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So this is, yet another, piece I wrote for school. It's Romeo and Juliet: Revamped because...well...it's a vampire story. I don't reccommend reading this if you don't know the whoooole story of Romeo and Juliet, but otherwise, enjoy!
Extra Info BEFORE the end
Childe the “offspring” of a vampire
Sire the “parent” of a vampire
Childer plural of “childe”
Ghoul A human who has been fed the blood of a vampire. They are immortal, in a sense, but only while they have blood. Once their supply is cut off, if they have been in service for longer than a human should live, they die. They have some supernatural abilities in exchange for complete servitude to their vampire host.
Prince The presiding ruler over a territory where vampires reside. A vampire Prince can be either male or female, it’s a generic title such as “sensei.”
Kindred the vampires
Kine humans
Embrace the process by which a vampire makes a human a vampire. They completely drain them of their blood and then let a few drops of their own blood be consumed by the human.
Torpor A death-like state vampires go into. Vampires can be in torpor for any amount of time, even thousands of years.
They circled around each other, hissing and spitting like angry cats, fangs all the way out and hands raised for best use of the claws.
The sharp hearing of the two vampires easily picked up the sound of the footsteps coming closer.
“Benvolio,” Tybalt, of the Capulet clan, said coldly, smirking as he slowly drew his sword.
“Tybalt,” the Montague returned cautiously, drawing his own sword.
“Your final death will come soon, Capulet.”
“Let’s not fight, Montague. It’ll only cause problems,” Benvolio tried.
“Coward! You’re afraid of death!” Tybalt scoffed.
“I am afraid of nothing.” He met Tybalt’s blade with his own and the two swordsman took the place of the other brawling ones.
The head of the Capulet clan and his lady entered the square as the two maddened vampires danced around each other, swords clashing violently. The Montague head and his lady entered shortly after.
“I don’t need a sword,” Capulet growled rolling up his sleeves as his eyes glazed over with hate for Montague.
“Neither do–”
“What is going on here?” The vampire Prince of Verona strode over, her own sword unsheathed and ready to get into the fight if that’s what it took to break it up.
“He started it!” one of the Montague servants cried, pointing at Tybalt.
Tybalt raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t want answers from servants. Montague, Capulet, I don’t care what or who started it, but next time, you’ll all greet the sun.” She walked out, flanked by her own servants, and the Capulets retreated.
The Lady Montague, a wise vampire and the long-time lady of Montague, pulled Benvolio, her master’s newest childe, aside.
“Where is Romeo?”
“I saw him earlier,” the new childe responded, still not used to the way he was supposed to treat the ghoul.
“Where?”
“In the sycamore grove.”
Just then, the Lady Montague pricked her ears up and listened.
“He is coming.”
“I’ll talk to him and see where he was,” Benvolio promised.
Without another word, the Lady Montague walked away. Again, Benvolio was reminded of how unused to the vampire society he was.
He walked over to Romeo who, quite by accident, he had befriended.
“Where have you been?”
“Wandering,” the ghoul replied.
“Wandering where?”
“No where.....”
Benvolio, who had yet to let go of humane feelings, sat down on a ledge, beckoning Romeo to join him.
“What’s wrong, friend?”
“Why does my heart beat when yours does not?” Romeo asked, not looking his friend in the eye.
“Why would you want to be cursed?”
“Cursed? It would be a blessing not to feel this!”
“Feel– Oh. You are in love,” Benvolio accused.
“With Rosaline, who has promised to become a nun.”
The vampire took a second to look horrified. “A nun? Are you trying to kill me?!”
“No, but I think she’s trying to kill me.”
“Cheer up, friend. It’ll all work out in the end.” He smiled and patted Romeo on the shoulder.
“Yeah...”
“Yes. I will protect her, sir,” Paris replied confidently.
“It is odd for the kindred to marry,” Capulet said, looking hesitant.
“Juliet is still a new childe, with feelings of the kine. Just let her meet me and all will not be lost, Sir Capulet.”
“Very well. Tonight, we shall hold a Masque.”
“Very good, sir.”
“You there!” The serving man in the corner of the room jumped and bowed deeply.
“Yes, master?”
Capulet was already scribbling some sort of list on a piece of parchment. When he finished, he rolled it up and handed it to the servant.
“Make sure these people are informed of the masque.”
“Yessir.” The serving man bowed and exited, leaving Capulet and Paris behind. He sighed with relief as he made his way out into town; being near his master always made him nervous. So nervous, in fact, that he’d forgotten that he was illiterate. He frowned, wondering what on earth his punishment would be if the people weren’t informed and how he could possibly inform them.
He was becoming frantic when he spotted the group of teenage boys, two of which were so clothed and covered, they couldn’t possibly be anything other than vampire. He approached the third, whose cheeks held enough blush to be labeled as human, and asked, “I beg your pardon, sir, but can you read?”
Romeo looked at him. “I can.”
The serving man sighed with relief. “Please, good sir, could you tell me whose on this list?”
Romeo read the list three times, until the serving man was sure he knew who was on it. “Oh, bless you, sir, bless you!” He noticed the two companions back up a bit as though burnt and decided he’d best watch his tongue.
“Is this for a party?” Romeo asked, catching the man before he walked off.
“A masque, good sir. If you’re not related to the Montague clan, you should come!”
“I’ll do that,” Romeo said vaguely, staring over his shoulder at the list.
“I bid thee farewell, kind sir!” the serving man squeaked as he rushed off.
“Hey, Romeo. Why have you got that look on your face?” Mercutio, the least dressed of the two covered companions asked.
“Rosaline was on that list...”
“Rosaline?” Benvolio, the other, asked.
“Yes.”
“Ah, the nun, that nun who has pledged her mind, body and soul only to–!”
“Let’s go to the party, then,” Benvolio interrupted, ignoring Mercutio as always.
“Yes. Let’s,” Romeo agreed.
“I see a problem with this arrangement,” Mercutio said, putting on a look of the utmost feigned sincerity.
“Do you?” Romeo asked, trying not to chuckle.
“Indeed, I do. You, my dear Romeo, and he, my dear Benvolio, are of the Montague clan.”
“This does indeed present a problem,” Romeo agreed, smiling mischievously. Mercutio glanced at him.
“I don’t like that look. You look like I imagine I look when I take to looking as though I’m up to something no good.”
“Well, I was just thinking, what’s a masque for if you’re going to be recognized?”
“I’ll find her, miss,” Juliet’s nurse assured her.
“See that you do,” Lady Capulet said.
“Juliet!” the nurse called.
“One moment!” Juliet called from behind some closed door or another.
“Hurry up, Juliet,” Lady Capulet called.
“Yes, ma’am!”
A minute later, Juliet was rushing out of the room as poised as she could be.
“Juliet, the Prince’s childe Paris wishes to marry you.”
Juliet stared at the woman. “Marry? But...that’s an eternity with Paris...I’ve never met him.”
“You’ll meet him tonight. There’s a masque.”
“Yes, milady.”
“You’re right. I’m very lucky.”
“Yes, Romeo, you are! For if you are found out by the Capulets, they shall surely execute you! But not with me around, they can’t!”
“Oh really? And why not?” Romeo asked, his face still lit with a grin beneath his gaudy mask.
“Because I am the bold and brave Mercutio!” He leapt upon a fountain wall, whipping his sword out and brandishing it at imaginary foes. “I’ll fight anyone who dare threaten my dear friend Romeo with all that is in me! For he is far too weak to face the rage of an elder vampire but I, I will sacrifice myself in the hopes of winning–!”
“Alright, Mercutio, we get it!” Romeo had to cut him off, he was already laughing.
They reached the party and Romeo disappeared, presumably to look for his beloved Rosaline. The masque progressed and still Romeo did not see his Rosaline.
And then he saw her.
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her and that’s when they connected. She quickly turned away and he wondered what she had felt at that moment. Was she a vampire as well? Or a possibly a ghoul like him. He lifted his mask so that he might get a better look.
From a corner, Tybalt’s eyes greatly increased in diameter. “Is that...?” As Romeo pulled his mask back down, Tybalt ran over to his sire, the great Lord of Capulet.
“Capulet,” he said, tugging urgently on his sleeve.
“Yes, Tybalt?”
“That is Romeo over there, the pride and joy of the Montagues.”
“Leave him be, Tybalt. He is bothering no one,” Capulet said, silencing the spluttering Tybalt with a look. Tybalt stalked off, determined to remove Romeo from the party.
The Montague’s pride and joy was, at this moment, trying to avoid being recognized while at the same time trying to find the girl. He was quite startled when he bumped into someone as he walked through an alcove to avoid the crowds.
“I’m terribly sor– oh. It’s you.” As he turned around, the girl stopped speaking and stared.
“And it’s you,” he returned, unable to keep his breathing from speeding up and his heart from beating faster.
The girl stared for a moment, then seemed to come to her senses. “I should be getting back.”
“Wait!” he said, catching her shoulder.
“Yes?”
“Dance with me? Just once!”
She looked at him nervously. “A-alright.” She placed her palm against his and her hand upon his waist and he led her around.
He’s so graceful, Juliet thought as the boy led her around. Just then, he tripped, catching himself inches before her face. She gasped and gazed into his deep blue eyes. Neither moved.
“I’m very sorry, milady. Let me make that up to you,” he said, grinning, and kissed her. Juliet pressed her lips together as he moved back.
“There is nothing to make up for,” she said shakily.
“Isn’t there? Then let me take my apology back.” He kissed her again, this time holding onto her hand so she wouldn’t fall over.
“Your lips are warm,” the girl mentioned as he moved his face away a second time.
“Yours are cold,” he retorted.
“You are human.”
“I am. And you are kindred.”
“I am.”
They looked at one another, nervous love shining in both dead and alive eyes.
“Juliet!” came a voice.
“Yes?” Juliet called, springing away from Romeo.
“Your lady wishes to see you!”
“Coming, nurse!”
The nurse walked over, taking the place of Juliet next to a bewildered Romeo.
“Excuse me, but who is her lady?”
“Why, Lady Capulet, of course!” the nurse replied.
“Lady...Lady Capulet?” The nurse nodded proudly. He sighed, muttered his thanks, and began making his way through the crowd. Juliet walked over to the nurse then.
“Nurse, who is that man?” she asked, staring after the back of Romeo’s head.
“I don’t know, miss Juliet. But if you’ll give me a moment.” She waddled over to Tybalt and relayed the question.
“That brute? He’s Romeo, a disgusting Montague.”
The nurse waddled back over to Juliet.
“He’s Romeo. A Montague.”
Juliet gasped. “Why? Oh, nurse, why?”
“Mercutio, keep it down!” Benvolio whispered harshly.
“Oh, keep it down yourself, you big coward. Roooooooooomeo!”
Romeo hid himself deeper in the bush, hoping against hope that Mercutio’s shouting covered the sounds of his movement even to the strongest of vampire ears.
“Roooooooooomeo!”
“Mercutio, let’s go. He can find his way back, I’m sure of it. And it’s almost daybreak!” Benvolio said.
“In a minute....ROOOOOOOOOOMEO!”
“MERCUTIO! BE QUIET!” Benvolio shouted.
“Eh, let’s just leave Romeo. I’m tired of shouting and he’s probably with Rosaline anyway.”
Romeo sighed with relief as he heard them walk away, then quickly scaled the wall outside of what he hoped was his Juliet’s bedroom.
“What light through yonder window breaks?” he whispered as the jewel of bright color appeared over the wall. He rolled nimbly off and stared. “It is the east! And Juliet is the sun.”
Suddenly, the window opened and Juliet appeared in a night dress, resting her cheek on her hand.
“Her beauty is brighter than the stars in the sky. I wish, I wish I could be a glove on that hand that I may touch that pale cheek.”
Juliet looked his way and he hid himself more thoroughly in a large tree.
“Why? Oh Romeo. Romeo, why must you be Romeo?”
“Her voice is like heaven,” Romeo breathed to himself.
“Deny your master and refuse his name! I offer all that I am to you, dearest Romeo, though we are not the same. Romeo, Romeo!” She sighed, repeating his name softly to herself once more, leaning once again upon her hand.
“Have you beckoned me, my angel?” he called, stepping out from the tree’s cover. Juliet jumped.
“Whose there? Are you Romeo?”
“Unless you’d rather I were someone else,” he replied, entirely unable to keep the smile from spreading across his face.
“I am embarrassed. Had I known you were there, I wouldn’t have said anything. You must think I’m terribly forward,” Juliet said, turning her face toward the wall.
“Only as forward as I’m being.”
Juliet spun around. “Romeo, you must tell me! Do you love me?”
The corners of Romeo’s mouth were almost inside his ears as he climbed the large tree in front of her balcony, reaching forward to grab her cold hands.
“I love you more than I can bear.”
“And I love you, Romeo.”
“Juliet, will you marry me?”
Juliet’s eyes widened.
“If this is just a fling, then leave now and let me remain a foolish maiden. But if you are serious, then send word to me of when and let it be as soon as possible!”
“I assure you, my love, this is no fling. I’ll go to Lawrence the elder tonight and ask his advice.”
“I’ll miss you.”
“Parting is such sweet sorrow, my dear Juliet. I’ll see you soon.” He kissed her swiftly and started to climb down.
“Wait!”
He turned around.
“Yes?”
Juliet might have blushed. “My apologies, but I’ve forgotten already.”
“I’ll stand and wait for you to–”
“Juliet!”
Juliet gasped and whirled around. “One moment!” She turned back to Romeo. “You must go. Send me word!”
“I will!”
And then she was gone. Romeo dropped off the lowest branch and sprinted off as the first rays of morning appeared.
“What do you want so early this eve?” Lawrence asked, opening the door. Then he saw Romeo. “Ah, Romeo, my boy! What brings you here? And why are you up so early?”
“I never went to bed,” Romeo admitted, stepping into the man’s tiny cottage.
“Were you with Rosaline?” the man asked, winking.
“Rosaline? I have no connection with that name. My heart belongs to Juliet as does hers to me. I wanted to ask when you might be able to marry us.”
Lawrence’s eye’s widened.
“Boy, it was only yesterday you were pining for Rosaline! It is true, then, that a man’s love lies in their eyes, not their heart!”
“Do you doubt my love for Juliet?” Romeo challenged.
“I’ll not say anything as to that, but about your marriage request. You two can’t get married.”
Romeo stopped to stare at him. “What do you mean? You don’t really think that names matter, do you?!”
“Before you get all riled up, listen. You can’t marry Juliet because she is a kindred and you are the ghoul of another vampire.”
Romeo frowned. “What can I do?”
Lawrence looked almost unwilling to tell him. “I should think the solution was obvious...”
The ghoul stared blankly at the old vampire for at least a minute. Then, realization dawned on his young face.
“You don’t mean...become a vampire?”
“There you go! If you can’t become a vampire, you can’t marry Juliet. Since only the Lady Montague can embrace you, this isn’t really an option. So I’d forget Juliet if I were you, young Romeo, and wait until the Lady decides to release you from servitude.”
Romeo mouthed wordlessly, then lowered his head, not meeting the eyes of his elder. “You’re right, of course.”
“Good boy. Now, your Lady will be wanting you. You’re not a ghoul for nothing,” Lawrence reminded him.
“Yes, I know. Thank you, sir.”
“Of course. Now go, boy.”
Romeo exited, knowing that what he was about to do next was both very foolish and very risky. He sprinted across town, hoping he wouldn’t run into Mercutio or Benvolio. When he finally reached the Montague estate, he had the beginnings of a stitch in his side and his legs were aching.
He fell into the doorway the second the door was opened and nearly into the startled arms of the Lady Montague.
“My lady!” Romeo gasped out.
“Romeo. Where have you been?”
Romeo panted a bit, then looked her in the eye. “My lady, I want you to embrace me.”
It was hard for him to get used to the lack of blood running through his veins, to the fact that breathing only made him tired.
Romeo walked through the streets, wondering how he could break the news to Mercutio and Benvolio.
“Roooooooooomeo!”
It seemed that the opportunity had been dying to present itself.
“Hello, Mercutio. And Benvolio.” His voice sounded different to him, almost like it lacked something. Of course, it lacked life, but he’d never noticed the quality in the other vampires. Mercutio didn’t seem to notice either.
“Were you with Rosaline all night?” the blunt drama queen asked.
“No,” Romeo replied, not offering an explanation.
“Romeo,” Benvolio said suddenly. “Why are you so pale?”
“Pale? Am I really?” Romeo asked, examining his hand.
“Are you sick?” Mercutio asked curiously.
“No, I don’t–Benvolio, what are you doing?” Benvolio had suddenly slammed his palm over the center of Romeo’s chest.
“You’re kindred!” he exclaimed.
“He’s WHAT?!” Mercutio shouted.
“Oh, yes. Yes, I am.”
“SINCE WHEN?”
“Since...a few hours ago.”
Benvolio and Mercutio both opened their mouths to speak, but Romeo silenced them by re-opening his own. “I’ll tell you about it later.” He ran off without so much as a goodbye and bolted all the way to Lawrence’s house, knowing the old man would be even more shocked than his two companions.
And finally, Lawrence had set the time and Romeo had given the time to the large nurse Juliet had sent to receive the time and was now sitting in the church, waiting.
The only reason they were having it done in the church was because it was the only place none of the others would go. Romeo knew the cross couldn’t effect him without someone faithful near, but most vampires were skittish. Juliet, he had been told, would be nervous. But he hoped that her love would give her strength.
“Where is this bride of yours?” Lawrence grumped.
Romeo was about to answer when the large doors opened and closed and a black-clad figure walked toward them.
Even with the veil on, Romeo knew it was his Juliet. He ran to her, embracing and kissing her until Lawrence pulled them apart.
“I guess it’s time to start this wedding,” Romeo whispered to Juliet, too elated to care if he was being silly or not.
Her smile matched his own. “I guess so.”
“Look, there he is!” Benvolio cried, trying to avoid a fight, pointing at the Romeo walking towards them.
“So it is! But don’t bother with Romeo, he’s new to the kindred! I’m your opponent!” Mercutio roared, dark eyes glowing in his waxy cheeks.
The vampire, who had almost as many years as Mercutio had under his belt, shrugged, not seeming to care whether or not Romeo was a vampire. “You consort with the Montagues therefore you can die as well.” They lunged at each other, swords clashing so hard, they flew out of their owners’ hands.
Not needing a blade, both vampires lunged at each other.
“Stop! Stop, please! Don’t kill him!” Romeo shouted, running over to try and break it up.
“Romeo, what– Hnnnng!” Mercutio was cut off as Tybalt’s fangs sank into his throat. Tybalt, with the strength of kindred blood now running through his veins, latched his hands onto Mercutio with an iron grip.
“Mercutio!” Romeo and Benvolio shouted simultaneously. Romeo tried to shake his friend out of the death grip of Tybalt, but it didn’t work.
“Romeo...Why did you distract me?” Mercutio choked out as his neck lolled back and Tybalt stood up, smirking.
Romeo turned a death glare to Tybalt, his new kin.
“I was trying to find good qualities in you. But it doesn’t look like I can. You wanted to fight me? Fine! I will avenge the death of Mercutio!”
“Wait, Romeo–!”
“No, Benvolio. It is my fault, I will avenge him.” He turned to Tybalt. “Either one or both of us will keep him company on his journey to hell.”
“It won’t be me,” Tybalt growled, raising bloody fangs and getting ready to rip Romeo’s throat out.
Romeo attacked first, utilizing his newly grown nails and ripping the dead flesh off Tybalt’s arm. The older vampire hissed and clawed across Romeo’s face, leaving a shallow cut on his cheek. It seemed that the younger of the two was faster, which was quite lucky for Romeo.
“Romeo, stop! You know we can’t fight in the streets!” Benvolio yelled from where he was carrying Mercutio’s body out of the way.
Romeo and Tybalt both ignored him and continued to hiss and swipe, ripping and tearing flesh whenever they touched.
“Getting tired yet, O Green One?” Tybalt called, eyes glowing with bloodlust brighter than the moon.
“Not on your life!” Romeo retorted.
“I’m not alive!” Tybalt smirked and reached down to grab his sword, jabbing it at Romeo who managed to pick up his own sword just in time to block it.
“You stupid brat, just admit defeat!” Tybalt roared as he and Romeo alternately overpowered the other.
“Never!” Romeo jumped backwards onto the fountain ledge where Benvolio rested with Mercutio’s fast decaying corpse and leaped on Tybalt from that vantage point.
“You imbecile!” Tybalt cackled as his sword punched straight through Romeo’s gut.
“Maybe...not!” Romeo choked out as he sent his own sword through Tybalt, effectively pinning them together.
“What the–? Now I’ll definitely win! You’re not stronger than I am!”
Romeo chose that moment to plunge his fangs into Tybalt’s neck. He let out a strangled gurgle and tried to free himself, but Romeo brought his sword up, slicing between his rib cage and up to his collar. He ripped out his dead heart, flinging it out behind him.
“No!” Tybalt managed, instinctively reaching for it, but he didn’t have too much blood anymore. Romeo used his own newfound power over Tybalt to drive him to the wall of the fountain and pin him there. He quickly removed his fangs and ran to the bleeding heart, yanking Tybalt’s sword out of his abdomen and slashing it in half. Tybalt gave a pitiful cry, then slumped over, dead.
Romeo just stood there, watching in fascination as his wounds stitched themselves back together.
“Romeo,” Benvolio whispered, unable to tear his eyes from the split organ in the middle of the square.
“Benvolio...Mercutio’s death has been avenged.”
“I’ll say.” Benvolio shook his head as though to rid it of something.
“Oh lord...I just killed Tybalt.” As the impact of what he had just done sunk in, Benvolio looked at him.
“Get out of here. I’ll try and persuade them of your innocence.”
Romeo was hesitant, but Benvolio gave him such a stern look, that he left with one quick hug and utterance of thanks.
Soon, the townspeople gathered, the Prince in the lead.
“What happened here?” she demanded, pointing at the rotting corpses of Tybalt and Mercutio.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” shouted the Lady Capulet, running over with the rest of the Capulet house.
“What’s obvious?” Montague shouted back.
“Benvolio killed Tybalt!”
“What?! No!” Benvolio squeaked.
“Everyone, be quiet,” the Prince hissed.
The entire town fell silent.
“Speak, Benvolio.”
“Well, you see, Romeo killed Tybalt–”
“AHA!”
“Silence!” They quieted once again and she motioned for Benvolio to continue.
“Well, first, Tybalt killed your childe, Mercutio. And then Romeo thought he should avenge the death of your kin and so he killed Tybalt.”
“Murder!” Lady Capulet shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at Tybalt’s blood as if that was what had ripped his life force in two.
“Capulet, hold your tongue.” They all silenced and the Prince spoke once more and only one phrase. “Romeo shall be banished.”
“My Romeo killed Tybalt...”
“Aye!” the nurse wailed, blowing her nose noisily.
“How could he?”
“He was banished for it!” The nurse nodded, appearing to think this was the right course of action. Juliet turned horrified eyes to her.
“Banished?”
“Calm down and stop counting your curses! At least you’re not greeting the dawn!” Lawrence barked.
“Banishment means no more Juliet!”
“Just–calm down, would you?”
There was a loud knock as Romeo prepared to wail again and Lawrence shushed him.
“Who knocks?” He opened the door, admitting the nurse.
“Is Romeo here?” she asked. Lawrence curled his upper lip and pointed to the quivering lump on the floor.
“Miss Juliet wishes for you to be in her chambers today at sunrise.”
Romeo leaped up, suddenly happy.
“Tell her I will be there!”
“Juliet, come on! The Lady Capulet awaits!”
“Coming, nurse!” It wasn’t difficult to look sad about Tybalt since she was so aggrieved over Romeo. The lady didn’t notice either way, but she did smile when she saw her.
“Juliet, I have wonderful news.”
“The only wonderful thing has been taken away,” Juliet whispered.
“I know you miss Tybalt, but this is news filled with joy! You will marry Paris in three days time!” She smiled as if willing everyone to be as ecstatic about the whole affair as she was.
Juliet could only stare. “I’ll...what?”
“Marry Paris. Aren’t you happy?”
The girl stumbled backward.
“No. No! I won’t!” She stomped her foot, tears springing to her eyes.
“Juliet, you’re acting like a child, a human child! You will marry him and that’s final!” She swept out of the hall, leaving Juliet to run back into her rooms and collapse onto her nurse.
“Nurse, what do I do?” she cried.
Her nurse stroked her hair soothingly until she calmed down and then spoke. “Well,” she began, “Romeo’s in Mantua. He’s banished. You’re like never to see him again. I say, marry Paris. See how it goes.”
Juliet turned to stare at her.
“You’re right, of course. Go inform the lady that I have gone to see Sir Lawrence.”
“Yes, miss.”
“Hello, Juliet.”
She started at the sound of a voice that wasn’t Lawrence’s and, when she turned around, noticed that Paris was there.
“Hello.”
“Well, sir, I must be going to prepare for the wedding. I’m excited, aren’t you, Juliet?” Paris drawled, giving Juliet a slight smile.
“Very,” she replied lamely.
He chuckled and walked over to her, kissing her on the forehead before he left. Once Lawrence was sure Paris was gone, he looked down at the shaking bundle in his lap that he had been absently petting.
“Please believe, Lawrence, I will greet the dawn before I marry him!” she whispered, laying her head back on his thighs and letting the motion of his hands soothe her.
“Hope is not lost, my dear,” he whispered, eyes unfocused.
She looked up, eyes shining. “What do you mean? Tell me, please, I’ll do anything!”
“You must go into temporary torpor.”
Juliet frowned. “Temporary? But...I thought it was only long-term?”
“It is, usually. I have a drug that will wake you up in 48 hours if you go into torpor.”
Juliet stared at him, then nodded. “Tell me everything about it.”
“To you, my love,” she whispered as she drank the vial’s contents.
“Juliet!”
The shriek rang through the Capulet estate like a bell on a church tower. Lady Capulet used her full strength to shoot up the stairs and to Juliet’s room.
“Nurse, what’s wrong?”
“Juliet’s dead!” she screamed.
The Lady Capulet blinked. “No. She can’t be. That’s impossible. Let me see!” She elbowed her way into the room where Juliet lay on her bed, stiff as a board.
“She’s in torpor,” the Lady murmured.
“Juliet’s in torpor!” the nurse yowled, unsure of the meaning, though impressed with the word.
“Cancel the wedding.”
“Cancel the wedding!”
“Stop repeating everything I say!”
“Stop–Er, yes ma’am.”
But he didn’t know that. To Balthasar, it was a grave.
“It shall be done.”
“Hello, master.”
“How is my Juliet?”
“Dead, sir.” There was never any point in beating around the bush.
The smile dripped off his face like warm sugar.
“D-dead?”
“Yes, sir. I saw the burial.”
Romeo sat down on the ground, unsure how much longer his legs would hold him up.
“Go hire horses, Balthasar. And don’t ask questions.”
“Yessir.”
He had given Balthasar his purse and had told him to leave and never come back to him. He wanted to do this alone, alone with his beloved.
“I greet the sun with you, my dearest love,” he whispered, holding up a torch and searching for her.
He wondered where Tybalt was and was continuing to wonder when he saw her hand, her pale and perfect hand.
“Oh, my sweet Juliet!” he ran over, setting the torch in a bracket and grabbing her hand.
“My sweet, why are you so close to the sun?”
For it was true; Juliet was not yet in the deep chambers. Her coffin lay on a stone layer with a grate above it. Night air was streaming in, but what would happen in a few hours?
“Juliet, how I long to be with you. I can’t bear to live while you do not, so I will greet the greedy sun and offer up my life.” He leaned over and kissed her icy lips. “I’ll see you in Hell, my love.”
He settled himself comfortably in her breast and closed his eyes, falling into his own torpor until the dawn came and he would no longer be.
Something heavy had settled on her chest. She wondered when her breasts had grown so much. That, and where her Romeo was.
Juliet opened her eyes, expecting to be in the torpor chamber, but not expecting to have a vampire in torpor using her as a pillow. A moment later, she let out an ear piercing shriek.
Her beloved Romeo was the vampire in torpor!
Lawrence came running in just then, carrying the very torch Romeo had.
“Juliet, I see you have–Romeo!”
“Friar...he’s in torpor...permanent...torpor...” She choked on the words as if they tasted as vile as rotten food.
“Come now, Juliet. We must get out of here. It’s almost dawn and people are coming!” The elder gave her a piteous look, willing her to follow him and knowing she wouldn’t.
“Run, Lawrence. I’ll be behind you after I say my farewells,” Juliet lied. Lawrence knew she was lying.
“Do what you must, my friend.” He walked quickly out of the chamber, knowing that whoever next came was going to want a full explanation.
Juliet looked at her Romeo, lying peacefully on her breast.
“Well, my love. We are together. And you are in torpor. Oh, if I have to wait a thousand millennia, I will always wait for you. I love you, my Romeo!” She kissed him once and concentrated on relaxing as much as possible while the torpor took over her body yet again.
She was out by the time the people rushed into the chamber, screaming over and over again.
“Romeo is lying with Juliet!”
“Juliet is lying with Romeo!”
“Romeo has returned, kill the traitor!”
“Silence!”
The chattering and shouting didn’t stop.
“I said SILENCE!” the prince roared. Everyone was silent after that display of volume. “Who knows the full story?”
“I do,” Lawrence replied, stepping up.
“The sun! The sun is coming!” Benvolio shouted, interrupting.
Everyone, led by the Prince, rushed into the lower chambers, watching as the sun’s first golden rays fell upon Romeo and Juliet, burning dead flesh until there was nothing left to burn.
Everyone in the room was silent and Lawrence saw it as his chance to speak.
“Romeo and Juliet were in love.” There was a collective gasp. “I joined them in matrimony myself. That is why Juliet did not wish to marry Paris, not grief over the death of Tybalt. It appears that, instead of trying to work it out, both decided to have a more physical solution. Both committed violence unto themselves.”
The Montagues and the Capulets looked back and forth from the pile of ashes to each other. Finally, the Prince spoke.
“Let this be a lesson to us all.”
The two clans nodded.
“I forgive you for all you’ve done,” the Lord Capulet said to the Lord Montague. Not about to apologize either, the Lord Montague returned the sentiment.
The prince gave something that might have been described as a smile, but since that was such a rare action, it was unlikely.
“Good. We are all living together, we should all get along. We must never forget this tragic love that ended with your hate. We must never forget Romeo and Juliet.”
The End (sort of)
Epilogue
“It wasn’t painful at all,” Juliet whispered, leaning farther back into her Romeo’s bare chest.
“No. I didn’t even feel it. And look. We’ve stopped the feud.” He pointed at the lord’s shaking hands.
“This is heaven, Romeo. We made it to heaven,” Juliet said, eyes shining happily.
“We made it to heaven together, Juliet.”
Ok, so I really couldn't resist a happy ending. Wasn't it cuuuute how they were in heaven together?
No?
Well, I'm a sap.
Ok, so I know this could have been better if I'd spent more time on it, but there are some bits I really like. So review, please, and tell me your thoughts.
