A/N: This is a pre-movie scene. Hope you enjoy.
Once again, the Archdeacon and Frollo were arguing on the care of Quasimodo. They were standing in the top eaves of the bell tower, with three-year old Quasi seated on the floor, playing with a toy.
"I've already told you, Frollo; you insisted that he live here at the church, and Sister Josephina is taking perfectly good care of him."
"And I have told you, Archdeacon, that he should only get the best care. I will be sending in a personal governess in as soon as next week. And it's Judge Frollo to you." Frollo sniffed. He didn't sound as if he particularly cared, only that Quasimodo was in his control and care.
The Archdeacon shook his head. "I don't have the power to argue with you, Judge Frollo," he sighed. "But you must come to check up upon the child weekly. You haven't been here for almost a month."
"I hate children," Frollo said under his breath, but loud enough for the Archdeacon to hear. He approached the crib where Quasimodo was sitting beneath, and stared with contempt at the child. Turning back to the Archdeacon, he said, "I will come more often."
Quasimodo laughed, looking up at the bells. He pointed, giggling some more.
"Yes, those are the bells of Notre Dame, Quasimodo," the archdeacon said wanely, attempting to smile. He hated calling the child that, but it at least would reinforce an identity within him. "Aren't they beautiful?"
Quasi giggled again. "Bells," he said. "Bells, bells, bells!"
Frollo frowned with discontent. "You'll have to excuse me," he said. "I have more important duties to attend to."
The archdeacon looked from the disfigured child back to the judge. "Your child...just said his first words. Don't you even care about that?" he asked in disbelief.
"Not particularly," he said indifferently. "Besides, as I remember, you forced me to take him in. He is not my 'child,'" he spat before walking down the stairs down to the main part of the church.
Quasimodo still smiled, oblivious to his guardian's disgust. "Bells, bells!" he chanted.
The archdeacon made the cross sign over his body. "Oh, child, what fate have I condemned you to?" He, too, soon left Quasimodo with Sister Josephine, shaking his head as he descended the stairs of the bell tower.