Welcome to Chapter Nine of "Mercutio and Allegra!" Nine is my lucky number. Yay.
Sorry if this chapter is weak - I've been sick and it's been difficult to concentrate. You'll notice Allegra is sick too - that part was easy to write about.
DISCLAIMER - In this chapter I own every Capulet that Shakespeare d(oesn't)idn't. I assure you I never will.
ALSO:
Pargoletta - Thanks as always! I saw a picture of the river Adige and I just knew Allegra had to live near it. She would enjoy it there, sitting out there and watching the river with Mercutio... *sigh* Loverly. Anyway, thanks for your comment about Benvolio. He's really grown on me. People don't give him enough credit, you're right. They always stick him together with Romeo and assume Mercutio had all the manliness in the threesome. Mercutio is ten times the man Romeo is, but not necessarily Benvolio. Benvolio (or at least, my version of Benvolio) is just a really good guy who can't stand to see anyone get hurt. In this story he's one of those characters that pretty much develop on their own. Oh, and of course Mercutio isn't a Montague. I'll admit it's rather annoying when people think he is, however honest a mistake it is.
Every time I check my e-mail and see , [FF] REVIEW ALERT, I scream with excitement. No, I seriously like reviews THAT much. That's saying something. Something pathetic.. but review anyway, please, everybody.
Enjoy!
Saturday, April the Second, Thirteen-Hundred
My darling Allegra,
'Tis in Benvolio's house that I write this note, with his quill, on his table; he has shoved me out of his home a thousand times today, claiming he must finish reading some book and that I distract him. (I, a distraction?) Nonetheless, I always come back to his home. His parents do not mind me, nor do his servants, but he is tiring of me. Romeo is off with his lady, whoever that may be, and Valentine is far too busy being swooned over to listen to me.
Allegra, I am as ill as thou art. Tell me, what sort of idiot beckons his love into the rain and fails to shield her so she falls ill?
An idiot called Mercutio.
Art thou well yet? In thy last letter thou didst say thou wert healing. I wish I could come to thy chamber and kiss thee back to health. I prithee think of me. Hold onto thy strength - thou hast so much. If you die, I shall kill you. Do not die!
Love Love Love Love Love,
Mercutio
. . .
Saturday, April the Second, Thirteen-Hundred
Mercutio, my only love,
Poor you, and poor Benvolio. Is this not the third day thou hast slept at his house?
... You shall not leave me for Benvolio, shall you?
I jest. I love thee. I do not believe I have said this plainly in any of the notes I have sent to you. J'taime.* Ti amo.** And my sickness is no fault of thine. I have told thee so in every note I have sent thee! Thou must stop saying 'tis. Feel not badly about it. As I have said, I sicken very easily. Thou art no idiot!
I wish thou couldst come and kiss me back to health as well. I wish 'twas so easy. I do nothing in this horrid bed but think of thee, and whenever I am not thinking of thee I am asleep (and dreaming of thee.)
One final thing to tell thee: I am well. My mother thinks not so, but my nurse does and she is the only one in my house with medical knowledge. I have no fever, and am not contagious, so good news: I shall not die, and you shall not kill me.
Your's forever,
Allegra
P.S. - Wilt thou come to my window to-night?
It had been half an hour since Allegra had last written to Mercutio. She waited for her nurse to come and deliver the next letter that she would have received from the messenger boy, but Mercutio had not yet written back. Allegra sunk lower onto the pillows. Her breath was clearer than it had been in five days, and her head was no longer heavy. Her nurse had said her fever had gone, but that had been that morning. How long had it been since then?
To rethink the events of the day confused Allegra. She had gone to bed at seven the night before, and slept until half past eleven. She had then received Mercutio's latest note, written back, and read until his next note came, then she wrote back and waited for his next note, then she had slept again... Allegra pitied herself. This was how her life had been for the past five days. She had nothing to do but sleep and read and sleep some more - and even though she loved to write to Mercutio, his notes were not the same as his voice; his messy, frantic scribbles of handwriting not as exciting as his real words. Allegra could not remember what it had been like without him loving her, even if the wonderful night when he had finally seen her was only a week ago. She had been sick a thousand times before, but never had she been so anxious to leave bed.
She pulled off her covers and got out of bed. She looked out her window. The sun was beginning to set over the river. It cast a pleasant shadow over Verona. This combined with the faint chill of evening, the smell of basil, the happy people on the street and faint music playing from somewhere in the distance, it looked like the beginning of a refreshing evening for Allegra.
A desire to go outside blossomed within her, and she ran to her armoire, picked out a white evening gown and dressed herself. She glanced at her reflection at her vanity and cringed. She had not touched her hair in days, and had not realized she had become a blonde Medusa in her sleep. She brushed her hair until it looked presentable, finished getting ready and put on a gold necklace. Smiling at her own reflection, she opened the door to her room and strode out until the hall, feeling very lovely.
The halls were empty. Allegra had expected a servant or two to ask her if she was well, and had even been prepared what to say when they told her that her color was still gone from her face. No one was there, and from what it sounded like, no one was on this floor at all. They must be at dinner, Allegra told herself, and proceeded down the staircase.
That was when she heard a sound that almost caused her to trip.
"HOW DARE YOU, YOU INSOLENT BASTARD?"
It was the voice of her father, and he had been cut off by a hush from her mother. Allegra's father was not a patient man, but had never yelled so loudly before, and certainly would never use a word like 'bastard' to anyone in his house. Perhaps Theobald or Ricardo had done something to displease him?
Allegra heard more voices, and she followed them all the way to the dining room. While her father continue to hiss, softer now, she heard the voice of her uncles, and then a few voices of men which she did not recognize. Nobody had told her there would be company tonight. Probably, she thought, she had been sleeping when her mother had come up to tell her.
The door to the dining room was closed, and the tension inside the room sounded hot and painful; Allegra held her breath and peeked through the side of the door, unheard and unseen, watching and listening as hard as she could.
Something important was going on, she noticed right away; on the side of the table furthest from her, her father sat at the head of the table, with her mother standing behind him and Theobald and Ricardo sitting on either side of him. Other Capulet men - Tybalt included - sat at that end of the table. Her father was looking much calmer than she expected; his hands were folded, and his lips were pursed together.
On the side nearest Allegra, Allegra only recognized a few men. Some of them, she saw, she had met five days ago at the plaza with Mercutio. One portly man, bearing the same calm and dignified air as her father, sat in the head chair. Allegra knew this was the father of Romeo, Juliet's love. Romeo himself, she saw, was not present. There was another man there that she knew, who was tall and thin, and wringing his hands, as if silently begging his family to let him go home -
"Benvolio!" Allegra breathed.
Benvolio had not heard her sudden gasp, and she was glad. She did not know what was going on, but knew it was something important, and that it had already begun to get dangerous, judging by her father's cry. The Montagues had never been in Allegra's home before as far she could remember. They all looked so grave, as if they were at a funeral. Allegra knew it couldn't be that, though. It was some kind of serious meeting, and nobody was looking happy about it.
"Sir," her father said, gritting his teeth at Lord Montague, "my wife has told me to 'speak softer'. I shall do as she suggests. I am from a fair family." His voice began to heat up. "Unlike yourself."
Lord Montague could not take this. It looked as though he had been taking it from Tancredo the entire time he had been there. He leaped out of his chair and pointed an accusing finger at Tancredo.
"Sir," he barked, "you have plainly insulted my family for the final time to-night. I pray you, tell me the a reason this meeting was called?"
"Uncle, pray sit," Benvolio muttered.
"Nay, Benvolio, bite thy tongue! Capulets, tell me now, why have you called my family here?" Lord Montague continued.
"Sit." Tancredo said this in such a booming voice that Celestine was forced to step back a few feet. Lord Montague did sit; Benvolio attempted to help him, but he was shoved off.
"Now," Tancredo continued, "I am sure you will all remember a week before tonight, when my only daughter, Allegra, was missing." His face demanded an answer.
Allegra held her breath. The Montagues she had met at the fountain all held their breath as well, and Benvolio's sweating face was very plain to see.
"We were not aware of't," Lord Montague said.
"You lie," Tancredo said. "'Twas because of your flock that my daughter has lost her virginity before wedlock."
Allegra had to put her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming, "Lie!" Had she not told her father and the rest of her family she had not been in the hands of the Montagues?
Lord Montague was silent for a moment. "Do you accuse my 'flock'...of the rape of your daughter? I knew not he had a daughter," he added, so only his family could hear.
"He hath, Uncle," Benvolio whispered. "She is called Allegra and she loves not a Montague."
Allegra felt a twinge of friendly love for Benvolio. Her insides froze. Friendly, she told herself. Friendly.
"What says that brat, Montague?" Tancredo asked, causing Benvolio to jump.
Do not tell them who, Benvolio, Allegra said over and over again in her mind, as though maybe Benvolio would hear.
"He says thy daughter loves not a Montague," said Lord Montague.
"Perhaps he is right in what he says," said Tancredo, giving Benvolio a look of extreme disdain. "God forbid my daughter loves a Montague, but perhaps a Montague showed love unto her last week."
"You lie!" cried one of the Montagues. "We would not harm Allegra!" He was nudged by a boy next to him, who hissed, "Fool."
Tancredo was growing impatient. He caught Benvolio's eye for a heated moment, and Benvolio looked down, still sweating and wringing his hands.
"Tell me, Montague," Tancredo said. "What gentleman is that?" He pointed at Benvolio.
"My nephew, Benvolio," Lord Montague said.
Tancredo smiled, dripping with venom, and looked at Benvolio as though about to pounce. "Stand, Benvolio."
Benvolio did not make eye contact, but stood up.
Do not tell them, Benvolio!
"Dost thou know Allegra?" Tancredo asked.
"Ay, sir," Benvolio said.
The Capulets exchanged glances. Ricardo was growling like an animal.
"What think'st thou of her?" Tancredo said.
Benvolio mumbled.
"Pray speak up, gentleman," said Tancredo in a mock-kind voice.
Benvolio cleared this throat. "I think she is... a ... a nice young lady... but I would never wish to take her vir-virgini-" He collapsed into his chair, panting. A few other Montagues fanned him with their hands.
Ay me...
"Weak man!" Tancredo yelled, standing up in his chair. "Look, Capulets, there fell a weak man!" He pointed at Benvolio's chair. "He responsible for Allegra's rape and he has not the strength to admit it, for he is a Montague!"
"Say no more, sir!" Lord Montague said dangerously. "Benvolio is a very saint!"
"If he is anything like thyself and thy family," Tybalt said, "he lacketh all manhood."
A few Montagues were ready to charge Tybalt, but Lord Montague raised a hand at his kinsmen, and they held themselves back.
"No kinsman of mine is interested in any brat of thy kind, Tancredo!" he cried.
"She is no brat, Uncle, pray thee!" one Montague demanded, and then all eyes fell on him.
"Dirty men," Tancredo said, "my daughter was at the mercy of all of you last week, and for this, I challenge you."
"Name thy challenge, sir!" Lord Montague said.
"A new war begins tonight," Tancredo said. "We shall not stop fighting for anything! Not the words of the Prince, not the threat of the law! Montagues, you will rue e'er threatening the dignity of the ancient house of Capulet. We shall see you rue't!"
Allegra had to bite her hand to calm herself. Her father intended on breaking the law, just to fight against the Montagues, all because of her!
The Montagues made no answer.
"Well?" Tybalt yelled.
No answer. Lord Montague's chubby face was tensed up with thought.
"Half an hour," he said. "Give us half an hour, and we shall answer you then."
"What!" cried Lord Capulet, who up until now had left the talking to his brother. "Why? Afraid?"
"We hate you as you hate us," one of the Montagues answered, "but the boundaries of the Prince are not to be broken."
"Afraid, indeed," Theobald said with a cruel snort of laughter.
"Half an hour!" Lord Montague snarled.
Tancredo looked suspicious. "Done," he said.
Everybody stood up. The Montagues spoke with the Montagues and the Capulets with the Capulets. The two families stood clear of each other as the Montagues exited the room. Allegra did not feel she needed to hide any more. She stood near the door and let all the men pass. Most Montagues flashed her quick smiles. Luckily for her, Benvolio was the last to exit. He was still shaking.
"Benvolio!" Allegra said as he exited the room.
He jumped a bit. "Allegra!" he cried, drawing back.
"I am no longer ill," Allegra said. "Thou needst not fear me. I would speak with thee."
"But, Allegra, mine cousins need me." He began to follow his cousins.
"Benvolio, pray," Allegra said. "I have one question."
Benvolio looked around. "Pray thee, make haste."
Allegra took a deep breath. "Doth my family think thy family raped me? For it sounded so -"
Benvolio blinked at the word 'raped'. Allegra knew his not answering her meant they did.
"But I told them I was not with thy family!" Allegra exclaimed. "I told them I saw the fight and fainted and that I was not in the hands of any Montague! I like thy family, I would not they be blamed for -"
"Hush, Allegra, I beg you!" Benvolio said. "I am sure you told them you were not with my family, but your family will find any reason in the world to fight. Thou know'st this!"
"I would not it be my fault!""'Tis not thy fault! Thou hast done nothing, 'twas thy family." He sighed. "I have to go. I've only thirty minutes." He looked into Allegra's eyes for a moment and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Allegra's heart fluttered a bit. She watched as he ran out to join his cousins. She heard her father yelling in the dining room again. She felt anger replace the fluttering and went back to the door of the dining room.
"Tybalt, take thine cousins and crush the idiots!" Tancredo was shouting.
"'usband, pray zee lowair your voice!" her mother was begging. "You shall wake our daught-air."
"I have woken," said Allegra, making herself noticed.
Her family turned to her.
"Why, Allegra!" Celestine cried, running to her daughter and taking her face in her hands. "You are well yet! 'usband, we 'ave woken 'er!"
"Nay, Mother," Allegra said, "I pray you, I have been awake for hours. I did see the Montagues."
Tybalt shoved past her, muttering something Allegra did not fully hear about giving the Montagues hell, and Allegra's cousins followed.
Tancredo groaned. "Clear out of here, Allegra, silly mouse! Thou dost nothing here but distract."
"But, father, what happens?" Allegra knew, but wanted the honest answer.
"'Tis nothing notable, cher," Celestine assured her.
"Mother, pray! I know 'tis about me!"
"Away, mouse!" her father hissed again, waving her away. "This is no place for thee. Go hence!"
Allegra scowled and obeyed, stomping as obnoxiously as possible. How dare they hold a meeting about her and then dismiss her that way? She re-entered her room, and was just about to see if her nurse had left another one of Mercutio's notes on her night stand...
... when she heard Tybalt outside, and then the voice of Benvolio... and then, his voice...
She ran to her window.
* "I love you" in French.
** "I love you" in Italian.