Sword Crossed Lovers

Two hearts become one

The sun calmly shines through the windows of the chapel, its tainted pictures casting pretty lights against Juliet's white gown.  Tinted almost a red, she slowly proceeds towards her love.  His eyes are hidden under a casting of a blue light but she can tell he is tearing up.  The way his body slightly shivers with every step as she approaches, she knows: he loves her.

As Juliet does approach him, Romeo's heart picks up.  She is beautiful.  Just perfectly wondrous.  Her eyes are made of diamonds that sparkle in the darkest of nights.  The way her feet gingerly touch the holy ground before her only makes him want to pick her up and raise her from the Earth, for angels should not touch what has been made unholier by man kind.

Such was a day like no other in both the lover's minds.  Mixed with impatience but also longing for time to cease, they hold each other's eyes as they stand beside one another.  The friar raises the holy cup and places it within the lovers' grasp.  "By this holy cup, the Gods bless this union."
"Amen," the lovers chorus back.

Their eyes meet once more and Romeo offers his hand to her.  She claims it eagerly and sparks seem to fly as their skin touches.  After waiting so long, how could they possibly wait any longer?

Romeo presses down harder against his Juliet's hand, letting her know he is here for her.  She does the same and can't help but smile from under her simple lace wedding veil Nurse had made her in secret.  Romeo's heart leaps and he turns his eyes back on the friar, the man who raised him.

"By these witnesses, a love like this cannot be found anywhere else.  I myself, have never witnessed a more perfect union, one to be forever commemorated in history.  For in these tender times, the most pure of elements may mend all: love," gushes the friar, his heart beating rapidly.  "These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder, which as they kiss consume.  Now, for thy vows, Juliet."

The young Capulet takes in a deep yet shaky breath.  Her hands shiver with nerves but as Romeo gently caresses them in his hands, she is freed from her fear like a bird from a cage.  "Romeo... my Romeo," she begins with strength yet the fear of their uncertain future in her voice evident.  "Love looks not with the eyes in thy name, but with the mind and the soul.  Therefore is winged cupid painted blind.  The half of life is love.  Love is eternal and I know that we shall never be like the Gods, but that does not mean that our love cannot withstand the test of time, withstand even death.  I... I feel like everything in my life has led me to thee.  My choices, my heartbreaks, my regrets, even my name.  Everything, my dear Romeo.  When we are together, my past seems worth it.  Because, if I had done anything differently, even just one thing, I might never had met thee."  Juliet draws up the ring.  "With this ring, I give thee my heart.  I promise from this day forward, thou shalt not walk alone.  May my heart be thy shelter, and my arms thy home."

With that, she places the ring onto his finger and looks up at him.  Romeo's eyes are watery and his hands twitch at her touch.  When the ring has finally taken its place at the base of his flesh, he feels something inside him come alive, as though this was the missing piece to his soul.

Then all at once, he cast his eyes downwards, trying not to look at her as if she is the sun, yet he sees her still, like the sun, without even looking.  Instinctively, he reaches forwards and clasps the other ring in his fingers.  He takes Juliet's hand in his once more and turns her hand towards him.  "I love thee, Juliet, not for just who thou art, but for who I am at thy side.  I forget the world around me, this world of hatred and fear.  I forget the duty to my name and who I even am.  With thee, I fall back into nothingness, just longing to be with thee.  Thou wilt forever be my always, for a true love story never ends.  For today, two families become one.  Now time will show us what really matters, for I love thee for all that thou art, all that thou have been, and all that thee will be."

Tenderly, Romeo Montague slips on the ring of Juliet's.  The way it easily slides onto her finger only confirms that she is the perfect fit to his heart as well.  Nothing could drag the two from each other now, even their names.  As the rings show, both crests are now one.

Friar Lawrence wipes a tender tear from his eye and he senses those in the audience do the same.  The two standing before him are so entwined with each other, he feels as though he is about to commit a sin to separate their precious moment.  With a gentle breath he does.  "With the power within me, granted by the Gods above, I now declare you both husband and wife.  Forever in union and forever unseperable."