B2. Romeo & Juliet: Part 5

Chapter 9: The Only Way Back to Romeo

That night, Friar Lawrence got on his horse. He rode to Romeo to explain the plan. However, when he got to the city gates, they were locked because there was a plague in the city. The guards told the Friar to go away.

Friar Lawrence pleaded with the guards to allow him to pass. But they did not listen to him. Then, Friar Lawrence tried riding past the guards, but they pulled him off his horse and locked him in a cell.

That night, Romeo did not receive the message that Juliet was not dead. Romeo did not learn about the plan!

The nanny went to wake up Juliet, but she could not. Juliet lay still and cold. The nanny screamed for help.

Lord and Lady Capulet ran into Juliet's bedroom. Their beloved daughter lay dead, on her wedding day. Her parents' painful cries echoed through the halls.

They dressed her in a beautiful white dress and put her young body in the family tomb.

News of Juliet's death spread quickly through Verona. People gathered in the streets, saying, "The young Capulet girl—dead on her wedding day. What terrible luck for that family!"

The wedding became a funeral. And in Mantua, Romeo waited for a message that would never come.

Travelers and merchants brought news to the nearby city of Mantua, where Romeo now lived.

A traveler told the story in the marketplace: Juliet Capulet was dead.

"Dead?" Romeo stared at the messenger. "What do you mean, dead?"

"Juliet Capulet, sir. She died yesterday. They're burying her tonight in the family tomb."

Romeo heard the words but didn't understand them. They made no sense. Juliet couldn't be dead. She was alive. She was waiting for him.

The marketplace sounds faded away. Romeo couldn't hear anything except his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.

Romeo ran. He didn't know where he was going at first. Then he found himself at the apothecary's shop, banging on the door.

"Poison," Romeo said when the old man answered. "I need poison. The strongest you have."

"That's illegal, boy. I could be hanged—"

Romeo threw money on the counter. All the money he had. "Please."

The apothecary looked at Romeo's face—at the desperation there—and nodded slowly. He went to the back and returned with a small glass bottle.

Romeo didn't remember leaving Mantua. He didn't remember buying the poison. He didn't remember the road back to Verona or climbing the cemetery walls.

Romeo only remembered one thought, repeating over and over: Juliet is dead. Juliet is dead. Juliet is dead.

When Romeo walked into the tomb, it was quiet and dark. Statues of angels silently watched him.

The air smelled of earth and roses. Candles flickered. And there, lying perfectly still, was Juliet. She looked beautiful, even in death. She looked like she was sleeping.

Romeo's legs almost gave out. He forced himself to walk forward.

"My love, I'm here now. I came as fast as I could." His voice broke. Romeo ran to her and knelt next to her. He held her hand. He cried, "Oh, Juliet! Even in this dark tomb, you shine like the sun. You are the only beautiful thing in this hateful world. Your cheeks are still pink, but your hands are so cold. I know you are not far."

Romeo took out the bottle of poison from his pocket. "Wait for me, my love. I promised we would be together."

"This poison is quick. They say there's no pain." He looked at her one more time, memorizing her face. He kissed her cold lips. "And with your kiss, let me die."

Romeo lifted the bottle to his lips and drank. The liquid burned going down, but he swallowed every drop. Romeo lay next to her and put his arms around her. For the first time in months, he was at peace.

He held her hand. The burning spread through his chest, his arms, his legs. The candles began to blur. The world became soft and distant. And the last thing in his mind was Juliet's face, alive and happy again.

Chapter 10: Together in the End

Juliet slowly opened her eyes. At first, everything was blurry. Then, her hand touched something warm.

Then, she saw Romeo lying next to her, and her heart filled with joy. She reached out to touch his face.

But something felt wrong. "Oh, Romeo, Romeo?" She shook him but he did not move. He didn't open his eyes. Then, she saw the empty bottle in his hand.

"Romeo, what have you done?" She shook him harder, but he did not wake up. "No, no, no," she repeated, shaking her head.

"Oh, Romeo, why did you do this?" Tears streamed down her cheeks. She pulled Romeo's body close, hugging him tightly. "Please, don't leave me here alone," she sobbed, her whole body shaking violently.

Juliet pulled Romeo's body into her arms. No breath came from his mouth. And no beating came from his heart. "You were supposed to wait for me!" she sobbed.

They were supposed to run away together. They were supposed to live by the ocean and have children. They were supposed to be happy.

She took the bottle from his hand and tried to drink it too—but there was none left. "You didn't leave me any," she whispered. "May poison be on your lips, so I can be in my rightful place." She kissed his lips, but felt nothing.

Juliet's cries echoed in the empty tomb. She had woken, ready for a new life, but instead found the end of the world.

Footsteps echoed outside the tomb. Voices. Someone was coming.

Juliet's eyes fell on Romeo's dagger, still in its sheath on his belt. She pulled it out. The blade shone in the candlelight. She held its tip over her heart.

The footsteps got closer. "Noise? I must be quick," cried Juliet. "Oh happy dagger, my body is your sheath. Stay inside me until you rust!"

With all her strength, Juliet pushed the dagger deep into her heart. The pain was fierce but lasted just a moment. Then she lay on top of her husband.

"The sea," she whimpered.

"Together."

Chapter 11: Love's Final Gift

People arrived at the tomb to find the tragedy. Soon, the Capulet and Montague families arrived too. They saw their children, lying embraced and still. Everyone was crying, and asking what had happened.

Friar Lawrence stood at the front. He told the whole story: "Romeo and Juliet were in love and married in secret. They knew they were not free to love each other in this world."

The Friar told everyone about their plan, about Juliet's sleeping potion and how Romeo did not get the message.

Friar Lawrence called out, "All are punished! All are punished!" His voice echoed through the tomb.

Lord Capulet and Lord Montague stood there in silence, filled with shame.

Finally, Lord Capulet turned to Lord Montague and said, "Brother Montague, please shake my hand. It was my daughter's wish."

Lord Montague said, "I'll give you that, and more. I'll make the most beautiful statue in all of Verona, of your faithful Juliet."

Lord Capulet said, "And I will make one of your Romeo, to forever stand next to her. And our children will never be forgotten."

That day, Lord Capulet and Lord Montague promised to end the feud between their families. They would now live in peace, for their children, Romeo and Juliet.

Peace at Last

Today, the gold statues of Romeo and Juliet stand side by side, so they will always be together. These statues remind people of the power of love, and the terrible consequences of hate.

Romeo and Juliet's love brought their families together. They showed that love can bring peace, and that love has the power to change the world.

The End.