Chapter Three: Catherine's Doll
Disclaimer: I do not own HoND. I do own Catherine.
Quasimodo lingered in the belltower, but was visited by Esmeralda, whom he quickly adored. He made a doll of her as well and now he had two women he cared about. Now he had to decide between the two. Catherine was way beyond his type, so he decided to go for Esmeralda. But he still liked Catherine.
Catherine lingered in the prayer room of the cathedral, praying for the safety of Esmeralda after she had heard that Frollo wanted to kill her for the crime of witchcraft. As she looked up into the face of the statue, she began to sing softly.
Who can say if your love grows
as your heart chose
Only time
Unknown to Catherine, Quasimodo had heard her voice singing even in the belltower. He came down slowly and began searching for her.
Who can say why your heart sighs,
As your love flies?
Only time...
And who can say why your heart cries,
When your love dies?
Only time...
He found her walking in the halls, her long brown hair freely hanging down and flowing behind her. She looked...heavenly, like a fallen angel. Her face was streaked with tears as her voice floated and reverberated off the walls.
And who can say
when the day sleeps
if the night keeps
all your heart
Night keeps all your heart
She was coming up the stairs and he began to back away, afraid of what would happen if she saw him.
And who can say
Where the road goes
Where the day flows,
Only time
She was almost next to him and he thought she was going to stop and greet him, but she just passed by, singing and ignoring him.
Who knows-only time
Who knows-only time...
As the last note sounded, her voice died and she kept walking. Quasimodo began to follow her, matching her footsteps and making his as light as hers, but somehow she heard him and turned to regard him.
"I knew you were there. I'm sorry if I didn't do anything to acknowledge your presence," she said, smiling.
"You have a beautiful singing voice," he said, bowing. She shook her head. "I told you not to do that. A lot of people say that to me when they hear me sing," she said smiling with fullblown dimples, making her face look cute.
"Oh! I forgot, but I wanted to give you something," he said, taking her hand and leading her to the belltower. Once there, he led her to the table with all the dolls and he plucked one off of it and gave it to her. She took a look and gasped. It was an exact replica of her.
"It's beautiful," she breathed. "Th-thank you," he said, his hands twisting nervously. "You have such talent Quasimodo," she said as she bent down and kissed his cheek. He looked shocked before blushing to the roots of his hair. She giggled.
"Well, I should be going. I promised Mother that I would be back soon," she said as she bent and kissed him again before leaving, stroking the doll.
"Oh, um...about the festival, I thank you for helping me," he said, his cheeks flushing red. She turned to look at him and smiled. "Mother would kill me if she found out," she said as she turned around and walked out of the belltower.
Catherine had just kissed him! He felt like the luckiest guy alive. To have the affections of Catherine felt almost too good to be true! He walked to the table where he picked up a piece of rectangular wood and began shaping another doll in Catherine's shape. The three gargoyles watched and they all got an idea. They took a huge piece of stone and began chiseling. Pretty soon, when Quasi was done, they were done. They had made a large statue of Quasi and Catherine holding hands and kissing. The words 'Q&C Forever' were written on its base. When Quasimodo saw it, his face flushed. He did like Catherine alot, but he did not think he would be good enough to be Catherine's husband. He was too ugly and too lowly. Esmeralda was more his type. He saw Catherine walking on the bridge and he sighed when she stopped to gaze into the river.
I knew I'd never know
That warm and loving glow
Though I might wish with all my might
No face as hideous as my face
Was ever meant for heaven's light
But suddenly an angel has smiled at me
And kissed my cheek without a trace of fright
I dare to dream that she
Might even care for me
And as I ring these bells tonight
My cold dark tower seems so bright
I swear it must be heaven's light
He climbed up to the bells and rung them, signaling the time for evening mass.
Catherine heard the bells when she was walking on the bridge that crossed the Seine River and she looked back up at the belltower, her heart singing with the bells' voice.
Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I stay up and think of you
And I wish on a star that somewhere you are
Thinking of me too
Cause I'm dreaming of you tonight
Till tomorrow, I'll be holding you tight
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room dreaming about you and me
Catherine's hand ran along the stone rail of the bridge and felt it to be warm, like Quasimodo's skin.
I'll be dreaming of you tonight
Till tomorrow, I'll be holding you tight
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room dreaming about you and me
As she turned to the belltower, she imagined Quasimodo standing in front of her, holding her hands and kissing her sweetly on the lips instead of the cheek.
Sweetheart
I can't stop thinking of you
How I need you
My love, how I miss you
Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I stay up and think of you
And I still can't believe
That you came up to me and said I love you
I love you too
She was sure Quasimodo loved her too. He was a gentle person and she was too, but she was also a noblewoman. She was too high for him.
Now I'm dreaming with you tonight
Till tomorrow (till tomorrow) and for all of my life
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room
Dreaming with you endlessly
As the last note died, she looked up at the belltower with tears in her eyes. That was it! She knew now what the feeling in her heart was. She was in love with Quasimodo the bellringer. He was handsome to her eyes, much more handsome than any normal man. She wasn't partial to people with red hair, but with him she could make an exception. She couldn't live without him in her life. He was a strong man despite his deformed appearance and she liked that. Someone who could protect her when she was in danger. She longed to go back to the tower and just cover his face all over with loving kisses, but she didn't. Instead she turned away and walked to the cemetery and to the Court of Miracles.
Quasimodo saw Catherine on the bridge and sighed. With the moon out, she looked like an angel with the light shining on her chestnut hair and the jewels on her gown glittering. He had to turn away and go to his bed for he was tired. Once under the thin cover, he fell asleep dreaming of Catherine.
Hope you enjoyed! R/R and be happy!
