I had told Romeo, and now it was time to tell Benvolio. I kissed Romeo goodbye, and then after a sorrowful look, hugged him tightly saying we'd meet again someday, and it better have been soon.
Then, I lifted my hood back up, and when I opened the door to the cell, I looked back, and saw Romeo and the Friar smiling at me.
"Good luck with Juliet tonight cos. You deserve happiness, I'm glad you've forgotten Rosaline." Then I swept myself away, and gracefully closed the door, and rushed back home.
Benvolio was in his quarters, and I asked his page if I could see him, and he went up to ask.
"Your sister requests a visit, master." I heard.
"Bring her in." I heard in my older brother's tone.
"Oh, I'm not waiting around for a servant to escort me." I said hot-headedly, and went upstairs as if nothing could stop me. My husband had rubbed off on me.
The servant passed me and blinked, then continued on, and I stopped at the door to Benvolio's room, before entering, looking at the wood on it.
Was I ready to tell him everything that had happened? Of course, I wouldn't say a word about Romeo and Juliet, they had confided in me to not say a word…but then I thought silly of myself. Benvolio was not Mercutio or Tybalt. He was Benvolio, my identical brother- the peacemaker. He'd be happy, or at least accepting.
So I knocked, and he called for me to enter, and with a deep breath, I turned the knob and did so.
"Benny- before- when you wondering why I was mourning Tybalt instead of Mercator- it was because I was his wife."
"Dear Elizabeth, I figured as much when I saw how you kissed him and how you looked to him, even in death. But, forgive me, sister, do not understand how or why this happened. He attacked me! He was bloodthirsty…and hated us- how did you get in his circle?"
"Love is a powerful thing, Benvolio. And that kind of love is once n a lifetime. The kind of love you know that's never going to come back in another being for you." I went on to tell him how we met, where we first spoke and when we married…the whole story.
Benvolio was silent for a moment, his hand in his tangled curls, and I sat on his bed, my hands clasped tightly together in my lap, and I looked to him eagerly and nervously, awaiting his reaction. He opened his mouth, and I leaned forward, but he closed it again, and I slumped back in defeat. Finally, after a long, stretching silence he said, "I just wish you'd told me sooner…I could've gone to the wedding." He smiled up at me, and I grinned. I jumped off the bed and ran to him and tackled him with a fierce hug. "I knew you'd understand…most brothers would be angry, or ashamed, or frightened- but you are so fine with it! You are so righteous and kind Ben." I kissed his cheek. "Whoever is lucky enough to wed you will be the happiest girl alive! I would marry you, if I were not related to you." I smiled again.
"Let us sleep, Beth. Tomorrow is a new day, hopefully one without sorrow. Goodnight, sister." I curtsied and went to the door. As I was pulling it open, Benvolio called my name and I looked to him and he said, "Oh, did you see Romeo?"
"No." I lied. "I'll see him someday though. Even if it means riding all the way to Mantua."
"Most girls would never think to ride- it's a man's world- women don't ride- but you do…I respect you so much sister. You're centuries ahead of your time, I keep saying."
I shook my head. "Well, I want to be here now- so I can have my family." I paused. "Night Benny." And I left.