A/N: So, I've had this fanfic in mind for years now, but never really had any set idea. I tried writing another version of this a couple weeks ago, and another fanfic all together, but I just wasn't happy with what I was creating. I hope whoever reads this story will enjoy it.

-JanetheDoe

Chapter One

Claude Frollo found himself pacing, contemplating the day ahead as he analyzed the crowded streets below the Palace of Justice. He glared down on the riffraff that paraded through the streets, the gypsy scum he had grown to loath and despise, as his black robes billowed around him forebodingly. There were a multitude of things on his mind, none of which the average person would find particularly pleasant. Every day he considered the possible routes he could take to exterminate his foe forever, but he had yet to come up with an ideal and permanent solution.

He let out an anguished sigh, bringing his thin, ghostly fingers to his forehead in frustration. For years this battle had been raging between him and the gypsies, and as the days and months passed he was nowhere closer to a conclusion than when he began. Anger boiled inside him at the thought of always being one step behind them and their troublesome actions. He knew there must be a way to flood out the rats' nest, and today he found himself reflecting on it more than ever before.

On the other side of town, a young woman adjusted the hood of her cloak, assuring to keep herself hidden from those around her. Her strides were hurried, and her clothing tattered beyond repair as she managed her way through the chilly Parisian afternoon. Despite her brisk manner, she took the time to stall briefly at nearby vendors, discreetly stashing items into the satchel at her side. No one seemed to noticed her slight of hand with their items as she continued on her way.

This woman had learned the trick of the trade from growing up on the muddled and harsh streets of Paris. She called the city her home, but it was an unforgiving place for someone of her status. One wrong move and she would be sent to the Palace of Justice. She wasn't sure what would happen to her once begin there, mostly because those like her never come back after a run in with the merciless Judge Frollo.

She had seen this ominous judge on a few separate occasions, and she wouldn't protest if she were to never see him again. There was always a constant pompous expression written over his sharply accentuated features, as though he were too good to live among the common people of Paris. Rumors were always circulating about his pious and prejudice behavior, especially toward the gypsy people, which never settled too well with her. Many of her friends were gypsies.

Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind, and she gaped up wide-eyed at the bulky soldier who had been responsible. He was grinning wickedly down at her, and she knew she had been caught redhanded. Deep inside she hoped and prayed she could talk herself out of this, but by the look on his face it seemed he already had her fate in mind. It was still worth a shot, anyway.

"Is there a problem?" She acted as though she were surprised by his hold.

The soldier started leading her down the street. "Don't act like you don't know. We've been catching onto your tricks for some time now."

"I don't know what you mean." To her the lie seemed plausible enough, but the soldier was having none of it.

"This." He concluded, grabbing her satchel full of goods, and tossing it over his shoulder. "You're not as discrete as you think."

"Well," She let out a deep breath. "I guess you got me. What happens now?"

"I'm going to take you to Judge Frollo." He stated simply. "He'll know exactly what to do to a thief like you, little miss."

"I'm not little."

The soldier let out a small laugh at this, staring down at the petite woman. "I almost feel bad taking you to the Palace of Justice, but you've left me no choice. We've been on your trail for the past two weeks. Didn't you notice?"

"Oh, I noticed." She mumbled. "I thought I threw you off the trail."

"It takes more than a mediocre disappearing act to lose us."

"Yeah, I know that now."

It took them a while to get to the Palace of Justice, and the woman nervously took in the building's facade as they climbed the stone steps leading to a large red door. The peaks of the roof seemingly pierced the clouded sky, and an aura of despair lingered around the building's darkened stone and towering spires. Inside was no better. It was basically a labyrinth filled with poorly lit corridors and empty rooms, but a few guards were posted along the way. Goosebumps ran their way across her skin, reminding her of the damning situation she was in. She was about to come face to face with the man all of Paris feared.

Frollo stood before a raging fireplace, the flames dancing hauntingly across his face as he searched for answers within them. He was sure he was on the brink of discovering a way to douse the rampant blaze that was the gypsies, but the longer he looked the more jumbled his ideals became. His back stiffened as the door behind him banged open with a powerful thump, and he didn't bother turning around to face his visitors. A pair of footsteps shuffled across the room in his direction, and a wave of irritation flooded over him as his thoughts were interrupted.

"Judge Frollo." The voice came from one of his men, but the judge couldn't recall his name.

"What is it?" An impatient snarl came from Frollo's lips. "I'm busy dealing with other matters at hand."

The soldier cleared his throat nervously. "I have a new prisoner. The girl who I've been tracking down."

"The one who bested you?" Frollo recalled snidely, giving him a sideways glance.

There was no response from the soldier, who's pride was obviously wounded, and he tossed his captive on the floor in front of the judge. Frollo finally turned to investigate what had been brought to his attention, and he stared down at the motionless lump on the floor. The woman's hands had caught her fall, and she was looking down, her hood shielding her face from view as she sat herself up. Lengthy stands of golden blonde hair were sliding out of the protection of her cloak, and her whole body was tensed in apprehension as she took a deep breath.

"I wouldn't call it bested when the little fox got caught in the end." The soldier said in an effort to recover the judge's favor.

Frollo circled the woman, glaring down darkly at her form as he considered how to deal with the situation.

"What is your name, girl?" His voice was lullingly soothing, and this sent chills down her spine.

She clenched her hands into fists. "Auriel Dupont."

Frollo stopped in front of her, holding his hands behind his back. "Are you not going to look at me as I talk to you, Miss Dupont?"

"Why would I want to look at a killer?" She shot back, lowering her head even more. "If you're going to have me killed, do it now."

He was taken aback by this response, but soon it was overtaken by annoyance. "I'm sure that could be arranged, but I think you could be useful to me and I to you. Are you in the business of making deals?"

"It depends." She said slowly. "What is the price?"

"I've heard from my men you are a friend to the gypsies, and I too, happen to be interested in them." He explained, feeling as though his opportunity had fallen into his lap. "Do you know where their safe haven is?"

Her tone was harsh. "Even if I did know, I would never tell you."

"Very well then." A smirk twisted it's way across his lips. "If that's what you so desire."

As he said this, he threw back her hood, and the sight before him startled him. The woman was extremely beautiful, not matching the rumpled attire she wore, and her amber eyes were ablaze with defiance, an emotion he didn't see too often within the halls of the Palace of Justice. Her blonde hair reached her accentuated waist and was disheveled from living in the streets. Her skin was a lovely shade of alabaster, and a slight rosiness resided within her shallow cheeks as her anger flared. It was obvious that she was underfed and in need of a good meal.

Auriel was confused, and a bit thrown off by the expression that didn't match Frollo's displeased tone. From this proximity she could plainly see that his eyes were a foreboding grey color, the way the sky tends to look in the wake of a violent storm. In this moment she understood why so many people coward before this man. Being this close was unnerving and perplexing all at once, and for a moment she regretted baiting him.

"I hope you enjoyed the taste of sunlight while you had the chance." Judge Frollo struggled to recompose himself and rekindle his imposing persona as he maintained eye contact with her. "You will reveal your secrets to me or it will be your last."

Auriel was silent in response, but inside she despaired what was to come.

"Take her away." Frollo ordered crossly, returning to his prior stance as the soldier dragged her away.

The inside of her cell wasn't as bad as Auriel thought it would be, but the stone floor was cold and unwelcoming. In the corner a stray rat scurried out of it's hole, only to quickly vanish into another as it caught sight of her. Random tufts of hay were scattered across the ground, and she made quick work of gathering them all together in an effort to make a somewhat comfortable pillow for herself. Sadly, there weren't enough to even make half of one, and she gave up with a heavy sigh.

So, this is to be my prison? She thought bitterly as she trailed her hand along the bars to her cell. Am I going to die here?

No, she would not, could not, stay here. She would find a way to get out of this place if it were the last thing she would ever do. The chances of her succeeding were slim to none, but she didn't care, she belonged on the streets of Paris. Freedom was her way of life, and there was no way in hell she would allow herself to be stuck in the Palace of Justice for the rest of her life. She would break free before Frollo could get the chance to break her.

That evening, Frollo sat brewing in his chambers after his run-in with his newly incarcerated prisoner. Nothing got under his skin more than a criminal who didn't know their place in the order of things. He had given her the opportunity to be released from his clutches, and yet she refused to bat an eye at his offer. If he were to give her one compliment though, it was that her kind are not easily swayed. They're not joking when it comes to the term 'thick as thieves.'

How dare that street rat scum speak to me in such an offhanded manner. He was seething at her words as they continued to reverberate through his mind, as though she were in the room with him. The frown on his face continued to plunge deeper the longer her thought about her opposition towards him. She could be his link to discovering the Court of Miracles, and yet she was the only thing standing in his way.

Yet, he knew he could find someone else to be his informant if he had to, but the idea of forcing her into submission was too good to pass up. He would make her bend to his will, and she would regret rebuffing him if it were the last thing he would ever do. Frollo smiled arrogantly as he caught his reflection in the mirror, and he realized this woman stood no chance. She would be corrupted into telling him the truth.