by the name of Celeste. She knew of what family he belongs to, it was the family her father was in war with, he wanted his lands because there was gold hidden in their lands. But she was nothing like him and she didn't hate the Celeste family or wanted anything to harm them. She stood there, froze, gazing at the handsome man in Blue with a loving smile on her face. Something was wrong with her, her heart was bouncing at a fast pace. She didn't know what was happening and started thinking, getting lost in thought until she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Well, well, if it isn't Srta. Julieta Isabel Rojillo" the voice said, happily
She turns and smiles by recognizing that voices. It was Padre Featherstone, her beloved priest and friend. "Padre Featherstone" she smiles and hugs him, tenderly.
"How are you, my child? I haven't seen you since your mother died. What are you doing here, my dear?" he asks, holding her hands
Then she gets nervous by his question "Padre, please don't tell my father you saw me here. I just wanted to come to the festival because it's my 18th birthday and I..." she begs but he interrupts her.
"No, say no more, hija. I will not say a word but you need to promise me that you are going back as soon as the festival is over because Don Rojillo will notice you're gone and come looking for you, you know that, right?"
"Yes, I know" she nods
"Well, since it's your birthday. I would like to give you a gift" he smiles
Padre Featherstone reaches into her back pocket of his brown rope and pulls out a sliver and jewelled rosary with red and blue jewel stones and with a Jesus cross at the end, it was beautiful and it made Julieta smile in pleasure!
"A rosary. It's beautiful, Padre!" she gasps in delight and smiles as El Padre puts it over her
"And it's blessed to give you all the happiness and strength you need for the rest of your wonderful life" he smiles, giving her his blessing as she admire the rosary on her neck.
"Thank you, Padre" she smiles, hugging him
Suddenly, she and El Padre heard some shouts and screams in terror. the people were running in fear into the center of the plaza as Julieta stayed behind El Padre, concern by what was happening. They saw it was some guards on horses coming through the square and her cousin was leading them. They were searching for the daughter of the governor who escaped. They searched every stand and every place they could think off until Capitan Teobaldo spot his cousin in the square. She hides behind Padre Featherstone, she didn't want to go back but she couldn't let these people pay for her actions.
"SEARCH EVERY CONERN BUT FIND HER!" Capitan Teobaldo order, riding on his horse
"Si, señor" his men replied, riding on their horses through the scared crowd.
"Señorita Rojillo!" Teobaldo called, seeing her
"Capitan Teobaldo" Padre Featherstone said, protecting Julieta behind him.
"Buenas noches, Julieta" he spotted his cousin behind the priest as he hop off his horse and walking toward her. "And good night to you to, Padre" he greeted the priest.
"Hola primo. What are you doing here?" she asks, bravely stepping out to confront him. (primo: boy cousin)
"The same thing I could ask you, primita. I just came to take you back home, Julieta" he inform, grabbing her by her wrist. (primita: girl cousin)
"No! I'm not going back and you tell my father I said that!" she states, pulling her arm away.
"Listen, mocosa, you are coming back with me or these peasants will suffer the consequences" he threats her, grabbing her by her arm, tightening his grip on her. (mocosa: spoiled girl)
"No! Be angry with me but you leave them alone, Teobaldo!"
"Then let's go, Julietita!" he grabs and pulls her by her arms again, tighting his grip
"I TOLD YOU, I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE, TEOBALDO! AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!" she screams, struggling to break her.
"YES, I CAN, MOCOSA!" he yells, furious.
Filled with anger, Teobaldo grabbed Julieta by her arm and started dragging her way but the people of the town got furious, they were gonna let him take her by force. The angry mob defended Julieta, pulling her away from him and started a real problem, nearly destroying the entire festival. with the crowd protecting her, Julieta ran through the crowd but Teobaldo and the guards chase after her but the people continue to push them away.
"Run, my child! RUN!" Padre Featherstone yelled as he joins in the crowd to protect her.
As she holds on to her puffy red dress up, Julieta runs down the dark and cold streets, trying to get away from the angry mob but her cousin saw her running away and he order his men to go after her. Following his orders, the guards hop on their horses and chase her into a dark alley. It was a dead end, she was trapped, and she lean herself against the brick wall as the guards got closer, getting ready to arrester her. All her hopes and dreams were almost destroyed until suddenly, a mysterious figure came out of nowhere and jump in front of her and started fighting the guards in less than a few seconds, knocking them out. Julieta was scared and confused by what's happening but she recognized this man, she just never expected on meeting him.
It was El Zorro!
El Zorro finished fighting the last guard and looked back at Julieta, who was still nervous and scared by this strange encounter. Soon, they heard gunshots and more screams from the guards, He held his hand out for her, he saw the fright in her eyes but she finally gave him her trust in accepting her hand. He pulls her close to him, making her tremble. He pulls out his trusty whip, wrapping it around a flag pole and swigging themselves. The guards were close behind them, seeing their shadows on the walls nearby. El Zorro found a perfect hiding place for Julieta; it was an empty wagon from the festival. He makes her stay inside it and turns around, without saying a word.
"WAIT!" She cries to him, not wanting him to leave her.
He turns to face her and smiles at her, meaning that he will come back for her. And they didn't say a word to each other. He runs away to get the guards off his back until they saw him.
With his trusty whip, wrapping it around a tree branch, El Zorro swings himself to lead the guards away from the scarlet princess. Capitan Teobaldo saw him nearby, he pulls out his sword, wanting to pick up a fight with this masked thief. Soon he spotted him a few feet away.
"There he is! AFTER HIM!" he yelled, in anger.
Capital Teobaldo and his men went after him on their horses, El Zorro pulls out his sword, getting ready to attack. The guards surrounded him with their swords and their guns. He wasn't afraid; on the contrary, it made him stronger. They charged at him, he jumps up, swigging himself with his whip and fighting back with his sword, taking them out with a single blade.
Meanwhile, Julieta was in the wagon, waiting for somebody to come get her, she peeks outside to see if the coast was clear but she was face to face with El Zorro! Julieta gasps in fear, backing away from him. He climbed down, he took of his hat and put away his sword and whip and bowed down to her in respect and honour. She steps out of the wagon and gaze at him from head to toe. She couldn't believe El Zorro saved her. She heard rumours about him but never believed them until now. He could see she was scared of him as he walks closer to him and she takes a step back away from him.
"Don't be afraid, señorita" he says softly, holding his hand to her
"Are you... are you El Zorro?" she asked, shaking.
"Yes, I am, señorita. I had heard that your father wants my head because I am a thief. But I may be a thief but I live and do what I do to protect you and the people of Santa Verona"
"I'm not here to ask you to stop robbing, on the contrary, I think you do a very kind thing for these good people, they deserve the best"
Suddenly, they heard more screams from Teobaldo and gunshots approaching.
"Ven! We must get you home now, shall we?" he pulls her by her waist, making her tremble.
El Zorro carried Julieta, bride style as she hold on to his neck, climbing onto her balcony and he lay her down her bed, she sits up as she stair at him. They soon stair into eachother's eyes, without saying a word until she broke the silence.
"I... I wanted to thank you for what you did for me and the people"
"No, you have nothing to thank me. It's my duty to those who are in need of my help"
"Your voice sounds so familiar. Have we met before?"
"No, I don't think we have. Or I would have recognize you"
Suddenly, she heard her father's aggressive voice "JULIETA ISABEL ROJILLO!" his tone sounded very angry. She wasn't scared for her, she was scared if he finds the most wanted thief in Spain in her bedroom, she needed to get him out of here.
"I must go" he says
He leans over her balcony but she stops him before leaving, he knows she didn't want him to go but he knew that she didn't want him to go but he had too.
"We will meet again. Farewell" he kisses her hand one more time and jumps off the balcony on to his horse, riding away into the sunset.
Julieta stood there in thought, gazing at her handsome saviour, watching him leave and for the first time in her life, she knew she was starting to fall in love for the masked thief, for the man known as El Zorro. He was a man with bravery and strength that can make any woman drop to her feet. She rest herself on the edge of her balcony, gazing at the sunset with El Zorro in the horizon as she sighs in delight, maybe in love. But her love for him will be a secret until they meet again.
Well, how was that?
Ok, one thing to let you guys know, you guys think that in this story Julieta will be a delicate princess? EHHH! YOU'RE WAY WRONG IN THAT! Let's say for now, she's going to be this until we get to meet her wild side. I'm not saying what she's going to be... yet, let's say she'll be twice as AWESOME as El Zorro (Gnomeo) because I have to be crazy if I don't turn her into the awesome ninja she is but if in my story, she'll be something cooler or similar to a ninja, you'll see what I mean. Have I ever let you guys down?
Well, I have to go to a trick-or-treating and a Halloween party, see you guys next time with the next chapter where things get twisty ;)
ADIÓS! LOS AMO!(
-TPATFan16* aka Mickey* (But u already knew that)