A Rivalry Decades Deep

In a world of Shakespeare sonnets and orders from the queen.

PLOT: A different take on Romeo and Juliet, The Ultimate Love Story. What if they where betrothed by Queen Elizabeth, to end their families rivalry. What if they hated each other? What if, their names where Lily Evans and James Potter. Medieval.

This is a lily and James medieval fic, I hope you enjoy! Please read and review.

Disclaimer: I don not own anything. apart from the plot (not the Romeo and Juliet bit) and Emma, anything you recognise from William Shakespeare's beautiful plays is not mine. I do not own Harry Potter either, that is the work of an amazing author who is unfortunately not myself. Basically I don't own anything, Zero, Zilch, Not a single thing.

I'm so so so so so sorry it took so long to update, I was on holiday and there was no computer. I'll try and get the next chapter up soon, though it will definitely take a few days since I'm going away to stay with friends for a few days. Sorry about the delay, but I hope you enjoy this chapter.

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Chapter Two : A Dance

"He is absolutely impossible!" Lily raged, trying to keep her voice at a whisper as she and Emma strolled arm in arm, throughout dotted fountains in the little courtyard, therefore ensuring their conversation could not be overheard. Emma glanced sideways at her fuming friend, after 17 years of friendship; Emma franks could tell when her dear friend was upset. Emma's brow furrowed as she searched for something consoling to say.

"Don't fret Lily, betrothals are broken all the time-"

"Not this one!" She almost screamed. She shut her mouth quickly before anything else could escape, she had no right shouting at Emma, Emma was the only person in the world right know who would listen to her shouts and complaints, the only person in the world who cared what she thought or how she felt about the betrothal.

She sunk slowly, her legs bending, hoping she was falling onto a bench, she didn't care any more, she just wanted to take the weight off her legs, she felt a familiar contact of her backside against something hard and stable, and was relieved, at least she had landed on a bench. She felt the slight brush of Emma's arm on her own, as her friend sat beside her, lily reached out and placed her hand on Emma's, she turned and looked straight into her friends eyes,

"Forgive me, I did not mean to shout at you." She whispered sadness so evident on her face it seemed to make her face droop with the weight of such an emotion. The corners of Emma's mouth twitched into a meek smile,

"I think after today, you deserve to shout."

Lily smiled sadly, tears filling her own eyes, "I think after today, you may be right,"

This wasn't fair Lily thought, she didn't want to marry a man who hated her. She wasn't as naïve to think she could marry for love, there was no such thing in 1553 England, but at least to a man who respected her, just a bit.

She gazed into the fountain closest to her, watching the large droplets of water trickle down the carved stone, almost longingly as if she wished to be one, whose only job was to gracefully travel down works of art, in an endless cycle.

She thought of her family in the banquet hall. They where in uproar, angry, shocked, her mother could be seen bursting into cries of hysterical tears, and not for one second did one member of her family look over at their daughter, sister, cousin, niece, even granddaughter, to ask, even look, how she felt about the situation.

She, who had more to do the betrothal than anyone, she, the one who would have to marry, Lord James Potter. Not once was even a glance spared at the girl, forced to marry her enemy, her families enemy, the boy she had been taught to hate.

They wallowed in their apparent 'disgrace' the 'unfairness' and not once did they look as she sat, her expression blank, eyes downcast as she stared at the scuffed stone floor, watching a blur of an unhappy future playing out in the dull stone, and if they had looked, just for two seconds gazed into the eyes and saw the feelings, the true feelings, the ones that she could not hide or mask, no matter how much she adjusted her expression, or thoughts. They would have seen the little girl staring back at them through emerald depths, searching, longing, for a kind word, a whisper of comfort.

For any man, woman or child could spot the fear that clouded and polluted her eyes. That took over her face unless she mentally slapped herself when she felt her face relax. It was like a corset, which had to be constantly tightened, and held, because if a finger slipped, or if a hand hesitated, and the corset was allowed to loosen, even just a fraction of a centimetre and the skin allowed to breathe, all hell would break loose.

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James Potter strutted out into the court yard, he really didn't need this. Why did he have to marry? He didn't want to marry anyone at all, least of all his enemy. Lily Evans who was, in his mind: difficult, irritable, impolite, tiresome, didn't know her place, an Evans (possibly that being the worst thing about her), vexing, bold, severe, trying, unpleasant, irksome, taxing, probably a complete prude etc, etc…. although he didn't have any intention of sleeping with her, it was another thing to list against her. But the thing he hated most about Miss Lily Evans was something he would never admit, she was incredibly quick witted. Her tongue was lethal, and her words severe, she could strike even him down, just by opening her mouth. Something that no one before had ever been able to do. This intrigued James, the challenge in her eyes when her dagger sharp words plunged through his skin, it was the same challenge that burned in James's eyes. But she was an Evans.

Why couldn't he carry on his life how it was, spending his days hunting, jousting, playing cards, and gambling, visiting the brothels, or flirting with ladies of the court, who blushed and giggled at his jokes and charm, with sneaky kisses and maybe something more behind the trees.

He spotted Lily by a fountain; she was conversing in low voices to her friend. He strutted towards them, he'd just have to get her and get it all over and done with, then hopefully he would be able to go back to the Potter Mansion.

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"Plus, he's bound to hate you at first, you are enemies."

"He could at least try, to be civil towards me, if we are to spend the rest of our days together."

"Yes but you have to rememb-" Emma stopped at the appearance of James Potter.

James made no acknowledgement of Emma, and didn't bow at all to either of them, he only spoke snappishly:

"Wife, we are wanted to dance in the great hall." He reluctantly reached to take lily's arm, to try and steer her into the great hall.

Lily pulled away sharply, and turned around, staring defiantly at a stone wall that had ivy tumbling down it to cover the hidden groove in the rock commonly used by the ladies and gentleman at the court, for meetings that did not involve much talking.

"What where you saying Emma?"

"Lily….I think you should just…." She motioned towards James.

"Sorry what was that? I didn't hear what you said. What where you saying before we where rudely interrupted?"

James walked around to face her, he smiled his cool mocking smile. He was standing, looking down at her, as usual a challenge in his pose, and eyes, as she refused to meet his mocking gaze.

"Wife, are you disobeying your husband"

"future Wife. I am not bound to you yet."

"So you would fight your future lord and master."

"A piece of gold round my finger does not make me yours."

In the eyes of the church it does, and in the eyes of our Lord. In the eyes of the Church and in the eyes of our Lord, it also gives me every right to you." James knew the effect this would have, and he enjoyed watching Lily's blood boil, and face contort as each word he spoke left his lips and found her ears. He thought it highly more entertaining than the play he hardly remembered an hour ago .

"It is of course, my duty as your husband." (A/N I'm not religious, but almost everyone was religious in 1553, I'm not saying that it's wrong to be, or that people aren't religious now, just that the church had a bigger impact on peoples lives than nowadays. Sorry  on with the story…….)

Lily looked up, her eyes fiery and full of anger, a glare that would have most men shake in their shoes. This however did quite the opposite; he grinned wider and looked like he would like to laugh at this.

"Miss Evans! If looks could kill! I'm guessing you didn't learn that at finishing school?"

She glared at him hard, and hissed,

"I will submit to what ever you insist, it is my unfortunate duty, she looked him in the eye "but I will never be yours." James made a long exaggerated sigh, and looked bored, as if he had to do this every day and the outcome was always the same.

"What a shame, just when you where just showing some spirit" Lily looked at him again, surprised. Cool indifference plastered on her face and sarcasm in her eyes.

"You would rather me refuse you? That I will obey, as your future wife."

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One resounding note rang throughout the dance hall, ricocheting off the walls and bouncing off the ceiling. A pair of arms raised to the heavens, a black rod entwined in the right hand's fingers, which came crashing down back to earth, as the sound of horse hair against violin strings overpowered any other noise in the room.

The tip of her fingers met his. His hand clasped hers, as they drew in together, closer and closer. Their bodies moulded together, almost as if they had been made to fit one another. The same thought was on each dancers mind, though on both sides, every effort was made to push it as far away as possible from their thoughts.

The dance continued, as they twirled, glided with arms entwined, circled around each other palm to palm. It was a dance of love and courtship, chosen of course by the queen, where eye contact was the essence of the dance and little fleeting touches accompanied by dramatic music, exaggerated the longing for the feeling of skin upon skin, between courting couples. The dance turned an innocent meeting of palm on palm, to symbolise what was described on Sundays in church as 'Sins of the Flesh.'

Lilly and James eyes never left the others, not out of love like the other dancers, but out of daring. Daring the other to miss a step or slow down. Daring the other to look away, as their eyes pierced each others. The endless battle raged on silently between them, as they both tried to be rough and too quick for the other, competing to make it more uncomfortable. But every time their bodies met, every touch, turned from roughness to gentle. Neither could deny the warmness in each others skin when it met, or the tingle in their fingers when joined.

James was worried, why did he like the feel of this girl's skin, he had to stop these feelings before they got dangerous.

"You should know Miss Evans I do not will this marriage." He spoke after the long pause, a safe topic. Strangely enough, Lily was relieved at what he had said, knowing that a fight would follow. It was a lot easier to hate James Potter when you where arguing with him, it made sure that no other feelings entered her head, plus there where no long pauses in which to think, thinking was probably the most dangerous.

"Really I would never have guessed." He smirked at her answer. "You think I welcome this fate, you think I enjoy being traded like a piece of meat?"

"Then why do you yield?"

"You forget Mr Potter you are talking to a Woman, the world has not handed me any tools to change my fate. Plus, it is the Queens wish, and her wishes must all be obeyed."

"So you would obey the wish of a ruler, over the wish of your heart? Even great rulers wishes, may sometimes be questioned, and even ignored." he was testing her, seeing ho far he could stretch her.

"You speak of Treason! I was raised to obey and repesct even if you where not." She snapped, green eyes alight it was her turn to play games, and test him.

"Do not judge me or my family. You know neither." He said in such a dangerous voice Lily was temporarily stunned, his eyes radiated anger.

As the sound of the final note left the room, Queen Elizabeth clapped. "Your dancing was most impressive Mr. Potter and Miss Evans."

They broke apart and lily felt the warmness leave her hand only to be replaced by a feeling of coldness engulf her bare hand. James bowed, and Lily sunk into a low curtsey, making her dress fan out before her very eyes, that where fixed on the floor.

She waved her hand and said, "You may cease." They turned in opposite directions, and walked away from the dance floor, and each other.

Lily rushed to her father's side. She gave him a little curtsey out of respect, a small nod was received from her father. Seeing this as an invitation to talk freely she whispered, with a smile upon her face to ward off eavesdroppers,

"Father you must stop this." Their was no reply, the silence reconfirmed her fears automatically, forgetting her smile she carried on, "Please, I can't I-I ..won't."

"You must." And with that her father, and her last hope walked away.

"Lord Evans!" Rung the queens voice. Theodore Evans stopped walking.

"Yes your Majesty?"

"Do you and your family still visit that charming little castle in, where was it? Surry?

"Devon, your Majesty."

"Oh yes Devon, lovely little place. Right by the sea."

"Yes, we spend our summers there. I find it nice to get out of London for the summer months."

"Yes, I do remember it to be a beautiful castle."

"Thank-you, your Majesty. You should visit us this summer; it has improved tremendously since your last visit."

"No, no. Not me. I think I shall stay in London this summer. Why not invite the Potters for the summer. It would be an excellent chance for the younger ones to get to know each other."

Theodore Evans face went stiff, and his smile became unnatural.

"If your Majesty wishes it." He ground out through clenched teeth.

"Yes, your Majesty does wish it."

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Tonight would be their last night in London, their father announced at dinner, until they travelled to Devon. It had been decided by Theodore and Christine Evans that night in Theodore's private study, that they must leave earlier to prepare the house for the guests, every effort must be made to show them how rich and lavish their lives where, and they where determined to show off their castle at it's best.

That night Lily lay awake, restless. Even the bath, Nurse had filled for Lily could not help relax her, the feeling of hot water running over Lily's skin usually made her feel so warm and tired, she had trouble not falling asleep in the bath.

But as Nurse wrapped her in a large sheet to dry herself, she felt far from sleepy, her head felt like it was buzzing, and she wanted desperately just to turn it off, to stop thoughts shooting through her head, just for five minutes. She curled up in her bed and feigned sleep, so Nurse would close the door, and she would be able to hear the soft pad of her feet as she walked to her own chambers, she didn't want anyone asking her what was wrong before she knew herself.

The carriage trundled along the stone embedded road, rocking hard from side to side, making the 2 day journey even worse. Petunia grumbled and whined during the entire trip, and her ever attentive mother was ordering every possible service to make her oldest daughter's trip as bearable as possible.

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Hey sorry it's not very long. Next one will be longer.

I'll update sooner I promise! (by the way, looong loooooooooong reviews get me really excited about writing. HINT HINT.)

Next chapter: The Potters arrive!

Any ideas for plot characters etc. are loved and very welcome. I have a few ideas for coming chapters, but more would be very much appreciated!

Anyways, I'm sure you've all noticed that beautiful little blue button with the word 'go' on it. It would really make the little blue buttons day if you clicked on it.

Me? Desperate for reviews?...Never!