B2. Romeo & Juliet: Part 3

Chapter 5: The Secret Marriage

The sun was just rising when Romeo arrived at Friar Lawrence's small church. It stood at the edge of Verona, hidden by tall trees. Few people came here. It was perfect.

Friar Lawrence waited in the doorway. He was an old man with kind eyes. Romeo had known him since he was a boy. The priest had always listened to Romeo's problems without judging him. Romeo told the priest about Juliet and asked him to marry them in secret.

The Friar sighed. "You came to me yesterday, heartbroken over Rosaline. Today, you want to marry a different girl. A Capulet girl." He shook his head.

"This is different, Father. I'm more certain about Juliet than I've been about anything."

"Different how? You barely know her."

"I know enough." Romeo's voice was firm. "When I think of her, I see a life I actually want to live."

Friar Lawrence studied Romeo's face for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly. "Very well. I will marry you. Not because I think you're making a wise choice, but because perhaps your marriage will end the hatred between your families." He smiled sadly. Friar Lawrence had already conducted many funerals because of the feud, and he had had enough.

"Marriage is not a game, Romeo. It's not an adventure. It's a promise—for your whole life. In good times and bad times, through times of laughter and times of tears." The Friar's voice was serious. "Can you make that promise?"

"I can."

"Then we wait for your bride."

Romeo delivered a message to Juliet's nanny, who knew him to be a good man. She was to tell Juliet to meet Romeo at the church at 1pm.

When Juliet woke up, the sun shone warmly through the window onto her bed. She wasn't sure if the previous night was all a dream.

Her nanny ran to her. "My dear, Romeo has given me a message for you." Juliet's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"He said to meet him at the church at 1pm. Time to get you ready!" Soon, Juliet would marry someone she loved, rather than someone of her parents' choosing.

Juliet put on a simple white dress so no one would grow suspicious. Then Juliet and her nanny left the house on horseback towards the church.

Juliet met Romeo at the small stone church. It was in a field full of wildflowers, with the sun lighting up its ancient stone walls.

Juliet arrived as the church bells rang seven times. She wore no jewels or fancy decorations, yet she had never looked more beautiful. She got off her horse and ran into Romeo's arms. On this special day, they looked perfect.

Romeo put a flower in her hair. Then he opened his hand, showing two rings. "Oh Romeo, you arranged everything… you really want this life with me!" said Juliet excitedly.

"Are you ready?" Friar Lawrence asked. They both nodded.

The Friar led them inside. The little church was cool and quiet. Sunlight streamed through the colored windows, painting everything in reds and blues and golds. It smelled of old wood and candle wax. The ceremony was short. Only Juliet's nanny was there to watch.

They stood before the altar, holding hands.

Friar Lawrence opened his book. "We are here to join Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet in holy marriage." His voice echoed in the empty church. "Marriage is sacred. It is eternal. It cannot be undone."

He looked at Romeo. "Romeo Montague, do you take this woman to be your wife? Will you love her, honor her, and protect her, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Romeo's voice was strong and clear.

"And Juliet Capulet, do you take this man to be your husband? Will you love him, honor him, and stand by him, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," said Juliet, smiling widely.

Romeo carefully put a ring on Juliet's finger. Juliet did the same for Romeo.

"Then by the power given to me, I pronounce you husband and wife." Friar Lawrence closed his book. "What God has joined together, let no man separate." The nanny clapped and threw flower petals on them.

The Friar said, "Go carefully now. Tell no one yet. Let me find the right time to announce this to your families. Perhaps once they know you're already married, they'll accept it. And perhaps we will see peace."

"Yes, Father."

"And Romeo—go home. Don't wander the streets. Your cousin Benvolio was looking for you this morning. There's talk of Tybalt being angry. Stay out of trouble today, of all days."

"I will."

But Romeo wasn't really listening. He was looking at Juliet, at the way the sunlight made her glow. At the flower in her hair. At the ring he had just put on her finger—a simple silver band, nothing expensive. He was the luckiest man in the world.

They kissed, and Juliet looked deeply into Romeo's eyes. Their dreams were within reach. They walked out of the church together, hand in hand. The morning was warm. Birds sang in the trees. The whole world felt new.

However, their happiness would not last long.

Chapter 6: Blood on the Stones

After the wedding, Romeo met Benvolio and Mercutio in the town square. Romeo couldn't stop smiling. They all talked happily by the fountain.

Suddenly, an angry voice interrupted the moment.

"MONTAGUE!"

Standing before them was Juliet's cousin Tybalt. He was dressed completely in black. His sword glistened in his belt. He spat at their feet.

The town square became silent. Parents took their children away, and some people locked their doors.

"I will not fight you, Tybalt!" Romeo said. Romeo tried to explain about the wedding, hoping to stop any trouble. "We have no reason to fight because..."

Romeo's best friend Mercutio stepped in front of Romeo. "You think you're tough, Tybalt? Leave now, before you get hurt!"

Tybalt pulled out his sword. Mercutio pulled out his as well. A sword fight started, attracting a crowd.

Tybalt attacked first. He lunged forward, his sword aimed at Mercutio's chest. But Mercutio jumped back quickly. Tybalt's sword just missed.

Then Mercutio swung his sword at Tybalt. Tybalt ducked under it.

"Stop this!" Romeo shouted. Romeo jumped in between the two boys. He tried to stop the fight.

While he was holding back Mercutio, Tybalt stabbed Mercutio under Romeo's arm. The sound of the sword going into Mercutio's ribs made the crowd go pale.

Mercutio fell to the ground, holding his chest. His face turned white. He couldn't breathe. Romeo hugged his best friend close.

Mercutio said, "I curse both your houses! I wish a plague on your houses!" Those were his last words. Mercutio died in Romeo's arms.

Tears of grief and anger filled Romeo's eyes. "Either you or I, or both of us will go with him!" Romeo pulled out his sword. He didn't think. Didn't plan. He just moved.

Tybalt raised his sword to defend himself, but Romeo was too fast. Too angry. Too full of rage.

Their swords clashed once. Twice. Three times. Then Romeo's blade found its target. It went deep into Tybalt's chest.

Tybalt's eyes were wide with shock. He dropped his sword. It clattered on the stones.

Tybalt stepped back and sat down on the fountain's edge. He looked down at his wound and pressed his hand against it. Blood spilled out between his fingers.

Tybalt looked up at Romeo in confusion. Then he saw the wedding ring on Romeo's finger.

"My cousin, do you see this?" said Romeo, pointing to the ring, crying wildly. "You are now my own blood!"

Tybalt's eyes were open, but he was gone. He fell backwards into the fountain. The water turned red.

Romeo stood there, breathing hard, staring at what he'd done. Two bodies. Two dead boys. Both because of him.

Romeo's sword fell from his hand. He fell onto his knees and put his hands over his face.

Benvolio grabbed his arm. "Romeo, run! The guards are coming!" But it was too late. Guards poured into the square, surrounding him.

But Romeo couldn't move. He kept staring at Tybalt's body in the fountain and Mercutio's body on the ground.

The sound of guards shouting grew closer. "Don't move, Montague!" The guards grabbed him and chained his hands. Romeo didn't resist. He just stared at the blood on his hands. The guards took him away.

The next day, the courtroom was packed. Hundreds had come to see what would happen to the famous young Montague.

Guards brought Romeo in wearing chains. He looked like he hadn't slept, and his clothes were still stained with blood.

The Prince of Verona stood at the front of the room, his face stern. "Romeo Montague. You are charged with the murder of Tybalt Capulet. How do you answer?"

"Guilty," Romeo said.

Murmurs moved through the crowd.

"But Tybalt killed Mercutio first!" Benvolio shouted from the crowd. "It was revenge! Self-defense!"

The Prince raised his hand for silence. "I have heard all the witnesses." He looked at Romeo. "Tybalt Capulet killed Mercutio. For that crime, he would have been executed. You killed Tybalt. By law, you should also be executed."

"However," the Prince continued, "Tybalt was a murderer. And you were provoked by grief. Therefore, I show mercy." His voice grew hard. "Romeo Montague, you are banished from Verona. You must leave by dawn tomorrow. If you ever return to this city, you will be executed immediately. Do you understand?"

Banished. The word was like a knife twisting in Romeo's heart. Banished meant leaving Verona. Leaving Juliet.

The guards dragged Romeo out of the courtroom.

In the crowd, Juliet's nanny stood with tears running down her face. She had heard everything. She hurried home to tell Juliet what had happened before anyone else could.