I don't own any of the Disney's, or Hugo's characters. However, all other characters appearing in this story are my original characters and they are mine and mine alone :p.
Introduction:
The story takes place in Spring 1445, about one year before Judge Claude Frollo's birth ( he will be about 36 when he will meet Esmeralda, I preferred the age Victor Hugo gave him as some of his qualities). You will learn about his parents early lives, how they met, fell in love...and then something wonderful happens,they make a baby, well, wonderful, it depend on if you like Frollo or not ;)
Justice Potier was a couple of potter's adoptive daughter. Her unique name was given to her by the social services because she had been found in a basket, left at the goddess of Justice statue's feet. The minister had interrogated his subordinates, especially those with a poor reputation. None had found themselves and the infant girl looking alike. The fact that she had been left there, instead of to the church, remained a mystery. Rumors quickly spread...Since the Palace could be seen as a church by non locals, some thought the mother might have left her here by mistake. The minister would be the father and would not tell the truth about his dirty little secrets. Although, the palace was warmer than Notre Dame, therefore, the mother would have made sure that the little girl did not die due to the cold rain...
The minister had wanted to place the child himself. Due to the strange circumstances of her founding, this infant had begum by attracting more curious people than some potential parents. For almost two weeks, he had met families full of good attentions, and whom could afford to raise the baby. However, the couple Potier, had particularly touched him; they had lost their daughter of fever. Despite they were not as rich as some candidates, their tears had convinced the official to fulfill their wish. They did not want to adopt her by charity or christian duty, they only wanted a child to love. The little one would not sleep in the silk, but she would receive plenty of love; that was something that money could not buy.
Though, Justice had grown up in the City and learned the potter trade. She did not have the joy to have siblings. Her parents had tried vainly to have other children. The Potier were good Catholics, she had learned to love her home and God. Since she was their only child, her father had paid her a simple education at the Benedictines' cluster. On top of the pottery, she knew how to read and write, and understood the holy scriptures.
At sixteen years old, she had grown into a pretty young woman. Her features were refined, her gesture and her movements full of grace. Her hands were long, her fingers sharp and smoothed by the clay. Her forehead was high, her eyebrows formed two fine curves looking like the vaults of Notre Dame. She had hazel eyes, her nose was long and straight, and her lips well drawn. There were nobility in her features and in her long-limbed body. Her aspect fueled the rumor telling that she would have been the bastard daughter of Gustave Lavoisier, last minister of justice.
Justice, her name suited her well. She was wise, pious, and very strict. Her temperament could be perceived through her attitude and her gray, brown, black ,and deep blue, gowns.
At the opposite of the mid fifteenth century fashion, she did not expose her breast. Her hair, looking displaying the browns, reds, and yellows, nuances of the trees in fall, were often hidden beneath a scarf or severely groomed in braids. Since hair was described as an object of lust in the Bible, she refused to expose them and arouse men.
Despite she was pretty, young men did not take much risks by coming around her. She could keep them in respect with her refusal frown on her beautiful face. The one who found the boldness to invite her to some festival or to go for a walk, or mumbled a declaration of love, heard her answer a cold "No thanks, I am not interested.". Then, she walked away, her head hold high, leaving the unfortunate in the middle of the shop with his flowers in his hand. Her time with the nuns had set this mistrut toward the stronger sex into her. Although, she developed a negative opinion about the marriage, that she saw as the annihilation of a woman soul. Most of the City young women were already married, engaged, or had, at least, somebody in mind. Justice was still alone, with the clay, the Bible, her sketch, and accounting books. Her parents started to question the good in having educated her. Alas the harm was done; they would not be able to marry her.
It was Easter day, and this year, Justice was member of the choral because her friend, Solene, had pushed her to be part of it. Her mother had sewed her a beautiful white dress for the event. Her father was grooming her long golden brown hair. The unleashed braids had made cute little curls; he piked white roses ,all around her skull, to the hairpins that hold her white veil.
_ This veil is far too short, daddy. Everybody going to see my hair. She twisted her nose.
_ It is the church regulation, my chick. He adjusted a rose.
_Cut my hair, then. She took the scissors that her mother left on the dressing table.
_Don't you think about that. He took them from her hand.
Her mother looked at her little Justice with tenderness.
_Come on Chicklet, it is only for today. She came closer.
She laid her hands and her chin on her shoulders. She stared at their reflections. She had grey hair, so had her husband. The little Justice had grown up, had bloomed in beauty as a flower under the spring dew.
_Look how beautiful you are. She caressed softly her cheek.
_ This is vanity, mommy, that to be staring at one self like this. She reacted to the compliment. And I need a shawl to cover this.
She showed the tiny opening of the dress under her throat, revealing her a little below her suprasternal notch.
_I don't see anything wrong. Her father grumbled while he started to sort the grooming tools.
_You are my daddy, but what other men will think when they'll see that? That I am in heat? She became confused.
_No, dear. Her parents laughed.
_Come on my daughter, it is only for today, do an effort. Her mother asked her.
_I don't have the choice. She surrendered.
_Let's go, her father gave the departure signal, we have a good quarter of an hour a walk to Notre Dame.
Justice followed her parents like a convict going to the gallows. The city was in excitement and she heard plenty of compliments on her gown. Vanity and lust, she thought in clenching her teeth. She would have wanted to run and hide herself, but she had to respect her engagement with the Church. It was not really the Solene who had lead her to join the choral, it was herself because she wanted to serve God. He gave a good voice, so be it, she would sing for him. The calvary into Paris
tortuous streets had brought them in front off the Cathedral.
_We going to let you go, chicklet. Her mother kissed her.
_So, you don't even come in!? She exclaimed.
_The officials, nobles and bourgeois have the seats; we have to wait outside. She confirmed.
_God, she turned pale, why would I sing if you can't even hear me?
_We already heard you at home. Her mother smiled.
_Yes, but inside the cathedral, the sound is not the same. She persisted.
_We heard you from the outside. She pushed her in the back.
_ Go join the others, you will find a friend, even two. Her father encouraged her.
She sighted and went to join the choral ,that was waiting for the archbishop, on the Cathedral's steps. She walked through this group of stranger, attempting to cover her neck with her hand and her hair. The singer flock was waiting for its shepherd; she was the lost sheep. Men stared at the girls with hungry wolves' eyes. They were talking together, about family ties they had with the young ladies they saw. She heard rumors of marriage, consumption, and lust. It was indecent to have such unholy words and thoughts on the house of God's doorstep. She walked faster in avoiding the stares of the crowd. She finally joined the group, and exhaled in relief.
_Morning, Justice. The baker's daughter welcome her.
_Morning, Solene, how are you? She asked her.
_Good, good, I only hope it is not too visible. She confided her while looking down at her belly.
_No, I see nothing, Justice whispered, I only hope that it was worth it.
_We'll get married next week. She announced her.
_Congratulation. She forced herself into a smile.
_You look very good today, you should dress that way more often. Solene Suggested
_No, she made a face, I don't want to end up married.
_Nobody in mind, still? She seemed concerned.
_No, and it is not close from happening. She mumbled.
_Eh! There will be one who will be more persistent than the others, and he will catch you! Solene chuckled.
_Don't you think about such an awful thing. She made her face again.
_Eh! You won't say always that! She laughted. Wait for one that will make you feel like there are butterflies in your tummy, and all hot and all cold, make your legs shake, that you turn into a powerless thing when he'll set his eyes upon you...
The silence fell on the group because the archbishop made his arrival.
_He will make you sh...She was abruptly stopped by Justice hand blocking her mouth.
She tried to protest and her friend increased the pressure against her lips.
_You are in front of the house of God! Justice spat, turning her toward the priest.
_Oh, sorry Father, she mumbled against her palm while slightly signing herself.
The archbishop smiled and seeing that he was not upset, Justice freed her friend.
_Come in. He invited them to follow him.
The group started to walk inside the building, side by side, in an organized manner.
_He probably heard far worst than that, Solene continued chatting, believe me, those nobles and those elected, must do far worst after mass.
_Hush. Justice got annoyed.
_And after that, they pay the holy virgin and ask to be atoned by the priest. She ignored her.
_Hush! She insisted, seeing some noble faces staring at them.
_It doesn't atone what they do, those pigs. She pursued.
_Are you going to shut up! She arrived exasperated in front of the altar.
_All right, all right, I shut up. I can't wait for it to be over, I want to go see my Pierre. She grumbled.
The archbishop came to them.
_I think I am going to have to separate you. Solene, I want to keep an eye at you. He showed her a spot near the sacristy, and for you, it will be the first row.
He took Justice by an arm and started dragging her to destination.
_Mercy, Father, don't put me in the front row. She pleaded meekly.
_ You are one of the only one who did not compromise herself, or worst to be pregnant. Our lord will be very pleased. He soothed his tone for she stopped mistaking his act for a punishment.
_Amen. She resigned to let him placed her in front of the officials bench.
He left her and kept on placing his singers like dolls in display. Boys on the top, girls below, he was like a bee flying around a daisy batch.
_Justice, move a little on your right. He asked her.
_Yes, yes, Father, she started moving, whaaaa!
She just hurted something and almost fell. A solid set of long legs were in the middle of the narrow hallway.
_Forgive me. Their owner removed them. _Sorry. She also apologized.
_Justice! Justice! Snaped at her the archbishop. Look where you going!
The man wore a large hat that he forgot to take off. Judging by his breath, he dis just come in.
_My fault, Father, the man took the blame in rubbing his trousers. I was making myself too comfortable.
_After hours on horseback, he mumbled in removing the hairs, damn nag!
He was smelling like horse and sweat. She bend to try to see his facial expression; she was afraid to have hurt him with her wooden soles.
_I hope that I did not hurt you. She wanted to know how he was feeling.
_Hurt me?! He raised his head ,amused. You would need to do better than that to hurt me, girl!
_Well, everything is doing well, then, hum, Sir. She backed away from him.
"Your hat" she heard the man seated next to him.
_Ehhh. He took it off and placed it onto his laps.
One of her feet was feeling cold; her shoe! She lost her shoe. She started searching after it by looking around while the archbishop was beginning to distribute the candles.
_Have you lost something? The man whispered.
_My shoe. She kept her eyes on the floor.
He looked around him and verified beneath his bench. He had brought it back accidentally beneath him when he moved his legs. He took the little shoe carefully and waited for the priest to turn his back to them to hand it back to her.
_Thank you. She moved swiftly to take it from him.
She fell into his gray eyes and their fingers touched briefly. She looked down; she took back her belonging in a quick and clumsy move. She put her shoe back on hastily and returned to her slot. The man kept on looking at her, and she could not turned her eyes away from him. A cold feeling griped her stomach, the blood left her face and her members. A sweat started dripping onto her back. Was she going to faint? A black cloak broke the visual contact between them. Justice took her candle with a trembling hand.
_Are you feeling all right, my child? The archbishop seemed to worry.
_Yes, it is just..the emotion. She stammered. Having to sing... in front of so many people.
When the priest moved from her sight, the man had stopped to looking at her. He was talking to his friend, his head bend to his ear. She could not hear what he was saying, however, she sensed the vibration of his deep voice in her chest. She thought about what Solene told her about the charms of the stronger sex and how they made the woman's flesh react. She swallowed hard and hold her candle tightly as if it was the last object that could save her. She analyzed his profile. He had a long and aquiline nose, a strong chin, an angular jaw, and prominent cheekbones. He has a high and sloping forehead with two little bumps near his eyebrows. His curled ash blond hair fell on his shoulders. Despite his strong scent, he was properly shaved and he seemed to take great care of his appearance. He would simply have an active life, as a horse trainer or breeder, something like that. His attention came back to her; she had to turn her head away, or she would encourage him to use his male magic on her...but what an idiot! She stood looking straight at him, unable to move a eyelash. He smiled at her, and she tried to respond with a little grimacing smirk. He had a handsome smile that smoothed his angular face, and he seemed contempt with his effect! She was furious and...how dared he, using his charms into a church! Now, her legs started shaking!
The priest broke their silences exchange and lighted up her candle. He waited and cleared his throat.
_Oops! she remembered her role.
She passed the flame to the singer on her right and soon all candles were lighted up.
_Get up. The archbishop invited his flock.
The man stood up and she backed up, impressed; he was a giant. She was out of his sight at last. She had his imposing chest in front of her. She could not help herself and looked up to take a quick measurement of his shoulders width. He reminded her of these mythological creatures, half man, half beast. Since he was scenting like a man and a horse, he would be a centaur. Knowing that he was observed, he bend his head and she drowned into his steel lakes. He gave her a quick smile and focused his attention back on the archbishop. She came back to her when the cathedral resounded of the fidels song. She caught up on the others, hoping that the priest did not take notice of her breach of duty. Her voice and the man's seemed to unify and to come out together from her own throat. It was a strange duo between a bass and a soprano. He was standing at a respectable distance from her, but she could feel the heat emanating from his body and scent his breath. She would have to talk about this somewhat terrifying experience with Solene. When the canticle came to an end, she searched her in the group. She did not know the girl that were in her sight. Their dress were made of noble fabric whereas hers was made of simple wool. The archbishop had placed her among girls from the most respectable families of Paris. It was a great honor made to his "favorite", but she was feeling isolated.
"She sings like a nightingale" She heard the centaur talked to his friend.
Was he talking about her? She turned her head toward them and did not miss the opportunity to strike her with one of his smile. She returned it to him a little better than the first time even if it was a shy one. His friend was looking at her as well, but he did not make her feel this strange effect. The centaur's gray eyes as the sky was before a thunderstorm locked into hers, petrified her, and stroked her. Her physical responses aggravated; she was cold, then hot, her ears buzzed. A knot formed into her throat and squeezed her breath away. She had to break the visual contact to be able to sing the next canticles. Solene was right, she was not different of other women, but she would not let him have his end. She was going to ignore him until the end of the ceremony.
"I must talk to her father" "Don't you think about that" "Do you know her father?" "No, that is the first time that I saw her" "Justice, this name, this is a sign from heaven." "Calm down, you do not even know her" "We'll have years to learn to know each other. You didn't know Blanche neither."
His friend gave up on trying to reason with him. " Get Married on a whim, do as you wish" He sighted. Justice's poor heart missed a beat. She would have to get out of here as fast as possible, disappear in the middle of the crowd, before the centaur would find her. He would not have her, no, no, and no.
She barely heard the archbishop, she was stalled like a deer taken in a hunter sight. The dark cloak of the holy man passed like a shadow during the intense duel between the woman and the man. When the priest walked back to the altar, the man gave her a quick wink of the eye, then displayed one of his formidable smile. Hell opened beneath her, her cheeks flushed and her heart began to drum. His charming smile turned into an amused and victorious one. She was furious, how dared he!? Infidel! In a sudden burst of pride, she turned haltingly her face away from his, and made her refusal frown. She clearly heard him chuckled. Apparently, it did not have the effect expected.
_Charming. He whispered.
God, how she wanted to disappear into the ground. Suddenly, people got up; the girls standing by her side started moving to join their family. It was already over? He stopped looking at her and reach for his hat. It was now, or never. Her legs were stocked into the ground, like the pillars supporting the cathedral vaults. She painfully freed them, one after the other, pushed as she was by her instinct of self preservation. She placed as much human shields as possible between them. She turned around and saw that he stood up, and was searching the crowd with his sharp gray eyes. She looked for a way to escape or to hide from him. The confessional was only some steps away. She slalomed between the fidels, making sure to be hidden by some taller than her.
_Justice! She heard Solene call. Wait!
She was going to make him find her! She ran to the closet and looked herself in, her breath was short and laborious. She picked through the crossed wooden window to see her adversary next move. He was going to the archbishop! No! She did not anticipated this! The old one had a big gob! He was going to tell him where she was living!
_Shut up! Shut up! She squealed.
_Boo! Somebody had opened the shutter. _Ah! Justice put her hand on her heart.
Solene sniffed a laughter. Recognizing her, Justice relaxed.
_You gave me goosebumps. She regained her composure
_Are you not a little too old to play hide and seek? She chuckled.
_Shut up, I hope that nobody saw you coming in. She worried.
_No, why? Solene asked.
_I don't want him to see me. Justice whispered.
_Who? The archbishop? I don't want him to see me, either; I stole wine from him, last week. She giggled.
_Not him, the man who is talking to him. She explained her. Do you know him?
_ Yeh, alas. She admit. He is the provost Claude Frollo. Why are you avoiding him? Is he looking for you?
_No, well, yes and no. She did not know how to explain that to her.
_It is unusual for you to do something stupid. She did not understand.
_ I did nothing wrong. This is he. She grumbled. I hope the old one going to hold his tongue and won't tell him where I am living.
_What is going on? Solene furrowed her brows.
_He did not stop starring and smiling at me. Justice revealed her. Doing that inside a church, this is really unacceptable.
_Eh! Eh! Eh! Remember what I've said! She triumphed with a singing voice.
_Hush! She panicked.
_Oops. Solene grimaced.
_They spotted us! She hissed _Sorry. Solene swallowed hard.
_Who is here? The archbishop was coming. Get out!
_ I am going to surrender and...distract them. You could take the next and leave. Solene made a plan hurriedly.
He was coming near Justice's door.
_Hurry up, quick. Justice whispered.
He was ready to open her door when Solene disappeared from her sight. She jumped out by the other side of the confessional.
_Father! She brushed against his cloak with a provocative smile.
Justice hold a scream and signed herself, scandalized.
_I wanted to wait for us to be alone. She teased him.
She kept on turning around him like a swallow, giggling and brushing his cloak with her hips.
_But, you are not patient man, don't you? She chuckled.
_You, little demon! He rumbled. Stop that!
_Father? She sulked while playing with one of her lock around her finger. It is not very kind of you to call me a demon, even though, I am not holy.
_You was waiting for him to take his leave to have some swigs of wine, don't you ? The provost stepped closer to her.
_No, Sir, I cannot in my state. She stroked her belly. But do not think, that I do not want to visit you, do not take it the wrong way.
Justice shut a laughter in her palm in witnessing Solene effrontery.
_Is there only you? He came closer to the other confessional's door.
_Hum, hum. She nodded.
_To whom you was talking to, then? He cocked an eyebrow.
_To myself, I've heard what you was saying and...She lied.
He gave her the silent order to keep her mouth shut and stepped closer to the door. Justice froze; she was hesitating between fleeing, playing dead, or fighting. Fighting, what a silly idea, she would not make it.
_Now! Solene screamed to shake her up.
She hoped like a rabbit and rushed out of her hiding place. The provost jumped backward in surprise; Justice took advantage of the effect, and ran to the closest cathedral's exit.
_Wait! She heard him from the outside. Justice!
She ran as fast as her poor legs allowed her to. She gained the square steps, and disappeared into the crowd. When she felt safer among those of her kind, she briefly looked back. She sighted in relief knowing that he was not pursuing her. She decided to find her family, with a thought for Solene, who was still inside with the two men.