Good Things Come to Gnomes Who Wait | OverTheGardenGnomes |

Prolouge

"Two households—both alike in dignity. In fair Verona where we lay our scene." -William Shakespeare when he wrote Romeo and Juliet or something or other.

For years the residents of Verona Drive have been at each other's throats. The homeowners, Mr. Capulet and Mrs. Montague, take great pride in their gardens. After putting years of effort into these gardens, their pride is rivaled by no other—but perhaps, each other. And their own garden gnomes.

This pride sparked animosity between gardens, a certain hatred passed down from generation to generation. Nobody knew how this feud really started, but for the gnomes, it was anything but entertaining—and now there was more tension than ever. Springtime is always very competitive for the gnomes of Verona Drive, especially for those in charge.

Juliet Redbrick was a very highly regarded gnome in the Red garden.

Her father, Lord Redbrick, led the Red garden, even though he didn't do much other than exchange harsh words between the leader of the Blue garden. Tybalt, her cousin, was in charge of planning and launching attacks on their enemies in this never ending back-and-forth.

As for Juliet's mother, she was smashed in an incident years ago. Due to Redbrick's paranoia surrounding the incident, Juliet faced many restrictions put in place by her father after the passing of Lady Redbrick to put his mind at ease. Nowadays, she's rarely ever permitted to leave her pedestal for fear of a similar fate, but these rules only seem to tempt her.

Juliet often found herself itching for adventure and searching for a way to help her fellow Reds put the Blue's garden to shame.

Much to Lord Redbrick's disappointment, Juliet frequently attempted to participate in the battle of superiority against the blues despite these strict rules.

This was one such occasion.

Juliet pulled herself upright on a branch of the Red's sturdy apple tree, clearing the leaves from her vision as she attempted to peer into the alleyway. Unable to see properly, Juliet had lifted her eyes from the commotion in the alley to meet something much more interesting. A long way in front of her sprouted a vibrant flower with a pink hue.

"Wow..!" Juliet gasped, her bright green eyes lit up with disbelief. "A cupid's arrow orchid!" The flower in question was perched on the roof of a rather rickety looking greenhouse within the confines of the old Laurence's garden.

"Oh, Juliet!" Her father called abruptly, The Red's head whipped around at the call of her name. Startled, she stumbled forward and lost her footing with a shout. After nearly getting smashed, and with the help of a low-hanging branch, she managed to propel herself into the safety of a plant resting below. Lord Redbrick flinched away and prepared himself for the sound of shattering ceramic, but it never came. Instead he was met with the enthused voice of his daughter.

"Hiya Dad, you won't believe what I just found!" She exclaimed. Redbrick dismissed her with a wave of his staff and a grumble of relief.

"Do you want to get smashed?" He scolded, but his question went ignored as Juliet continued on.

"—A flower that will put that Blue garden to shame, just across the alley!" She was silenced as her father grabbed her arm, beginning to lecture her as he dragged the Red along.

"This feud business is none of your concern." Juliet frowned. She was frequently brushed off by her father, no matter if it was related to the Blue garden or not. She let out a sigh as Redbrick pulled her up the stairs to her pedestal. "And as leader of this garden, it's up to me to..." Juliet rolled her eyes, she hated how he'd constantly remind her of their roles in the garden.

"Uh, I am a Red, after all." She interrupted. She could be so much more than just a pretty face for the Red garden. Redbrick sighed and motioned for Nanette to open up.