I'm glad someone finally had the courage to tell Shalott it is time to move on , thanks for being the one to say what everyone was thinking, but no one was offering!
On a more serious note, this is gorgeous. That last line is a breath taker (or giver, as the context may be ^_^)
much appreciated some of your retelling elements, poignant like:
No thorns, but nails ever sharper
Scars left, much deeper
Haha ... the deliver of tough love. That's me:) But tell me about it. She has been brooding about the place forever. Now, I'll leave it to you to break it to Byron he can't date his sister.
Thanks for the humour, Carmalain, and the compliment.