A Hatching Egg (A Romeo And Juliet Fanfic)

Tis For Protection

The spare room in the church was to my comfort. I made myself as comfortable as possible what Friar Laurence said to me as Romeo explained politely to him. I napped in my room before taking a stroll in the village. I came across a large home on the other side of the village. As I passed through, I heard an old woman's shouts.

"Juliet, Juliet!"

After a tight squeeze, I stood under what seemed the open window of a bed chamber, voices can be heard of a mother and daughter speaking of courtship. It was against Juliet's will, Count Paris was whom she was intended to be arranged off to. Against my beliefs, I was mad. I heard enough, I left the same place I went in, again a tight squeeze. But as soon as I started walking, the entrance door was opened an old woman.

"I heard thy movements outside."

"Thine apologies madam, I was only strolling fair Verona, intentions of intrusions are not thine. I, a traveler, a short stay."

"A traveler, come dear maid, the Capulet's await!"

She dragged me by my arm back in but in the home. Lady Capulet was just entering with Juliet the main area of living.

"My lady, a young maiden traveler I let in."

"Ah."

Lady Capulet and her daughter stood up, Juliet was smiling but her mother was eyeing me like a hawk. I bowed.

"Thine name is Eglantine, an honor thy ladyship."

Lady Capulet was at temporary ease.

"Eglantine, you travel here of all other."

"I intend to travel the world but here I rest."

She nodded.

"Juliet, my daughter."

Juliet smiled and bowed, I mirrored the bow and smiled.

"How long thy stay in fair Verona?" Lady Capulet asked.

"Very short, not sure how long. Venice tis where I hail."

"Venice, tis a fascination. Thy age?"

"Fourteen madam."

"Older than my Juliet, you travel alone...a sword in tow!"

"I mean you no harm thy ladyship, thine sword protects me only."

"I see, thy seem harmless, admirable young maid, tonight tis a ball a masquerade, thy shall come."

"Thank you Lady Capulet, I accept!"

Lady Capulet smirked while Juliet smiled.

"Eglantine, call forth a man to court you."

"Yes madam."

"Nurse, show Eglantine out please, we shall see her tonight."

I was escorted out. Further down I walked but I was grabbed, I looked behind me, it was Tybalt.

"Tis the swordsmaiden."

He chuckled.

"State thy business over there, the Capulet's. Tis nor a good thing to be both the Montague's and the Capulet's, you a traveler, a maid traveler."

"Thy promised a duel," I changed the subject.

"Correct!"

I followed him to the countryside a half mile from the village.

"You shall be taught a lesson."

"Lesson?"

"You a maid with a sword, tis against tradition."

"Tradition tis an excuse to speak harsh to me."

I saw Mercutio, Romeo, and a few more boys run towards us.

"Eglantine, Tybalt, stop!" Mercutio shouted.

"How did thy find us!?" I asked.

"Tybalt laid his finger on thy arm, nor a gentleman he is."

"Well, I shall teach him not to meddle in thine business."

I unsheathed my sword.

"Let me duel her."

Tybalt unsheathed his sword.

"Stand back boys. Thou shall strike first."

"Tis unusual, a man and a fair maid dueling each other," I heard Romeo say. 

Tybalt charged with his sword in the air, our swords clanged together hard, I used the momentum of our swords to push him back. I didn't charge at him like he did me.

"Stop!" Romeo shouted.

We clanged swords for a while, it seemed long to us but short to the others. 

"Benvolio, stop them!"

"The maiden surely shan't be treated like a maiden, let her duel him," Benvolio replied.

I ripped the clothing on Tybalt's torso.

"Thou should be lucky it didn't descend deeper. I hope thy lesson is learned."

Tybalt smirked.

"The next time, I shall be harder, Thou considered a foe."

He leaned in to whisper.

"The Montague's or the Capulet's."

Tybalt walked away. The other boys cheered.

"O brave maiden!" Mercutio yelled.

They ran to me.

"Thy shall have our admiration, thou considered a friend!"

"Eglantine, you fight like a true swordsman," Romeo said smiling.

I looked at Benvolio, who looked at me too smiling.

"My cousin Benvolio," Romeo said.

Benvolio pecked my hand.

"We hark a ball at the Capulet's," Mercutio said.

"Yes, her ladyship spoke of it."

"Thy spoke with the Capulet's?"

"The nurse invited me inside as I passed. I met her ladyship and her daughter Juliet."

"Thou have no idea what happens between us."

"Nor a little."

"They've been at each other's throats for years."

"Lady Capulet is a bitter woman, all of you are less."

They all smiled.

"Court one of us tonight," Romeo said.

Benvolio was the first, he took my hand.

"She can go with me."

I nodded.

"Sorry boys," I smiled.

We started running towards the village.

"No harm done, thou still our new friend," Mercutio said.

We went back laughing.