Chapter 7: Her Fathers Skin
Rarti was able to hide her pregnancy for two months. Just before she started showing, Luca and Clopan found out. Rarti was dancing as usual while Luca played the flute. Suddenly she stopped and stumbled back. Luca stood up and steadied her.
She immediately ran and threw up around the corner of the cathedral. Clopan and Luca came up to her. "Rarti," her brother said,"you've been getting sick in the morning since that soldier left."
"Have I," she said coyly.
"Rarti!" Luca scolded, "Enough with these games!" He looked her in the eye,"Are you with child?"
Shamefully, Rartu nodded. Luca walked away unable to look at her.
"Luca," she said, "He will come back. He asked me to marry him. He knows what it's like to live like we do! He's lived on the streets!"
Clopan's eyes widened at her words. He exchanged a glance with Luca then gently took Rarti by the shoulders, "Rarti, even if what you've been told is true, there is no way of knowing that he won't die in combat."
"Well then my little one will need its mother." she looked at Luca, "Luca please look at me."
He turned to her with dissapointed eyes. "I know you're upset with me," she said, "but this won't be the same as with our mother. I love him. I love my child, and even if he dies, he has given me a piece of him that I will always be able to cherish."
Luca looked into her eyes and sighed. "Does he know?"
"No," she nodded.
"Then we'll have to make sure the two of you will be ready for his return."
Rarti looked into his eyes. It was clear that he was doubtful, and that he was keeping quiet for her. Rarti didn't need to doubt. She believed that he would come back for her. Even in his doubt, she knew he'd honor her wishes. She hugged her brother as tears fell from her eyes.
All was well for only a short time. As Rarti neared the end of her pregnancy, she fell ill. Early contractions made her weak and confined her to her bed. As the days went by, the contractions got closer and more intense; and when her water had finally broken, blood came with it. Once they saw this, a midwife examined her to check the position of the baby. Luca rubbed her back and coached her breathing.
After talking to the midwife, Clopan pulled Luca aside, "What is it? Is it like with Quasimodo?"
"No," Luca said, "The child is in position. It is her. The strain her labor has put on her body has made her weak. The delivery may kill her." Luca, hung his head and rubbed his face, Clopan put a hand on his friends shoulder.
It was hours before she made any progress. When the child started to crown, she began to tear and bleed. Once the child was born, it immediatly started to cry. "It's a girl," the midwife said. The baby had pale skin, and dark brown hair.
Rarti smiled slightly with her eyes closed. She was covered in a cold sweat and short of breath. Luca traded places with the midwife, who gave the baby to Clopan. He cleaned it then gave the little girl to Rarti. She had little strength but did her best to keep the child in her arms.
She had lost alot of blood and was still bleeding. "Luca," she said. He met her eyes,"She had been blessed with her grandfathers hair and her fathers skin."
"How is that a blessing," he asked as he frantically tried to stop the bleeding.
"So no one will know that she is the daughter of a gypsy."
"Rarti," Clopan said as she almost dropped the child.
Luca rushed to her side and held her upright. "Luca," she said opening her eyes.
"You will live," he said, "I won't let you suffer the same fate!"
"Luca," she touched his face, "it's not the same. All will be well." Tears stained Luca's cheeks.
"My child is blessed. I want you to take her to the Palace of Justice. Frollo will take her in and give her a better life."
Clopan looked at her, holding the baby, "Rarti, you don't know what you're saying."
"Yes I do," she said laying her hand on the swaddled child, "For months I've known I wouldn't be able to care for her. He will not reject her because she doesn't look like us. She won't have to fight for her next meal or be scared for her life; and when her father returns, he'll be able to watch over her from afar. I need you to watch her until then. I need you to tell him of her; and to tell him to give her my anklet, so she'll always have some piece of me. Promise me you'll do this."
Luca looked her in the eyes and took her hand, "I promise, sister."
Rarti looked at the baby and rubbed her finger against its cheek," May you have a peaceful life my child; and may you never have to suffer as we do everyday." Rarti closed her yes. Her hand fell to the floor as she took her last breath.
As soon as she died, the child began to cry. Clopan cooed at the child and rocked it in his arms.
Luca held his sister in is arms, "Take the child to Frollo," Clopan looked at him, "We must keep our word." Luca laid his sister's body down and covered her with a sheet.
Clopan nodded, placed the baby girl in a basket and left the Court of Miracles. He carefully and quietly made his way past the guards and placed the baby on the steps. Before he left he held the childs head, "May your mothers wishes for you be fufilled unul mic."
He left quickly as the child began to cry. Upon the discovery of the child, the guards brought her to the Frollo.
"Was there a note?" Frollo asked looking into the basket.
"No," replied one of the soldier, "Shall we bring her to the orphanage?"
Frollo looked at the soldier then back at the child. The girl began to cry, so he carefully picked her up and rocked her in his arms. As the child stopped crying, Frollo smiled slightly. He looked up at the soldier, "Call for a nurse. The girl will be raised in my care, I do need a successor after all."
"Yes, Sir."
As the soldier left, Frollo walked the child to the fireplace.
"The Lord does work in mysterious ways. whoever you came from must have been very confident to leave you here. They clearly wanted more for you. I suppose I can do that, and maybe one day you too will prove to be of use." the judge smiled at the sleeping child.
"Now then, Jeanette Marie. I feel that name would suit you well."
