A/N: This is my first Hunchback of Notre Dame fic! Inspired by fanart that depicted Clopin as somewhat of an older brother figure to Esmeralda. The pictures were really cute and this idea came to mind.
Enjoy!
I do not own any Hunchback of Notre Dame characters
Dark was the night when our tale was begun on the streets near Notre Dame...
"How much longer?" the little girl asked, her tiny hand clutching the boy's maroon collar.
"Shh..." he hushed gently. "Not much farther. But we must stay quiet, okay?"
She yawned and leaned her head on his chest, her eyelids growing heavy.
The boy, no more than fourteen, shifted the child on his hip so she wouldn't fall and quickly ducked into a darkened alley.
As he slipped deeper into the shadows, a guard on horseback passed where he had just been and the boy froze, not daring to breathe or even blink until he was gone. It felt like an eternity.
Once the coast was clear, the boy exhaled. He looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms and then out to the well-lit street.
He had told her a lie. He didn't have a place to go. Where they once called home was gone, set ablaze three weeks ago per the orders of Judge Frollo. Now every night was a struggle to find somewhere safe to stay.
Ensuring that no other guards were around, he stepped back into the light and continued walking. Exhaustion seeped into his bones with each stride and he knew if he didn't stop to rest, he would collapse right on the cobblestone.
Turning the corner, something in the distance caught his eye. A small house with a thatched roof. A stable, perhaps?
Picking up speed, he hurried toward it. Before he knew it, the torches that illuminated the path were gone and he was alone in the dark with only the waning moon providing a sliver of light.
He reached the hut and slowly pushed on the door. It creaked loudly as it opened and he entered cautiously. It was pitch black inside, but soon enough, his eyes adjusted and on the far side of the space, he could make out three stalls and the outline of a horse. He was right.
Carefully, he set the girl down on a soft pile of hay in the corner and removed his collar to use as a makeshift blanket.
Lying next to her, he slung his arm over his eyes to force himself to sleep. But it wasn't easy. Despite his fatigue, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. He didn't know where he was or whose stable he was in. If someone discovered them...
No. He couldn't afford to think like that. He made a promise to protect her at all costs and he would be damned if he didn't live up to it.
In his wearied state, the concept of time was foreign to him, but eventually, sleep did come. However, it was fitful and sporadic, as his dreams returned him to that fateful day when he watched all he love turn to ashes.
A/N: I hope you all liked it! Please R&R!