Ciao! Benvenuti a 'Mercutio e Allegra: Capitolo Sei'.
Oops... wrong language.
*ehem*
Hello! Welcome to 'Mercutio and Allegra Chapter Six'!
Excuse the Italian, but after all, this story does take place in Italy, and Italian is uber fun to speak. I've kind of developed an obsession with Italy while writing this. I've always wanted to go to Italy, so don't be surprised if I kind of go on and on about what I think it looks like. Also, Italians, please don't be offended by the Italian stereotypes I may use in this story. I envy you, as you're Italian and I'm stuck being Irish...
Ok, sharing time is over.
DISCLAIMER - I own nothing in this chapter but Allegra, her first name, her immediate family, their first names, and Bruna.
By the way -
Pargoletta - Thanks a bunch for your comment about the fight between Mercutio and Allegra's brothers. I'll stop with the whole commentary thing, which will be hard - but I'll manage. You'll notice I got rid of the underline problem in Chapter 5. I would never be able to live with myself if I didn't get rid of it, yuck. Stupid computer.
Jadalia - Aww. Thanks! I agree about Romeo being a wimp. Mercutio is awesome.
Wow. That was the longest intro I've ever written.
Now that it's over, please enjoy. And review.
...
The sun peeked through the window and warmed Allegra's face. A white light filled her mind. There was a comfort in the air with which she was unfamiliar. She knew she had smiled in her sleep. The bed she slept in was soft, and probably meant for five people to fit in, it was so big. Feeling at peace, as if there was nothing to worry about, Allegra opened her eyes. It was a glorious morning in Verona.
As her eyes began to adjust, the feeling of complete peace was snatched away from her. She sat up. The bed chamber where she slept was beautiful. Everything was gold and purple, and there was artwork on every wall. There were three windows drawn with thick lavender curtains; Allegra could tell she was in a room on a high floor. It was a room that came from a dream - but still, it was not hers, and she did not know how she had gotten there. The events of the previous night soon began to unfold in her memory. Tybalt, her brothers, the ball, the moon, Benvolio ... vaguely waking for a moment in the middle of night, in a wonderful place ... there, wherever this was... and Mercutio!
She jumped slightly when the door creaked open. A kind-looking woman came in. She was a very stout lady, and rather old-looking, in a maid's outfit, with her hair in a neat brown bun and light, amiable grey eyes.
"Why, good morning, milady!" she said, and swept over to Allegra in a very graceful way.
Allegra panicked and stumbled out of the bed, almost missing the little stool that was there to help her down.
"Oh, milady, I do apologize! I know not how I came here! I only just woke up to realize I was here, I can leave, if thou wouldst like -"
"Nay, little mistress! Do not leave, I pray!" the lady said. "Thou hast only just arrived, after all, and the entire house is waiting to meet thee."
Allegra was even more confused. She glanced out of the window; she was, indeed, on a very high floor, in a very large house that was right in the center of Verona. It was mid-morning, Allegra could tell; she thought she might be the only one in Verona who was still undressed. She felt that sense of peace drift back to her.
"The entire house?" she asked the lady.
The lady's smile enlarged. "Ay, mistress. Late last night when Master Mercutio and Master Benvolio brought thee to this bed, Master Valentine and myself and all the servants followed them. Oh, thou art a pretty sight, awake or sleeping, even fainted! Might I say, Master Mercutio certainly favors thee!" She giggled. Her laugh resembled a squeaking mouse.
Allegra could not say she remembered fainting, but at the sound of Mercutio's name, her face lit up. "Mercutio is well, then?"
The lady closed the drapes, still giggling. "Oh ay, Master Mercutio is well. Never better, if you ask me." She looked back at the beaming Allegra, and cried, "Forgive me, little mistress, but Master Merctuio did tell me thy name. My mind is rather weary. 'Tis Alexandra, is it not?"
Allegra curtsied. "'Tis Allegra, milady. Allegra Capulet."
"Allegra Capulet! Of course, of course! And thou comest from such a good family too! Ha!" She was either very pleased about something or found the name Allegra Capulet very funny. "Oh, and thou wonders, I'm sure, who is this madwoman and why does she laugh so?" She drew in some breath to calm herself down and curtsied. "I am Bruna. Call me Bruna. I've served this house my entire life, but never has a day like this come!"
"A day like this, Bruna?" Allegra asked, hoping the answer she expected was the one that was coming.
Bruna cupped Allegra's face in her hands and gushed, "I did tell thee, Mistress Allegra, that Master Mercutio was fond of thee!" Her squeaking giggle doubled in volume. "Quite fond of thee!"
"Did he tell you that, Bruna?" Allegra asked, not trying to hide her enthusiasm.
"Ay! That he did!' Bruna cried. "That and more! He went up to me, he told me, 'Bruna, I have known thee my entire life, and I do not lie when I say I love Allegra Capulet!"
Allegra let out a little scream of delight, then covered her mouth. Bruna only kept laughing.
"Is Mercutio here now?" Allegra asked.
Bruna nodded. "On the first floor with Master Benvolio. He stayed overnight as well. I tell thee, the two gentleman were rather worried for quite awhile last night. They told me milady was given a horrid scare, but would not tell me what." She raised her eyebrow at Allegra, as if waiting for her to explain.
"I cannot say I remember," Allegra said, for that was the honest truth. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep on Mercutio, then kissing him. Then she had woken up here.
Bruna shrugged. "I shall not force thee to search thy thoughts. However, Master Mercutio will be delighted to see thee. 'Tis time we dressed thee, is it not?"
"I haven't any clothes," Allegra said.
Bruna went to the closet across the room and pulled out a gorgeous pale green gown. "Now thou dost!" she cooed.
Allegra's eyes widened. "You wish for me to wear this?"
"Oh, little mistress," Bruna said, holding it up to Allegra's body. "'Twill fit thee nicely. 'Twill indeed be large on thee, though - thy Mercutio's lady mother is far larger than thou art, but if we tie it tightly I am sure it will fit thee nicely."
That was not what Allegra was concerned about. "'Tis too extravagant!"
Bruna giggled, yet again. "Oh, nonsense! 'Twill bring out thy lovely eyes."
Allegra really did not want to object. It was a gorgeous, gorgeous gown, and it was precisely the color of Allegra's eyes. She let Bruna dress her. All the while, Bruna spoke.
"Oh, thou art a lovely maiden! I know not why Mercutio did not notice thee before tonight! Oh, that Mercutio! Quite a man! Ha! Do pardon my saying that, milady. Oh, seems like only yesterday he was in talks about never falling in love... Oh-ho, 'twas only yesterday! Ha!"
Allegra did not have any comment during any of this. She thought it was quite fun to listen to Bruna.
Soon, Allegra was dressed. Bruna let Allegra get ready, still chatting and giggling through it all. Once Allegra had finished, Bruna led her out the door and into a long hall with red and gold paint. Allegra was more ecstatic every time her heart beat. This was where Mercutio lived! She had fantasized about it for so long, and seeing it in person was twice as grand. The more she thought about this being his home, the more she longed to see him.
After only a few seconds, a curly-haired young man who looked about Allegra's age came down the hall. Bruna sort of hiccupped in delight.
"Ah, Master Valentine! Didst thou sleep well?" she asked.
"Ay, Bruna, thank you," Valentine said. He had Mercutio's bright eyes.
Allegra had never met him, but had certainly heard of him. Her cousin Oria spoke of almost nothing but him, and all the other girls she knew swooned at the mere mention of his name. Allegra had never understood. His elder brother had all the charisma.
"Oh, how very rude of me!" Bruna cried. "Mistress Allegra, this is Master Valentine, thy Mercutio's brother."
Valentine bowed. Allegra curtsied.
"Pleasure, miss. My brother hath told me all about thee," Valentine said.
"Has he really?" Allegra said.
"Ay." Valentine chuckled at Allegra's eagerness.
Bruna clapped her hands together. "Splendid! Now, I must get back to my work, I fear I have fallen quite behind. Oh, Master Valentine, if it pleases thee, do escort Miss Allegra down to the parlor on the first floor, if thy brother and master Benvolio have not left."
"Why, Bruna, they haven't moved all night," Valentine said.
"Oh, good!" Bruna cried. She curtsied to Allegra. "'Twas a pleasure to meet thee, miss."
"'Twas my pleasure, Bruna," said Allegra with a curtsy.
Bruna's cheeks surely must have hurt from all her grinning. "Oh, go on, Master Valentine! Good morrow, Miss Allegra!" She waddled in the other direction. Allegra could not help but grin after her as Valentine led her through the hall.
"I pray you excuse Bruna," Valentine said. "She is quite a giggler."
Allegra laughed. "I find nothing wrong with that, sir."
. . .
Mercutio sat upside down with his feet on an armchair and his head hanging, not reaching the floor.
"Do you suppose she's awake yet?" he asked Benvolio as all the blood rushed to his head.
"Hmm," Benvolio said, sitting at the table and facing away from his upside-down friend. He had not replied to anything Mercutio had said all night with anything but 'hmm', but Mercutio had not noticed. He had been to busy asking questions - to himself, for the most part.
"Do you suppose she hasn't yet come around?" Mercutio asked. "Nay, she came around earlier, then went back to sleep... she has to be feeling well... unless she's not feeling well... do you suppose she's feeling well, Benvolio?"
"Hmm."
"She did sleep well. Ah, sleeping... Allegra sleeping. What is it about sleeping, Benvolio, that doth arouse?" Mercutio paused, thinking of Allegra. "Sleeping does have something sensual about it, does it not?"
Benvolio, speaking for the first time in hours, groaned and stood up from his chair. "Ay, sensual, Mercutio. Sensual! I knew not you knew that word."
Mercutio sat in the chair normally. "Bore you, do I? Ah, I am not surprised." He smiled in spite of himself. "All night I've been thinking how I sound like Romeo with his dear precious Rosaline -"
Benvolio laughed humorlessly. "Trust me, friend, you are far worse than he!"
Mercutio cocked his head at his friend. "Worse, I? How so?" he asked, amused.
"This is not just a girl you love!" Benvolio exploded. "'Tis a Capulet girl! The younger sister of Theobald and Ricardo, who hate you enough as it is! If they realize you have been teasing their innocent younger sister, they will break you in half!"
"Tease!" Mercutio repeated. "Tease? Really, Benvolio, have I ever teased about love?"
Benvolio stared at him.
Mercutio cleared his throat. "Ay. Well, I do not tease now! What, you do not believe me?"
Benvolio wringed his hands. He breathed, as if ready to say something, but then turned and headed out of the room. Mercutio followed him into the hall.
"Benvolio! I believe you try to abandon me with no one talk to about Allegra!"
"Nay," Benvolio said, rolling his eyes.
"Sarcasm is the weakest form of wit -"
"Ay, and you know quite a bit about wit!" Benvolio cried. He glared at a few passing servants, who were staring at them with wide eyes, very interested in a good argument. They scampered back to their work. "I am sure you will be proud of your 'wit' when the Capulets have gotten to you!"
"What wit?" Mercutio asked, beginning to get angry. He moved closer so that he and his friend were inches apart.
"Thy witty little game with the heart of Tybalt's cousin," Benvolio hissed, "that, I can promise thee, will cost thee thy witty little idiot brain!"
"Oh! 'Witty little idiot brain!'" Mercutio cried. "'Witty little idiot brain! For a man with so much wit, thou dost not use it to its fullest! I was not out of my wits, Benvolio, when I met Allegra, when I fought her cousin -"
"When you fought Tybalt, your wits were soaked with wine -"
"Not so much!" Mercutio argued. "I was sober when I learned Allegra's name, when I kissed her! Sober and happy!"
Benvolio laughed humorlessly again, something that Mercutio hated. "Happy, maybe. Sober, nay!"
"Thou enviest me, dost thou?" Mercutio cried.
"Ha! Envy thee?" Benvolio repeated. "I pity thee!"
"Well, Benvolio! Never have I seen a maiden with thee!" Mercutio said.
Benvolio let the words sink in. He had never thought Mercutio would comment on that. Mercutio did not stop there.
"Nay, never a maiden! Thou art always with me, or another gentleman, or alone!" Mercutio continued. "Whilst I woo Allegra - and that I will - she and I will only laugh at thee whilst thou kisses thyself, whilst thou croones, 'Ay me, Master Benvolio, what wit thou hast!' and 'Why, thank thee, Master Benvolio!' And, oh, we shall die of laughter when you get down on your knees in front of a gentleman and pledge thy love for him! 'Oh, gentleman, I adore thee! Forgive me my boldness, but I will tell all of Verona I love thee! What, ho! I love a man! I love a man!"
"Ehem."
Mercutio jumped and glanced behind him. He had only just realized that his taunting Benvolio had led to his getting on his knees in front of Benvolio, shouting "I love a man!". This would not have mattered to him, but he had been seen by not only a shocked Valentine, but also by Allegra, who had one eyebrow raised.
"Good morrow, Valentine..." He smiled. "Allegra." He got up, quickly fluffed out his hair, took Allegra's hand and kissed it. "Valentine, I trust you have met Allegra?"
Valentine nodded. Mercutio acting abnormally was nothing knew to him. "Ay, brother. Allegra is a joy." He scratched his head. If it had not been for Allegra, he would have died laughing. "Well, then. Mercutio, I suppose I will leave you with your friends..lovely meeting thee, Miss Allegra..." He disappeared into the library on the other side of the hall, looking a bit awkward.
There was a silenced moment. Allegra seemed a bit confused, and Mercutio was not sure what to say. He did not know how he had lasted the night without seeing her.
"Need I ask -?" Allegra began.
'Nay," Mercutio said. He pulled Allegra into a kiss. After a few airy and warm minutes, Benvolio stamped his foot. The noise caused Allegra to stumble backward. Mercutio turned around and glared at Benvolio. Benvolio did not stop his glare.
"Sorry... Allegra, you've met Benvolio, haven't you?" Mercutio asked, taking Allegra's dainty hand in his and gesturing toward Benvolio.
Allegra curtsied.
Benvolio flashed her a quick and unmeaning smile. "Pleasure, pleasure... Mercutio, other room." He pointed toward the sitting room that he and his friend had just exited.
"But -" Mercutio began.
"Other room, Mercutio!" Benvolio cried.
Mercutio thought it best not to argue in Allegra's presence. Leading Allegra, he followed Benvolio into the sitting room.
Benvolio's forced pleasant attitude turned off completely when he was safe inside the sitting room. "You - sit!" he barked at Mercutio, who obeyed.
Allegra flinched. She stood at the doors, looking back and forth and Benvolio and Mercutio. What was Benvolio angry about?
"Benvolio, do not explode!" Mercutio said. "There is a lady in your presence -"
"This is a child!" Benvolio erupted. "This is no lady!" He pointed at a taken-aback Allegra.
"Sir?" Allegra said.
"Pay him no mind, Allegra," Mercutio said, while glaring at Benvolio. "He knows not what he is -"
"Mercutio! Do not tell me I know not what I am speaking of. This maiden is the sister of Theobald and Ricardo Capulet! She is young enough to be considered a child, and therefore, the Capulets will have a right to -"
"Is she a child?" Mercutio cried, standing up. "Have you any idea of her age?"
"I -" Benvolio began, but realized Mercutio had a point. He was not sure what Allegra's age was. "Nay," he said. "What is her age?"
Mercutio was at a loss for words for a moment.
Benvolio couldn't believe it. "Mercutio," he repeated. "How old is Allegra?"
Mercutio didn't know what to say. It had never mattered. He shrugged.
Benvolio did not take it as lightly as Mercutio would have liked.
"ARE YOU MAD?" Benvolio screamed. They heard a crash from the other room, and several gasps from all around the house. "You meet a maiden, decide to kiss her, learn she is a Capulet, take her home with you, and declare you love her, all without knowing her age?"
"Pfft," Mercutio said, "in this day and age, I ask you, to whom does it mean a thing?"
"To you!" Benvolio cried, pulling at his hair, acting quite frightening. "Really, do you think her brothers would be happy to find you were a pedophile?"
Mercutio actually stepped backward at that word, but was not finished arguing. "Allegra is not an infant!"
"How are you sure?" Benvolio snipped.
"Look, Benvolio, she has not the air of an infant!" Mercutio shot back.
"It makes no difference, her appearance!" Benvolio yelled. "We know not her age!"
"Then ask it!" Mercutio said. He could believe that his quiet, good-natured friend was so acting this way. He did not know where to begin, how to explain this to Allegra.
Benvolio sighed. Arguing with Mercutio was never easy. "How many years hast thou, miss?" he asked the maiden.
"Fourteen, sir," Allegra answered.
"Fourteen!" Benvolio repeated. He fell into a chair at the table, rubbing at his temples. "Fourteen, Mercutio. Ay me. You are courting a fourteen-year-old Capulet girl, the sister of the enemy of your friends."
Allegra, much to the two gentleman's surprise, objected; "Pardon me, sir. Young as I may be, I think you will find me to be very un-childish-like."
Benvolio glanced up at her. "Nay, pardon me, but although thou dost think so, thy cousins and brothers, should they find out, will surely use it against Mercutio. The men in thy family would love an excuse to make a bloody war out of the street fights."
"Pardon me," said Allegra again, "but I have seen Mercutio fight, and so hast thou, I know. Mercutio is not threatened by them -"
"Pardon -" Benvolio began.
"Pardon denied!" Mercutio said suddenly to Benvolio. "Allegra, pray go on."
"I've nothing more to say," said Allegra simply, glad to see Mercutio grinning at her again. "I know you are not afraid of them. You are braver than they are."
Mercutio beamed.
"She is not wrong," Benvolio said, getting up. "Nay. Forgive me my behavior. You are not wrong." He paused for a moment as a new thought came to him. "Though, I wonder, should word get out that you and Mercutio are involved, I am sure your kinsmen shall not be happy with you."
"I care not," Allegra said as Mercutio approached her and took her hand. "I assure you both, I am as afraid of my kinsmen as Mercutio is."
Benvolio made a disapproving noise in his throat. "All your kinsmen?"
Allegra knew who Benvolio was hinting. "I fear Tybalt the least of them all."
"When he hears that you and Mercutio -" Benvolio began, but Allegra cut in.
"I will say nothing if you will say nothing," Allegra said. "And I will never fear Tybalt. Not until he puts on men's clothing."
Benvolio and Mercutio laughed.
"Ah, Benvolio," Mercutio said as he recovered, "is she not obnoxious?"
Allegra smiled. Benvolio had to smile as well. All three of them came to realize that all was well between Mercutio and Benvolio.
The bells rung. Allegra's face fell.
"Ay me, my parents!" she cried. "They've probably alerted everyone in Verona I'm missing... I must go!"
"Oh, do you?" Mercutio asked, disappointed.
Allegra nodded. "I've got to. Thank you for everything, your home is lovely. I've got to run."
"Wait, I will walk you out," Mercutio said. He motioned for Allegra to follow.
Benvolio was not sure whether or not to follow them. "Well - uh - good-bye, Allegra," he stuttered, but Allegra and Mercutio had already left the room.
Benvolio stared after them.
There left another friend, with another girl ...