A Place of Miracles


"Where do you come from, beautiful stranger?

Daughter of Heaven, or of Earth?

Beautiful bird of paradise

Why have you settled here?"

. . .

"Bohemian

No one knows our country

Bohemian

We are children of the road

Bohemian, Bohemian

Who can say where we'll be tomorrow

Bohemian, Bohemian

It's written in the palms of my hands."


9 years ago. . .

A woman walked steadily through the snow, her arms enclosed around a small blanket, sheltering it from the cold winter winds. The woman kept her head down, and kept her steps short, so as not to fall on an unseen patch of ice.

"Mother. . . I'm cold."

The delicate woman turned her head to acknowledge the girl of 10 years that followed in her footsteps.

"Almost there my dear Vadoma," she replied with an encouraging smile. "Why don't you think of something nice to overcome the winter's chill?"

The girl nodded, and continued onward after her mother, thinking of fresh bread from the bakery only several blocks from their home. Oh, the smell of it even in her head was beyond compare. If only she could have a piece. . .

It had been two days since the little girl had had food, and she would have been weak from fatigue if she hadn't been used to not eating frequently.

Every day Vadoma fought to survive, and at night she lay by her mother's side and thanked the heavens that she was still alive. Since she had reached her fourth year of life, it had been the way she lived, and now it was second nature to her. Every day the girl lived, as if it were her last. And every day she fought to keep a smile on her face.

Vadoma followed silently as her mother led her past an old monastery, and deep into the 'Cemetery la Condamné.'

The girl ran to keep up with her mother, imagining all sorts of monsters lurking behind the large pillars of stone, and the solemn marble angels.

Her mother seeing her fear, freed one of her hands from the blanket she carried, and wrapped it around her daughter. Her emerald green eyes warmed as they meet her daughters' dark brown ones. "There is no need for fear little one. The dead are peaceful tonight, and all is well."

"I don't fear the dead," the girl answered as she clung to the woman's side.

"Than what do you fear?"

Vadoma thought for a moment before she answered. "I dread the night mamma, and all things of it."

The woman smiled knowingly as they began to walk again, though this time side by side.

"Not all darkness is night Vadoma," the woman explained gently. "And not all goodness is Light."

"But how can that be," the little girl wondered aloud.

"Monsters of the night can be kindhearted, and the most beautiful of humans can be cruel. Looks aren't anything in this world. Remember that my little one and all will love you as I love you."

"I promise mamma. I will remember. . ." Though Vadoma didn't understand completely, she made a vow that she would never forget her mother's words. Never, ever.

"We are here," the delicate woman said as she stopped in front of a large crypt near the back of the large cemetery. The woman fixed the blanket in her arms before she looked down at her daughter anxiously. "Stay close to me child, and don't let a word escape your lips until I say so."

Vadoma nodded, and watched with wide eyes as her mother moved the coffin lid to the reveal a flight of stone steps leading down into the catacombs. The two descended into the Paris' sewers, and the crypt door closed silently of its own accord.

It was pitch black and Vadoma reached out frantically for her mother's skirt. When she found it she patted her mother and they began to walk.

Though there was no light, Vadoma's mother walked as if she knew exactly where she was going. And soon they had come to a large door, with colorful carvings on its surface. The woman lifted up her thin hand and knocked on the wood, thrice, and was immediately answered by a rich voice.

"Who seeks passage here?"

Vadoma's mother spoke slowly, choosing her words with care. "I am Jaelle Roma, cousin to Clopin Trouillefou. This is my daughter Vadoma Mariel Roma, and we seek the right to Asylum and an audience with the King of La Cour De Miracles."

The voice didn't reply for a few moments, but when it did, it was laced with skepticism. "What is the password of the Court, Jaelle de Roma?"

The woman answered, her beautiful voice rising and falling with the heartfelt words. "Nous sommes des nomades libres dans ce pays. Nous n'avons qu'une seule famille... Sous Dieu nous sommes tous égaux... Ananké est le mot final..."

The man remained silent for a moment, before the door creaked open. And a handsome face peered out.

A happy smile spread across Jaelle's face as she recognized the man standing before her. "Cousin, it has been far too long."

The man returned the smile, "Indeed it has Jaelle. For a moment, I thought you were an imposter trying to gain passage, by lying."

The woman shook her head, "If the guards at the entrance had thought me a threat, they wouldn't have let me pass through the catacombs Clopin."

Clopin laughed, and Vadoma couldn't help but smile, as she hid in the folds of her mother's garment. His laugh was hearty and loud, and it was completely genuine.

Clopin side stepped, "Please Mon Cher come in. You and your little one are welcome here."

Jaelle and Vadoma walked past the tall lanky man, and into a brightly lit room, full of torches, and mirrors. Vadoma was overwhelmed by all the reflections and shut her eyes tightly so as not to get dizzy.

Clopin shut the door, and turned to the two females, his eyes coming to rest on the 10 year old. And as he looked at her, a warm expression spread across his face. And the man knelt down to her height so their eyes met as he inclined his head in greeting.

"Good evening Madame."

Vadoma nodded back to him shyly from her place at her mother's side, and curtsied, "Bonjour."

Clopin smiled, and took her smaller hand in his own rough one, and kissed it gently, like one would kiss the hand of a lady.

"Remind me of your name Mon Cher. . . It has escaped my mind with all the excitement."

"Vadoma," the girl said. She liked this funny man, more and more with each passing second. He didn't talk to her like most adults did, and he seemed to think she was interesting.

"Well, Vadoma," Clopin said with a toothy grin, "Welcome to my Court."

Vadoma giggled and looked up to her mother, to see her smiling too. The girl hadn't felt so happy in a long time, and it was long overdue.

Clopin stood back to his full height and turned his attention back to his cousin. "I have missed you Jaelle. But tell me, where on earth have you been hiding these long years? And why have you not come back to us before now?"

Jaelle was about to answer when the blanket in her arms began to move, and a small sigh came from within.

Clopin Trouillefou lifted an eyebrow. "Cousin, what else have you brought with you?"

Jaelle pulled the blanket back to show a beautiful child that was fast asleep. Her little hands curled into themselves in the most peaceful fashion possible. And Clopin gave a chuckle in astonishment.

"Goodness cousin! And here I thought it was just an old blanket! What is this babes' name?"

"Esmeralda," Jaelle answered kissing the forehead of her youngest daughter.

"Esmeralda," Clopin repeated in wonder. Before he continued, "You have been blessed with two beautiful daughters Jaelle."

"Yes, God has smiled at me." The woman agreed.

At that exact moment, Vadoma's stomach growled loudly, and both adults looked to the child. The girl blushed in embarrassment, and looked at the ground, hating the fact that the man now knew she was hungry.

Clopin smacked his forehead with his palm cursing under his breath. "My apologizes Vadoma, you must be starving! Please follow me, and we'll get you something to eat."

Even though the girl was embarrassed, she could help but smile. The thought of food, was so wonderful.

The small group walked through the room of mirrors, and exited on the other side to reveal yet another door.

"We have the mirror room, and this second door, as a defense against outsiders." Clopin explained as he opened knocked on the door. "The time it takes someone to figure out which way to go, we have already been alerted to an intruder, and we have time to react this way."

A voice called out to them, but this time it was female. "Who seeks passage here?"

"Clopin, and three guests." The King answered flashing another grin at the 10 year old.

The door swung open and a stout gypsy woman with a light brown dress appeared. She bowed slightly before she stepped aside to let them pass.

"Thank you Laura," Clopin called as the woman returned back to her watch.

Vadoma looked around in awe, at the beauty before her. A large ceiling city underground met her eyes. Fabrics of every color and shade met her eyes, along with flowers and tents.

"What do you think of my home, little one?" Clopin asked as he watched the girl stare.

Vadoma looked up at him, her eyes sparkling as she replied, "It is a place of miracles."


Sorry, I know nothing really exciting happened in this chapter, but it was very necessary. I wanted to show you Vadoma and Clopin's first meeting. And also wanted you to meet Jaelle Roma. ;) For those of you who have seen the musical or read the original novel, I know this is not accurate. Esmeralda's mother was that crazy lady. . . But that just didn't feel right to me. . . So in my story her mother is Jaelle Roma the noble gypsy woman, cousin to Clopin Trouillefou the King of the Court of Miracles!

And the Translation for the password, is this. "We are free nomads in this land. We have but one family. . . Under God we are all equal. . .Ananke is the finale word . . . "

And the lyrics from the beginning are from the song Bohemian, from the Musical Notre Dame de Paris.