Chapter 3: Reflections
Author's Note: I attempt to explain Frollo's ostensibly sudden character transformation in this chapter.
Claude stared at his reflection in the carriage window, not absorbed in the trees flowing past him but instead in how much his behavior had changed from when he told Esmeralda that she should either be his or die. Although many around him did not notice the change because it had been so gradual and since he had only recently made a breakthrough and finally realized the error of his ways, Claude had for many months been genuinely discussing his emotions, fears, and all the deep torturous thoughts that so plagued him, ever since he saw Esmeralda dancing in the square, her swirling skirt making him dizzy with desire. This dizzying desire was too much for Claude to handle so he desperately decided to attempt confessing to one who would never betray his confidence, confessing to a soul even more tortured than he: Gerlude. Although this idea was repugnant, abhorrent, and ostensibly would not solve his problems, Claude would try anything for some comfort from the torture of his thoughts.
Knowing that Gerlude would be too absorbed in her own problems and far too removed from society to spread nasty rumors, Claude had freely unburdened himself onto Gerlude, freeing his soul from malignity and wickedness. Gerlude had comforted him in a way Claude had not thought possible: she had merely listened, and not judged, sighing sympathetically at the sadder aspects of his venting. Between sobbing, Gerlude had also spoken to him of the true meaning of love and of how it made life worth living, despite the pain it often caused. Gerlude had even returned to Claude a faith in God that he thought he had lost because despite her sadness, she believed that she would be reunited with her daughter someday, even if she had to wait until heaven for that opportunity. Claude had so frequently spoken to Gerlude through her dark window, through her self-imposed prison cloaked in black and disguised as the night, and had only recently revealed his true identity when he realized he could help her gain revenge on the gypsies in return for her cleansing his soul.
Gerlude, in turn, now knew the entire story behind Claude Frollo's dark deeds, and thus could not fault him or be angry for the terrible intentions he had with her daughter since the poor tortured soul had been through so much that it was really a miracle he had not hung himself much earlier in his tragic, academic-driven life. Instead, Gerlude merely felt pity that Claude's parents had left him at such a critical time and that he had been too busy with books to learn the importance of love. Gerlude now hoped that somehow, Claude and Esmeralda could find happiness together and learn to truly love each other, without the prejudices of appearance, lust, or the past deterring them from pursuing the happy ending they both deserved. Gerlude knew from experience how difficult it was to forget the past, but saw her reunion with her precious daughter as a sign that perhaps, just perhaps, Claude and Esmeralda could overcome all obstacles in the past and develop emotions they did not know existed.
One month ago, Claude would have never had the peace of mind he had now, or be so open as to admit how deep his obsession with Esmeralda really ran in his mind, consuming every spare thought. Although his entire body burned with lust for her still, a new emotion that he was unfamiliar with gained momentum in his heart as he learned more about the beautiful gypsy from following her. He felt protective of her, entranced by every aspect of her being, which was much deeper than her striking beauty. He saw her kindness, her purity, her zest for life, her unwavering optimism despite all the difficulties she faced. She was the very opposite of him: she was heaven's light and he appeared to be the underworld's darkness, consumed by hell's fire. And thus, despite the constant pain and desire that had once driven him to madness, Claude relented to this newly developed emotion instead and beseeched Quasimodo to protect him from himself, to not cause any harm to that which he cared for more than the entire world.
"Phoebus!" screamed Esmeralda as she awoke from a start from yet another nightmare. Claude was sharply pulled away from his musings on his transformation as he felt a stab to his heart at hearing that despicable name uttered by her beautiful lips again. Clearly, Claude's transformation was not enough to make him forget jealousy, the ugly emotion that obscured the so novel love that Claude still did not completely understand. As he watched Gerlude wrap her arms around her lovely daughter and comfort her with a soothing lullaby, he longed to, just for a moment, be in Gerlude's place and caress Esmeralda instead. Oh, or if only he could be Djali and feel Esmeralda's hand caress his face as she caressed the goat's fur. Alas, she still saw Claude as completely repulsive.
"I know how difficult it is to lose someone too, Esmeralda. My parents left me when I was about your age. And although your Phoebus may not be dead, he is incapable of feeling true love, which is a fate even worth than death," whispered Claude softly, averting his gaze from her penetrating, emerald eyes. Gazing upon her beauty was too much for him now that he had to control himself from reverting to his lustful ways. Startled that the leering, violent, dark, enraged priest could speak softly and gently enough to appear human, Esmeralda wondered if perhaps appearances could be deceiving. After all, had not her "Sun God" Phoebus left her feeling in a darker despair that she had ever known? And had not this priest, despite all the evil he had done to her in the past, now saved her from death and reunited her with her mother? Was the Priest not as ugly as he seemed? Were people really capable of changing that much?
The carriage came to a halt, screeching wooden wheels causing Esmeralda to pout and cringe at the sound. Claude smiled on seeing that so familiar pout, hopeful that since Esmeralda had reverted to this expression, perhaps with time she would eventually smile and laugh again.
Quasimodo tapped the glass, glancing nervously about.
"Master, we've arrived at a Royal Checkpoint!" he nervously whispered.
Heart pounding, Claude truly hoped that his chance to make Esmeralda happy would not be squelched before he even had the chance to try.
